By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In one of the deadliest explosions in years, fire and blast shook south-eastern Nigeria, Imo state, possibly the result of illegal oil refining of stolen crude or “kpofire”. News reports described charred bodies left scattered among burnt palms, cars and vans after the weekend explosion […]
Former Kenyan President Kibaki Leaves Mixed Legacy
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Kenya’s former president Mwai Kibaki leaves a mixed legacy of economic reforms and a new constitution alongside a controversial election which led to deadly violence and entrenched corruption. His death at 90 years of age was announced by his successor, President Uhuru Kenyatta. A British-educated […]
African Woman Writer Scoops Major Fellowship Prize
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Fellowships to 180 exceptional individuals in pursuit of scholarship in any field of knowledge and creation in any art form were announced on April 7 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Chosen from a rigorous application and peer review process out of almost 2500 […]
Kenyan President’s Bid to Rewrite Nation’s Laws Rebuffed
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — While political leaders around the world jockey for comebacks, to extend their terms in office or merely to ignore a no-confidence vote, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was scheming to make sweeping changes to the constitution which, critics say, would have expanded his powers and create […]
Statue For Ghanaian Cancer Scientist Is Erected in U.S.
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Danielle Twum, a cancer immunologist from Ghana, West Africa, has been honoured in the United States with a life-size statue for her research contributions. Twum was one of over a hundred women honoured by the Smithsonian during Women’s History Month. The Smithsonian’s “#IfThenSheCan—The Exhibit,” features […]
IMF Returns to Mozambique After Six Years
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | MAPUTO (IDN) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) returns with a set of new funded programmes to Mozambique, six years after the lender halted its previous deals in the wake of a financial scandal involving three fraudulent security-linked companies, and two banks—Credit Suisse and VTB of Russia, on the […]
Europe Soliciting Support from African Leaders for Ukraine
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | DAR ES SALAAM (IDN) — European Union members have been soliciting support from the African Union (AU), Regional Economic organizations and African countries for the former Soviet republic of Ukraine, now experiencing tremendous atrocities and worsening humanitarian conditions as a direct result of Russia’s “special military operation” since late […]
Ukraine War Might Trigger Food Riots in Poor Countries
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is warning that skyrocketing global food prices as a result of the war in Ukraine could trigger food riots from people going hungry in poor countries. WTO Director General Okonjo-Iweala urged food-producing countries against […]
Russia, China Build Ties in Africa as U.S. Falls Behind
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In a new “scramble for Africa”, Russia and China are cutting deals, extending loans, making friends and allies across the continent at a time when jihadists in many countries have posed a growing threat to citizens and national security forces.
Trial To Settle Unsolved Murder of Burkina Faso’s ‘Che Guevara’ in 1987
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — It’s been justice delayed for Thomas Sankara, the man they called Africa’s Che Guevara. It should not be justice denied. Thirty-five years ago, Sankara, an iconic figure of revolution, the youthful president of the West African nation of Burkina Faso, was shot and killed at […]