Odds and Ends 

What we know (and dont) about Goldman Sachs Africa VC investing

Goldman Sachs is investing in African tech companies. The venerable American investment bank and financial services firm has backed startups from Kenya to Nigeria and taken a significant stake in e-commerce venture Jumia, which listed on the NYSE in 2019. Though Goldman declined to comment on its Africa VC activities for this article, the company has spoken to TechCrunch in the past about specific investments. Goldman Sachs is one of the most enviable investment banking shops on Wall Street, generating $36 billion in net revenues in 2019, or roughly $1…

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Australian magpie mimics emergency sirens as deadly fires rage

(CNN)A songbird mimicking the sounds of emergency sirens has been caught on video in southeast Australia, as firefighters battle deadly wildfires in the region. The fires have also caused extensive damage to wildlife and the environment — 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) of land has burned in NSW alone this fire season. Protected by law throughout NSW, the Australian magpie has one of the world’s most complex bird songs, according to the Australian Museum. The NSW government says magpies can mimic the songs of more than 35 types of…

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A challenge from China could be just the thing to pull NATO together

Hong Kong (CNN)The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is looking more disorganized than ever, but a major Pacific rival could help push them back together. ‘Brain death’ Speaking last month, Macron warned that NATO was at risk of “brain death,” due to ongoing US indifference for the alliance — which Trump has previously described as “obsolete” — and in particular criticized Washington’s decision to pull out of Syria, leaving Kurdish allies at the mercy of Turkey, which soon invaded. “You have partners together in the same part of the world, and…

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