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Oji African American Diaspora Blog

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African American Diaspora

World African Diasporas

Pew Research Cites 47.9 Million African Americans in the United States African American Diaspora in 2022 Including 5.1 Million Foreign-Born Black Americans (Pew Research Center)

African Diasporas are World-Wide Communities Inhabited by Descendants of Africans In Which, Over 200-Million People of African Descent Live Outside of Africa (University of Pittsburg)

American's Thinking

American Democracy

King Trump Changing How U.S. Government Works

Americans Worried About Rising Consumer Prices

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International Conflicts

Ukraine Agrees to Ceasefire if Russia Does

Older Adults in The U.S.

African American News

The Trump administration on March 12, 2025, announced a wave of regulatory rollbacks, including a repeal of Biden administration era emissions limits on power plants and automobiles, as well as reduced protections for waterways. The announcements from Trump's Environmental Protection Agency align with the president's vows to slash regulations to boost industries from coal to manufacturing, and ramp up oil and minerals production. But they are also destined to weaken bedrock environmental rules imposed by past presidencies to protect air and water quality and fight climate change. As such, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency will undertake 31-historic actions in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history, to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback. While accomplishing EPA’s core mission of protecting the environment, the agency is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy, lower cost of living for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, restore the rule of law, and give power back to states to make their own decisions. These historic actions will roll back trillions in regulatory costs and hidden “taxes” on U.S. families. As a result of these announcements, the cost of living for American families will decrease. It will be more affordable to purchase a car, heat homes, and operate a business. It will be more affordable to bring manufacturing into local communities while individuals widely benefit from the tangible economic impacts. And these actions will create American jobs, including incredible progress to bring back American auto jobs. The Biden and Obama era regulations being reconsidered have suffocated nearly every single sector of the American economy. EPA Administrator Zeldin announced the following actions: To Unleash Energy Regulations: By reconsideration of regulations on power plants; Regulations throttling the oil and gas industry; Reconsideration of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programs; Limitations, guidelines and standards (ELG) for the Steam Electric Power Generating Industry; Wastewater regulations for coal power plants, and Reconsideration of Biden-Harris Administration Risk Management Program rule that made America’s oil and natural gas refineries and chemical facilities less safe. To lower cost of living for American families: By Reconsideration of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicle regulations; The 2009 Endangerment Finding and regulations and actions; The Technology Transition Rule; The Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards; The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; Restructuring the Regional Haze Program; Overhaul Biden-Harris’s "Social Cost of Carbon"; Redirect EPA's enforcement core mission, and Terminating Biden’s Environmental Justice and DEI arms of the agency (EJ/DEI). Advance Cooperative Justice: By ending the so-called Biden-Harris Administration's "Good Neighbor Plan"; Work with states and tribes to resolve massive backlogs with State Implementation Plans and Tribal Implementation Plans; Reconsideration of exceptional events rulemaking to work with states to prioritize the allowance of prescribed fires within State and Tribal Implementation Plans (Exceptional Events; Reconstituting the Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee; Prioritize the coal ash program to expedite state permit reviews and update coal ash regulations, and Utilizing enforcement discretion to further North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene (Environmental Protection Agency). President Trump wasted no time reversing the green initiatives of former president Joe Biden. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, rolled back environmental regulations and froze green energy funding. However, these reversals have exposed complications in Trump’s economic platform, as his Strategic National Manufacturing Initiative promised to "stop outsourcing" and turn the U.S. into a "manufacturing superpower." Yet his plans to cancel the electric vehicle mandate and reduce regulations promoting clean energy undermine the manufacturing sector’s shift toward green technology (The Conservation).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted motor vehicle crashes as a major public health concern with motor vehicle crashes being a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, with car accidents accounting for a significant portion of unintentional injury deaths in this age group. Additionally, motor vehicle accidents account for a significant portion of unintentional injury deaths in this age group. Of the 42,939 traffic fatalities in 2021 in the United States, 1,184 (3%) were children 14 and younger, with 80% being occupants and 20% nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, or other nonoccupants). There were also, an estimated 162,298 children injured in traffic crashes in 2021. Of the 1,184 children killed in traffic crashes in 2021, an estimated 294 children were killed in alcohol impaired-driving crashes. Of these 294 deaths: 162 were passengers of vehicles with alcohol-impaired drivers; 100 were occupants of other vehicles; 28 were nonoccupants; and 4 were child drivers (Department of Transportation 2021). Of the 42,514 traffic fatalities in 2022 in the United States, 1,129 were children 14-years and younger. And an estimated 156,502 children were injured in traffic crashes in 2022. Of the 1,129 children killed in traffic crashes in 2022,, an estimated 283 children were killed in alcohol impaired-driving crashes. Of these 283 deaths: 150 were passengers of vehicles with alcohol-impaired drivers; 89 were occupants of other vehicles; 41 were nonoccupants; and 3 were child drivers (Department of Transportation 2022). Motor vehicle crash fatalities saw a sharp increase between 2019 and 2021, with the highest rates and sharpest increases occurring among youth who were American Indian or Alaska Native. In 2022, 235 people were killed in traffic crashes involving 218 distracted teen drivers (ages 15-19), at the time of fatal crashes. Distracted driving remains a significant issue, with young drivers being particularly susceptible. Speeding, lack of scanning, impaired driving, and peer passengers also contribute to teen driver crashes. When the brain is thinking about anything other than what is happening on the road, it makes it difficult to react during a potential crash. This happens even more often with teen drivers, who have much less experience behind the wheel. When teenagers aren’t paying attention to the road, their chances of a car crash are higher, and it affects passengers both inside and outside of the car. Although distracted driving is commonly discussed in relation to mobile phone use, but according to the AAA Foundation Report, the top reason for distracted driving in teens isn’t due to phone use; it’s actually drivers being distracted by other passengers. The most common causes of distracted driving are the following: 1) Using a mobile device: texting, using social media, talking or timing, accessing the internet or taking selfies; 2) Watching and streaming videos or using entertainment devices; Grooming, doing hair or makeup; 3) Eating; 4) Rowdy passengers, partying or dancing in the car; 5) Driving while upset, emotional or angry, and 6) Reading a book, newspaper, map directions, instructions or email. Although it’s not the top cause, text messaging is still one of the most common forms of distracted driving, especially in teenagers. In 2017, 42% of high school students who had driven in the past 30-days reported sending a text or email while driving. In the same year, 9% of all teen motor vehicle crash deaths involved distracted driving. The temptation to quickly look down at their phone and read or answer a text while driving is ever-present, especially for young people. Looking at a mobile device to either send or receive a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds. If you’re traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to drive the length of a football field. Texting or looking at a mobile device is also related to other dangerous practices for teen drivers. Students who reported frequent texting while driving were also: Less likely to wear a seatbelt; More likely to ride with a driver who had been drinking, or More likely to drink and drive. Even as early as middle school, parents should start talking to their children about distracted driving and its dangers. Talk to them about distraction, its forms, and all of the responsibilities that come with driving. Make sure that children understand all of the laws of the road, and especially that a violation of distracted-driving laws could mean a delayed or suspended license (Nemour's Children Hospital).

