"Rest in Power": Celebrities react to the death of SinĂŠad O'Connor
As news broke Wednesday about the death of Irish singer SinĂŠad O'Connor at the age of 56, many around the world took to social media to share tributes to the artist arguably best known for her cover of the Prince song "Nothing Compares 2 U."
O'Connor overcame a difficult childhood, achieving her first major musical success in the late 1980s for her debut album "The Lion and the Cobra." But it was her second album, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," which made her a household name. She earned one Grammy win and eight nominations, and was named Rolling Stone artist of the year in 1991.
Along with her music, O'Connor was known for her outspoken stance on political and social issues, and was open about her struggles with mental health. Stars across the world Wednesday remembered and celebrated the singer for her fiery spirit.
RIP
As news broke Wednesday about the death of Irish singer SinĂŠad O'Connor at the age of 56, many around the world took to social media to share tributes to the artist arguably best known for her cover of the Prince song "Nothing Compares 2 U."
O'Connor overcame a difficult childhood, achieving her first major musical success in the late 1980s for her debut album "The Lion and the Cobra." But it was her second album, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," which made her a household name. She earned one Grammy win and eight nominations, and was named Rolling Stone artist of the year in 1991.
Along with her music, O'Connor was known for her outspoken stance on political and social issues, and was open about her struggles with mental health. Stars across the world Wednesday remembered and celebrated the singer for her fiery spirit.
RIP
Arthur James Balfour
~ Racist extraordinaire implemented The Aliens Act of 1905 to forbid Jews fleeing Nazi persecution in Eastern Europe from alighting on British soil, then proceeded with the Balfour Declaration, giving Arabian Palestine to European Jews to solve his quandary.
âMitigate the age-long miseries created for Western civilisation by the presence in its midst of a Body which is too long regarded as alien and even hostile, but which it was equally unable to expel or absorb.â
~ Arthur James Balfour
~ Racist extraordinaire implemented The Aliens Act of 1905 to forbid Jews fleeing Nazi persecution in Eastern Europe from alighting on British soil, then proceeded with the Balfour Declaration, giving Arabian Palestine to European Jews to solve his quandary.
âMitigate the age-long miseries created for Western civilisation by the presence in its midst of a Body which is too long regarded as alien and even hostile, but which it was equally unable to expel or absorb.â
~ Arthur James Balfour
Embrace the Power WithiN Be the Catalyst for Change
In a world where challenges abound, the call for transformative action has never been more urgent. The essence of change lies not in waiting for others to act but in taking the initiative ourselves. Each one of us possesses the potential to be the difference we seek, to shape the world we yearn for.
Embracing the role of change-makers, we embark on a journey that goes beyond mere words. "Be the change you want to see in the world" - a timeless wisdom imparted by Mahatma Gandhi - resonates with profound significance. It reminds us that the responsibility for progress lies within each individual, waiting to be awakened and harnessed.
The power to be the catalyst for change lies in recognizing that our actions, however small they may seem, can create ripples that spread far and wide. By choosing to act with kindness, compassion, and understanding, we inspire others to follow suit. Each act of goodness serves as a beacon, illuminating the path for those who yearn to make a difference.
At the heart of being the change is an unwavering commitment to positive values and principles. Integrity, empathy, and inclusivity form the bedrock upon which impactful change is built. As we embody these virtues, we sow the seeds of transformation in the hearts of others, encouraging them to join the movement for a better world.
The journey to effect change begins with introspection - a deep and honest look within ourselves. By acknowledging our imperfections, we open the door to growth and self-improvement. This journey of self-discovery enables us to align our actions with our beliefs and fosters an authentic connection with our purpose.
Just as a single pebble can create ripples that reach distant shores, so too can our actions create a domino effect of positive change. When we act in unity, amplifying the impact of our efforts, we unlock the true potential for progress. Through collective endeavors, we forge a powerful force capable of reshaping the world's trajectory.
Indeed, we must never underestimate the influence we possess as individuals. Each choice we make, every word we speak, and every gesture we extend can inspire others to take action. Our legacy lies not in grand gestures alone but in the myriad of small actions that, when woven together, form the fabric of transformation.
In a world where division and turmoil can sometimes overshadow hope, we must remember that change begins with us. By being the change we wish to see, we pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate world. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the potential for greatness within each of us.
So, let us rise to the occasion, knowing that the power to create positive change lies within our grasp. Be the difference, embody the values you cherish, and ignite the spark of transformation in others. Together, we can weave a tapestry of progress, kindness, and unity, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Embrace the power within, for you are the change that the world awaits.
