GENEVA, Sep 21 (IPS) - The pursuit of international peace and security has been on the agenda of international decision-makers ever since the establishment of the League of Nations on 10 January 1920. There has been a constant ambiguity about the way this commitment has been translated to practice. The Covenant of the League of Nations committed itself "to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security": nevertheless, the eruption of violence and geopolitical confrontations lead to another major confrontation two decades later. This reinforced the determination of the world community to redouble its efforts to promote peace and security. The Chairman of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue said that the UN Charter - adopted on 26 June 1945 - did not prevent the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and of Nagasaki less than two months later. The disastrous consequences of the Second World War was a terrible reminder of humanity's ability to bring the world close to apocalypse. Partly for such reasons more than 60 million people continue to be forcibly displaced today and peace continues to be so elusive.

STOCKHOLKM, Sweden, Sep 21 (IPS) - It is encouraging to see that the United Nations Security Council is beginning to acknowledge the transboundary dimensions of fragility and conflict, as demonstrated by its newly launched Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region. The report, which was presented in the Security Council on 13 September 2017, emphasizes the need for regional responses and enhanced cooperation of different UN and humanitarian agencies as an important step to addressing the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

MANCHESTER, UK, Sep 21 (IPS) - Until this week, it had been 32 years since Mexico City suffered its last major earthquake. That was of 8.0 magnitude, which was approximately tenfold greater than Tuesday's 7.1 magnitude. Over 5000 people died, and outside assistance was offered and received.

PRETORIA, South Africa, Sep 21 (IPS) - Recent raids in South Africa have uncovered disturbing evidence of the changing dynamics of rhino horn trafficking from Africa to Asia.

MEXICO CITY, Sep 20 (IPS) - Central Mexico faced Wednesday the challenge of putting itself back together after the powerful 7.1-magnitude quake that devastated the capital and the neighbouring states of Mexico, Morelos and Puebla the day before.

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 20 (IPS) - In his first address on the global stage of the General Assembly, United States' President Donald Trump touted an "America First" approach at the very institution that is meant to inspire collaboration between nations.

ROME, Sep 20 (IPS) - When ‘think-tankers' in the mid-1990s formulated their famous "think global, act local" slogan, they probably did not expect humankind to require a couple of decades to implement such practical advice.

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 20 (IPS) - French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sombre speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 19, denouncing Myanmar's "ethnic cleansing," and calling for better protection of refugees around the world.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Sep 20 (IPS) - As Hurricane Maria continues to barrel its way across the Caribbean, details are slowly emerging of the number of deaths and the extent of the devastation left in its wake in Dominica.

DHAKA, Sep 20 (IPS) - Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country with floods hitting almost every year, leaving a trail of destruction despite having early warning systems. Now experts say it is time for the delta nation to think more seriously about how to deal with the recurring onslaughts of floods more effectively by strengthening its flood defence.