There is at least one thing Americans widely agree on today, and that is about how they think President Trump is changing the way the government works. But they are more split on whether that's for the better or the worse. Trump's approach to immigration and deportation continues to receive positive marks, and his border policies are seen as effective. A large majority agree there is some waste in the federal government. However, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk's efforts divide the nation, as Americans foresee an impact from dismissing federal workers. Half the country thinks this will cut their services and remove essential people. Half think it'll save money (CBS News). A a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds that a majority of respondents say that the United States is not strong enough, that the country is headed in the wrong direction and President Trump is rushing to make changes without considering their impact. There are some real warning signs for Trump, particularly with independents, who oppose his cuts to the federal government, as well as his approach to foreign policy and the economy. Most respondents expect prices to go up. They also believe federal workers are essential to making the government function and are not huge fans of Elon Musk, who is shepherding Trump's government overhaul. They don't think Trump would follow court orders springing up from his slew of executive orders, and don't believe that the U.S. system of checks and balances is working well. Only on immigration do more respondents see Trump's approach as change for the better, but only narrowly. Even though a majority of respondents thinks the country is headed in the wrong direction, views on that have improved from the past couple of years. And that's largely due to Republicans, who overwhelmingly support what Trump is doing, Much of what Trump is doing appears tailored to Republicans because his moves are largely unpopular with independents and Democrats (NPR News).

U.S. Tariff Trade War on Mexico & Canada

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering a run for California governor in 2026, aiming to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. According to CBS News, she plans to decide by the summer of 2025 and has already started discussions with supporters and aides. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has publicly backed Harris, saying he will fully support her if she enters the race. Her national profile and strong donor network could significantly influence the state’s political landscape. While some speculate Harris may run for president in 2028, winning the California governorship could strengthen her political standing. Despite Harris' 2024 presidential loss, analysts suggest a high-profile role in California politics could help revive her national prospects. In addition to politics, Harris has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to explore opportunities in publishing and public speaking. This move indicates she is keeping her career options open, whether in public office or elsewhere. The 2026 California governor’s race already features notable Democratic candidates, including former State Senate President Toni Atkins, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. If Harris enters, she could shift the race dynamics with her broad recognition and fundraising ability. Harris is currently consulting with family, friends, and advisers before making a final decision. Her choice will impact both California’s political future and national Democratic strategies. With her summer deadline approaching, political observers and voters are closely watching her next move (BlackNews).
Democratic party aides have begun to float ideas for a Kamala Harris political comeback, as they eye another run at the United States' highest office, doing so, even as the part grapples with the electoral messages contained in the vice-president’s decisive defeat in November’s 2024 White House race against Donald Trump. The sentiment that Harris could make another bid for the White House comes as the Democratic party is sculpting an argument that her loss to Trump was not as comprehensive as has been popularly portrayed. She emerged from her three-month, $1.5bn campaign with higher approval ratings than she entered it, according to the political website 538, although Kamala Harris had lost the electoral college 312-226 and became the first of three candidates to lose the popular vote to Trump. One Harris advisor said: "She is ending this race in a very different place than other nominees that have lost... "Her approval is higher, and people were very happy with the race that she ran." (The Guardian)