#OGHCrazyC
In a world where challenges abound, the call for transformative action has never been more urgent. The essence of change lies not in waiting for others to act but in taking the initiative ourselves. Each one of us possesses the potential to be the difference we seek, to shape the world we yearn for.
Embracing the role of change-makers, we embark on a journey that goes beyond mere words. "Be the change you want to see in the world" - a timeless wisdom imparted by Mahatma Gandhi - resonates with profound significance. It reminds us that the responsibility for progress lies within each individual, waiting to be awakened and harnessed.
The power to be the catalyst for change lies in recognizing that our actions, however small they may seem, can create ripples that spread far and wide. By choosing to act with kindness, compassion, and understanding, we inspire others to follow suit. Each act of goodness serves as a beacon, illuminating the path for those who yearn to make a difference.
At the heart of being the change is an unwavering commitment to positive values and principles. Integrity, empathy, and inclusivity form the bedrock upon which impactful change is built. As we embody these virtues, we sow the seeds of transformation in the hearts of others, encouraging them to join the movement for a better world.
The journey to effect change begins with introspection - a deep and honest look within ourselves. By acknowledging our imperfections, we open the door to growth and self-improvement. This journey of self-discovery enables us to align our actions with our beliefs and fosters an authentic connection with our purpose.
Just as a single pebble can create ripples that reach distant shores, so too can our actions create a domino effect of positive change. When we act in unity, amplifying the impact of our efforts, we unlock the true potential for progress. Through collective endeavors, we forge a powerful force capable of reshaping the world's trajectory.
Indeed, we must never underestimate the influence we possess as individuals. Each choice we make, every word we speak, and every gesture we extend can inspire others to take action. Our legacy lies not in grand gestures alone but in the myriad of small actions that, when woven together, form the fabric of transformation.
In a world where division and turmoil can sometimes overshadow hope, we must remember that change begins with us. By being the change we wish to see, we pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate world. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the potential for greatness within each of us.
So, let us rise to the occasion, knowing that the power to create positive change lies within our grasp. Be the difference, embody the values you cherish, and ignite the spark of transformation in others. Together, we can weave a tapestry of progress, kindness, and unity, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Embrace the power within, for you are the change that the world awaits.
#OGHCrazyC
đĽ1
Julian Assange:
"I fought for liberty and was deprived of all liberty.
I fought for freedom of speech and was denied all speech.
I fought for the truth and became the subject of a thousand lies"
#StandUp4Assange
"I fought for liberty and was deprived of all liberty.
I fought for freedom of speech and was denied all speech.
I fought for the truth and became the subject of a thousand lies"
#StandUp4Assange
đ˘1
#Niger
Niger is a major producer of gold and uranium, the latter of which is needed for European nuclear energy. The country has significant oil reserves to which foreign corporations have wanted access. It also hosts large US drone bases.
These Western threats follow coups led by nationalist, anti-colonial military officers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, whose governments have warned that intervention would be considered an act of war, and could thus set off a regional conflict.
West Africa is rich in natural resources. It is also very strategic for the United States and France.
Almost all of West Africa was colonized by France, which committed brutal atrocities in the region.
Still today, France maintains neocolonial policies, effectively controlling West African economies by forcing them to use the CFA franc as their national currency.
Paris dictates the monetary policies and even holds much of the foreign exchange reserves of numerous West African nations, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
The United States has one of its largest and most important drone bases in Niger: the Air Base 201, which cost $110 million to build, and an additional $20-30 million per year to maintain â in one of the poorest countries on Earth.
Niger is geostrategically important for the Pentagonâs Africa strategy. It is located in the middle of the Sahel, a region with a lot of US and French military activity, where thousands of troops are stationed on a regular basis.
Washington uses its drone bases in Niger, in the heart of the Sahel, to project military dominance in North and West Africa, in coordination with the forces that US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, has deployed across the continent.
If Washington loses its ally in Niger, the new nationalist military government may try to close the foreign military bases and kick out the roughly 1000 US soldiers in the country.
Nigerâs historically subordinate relationship with the Western powers has not brought the Nigerien people any prosperity.
The market intelligence firm S&P Global Commodity Insights warned that the July coup in Niger âcould jeopardize the African countryâs plans to become a significant oil producer and exporterâ.
This is a region where there were very recent examples of Western interventions.
In 2013 and 2014, France launched a military intervention in Mali, a neighbor of Niger.
In a 2011 regime-change war, NATO â led by the United States, with the support of France, other European nations, and Canada â destroyed the state of Libya, killing the North African nationâs longtime revolutionary leader, Muammar Gadhafi.
Still today, a decade later, Libya has no unified central government. The country has been in a state of destructive civil war.
