By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Flags are flying at half-mast in Tanzania over the passing of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the country’s populist leader who passed away in the port city of Dar es Salaam on March 17 following his hospitalization for heart complications. The President was 61 years […]
A National Security Adviser Lost in Translation in Nigeria
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Interview magazine based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — Last week, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno, stripped the government bare in public only to try hiding the ugly sight with fig leaves shortly after. The pathetic damage control didn’t work. Monguno, […]
A Three-Day Event in Italy to Set the Stage for UN Food Systems Summit
By Jaya Ramachandran ROME (IDN) — Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the Pre-Summit of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit from July 19 to July 21 will bring together worldwide efforts and contributions aiming at transforming global food systems. Youth, smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, researchers, the […]
Cuba Working On A ‘People’s Vaccine’ In Response To Vaccine Hoarding By Global North
Viewpoint by Beth Geglia* WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — “The life of just one person is worth more than the private property of the richest man.” This is what’s written on the Calixto Garcia public hospital in Havana Cuba as a testament to the country’s commitment to free public healthcare, and to putting people before profit. […]
Emerging QUAD Appears to Be A Threat To APEC
Viewpoint by Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — With the elevation of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) grouping to a head of state summit on March 12, it is opportune to ask what would happen to APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) that has been losing its shine in recent years. Australia and Japan have been the […]
Solving the Ferderal Cat Problem in The United States
By J W Jackie RENO, Nevada, USA (IDN) — It is estimated that between 60 and 160 million feral cats roam the United States. Generally defined as unsocialised “wild” cats, their ability to reproduce quickly has begged for the problem to be addressed for quite some time. With non-profit organisations working to address the issue […]
Russia Hopes to Boost Vaccine Production at Home and Abroad
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) — Russia faces vaccine production challenges to meet the increasing market demand and to make prompt delivery on its current pledges to external countries. As vaccine production and distribution intensifies, rivalry and competition strengthen and the fight for market share and its associated disinformation abound worldwide. Russian President Vladimir […]
The ICC Is Now an Important Weapon to End War and Crimes Against Humanity
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Uphill work, outlawing war crimes. The arrest in London of the former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, accused of inflicting widespread torture, was a bolt from the blue. Not even the most well-informed human rights supporters considered it a possibility. It can be said with near certainty that […]
Asia-Pacific Needs Transformative Change Towards a Sustainable Future
Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana The writer is United Nations-Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). BANGKOK (IDN) — The COVID-19 crisis poses an unprecedented threat to development in the Asia-Pacific region that could reverse much of the hard-earned progress made in recent years. The […]
WTO Chief Faces First Test Over Generic Corona Drug Patent
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The first African woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is facing her first test of leadership as the leaders of poor and rich nations spar over the rights to generic versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, currently held by the rich nations. […]