By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — The Nobel laureate International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition of non-governmental organizations promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty, has been pleading for divestment in nuclear weapons. “The imminent entry-into-force of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear […]
Solving the Riddle of Who Won the Second World War
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Who won the Second World War? If you go to the United Kingdom people will answer, we did, led by Winston Churchill. If you visit the USA people will say, we did, led by Franklin Roosevelt. If you go to Russia, people will say the Soviet Union […]
DON’T QUOTE ME: Did US Spies Read Russian Lips in the UN Security Council Chamber?
The following excerpts are from a newly-released, 220-page book titled “No Comment – and Don’t Quote me on That”, a rich collection of political anecdotes, both serious and hilarious, reflecting over 40 years of reporting from the United Nations* By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, (IDN) — The United Nations, along with the 193 diplomatic missions […]
UN Chief Calls for Reflecting on Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In a message marking the grim anniversary of the 1994 genocide of Tutsi in Rwanda, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the rise of extremist groups and the inflammatory rhetoric that produced horrific consequences. “Everyone must take a hard look at today’s world and ensure […]
Key Opposition Leaders Disqualified, Exiled or Under Investigation In Benin’s Presidential Poll
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore…and then run?” Those were the prophetic words of poet Langston Hughes but they could also explain the rising frustration in an African election season […]
Discussion About the Repatriation of Nigeria’s ‘Benin Bronzes’ Looted by British Soldiers
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The Church of England is joining a handful of museums, universities, and private owners exploring the repatriation to Nigeria of thousands of brass plaques, wooden and ivory sculptures known as the Benin Bronzes looted by British soldiers in the waning days of the colonial era.
Sudan Declines Ethiopian Proposal for Data Sharing on Dam Filling
By Sudan Tribune KHARTOUM (IDN) — Sudan has declined an Ethiopian offer to share data on the second filling of a giant dam before reaching a legally binding agreement. Egypt has adopted a similar position. Ethiopia’s foreign ministry on April 9 said it has formally requested Sudan and Egypt to “nominate dam operators to exchange […]
Of Human Family, Culture of Peace & Sustainable Development
By Ramu Damodaran The writer is Chief, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hosted in the Department of Global Communications. This OpEd was first published in #WhyWeCare on April 8. NEW YORK (IDN | UNAI) — We left last week with Bob Marley in our ear, his quest to consummate the end of physical slavery with […]
IMF and World Bank Decision to Tackle COVID-Related Debt Crisis Greeted
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) — The UN Secretary-General has welcomed steps announced by the International Monetary and Finance Committee (IMFC) and the World Bank Group Development Committee, to address debt crises and other financial anguish to economies arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, “as a sign of hope and renewed multilateralism”. In a statement […]
Two Years On, Sudan’s Political Transition Remains Extremely Volatile
By Philipp Jahn and Gerrit Kurtz* This article was first published in the Journal of the International Politics and Society, issued by the German Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Brussels office. KHARTOUM (IDN) — April 11, 2019 was a day of great emotion in Khartoum. At noon, the then-Vice President Ibn Auf announced the arrest of President Omar al-Bashir. […]