By Kudakwashe Mapako The writer is Research Officer at the African Center for Science and International Security (AFRICSIS). The Hague | 23 August 2024 (IDN) — In pursuit of comprehensive chemical security and to strengthen the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) across the African continent, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) needs to […]
The US Democratic Convention Fiddles While the World Burns
By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies* NEW YORK | 22 August 2024 (IDN) — An Orwellian disconnect haunts the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In the isolation of the convention hall, shielded from the outside world behind thousands of armed police, few of the delegates seem to realize that their country is on the […]
Over 400 Humanitarian Organizations Seek an End to Civilian Killings in War Zones
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 20 August 2024 (IDN) — The rising death toll of humanitarian workers in war zones has prompted over 400 civil society and humanitarian organizations, plus several UN agencies, to denounce the horrifying killings of civilians. A joint letter addressed to the 193 Member States of the UN General Assembly […]
UN Urged to Probe Charges of US Complicity in Ousting Regimes in Pakistan and Bangladesh
By Jeffrey D. Sachs* This article was published in Common Dreams and is being republished with the author’s permission. NEW YORK | 20 July 2024 (IDN) — Two former leaders of major South Asian countries have reportedly accused the United States of covert regime change operations to topple their governments. One of the leaders, former […]
The First-Ever Medal for UN Refugee Team at Paris Olympics
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 14 August 2024 (IDN) — When the 16-day Paris Olympics came to a glittering end last Sunday, the spotlight was mostly on the two biggest medal winners: the United States with a tally of 126 medals, including 40 gold medals, followed by China with a total of 91, including […]
US Supports UN Cybercrime Treaty but With Reservations
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 12 August 2024 (IDN) — Amid strong protests from a coalition of over 110 human rights groups and civil society organizations (CSOs), the UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime adopted—by consensus on August 8—a global cybercrime treaty. Described as “broad in scope” with insufficient human rights safeguards, the treaty […]
Kazakhstan Willing to Share Nuclear Disarmament Expertise with N. Korea
By Ji Da-gyum, The Korea Herald ASTANA, Kazakhstan | 11 August 2024 (IDN) — Kazakhstan is willing to share its nuclear disarmament expertise with North Korea, emphasizing its own journey of voluntarily relinquishing nuclear weapons inherited from the Soviet Union and subsequently achieving substantial economic growth, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko said. “We want […]
Cyberattackers Use Easily Available Tools to Target Media Sites
By Sonjib Chandra Das The writer is a Staff Correspondent of Weekly Blitz. DHAKA | 10 August 2024 (IDN) — In mid-April, the exiled Russian media website Meduza experienced its largest distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack in its 10-year history. The attack, which flooded the site with traffic and blocked publishing for over four […]
A Ukrainian Gamble For Peace Negotiations?
By Stephen Bryen* This article was issued by Weapons and Strategy and is being republished with their permission. WASHINGTON, D.C. | 9 August 2024 (IDN) — The Russians got caught with their pants own in Kursk. The Ukrainians pulled off a large-scale invasion using new tactics. They advanced far into Russian territory, mostly unopposed, or […]
Now Is the Time to Help Countries Faced with Liquidity Challenges
By Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Pablo Saavedra* With elevated debt service squeezing the space available to finance much needed investment in many countries, urgent action is needed to boost fiscal space, maintain adequate international support, and reduce debt servicing costs. WASHINGTON, DC | 5 August 2024 (IDN) — Many countries are being squeezed by increasing interest payments […]