By Volker Turk The writer is UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. GENEVA | 1 NOVEMBER 2024 (IDN) — Journalists are the eyes and ears of a world on fire, and the voice of victims in crisis. They shine a light into the darkest corners of our societies; bearing witness to wars, oppression, corruption and […]
The Mystery of Arab Disloyalty to Palestine
By Salman Rafi Sheikh LOS ANGELES, California USA | 1 November 2024 (IDN) — It has been more than a year since Israel began its war on Gaza following Hamas attacks on Israel in October, yet the Arab world – which claims the closet geographical, political, and religious proximity to Palestine – has neither a […]
Noah, the Ark, and the Flood: Applying Themes of an Ancient Tale
By Yossef Ben-Meir* MARRAKECH, Morocco | 01 November 2024 (IDN) — It is worth considering, in light of humanity’s profound struggle against the world’s climate and matters of elemental justice, how the onset of the Biblical tale of Noah is relevant today. According to ancient Hebraic commentaries, Noah actually grew the timber he used for […]
A No-Win Dilemma for US Peace Voters
By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies* NEW YORK | 31 October 2024 (IDN) — On October 24th, a U.S. presidential candidate told an interviewer, “Our day one agenda… also includes picking up the phone and telling Bibi Netanyahu that the war is over, because it’s basically our proxy war. We control the armaments, the […]
Tight Race: Letter from Abroad to Michelle Obama
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It. ABUJA | 31 October 2024 (IDN) — Dear former First Lady! You asked the question that millions outside the US have been asking for weeks if not months: Why can’t America see former […]
Democracy Under Growing Stress—and the Need for Re-Thinking
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 30 October 2024 (IDN) — Slowly around the world, a new approach to democracy is spreading. Moving from academic circles, led by innovative political scientists to mainstream society, it is a dynamic that is centered on a myriad of different but equally important practices on the ground. This process […]
UN SDG Action Awards: Global Sustainability Changemakers Take Top Prize
By SDG ACTION CAMPAIGN* ROME (IDN) — Some of the world’s leading changemakers in sustainable development have been recognized at the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony on 29ö October honouring those using creativity and innovation to advance a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world. This year, the call for submissions drew an astounding 5,500 responses […]
After Israeli Strike Iran Holds the Trump Card
By Emad Kiyaei and Sharon Dolev* Following Israel’s recent strike on Iran, Tehran finds itself in a unique position to curb the cycle of violence. The question is whether Iran and the U.S. can leverage this moment to strike an immediate freeze-for-freeze deal to steer the region towards stability. LONDON | 30 October 2024 (IDN) […]
Will America Go to War Under Trump?
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 29 October 2024 (IDN) — A speech of General George Patton, a famous World War II warrior, has an uncanny resemblance to the philosophy of Donald Trump. “All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser—Americans despise cowards. […]
Africa: Unlocking Energy Potentials
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | 29 October 2024 (IDN) — At the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week international Forum 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia’s role as a stabilizing force in the global energy market and would continue to be a dependable supplier of energy products to the global market. As […]