Trump’s Executive Order on The Second Amendment

On February 7, 2024, President Trump issued an executive order titled Protecting Second Amendment Rights. The order directs newly confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi to: "examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment (Congress), rights of our citizens, and present a proposed plan of action to the President, through the Domestic Policy Advisor, to protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans." "The positions taken by the United States in any and all ongoing and potential litigation that affects or could affect the ability of Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights…"Not included in Trump’s order was any language directing Bondi to conduct a review of existing federal laws affecting Second Amendment rights, a curious omission given the otherwise sweeping nature of the order." (Cato Institute). President Trump’s executive order on the Second Amendment is a continuation of his strange relationship with guns. It is illegal for him to own any. Because he is a convicted felon, and is barred under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. It is unclear whether the president has surrendered all of his firearms and ammunition. He has also been the target of multiple assassination attempts, including one conducted in Pennsylvania by a 20-year-old shooter just months after the Third Circuit strengthened the right to keep and bear arms for persons under twenty-one years old. Given that Trump is a convicted felon who has repeatedly claimed to own guns himself, he may have a special interest in seeking to alter the government’s position on 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), the federal felon-in-possession law. The federal felon-in-possession law prohibits felons from possessing firearms. It also applies to transporting, shipping, and receiving firearms (Duke Center for Firearms Law). Among the areas subject to review are all presidential and agency actions implemented from January 2021 to January 2025, spanning the breadth of the Biden administration. Biden issued several executive actions during his term aimed at tackling gun violence. Former president Biden in September 2024, signed some orders aimed at addressing emerging firearms technology, and improving the response to active shooters in schools. And Biden in March 2023 signed a separate executive order hiking background check requirements for gun purchases and promoting secure firearms storage. Biden in 2022, also signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a bill which further extended background checks (Courthouse News Service).

Gun Violence in United States

African News

• A Nation Built With Its People All

• Equal, That They Are Endowed, By Their

• Creator, With Certain Unalienable Rights

International Holiday

Veterans experiencing homelessness have a higher risk of suicide compared to Veterans with no noted history of homelessness, with the Association of lifetime homelessness and justice involvement with psychiatric symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt among post-9/11 veterans study finding that homeless patients using VA services were more than twice as likely to die by suicide than those with no history of homelessness. The research found that male and females Veterans who have experienced homelessness are at elevated risk for thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts when compared to Veterans who have not. Adding criminal justice involvement increases the likelihood even more. And despite firearms being a leading method for suicide deaths among Veterans, homeless Veterans have a higher likelihood of dying by suicide from other methods than do housed Veterans. Avery Rosser, MS, NCC, LPC, CPCS, and PhD candidate in counselor education and supervision at the University of Georgia, suggests other reasons for veteran suicide: "There are several factors, including pre-existing mental health challenges such as PTSD and depression, easy accessibility to lethal means (guns), stigma around seeking help, and barriers to accessing health care. Suicide is rarely caused by a singular issue, but combat veterans tend to struggle as their post-military years progress. They may feel disconnected from society and as though they do not belong, leading to self-loathing and loneliness. Others feel guilt or anger over situations that ended with grim outcomes, despite being out of their control. The magnitude of these factors can lead to helplessness, and available resources therefore often go unutilized (National Board For Certified Counselors). America’s Warrior Partnership, a suicide prevention group, contracted with the University of Alabama and partnered with Duke University to gather state-provided death data and coordinate with the DOD to corroborate military affiliation to study veteran suicides. The study’s interim report, based on service records from the Defense Department and death records from eight states, examined suicides and “self-injury mortality,” or deaths classified as accidental or undetermined in people aged 18 to 64 from 2014 to 2018. The four year study found a 37% higher rate of veteran suicides than that reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs. That was because “Operation Deep Dive,” as the study is called, worked to get specificity of the decedent’s demographics, military experience and death details. The VA, by contrast, gets its suicide numbers reported by the county authorities where the death occurred. The study found that method failed to identify veterans about 18% of the time. If the eight states, Alabama, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana and Oregon used in the study, represented a national rate, the study authors said, approximately 24 veterans die each day by suicide, as determined by a coroner or medical examiner, compared to the VA’s average of 17.7 veteran suicides per day (Stars & Stripes).

U.S. National Security

Cyber Attacks Threaten U.S. Critical Infrastructure

The U.S. Census Bureau projected the United States human population to be 335,893,238, on January 1, 2024 - The U.S. is comprised of a mosaic of cultural diversity, with 40% of its people identifying as racial or ethnic minorities: White, 60.1%; Hispanic, 18.5%; Black, 12.2%; Asian, 5.6%; Multiple Races, 2.8%; American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.7%; Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders: 0.2% - Visualizing the U.S. Population by Race

