By Jonathan Power* Note: In this column, I will primarily focus on the culture of the Western world. LUND, Sweden | 8 July 2025 (IDN) — In 1776, Adam Smith published his “Wealth of Nations”, which has guided economists and political thinkers ever since. It marks the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, which originated in […]
Kosovo’s Leadership Failure: A Dangerous Hijacking of Democracy
By Alon Ben-Meir* NEW YORK | 8 July 2025 (IDN) — It is hard to imagine how a small country experiencing significant economic hardship and in constant conflict with its neighbour is still under a caretaker government four months after the national elections. Prime Minister Kurti must end the deadlock, as it does not bode […]
Why Not a World Parliament to Govern Planet Earth?
By P. Soma Palan* COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | 7 July 2025 (IDN) — The current world situation poses an existential crisis for the Planet Earth. The Israel and Palestine war has expanded into a three-nation war with Iran’s entry and Air strikes on Israel, and Israel’s counterattacks. The further escalation and enlargement of this war […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Fighting reported between TDF and TPF in Tigray
Situation in Sudan (per 7 July) Attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan caused tens of thousands of people to flee for the capital of El Obeid. The attacks on villages are an attempt by RSF to tighten the siege on El Obeid. El Obeid is also currently in the middle of […]
Unable To Move On Gaza, UN’s Human Rights Body Revives Its Bullying Of Sri Lanka
By Kalinga Seneviratne 7 July 2025 (IDN) — Intimidated by the United States, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has been a hapless spectator while the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza has been happening in broad daylight, in front of cameras. During a four-day visit to Sri Lanka from 26 to 29 June, UNHRC’s […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Violence in South Sudan on the rise in 2025
Situation in Sudan (per 3 July) Attacks on medical facilities have increased in the first six months of 2025, with 933 people reported to have been killed during incidents which targeted clinics, health facilities, and ambulances. “[T]he biggest danger posed by these attacks is families and children opting not to seek services from hospitals when in […]
Billionaires’ Anger and Efforts to Prevent Zohran Mamdani from Becoming New York’s Mayor
By Norman Solomon* SAN FRANCISCO, USA | 2 July 2025 (IDN) — The Supreme Court’s first chief justice, John Jay, would have empathized with the billionaires who’ve been freaking out ever since Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York last Tuesday. “Those who own the country ought to govern it,” Jay insisted. […]
UN Women Marks 15th Anniversary with Urgent Call for Action on Gender Equality
By J Nastranis NEW YORK | 2 July 2025 (IDN) — As UN Women commemorates its 15th anniversary this year, the organisation is warning of a dangerous global backslide in gender equality. Founded in 2010 to accelerate progress on women’s rights and empowerment, UN Women has played a vital role in advancing gender justice worldwide. […]
China Is Not a Miracle About to Be Performed
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 1 July 2025 (IDN) —The Nobel-prize winning economist, Robert Fogel, believes that China will grow at an average rate of 8% until 2040, by which time it will be twice as rich as Europe in per capita terms. His model is based partly on so-called geometric growth. An example: […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: 41 boat passengers missing after attack in South Sudan
Situation in Sudan (per 30 June) The collapse of the Kirsh al-Fil gold mine in the Houeid area, River Nile State, led to the deaths of at least 50 miners, with more people likely trapped. Rescue attempts are hindered by a lack of equipment, lack of rescue teams and the remote location of the mine. […]