By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The war in Ukraine is draining millions of dollars away from crises in Africa as funds are being redirected to Europe. Somalia, facing a food shortage largely driven by the war, could be the most vulnerable. Its aid funding is less than half of last […]
Ivorian Parliament to Review Polygamy in a Blow for Women’s Equality
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A bill before parliament in the Ivory Coast would upend monogamy and restore polygamy—a marriage that includes one husband and at least two wives. Outraged women’s groups call it a return to inequality. The move mirrors setbacks worldwide, including the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on […]
Why Do Zimbabwean Women Shun Politics?
By Farai Shawn Matiashe MUTARE, Zimbabwe (IDN) — Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment are some dilemmas that young women trying to rise in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal and male-dominated political space face. What started as a debate on the opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), led by young and charismatic politician Nelson Chamisa not having structures, […]
Land Lease System Threatens Sustainability of Cane Farming in Fiji
By Kalinga Seneviratne SUVA, Fiji (IDN) — Though sugar cane is thought to be indigenous to the islands of the South Pacific, it was the British who started to grow it as a cash crop in Fiji in the later part of the 19th century. In 37 years, beginning in 1879, they shipped some 60,000 […]
Pacific Leaders Endorse ‘2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific’
Pledge to Promote “Accountable” Development By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti SUVA, Fiji (IDN) — The leaders of the Pacific gathering for the first time in three years endorsed the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific at the 51st Pacific Island Forum (PIF) from July 11 to July 14. “The success of this strategy is down to two […]
New Film Shows Eminent Somali Runner Forced into Slavery in the UK
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Somalia-born runner Mohamed Abdi Jama Farah, known as Mo Farah, won 10 gold medals (four Olympic and six World titles) for being the second man in history to win long-distance doubles at successive Olympics and World Championships. But he won much more than that. He […]
Rwandan ‘Genocidaire’ Finally Convicted in French Court
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A former senior Rwandan official linked to the deaths of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus has been found guilty of complicity in that nation’s genocide, 20 years after the horrific crime occurred. Laurent Bucyibaruta is the highest-ranking Rwandan to face trial in France over the […]
Sharp Rise in Gun Violence Triggers Debate
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | PRETORIA (IDN) — An outbreak of shootings at three different bars over one weekend has rocked the nation. Illegally obtained weapons were blamed for the violence in which 22 people died. According to police, the gunmen in the Soweto shooting used high-calibre rifles, including AK-47s, leaving […]
Nigerian Pop Star Takes Down Air Pollution in Latest Hit
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Grammy-award winner Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has picked a smoking topic for his latest record dubbed “Whiskey”. “Port Harcourt residents dem no dey breathe fresh air, my people! When you wake up in the morning, you cough black soot,” the song begins.
Bangladesh’s New Mega-Infrastructure to Impact Ruling Party’s Popularity
By Bahauddin Foizee DHAKA (IDN) — A historic infrastructure milestone for Bangladesh and now the longest bridge of the country, the newly-built Padma Multipurpose Bridge would now help grow Bangladesh’s GDP by 1.3% annually. The US$ 3.86 billion worth mega-infrastructure was inaugurated on June 25 and is forecast to increase jobs, service sector activity and […]