Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Let’s cut to the chase – there is no question, no doubt, that the government of Myanmar and the army which controls it have committed the most vile atrocities against the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority that lives in the West of the Buddhist-dominated country. The International […]
UN In Search of a Way Out of Passive Role in Libya
By Erol Avdović, WebpublicaPress NEW YORK (IDN) – The United Nations has “some capacity to report back on ceasefire violations” and monitor the fragile peace in Libya, said chief spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric, replying to this reporter’s question. The ceasefire was holding immediately after agreement was reached on January 19 in Berlin […]
UN Report Condemns Missile Attacks Against Civilians and Migrants in Libya
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) – A United Nations report has condemned a missile attack against Mitiga Airport, near Tripoli’s centre. At least two civilians were injured, while the tarmac and several buildings were damaged. The joint report of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN human rights office in Geneva, published […]
Climate and Nuclear Weapons Are the Focus of Buddhist Leader’s Peace Proposals
By Taro Ichikawa TOKYO (IDN) – Climate action and nuclear weapons abolition, with a focus on the individual lives and suffering often hidden behind macroeconomic indices, is the main theme of the 38th annual peace proposal by Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist network. Titled ‘Toward Our Shared Future: Constructing an […]
Politics-Big Money Nexus Feeds Corruption
By Sean Buchanan LONDON (IDN) – In the last year, anti-corruption movements across the globe have gained momentum as millions of people joined together to speak out against corruption in their governments. Protests from Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Central Asia made headlines as citizens marched in Santiago, […]
Australia Battling Devastation Wrought by Worst Ever Bushfires
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) – Australia’s worst summer in living memory has burnt over 18 million hectares. The UN Environments Programme (UNEP) estimates that more than 5,900 buildings including over 2,800 homes have been destroyed as of mid-January. In addition to a death toll of 33 people so far, about one billion animals, and […]
Trade Wars Threaten Food Security to the Detriment of the Poor
Viewpoint by Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD Secretary-General GENEVA (IDN) – International trade has proven to be a critical mechanism for growth and development. It helps build stronger value chains, mitigate conflict and provides access to higher quality and quantities of goods and services. It has also provided consumers with access to a more diversified and […]
Sino-EU Duo Is Crucial to Driving the Global Climate Ambition
Viewpoint by Adam Tooze* NEW YORK (IDN) – There are turning points in history. Moments that matter, that mark beginnings and ends. As Martin Luther King reminded us: “There is such a thing as being too late”. It is that which can give politics its fierce urgency. As far as global climate politics is concerned, […]
UN Court Censures Myanmar for Violating Genocide Convention
Viewpoint by Rene Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens GENEVA (IDN) – On January 23, 2020, a panel of 17 judges of the World Court (ICJ) voted unanimously calling on Myanmar (formerly Burma) to take all measures in its power to prevent genocide of the remaining 600,000 Rohingya that the Court stated were extremely vulnerable […]
Russia Exhorts US to Extend New START Without Preconditions
By Kingston Reif and Shannon Bugos WASHINGTON, DC (IDN | Arms Control Association) – Russian officials repeated in late December and early January President Vladimir Putin’s call for extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) as soon as possible, though Washington continues to remain silent on the future of the accord, which is […]