Now there is a real possibility that the Western powers that destabilized and devastated Libya could expand this violent chaos to the west and to the south, to the Sahel region.
Niger is a major producer of gold and uranium, the latter of which is needed for European nuclear energy. The country has significant oil reserves to which foreign corporations have wanted access. It also hosts large US drone bases.
These Western threats follow coups led by nationalist, anti-colonial military officers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, whose governments have warned that intervention would be considered an act of war, and could thus set off a regional conflict.
West Africa is rich in natural resources. It is also very strategic for the United States and France.
Almost all of West Africa was colonized by France, which committed brutal atrocities in the region.
Still today, France maintains neocolonial policies, effectively controlling West African economies by forcing them to use the CFA franc as their national currency.
Paris dictates the monetary policies and even holds much of the foreign exchange reserves of numerous West African nations, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
The United States has one of its largest and most important drone bases in Niger: the Air Base 201, which cost $110 million to build, and an additional $20-30 million per year to maintain â in one of the poorest countries on Earth.
Niger is geostrategically important for the Pentagonâs Africa strategy. It is located in the middle of the Sahel, a region with a lot of US and French military activity, where thousands of troops are stationed on a regular basis.
Washington uses its drone bases in Niger, in the heart of the Sahel, to project military dominance in North and West Africa, in coordination with the forces that US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, has deployed across the continent.
If Washington loses its ally in Niger, the new nationalist military government may try to close the foreign military bases and kick out the roughly 1000 US soldiers in the country.
Nigerâs historically subordinate relationship with the Western powers has not brought the Nigerien people any prosperity.
The market intelligence firm S&P Global Commodity Insights warned that the July coup in Niger âcould jeopardize the African countryâs plans to become a significant oil producer and exporterâ.
This is a region where there were very recent examples of Western interventions.
In 2013 and 2014, France launched a military intervention in Mali, a neighbor of Niger.
In a 2011 regime-change war, NATO â led by the United States, with the support of France, other European nations, and Canada â destroyed the state of Libya, killing the North African nationâs longtime revolutionary leader, Muammar Gadhafi.
Still today, a decade later, Libya has no unified central government. The country has been in a state of destructive civil war.
Now there is a real possibility that the Western powers that destabilized and devastated Libya could expand this violent chaos to the west and to the south, to the Sahel region.
Anti-colonial nationalists rise to power in West Africa
Some of the nationalist military leaders who have taken power in West Africa are invoking the historical legacy of anti-colonial movements.
In Nigerâs neighbor Burkina Faso, the new president, Ibrahim TraorĂŠ, has vowed to fight imperialism, quoting Che Guevara and allying with the leftist governments in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba.
TraorĂŠ is inspired by Burkina Fasoâs former Marxist leader Thomas Sankara, a pan-Africanist military officer who launched a popular revolution in the 1980s.
At the same time, however, these governments are highly unstable, and have risen to power following not just one but a series of coups in recent years.
Some of these putsches were led by officers trained by the US or French militaries. Some of the coups have installed pro-Western military governments. But others have been launched by nationalist military officers who oppose French neocolonialism and US imperialism and have asserted more sovereign, independent policies.
The leaders of the new government in Niger publicly warned that France is plotting military intervention.
Paris is looking âfor ways and means to intervene militarily in Nigerâ, the authorities said, stating that French officials met with the chief of staff of Nigerâs national guard âto obtain the necessary political and military authorisationâ, The Guardian reported.
The British newspaper described Nigerâs toppled president, Bazoum, as âan ally of western powersâ.
Along with Paris, the US State Department is actively coordinating with Bazoum and plotting to put its ally back in power.
To give supposed âmultilateralâ cover to their plans for intervention, the US and France have been working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Reuters reported that ECOWAS and âWest African defence chiefs have drawn up a plan for military action if Nigerâs coup is not overturnedâ.
The UK-based news outlet emphasized, âGiven its uranium and oil riches and pivotal role in the war with Islamist rebels in the Sahel region, Niger has strategic significance for the United States, China, Europe and Russiaâ.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger, and the countryâs southern neighbor Nigeria has begun establishing a de facto blockade.
Niger previously received roughly 70% of its electricity from Nigeria. But the Nigerian government, which is closely allied with the West, has now cut off that power.
Foreign intervention may be easier said than done, however, because Nigerâs neighbors have come to its defense.
The governments in Burkina Faso and Mali released a joint statement stating that âany military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Maliâ.
Some of the nationalist military leaders who have taken power in West Africa are invoking the historical legacy of anti-colonial movements.
