By Antonio Sampaio The writer is the bureau chief of Lusa News Agency in Dili, the capital and largest city of East Timor. This report first appeared on the website of Lusa News Agency and was carried by our partner on May 27, 2021. It is being republished with permission. DILL (IDN | APR) — […]
WHO Urges ‘Commit To Quit Smoking’, Slates Tobacco Transnationals
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. On May 31, WHO/Europe celebrated ‘World No Tobacco Day’. Under the tagline “Commit to Quit”, the aim of this year’s campaign was to support 100 million people worldwide in their attempt to give up […]
Millets Prove Tasty Solution to Climate and Food Security Challenges
By UN News NEW YORK (IDN) — A renewed focus on boosting the production of millets and highlighting their benefits, is critical to reducing over-reliance on more commonly grown crops, boosting diverse diets, and food security. That’s especially true during periods of natural disaster when food becomes scarce, according to Dr Nancy Aburto, an agriculture […]
Nigerian Child Faces a Double Whammy of Corona and Violence
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — It all seems like memories from a distant past. But it’s not. This time last year we were in a lockdown. The world was under the monstrous grip of the Coronavirus. Rumours and speculations about […]
UN Expert Greets “New Blow” Against Myanmar Junta’s Finances
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — The United States has taken one of the most significant steps to date against the Myanmar junta, first by sanctioning not only individuals but the State Administrative Council (SAC) itself; and second, by opening the door to targeting those who continue to do business with the junta and therefore […]
An Effective Global Health Architecture Needs Investment in Pandemic Prevention
By Martien van Nieuwkoop and Monique Eloit The text below is from the World Bank blogs ‘Voices’. Martien van Nieuwkoop is Global Director, Agriculture and Food Global Practice, World Bank and Monique Eloit is Director-General of the World Organization for Animal Health. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — In the case of pandemics, billions of dollars in […]
From Battlefield to Fighting COVID — Sri Lankan Armed Forces Fight Invincible Terrorism
Viewpoint By Sugeeswara Senadhira COLOMBO (IDN) — Today marks an important landmark in Sri Lankan history. Twelve years ago, when the three-decade-old conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was brought to an end, the members of the Armed Forces were widely respected and honoured for the valiant role they played in defeating […]
Latin America and the Caribbean Boost Chances of Success at Climate Conference
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK | SANTO DOMINGO (IDN) — The three-day Virtual Thematic Sessions of the Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2021 (LACCW2021), which wrapped up on May 14, hosted by the Government of the Dominican Republic, are reported to have provided important momentum for a successful UN Climate Change Conference COP26 […]
Africa the Next Centre for Manufacturing COVID Drug?
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — For a while, Africa appeared to be losing the fight to build manufacturing capacity for the production of COVID-19 vaccines as big pharma and rich countries questioned African capacity to make its own vaccines. Some international companies regard African self-sufficiency as a long-term risk to […]
UNESCO Creative Cities of Music Celebrate Intl. Jazz Day
By Robert Johnson PARIS (IDN | UNESCO) — As the great Nina Simone said, “Jazz is not just music, it is a way of life, it is a way of being, a way of thinking”, says UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It adds: “The story of Jazz is written into the […]