United States Drug & Tariff War on Mexico

Mexico is already suffering from violence involving criminal gangs, and during the United States' 2024 election campaign, Donald Trump, promised to slap high tariffs on the United States’ southern neighbor, to send back millions of migrants, and to even bomb cartels. Since 2006, when then-Mexican President Felipe Calderón declared war on drug cartels, the government has killed kingpins and dismantled big criminal organizations, but set off conflicts among smaller groups who were heavily armed mostly with weapons imported from the United States. These groups profit from producing and transiting drugs, including Fentanyl, to feed demand in the north. Fentanyl, a synthetic opiate is estimated to have killed more than 80,000 people in the United States in both 2022 and 2023. Tentacles of these gangs also extend into extortion, other crimes, and even legal activities. Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick to become the next National Security advisor, co-sponsored legislation last year asking for authorization to use force against cartels. Although that sounds far-fetched, however, clamor for unilateral military action, whether airstrikes on fentanyl labs or special forces operations to kill leaders is growing among U.S. Republicans. In late November 2024, Trump threatened high tariffs on Mexican goods unless the flow of migrants and fentanyl stops, in effect tying other demands to trade policy (Crisis Group). During his address to Congress on March 4, 2025, President Trump did not mince words about the threat drug cartels pose: “The cartels are waging war on America, and it’s time for America to wage war on the cartels.” His statement marks the clearest indication so far that the new administration is serious about confronting the cartels. Two weeks earlier, on Feb. 20, 2024, the Trump administration officially designated eight Latin American cartels, including six from Mexico, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) for their roles in drug smuggling and human trafficking into the United States. An FTO designation grants the administration access to enhanced counterterrorism authorities, such as the ability to launch covert operations. The FTO designation came only days after the Mexican Senate approved the presence of the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group to conduct joint training with Mexico’s elite Naval Marine Corps. The U.S. has imposed new tariffs on Canada and Mexico to pressure them into cooperation against cartels and trafficking. On orders from Trump U.S. Northern Command launched new deployments at the U.S. southern border, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) surveillance drone flights, approved by Mexico, have reportedly gathered intelligence on cartel operations within the country. The rapid speed and scale of these apparent foreign counteroffensive preparations, may indicate that the United States is on the verge of direct military action, either unilaterally or with the Mexican military, against cartels on Mexican soil (Atlantic Council).

International Conflicts That Create Atrocities & Human Suffering

Issues of Concern To People In The United States

African American Dispersion

Dispersion of African People

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food insecurity is defined as "a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. In simple terms, food-insecure older adults can't rely on getting enough food to lead a healthy and active life. Food insecurity isn’t the same thing as Hunger, although, food insecurity focuses on lacking access to adequate food, hunger is a physiological condition. Someone who is hungry doesn’t just experience a rumbling tummy, they may also suffer from serious discomfort, pain, weakness, or even illness due to being involuntarily without food for an extended period. Because food insecurity and hunger aren’t interchangeable terms, they are closely related. Older adults with very low food security often face a real risk of going or being hungry (National Council on Aging). Older Adults in the United States often face unique challenges that make getting the food they need more difficult to obtain. These problems can be related to their health, their finances, and where they live. Hunger is a serious problem in America, causing around 7- million seniors to be food insecure in 2022. Racism and discrimination cause seniors who identify as Black, Latino, and Native American to have higher rates of food insecurity. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, 6.9 million seniors were food-insecure, according to a new report by Feeding America. That same year, another 4.9 million older adults, defined as being between 50 and 59 years old, were also food-insecure. Combined, these figures represent a 25% increase in the number of aging people facing food insecurity compared to 2021, according to the report. Food insecurity is so closely tied to health, which becomes especially critical as we age. Addressing food insecurity among seniors would help reduce chronic health conditions and could result in healthier communities overall. Linda Nageotte, president and chief operating officer of Feeding America, called on Congress to fund nutrition programs such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Some nutrition programs, however, recently have met pushback from lawmakers (McKnights Home Care). On February 25, 2025, House Republicans narrowly passed their budget resolution, which provides a blueprint for the Republican-controlled Congress to cut at least $1.5 trillion from health, education, and nutrition programs. It is the Republican-controlled Congress first step toward enacting President Trump and Elon Musk’s agenda to slash programs everyday Americans rely on, in order to deliver trillions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. Included in House Republicans’ budget resolution is a plan to slash a staggering $230 billion or more from House Agriculture Committee programs over the next decade. To carry this out, Republicans will need to make deep cuts to the largest program it oversees, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps nearly 43 million Americans, including one in five children, and roughly 4.8 million older adults (age 60+) get enough to eat. Ninety percent of people participating in SNAP live in households with children, seniors, or people with disabilities. As cruel as they would be to take food off the tables of millions of Americans, the damage from Trump and House Republicans’ planned SNAP cuts goes far beyond increased hunger and hardship. SNAP cuts would also hurt children’s long-term outcomes, increase seniors hunger-related health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression, raise costs for hard-hit rural households, hurt already-strapped farmers, and shrink our economy. Cutting SNAP benefits would cost U.S. States' economies an estimated $20.4 billion each year in benefits, with some of the largest negative benefits effecting states with the most rural residents, including Texas ($1.6 billion per year), Pennsylvania ($884 million), North Carolina ($701 million), and Ohio ($676 million). The SNAP cuts would take away about $75 per month from the typical household to afford fresh, healthy food, with larger losses for families in very high-cost-of-living states such as Hawaii and Alaska (The Century Foundation).

