Excluded Headlines: Photos from Hawaii and West Africa fires, and news on Egypt, Amazon, Niger, Guatemala, Haiti..
Stay up to date on the global news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlooks, with journalist and author, Tamara Pearson.
This week’s Global South news, downplayed or ignored by the English-language mainstream media includes:
Egypt faces food increases of 70% in July and power outs - The Egyptian pound is continuing to lose its value, while food prices go up. People in rural areas in particular are being left without power while temperatures soar, and the government says that electricity rationing throughout the country will continue until September. Source, source.
Inhumane sanctions implemented against Niger - On Friday ECOWAS (West African bloc) military heads agreed on a possible military intervention into Niger in order to reverse the recent coup there. Together with Western allies (US, France), who have a history of exploiting and intervening in the area, they also announced sanctions against Niger. These include suspending commercial transactions, freezing bank assets, and suspending financial aid to development banks. Some 4 million people in Niger depend on food aid, and that will be disrupted and food and medicine shortages are imminent. African workers in the ITUC have rejected military intervention. Source, source, source, source, source.
8 countries form Amazon bloc - 8 South American countries that share Amazon territory met in Brazil. While they were able to agree on the gravity of deforestation, there were differences regarding targets and concrete measures. Brazil and Colombia had proposed zero deforestation by 2030, but that wasn’t agreed to, and instead goals will vary by country. Source, source.
US still taking Syria’s oil - According to local activists, US military forces took a convoy of 30 oil tank trucks across the border to Iraq. Source.
Hawaii, West Africa fires - While the media is rightly thoroughly covering the horrific fires in Hawaii (at least 36 people have died and the historic town of Lahaina has been burnt to the ground - video of the fires), the fires in west and northern Africa in the past few weeks were almost completely overlooked, and just a few brief pieces were published. In Tunisia, 250 forest fires destroyed over 5,000 hectares. Some 34 people were killed and thousands evacuated in Algeria, including some in fishers’ boats. Parts of Tunisia have had daily temperatures of 49°C (120.2°F). The fires are a result of climate change: extreme heat and extreme winds. Source, source, source, source, source.
Ecuador elections to go ahead after assassination - After presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was killed yesterday, current Ecuadorian president Lasso declared a state of emergency for two months. The elections will be held on 20 August. Source.
Guatemalans to march in defence of electoral process - Guatemalans will march tomorrow to demand their vote be respected in light of attacks against the recent presidential election, and the run off also due for 20 August. Source.
Haitians sceptical as Kenya offers to send police to confront gangs - Foreign forces; particularly US- and UN-lead ones in Haiti in the past have not improved the situation there, and the call for an international police intervention comes from the US-backed, unelected president of Haiti. Source.
Useful reads:
The coup in Niger - Who was overthrown, who overthrew, some context.
Causes and consequences of military takeover in Niger
US military expansion is aggressive not defensive, warn Pacific peace activists
Secret Pakistan cable documents US pressure to remove Imran Khan
Climate breakdown threatens food security and health in Iraq