ULAANBAATAR (IDN) – Blue Banner, Mongolian NGO and a partner organization of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), welcomes the 50th ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on October 24 as a major political impulse and a step in making this most dangerous weapon of mass destruction illegal […]
Nuclear Ban Treaty Is Based on Common Sense
The following is the text of a statement by Sergio Duarte, President, and Paolo Cotta Ramusino, Secretary-General of the 1995 Nobel Peace Laureate Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by 50 States. ROME (IDN) – Pugwash notes with deep appreciation the deposit […]
Precarious Multilateralism Seizes CTBTO Nuclear-Test-Ban Organization
By Stephanie Liechtenstein*, Passblue VIENNA (IDN) – For the first time in its 24-year history, state parties to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, a multilateral agreement that bans all nuclear testing worldwide, have taken a controversial decision by a two-thirds majority. Decisions in the treaty’s body are usually taken by consensus. The majority decision on […]
BRICS Civil Forum Evolving from Strength to Strength
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) – Since its establishment in 2009, BRICS, an association of five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has had a significant influence and expanded in many directions, one of which is the BRICS Civil Forum. Significant to recall that during the 7th summit held in […]
Russia Makes Inroads into the Central African Republic
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) – On the margins of 75th session of the General Assembly, which commenced on September 15 in virtual format amid Covid-19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a high-level meeting on the Central African Republic with President Faustin-Archange Touadera, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and […]
Mexico Has a UFO and It’s Not an Unidentified Flying Object
Viewpoint by Bill Dahl* QUERETARO, Mexico (IDN) – For the majority of people, the emotion engendered by a UFO landing on Earth is fear. For others, it is a confirmation of a hope – that there are alternative realities to the beliefs the majority currently hold. Confirming the reality of a UFO landing on Earth […]
Kazakhstan Celebrates 175th Anniversary of Eminent Poet Abai
By Saltanat Suraganova ALMATY (IDN | Kazinform) – The name of Abai is known worldwide just as Shakespeare, Goethe, and Pushkin are well-known in many countries. His books were translated into many foreign languages. So, we can say definitely that Abai made a contribution to not only Kazakh culture and folklore but world literature as […]
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”, […]
Three Women: Stories of Indian Trafficked Brides
Viewpoint by Sreya Banerjea* LONDON (IDN) – “I tried to escape in the middle of the night,” Mahira** recalled. “With a small packed bag, I tiptoed towards the door thinking that he was asleep. Suddenly, he grabbed me from behind and attacked with a cutlass.” I sat, stunned, as she lifted her saree and revealed […]
Forum Calls for New Approach to NE Asian Denuclearization and Economic Development
By Alan Gua ULAANBAATAR (IDN) – Former Mongolian Ambassador to the United Nations and Chairman of Blue Banner NGO of Mongolia, Dr Jargalsaikhany Enkhsaikhan, believes that “establishing a Northeast Asian nuclear-weapon-free zone (NEA-NWFZ) and providing North Korea with a joint, credible mini-Marshall Plan might be a win-win solution for the Korean Peninsula as well as […]