International
Iraq: Iraq on a Tear to Triple Its Refining Capacity, Keep up with Its Growing Production
Jun 8, 2017
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Oil & Gas 360
Iraq is planning to triple its refining capacity as the third-largest oil exporter increases crude oil production, Bloomberg reported, based on an interview with an…
Conflict Minerals: EU Commission Seeks SME Views on Conflict Minerals Regulation
Jun 8, 2017
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Chemical Watch
The European Commission is seeking the views of SMEs on the EU conflict minerals Regulation, which was published in the EU’s Official Journal in May.…
Myanmar: Burma Will Join Asian Forest Cooperation Organization
Jun 7, 2017
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Nyein Nyein, Irrawaddy
The Union Parliament on Tuesday approved the signing of the regional agreement for the establishment of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), after President U Htin Kyaw put…
Myanmar: Dam and Water Tax Bill Adopted
Jun 7, 2017
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Soe Min Htike, Nyein Zaw Lin, and Myo Min Htet, Eleven
The farmers have to pay Ks 2,000 (US$1.5) per acre for using water throughout the farming season, plus Ks 500 per acre for the protection…
Myanmar: Over 1900 Unresolved Land Cases in Yangon
Jun 7, 2017
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Myat Nyein Aye, Myanmar Times
There are more than a thousand unresolved cases of land seizure in Yangon so far under the NLD government, according to the committee appointed to…
Conflict Minerals: Violence Warned over US Dropping Conflict Minerals Rule
Jun 7, 2017
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Justin Lynch, Associated Press
Increased violence and corruption in central Africa could be the result of the recent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission not to enforce…
Water: Water a 'Catalyst' for Cooperation, Indus Treaty Survived Three Indo-Pak Wars: UN Chief
Jun 7, 2017
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India TV
Citing the example of Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan that has survived three wars, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said that…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraqi Kurds to Hold Independence Referendum in September
Jun 7, 2017
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Chase Winter, Deutsche Welle
Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on Wednesday announced it would hold an independence referendum in September, bringing the Kurds one step closer to achieving a century-long dream…
South Sudan: S. Sudanese Strive to Make Local Agricultural Products Competitive
Jun 7, 2017
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Xinhua
South Sudanese local agricultural innovations are slowly gaining recognition amid difficulty in financing and high operational costs due to lack of infrastructure further compounded by…
Colombia: Cargill and Solidaridad Establish Palm Oil Sustainability Program in Colombia
Jun 7, 2017
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PRNewswire
Cargill, in collaboration with the international nonprofit Solidaridad and the Colombian-based international trading company, C.I. Biocosta S.A., announced today a new palm oil smallholder sustainability…
Myanmar: Skin Cure Fad Driving Myanmar Elephant Poaching Surge: WWF
Jun 5, 2017
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Agence France-Presse
Myanmar's wild elephants are being poached in record numbers with at least 20 killed this year due to surging demand for their hide, WWF said…
Afghanistan/Pakistan: Unrest as Pakistan-Afghan Border Cuts through Tribal Land [Video]
Jun 3, 2017
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Zein Basravi, Al Jazeera
The disputed border that divides Afghanistan and Pakistan has become a flashpoint in recent months. Afghan troops recently shot and killed Pakistani soldiers and civilians…
Myanmar: New EIA/SIA Causes Fear among Local Villagers of Coal Mining Expansion in Nam Ma
Jun 2, 2017
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Shan State Farmers’ Network
A recent visit by a Burmese environmental consulting company to Nam Ma, Hsipaw township, northern Shan State, has caused local villagers to fear that the…
Myanmar: Watchdog Accuses Companies of Mining in Kachin with Expired Permits
Jun 1, 2017
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Chan Mya Htwe, Myanmar Times
Mining companies in the Hpakant and Lone Khin jade mining areas have been operating in each other’s existing licensed plots after the expiration of their…
Afghanistan: 6:30 Report: A Look at Illegal Mining in Afghanistan [Video]
Jun 1, 2017
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TOLOnews
In this episode of 6:30 Report, host Tariq Majidi looks at evidence that reveals the extent of ongoing illegal extraction of minerals from mines in…