In Nigerâs neighbor Burkina Faso, the new president, Ibrahim TraorĂŠ, has vowed to fight imperialism, quoting Che Guevara and allying with the leftist governments in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba.
TraorĂŠ is inspired by Burkina Fasoâs former Marxist leader Thomas Sankara, a pan-Africanist military officer who launched a popular revolution in the 1980s.
At the same time, however, these governments are highly unstable, and have risen to power following not just one but a series of coups in recent years.
Some of these putsches were led by officers trained by the US or French militaries. Some of the coups have installed pro-Western military governments. But others have been launched by nationalist military officers who oppose French neocolonialism and US imperialism and have asserted more sovereign, independent policies.
The leaders of the new government in Niger publicly warned that France is plotting military intervention.
Paris is looking âfor ways and means to intervene militarily in Nigerâ, the authorities said, stating that French officials met with the chief of staff of Nigerâs national guard âto obtain the necessary political and military authorisationâ, The Guardian reported.
The British newspaper described Nigerâs toppled president, Bazoum, as âan ally of western powersâ.
Along with Paris, the US State Department is actively coordinating with Bazoum and plotting to put its ally back in power.
To give supposed âmultilateralâ cover to their plans for intervention, the US and France have been working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Reuters reported that ECOWAS and âWest African defence chiefs have drawn up a plan for military action if Nigerâs coup is not overturnedâ.
The UK-based news outlet emphasized, âGiven its uranium and oil riches and pivotal role in the war with Islamist rebels in the Sahel region, Niger has strategic significance for the United States, China, Europe and Russiaâ.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger, and the countryâs southern neighbor Nigeria has begun establishing a de facto blockade.
Niger previously received roughly 70% of its electricity from Nigeria. But the Nigerian government, which is closely allied with the West, has now cut off that power.
Foreign intervention may be easier said than done, however, because Nigerâs neighbors have come to its defense.
The governments in Burkina Faso and Mali released a joint statement stating that âany military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Maliâ.
â¤1
US and France discover a coup in Africa they donât like?
In late July 2023, when Nigerâs President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown, the United States and France immediately sprung into action, condemning his ouster and demanding that the pro-Western leader be reinstated.
Many African activists highlighted the overwhelming hypocrisy of this response and of Western rhetoric about promoting âdemocracyâ.
In the past century, the US and European powers have legitimized, supported, and even organized dozens of coups across the Global South, in order to advance their economic and geopolitical interests.
There are myriad examples of democratically elected governments led by anti-colonial leaders who were overthrown and in some cases killed by the Western powers.
One of the most well-known historical episodes was that of Patrice Lumumba, the founder of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congo had been a Belgian colony. Under brutal King Leopold II, Belgium committed genocide there, killing off half of the Congolese population.
Lumumba helped lead an independence movement against European colonialism, and was democratically elected the DRCâs first prime minister in 1960.
US President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the CIA to assassinate Lumumba. With help from the spy agency, Belgium sponsored a coup to remove him.
The democratically elected Congolese leader was kidnapped and murdered. His body was subsequently dissolved in acid. Just a few teeth were left behind.
This is how Western governments treated anti-colonial leaders during the first cold war. They sponsored coups to remove them and subsequently installed and propped up right-wing, pro-imperialist dictatorships that ruled for decades with an iron fist.
The Western response to the July 2023 coup in Niger was completely different.
Immediately, the French government denounced the new nationalist government led by the military. Emmanuel Macronâs office vowed a strong and swift response, writing, âThe President will not tolerate any attack against France and its interestsâ, specifically emphasizing its business interests in Niger.
While sponsoring unelected coup regimes in Pakistan and Peru, the US State Department also quickly released a statement condemning the new military government in Niger.
"The United States welcomes and commends the strong leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government to defend constitutional order in Nigerâ, it wrote.
Referring to Nigerâs toppled pro-Western leader, Washington called âfor the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and the restoration of all state functionsâ.
The US added that it âwelcomes the dispatch of the special representative of the ECOWAS Chair to Nigerâ and âwill remain actively engaged with ECOWAS and West African leaders on next steps to preserve Nigerâs hard-earned democracyâ.
By instrumentalizing ECOWAS to give âmultilateralâ cover to an intervention in Niger, the US and France are returning to the strategy they employed when they used NATO to wage war on Libya in 2011.
At the moment, the Western powers are also doing the same to justify another military intervention in Haiti, re-creating an international alliance ostensibly led by Kenya to occupy the Caribbean nation.
In late July 2023, when Nigerâs President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown, the United States and France immediately sprung into action, condemning his ouster and demanding that the pro-Western leader be reinstated.
Many African activists highlighted the overwhelming hypocrisy of this response and of Western rhetoric about promoting âdemocracyâ.
