By Josefa Babitu* SUVA (IDN) — A 15-year-old girl has become Fiji’s youngest death due to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, taking the total of deaths due to the virus to 58. Health Secretary Dr James Fong has confirmed this after an investigation by medical personnel classified the case as another covid-19 death. The girl from […]
France Denies Covering-Up Deadly Nuclear Tests in French Polynesia
By Asia Pacific Report newsdesk SUVA (IDN) — The French government has denied any cover-up over radiation levels in the Pacific following its nuclear testing in the region, as state-backed discussions took place in Paris about the legacy of the explosions, reports France 24. A two-day meeting called by French President Emmanuel Macron was held […]
Germany’s Gerd Müller Chosen as Next UNIDO Director General
By Reinhard Jacobsen VIENNA (IDN) — The Industrial Development Board of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has recommended Gerd Müller of Germany to be the Organization’s next Director-General. He is currently Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany. The Board’s recommendation will be forwarded for approval to the UNIDO General Conference—the […]
Pressing Need for International Criminal Court ‘With Teeth’
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — “Too little too late”. It’s as true of Bashar al-Assad as it was of Muammar Gadhafi, as it was of Saddam Hussein and Pol Pot. The problem always has been not lack of early warning but lack of early action. We have known, literally for decades, that […]
What About Iraq and Iran Now That U.S. Afghan War Is Over?
Viewpoint by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — At Bagram air-base, Afghan scrap merchants are already picking through the graveyard of U.S. military equipment that was until recently the headquarters of America’s 20-year occupation of their country. Afghan officials say the last U.S. forces slipped away from Bagram in the […]
Latin America’s Unique Biodiversity Can Help Boost Post-Covid Recovery
By Fermin Koop* LONDON (IDN) — Protecting and restoring natural areas in Latin America, home to 50% of the planet’s biodiversity and over a quarter of its forests, could help the region achieve a ‘green’ post-pandemic recovery and meet biodiversity conservation targets, experts say. Doing so could even create thousands of jobs in key economic […]
Combating COVID-19 and Ensuring No One is Left Behind
Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Kanni Wignaraja, and Bambang Susantono Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is the Executive Secretary, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Kanni Wignaraja is the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Bambang Susantono is the Vice-President of Asian Development Bank (ADB). BANGKOK (IDN) — If the world wants […]
Belgium to Return Plundered Artworks to DR Congo
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Belgium is the latest European country to promise to return artworks plundered from its former Congolese colony, as it seeks to confront its brutal colonial past. Belgium’s Africa Museum has said up to 2,000 works, including statues, musical instruments and weapons, were acquired illegally during […]
US Exit from Afghanistan Promises Opportunities for China
Viewpoint by Emil Avdaliani* TBILISI, Georgia (IDN) — China fears the repercussions associated with the looming US withdrawal from Afghanistan as a rise of extremism in the country could spread and threaten Beijing’s key positions in Xinjiang and Central Asia. However, America’s exit might yet bring some unforeseen benefits. A Chinese-led peacebuilding agenda would mean […]
Ethiopian Leader Wins New 5-Year Term in A ‘Credible’ But ‘Flawed’ Vote’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In a vote the US called “significantly flawed,” Ethiopia’s “Prosperity Party”, headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, carried the majority of votes cast. Prime Minister Abiy hailed the election as Ethiopia’s first attempt at a free and fair vote. The vote was a test for […]