DNA shows Sahara was green and populated 1,000 years ago

There was a time, between 12,000 and 5,000 years ago, when the Sahara was populated and covered in luxurious vegetation, according to a recent DNA study. The reconstruction was by a group of international biologists coordinated by Fulvio Cruciani from the Sapienza University of Rome in a study published in the Genome Biology journal.

To solve the puzzle of human evolution in the Sahara, the researchers used an innovative technique of genetic sequencing with which they analyzed over 3 million DNA letters of 104 individuals. They focused especially on the Y chromosome, passed down from fathers only to their sons, identifying almost 6,000 genetic variants, half of which had never previously been described. The data show that genetic characteristics of North African and sub-Saharan male population were shaped by migrations in ancient times.

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Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: Dera Sacha Sauda spiritual leader found guilty of raping female followers

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh at a news conference to launch the score for his film 'MSG-2 The Messenger' in Mumbai AFP/Getty Images A popular Indian actor and spiritual leader, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, has been convicted of raping his followers following a high profile trial. Singh was found guilty of raping two women in a case dating back to 2002 at the headquarters of his Dera Sacha Sauda group in the town of Sirsa. The bearded guru, who had denied the charges, had arrived for the hearing with a 100-vehicle convoy that left his ashram early on Friday. Some 15,000 police and soldiers were deployed in Panchkula, the town where his trial took place, for fear of violence. Tens of thousands of his devotees had travelled there to protest his innocence, according to reports, while internet and phone services were throttled in a bid to forestall unrest. In a televised appeal, Singh asked his supporters not to resort to violence, but some said they would not t...

Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) threatens to attack Italian vessels in Libyan waters unlikely to materialise, but risks support mission

the Italian parliament approved legislation allowing Italian military vessels to patrol Libyan waters in order to stem the flow of migrants entering Italy. This is the latest in a series of initiatives and proposals by the Italian government to block the Mediterranean migrant route, including the recent introduction of a code of conduct curtailing the flexibility of aid groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to operate rescue vessels in the Mediterranean. In response to the latest measure to deploy the Italian navy, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) – a militia associated with the Tobruk-based government in eastern Libya – warned that any non-commercial vessel entering Libyan waters without prior authorisation would be attacked.

Carthy calls on Coveney to intervene in case of Hunger-striking refugees in Greece

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney to urgently intervene in the case of asylum seekers in Greece who have been on hunger strike for over a month. Bahrooz Arash, and Kozhin Hussein are demanding an end to arbitrary imprisonment and inhumane treatment including psychological and physical abuse of refugees in Moria detention centre. Matt Carthy said: “I have contacted the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Irish Embassy in Greece and Christos Stylianides EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis regarding the disturbing case of asylum seekers in Greece who have been on hunger strike for over a month now. “The Hunger strikers are seeking an end to arbitrary imprisonment and inhumane treatment including psychological and physical abuse of refugees in Moria detention centre. “Bahrooz Arash is now in a particularly bad condition having lost 16kgs since his hunger strike began. “Despite medical opinio...

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