In the past century, the US and European powers have legitimized, supported, and even organized dozens of coups across the Global South, in order to advance their economic and geopolitical interests.
There are myriad examples of democratically elected governments led by anti-colonial leaders who were overthrown and in some cases killed by the Western powers.
One of the most well-known historical episodes was that of Patrice Lumumba, the founder of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congo had been a Belgian colony. Under brutal King Leopold II, Belgium committed genocide there, killing off half of the Congolese population.
Lumumba helped lead an independence movement against European colonialism, and was democratically elected the DRCâs first prime minister in 1960.
US President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the CIA to assassinate Lumumba. With help from the spy agency, Belgium sponsored a coup to remove him.
The democratically elected Congolese leader was kidnapped and murdered. His body was subsequently dissolved in acid. Just a few teeth were left behind.
This is how Western governments treated anti-colonial leaders during the first cold war. They sponsored coups to remove them and subsequently installed and propped up right-wing, pro-imperialist dictatorships that ruled for decades with an iron fist.
The Western response to the July 2023 coup in Niger was completely different.
Immediately, the French government denounced the new nationalist government led by the military. Emmanuel Macronâs office vowed a strong and swift response, writing, âThe President will not tolerate any attack against France and its interestsâ, specifically emphasizing its business interests in Niger.
While sponsoring unelected coup regimes in Pakistan and Peru, the US State Department also quickly released a statement condemning the new military government in Niger.
"The United States welcomes and commends the strong leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government to defend constitutional order in Nigerâ, it wrote.
Referring to Nigerâs toppled pro-Western leader, Washington called âfor the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family and the restoration of all state functionsâ.
The US added that it âwelcomes the dispatch of the special representative of the ECOWAS Chair to Nigerâ and âwill remain actively engaged with ECOWAS and West African leaders on next steps to preserve Nigerâs hard-earned democracyâ.
By instrumentalizing ECOWAS to give âmultilateralâ cover to an intervention in Niger, the US and France are returning to the strategy they employed when they used NATO to wage war on Libya in 2011.
At the moment, the Western powers are also doing the same to justify another military intervention in Haiti, re-creating an international alliance ostensibly led by Kenya to occupy the Caribbean nation.
Niger is a leading producer of uranium, needed for European nuclear energy
One of the principal economic interests that Western powers have in Niger is its uranium.
The anti-poverty organization Oxfam published a report in 2013 detailing how France was making a killing profiting off of the uranium in Niger, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The people of Niger, who are known as Nigeriens (not to be confused with Nigerians from Nigeria), have seen almost no benefits from this uranium extraction.
Oxfam cited a Nigerien activist who noted, âIn France, one out of every three light bulbs is lit thanks to Nigerien uranium. In Niger, nearly 90% of the population has no access to electricity. This situation cannot continueâ.
âIt is incomprehensible that Niger, the worldâs fourth-largest uranium producer and a strategic supplier for Areva and France, is not taking advantage of the revenue from this extraction and remains one of the poorest countries on the planetâ, an Oxfam researcher added.
The statistics have slightly changed in the decade since that report was published.
As of 2023, Niger is the worldâs seventh-biggest producer of uranium.
But many Western media outlets have noted with fear how important Niger is for European energy stability.
âNiger coup sparks concerns about French, EU uranium dependencyâ, Politico warned.
"Niger supplies 15 percent of Franceâs uranium needs and accounts for a fifth of the EUâs total uranium importsâ, the media outlet reported. âIn 2021, Niger was the EUâs top uranium supplier, followed by Kazakhstan and Russiaâ.
Politico added that âthe coup in Niger could be a challenge for Europeâs uranium needs in the longer term, just as the continent is trying to phase out dependency on Russia, another top supplier of uranium used in European nuclear plantsâ.
Nuclear energy is relatively important in Europe. In 2022, it made up around 10% of EU energy consumption, slightly down from a peak of nearly 14% in 2002.
In France, nuclear energy is even more significant. Since the 1980s, nuclear has become one of its top energy sources.
By the 2000s, Franceâs nuclear power exceeded its use of oil, peaking at nearly 40% in 2005. Nuclear still remained strong in 2021, at 36.5% of total energy consumption (compared to 31% for oil).
Since the coup in Niger, both France and EU leadership have insisted they will not be affected, stating that they have enough uranium in their reserves to last a few years.
But if the nationalist government remains in power in Niger and abides by its alleged pledge to cut off uranium exports, Europe could face economic consequences.
This also comes at a complicated moment for Europe, which has pledged to boycott Russian oil exports and reduce imports of Russian gas.
