By Nadir Ali Wani* SRINAGAR, India (IDN) – Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet. Which of them would be the first to completely lose its separate and independent identity under the watch of the expansionist Chinese president, Xi Jinping? Critics say while the world pays more attention to Taiwan and Hong Kong and the Ladakh stand-off against […]
China Continues ‘Hanization’ Violating the Freedom of Ethnic Minorities
By Nadir Ali Wani* SRINAGAR, India (IDN) – China claims, as in a 2019 white paper, “Seeking Happiness for People: 70 Years of Progress on Human Rights in China”, that it fully protects the freedom of ethnic minorities to use and develop their spoken and written languages and that the state protects by law the […]
The Ouster of Top Ivorian Banker May Spell Trouble for Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – He was a celebrated banker. Euromoney named him Banker of the Year. Credit Suisse, which he briefly headed, saw an incredible turnaround under his leadership – from a troubled bank with billions owed in fines – to a successful one. But after a few short […]
African Teens on World Stage Demand Action on Climate Change
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has at least two African partners stepping up on the global stage and telling world leaders to “wake up” and recognize the dangers to women and girls of climate change. In a speech broadcast as part of the Desmond Tutu […]
Sri Lanka Bans Cow Slaughter, But Has Yet to Pass Animal Welfare Bill
By Kalinga Seneviratne This article is the 44th 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. SINGAPORE (IDN) – The Sri Lankan government will be amending the Animal Act after the Cabinet approved a proposal by Prime Minister […]
New Caledonia Votes to Remain a French Colony, But Indigenous Kanakas Smell Independence of the South Pacific Islands
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Voters in the South Pacific Islands French colony of New Caledonia have narrowly voted to remain with French rule, but indigenous Kanaks have been celebrating the outcome of October 5 vote as taking a step closer to independence. A third referendum needs to be held in two years’ time […]
Cash-Strapped Sudan Faces New Demands Before Painful Sanctions Are Lifted
Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – The U.S. has now conditioned the lifting of painful sanctions on Sudan until it agrees to Washington’s Middle East agenda and to normalizing relations with Israel. If Sudan agrees before U.S. elections in November, sanctions could be lifted, opening the floodgates to desperately needed investment for […]
Popular Harvest Fest in Ethiopia Scaled Back as Opposition to Leadership Grows
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Harvest festivals are a common sight in Africa although this year organizers were advised to keep the numbers down due to the COVID-10 pandemic. The Homowo Festival – a celebration by the Ga people of Ghana – was held as scheduled in Ga Mashie. Many […]
Faith Leaders Criticise Bill Gates for A ‘Highly Problematic’ Agricultural Project
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – African faith leaders are calling on Bill Gates to reconsider his foundation’s “highly problematic” support of genetically engineered foods, crops and agrichemicals against the interests of non-corporate farmers in countries throughout Africa. “We write out of grave concern that the Gates Foundation’s support for the […]
Regional Autonomy Could Resolve Nigeria’s Multifaceted Problems
Viewpoint by Kester Kenn Klomegah * MOSCOW (IDN) – The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have turned blind-eyes to the unprecedented and indiscriminate killings of civilians mostly in the southern parts of Nigeria. Nevertheless, the International Court of Criminal Justice (ICC) has utterly refused to categorise these as […]