Viewpoint by Andrea(s) Speck* SEVILLE (IDN) – After more than 40 years since the first UN conference on climate change in 1979 – and after more than 25 years of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) – the world is still far from any serious climate action. Although carbon emissions keep rising, there has […]
A Long Road Ahead to COVID-19 Immunity Even with Vaccines
Viewpoint by Prabir Purkayastha* NEW DELHI (IDN) – As the pandemic continues to spread throughout the world, many countries seem to have given up the fight against COVID-19 and are now waiting for a vaccine to protect against the virus. With cases exceeding 32 million, and more than a million dead, the world economy has […]
COVID-19 Highlights the Global Structural Dependence on Exploitable Labour
Viewpoint by Randall Hansen* TORONTO (IDN) – In November 2019, a federal government official visited the University of Toronto’s Munk School and asked its faculty to delineate coming global threats. We spoke of inequality, hunger, climate change, sanitation, and plastic pollution, among others. No one mentioned a microbe; a discussion of the threat of immunity […]
New Caledonia Votes to Remain a French Colony, But Indigenous Kanakas Smell Independence of the South Pacific Islands
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Voters in the South Pacific Islands French colony of New Caledonia have narrowly voted to remain with French rule, but indigenous Kanaks have been celebrating the outcome of October 5 vote as taking a step closer to independence. A third referendum needs to be held in two years’ time […]
China Intimidating Taiwan
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) – China has decided once again – as it does periodically – to up the ante with Taiwan, the big off-shore island, it claims as its own. Last month China sharply increased its military manoeuvres close to Taiwan’s borders. In return, Taiwan sent its fighter planes aloft every […]
Cash-Strapped Sudan Faces New Demands Before Painful Sanctions Are Lifted
Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – The U.S. has now conditioned the lifting of painful sanctions on Sudan until it agrees to Washington’s Middle East agenda and to normalizing relations with Israel. If Sudan agrees before U.S. elections in November, sanctions could be lifted, opening the floodgates to desperately needed investment for […]
Popular Harvest Fest in Ethiopia Scaled Back as Opposition to Leadership Grows
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Harvest festivals are a common sight in Africa although this year organizers were advised to keep the numbers down due to the COVID-10 pandemic. The Homowo Festival – a celebration by the Ga people of Ghana – was held as scheduled in Ga Mashie. Many […]
Faith Leaders Criticise Bill Gates for A ‘Highly Problematic’ Agricultural Project
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – African faith leaders are calling on Bill Gates to reconsider his foundation’s “highly problematic” support of genetically engineered foods, crops and agrichemicals against the interests of non-corporate farmers in countries throughout Africa. “We write out of grave concern that the Gates Foundation’s support for the […]
Californians for Equal Rights and Prop 16
Viewpoint by Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. and Ritesh Tandon Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. is an ex-diplomat and Ritesh Tandon is the Republican Party candidate for the US Congress from California’s 17th District. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of IDN-InDepth News. CALIFORNIA (IDN) – On September […]
Putin Pleads For 5P Retaining Their UN Security Council Veto
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) – While U.S. President Donald Trump has availed of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations to continue China-bashing, for example, holding “China accountable for their actions” such as for unleashing “this plague” (COVID-1), and emitting “more toxic mercury into the atmosphere than any country anywhere in the world”, […]