Russia is one of the worldâs top producers of both oil and gas. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the imposition of harsh Western sanctions, Russia was the EUâs biggest energy partner, and the number one provider of oil and gas to many member states.
Some EU officials had proposed increasing nuclear energy production to end the regionâs reliance on Russia.
But now one of the top providers of the uranium the EU needs for that nuclear energy has seen a coup led by nationalists who oppose Europeâs neocolonial policies.
This also comes at a moment in which several countries in Europe are going into recession.
Germany, the manufacturing superpower at the heart of the EU, is deindustrializing at breakneck speed, largely because it has lost major sources of the cheap energy that its heavy industry needs.
One of the principal economic interests that Western powers have in Niger is its uranium.
The anti-poverty organization Oxfam published a report in 2013 detailing how France was making a killing profiting off of the uranium in Niger, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The people of Niger, who are known as Nigeriens (not to be confused with Nigerians from Nigeria), have seen almost no benefits from this uranium extraction.
Oxfam cited a Nigerien activist who noted, âIn France, one out of every three light bulbs is lit thanks to Nigerien uranium. In Niger, nearly 90% of the population has no access to electricity. This situation cannot continueâ.
âIt is incomprehensible that Niger, the worldâs fourth-largest uranium producer and a strategic supplier for Areva and France, is not taking advantage of the revenue from this extraction and remains one of the poorest countries on the planetâ, an Oxfam researcher added.
The statistics have slightly changed in the decade since that report was published.
As of 2023, Niger is the worldâs seventh-biggest producer of uranium.
But many Western media outlets have noted with fear how important Niger is for European energy stability.
âNiger coup sparks concerns about French, EU uranium dependencyâ, Politico warned.
"Niger supplies 15 percent of Franceâs uranium needs and accounts for a fifth of the EUâs total uranium importsâ, the media outlet reported. âIn 2021, Niger was the EUâs top uranium supplier, followed by Kazakhstan and Russiaâ.
Politico added that âthe coup in Niger could be a challenge for Europeâs uranium needs in the longer term, just as the continent is trying to phase out dependency on Russia, another top supplier of uranium used in European nuclear plantsâ.
Nuclear energy is relatively important in Europe. In 2022, it made up around 10% of EU energy consumption, slightly down from a peak of nearly 14% in 2002.
In France, nuclear energy is even more significant. Since the 1980s, nuclear has become one of its top energy sources.
By the 2000s, Franceâs nuclear power exceeded its use of oil, peaking at nearly 40% in 2005. Nuclear still remained strong in 2021, at 36.5% of total energy consumption (compared to 31% for oil).
Since the coup in Niger, both France and EU leadership have insisted they will not be affected, stating that they have enough uranium in their reserves to last a few years.
But if the nationalist government remains in power in Niger and abides by its alleged pledge to cut off uranium exports, Europe could face economic consequences.
This also comes at a complicated moment for Europe, which has pledged to boycott Russian oil exports and reduce imports of Russian gas.
Russia is one of the worldâs top producers of both oil and gas. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the imposition of harsh Western sanctions, Russia was the EUâs biggest energy partner, and the number one provider of oil and gas to many member states.
Some EU officials had proposed increasing nuclear energy production to end the regionâs reliance on Russia.
But now one of the top providers of the uranium the EU needs for that nuclear energy has seen a coup led by nationalists who oppose Europeâs neocolonial policies.
This also comes at a moment in which several countries in Europe are going into recession.
Germany, the manufacturing superpower at the heart of the EU, is deindustrializing at breakneck speed, largely because it has lost major sources of the cheap energy that its heavy industry needs.
Niger hosts strategic US military bases
In addition to foreign economic designs on West Africa, the US military has a massive footprint on the region â particularly in Niger, where it operates multiple bases.
A 2019 report in PBS noted an increasing US military presence in Africa, revealing that the Pentagon had nearly 800 personnel stationed in Niger. (That figure later rose to roughly 1000.)
General Thomas Waldhauser, the commander of US military forces in Africa, described Nigerâs pro-Western government as âa good partner in a very, very bad neighborhoodâ.
PBS indicated that the US military was creating a base in Agadez, Niger, which âwill be the largest installation Air Force personnel have ever builtâ.
"The U.S. has been operating drone missions out of another base in Nigerâs capital since 2013â, the media outlet wrote, adding, âThe CIA is also believed to be using another drone base in Northeastern Nigerâ.
Investigative journalist Nick Turse, reporting in 2023, described this US facility in Niger, Air Base 201, as âthe linchpin of the U.S. militaryâs archipelago of bases in North and West Africa and a key part of Americaâs wide-ranging intelligence, surveillance, and security efforts in the regionâ.
