The hunger crises you're not hearing about

+ revisiting Will Smith's slap US Edition - Today's top story: War in Ukraine is pushing global acute hunger to the highest level in this century [View in browser]( US Edition | 27 April 2022 [The Conversation]( Two months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the conflict there is still dominating headlines amid frantic efforts to get aid into war-ravaged areas. But there also are alarming levels of need in other parts of the world that get far less attention – and the crisis in Ukraine is making them worse. Tufts University food security expert Daniel Maxwell spotlights multiple factors that he warns [could create or worsen famine in poor countries](, particularly in Africa and Asia. They include reduced grain exports from Ukraine and Russia, high energy prices and a global relief community that’s overstretched and underfunded. “The people of Ukraine deserve all of the attention and help that they are receiving,” Maxwell writes. “But I believe the global community must not lose sight of humanitarian suffering in the rest of the world.” Also today: - [Was the ‘great resignation’ a factor in corporate exodus from Russia?]( - [The danger of letting billionaires control media in a new ‘Gilded Age’]( - [The parasites hitching a ride on plastic to spread across the ocean]( Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor Distributing flour rations and other food supplies in southern Yemen on March 29, 2022. Saleh Al-Obeidi/AFP via Getty Images [War in Ukraine is pushing global acute hunger to the highest level in this century]( Daniel Maxwell, Tufts University Grain and fertilizer shortages, higher shipping costs and a strong dollar are all pushing food prices up and increasing hunger in dozens of vulnerable countries. Politics + Society - [Revisiting Will Smith’s slap and what it means to protect a loved one]( Neil Roberts, Williams College By slapping Chris Rock during an internationally televised awards ceremony, Will Smith demonstrated that chivalry is not dead. But was that the protection Jada Pinckett Smith wanted or needed? Ethics + Religion - [Caste doesn’t just exist in India or in Hinduism – it is pervasive across many religions in South Asia and the diaspora]( Aseem Hasnain, Bridgewater State University; Abhilasha Srivastava, California State University, San Bernardino Several US universities now recognize caste as part of nondiscrimination policies. Two scholars of South Asian studies explain how caste-based violence isn’t limited to Hinduism, or to India. Science + Technology - [Twitter: not even Elon Musk is wealthy enough to bring absolute free speech to the platform – here’s why]( Eric Heinze, Queen Mary University of London We may be besieged by private companies in online spaces, but only up to a point. - [Disease-causing parasites can hitch a ride on plastics and potentially spread through the sea, new research suggests]( Karen Shapiro, University of California, Davis; Emma Zhang, University of California, Davis Normally land-bound pathogens that cause deadly diseases for both humans and animals can cling to microplastics and end up in your seafood. Economy + Business - [‘Great resignation’ appears to be hastening the exodus of US and other Western companies from Russia]( Steven Kreft, Indiana University; Elham Mafi-Kreft, Indiana University Two scholars of corporate do-goodery suggest a hidden driver of corporate decisions to leave Russia is the global trend in which record numbers of workers are quitting their jobs. - [Elon Musk and the oligarchs of the ‘Second Gilded Age’ can not only sway the public – they can exploit their data, too]( Nolan Higdon, California State University, East Bay Media ownership has consolidated around a handful of billionaires – and that might not be great for democracy. Environment + Energy - [Rising authoritarianism and worsening climate change share a fossil-fueled secret]( Eve Darian-Smith, University of California, Irvine A new book lays out the connections between industries and politicians that are both stalling action on climate change and diminishing democracy. Trending on site - [Beer and spirits have more detrimental effects on the waistline and on cardiovascular disease risk than red or white wine]( - [Elon Musk’s plans for Twitter could make its misinformation problems worse]( - [As Ukraine war deepens great-power divisions, a revitalized non-aligned movement could emerge]( Today's graphic [Factors that affect a person's sense of flourishing.]( From the story, [Psychological tips aren’t enough – policies need to address structural inequities so everyone can flourish]( - More from The Conversation US - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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