By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) – The United Nations is concerned about corruption in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which it says is proving “to be even more damaging in its impact on the most vulnerable”. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described corruption as “criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust. It […]
The Ouster of Top Ivorian Banker May Spell Trouble for Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – He was a celebrated banker. Euromoney named him Banker of the Year. Credit Suisse, which he briefly headed, saw an incredible turnaround under his leadership – from a troubled bank with billions owed in fines – to a successful one. But after a few short […]
African Teens on World Stage Demand Action on Climate Change
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has at least two African partners stepping up on the global stage and telling world leaders to “wake up” and recognize the dangers to women and girls of climate change. In a speech broadcast as part of the Desmond Tutu […]
Agribusiness Interests Hijack 2021 UN Food Systems Summit
Viewpoint by Anuradha Mittal * OAKLAND, USA (IDN) – This World Food Day (October 16) amidst the ongoing pandemic and the devastating impact of the climate crisis, a Food Systems Summit is being planned a year from now by the United Nations, to fulfil the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. As the Summit takes […]
Peaceful Resistance Has Proved to Be More Effective Than Violent Protests
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Non-violent protests seem to be erupting all over the place. Martin Luther King would be happy. So would Mahatma Gandhi. In Russia in the eastern city of Khabarovsk marchers, each Sunday for the last three months have been protesting the arrest of their governor. In Belarus, even […]
Aetiology of Subversion: The Delhi Riots of 2020
A Book Review by Prakash Shah The writer is a Reader in Culture and Law at Queen Mary, University of London. LONDON (IDN) – Imagine that the UK parliament approves special legislation to fast track asylum applications by Christians and Yezidis from Syria and other areas occupied by ISIS. And then imagine the following set […]
A Multidisciplinary Perspective of an Association of Five Major Emerging Economies
Interview by Kester Kenn Klomegah * MOSCOW (IDN) – The BRICS, an association of five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has a significant influence on regional affairs and is very active on the global stage. All of them are members of the G20. While the group has received both praise […]
Bringing Poverty to Heel
Viewpoint by Yossef Ben-Meir Dr Yossef Ben-Meir is president of the High Atlas Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to sustainable development in Morocco. MARRAKECH (IDN) – October 17 marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The commemoration of this day suggests that the way to end poverty is not a matter shrouded in […]
On Way to A Transatlantic Alliance on Digital Governance
A New Social Contract in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK (IDN) – People around the world are realizing that capitalism driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires crafting a new sort of Social Contract, based on “stakeholder capitalism”, that is, capitalism that benefits everyone. “Such capitalism cannot measure itself […]
Mexico Has a UFO and It’s Not an Unidentified Flying Object
Viewpoint by Bill Dahl* QUERETARO, Mexico (IDN) – For the majority of people, the emotion engendered by a UFO landing on Earth is fear. For others, it is a confirmation of a hope – that there are alternative realities to the beliefs the majority currently hold. Confirming the reality of a UFO landing on Earth […]