Resurrection of Christ

International Conflict

Distraction & Car Crashes Cause Children & Teen Deaths

Veteran Suicides: Depression, PTSD, barriers to health care

U.S. Children & Adolescents

The U.S. Loses 36 Million Trees Every Year to Deforestation

Before 1970. there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect the environment in the United States. In the Spring of 1970, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, organized a nationwide "teach-in" to raise awareness about environmental issues. This marked the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, saw roughly 20-million Americans participate in rallies and demonstrations across the country, sparking a significant increase in public concern about environmental issues. April 22 had been chosen because that date fell between college spring breaks and final exams, maximizing student participation (Orange County Government, Florida). On July 9, 1970, President Nixon proposed an executive reorganization that consolidated many environmental responsibilities of the federal government under one agency, a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After conducting hearings during that summer of 1970,, the House and Senate approved the proposal. Ninety days later, the EPA officially opened its doors on December 2, 1970 (Wikipedia). In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Until this point, mainstream America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health. However, with the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries as it raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health. Senator Gaylord Nelson, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. And in January and February 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Then inspired by the student anti-war movement, Senator Nelson wanted to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses, and he recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to help organize the campus teach-ins. Earth Day inspired 20-million Americans to take to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which had left a growing legacy of serious human health impacts (Earth Day).

History of The United States

Photo: Linda Thomas-Greenfield - Former U.S. Ambassador To United Nations

United States of America: The Constitution

Racial & Ethnic Population of United States

Easter Sunday

April 20, 2025

Quote: Linda Thomas-Greenfield - Former U.S. Ambassador To United Nations

Millions of Older Adults Face Food Insecurity in The U.S.

Kamala Harris May Run For California Governor & President

A country's economic policies don’t operate in a vacuum, as every decision, every tax, every regulation, every tariff, sends ripples through the system. Tariffs (Wikipedia), have long been used as a tool of economic warfare, a way for nations to protect their industries or punish their rivals. But under President Trump, tariffs have become something else entirely: a high-stakes bargaining chip in a trade war that seems to have no end. According to CNN, Trump's latest round of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with another 10% levy on Chinese goods, has thrown American businesses, workers, and consumers into a state of economic uncertainty (AfroTech). President Trump's implementation of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the U.S.’s biggest trading partners caused markets across the globe to tumble. Mexico and Canada account for more than 30% of total goods traded, with the value of trade among the three North American countries totaling $1.6 trillion. The 25% U.S. tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports could raise costs, reduce trade, lead to job losses, create economic uncertainty and trigger retaliatory tariffs, escalating a trade war. The U.S. is at a trade deficit with Canada and Mexico, meaning that it is buying more goods from those countries than it is selling to them. Mexico is one of the largest foreign suppliers of goods to the U.S. with cars, trucks and auto parts making up the largest share of exports. Machinery and electrical equipment follow as key exports, including industrial machinery, computers and household appliances. Other major exports include petroleum products, farm products, medical devices, plastics and textiles. Canada is the second largest U.S. trading partner, supplying oil to the U.S. with energy products, including crude oil and petroleum products, accounting for about 30% of all Canadian exports to the U.S.. Cars, tractors and auto parts are the second-largest Canadian export to the U.S., followed by machinery and mechanical appliances. Other significant exports include medicines, plastics and wood products (ALJAZEERA). When tariffs hit, businesses pass the costs onto consumers. And in an economy already struggling with inflation, these price hikes are hitting everyday Americans where it hurts the most, the grocery store, the gas pump, and the car dealership. Food Prices Are Climbing, and the U.S. imports 63% of its vegetables and nearly half of its fruits and nuts from Mexico. Gas prices are spiking, and Canada is America’s largest crude oil supplier. Cars are getting more expensive – New tariffs could add up to $3,000 to the cost of a vehicle. For working-class, low-income households, Black and brown communities, these increases are devastating (AfroTech).

Trump's EPA Moves to Unwind Dozens of Air & Water Regulations

Bath Salts: An Illegal Drug First Recognized in U.S. in 2010

Bath Salts (Drug Enforcement Administration), a human-made designer stimulant drugs came on the street scene fairly recently. Drugs marketed as "bath salts" first came to the attention of authorities in the United States in 2010, after reports were made to U.S. poison centers. Bath Salts became popular fast, possibly because they were easy to get, easy to use, and hard to detect in drug tests. However, Bath Salts are highly addictive, and they come in a crystalline powder that users swallow, inhale, or inject. Despite their name, Bath Salts have nothing in common with products you can use to soak in the tub, on the Street, they are called Plant Food, Bloom, Cloud Nine, Ivory Wave, Lunar Wave, Scarface, Vanilla Sky, or White Lightning. Bath salts contain manmade stimulants called cathinones, which are similar to amphetamines. These stimulants increase levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that can create feelings of euphoria. Some say Bath Salts effects are similar to cocaine or methamphetamines, but they’re more likely to cause serious health effects, including: Paranoia, Agitation, Psychosis, Hallucinations, Racing heart, High blood pressure, Panic attacks, Kidney failure and Death (WebMD). In 2020, the deaths of 343 people in the U.S. involved eutylone (a synthetic form of cathinone), and three-quarters occurred in Florida (182) and Maryland (77), states PhD. Matt Gladden, of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Bath Salts” are from the synthetic cathinone class of drugs, and are central nervous stimulants designed to mimic effects similar to those produced by cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy). These substances are often marketed as “bath salts,” “research chemicals,” “plant food,” “glass cleaner,” and labeled “not for human consumption,” in order to circumvent application of the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act. Synthetic cathinones are manufactured in East Asia and have been distributed at wholesale levels throughout Europe, North America, Australia, and other parts of the world. The high from these drugs has been reported to last as long as three to six days. However, users reported side-effects from Bath Salts, even after no longer consuming it. Side effects of bath salts include increased heart rate, insomnia, lack of appetite, anxiety, dilated pupils, fluctuation in body temperature, nosebleeds and nose burns. Bath salts are not regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and may take years to be prohibited at the federal level (Drug Enforcement Administration).

