By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – There were smiles all around in Kenya as French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta shook hands over a series of infrastructure deals worth $3.3 billion. It was the third stop on the French president’s East African charm offensive – and the first-ever […]
DR Congo President Resists Latest Power Grab by Predecessor
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Joseph Kabila, ex-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, may have gone once too often to the cookie jar, taking back one by one all of the powers and rights earned by his successor from a recent election, Felix Tshisekedi. President Tshisekedi may have had […]
India at Crossroads as Modi’s Promises Remain Unfulfilled
By Ram Puniyani This article is the sixth in a series of joint productions of South Asian Outlook and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. MUMBAI (IDN) – Elections in a democracy can rightly be called as festival of the masses. They determine the course of the country in times to come. That is […]
Japan Funds UNIDO Projects in 9 Countries with $5.8 Million
By Reinhardt Jacobsen VIENNA (IDN) – Japan will contribute more than US$5.8 million for sustainable development projects in Ethiopia, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, South Sudan, the State of Palestine and Syria. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has welcomed an official announcement to this effect. “We thank the Government of Japan for the […]
Germany Backs UN Chief in Countering Autonomous Weapons
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN (IDN) – Keeping humans in control of autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence is an important element of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ action plan to implement the Agenda for Disarmament, Securing Our Common Future, presented in May 2018. “Essentially, the question is whether we are in control of technology or whether, ultimately, […]
New Report on Arms Control and the Convergence of Biology and Emerging Technologies
By Jaya Ramachandran BERLIN | STOCKHOLM (IDN) – A new report has warned of the risks and challenges posed by the interaction of developments in biotechnology and advances in three emerging technologies: additive manufacturing (AM or so-called 3D printing), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) cautions […]
Countering Challenges Affecting Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Viewpoint by Izumi Nakamitsu The following are extensive excerpts from remarks by Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), at the International Conference on ‘Capturing Technology. Rethinking Arms Control’ in Berlin on 15 March 2019. BERLIN (IDN-INPS) – Many of us feel a growing sense of unease about the challenges rapid […]
Overdue Ban on a Faction of the Nepalese Communist Party
By Ajit Kumar Singh This article is the fifth in a series of joint productions of South Asian Outlook and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. The writer is Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management. NEW DELHI (IDN) – The Nepal Cabinet during a meeting on March 12, 2019, decided to ban the Netra […]
UN Chief Emboldens the ‘Fridays for Future’ Climate Movement
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – “My generation has failed to respond properly to the dramatic challenge of climate change. This is deeply felt by young people. No wonder they are angry,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres in an opinion piece for The Guardian, in the wake of unprecedented March 15 demonstrations by schoolchildren […]
Reflections on Evolving International Security Landscape
Viewpoint by A.L.A. Azeez The writer is Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva. GENEVA (IDN) – The security landscape in most regions, as well as globally in general, is becoming increasingly constrained by the day. It is, therefore, timely to reflect on some trends and developments in the international […]