By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – It was inevitable during a lockdown that sales of Kenya’s flower exports would dry up as buyers make fewer impulse purchases of carnations, roses and other blossoms. According to data from the Kenya Flower Council, sales of cut flowers in overseas markets have fallen below […]
Africans Mourn the Passing of a Distinguished Thinker and two Outstanding Artists
By Lisa VIves, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – While the rate of fatalities in Africa is still much below that of developed countries, every life lost is a library gone, according to a saying. Here are three noted Africans who passed this year just as thousands of lives were tragically lost to the […]
Kenyans Are Innovative in Finding Ways to Fight COVID-19
By Justus Wanzala BUSIA, Kenya (IDN) – It is a hot afternoon at a bus station at Mungatsi market centre, Nambale Sub-County, in Busia County, Western Kenya. Many people, many travellers, are queuing to wash their hands. Each person is maintaining a distance from the other as they wash their hands and board public service […]
One Year on, Easter Bombing in Sri Lanka Continues to Puzzle
By Kalinga Seneviratne This article is the 39th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, the flagship of the International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous reports. SYDNEY (IDN) – A 22-year-old Sri Lankan law graduate became the first Islamic suicide terrorist a year ago in the predominantly Buddhist Sri […]
ISRAEL: How ‘Centrist’ Gantz Resurrected Rightist Netanyahu
By Ramzy Baroud * This article was first published on the author’s website www.ramzybaroud.net on 22 April 2020. MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Washington (IDN) -– It was intended to be a Machiavellian move, but the decision by Benny Gantz, leader of Israel’s Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) coalition, to join a Benjamin Netanyahu-led government is likely to […]
COVID-19: Should You Believe What ECA Is Saying About Africa?
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene * ABUJA, Nigeria (IDN) – In one of his bestsellers, The Zahir, Paulo Coelho said there are two major problems in life: knowing when to begin and knowing when to stop. If, for example, Nigeria had closed its borders early on and enforced quarantine for all returning Nigerians, whoever they are, […]
The Impact of COVID-19 Stalks Africa – Animated Video Tells Children About It
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – While Africa, like the international community, on the whole, is engaged in a tough fight against the coronavirus, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert has called into question frightening estimates of those affected by COVID-19. At the same time, Ghana in a surprise move has […]
International Fund Approves Grant for African Countries in ‘Debt Distress’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Funds for 19 strapped African countries have been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in light of the impact of COVID-19 on economies and livelihoods. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on April 13 the funds will be applied to the most vulnerable members […]
African Climate Groups Deplore Development Bank for Funding High-Risk Pipeline
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – A climate justice movement of over 100 major organizations in Africa and abroad has joined hands to press the African Development Bank (AfDB) to drop its support of an “exceptionally high-risk project” that threatens the livelihoods of millions of people in East Africa. In a […]
COVID-19: UN Joins Kenya in $267.5 million Flash Appeal
By Devendra Kamarajan NAIROBI (IDN) – The Government of Kenya, the United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched a Flash Appeal requesting $267.5 million to respond to the most immediate and critical needs of 10.1 million people. Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning, Ukur Yatani Kanacho, said: “When times are challenging you get to […]