By Thalif Deen* UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — When the United Nations commemorated the annual International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on September 26, the President of the General Assembly (GA) Csaba Kőrösi reminded delegates of the statue of Saint Agnes—”found in the ruins of Nagasaki, charred and mottled from the atomic blast”—and […]
The Great Game in Ukraine is Spinning out of Control
Viewpoint by Jeffrey D. Sachs This article was published in Other News and is being republished with the author’s permission. NEW YORK (IDN) — Former US National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski famously described Ukraine as a “geopolitical pivot” of Eurasia, central to both US and Russian power. Since Russia views its vital security interests to […]
University Scientists in El Salvador Research to Protect Biodiversity
By J. Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) — The Cerrón Grande reservoir, the largest water body in El Salvador—and home to over fifteen species of fish and a wide variety of submerged and floating flora—is currently threatened by the accumulation of solid waste, erosion, eutrophication, pollution, and the presence of invasive species. To mitigate these environmental […]
Kazakhstan Could Become “The Switzerland of the 21st Century”
Viewpoint by Dmitry Babich* This article was issued by The Astana Times. NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (IDN) — The 77th General Assembly of the United Nations was characterized by a general feeling of anxiety and alarmism. Some speakers limited themselves to accusations, blaming other members of the “community of nations” for the generally accepted fact that the […]
Brazil Has the Potential to Moving to the First World
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Brazil has long lived out its personal fantasy as the archetypal relaxed, tolerant and gregarious country with Copacabana beach, the samba, the carnival and a great deal of sexual freedom. But, as it was often said when Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva came to power in 2003, […]
Pope Appeals for Release of Catholics Kidnapped in Cameroon
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Pope Francis has added his voice to calls by the bishops of Cameroon for the release of five priests, a religious sister, a cook, a catechist and a 15-year-old girl kidnapped in southwest Cameroon, where a civil war has been raging between the French and […]
UN Development Goals Can be Best Achieved with Civil Society Participation
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — A coalition of over 1,000 civil society organizations (CSOs) from 127 countries, under the umbrella of the Global People’s Assembly (GPA), has declared that the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be best achieved—and on its 2030 deadline—only with the active participation of civil society. “Seven years […]
Possible Deployment of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons: “Automatically and Immediately”
Viewpoint by Herbert Wulf This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. BONN (IDN) — In the shadow of the Ukraine war and the extraordinary media attention, the conflict over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions is currently receding into the background. For years, the government in Pyongyang has […]
Kenyan Youth Seek Compensation from Rich Countries Responsible for Climate Change
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Nairobi on September 24 to demand that wealthy countries pay more in the fight against climate change. “We need the Global North to pay for the damages they are causing,” said Duncan Omwami, an activist who joined […]
Late Archbishop Tutu’s Daughter Barred from Godfather’s Funeral
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu said she was “stunned” by the Church of England when they denied her the right to officiate at her godfather’s funeral because she is married to a woman. According to the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, an […]