Nations on Wednesday began signing the first treaty to ban nuclear weapons, a pact backed by over 100 countries but spurned by those with nuclear arms, reports the Associated Press. The UN treaty office said 51 countries are expected to attach their names on the opening day for signatures. More than 120 countries approved the nuclear ban in early July over strong opposition from nuclear-armed countries and their allies, who boycotted the negotiations. North Korea’s race to develop nuclear weapons that could hit the United States dominated Tuesday’s opening ministerial session of the assembly. He called the nuclear ban treaty “wishful thinking” that is “close to irresponsible.”

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 20, 2017 15:11 UTC