Viewpoint by Sudarshan Reddy Kodooru The author is Convener of the Asia Pacific Faith-based Coalition (APFC*) for Sustainable Development and Regional Director, Faith & Development, East Asia at World Vision International. The following is based on his speech during APFC’s first annual meeting on August 29-31, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. – The Editor BANGKOK (IDN) […]
Foreigners Suspected of Using Rohingyas to Destabilise Region
By Kalinga Seneviratne SINGAPORE (IDN) – The Myanmar government has slammed a ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) declaring that they have jurisdiction to investigate the deportation of Rhoyingya Muslims as a possible crime against humanity. In a statement, Myanmar’s President Win Myint dismissed September 6 ICC ruling as based on “faulty procedure” and […]
China and Sri Lanka: A History that Stretches Back into the Mists of Time – Trade, Religion and Diplomacy – 2
Viewpoint by Dr Palitha Kohona The writer of this 2-part series is former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, former Foreign Secretary and former Head of the UN Treaty Section. The articles are based on a talk on ‘China and Sri Lanka: A History that Stretches Back into the Mists of Time […]
China and Sri Lanka: A History that Stretches Back into the Mists of Time – Trade, Religion and Diplomacy – 1
Viewpoint by Dr Palitha Kohona The writer of this 2-part series is former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, former Foreign Secretary and former Head of the UN Treaty Section. The articles are based on a talk on ‘China and Sri Lanka: A History that Stretches Back into the Mists of Time […]
Ugandan Leader Tarnished by Torture of Reggae Star Bobi Wine
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | KAMPALA (IDN) – Images of a popular reggae music star in a wheel chair holding crutches have raised questions of whether Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered the arrest and torture of the star-turned-parliamentarian, Bobi Wine, who attended a rally of the opposition in the town of […]
Conference Comes to the Aid of Drought-Stricken, Boko Haram Terrorised Lake Chad Region
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN (IDN) – Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Europe’s powerhouse Germany, which joins the UN Security Council next January as a non-permanent member for 2019-2020, has pledged 100 million Euros (116 million USD) in emergency aid until 2020 to lessen the sufferings of over 10 million people in Africa’s crisis-ridden Lake Chad […]
Out of Africa into Asian Games Arena – ‘Shameful’, Critics Say
By Kalinga Seneviratne NEW DELHI (IDN) – It has been simmering since the Doha Asian Games of 2006, which is now perhaps coming to a boil, about whether Arab Gulf States flushed with petrodollars should be allowed to import athletes from Africa merely to win medals at Asian Games. There is a lot of resentment […]
Memories of Iraq-Iran War Haunt U.S. Involvement in Yemen
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – The evidence that has come out from the UN and NGOs makes clear, without any reservation or ambiguity, that on August 9, 2018 dozens of school children on a bus in Yemen were killed by a Saudi Arabian air-strike, and that American supplied weapons had been used, […]
Kenya Signs Deal with U.S. to Finance Wind Power
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) – Kenya has signed agreements with a U.S. wind energy company, providing a major boost for wind power and food security. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said the ‘Big Four agenda’ projects – boosting manufacturing industry, promoting food security, providing affordable housing and universal healthcare coverage […]
Settlers Face Eviction in Kenya as Gov’t Plan to Save Trees
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | NAIROBI (IDN) – Some 40,000 settlers in the Maasai Mau forest in Kenya face imminent eviction by the Kenyan government which says it is protecting the forest in the name of conservation. Deputy President William Ruto said those who encroached on the forest should be flushed […]