Viewpoint by Richard Hanania* This is the first of a four-part series. NEW YORK (IDN) – Across the political spectrum, there is widespread agreement that America must get serious about the threat posed by China. As the Trump administration comes to a close, the State Department has just released a document called ‘The Elements of […]
Uncertainty Stalks Ethiopia, the Tigray Region and the Horn of Africa
Compiled by EEPA BRUSSELS (IDN) – A video has emerged of the head of the Ethiopian Northern Command, General Belay, saying that the Eritrean Soldiers in Tigray had not been invited and were undesirable. It is the latest statement by an Ethiopian Federal official which confirms the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray. General Belay […]
The Nuclear Weapon States Urged to Advance Disarmament
By Bernhard Schell AMMAN (IDN) – The upcoming Review Conference (postponed to August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is expected to be characterised by deep divisions among the nuclear-weapon states (NWS), and between them and the non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), which are deeply disappointed with the lack of progress […]
Ending Our Suicidal War Against Nature
Viewpoint by John Scales Avery* COPENHAGEN (IDN) – “Our planet is broken,” the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has warned. Humanity is waging what he describes as a “suicidal” war on the natural world. “Nature always strikes back, and is doing so with gathering force and fury,” he told a BBC special event […]
There Is A Silver Lining in The Cloud of Brexit
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Writing in 1751 Voltaire described Europe as “a kind of great republic, divided into several states, some monarchical, the others mixed but all corresponding with one another. They all have the same religious foundation, even if divided into several confessions. They all have the same principles of […]
Ocean Threatened by Loss of Coral Reefs
Viewpoint by Vijay Prashad * NORTHAMPTON, Massachusetts (IDN) – With a recent report titled “Projections of Future Coral Bleaching Conditions,” published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in November, Leticia Carvalho—head of the Marine and Freshwater Branch of UNEP—said on December 21 that coral reefs are the “canary in the coalmine for climate’s impact […]
UN Concerned Over the Situation of Refugees from Tigray
Compiled by EEPA BRUSSELS (IDN) – The US Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin is due to visit Khartoum on January 6. The aim of the visit is to review the economic situation, as well as the US assistance to Sudan. Mnuchin will also visit other countries in the region such as Egypt, Qatar and Israel. […]
Most Africans Will Not Receive Corona Vaccine This Year
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Countries across Africa are hunting for deals to obtain COVID-19 vaccines at affordable prices, but their limited funds will cover less than half of their citizens. One estimate places access to a vaccine at one person out of 10. According to a report in The […]
Unionists Grieve the Demise of South African Labour Leader
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – The family of comrade David Kolekile Sipunzi has confirmed the passing of the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). The announcement was made by William Mabapa, deputy general secretary of the black workers union. Mabapa called Sipunzi a unionist dedicated to fighting for […]
Food Insecurity and Drought Threaten Ethiopia as Armed Forces Withdraw from Rural Areas in Tigray
Compiled by EEPA BRUSSELS (IDN) – Clashes between Ethiopia and Sudan ended, after the Ethiopian army withdrew last week away from the border. Several sources say that the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) are retreating from rural areas in Tigray towards the capital Mekelle. This corroborates other sources. Fighting continues to take place around Mekelle. […]