Russia's War in Ukraine

Africa's Healthcare Lack of USAID Funding is at a Crossroad

The global health landscape is marked by paradoxes. The last several decades have been shaped by progress and setbacks, new medicines and emerging diseases, technological advancements and entrenched inequities. The Ebola outbreaks and COVID-19 pandemic exposed many of the already existing inequities in Africa's global health ecosystem, from unequal access to vaccines to restrictive intellectual property laws that prevent low- and middle-income countries from developing their own medical products. Advancing health equity and ownership in Africa is not merely a moral imperative; it is an essential pathway to harnessing the vast potential of the continent. In pursuit of this imperative, we must dismantle the barriers within global health institutions that have hindered Africa’s progress, and foster partnerships that empower African nations to lead the charge in shaping their own health destinies, being mindful of the new mantra: decolonising global health. As Africa witness both remarkable progress and glaring disparities in global health, it is abundantly clear that we have to redefine our approach as health funding, research and decision-making for African countries cannot be managed in the Global North (Health Policy Watch). Amid these challenges, African scientists and health experts have convened in Uganda to develop homegrown solutions to the continent’s healthcare challenges. Their discussions focus on tackling infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and strengthening Africa's medical research capabilities. The three-day conference, aims to foster international partnerships in viral research. It will also set new guidelines and policies to combat emerging diseases and work toward reducing infections to zero. As Africa takes charge of its healthcare future, the region’s scientific community remains determined to drive innovation and research, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come (Africanews). The Trump administration decision in February 2025, to eliminate more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance around the world, has raised alarms among health officials in Uganda, who warn of impending disaster in some of the poorest areas of the world The Supreme Court has intervened in that case, and temporarily blocked a lower court order requiring the administration to release billions of dollars in foreign aid by midnight. According to Malaria No More, a Washington-based organization, new projections indicate that just one year of disruption in the malaria-control supply chain could result in nearly 15-million additional cases and 107,000 more deaths worldwide. Malaria No More has called on the Trump administration to reinstate these critical programs before outbreaks escalate (Africanews).

"The Challenges the (World) Faces: a Global Pandemic, Global Economy, Global Climate Change Crisis, Mass Migration, Extreme Poverty, Social Justice, are Unrelenting and Interconnected, but They are not Unsolvable if America is Leading The Way”

A new poll indicates that most Americans are pessimistic about the next four years of Donald Trump’s presidency, and are particularly upset with his failure so far to lower the costs of consumer goods, a key promise during his 2024 presidential campaign. The CNN/SSRS poll found that 55% of Americans believe Trump “hasn’t paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems” in his first month as president. When it comes to reducing consumer prices, 62% of Americans believe Trump hasn’t “gone far enough” to achieve that goal, with only 27% saying his actions thus far have been “about right,” and 11% saying he’s “gone too far.” Overall, Trump has a net 5% approval rating, with 52% saying they disapprove of his work as president so far and 47% saying they approve. Fifty-four percent of Americans also say they are either “pessimistic” or “afraid” regarding the rest of Trump’s tenure, a 6-point increase from when the question was asked in December 2024 (CNN/SSRS Poll). U.S. consumer confidence plummeted in February, the biggest monthly decline in more than four years, a business research group said Tuesday, with inflation seemingly stuck and a trade war under President Donald Trump seen by a growing number of Americans as inevitable. Adam Crisafulli, president of investment advisory firm Vital Knowledge, said in a note: "The Conference Board survey is the 3rd data point in less than a week (after Fri's flash PMIs and Michigan sentiment report) making it abundantly clear that Trump-linked policy uncertainty is eroding confidence and tipping the economy (at least) into a slowdown (if not something worse)." Since taking office, President Trump has threatened sweeping tariffs which he says will bolster the U.S. economy over the long term. While it's not clear that Mr. Trump will enact all the tariffs he's outlined, he is also signaling plans to move forward with additional tariffs. Consumers are also feeling less confident about the job market, as the Trump administration moves to cut thousands of jobs in the federal government. Trump's threats to tax imported steel and aluminum could also put more more upward pressure on grocery prices, (NPR News).

