Viewpoint by Beth Geglia* WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — “The life of just one person is worth more than the private property of the richest man.” This is what’s written on the Calixto Garcia public hospital in Havana Cuba as a testament to the country’s commitment to free public healthcare, and to putting people before profit. […]
Emerging QUAD Appears to Be A Threat To APEC
Viewpoint by Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — With the elevation of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) grouping to a head of state summit on March 12, it is opportune to ask what would happen to APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) that has been losing its shine in recent years. Australia and Japan have been the […]
Solving the Ferderal Cat Problem in The United States
By J W Jackie RENO, Nevada, USA (IDN) — It is estimated that between 60 and 160 million feral cats roam the United States. Generally defined as unsocialised “wild” cats, their ability to reproduce quickly has begged for the problem to be addressed for quite some time. With non-profit organisations working to address the issue […]
Russia Hopes to Boost Vaccine Production at Home and Abroad
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) — Russia faces vaccine production challenges to meet the increasing market demand and to make prompt delivery on its current pledges to external countries. As vaccine production and distribution intensifies, rivalry and competition strengthen and the fight for market share and its associated disinformation abound worldwide. Russian President Vladimir […]
The ICC Is Now an Important Weapon to End War and Crimes Against Humanity
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Uphill work, outlawing war crimes. The arrest in London of the former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, accused of inflicting widespread torture, was a bolt from the blue. Not even the most well-informed human rights supporters considered it a possibility. It can be said with near certainty that […]
Asia-Pacific Needs Transformative Change Towards a Sustainable Future
Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana The writer is United Nations-Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). BANGKOK (IDN) — The COVID-19 crisis poses an unprecedented threat to development in the Asia-Pacific region that could reverse much of the hard-earned progress made in recent years. The […]
WTO Chief Faces First Test Over Generic Corona Drug Patent
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The first African woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is facing her first test of leadership as the leaders of poor and rich nations spar over the rights to generic versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, currently held by the rich nations. […]
U.S. Steps Up Counterterrorism in Mozambique and the DRC
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — U.S. counterterrorism officials are stepping up their activities in Africa, addressing the expansion of violent extremism on the continent. Two previously unlisted insurgent groups identified as foreign terrorist organizations operating in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been slapped with sanctions along […]
Tanzanian President Is Suspected Victim of Coronavirus
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Tanzania is missing a president. John Magufuli, a pandemic denier, has not been seen for three weeks according to reports by the opposition which place him in India with Covid. Speaking to the BBC, Tundu Lissu, opposition leader and Member of Parliament, cited unconfirmed sources […]
Senegalese Singer Thione Ballago Seck Recalled As “A Legend”
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Thione Ballago Seck, born in a family of praise or “griot” singers and one of Senegal’s beloved music stars over the last four decades, has died at the age of 66 in Dakar on March 14. Tributes poured in after his death was announced with […]