By Josefa Babitu Suva (IDN | Wansolwara) — Instead of a safe haven for ships, the famous Suva Bay has become a graveyard for derelict vessels, which pose a major risk to shipping and marine habitat. And there are growing concerns over the impact of derelict vessels on the environment and the safety of ships […]
Sustainable Development Observer Issue 3 Focuses on COP 26 and Climate Change
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — The November 2021 issue of Sustainable Development Observer focuses on Climate Change and the COP26 summit in Glasgow. We look at the debate on methane gas reduction from a farming mythology perspective. Indigenous people have called for a stop to ‘war on nature’ and we look at their perspective […]
Dirty Coal to Replace Africa’s ‘Fancy Blue Diamond’ As Part of a New Initiative
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | GABORONE (IDN) — There may be a lump of coal in Botswana’s Christmas stocking if the southern African country goes through with plans to wind down its famed diamond industry and replace it with unsustainable dirty coal. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, at the Investing in African Mining […]
African Countries Rage at New Travel Bans by Vaccine Hoarding Countries
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | CAPE TOWN (IDN) — Southern African countries are facing new travel restrictions after the discovery of a handful of coronavirus variants, first found in Botswana. For some African leaders, it’s the classic case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. “Despite the repeated […]
Cape Town University Students Cited for Innovative Business Ideas
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | CAPE TOWN (IDN) — Three female students at the University of Cape Town won intervarsity recognition as top student entrepreneurs after a two-day national final in Johannesburg in November. Among the winners was Zimbabwe-born Chido Dzinotyiwei, founder of Vambo Academy, an educational technology platform that uses […]
The Outbreak of Omicron: Scientists and Leaders Call for Collaboration with Africa
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) — International scientists and leaders have urged a “global response of collaboration with Africa on COVID-19 following Omicron outbreak”. Over a hundred academics and leaders from Europe, Africa, the US among others say in a joint letter to the European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) that they are […]
Argentina, United States Donate Vaccines to Mozambique
By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW l MAPUTO (IDN) — The United States and Argentina Embassies in Maputo have donated large quantities of vaccines to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. As their tremendous and recognizable contributions to help fight the spread of coronavirus, the United States offered 840,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson […]
Universities Need to Be More Accessible Instead of a Privilege
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — If we are going to create a better world in the post-pandemic era higher education (HE) systems need to be more flexible and accessible, and governments need to be made to understand that funding the public university sector is essential to creating more equitable and socially stable societies. This […]
Climate Change Engulfs Historic Venice of Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Saint-Louis, the old colonial capital of Senegal, was built in the 17th century at the mouth of the Senegal River and was the capital of French West Africa until 1902. But these days rising sea levels have created a flooding threat that has already seen […]
Killer Tobacco Losing Ground, But Millions Still Threatened
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — Despite the COVID-19 pandemic creating havoc worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has good news in public health. Its Global Tobacco Epidemic 2021 report says progress is being made in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at […]