Cyberattacks (Wikipedia, are any attempt by an individual or organization "using one or more computers and computer systems to steal, expose, change, disable or eliminate information, or to breach computer information systems, computer networks, and computer infrastructures". Cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure is a growing threat, with nation-state actors and cybercriminals increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in that infrastructure that provides the goods and services that are the backbone of our national and economic security and the well-being of all Americans. Lifeline sectors, such as the telecommunications, energy, transportation, and water and wastewater sectors are vital to national essential and critical functions. Over the next year, domestic and foreign adversaries almost certainly will continue to threaten the integrity of U.S. critical infrastructure, in part, because they perceive targeting these sectors would have cascading impacts on U.S. industries and U.S. standard of living. Additionally, a range of adversarial foreign cyber actors are honing their techniques to disrupt U.S. services or to conduct espionage focused on gaining access to U.S. networks and stealing sensitive information. The United States is facing an evolving landscape of threats from highly sophisticated nation-state cyber actors; ideologically motivated criminal hacktivists who have, up to now, conducted only nuisance-level attacks; and financially motivated cyber criminals who opportunistically and relentlessly pursue profits. Homeland Security expects adversarial state cyber actors will continue to seek access to, or to pre-position themselves on, U.S. critical infrastructure networks. In particular, Chinese state-sponsored actors could exploit such access or pre-positioning for cyber attacks in the event of an imminent conflict or periods of heightened tensions and potentially disrupt critical functions that support our economy, critical services, and way of life, possibly including continuity of government. Cyber actors working for or sympathetic to our adversaries, and who are opposed to U.S. support to our international partners, have launched sporadic attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure. Specifically, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have given rise to a range of ideologically motivated criminal hacktivists and adversarial state-affiliated actors conducting cyber attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure. Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors have pre-positioned cyber exploitation and attack capabilities for disruptive or destructive cyber attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure in the event of a major crisis or conflict with the United States. One Chinese state-sponsored cyber campaign, publicly known as Volt Typhoon (Wikipedia), gained access to the IT environments of multiple critical infrastructure organizations over the last several years and continues to target U.S. critical infrastructure. Iran and other cyber actors sympathetic to Tehran’s interests continue to target U.S. critical infrastructure, in retaliation for U.S. support to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Iran uses a range of opportunistic tactics, including exploiting publicly known software and hardware vulnerabilities, social engineering techniques, and publicly available cybersecurity tools. Russian state-sponsored cyber actors continue to seek ways to improve their sophisticated ability to stealthily execute cyber operations and identify new vulnerabilities they could leverage against a variety of critical infrastructure targets. In late 2023, these Russian state actors gained access to a large IT firm’s internal e-mails, including those of its cybersecurity teams, which could provide them with unique insights for future campaigns and make it more difficult for victims to detect their activity. Financially motivated cyber criminals and state-affiliated actors will continue to employ ransomware and other schemes that will disrupt targeted U.S. critical infrastructure entities and impose significant financial costs on their victims (Dept. of Homeland Security).

Easter (Wikipedia), celebrated on Sundays, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Christ's resurrection described in the New Testament, as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans, c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. Christians, observing Easter, commonly refer to the week before, as Holy Week, which in Western Christianity begins on Palm Sunday, which marks the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Holy Week also includes Spy Wednesday, on which the betrayal of Jesus is mourned, as well as containing the days of Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Maundy (foot washing of the Saints and Last Supper, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The English tern Easter, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name Ēostre. Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by its Hebrew name: פֶּסַח pesach, and Aramaic name: פָּסחָא pascha which are the basis of the term Pascha), by its origin, according to the synoptic Gospels, both the crucifixion and the resurrection took place during the week of Passover. Theologically, Easter celebrates Jesus Christ's supernatural resurrection from the dead, which is one of the chief tenets of the Christian faith. Paul writes that, for those who trust in Jesus's death and resurrection, "death is swallowed up in victory". The First Epistle of Peter declares that God has given believers "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". Christian theology holds that, through faith in the working of God, those who follow Jesus are spiritually resurrected with him so that they may walk in a new way of life and receive eternal salvation, and can hope to be physically resurrected to dwell with him in the Kingdom of Heaven. In countries where Christianity is a state religion, or countries with large Christian populations, Easter is often a public holiday. As Easter always falls on a Sunday, many countries in the world also recognize Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays. Depending on the country, retail stores, shopping malls and restaurants may be closed on the Friday, Monday or Sunday. In the United States, which is a secular country, Easter is not designated as a federal holiday. Easter parades are held in many American cities, although not sponsored by any government. (Wikipedia).