What is striking is the neocolonial symbolism of the United States maintaining these high-tech military facilities worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Niger, one of the poorest countries on Earth, where the majority of the population doesnât even have access to electricity.
âNiger is one of the last strongholds of U.S. security partnerships in the regionâ, Brown University researcher Stephanie Savell told the media outlet.
Blinkenâs visit came just a few months after the State Departmentâs December 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit, which brought African heads of state to Washington, DC to meet with Biden.
The State Department wrote that the summit was ârooted in this recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical playerâ
In addition to foreign economic designs on West Africa, the US military has a massive footprint on the region â particularly in Niger, where it operates multiple bases.
A 2019 report in PBS noted an increasing US military presence in Africa, revealing that the Pentagon had nearly 800 personnel stationed in Niger. (That figure later rose to roughly 1000.)
General Thomas Waldhauser, the commander of US military forces in Africa, described Nigerâs pro-Western government as âa good partner in a very, very bad neighborhoodâ.
PBS indicated that the US military was creating a base in Agadez, Niger, which âwill be the largest installation Air Force personnel have ever builtâ.
"The U.S. has been operating drone missions out of another base in Nigerâs capital since 2013â, the media outlet wrote, adding, âThe CIA is also believed to be using another drone base in Northeastern Nigerâ.
Investigative journalist Nick Turse, reporting in 2023, described this US facility in Niger, Air Base 201, as âthe linchpin of the U.S. militaryâs archipelago of bases in North and West Africa and a key part of Americaâs wide-ranging intelligence, surveillance, and security efforts in the regionâ.
What is striking is the neocolonial symbolism of the United States maintaining these high-tech military facilities worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Niger, one of the poorest countries on Earth, where the majority of the population doesnât even have access to electricity.
âNiger is one of the last strongholds of U.S. security partnerships in the regionâ, Brown University researcher Stephanie Savell told the media outlet.
Blinkenâs visit came just a few months after the State Departmentâs December 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit, which brought African heads of state to Washington, DC to meet with Biden.
The State Department wrote that the summit was ârooted in this recognition that Africa is a key geopolitical playerâ
#FreeJulianAssangeNOW
#SAVEJULIAN
#DROPTHECHARGESNOW
TIME TO DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST JULIAN #ASSANGE . HE WASN'T FLYING THE HELICOPTER OR FIRING THE MACHINE GUNS. YOU CAN'T KILL THE MESSENGER BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THE MESSAGE
#SAVEJULIAN
#DROPTHECHARGESNOW
TIME TO DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST JULIAN #ASSANGE . HE WASN'T FLYING THE HELICOPTER OR FIRING THE MACHINE GUNS. YOU CAN'T KILL THE MESSENGER BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THE MESSAGE
Gaddafi turned Libya into the richest country in Africa, and he had a vision for Africa as a whole.
Then, NATO lied, and murdered Gaddafi.
The reason NATO collapsed Gaddafi's Libya was because Libya was one of the largest exporters of oil to Europe under a nationalized oil program.
Libya had full sovereign control over their abundance of resources, and productively extracted it to build their country, thus challenging the âlegitimacyâ of western monopolies
Gaddafi called for all African nations to undergo similar large scale nationalization projects, and break away from dependency on Western financial looting schemes.
What NATO did to Libya has caused one of the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.
Libya today has open slave markets, some of the highest inflation in the world, and a high crime rate.
What NATO did and has caused to Libya is a crime against humanity, and is unforgivable.
When will NATO pay for what they did?
Then, NATO lied, and murdered Gaddafi.
The reason NATO collapsed Gaddafi's Libya was because Libya was one of the largest exporters of oil to Europe under a nationalized oil program.
Libya had full sovereign control over their abundance of resources, and productively extracted it to build their country, thus challenging the âlegitimacyâ of western monopolies
Gaddafi called for all African nations to undergo similar large scale nationalization projects, and break away from dependency on Western financial looting schemes.
What NATO did to Libya has caused one of the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.
Libya today has open slave markets, some of the highest inflation in the world, and a high crime rate.
What NATO did and has caused to Libya is a crime against humanity, and is unforgivable.
When will NATO pay for what they did?
đ1
At least 2,000 people were killed, and thousands more were missing after a massive flood ripped through the city of Derna following a heavy storm and rain.
Pray for Libya!
#Libya
Pray for Libya!
#Libya
Morocco earthquake
About 100,000 children have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco last Friday.
Moroccoâs strongest-ever earthquake killed more than 2,800 people, but hopes were fading of finding more survivors under the rubble.
