By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — When the United States joined hands with Israel, Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to hold “the first ever multilateral Arab-Israeli summit on Israeli soil”, there was one potential participant described as MIA—the Palestinians, missing in action. One of the Palestinian demonstrators outside the hotel, […]
When A Joke Fetches a Slap
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — One week before Hollywood, Nigeria hosted a different kind of Oscar moment. At the swearing-in ceremony of Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank and new governor of the most commercially significant southeast states, […]
The Red Scare
Viewpoint by Alice Slater The writer serves on the Boards of World Beyond War, the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. She is also the UN NGO representative for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. NEW YORK (IDN) — In 1954 I attended Queens College during the years before Senator Joseph McCarthy finally […]
Overcoming Impact of Pandemic and Climate Crises Crucial, Says Eminent Buddhist Preacher
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | TOKYO (IDN) — 2022 marks seven years since the United Nations adopted 17 interlinked global goals, termed as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” by 2030.
South Pacific: Is China Establishing a Military Base in Solomon Islands?
By Ravindra Singh Prasad SUVA, Fiji (IDN) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannasseh Sogavara has brushed aside concerns raised in Australia and New Zealand that a new China-Solomon Island security treaty will diminish the role of its traditional security partners in the region.
Rice Exports to Sri Lanka Good Business for Myanmar
By Deshan Maduranga COLOMBO (IDN) — A recent statement by a Myanmar official has indicated that Sri Lanka has been buying rice from the country at a price higher than what others are paying for it. This has raised eyebrows in Sri Lanka that has prided itself for being self-sufficient in rice, its staple diet, […]
The Urgent Need for Climate Action
Viewpoint by John Scales Avery* COPENHAGEN (IDN) — One reason why the Glasgow Climate Conference (October-November 2021) failed so miserably to produce urgently needed climate action was that humans tend to react to what is close to them. Money to pay the rent is urgent, while a climate catastrophe seems to be a distant threat.
Governments Advance Negotiations on Ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework but Require More Time
By Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) GENEVA (IDN) — World governments have produced a strong basis for a post 2020 global biodiversity framework to safeguard the health of the planet, scheduled for final agreement at UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China later this year. “Governments came to Geneva eager to meet in person and make […]
Europe Soliciting Support from African Leaders for Ukraine
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | DAR ES SALAAM (IDN) — European Union members have been soliciting support from the African Union (AU), Regional Economic organizations and African countries for the former Soviet republic of Ukraine, now experiencing tremendous atrocities and worsening humanitarian conditions as a direct result of Russia’s “special military operation” since late […]
Green Investments, the New Black for Sustainable Development in Africa
By Busani Bafana KIGALI, Rwanda (IDN) — Less than ten years to the deadline to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa is at development cross roads. The big question is how can Africa achieve inclusive and sustainable development to meet the twin agendas; 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063?