A special feature by Kalinga Seneviratne* to mark UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day. SYDNEY (IDN) — In recent months, there has been alarming one-sided reporting in the so-called mainstream media—both internationally and nationally—that sounds more like public relations handouts from the big pharmaceutical companies from the West. This ‘vaccine consent’ journalism and the labelling of […]
What Water Means to Human Life and Biological Resources
Viewpoint by John Scales Avery* COPENHAGEN (IDN) — I have attempted to explain the vital relationship between water and life in my new freely downloadable book, which can be circulated, from the link: http://eacpe.org/app/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Water-by-John-Scales-Avery.pdf Also, on its home page for World Water Day, commemorated on March 22 this year, the United Nations explains what water […]
Viewing Post-American Afghanistan Through Looking Glass
Viewpoint by M.K. Bhadrakumar The writer is a former Indian diplomat. This article was first published in the Indian Punchline. NEW DELHI (IDN) — Ex-CIA officer Bruce Riedel at Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, whose familiarity with Afghanistan is never in doubt, has held a looking glass to figure out the future course of events […]
New Zealand’s Climate Aid in the Pacific Comes With Strings Attached
By Matthew Scott* A special feature moved in association with the Asia Pacific Report. AUCKLAND, New Zealand (IDN) — The beach is vanishing, one day at a time. The sea approaches the coastal village. It will not be negotiated with. With seawater flooding the water table, crops that have fed the islanders for centuries are […]
The State of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka: Are the Government’s Policies Effective in Controlling it?
Viewpoint by Sunil J. Wimalawansa The writer is Professor of Medicine: Director, Cardio-Metabolic Institute, New Jersey, U.S.A. NEW JERSEY, USA (IDN) — The SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) affected the entire world; many died, millions got sick, and the misery continues. Second and third waves of SARS.Cov-2 infection are devastating most countries. Non-strategic lockdowns and curfews (as […]
Chernobyl Anniversary Underscores the Need for Safeguards Against Nuclear Accidents
Viewpoint by Sugeeswara Senadhira The writer is Director (International Media), Presidential Secretariat, Colombo. This article was first published on April 26. It is being re-published with Mr Senadhira’s permission. COLOMBO (IDN) — Exactly 35 years ago, on April 26, 1986, the biggest nuclear accident in history took place at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in […]
COVID-19 Exposes Fault Lines on Protecting Vulnerable Workers
By Mahinda Seneviratne* SYDNEY (IDN) — As twilight approaches, Rakesh (not his real name) mounts his bicycle with a large thermal backpack over his narrow shoulders. He lost his regular job at a small suburban restaurant when the family business could not sustain itself during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. With the recent shocking road deaths […]
Top Economists Urge Solidarity to Avert Worsening of the COVID-19 Impacts
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) — Eminent thought leaders in economic and social fields have called for fundamental change in the multilateral system in the spirit of international solidarity to combat the severe impacts of COVID-19. They comprise the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs, convened by the UN Department […]
Compelling Need To ‘End Our War on Nature”
By Ramu Damodaran The writer is Chief, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hosted in the Department of Global Communications. This OpEd was first published in #WhyWeCare on April 22. NEW YORK (IDN | UNAI) — “End our war on nature” was Antonio Guterres’s call at the Leaders Summit on Climate convened by President Biden this, […]
Rich Countries, Are You Listening? Pay Up the Climate Debt Owed to Global South!
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A number of African activists were listening in at President Joe Biden’s major climate summit on April 22 at which 40 world leaders were invited. Among the listeners was Kumi Naidoo, special adviser for the Green Economy Coalition’s Social Contract Initiative and Dipti Bhatnagar of […]