By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) — “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” was the theme for World Oceans Day 2021 as well as a declaration of intentions that launches a decade of challenges to get the Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”, by 2030. The importance […]
Canadian and French Nuclear Weapons Policies Challenged for Violating the Right to Life
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — Spurred by civil society organisations, the UN Human Rights Committee has challenged the nuclear weapons policies of Canada and France as being in violation of the Right to Life, a right enshrined in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These rights derive from […]
WHO Warns of the Risk of COVID-19 Upsurge Threatening Africa’s Health Facilities
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA | BRAZZAVILLE (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 in Africa threatening Africa’s health facilities, and advised them to urgently boost critical care capacity to prevent health facilities from being overwhelmed. At the same time, vaccine shipments to the continent […]
Timor Government May Punish Public Officials Who Refuse Covid Vaccination
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 […]