By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 6 March 2024 (IDN) — When the UN finalized the text of a long-drawn-out Global Ocean Treaty on 4 March 2023, Secretary-General António Guterres described it as a major breakthrough because it marked “the culmination of nearly two decades of negotiations and builds on the legacy of the United […]
The World’s Freedom: The Picture Is Not That Gloomy
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 5 March 2024 (IDN) — In 1991, the Cold War ended and the good times began—the big powers stopped using their veto in the UN Security Council, the number of wars fell dramatically, human rights improved all over the world including in Russia and China, and the number of […]
Boots on the Ground?
By Herbert Wulf* This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. BONN, Germany | 5 March 2024 (IDN) — During the last week of February, an international conference in support of Ukraine was held in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The reason for […]
President Putin: “Don’t They Get That?”
Analysis by Somar Wijayadasa* NEW YORK | 5 March 2024 (IDN) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivered his 19th State of the Nation address, on February 29, to a large audience including members of both houses of parliament, state officials, military commanders and soldiers. This year’s speech holds special significance as the presidential election is […]
UN Observes ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ While Anti-Gay Laws Spread Across Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 4 March 2024 (IDN) — Forced evictions, loss of jobs, increased violence and other human rights abuses are being reported across Africa, worrying UN agencies and other watchdog groups around the world. Since a harsh new bill was passed in Ghana, 12 UN agencies issued an […]
US-Funded Mission of Kenyan Forces Prepares For Battle With Gun-Toting Haitian Gangs
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 4 March 2024 (IDN) — Some 1,000 Kenyan police officers are preparing to head out on a controversial mission to end deadly gang violence in Haiti. The last obstacle to the mission was reportedly lifted by a Kenyan court, which had ruled the deployment illegal because […]
Nigerian Workers on Strike as Fuel Prices Hike
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 4 March 2024 (IDN) — Recently-elected Nigerian President Bola Tinubu gave hope to a country in need of a miracle. “The prospect of a better future merges with our improved capacity to create that future,” he promised a nation barely holding it together with ethnic and […]
Will the Humble Pie Heal ECOWAS?
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA | 3 March 2024 (IDN) — The resolutions following the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the recently concluded summit of Heads of State and Government in […]
Remembering Brian Mulroney — A True Friend of UNICEF
By Kul Gautam The writer is a former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. KATHMANDU | 3 March 2024 (IDN) — We join the people of Canada in mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on 29 February 2024. He was a larger-than-life figure in Canadian politics. Although not as […]
UN-ANDI’s Work on “Making the Charter a Reality” Within the UN
By Shihana Mohamed* NEW YORK | 2 March 2024 (IDN) — The UN Asia Network for Diversity & Inclusion (UN- ANDI) commemorated the 78th UN Day virtually on 27 October 2023 with a Panel Discussion on “Making the United Nations Charter a reality: focusing on the UN-ANDI Recommendations in the report of its survey on […]