International
Conflict Minerals: RSN Reveals Annual Conflict Minerals Rankings in Highly Anticipated Webinar Hosted by Source Intelligence & Ropes & Gray
Nov 3, 2016
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JustMeans
While leading brands proactively monitor and mitigate risk, laggards provide little evidence of good faith efforts. Berkshire Hathaway faulted suppliers for weak reporting and declined…
Myanmar: Myanmar's Farmers Face Criminal Charges over Land Rights
Nov 3, 2016
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Associated Press
Despite the process of democratic transition, farmers in Myanmar's Karen state are being pushed off their land and face arrest and prison for standing up…
Conflict Minerals: US Trade Body Calls for Reexamination of Conflict Mineral Reporting
Nov 3, 2016
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Chemical Watch
The National Association of Manufacturers (Nam) has called for the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Congress to reexamine conflict mineral reporting requirements. Its…
Colombia: Colombia Court Orders Top Companies to Return Stolen Lands
Nov 3, 2016
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teleSUR
A Colombian court has ordered 19 companies, including the country’s largest bank, Bancolombia, to return land that was stolen and ended up in private hands…
Myanmar: Pyin Oo Lwin Farmers Ask Government about Arrested Protesters
Nov 2, 2016
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Htay Hla Aung, Eleven
Farmers in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay Region, asked government about the prosecution of farmers who staged a ploughing protest on their seized farmland. Pyin…
Colombia: Analysis of the Conflict and Impact of the Referendum on Agriculture
Nov 2, 2016
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Luis Alfonso Moreno Ayala, Government of Colombia
The Colombian Government, in its efforts to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace, managed to reach an agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia…
South Sudan: South Sudan Directs Oil Companies to Reinstate Former Employees
Nov 1, 2016
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Sudan Tribune
South Sudan’s ministry of Petroleum has directed the Joint Operating Companies, a consortium of oil companies operating in the oil sector in the country, to…
China/India: China and India's Slow-Moving Path to 'Water Wars'
Nov 1, 2016
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Satu Limaye, Joel Wuthnow, and Nilanthi Samaranayake, National Interest
China’s September 30 announcement that it would temporarily divert the Xiabuqu—a domestic river that feeds into the mighty Brahmaputra running from Tibet through Northeast India…
Myanmar: Myanmar Seizes over 27,000 Tons Illegal Timber in 7 Months
Oct 31, 2016
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Xinhua
Myanmar authorities seized over 27,000 tons of illegal logs and timber in the first seven months of the 2016-17 fiscal year, the the Ministry of…
Afghanistan: How Opium Fuels the Taliban’s War Machine in Afghanistan
Oct 28, 2016
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Hashim Wahdatyar, Diplomat
The nexus between the Taliban and opium cultivation stems from the establishment of its regime. In 1997, only Pakistan and Saudi Arabia recognized the Taliban…
Myanmar: From Secret Meetings to Public Exhibitions: A New Era of Environmental Activism
Oct 28, 2016
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Samuel Schlaefli, Myanmar Times
Environmental activists have enjoyed more freedom since the “opening up” of the country five years ago, but challenges remain – especially regarding access to information.…
Colombia: Colombia’s Coca Growers Fear New Peace Accord
Oct 27, 2016
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Erika Piñeros, IRIN
In the wake of the shock referendum result earlier this month that derailed the peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Mosul Battle Shows Link between War and Environmental Degradation, Says UN agency
Oct 27, 2016
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Chris Mooney, Washington Post
The United Nations Environment Programme is highlighting the battle by Iraqi forces to reclaim Mosul from the Islamic State as the latest instance in the complex but very…
South Sudan: Following the Herd: How Cows Fuelled the War in South Sudan, and How They Can Consolidate the Peace
Oct 27, 2016
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Simon Allison, Daily Maverick
As South Sudan struggles with the aftermath of its bloody civil war, the fate of its estimated 12-million cattle will be crucial in helping the…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Sulfur Dioxide Plume Moving Across Iraq, Satellite Images Show
Oct 27, 2016
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Elizabeth McLaughlin, ABC News
