By Rita Joshi* BONN, Germany | 18 June 2025 (IDN) — While Brazil positions itself as a global climate leader in the lead-up to COP30, its actions at home are drawing sharp criticism. On 17 June, as diplomats and civil society gathered in Bonn for pre-COP30 negotiations, Brazil’s National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and […]
UNFPA Attributes Decreasing Birth Rates to Living Costs, Sexist Norms, and Future Fears
Millions of people want children but are unable to have them By UNFPA NEW YORK | 18 June 2025 (IDN) — Millions of people are unable to have the number of children they want, but not because they are rejecting parenthood; economic and social barriers are stopping them. This is the central finding of UNFPA’s […]
Barrick’s Tanzanian Gold Twiga Minerals Corporation and its Impact on the Nation’s Future
By Kizito Makoye NORTH MARA, Tanzania | 17 June 2025 (IDN) — The sun crests over the savannah in a blaze of gold. A low rumble stirs the red earth as hulking machines crawl over the pit’s edge like beetles on a carcass. Below, men in safety gear signal toward a network of tunnels and […]
This Century is the Least Violent and Safest in History
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 16 June 2025 (IDN) — The world over, most of the public opinion is ignorant of just how much violence has declined over the last 3,000 years. Judging by the historical record, the 21st century, thus far, is the least violent and safest century of all, despite ISIS, despite […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Kenyan-labelled ammunition found in RSF depot
Situation in Sudan (per 16 June) A renewed attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, North Darfur, was repelled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allies on Sunday, states SAF. The fighting took place on the eastern and northeastern fronts of the city. A shelter at the Ministry of Agriculture building […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: RSF takes control over strategic border area
Situation in Sudan (per 13 June) The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of the strategically important triangle border zone, which connects Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. The border area is a geographically and logistically strategic place valuable for both warring sides. Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced that their troops withdrew from the area, accusing […]
Rich vs Poor: How Effectively do Nations Use Their Resources?
By Reihshan Deen* COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | 13 June 2025 (IDN) — Why are some countries rich and others poor? An age-old question in economics, with numerous hypotheses suggested as answers. It is clear that being richly endowed with natural resources is not a reliable indicator; D.R. Congo lies atop substantial mineral wealth, yet its […]
Infrastructure Without Inclusion: What the Rohingya Camps Teach Us
In a crisis, data is not just numbers; it can save lives. It helps people plan ahead, respond faster, and make sure aid reaches those who need it most. But in places like the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, where data systems are fragmented or controlled by a few powerful actors, they can make things […]
Haiti Situation Report: Gangs expand control
Situation in Haiti Gangs now control over 28 zones, according to a report by the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH). CARDH and other watchdog organizations warn that without structural security reform, Haiti risks falling entirely under criminal control. More than 200,000 displaced Haitians face extreme risk as hurricane season begins, warns […]
The Georgetown Agreement — 50th Anniversary of the ACP Group of States — What of the Coming Decades?
By P.I Gomes The writer is a former Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the European Union and ACP Group of States, Brussels (2005 -2015) and Secretary-General of the ACP Group of States (2015-2020). PORT OF SPAIN | 11 June 2025 (IDN) — On 6 June 1975 in Guyana’s capital city, the signing […]