Interview by Kester Kenn Klomegah* In this interview, Alisa Andreevna Prokhorova, Managing Director for International Activities and Interaction with Business Councils, and Group of companies of the Russian Export Center offers in-depth information and statistics about Russia’s trade with Africa. MOSCOW (IDN) — First Russia–Africa Summit held on October 23-24, 2019 in Sochi, Russia, set […]
Covid-ravaged India Hard Put to Cope with the Crisis
By Shastri Ramachandaran* There is no dearth of novels and films that conjure up images of a dystopia of the dead and the dying. The reality in India though is indescribably grimmer than anything imagined or picturised in fiction or films. Not even the most authentic and devastating accounts of the plague and Spanish flu […]
NATO Plans to Focus on Russia and China
By Robert Johnson BRUSSELS (IDN) — “What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of NATO,” French President Emmanuel Macron declared in a blunt interview with The Economist in November 2019. Europe stands on “the edge of a precipice”, he said, and needs to start thinking of itself strategically as a geopolitical power; otherwise, […]
A Story of Nightmare for Patients in India’s Government-Run COVID-19 Hospital
By Tarique Anwar This report was first published in News Click on May 8, 2021. NEW DELHI (IDN) — The healthcare staff at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in Delhi frantically clear the facility of bodies. One of the biggest government-run COVID-19 hospitals in the national capital, it is swamped by patients, triggering chaotic situations […]
Modi Govt. Abdicates Responsibility in the Face of Skyrocketing Death Toll
Viewpoint by Prabir Purkayastha* NEW DELHI (IDN) — The COVID-19 pandemic continues its brutal march across India. Figures of new infections reached 355,828 on May 3—which accounted for more than 62 percent of the world’s new infections on that day. As hospitals run out of beds, ICU capacity, and even oxygen, these factors have been […]
In Norway, Even Prime Minister Not Above COVID Law
Viewpoint by Shastri Ramachandaran NEW DELHI (IDN) — On April 9, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg was fined 20,000 kroner ($2,352) for breach of COVID rules during her 60th birthday celebration on February 26. It was nothing remotely like the Shashti Abda Poorti (celebrating completion of 60 years of age) seen in India.
When from Russia With Love Was About Bonding, Not Bond
By Shastri Ramachandaran* NEW DELHI (IDN) — Amidst the raging epidemic and desperate clamour for vaccines, along with oxygen and hospital beds, comes news that Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, is expected in India by May end. Russia has also been forthcoming with a lot of other support and assistance as India finds itself desperately […]
Russia Keen to Strengthen Partnership with Africa
Kester Kenn Klomegah* Interviews Roscongress’ CEO MOSCOW (IDN) — As the epidemiological situation begins to stabilize through mass vaccination and building herd immunity, the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is finally set to take place on June 2-5, 2021. This unique Russian forum is expected to bring together politicians, corporate business directors and investors […]
The US to End its War In Afghanistan, “The Graveyard of Empires”
By Somar Wijayadasa* NEW YORK (IDN) — President Joe Biden of the United States announced that its war in Afghanistan, the US’s longest war ever, will end on September 11, 2021. A glimpse of Afghanistan’s history—dubbed as “the country where Empires go to die” will help us understand why many empires failed in that country. […]
Optimism Over Progress in Vienna Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal
By Kelsey Davenport, Julia Masterson and Sang-Min Kim While Kelsey Davenport is Director for Nonproliferation Policy and Julia Masterson, Research Associate at the Arms Control Association, Sang-Min Kim is Scoville Fellow. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — The United States, Iran, and the other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal expressed varying degrees of optimism over the […]