By Kalinga Seneviratne NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (IDN) — “The whole world is experiencing the ongoing impact of the pandemic, conflicts, sanctions, climatic change and other global issues. We all see the increase in geopolitical tensions and conflicts across the globe,” said Maulen Ashimbayev, head of the Secretariat of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and […]
Looking Back at Yugoslavia with a Critical Eye
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Serbia and Kosovo are at it again. The fragmentation of ex-Yugoslavia appears to be a story without end. Serbia is rejecting US and EU demands to recognize the independence of Kosovo. Belgrade argues that historically Kosovo is a province of Serbia. The ethnic Albanian citizens insist on […]
The Culture of Peace Bolsters the Potential for Sustainable Peacebuilding
By Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury is the Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace (GMCoP), Permanent Representative of Bangladesh (1996-2001) and Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations (2002-2007). NEW YORK (IDN) — 23 years ago today, on 13 September 1999, the United Nations adopted the Declaration […]
IAEA Safeguards: The Continuing Challenge of Nuclear Submarines
Viewpoint by Tariq Rauf* VIENNA (IDN) — Coming up to the one-year mark following the announcement of the AUKUS agreement on the supply of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to struggle to deal with the challenge to the efficacy and credibility of the Agency’s […]
Zimbabwean Novelist’s New Book – ‘A Brilliant Postcolonial Fable’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Zimbabwean novelist NoViolet Bulawayo is one of six finalists for the Booker Prize, the renowned British literary award, with a post-colonial fable resembling the home city that provides half of her pen name; the other half, NoViolet, links the Ndebele word for “with” to the […]
South African Diamond Mine Dam Collapses, Killing Three and Injuring 40
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A mine wall at the former De Beers diamond mine in South Africa’s Free State Province collapsed on September 10-11, killing at least three people and injuring another 40. Nine houses were swept away in a flash flood, according to the Bloomberg news service. The […]
Myanmar Junta Jails Former British Ambassador Vicky Bowman
By Jan Servaes* BRUSSELS (IDN) — Vicky Bowman was Britain’s ambassador to Myanmar from 2002 to 2006. After completing her role as ambassador, she remained in the country as the founder of the NGO Myanmar Center for Responsible Business (MCRB), which is supported by the UK Institute for Human Rights & Business (IHRB) and the […]
Queen Elizabeth’s Death Stirs Mixed Emotions in Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has not gone unremarked in Africa, where local television and radio stations interrupted normal broadcasting in order to relay events happening in the United Kingdom. Across the world, nations are paying tribute to the 96-year-old monarch. US President Joe […]
Is Corruption Among the Leading Force of Governance in Africa?
Viewpoint by Rev. Gabriel Odima* MINNESOTA USA (IDN) — When electoral fraud began to replace the ballot as means to install rulers like the case of Kenya today, corruption, suppression of human rights and freedoms became the leading force of governance in Africa. In every country where rulers were installed after fraudulent election, the first […]
World Religious Leaders to Discuss Creative Initiatives in Kazakh Capital
By Saniya Bulatkulova This article was published in The Astana Times NUR-SULTAN (IDN) — The five-meter-tall Peace Tree will be built at the capital’s Palace of Peace and Reconciliation as a symbol of the upcoming seventh Congress of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled for September 14-15, reports Khabar TV channel. The tree reflects the congress […]