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Strip & West Bank

Deforestation is the clearing or destruction of forests or wooded areas, often to make way for other land uses like agriculture, urbanization, or mining. Although the United States has a history of deforestation, particularly in the 19th century, but, it's important to note that the area of forest in the U.S. has increased by nearly 5% between 1990 and 2020, despite population growth and urban expansion. However, deforestation continues to be a concern, especially due to land use changes, urban expansion, and wildfires. Deforestation and forest degradation are destroying some of the earth’s most precious ecosystems and the natural resources that people depend on. The United States has the world's fourth-largest forest area, encompassing approximately 766-million acres of forested land, which cover about one-third of the country's total land area. The diversity of American forests is remarkable. While 69% of these forests are under private ownership, the remaining lands are carefully managed by local, tribal, state, and federal governments to preserve their ecological integrity. In the United States, forested lands serve various purposes, with some designated for production and others preserved for conservation. However, a significant portion of forested lands falls under the category of multiple-use forestland, managed for a combination of production, recreation, habitat preservation, and aesthetic value. Unfortunately, the United States faces deforestation at significant rates: In 2021 alone, it lost 4.22 million acres of forest, equivalent to 775 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. There are many root causes of deforestation. Five of the most prevalent causes of deforestation in the United States: 1) Logging and timber industries: The demand for timber products drives extensive logging activities across the U.S, particularly in regions like the Pacific Northwest. The U.S. is one of the largest consumers and producers of timber globally, being the top global producer of industrial roundwood, wood pellets, and pulp for the paper industry. This contributes significantly to deforestation prevalently in Oregon, Washington, and Georgia; 2) Agriculture and expansion of croplands: To meet the growing demand for food and biofuel production, vast areas of forests are cleared for agricultural production, including soy, corn, and palm oil production. This practice is prevalent in the Southeastern United States, where forests are converted into croplands. Between 1982 and 1997, approximately 55% of land that transitioned into agricultural use originated from forested areas. This shift reflected a continued conversion of land from less intensive uses, such as forests, to more agriculturally focused uses, including cropland and pasture; 3) Urbanisation and infrastructure development: Rapid urban growth leads to the conversion of forests into residential areas, commercial spaces, and infrastructure projects becoming a significant driver of deforestation. The construction of roads, highways, and industrial zones often involves clearing large swaths of forests, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation; 4) Natural disasters and wildfires: Although natural disturbances like hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires are part of the ecosystem, their frequency and intensity have increased due to climatic instability. These events can result in significant forest loss and hinder reforestation efforts. California has become the most wildfire-prone state in the U.S., while on the other coast, Florida is the state most affected by hurricanes; 5) Illegal logging and unsustainable practices: Despite regulations, illegal deforestation activities persist, causing substantial damage to forests. Unsustainable practices, such as clear-cutting and selective logging, degrade forest ecosystems and contribute to deforestation leading to a loss of habitat for many wild animal species and environmental degradation (DGB GROUP).

International Conflicts

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Earth Day

April 22, 2025

As of March 2025, it has been more than a year since the Hamas attacks in Israel and the escalation of the conflict which has led to relentless and intolerable Humanitarian Crisis (British Red Cross), in Gaza and the wider region. More than 47,000 people have died in Gaza, and a further 1,004 in the West Bank. And at least 111,000 people have been injured in Gaza and a further 16,000 in the West Bank. The healthcare system is on the edge of collapse, and entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, and families have been torn apart. The ceasefire agreement reached in January 2025 gave millions of people in Gaza respite from relentless suffering. Families that were torn apart were reunited or able to put their loved ones to rest. However, humanitarian aid remains critical to people’s survival in Gaza. Many families in Israel and beyond are still caught between hope and despair, without news of their loved ones taken hostage. It is vital that humanitarian aid is able to enter Gaza, families can be reunited, and lives can be saved. For the past year, nearly 1,600 staff and volunteers from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), in the face of immense challenges, losses and risks to their own lives, have been working tirelessly to provide life-saving support in Gaza. The Red Crescent Society has distributed 1.6 million emergency relief items, and provided emergency medical support to over 100,000 people. Tragically, 22 Red Crescent colleagues have been killed in Gaza and the West Bank in the last year (British Red Cross). The Israeli offensive against the southern city of Rafah since early May 2024, has uprooted around 1-million displaced people, many of whom had already fled violence several times before. Many of those people have been forced into empty tracts of land or partially bombed buildings which lack water and hygiene facilities. The UN has repeatedly warned of famine in Gaza, and that the amount of humanitarian aid entering the enclave has dropped by two-thirds since the Rafah operation began. The Rafah crossing from Egypt has been shut for weeks, with a long line of trucks building up and some food rotting in the sun. A mere trickle of aid supplies are entering via the other southern crossing of Kerem Shalom and the World Food Program has noted a deterioration in hunger in the centre and south. However, supplies to northern Gaza, previously described by the agency chief Cindy McCain as being in "full blown famine", has opened, providing better access through northern crossings. Israel, which imposed a complete siege on Gaza in the early days of the war, has faced growing international pressure including from its ally the United States to let in more aid (Reuters).

Following talks held in Saudi Arabia on March 12, 2025, between Ukraine and the United States, the two nations said in a joint statement that the White House would “immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine”. The statement added that Ukraine had also “expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. Additionally, “The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.” Ukrainian president Zelensky said: The Ukrainian delegation had proposed “silence in the sky, missiles, bombs, long-range drones, and silence at sea” but Washington had suggested the ceasefire stretch to “the entire front line”. Mr. Zelensky added: "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive, we are ready to take such a step. The United States of America must convince Russia to do this." Following the talks, Marco Rubio, U.S. secretary of state, said they would take the offer to Moscow and “the ball is now in Russia’s court” (The TeleGraph UK). The now-unfrozen military aid for Ukraine includes roughly $1 billion in equipment that was approved by the Biden administration, but has not yet been delivered. The Trump administration has the authority to provide another $3.8 billion in aid but has not announced any further aid packages. A statement from the U.S. and Ukraine said they would each "name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine's long-term security." It also said Mr. Trump and Zelenskyy would "conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine's economy and guarantee Ukraine's long-term prosperity and security." Washington has been pushing Ukraine to sign a deal which would grant the U.S. access to its mineral reserves, and Zelenskyy indicated his readiness to sign a deal ahead of the talks (CBS News). Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday as he prepared to host a summit of European leaders to discuss ending the war. "We've now agreed that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two other countries, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States," Starmer told the BBC (KPBS News).

U.S. Environmental Contamination

U.S. Military Active & Veteran

Climate Change in U.S.