By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has bashed Western States for resorting to pressure, intimidation and blackmail against governments of sovereign African countries, hoping that “it will help them win back their lost influence and dominant positions in former colonies and seek – this time in a ‘new wrapper’ – […]
President Erdogan Muses Over Turkey Owning Nuclear Weapons
By Shannon Bugos, Arms Control TODAY * WASHINGTON, DC (IDN-INPS) – Complaining that nuclear-armed nations retain an unacceptable monopoly on nuclear weapons, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used a recent Turkish holiday to seemingly suggest that his nation acquire its own nuclear arsenal. “Several countries have missiles with nuclear warheads, not one or two. But […]
UN Women Is Criticized for Appearing to Take Sides on Decriminalizing ‘Sex Work’
By Barbara Crossette, PassBlue NEW YORK (IDN) – A group of civil society organizations is warning that a growing global movement to decriminalize and rebrand prostitution as “sex work” could lead to more, not less, violence against the world’s most vulnerable women and girls. The critics are petitioning UN Women, which is leading a review […]
ACP-FAO Step Up Actions to End Hunger and Malnutrition
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) –The ACP Secretariat joined with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to observe the World Food Day 2019 with the aim to step up actions to end hunger and malnutrition in all its forms possible by 2030.
The Sochi Summit and the Pride of Africa
Viewpoint by Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – After nearly three decades of extremely low political, economic and cultural engagement, Russia is indeed returning to Africa. For obvious reasons, Russia’s relations with Africa turned extremely worse as some diplomatic representations were unexpectedly cut, all cultural centers closed, and many projects were suspended. Of course, relations […]
Individuals with Disabilities Need U.S. Lawmakers’ Attention
Viewpoint by J W Jackie RENO, Nevada, USA (IDN) – Nearly 12.8 percent of the U.S. population are living with disabilities, according to the latest report by the American Community Survey (ACS). Over the years, American lawmakers recognized the immediate need to provide the members of this community with their basic needs of employment, health, […]
ACP-EU Culture Programme Launched in Niger
NIAMEY (IDN | ACP) – The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, in partnership with the European Commission (EC), launched a new Programme to support the cultural sector, ACP-EU Culture. Themed, “Towards a sustainable cultural industry”, the programme was officially launched and presented by Léonard-Emile Ognimba, Deputy Secretary-General of the ACP Group, at […]
Smallholder Farmers in Africa Get Lifeline from EU
By Jeffrey Moyo MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (IDN) – Year after year since 2015, 56-year old Hapias Zindove has delivered hundreds of tonnes of soya beans to Zimbabwe’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB). With proceeds from soya beans, he – the father of seven children – has managed to send four of them to universities. “I have risen […]
Renewal and Reform Are Challenges of the UN Day
Viewpoint by Rene Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens GENEVA (IDN) – The dreams of vast horizons of the Soul Through dreams made whole, Unfettered free … help me! Help me make our world anew – Langston Hughes The United Nations remains the only universally representative and comprehensively empowered body the world […]
Burgeoning Urban Population Will Decide the Future of Africa
Viewpoint by Henrik Maihack * NAIROBI (IDN-INPS) – In the next 25 years, Africa’s urban population is set to double. By 2040, the majority of Africans will be living in cities. There are numerous reasons for this: climate change, violent conflicts and the hope of finding work or education, although this list could easily be […]