#Morocco #PrayForMorocco #MoroccoEarthquake
About 100,000 children have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco last Friday.
Moroccoâs strongest-ever earthquake killed more than 2,800 people, but hopes were fading of finding more survivors under the rubble.
#Morocco #PrayForMorocco #MoroccoEarthquake
PEGASUS SPYWARE
"Benjamin Netanyahu" This man enforced the Israeli intelligence and the NSO group to create hacking tools to prevent and to counter cyberattacks.
Over the years there have been backlashes on the abuse of the spyware in Isreal.
The Israeli police are reportedly accused of using Pegasus, spyware developed by the NSO Group, to spy on dozens of its own citizens, including senior government officials and protesters demonstrating against Benjamin Netanyahu.
What is Pegasus and what does it do?
Pegasus is a type of spyware that may access a user's phone without their knowledge or consent, gather location and personal information, and take control of the phone's microphone and camera.
The 2010-founded NSO Group promotes itself as developing "technology that helps government agencies pay on thousands of lives around the globe" on its website.
Photos, site searches, passwords, call records, communications, and social media posts are some of the data Pegasus has access to.
The spyware's functionality is disguised in order to avoid discovery.
Researchers have found several examples of NSO Group sophisticated tools using so-called âzero clickâ exploits that infect targeted mobile phones without any user interaction.
How to perform vulnerability assessment on mobile device?
There are ways to track Pegasus on mobile and one way to do that is by the use of MVT (Mobile verification Toolkit) created by amnesty international.
#pegasus #spyware #cyberattack #mossad #cyebrsecurity #hacking
"Benjamin Netanyahu" This man enforced the Israeli intelligence and the NSO group to create hacking tools to prevent and to counter cyberattacks.
Over the years there have been backlashes on the abuse of the spyware in Isreal.
The Israeli police are reportedly accused of using Pegasus, spyware developed by the NSO Group, to spy on dozens of its own citizens, including senior government officials and protesters demonstrating against Benjamin Netanyahu.
What is Pegasus and what does it do?
Pegasus is a type of spyware that may access a user's phone without their knowledge or consent, gather location and personal information, and take control of the phone's microphone and camera.
The 2010-founded NSO Group promotes itself as developing "technology that helps government agencies pay on thousands of lives around the globe" on its website.
Photos, site searches, passwords, call records, communications, and social media posts are some of the data Pegasus has access to.
The spyware's functionality is disguised in order to avoid discovery.
Researchers have found several examples of NSO Group sophisticated tools using so-called âzero clickâ exploits that infect targeted mobile phones without any user interaction.
How to perform vulnerability assessment on mobile device?
There are ways to track Pegasus on mobile and one way to do that is by the use of MVT (Mobile verification Toolkit) created by amnesty international.
#pegasus #spyware #cyberattack #mossad #cyebrsecurity #hacking
PEGASUS SPYWARE.
Entreat all those whose phones were taken not to use them after it had been handed back to them . Thereâs a rumour that the government has purchased Pegasus spyware and in most countries it is been used on protestors a lot. If this is true then it should be treated seriously.
Pegasus has advanced over the years; and now is like an HIV infection; the moment is on your phone, it stays forever even if you do factory reset it. They have nicked named it âVARIANTâ.
Get yourselves new phones.
But if you want to know if your phone is infected, kindly install the mobile verification tool kit; a powerful tool developed by Amnesty International.
As the process is on going too, a lot of the demonstrators will receive promising emails to and texts to show support; please ignore any of those attachments. Is likely spywares have been embedded in it.
Also Pegasus can lunch itself with just by a phone call; the malware automatically installs itself on the targeted device.
Pegasus is not the only spyware to infiltrate a phone; there are powerful ones like Finfisher , Mspy and COBALT.
Entreat all those whose phones were taken not to use them after it had been handed back to them . Thereâs a rumour that the government has purchased Pegasus spyware and in most countries it is been used on protestors a lot. If this is true then it should be treated seriously.
Pegasus has advanced over the years; and now is like an HIV infection; the moment is on your phone, it stays forever even if you do factory reset it. They have nicked named it âVARIANTâ.
Get yourselves new phones.
But if you want to know if your phone is infected, kindly install the mobile verification tool kit; a powerful tool developed by Amnesty International.
As the process is on going too, a lot of the demonstrators will receive promising emails to and texts to show support; please ignore any of those attachments. Is likely spywares have been embedded in it.
Also Pegasus can lunch itself with just by a phone call; the malware automatically installs itself on the targeted device.
Pegasus is not the only spyware to infiltrate a phone; there are powerful ones like Finfisher , Mspy and COBALT.