Saudi Nuclear Blustering Remains Hollow – for Now

By Emad Mekay* | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis


CAIRO (IDN) – When the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal was announced in July, the image in state-controlled Saudi media was of Western powers caving in to a new powerful neighboring foe. The usually reticent Saudi officials paid the usual diplomatic lip-service to the agreement but social media, academia and state-owned news outlet all portrayed a different picture; profound Saudi anxiety that included statements that the oil-rich country can use its wealth to go nuclear.

Development Agenda Crucial for Nairobi Global Trade Conference

By Dr. Patrick Gomes, ACP Seretary-General | IDN-InDepthNews VIewpoint

BRUSSELS (IDN) – The year 2015 has witnessed a number of global events so important to development, namely; the Financing for Development Conference that took place in Addis Ababa from July 13 to16, 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York that took place from the September 25 to 27, 2015, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) scheduled to take place in Paris from the November 30 to December 11, 2015 and the World Trade Organization Tenth Ministerial Conference (MC10) scheduled for the December 15 to 18, 2015 in Nairobi Kenya.

This is the first time that a WTO Ministerial Conference will be held on the continent of Africa and in an ACP Country, therefore I have no doubt that we are all equally enthused by this fact. Some reports from Geneva on developments in the negotiations at the WTO might damper our enthusiasm.

Agreement on issues of particular interest to the ACP Group, especially the development aspect, remains elusive. We have learnt of sentiments from some WTO Members that suggest that it is now time to fold the Doha Development Round (DDA) and close shop because of this lack of agreement on the issues under negotiation.

Symbols of Peace for Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

By INPS* | IDN-InDepthNews Report

NAGASAKI (IDN) – Officials of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs will present global symbols of peace to the people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in a special ceremony, which will take place on November 1, 2015 at 9:00 am (local time) at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.

This ceremony will mark the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 60th anniversary of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, and the 20th anniversary of the Nobel award to the Pugwash Conferences.

Japan’s Development Agency Assisting Kenya’s Fight Against TB

By Robert Kibet | IDN-InDepthNews Feature

NAIROBI (IDN) – Catherine Nduta, 26, was diagnosed with Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in 2012, when she was a third year student at one of Kenya’s universities, where she was undertaking a civil engineering course.

“I was almost 6-month pregnant hence couldn’t start MDR-TB treatment. I was to either terminate the pregnancy for me to start medication or continue with normal TB medication until I give birth,” Nduta told a forum organized by StopTB Partnership Kenya, that attracted Kenya’s Members of Parliament (MPs).

“I finally underwent induction and my baby was removed prematurely for me to start medication. 12 months of injections and 24 months of taking 18 pills a day: life was hard,” says she, now mother of one son. Nduta is not a lone sufferer of MDR-TB. Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya’s two biggest cities, host the highest number of normal tuberculosis cases due to poor urban settlements and high population.

International Partnership Updates on Nuclear Disarmament Verification

By Fabíola Ortiz | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

NEW YORK (IDN) – An effective verification of atomic arsenals as well as that of nuclear material and other military activities is a pre-condition for achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, experts told IDN. They were participating in a briefing to update on International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The establishment of the IPNDV goes back to December 4, 2014, when the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller announced a new initiative to develop the tools and technologies in the quest to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons.

ACP Ministers Convene to Adopt Strategy for Global Trade Meet in Kenya

By INPS* | IDN-InDepthNews Report

BRUSSELS (IDN) – African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries’ trade ministers will gather in Brussels on October 19 for a strategic two-day meeting to prepare for the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from December 15-18.

According to the ACP Secretariat, the meeting would discuss ACP strategy and adopt a Declaration on the WTO ministerial conference in Nairobi. Key issues of concern for the ACP Group include those related to development, agriculture, Non-Agricultural Goods Market Access (NAMA), and appropriate provisions for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs).

World Food Day Events Focus on Finance and Much More

By INPS* | IDN-InDepthNews Report

MILAN (IDN) – Investment in small-scale farmers can put an end to hunger, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and senior United Nations officials said celebrating World Food Day at the Milan Expo 2015 ending on October 31.

At an event hosted by the Italian Ministry of Finance and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on the occasion of World Food Day on October 16, Italy’s President said: “Theoretically, the right to water and food is not debatable. Nevertheless, it can be, and in fact is a cause of tension and conflict between countries.”

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