Substantive hearings are about to begin in Zwolle, the Netherlands, in the important case against Eritrean national Tewelde Goitom (also known as “Walid” / “Welid”). The hearings are set to run across the month of November. Walid is accused of leading an international criminal network that detained, tortured, raped and extorted Eritrean refugees in Libya. […]
The Changing Monsoon in The Himalayas: Lessons from Bhutan’s Floods
By Madhurima Sarkar-Swaisgood, Prangya Paramita Gupta, Shashwat Avi, and Sanjay Srivastava, ESCAP* BANGKOK | 29 October 2025 (IDN) — The Himalayan arc from Bhutan through Nepal and India into Pakistan has always followed the rhythm of the monsoon. In 2025, that rhythm became deadly. Rain that sustains agriculture and rivers turned destructive, testing the capacity […]
The Route To Happiness
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 28 October 2025 (IDN) —Want to be happy? Read on! Sigmund Freud, the great psychiatrist, said that people can never be fully happy. But most people are reasonably happy, according to numerous surveys. Even in the slums of Calcutta, a majority are. Read “The City of Joy” by Dominique […]
Cuba: International Hotel Chains Allowed to Lease—and Operate—State-Owned Resorts
By Rodrigo Pérez MIAMI, USA | 27 October 2025 (IDN) — In an unexpected step for one of the world’s most tightly managed economies, Cuba has approved a new policy that allows international hotel chains to lease — not merely operate — state-owned hotels. The move marks a historic departure from decades of rigid central control […]
The World Confronts the Genocide Washington Is Trying to Bury
By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies NEW YORK | 27 October 2025 (IDN) — On 4 October 2025, in an interview with Axios, President Trump stressed that one of the main goals behind his Gaza plan was to restore Israel’s international standing. “Bibi took it very far and Israel lost a lot of support in […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: SAF headquarters in El Fasher fall to RSF
Situation in Sudan (per 27 October) The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the 6th Infantry Division headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, which was the last major stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Darfur. Various media have confirmed the authenticity of videos showing RSF fighters inside the army base. SAF and allies […]
Wars on Women Escalate as Global Conflicts Surge
A landmark UN report sounds the alarm This article was first published on https://rjaura.substack.com BERLIN | 25 October 2025 (IDN) — When we think about war and peace, we often picture men in uniforms, generals in strategy rooms, and presidents at podiums. But around the world, it’s women who are bearing the brunt of war […]
From Illusion to Real Peace: Trump’s Test in Gaza and Ukraine
By Jeffrey D. Sachs & Sybil Fares This article was originally published on Al Jazeera and is being reproduced with the authors’ permission. NEW YORK | 24 October 2025 (IDN) — United States President Donald Trump styles himself as a peacemaker. In his rhetoric, he claims credit for his efforts to end the wars in […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: RSF attacks Khartoum airport
Situation in Sudan (per 23 October) The international airport in Khartoum was attacked by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drones over three days between Tuesday and Thursday. The airport, controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), was due to reopen on Wednesday after being closed for over two years. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, SAF leader, visited the […]
From Food Aid to Free Trade: Europe Courts India — With Caveats
Brussels Has Yet to Learn Lessons This article first appeared on https://rjaura.substack.com By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | 22 October 2025 (IDN) —Since the 1960s, India has prioritised strategic autonomy in its foreign policy, consistently avoiding alliances that could compromise its sovereignty. Western partners often overestimate their influence, overlooking India’s strong commitment to independence. For India, autonomy […]