By Dr. Asoka Bandarage* COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | 9 April 2025 (IDN) — I returned to the U.S. from Cuba just a few hours before Donald Trump signed a memorandum on June 30, 2025, tightening the long-standing U.S. economic blockade against Cuba. The memorandum includes a statutory ban on U.S. tourism to the neighbouring island. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
NATO’s 5% Pledge: An Obscene Betrayal of Global Needs
By Medea Benjamin* 30 June 2025 (IDN) — At last week’s NATO summit in The Hague, leaders announced an alarming new goal: push military spending to 5% of nations’ GDP by 2035. Framed as a response to rising global threats, particularly from Russia and terrorism, the declaration was hailed as a historic step. But in truth, it represents a major […]
Persistent School Dropout Issue in Majengo: A Community Call to Action
By Whitney Atieno 30 June 2025 (IDN) — Despite numerous government interventions aimed at promoting free and compulsory education for all children, the community of Majengo continues to struggle with a high rate of school dropouts. This worrying trend undermines national education goals and threatens the future of our children. Recently, I encountered a troubling […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Eritrea tables motion to end Special Rapporteur mandate
Situation in Sudan (per 26 June) Over 40 people died in an attack on the Al Mujlad Hospital in West Kordofan this weekend. Five children and six healthcare workers were among the deceased, the World Health Organization reports. The hospital sustained extensive damage during the attack. A drone strike in Dilling in South Kordofan state […]