By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | 25 October 2024 (IDN) — In view of the converging crises threatening world social development, the United Nations General Assembly decided earlier this year to convene the “Second World Summit for Social Development” in 2025, which would address gaps and recommit to the principles outlined in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration […]
Poverty Is Rising and Inequality Widening in Asia and The Pacific
By Thalif Deen NEW YORK | 25 October 2024 (IDN) —The Asia-Pacific region, with over 4.8 billion people spread across 58 countries and territories, is home to about 60 percent of the world’s total population of 8.2 billion. The population of Asia, which include India and China, is expected to continue to grow, reaching 5.3 […]
Sinwar’s Death Presents a New Challenge to Israel and Hamas
By Alon Ben-Meir* NEW YORK | 24 October 2024 (IDN) — The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is significant only if Netanyahu and Hamas use it to advance a ceasefire agreement and release the Israeli hostages while providing desperately needed supplies of food, fuel, and medicine to the devastated Palestinians. This should be followed […]
From Slave to Freedom Fighter
By Santosh Dahit KATHMANDU | 24 October 2024 (IDN) — Former bonded child worker and anti-slavery activist Urmila Chaudhary from Nepal is among recipients of this year’s Global Anti-Racism Champions Award given out by the US Department of State. The ceremony was on 21 October in Washington DC and the ‘Global Anti-Racism Champions Award’ was […]
Women Killed in Armed Conflicts Doubles in 2023
By Caroline Mawanga New York | 23 October 2024 (IDN) — A new UN report on Women, Peace, and Security, led by UN Women, has painted dismal picture: The effects of war and conflict on women and girls are worsening. In 2023, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled compared to 2022. Four […]
A New Study Finds That Europe Cannot Be Defended Today
By Stephen Bryen* This article was issued by Weapons and Strategy and is being republished with their permission. WASHINGTON, D.C. | 23 October 2024 (IDN) — The German Kiel Institute has published a disturbing, but accurate report on German and European defense. The report suggests that the overall picture for Germany, Europe and the United […]
Cuts in Education, Health and Social Protection Trigger Rise in Economic Inequalities
By Rodney Reynolds NEW YORK | 21 October 2024 (IDN) — A new global index reveals that nine out of ten countries worldwide are pursuing policies that are likely to increase levels of economic inequality. Education and health cuts by nearly every country under World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs are being described as “dispiriting, dangerous, […]
Sixty-Three Years on The Death of Hammarskjöld Remains a Mystery in UN History
By Vibhu Mishra, UN News NEW YORK | 20 October 2024 (IDN) — One of the most enduring mysteries in United Nations history—the 1961 plane crash that killed Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and all on board as he sought to broker peace in the Congo—will linger on, with a new assessment announced on 18 October suggesting […]
Informal Summit of The Future: International Youth Conference
By Bisma Qamar* NEW YORK | 19 October 2024 (IDN) — The summit of the future was held during the General Assembly session last month with the theme of multilateral solutions for a better future. One of the prominent chapters which was highlighted was youth and future generations. Following the summit, the 10th edition of […]
Poverty Cannot Be Eradicated Without Containing Arms Industry
By Kalinga Seneviratne* BANGKOK | 18 October 2023 (IDN) — Every year the United Nations mark October 17 as the ‘International Day for the Eradication of Poverty’. Another day has come and gone and the world’s target of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is further away than a year ago. Meanwhile the […]