The African Union (AU) is supporting a campaign to replace the widely used Mercator map with the Equal Earth projection to more accurately reflect Africa’s size and counter the false impression of its marginalization. The Mercator map distorts sizes, making areas near the poles appear larger while shrinking Africa and South America, influencing perceptions in media, education, and policy. The Correct the Map campaign, spearheaded by advocacy groups, is urging organizations to adopt the Equal Earth map, with the AU endorsing this effort as part of its goal to reclaim Africa’s rightful place on the global stage. This initiative calls for the adoption of the Equal Earth map by global institutions, with other regions like the Caribbean Community also supporting the move as a rejection of the Mercator map’s representation of power and dominance.
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The African Union is advocating for a shift in how the world sees itself, specifically by urging the adoption of a world map that accurately reflects the continent’s true size. It’s a conversation starter, no doubt, sparking debates about representation, perspective, and what really matters.
It’s important to understand that the map we commonly use, the Mercator projection, has its roots in navigation. It’s incredibly useful for sailors because it preserves shapes and angles, making it ideal for plotting courses. However, this projection does a number on the relative sizes of landmasses. Areas closer to the poles, like Greenland, appear significantly larger than they actually are, while areas closer to the equator, like Africa, get comparatively squished.… Continue reading
A shooting at a CVS at Emory Point resulted in the death of the shooter. A police officer and a civilian were injured and hospitalized, while the CDC and Emory University were placed on lockdown. Authorities confirmed the situation was contained around 6:30 p.m., and the FBI is investigating the incident. Local and state officials praised first responders, and are urging the public to follow law enforcement guidelines.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel warning for southeast China due to an outbreak of chikungunya, primarily in Guangdong province. Symptoms of the mosquito-borne illness include fever, joint pain, and rash, with most individuals recovering within a week, though severe joint pain can persist. While there is no specific treatment, the CDC recommends preventative measures like insect repellent and vaccination for those traveling to affected areas. The virus, first identified in 1952, has seen increasing outbreaks globally, including in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
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Recent data indicates a potential summer wave of COVID-19 is underway, with estimated growth in 25 states, particularly in the Southeast, Southern, and West Coast regions. The CDC’s analysis suggests a pattern of biannual surges, peaking in late summer and winter due to genetic changes in the virus. Simultaneously, health officials are monitoring an increase in parvovirus B19 cases, prompting warnings and recommendations for protective measures, especially for pregnant women. Chicago health officials noted the highest percentage of parvovirus B19-associated emergency room visits in years.
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A recent Oxfam report highlights a critical wealth disparity in Africa, where just four billionaires possess more wealth than half the continent’s population. This concentration of wealth has been exacerbated by governmental policies, including low wealth tax rates and reliance on indirect taxes that disproportionately affect the poor. These factors have contributed to increased food insecurity and extreme poverty across the continent. To combat this, Oxfam suggests implementing tax reforms targeting the wealthy, advocating for fairer tax systems, and investing in essential services to address the widening inequality.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended its emergency response to H5N1 bird flu, citing a decrease in cases and the absence of human cases since February 2025. While the emergency response has been deactivated, surveillance, readiness, and response for influenza, including H5N1, will continue under existing programs. The emergency response, which began on April 4, 2024, allowed for additional public health support. Experts note the seasonality of bird flu, with potential for cases to rise again in the fall or winter, but the current public health risk remains low.
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US CDC report shows no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. Alright, so here’s the deal, and it’s pretty straightforward: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has once again reiterated that there’s no connection between vaccines containing thimerosal and autism. This isn’t new information; it’s something that the medical community has been quite certain of for a good while. The science is pretty definitive.
US CDC report shows no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The fact that this even needs to be repeatedly stated highlights the impact of misinformation. Some individuals and groups have been spreading claims that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative previously used in some vaccines, causes autism.… Continue reading
Heineken has withdrawn its staff and lost operational control of its breweries in Bukavu and Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, due to escalating conflict and the seizure of its facilities by armed personnel. These facilities, representing approximately one-third of Heineken’s Congolese operations, employed roughly 1,000 people. While operations continue in other unaffected areas of the country, Heineken prioritizes employee safety and will continue monitoring the situation. This withdrawal significantly impacts Heineken’s substantial African market share.
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Under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, the U.S. health infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by widespread firings and the disruption of established scientific norms. Thousands of health workers and scientists have been dismissed, leading to a climate of fear and distrust within agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. This restructuring, driven by Kennedy’s agenda and implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has resulted in cancelled research programs, increased bureaucracy, and a shortage of essential resources. The consequences, according to numerous sources, include a weakened public health system and potential harm to the American public.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood