The modern South Africa rose from what @thecontinent’s Simon Allison describes as “the bitter ashes of history’s most sophisticated white supremacist state.” It’s been largely well-regarded ever since. Now, the Trump administration and adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, are trying to change the narrative, with the latter spreading baseless conspiracy theories about “white genocide” in the country of his birth. What is President Cyril Ramaphosa supposed to do? How can any country respond if a former friend becomes hostile? “South Africa’s ruling party – Africa’s oldest political party – has already defeated one white supremacist state. Can it stand firm against another one?” writes Allison.

https://continent.substack.com/p/navigating-the-new-world-order

#Africa #SouthAfrica #ElonMusk #TrumpAdministration #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Canada’s election takes place on Monday April 28. @thetyee’s Jen St. Denis compares the platforms of the three major parties (the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP) on issues such as housing, the economy, health, and that small matter of threats from the downstairs neighbo(u)rs.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/04/24/Comparing-Party-Platforms/

#Canada #CanPoli #MarkCarney #JagmeetSingh #PierrePoilievre #CdnElxn2025 #CanadianElection #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

All over the world, wild plants are losing ground, and all over the world, scientists are trying to preserve them for future generations in seed banks. @KnowableMag looks at the tricky art of keeping seeds in deep sleep, and waking them up when the moment’s right.

https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2025/seed-banking-to-preserve-rare-plants

#Conservation #SeedBanking #Science #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a fine diplomatic line to walk. In January, his forces captured two North Korean soldiers who were fighting for Russia. He’s in discussions with Russia to exchange the prisoners for two Ukrainian captives. But @timkmak’s Counteroffensive reports that this may lose him the support of South Korea, an important ally since Ukraine was invaded.

https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/s-koreas-surprising-sympathy-for

#Ukraine #Korea #SouthKorea #NorthKorea #Zelenskyy #RussiaUkraine #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Security engineer @alexhaydock acquired a Wii at the #EMF2024 Swap Shop. He intended to use it to emulate games, but when he realized that it could be used to host a website, he decided to try that instead. @404mediaco’s Samantha Cole spoke to him about how well it’s working, and what he’s planning to do with it (#EMF2026, here he comes). Check out the second link to find out how our friends at 404 are doing, and what they’re cooking up next.

https://www.404media.co/this-website-is-running-on-a-wii/

https://www.404media.co/how-404-media-is-navigating-economic-headwinds/

#Technology #Tech #Web #OperatingSystems #Wii #Nintendo #Emulation #Modding #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Indonesia in Southeast Asia suffers from major food insecurity. @thexylom looks at the rise in community-led urban farms that improve quality of life for gardeners, and are a small step towards food sovereignty for the country.

https://www.thexylom.com/post/jakarta-s-urban-farms-come-to-the-rescue-of-food-insecure-residents

#Farming #UrbanFarming #Nature #Science #Indonesia #Jakarta #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Sad times for Fyre Festival 2 ticketholders (any fediverse folk admitting to having splashed out?) as its founder Billy McFarland has announced the cancelation of the event. But some lucky person will get to buy the brand, which is now for sale. When our @CultureDesk posted about this, they (and commenters) pooh-poohed the idea of anyone wanting to invest in Fyre Festival. But we have an idea: How about @theonion.com purchases the name, makes merch, and donates the money to good causes. We’d certainly pay for a “I went to the Fyre Festival 2, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt” tee.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/fyre-festival-2-cancelled-postponement-billy-mcfarland-b2738450.html

#FyreFestival #BillyMcFarland #NotTheOnion #Music #Entertainment #Festivals #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

And last of all, after another stressful week, a helpful reminder from @TheConversationUS about the benefits of gratitude, why it’s harder to practice in difficult times, and why we should still persevere. “The negative doesn’t need help gaining attention, but the positive might,” writes Monica Y. Bartlett, Professor of Psychology at Gonzaga University.

https://theconversation.com/gratitude-comes-with-benefits-a-social-psychologist-explains-how-to-practice-it-when-times-are-stressful-250882

#Psychology #Gratitude #Positivity #Optimism #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday