By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — The tech juggernaut Facebook’s shock decision to block all news feeds from Australian media outlets from February 18 in response to a proposed new Media Bargaining law, that will force social media giants to pay for news content that is posted on their platforms, has created fury among Australians […]
Rohingya Continue to Suffer Even After Escaping to Supposed Safe Land
By Bahauddin Foizee* DHAKA (IDN) – The horrible scenes of hungry, tired and almost lifeless Rohingya refugees entering Bangladesh shocked the world in 2017. Even today, many Rohingyas are attempting to make the journey from Myanmar to Bangladesh, believing that a foreign land (Bangladesh) would be safer than their homes (Myanmar). Although they aren’t migrating […]
Myanmar Military Regime Can Rely on China, Russia and India
By Thalif Deen* NEW YORK (IDN) – When million-dollar arms sales knock on the door, human rights violations and war crimes fly out of the window. As the United Nations grapples for a reaction to the military coup in Myanmar, both China and Russia, two veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), refused […]
Myanmar Coup: Asian Response Echoes the Adage ‘Democracy Comes with Stability’
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Both coverage in the Asian press and statements by neighbouring Asian governments reported in the media on the grabbing of exclusive power by the military in Myanmar, reflects the traditional Asian adage that democracy should go hand in hand with economic and political stability. Thus, sanctions and external funding […]
Asia Welcomes An “Engaging” US President Biden
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Asian newspapers have welcomed the new American President Biden’s “engaging with the world” message in his inauguration speech to that of his predecessor Trump’s “America First” rhetoric. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has welcomed President Biden’s “engaging” tone in his speech on January 20.
Locked-In, Australians Help to Keep Tourism Sector Alive
By Kalinga Seneviratne SILVERTON (IDN) – With over 9.3 million international visitors spending close to $34 billion in Australia last year, Tourism Australia’s executive director Bob East predicted a rosy picture for the county’ tourism sector, in its annual report for 2018-19 released at the beginning of this year. He said the sector has seen […]
Australia: Veteran Environmental Campaigners Gear Up for a New Battle
By Kalinga Seneviratne This article is the 45th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous reports. CHANNON (IDN) – In the late 1970s, they were breastfeeding youthful mothers seen on national television blocking the path of bulldozers sent […]
“All Time Low” for Democracy in Cambodia
Viewpoint by Rhona Smith* NEWCASTLE (IDN) – If you are simply going on the number of political trials in Cambodia at the moment, the country would seem to be politically unstable – a hotbed of unrest. Hundreds of people are on trial for incitement, conspiracy, and violence endangering the nation. But the prime minister, Hun […]
China to Add Long-Range Bombers and Other Arsenal in the Next Five Years
By Sahil Mishra * NEW DELHI | BEIJING (IDN) – The highly publicised fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded at the end of October 2020 with an important communiqué which outlines the main objectives of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the long-term vision to […]
RCEP Augurs Hope for 10 ASEAN States and Their 5 Partners
Viewpoint by Chandra Muzaffar This article is being reproduced from the Website of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) presided over by Dr Chandra Muzaffar. KUALA LUMPUR (IDN) – Amidst the gloom generated by the twin health and economic crises, the birth of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a ray of […]