IDN-InDepthNews – Page 642 – News for a Sustainable World, Peace and Security

Africa2017-08-152023-07-10

Freetown Flooding Raises Concern About Maternal Healthcare

By Joan Erakit

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – In the early hours of August 14, disastrous weather took to Freetown as the city was flooded with torrential downpour. Shortly after, a mudslide followed dragging countless homes down a suburban hillside in slushy red dirt in Regent, east of Freetown. The Red Cross reported at least 200 people dead as aid organizations and local authorities rushed to the scene.

In a statement attributable to the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told IDN that, “the Secretary-General is saddened by the deaths and devastation caused by the mudslide and flooding in the town of Regent, Sierra Leone, and throughout Freetown,” adding, “the Secretary-General extends his condolences to the people and Government of Sierra Leone for the loss of life and destruction caused by this natural disaster.”

Nuclear Weapons2017-08-142023-07-10

Despite ‘Fire and Fury’ Milestones Toward A Nuclear-Weapons-Free World

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) – Considering the “fire and fury” characterizing the heated exchanges between the U.S. and North Korea, July 7 appears to be light years ago. That was the day when 122 member states of the United Nations voted to adopt a legally binding global Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that may eventually lead towards their total elimination.

The Treaty that opens for signature on September 20, was adopted four weeks ahead of the 72nd anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1945 – giving cause for hope, as Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said in the Nagasaki Peace Declaration, that “all the efforts of the hibakusha over the years” would finally take shape.

Asia-Pacific2017-08-142023-07-10

Eastern Spirituality Could Help Sustainable Development

By Kalinga Seneviratne

This article is the 18th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate.

YANGON, Myanmar (IDN) – “The desire for peace exists everywhere, but the majority of people are not in a position to enjoy peace, stability and security they desire,” noted venerable Dr Ashin Nyanissara, spiritual head of the Sitagu International Buddhist University (SIBU), in opening a two-day gathering of spiritual leaders and scholars at the university here on August 5.

The event was the second Global Initiative for Conflict Avoidance and Environmental Consciousness (SAMVAD) conference, following the first held in New Delhi in September 2015.

Nuclear Weapons2017-08-122023-07-10

Japanese Govt. Asked to Support Northeast Asia Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone

By Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki

On August 9, 2017, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue called on the Japanese government to examine the North-East Asia Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone (NWFZ) as a possible solution to the growing nuclear crisis. The call was made in the Nagasaki Declaration, presented by Mayor Taue at the annual event commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Mayor Taue is one of 545 Japanese heads of cities and 126 Japanese religious leaders who have given their support for the NE Asian NWFZ proposal.

NAGASAKI (IDN-INPS) – “No more hibakusha”: These words express the heartfelt wish of the hibakusha that in the future nobody in the world ever again has to experience the disastrous damage caused by nuclear weapons. This summer, the wish has moved many nations across the globe and resulted in the creation of a certain treaty.

UN INSIDER2017-08-122023-07-10

Investing in Women, Girls Central to Efforts for Sustainable Peace, Development

By Amina J. Mohammed

Following is a slightly abridged version of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa, in New York on August 10, in which she reports on her visits to Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. – Editor

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – This undertaking, from 19 to 27 July, was the first of its kind: a high-level mission focused entirely on women, peace, security and development. I was pleased to be joined by the Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. . . as well as the African Union Commission’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security.

UN INSIDER2017-08-122023-07-10

The “Youth Bulge” Calls for Creating Jobs in Rural Areas

By Ronald Joshua

ROME (IDN) – “Rural areas are failing to provide opportunity and are losing their young people. This has major consequences at the local, national and global level. It can erode national economies, political stability, and food security,” warned Gilbert F. Houngbo, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at a recent conference hosted by the African Union Commission, the European Commission and the Estonian Presidency of the EU in Rome, Italy.

The conference on July 2, 2017 focused on Making Sustainable Agriculture a Future for Youth in Africa – against the backdrop that an estimated 440 million young people will enter the rural labour market by 2030 in Africa alone.

Asia-Pacific2017-08-112023-07-10

Beware of ‘Fake News’ on North Korea

By 38 North

38 North is a website devoted to informed analysis of North Korea. 38 North is a program of the US-Korea Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC. The following is Editor’s Column as it appeared on August 9, 2017 with the title Fake News. – The Editor

WASHINGTIN, D.C. (IDN-INPS) – Lost in the media scrum about threats and counter threats from President Trump and North Korea is a very important story that was totally missed. While headlines a few days ago blared that North Korea said it would never negotiate with the US on its nuclear and missile programs, in fact, it never said that. This isn’t the first time the media missed the story. It happens all the time, whenever it covers statements by North Korea.

Asia-Pacific2017-08-112023-07-10

Behind China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’

Viewpoint by William R. Hawkins

William R. Hawkins, a former economics professor and Congressional staffer, is a consultant specializing in international economics and national security issues. He is a contributor to SFPPR News & Analysis, of the Conservative-Online-Journalism center at the Washington-based Selous Foundation for Public Policy Research. This article was published on August 2, 2017 in The World Tribune. Opinions expressed in Viewpoints are those of the writer and not necessarily shared by IDN-INPS. – The Editor

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN-INPS) – The state-owned press in China was all aglow about President Xi Jinping’s address to the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Xinhua proclaimed how “Many overseas experts and scholars have praised” it.

Asia-Pacific2017-08-102023-07-10

Myanmar Commission Slams UN for “Smear Campaigning”

By Kalinga Seneviratne

This article is the 17th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate.

YANGON, Myanmar (IDN) – A Myanmar government commission that investigated allegations made by an international human rights organisation and the media about the country’s security forces abusing the human rights of Muslims known as Rohingyas in Rakhine State has found these allegations to be “unproven” and slammed its critics, including the United Nations, for carrying out an international “smear campaign” against the country.

The 13-member Investigative Commission on Maungtaw in Rakhine State headed by Vice-President U Myint Swe released its report at a press conference on August 6.

UN INSIDER2017-08-092023-07-10

A British Journalist Given Charge of UN Global Communications

By J Nastranis

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – Nearly three months after Cristina Gallach of Spain vacated her post as head of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Alison Smale of the United Kingdom as her successor with the designation Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

Smale is the first head of DPI, since it was established in 1946, who comes from a country that along with China, France, Russia, and USA, is one of the five veto-wielding permanent (P5) members of the Security Council.

DPI maintains offices in 63 locations worldwide and is responsible for promoting global awareness and understanding of the work of the United Nations.