Viewpoint by Sergio Duarte The writer is a former High Representative of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. NEW YORK (IDN) — 60 years after the Cuban missile crisis, the spectre of the imminent use of nuclear weapons once again haunts humankind. On that […]
Of Pele, of Brazil, of Rio
By Ramu Damodaran The author is the first Director of UN Academic Impact and a Senior Fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP). NEW YORK (IDN) — It was 55 years ago that those involved in the Nigerian civil war paused their hostilities to watch a much-anticipated football match starring […]
Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery? False Positive
By Neville de Silva* This article was issued by Asian Affairs (London). LONDON (IDN) — The sense of economic optimism expressed by Sri Lanka’s increasingly despotic president is not shared by the country’s long-suffering people. Presenting his first budget since assuming office as president after his predecessor fled the country, Ranil Wickremesinghe seemed to see […]
Planned Biden-Museveni Meeting at U.S.-Africa Summit Draws Protests
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit this on December 13-15 in Washington, DC. The meeting will take place at the White House with the two leaders expected to discuss, among other […]
Putting Anti-racism & Anti-discrimination High on the International Agenda
Viewpoint by Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU (IDN) — A recent UNESCO Forum provided some impetus to the fight against racism and discrimination, but the level of the problems involved required a much bigger commitment. It is unfortunate that the second edition of the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, organized by UNESCO in Mexico City on […]
Climate Change Threatens the Health of Refugees in Camps
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA | LONDON (IDN) — Climate uncertainty is creating health threats for thousands of migrants as overcrowding and pollution place huge stresses on humanitarian organisations’ ability to provide sanctuary in refugee camps, a new study reveals. Locating camps in disaster-prone or climate hotspot areas increases their vulnerability and, coupled with stress from […]
Long Sentences in Corruption Trial for Angolan Ex-President’s Soldiers and Bankers
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Dozens of former soldiers who performed illegal services for Angola’s ex-president Jose Eduardo dos Santos received jail terms for up to 14 years for fraud and embezzlement in a closely-watched high profile mass corruption trial. In addition to the soldiers who went on trial in […]
World Aids Day Addresses Inequalities Between Global South and North
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Every year, on December 1, World AIDS Day is commemorated. People worldwide unite to show support for those living with HIV and remember those who have passed on from AIDS-related illnesses. Ten years ago, HIV had infected at least 10 per cent of the population […]
Chris Hani’s Killer Stays Behind Bars After Stabbing Incident Holds Up Parole
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — South Africa’s Dept. of Correctional Services has confirmed “an unfortunate stabbing incident” involving the killer of anti-apartheid hero Chris Hani. The right-wing Polish-born Janusz Walus survived the incident but his scheduled release on parole is no longer confirmed. The office of the justice minister confirmed […]
US President Biden’s Disappointing Nuclear Posture Review
Viewpoint by Daryl G. Kimball The writer is the Executive Director of the Arms Control Association (ACA). The following text was published in the organization’s monthly journal, Arms Control Today. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — Since the end of the Cold War, every U.S. president has conducted an in-depth review of the nation’s nuclear strategy. Each […]