Myanmar: Proposed Gemstone Legislation Risks Leaving Flawed System Intact
May 30, 2017
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Thompson Chau, Myanmar Times
In July 2016, the new NLD-led government decided to suspend issuing jade and gemstone licences until relevant laws could be reviewed and an environmental management…
Myanmar: Deputy Defense Minister: Army Agriculture on Confiscated Land Saves Money
May 30, 2017
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Pe Thet Htet Khin, Irrawaddy
The Burma Army’s farming projects inside cantonments and on confiscated land saves more than 75 billion kyats annually from the state’s budget, said Deputy Minister…
South Sudan: Indian ‘Blue Helmets’ in South Sudan Tackle Deadly Cattle Raids
May 29, 2017
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Press Trust of India
At the centre of the raging South Sudan conflict is not oil or territory but cattle, which, Indian UN peacekeepers posted to the African nation…
Myanmar: In Myanmar, a Lake that Sustained Generations Feels Strains
May 28, 2017
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Doug Clark, New York Times
Today, every morning and afternoon, fishermen still paddle out, singing Burmese songs, trailing gillnets with soda bottle buoys. But despite the encircling mountains and buffering…
Myanmar: Myanmar's Peace Conference Reaches Agreement for Most Points with Five Sectors on Second Day Session
May 26, 2017
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Zhou Xin, Xinhua
Myanmar's ongoing 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference reached agreement for most points in five sectors on Thursday, the second day session of the conference held…
DRC: Study Finds Congo's Miners often Resort to Hunting Wildlife for Food
May 26, 2017
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Phys.org
A new study by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) has revealed how mining for valuable minerals in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a major…
Afghanistan: Introducing Safaroma, a Movement and a Brand to Empower Afghan Women with Saffron
May 26, 2017
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Digital Journal
When it comes to Afghanistan, the public knows about war, crime, and the opium drug trade (most of the world’s deadliest drug comes from Afghanistan).…
Myanmar: Concerns over Seized Lands Hamper Agro Plan
May 25, 2017
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Nay Aung, Myanmar Times
Concerns have been raised on the implementation of the Agricultural Development Strategy and Investment Plan (Third Draft). The adviser to the Magwe Region Farmers’ Union,…
Liberia: Violent Land Dispute in Maryland
May 25, 2017
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New Dawn
The land in question is occupied with palms belonging to one Dr. James Elliott, a Marylander, whocurrently resides in the United States of America.YookudiCommissioner Nathaniel…
Land Grabbing: CED Launches Platform to Denounce Land Grabs in Africa
May 25, 2017
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Ecofin Agency
After the global call to indigenous populations to fight for their rights to land, the Centre or Environment and Development (CED) which is based in…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Kurdistan Oil Exports Not Subject to OPEC Reduction Agreement
May 25, 2017
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Rudaw
Kurdistan Region oil exports are not subject to OPEC’s renewed reduction targets, Iraq’s oil minister stated, adding, however, that he hopes they will be included.…
Sudan: Sudan Oil Revenue Drops to Record Lows
May 25, 2017
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Middle East Monitor
Sudan’s daily oil production revenue has sunk to its lowest level since the secession of South Sudan almost six years ago, the minister of petroleum…
Myanmar: More Than 290 Gem Blocks Due to Expire in June
May 25, 2017
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Eleven
Exploration activities in 291 gem blocks in Lonekhin, Hpakant, Mongshu, Moegok, Mohnyin and Nantyarseik will be discontinued in June, a source of the Ministry of…
Myanmar: Myanmar Peace Talks Must Address Natural Resource Management
May 24, 2017
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Global Witness
On the eve of national peace talks in Myanmar, civil society groups from across the country today released a statement calling for a new approach…
Climate Change: NATO Countries Worry Trump Will undo Climate Progress, Drafts Show
May 24, 2017
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Nicholas Kusnetz, Inside Climate News
NATO's member countries published a series of draft reports this week highlighting the economic and security risks posed by climate change, and encouraging nations to…