By Ladislav Charouz and Kareff Rafisura* BANGKOK | 2 November 2024 (IDN) — Despite offering a range of opportunities, urbanisation poses a set of unique challenges to sustainable development. The rapid expansion of cities often results in the growth of informal settlements, with East and South-East Asia being home to 370 million people living in […]
In 2024, 61 Journalists have Lost Their Lives in the Line of Duty
By Volker Turk The writer is UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. GENEVA | 1 NOVEMBER 2024 (IDN) — Journalists are the eyes and ears of a world on fire, and the voice of victims in crisis. They shine a light into the darkest corners of our societies; bearing witness to wars, oppression, corruption and […]
The Mystery of Arab Disloyalty to Palestine
By Salman Rafi Sheikh LOS ANGELES, California USA | 1 November 2024 (IDN) — It has been more than a year since Israel began its war on Gaza following Hamas attacks on Israel in October, yet the Arab world – which claims the closet geographical, political, and religious proximity to Palestine – has neither a […]
Democracy Under Growing Stress—and the Need for Re-Thinking
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 30 October 2024 (IDN) — Slowly around the world, a new approach to democracy is spreading. Moving from academic circles, led by innovative political scientists to mainstream society, it is a dynamic that is centered on a myriad of different but equally important practices on the ground. This process […]
After Israeli Strike Iran Holds the Trump Card
By Emad Kiyaei and Sharon Dolev* Following Israel’s recent strike on Iran, Tehran finds itself in a unique position to curb the cycle of violence. The question is whether Iran and the U.S. can leverage this moment to strike an immediate freeze-for-freeze deal to steer the region towards stability. LONDON | 30 October 2024 (IDN) […]
Will America Go to War Under Trump?
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 29 October 2024 (IDN) — A speech of General George Patton, a famous World War II warrior, has an uncanny resemblance to the philosophy of Donald Trump. “All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser—Americans despise cowards. […]
Africa: Unlocking Energy Potentials
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | 29 October 2024 (IDN) — At the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week international Forum 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia’s role as a stabilizing force in the global energy market and would continue to be a dependable supplier of energy products to the global market. As […]
Developing Countries Need 1.4 trillion US Dollar for Social Protection by 2030
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK | 28 October 2024 (IDN) — As the international community girds up its loins for next year’s Second World Summit for Social Development, the UN has warned that more than 4 billion people worldwide lack any social protection. Only 47 per cent of the global population is estimated […]
World Social Development Progress Under Threat
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 […]