Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — The Russian European dreamers have included Pushkin, Lenin, Gorbachev and, until relatively recently, President Vladimir Putin. They have all seen their country’s future as part of the “European house”. But history and events have not been kind to Russia. Napoleon’s invasion, revolution, two world wars including Hitler’s […]
Is World War III a Nuclear Reality or an Empty Threat?
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — A Russian news agency quoted on March 2 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s dire warning: If a third world war (WWIII) breaks out, it would involve nuclear weapons—and be destructive. At a virtual Geneva meeting on disarmament, he also hinted that Ukraine has been seeking nuclear weapons to counter […]
Traditional Ties Earn Russia African Countries’ Silence in Critical UN Vote
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Those were the prophetic words of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recalled now by influencers on social media pressing South Africa to cut or reduce old “friendly ties” with […]
Putin may be Executing the NATO Playbook from 1999, not Hitler’s from the 1930s
Viewpoint by Ramesh Thakur This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. CANBERRA, Australia (IDN) — There are two competing narratives about Russia’s push into Ukraine. One holds that President Vladimir Putin has adopted Hitler’s playbook over Sudetenland and failing to check his aggression will fall into […]
Int’l Women’s Day: Nigerian Lawmakers Quashed Gender Equality Bill
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — For the third time in five years, Nigeria’s National Assembly has voted against a bill providing affirmative action for women in political party administration. The lawmakers also voted against a provision to create special seats for women in the national and state assemblies.
African Students in Ukraine Reject Evacuation to Russia
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — At least 1,700 foreign students were still trapped in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, as shelling from the Russian army continued for the tenth day. Promised humanitarian corridors failed to materialize. “We are really demoralized, everybody wants to go home,” Precious Ogunbayo, a 21-year-old […]
NATO’s Echo Is Reverberating Across Our Globe
Viewpoint by Bill Dahl QUERETARO, Mexico (IDN) — Can you hear it? Listen carefully. It’s Everywhere…Cooperation, Harmony & Outrage directed toward the murdering menace of Moscow, his military might, and his minions. It is an echo reverberating across our globe. It is fascinating how the reality of a tangible, viable threat to the ongoing survival […]
COVID-Recovery: Fault Lines Expose Migrant Workers to Higher Health and Safety Risks
Viewpoint by Mahinda Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — Disruptions from war, impacts of climate, and the growing inequities in wealth distribution are some main factors that drive over 160 million international migrant workers to seek work for a living in overseas countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the 3-D jobs (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) that migrant […]
University of Central Asia: Going Online and Quarantine Upsets Students
By Sharofat Shafieva* NARYN, Kyrgyzstan (IDN) — The University of Central Asia (UCA) is a unique institution that brings together students from across Central Asia and Afghanistan building bonds between young people in the region. But, the pandemic has disturbed this process and disappointed many new students who were looking forward to this unique experience.
New Report Calls for Shifting Perceptions About Business in Africa
Viewpoint by Moky Makura The writer is Executive Director of Africa No Filter, a not-for-profit international organisation that supports the development of nuanced and contemporary stories that shift stereotypical and harmful narratives within and about Africa. The following is the executive summary of The Business in Africa Narrative Report, launched recently. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (IDN) […]