New images released by NASA show a dangerous sulfur plume moving across northern Iraq in the wake of the battle to retake Mosul. As the…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Mosul Battle Brings Environmental Damage, with Serious Impacts on Health, Prospects of Recovery
Oct 27, 2016
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UNEP
Civilians in Northern Iraq are falling victim to additional suffering - including near suffocation and respiratory illnesses - due to what appears to be a…
Colombia: Environmental Peacebuilding Training for Executives from Colombia
Oct 26, 2016
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Meredith Smith, Earth Institute
With colleagues at the Center for Information and Earth Sciences Information Network, AC4 designed and offered a one-week intensive executive training program in Environmental Peacebuilding. Fifteen professionals,…
Myanmar: Myanmar to Consider Becoming Full Member of Mekong River Commission: President
Oct 26, 2016
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Xinhua
Visiting Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw said Wednesday that his country agreed to consider becoming full member of the Mekong River Commission (MRC). U Htin…
Nigeria: Nigerian Militants Say They Bomb Chevron Oil Export Pipeline
Oct 26, 2016
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Hilary Uguru and Michelle Faul, Associated Press
Nigerian militants have bombed an oil export pipeline operated by U.S.-based multinational Chevron, according to the attackers and residents, and the militants are warning companies…
Iraq/Kurdistan: How the Islamic State is Using Scorched Earth Tactics as it Retreats
Oct 26, 2016
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Laris Karklis, Washington Post
Satellite imagery of the current operations by Iraqi forces to retake Mosul reveal how the Islamic State can inflict damage even when the militant group…
Climate Security: Charlie Rose and Director Clapper on Climate and National Security
Oct 26, 2016
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Center for Climate and Security
On October 25, 2016 Director of National Intelligence James Clapper sat down with PBS’s Charlie Rose to look back on his career and six years as…
Iraq/Kurdistan: In the Aftermath of Islamic State's Retreat in Iraq: Destruction, Fire and Toxic Fumes
Oct 26, 2016
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Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times
A coordinated campaign by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the city of Mosul has left more than 20,000 people stranded here near the west…
Iraq: Iraq Balks at Oil Production Cuts, Needs Funds to Fight ISIS
Oct 26, 2016
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Tim Daiss, Forbes
More disorder among OPEC ranks comes as Iraq says that it will not likely reduce oil output because it needs funds to keep up…
Afghanistan: Opium Fuels the Stalemate in America's Longest War
Oct 25, 2016
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Peter Bergen, CNN
The resurgent Taliban have captured almost all of the key poppy-growing Afghan province of Helmand. If Helmand were a country, it would be the nation…
Conflict Minerals: Report: Gunmen Still Control Metals Mined for Modern Gadgets
Oct 25, 2016
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Associated Press
Violent gunmen still menace pick-and-shovel miners in eastern Congo, a new report finds, despite years of efforts to loosen their grip by local reformers, Western…
Afghanistan: There's a Massive Water Crisis Looming over Afghanistan
Oct 25, 2016
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Omair Ahmad, Scroll
Hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees are starting the long trek back home after the latest donors’ conference to rebuild Afghanistan. As they do so,…
Afghanistan: Kandahar’s Grape Exports Fall; Alternative Route Sought
Oct 24, 2016
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Bashir Ahmad Naadem, Pajhwok
Despite a higher grape yield this year, farmers in southern Kandahar province could not export much of the fresh fruit due to the closure of…
Colombia: What Does Peace in Colombia Have to Do with the Environment?
Oct 24, 2016
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Camila Bustos and Marcela Jaramillo, Guardian
After 52 years of war, the government finalised a peace accord to cease conflict and construct stable and long lasting peace in Colombia. Without a…
Afghanistan: UN Report Finds Settling Water Disputes Key to Economic Growth, Avoiding Conflict
Oct 23, 2016
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UN
The demand for water to support agricultural development in conflict-plagued Afghanistan often results in high-stakes water disputes, according to a new United Nations report released…
Afghanistan: Afghanistan's Opium Production Soaring, Says UN
Oct 23, 2016
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Agence France-Presse
Afghanistan’s opium production has risen by an estimated 43% this year, the UN has said. The annual increase on 2015 levels was due in part…