By Shastri Ramachandaran MELBOURNE (IDN) — The unprecedented benefits expected to flow both ways from the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force on December 30, are by now well-known in the two countries. Both India and Australia are upbeat about the ECTA, called the Unity Agreement, as a ground-breaking measure […]
Is the Iran Nuclear Deal Dead or Alive?
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — U.S. President Joe Biden’s off-the-cuff remark, describing the nuclear deal with Iran as “dead”, has led to widespread speculation about the future of the landmark agreement—and of the potential emergence of new nuclear powers in the horizon. “It is dead, but we’re not going to announce it,” Biden […]
Nigerian Military Performed “Forcible Abortions on Thousands”
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — U.S. security assistance and cooperation programs with Nigeria are facing a review after an investigation by a Reuters news team found evidence of a secret illegal abortion program carried out by the Nigerian military during its war against an insurgency in the largely Muslim northeast […]
The Ukraine War: Paving the Road to a World War with ‘Peace Plans’?
Viewpoint by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — On December 27, 2022, both Russia and Ukraine issued calls for ending the war in Ukraine, but only on non-negotiable terms that they each know the other side would reject. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba proposed a “peace summit” in February 2023 to […]
Zambian Leader Cancels Death Penalty but Welcomes A US Base
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently announced on his Facebook page that he officially abolished both the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president. The Penal Code of 2022 repeals the mandatory death sentence in the absence of extenuating circumstances. The provisions […]
Only Three Africans on Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Women
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is the current Director General of the World Trade Organization, and Nigerian media mogul Mosunmola Abudu are the only African women featured in the list of the World’s Most Powerful 100 Women by Forbes. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala […]
Unprecedented Drought Emergency in the Horn of Africa
Catastrophic Consequences Feared By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) — The United Nations has warned that the Horn of Africa is facing an unprecedented drought emergency, which will unleash catastrophic consequences. Communities in the region are in the midst of a likely fifth consecutive failed rainy season. They may face a sixth failed season in […]
The Dismal State of Nuclear Disarmament
Viewpoint by Jacqueline Cabasso The writer is the Executive Director of the Western States Legal Foundation. OAKLAND, California (IDN) — The year 2022 has been a nightmare for nuclear disarmament. The year started out with a mildly reassuring Joint Statement by the five original nuclear-armed states, issued on January 3, 2022, declaring:
More Than 20 Million Children Suffering in The Horn of Africa
UNICEF Warns of Funding Shortfall in The Face of Drought By Devendra Kamarajan NAIROBI (IDN) — UN Children’s Agency UNICEF has urged the international community to “commit to responding now for what might hit the Horn of Africa” in 2023, “and in the years to come”. UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa […]
South Pacific: Democracy Prevails in Fiji
Former Coup leaders Change Roles in Parliamentary Vote By Ravindra Singh Prasad SUVA (IDN) — In a parliamentary vote on December 24, former coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka was elected the new Prime Minister by a slim majority of one after a hung parliament. He replaces another former coup leader and twice democracy-elected Prime Minister, Voreqe […]