Situation in Haiti Gangs have gained control of an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, and authorities are unable to stop escalating violence, say UN officials. The gangs are expanding their attacks not only into surrounding areas but also into previously peaceful areas. The Viv Ansanm gang attacked a Haitian National Police patrol in Viard, Kenscoff, during […]
A Subdued BRICS Summit in Brazil Sets Unique Goals
By Somar Wijayadasa* MOSCOW | 9 July 2025 (IDN) — The Annual Summit of the BRICS Alliance took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, amid global turmoil: Israeli and US strikes on Iran, the Gaza crisis, the war in Ukraine, and NATO’s military spending surge – to name a few. Preceding tensions included US President […]
Forward To the Future In 2255
By Jonathan Power* Note: In this column, I will primarily focus on the culture of the Western world. LUND, Sweden | 8 July 2025 (IDN) — In 1776, Adam Smith published his “Wealth of Nations”, which has guided economists and political thinkers ever since. It marks the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, which originated in […]
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 […]
UN Women Marks 15th Anniversary with Urgent Call for Action on Gender Equality
By J Nastranis NEW YORK | 2 July 2025 (IDN) — As UN Women commemorates its 15th anniversary this year, the organisation is warning of a dangerous global backslide in gender equality. Founded in 2010 to accelerate progress on women’s rights and empowerment, UN Women has played a vital role in advancing gender justice worldwide. […]
China Is Not a Miracle About to Be Performed
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 1 July 2025 (IDN) —The Nobel-prize winning economist, Robert Fogel, believes that China will grow at an average rate of 8% until 2040, by which time it will be twice as rich as Europe in per capita terms. His model is based partly on so-called geometric growth. An example: […]
I Refuse to Defend the Indefensible
By Alon Ben-Meir* NEW YORK | 25 June 2025 (IDN) — Israel’s refusal to acknowledge Palestinian rights and humanity perpetuated a zero-sum narrative where Jewish safety is predicated on Palestinian dehumanisation and death Israel’s and the US’s attack against Iran’s nuclear installations and the still-unfolding repercussions of these attacks, following the ceasefire brokered by Trump, […]
Haiti Situation Report: CPT faces scrutiny over foreign mercenaries and drone use
Situation in Haiti Armed members of the “Talibans” group, based in Canaan, Port-au-Prince, took control of La Chapelle commune on 22 June, burning the police station and blocking reinforcements. Authorities had reportedly received warnings as early as 19 June, but no proactive measures were taken. The assault, linked to the Viv Ansanm coalition, displaced 8,890 […]
No More Business as Usual to defeat Child Labour
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 24 June 2025 (IDN) — The year 2025 should have been one celebrating the end of child labour. This was the plan as per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Target 8.7 tackling the most nefarious of children’s exploitation. Unfortunately, we are still a long way away from achieving […]
The Enduring Influence of a Medieval Charter on Contemporary Democracy
By Ramesh Jaura This report was published on https://rjaura.substack.com BERLIN | 19 June 2025 (IDN) — The V-Dem Institute reports that the global outlook at the end of 2024 is less favourable compared to the past 25 years. The trend known as the “third wave of autocratization” is intensifying and expanding. This phenomenon is affecting […]