News
China/Philippines/Vietnam/South China Sea: Don't Blame the Oil Rigs
May 27, 2015
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Emily Meierding, Pacific Standard
A year ago this month, China moved its oil drilling rig, the HD-981, into waters around the Paracel Islands. China’s exploratory drilling provoked a confrontation…
Bahrain/Switzerland (2 jobs): Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P3
May 26, 2015
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UNEP
This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the…
Climate Change: How Climate Change Threatens National Security (+video)
May 26, 2015
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Michael Holtz, Christian Science Monitor
What is the “farmhands-to-fighters” argument? The argument links reduced economic opportunity in agriculture to increased violent activity. A study by Edward Miguel, an economist at…
Chad/Cameroon/Nigeria: Boko Haram Surrounds Havens with Land Mines
May 25, 2015
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Sierra Leone Times
Chad and Cameroon say huge numbers of land mines planted by Boko Haram fighters along Cameroon's border with Nigeria are a danger to people, livestock…
Iraq: ISIS in Iraq: Islamic State Torches Iraq's Largest Oil Refinery at Beiji
May 25, 2015
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Mark Piggott, International Business Times
Fighters from ISIS - also known as Islamic State (IS) - have torched part of Iraq's largest oil refinery at Beiji, some 200km from Baghdad,…
South Sudan: South Sudan Oil Field Becomes Battleground as Economy Reels
May 25, 2015
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Ilya Gridneff, Bloomberg
After 17 months of civil war spanning a swathe of South Sudan bigger than Syria, President Salva Kiir’s survival may hinge on the fate of…
South Sudan: War Pushes South Sudan's Economy to the Brink
May 24, 2015
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AFP
Soaring inflation and a likely currency collapse are adding to South Sudan's woes after 17 months of civil war characterised by brutal attacks on civilians.…
The Taliban’s Opium Poppy Ban in 2000/2001 – Lessons from History
May 23, 2015
The Taliban decision in 2000 to eradicate poppy was framed internally as a simple issue of religion. The real drivers probably owed more to a…
High Stakes for Australia in Limiting China's South China Sea Incursions
May 22, 2015
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Bonnie Glaser
Rising tensions in the South China Sea are not simply driven by disputes over reefs, hydrocarbon resources and fisheries. China is seeking to exercise greater…
Can Colombia Solve Its Drug Problem Through Peace?
May 22, 2015
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Jon Lee Anderson
In 1971, President Nixon announced the U.S. “war on drugs,” which every President since has carried forward as a battle standard. Until recently, most Latin…
Iraq/Iran: US Officials Say Iran is Firing Artillery in Support of Iraq's Fight for Beiji Oil Refinery
May 22, 2015
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Robert Burns, Associated Press
Iran has entered the fight to retake a major Iraqi oil refinery from Islamic State militants, contributing small numbers of troops — including some operating…
Iraq/Iran: Iraq Discusses Iran Drilling its Oil, Gas Fields
May 22, 2015
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Press TV
A high-ranking Iraqi delegation has visited Tehran and discussed oil and gas drilling by Iranian companies in the Arab country, the Mehr news agency says. The…
Mali: Mali Government Promises to Tackle Land Grabbing
May 22, 2015
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Spy Ghana
Mali’s Minister of State Domains and Land Affairs Me Mohamed Ali Bathily has said his ministry will launch a merciless war against land grabbers and…
South Sudan/Sudan: As Fighting Escalates, South Sudan Alleges Khartoum Hand in Rebel Offensive to Take Oil Hub
May 22, 2015
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Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press
South Sudan's military on Friday accused the Sudanese government of aiding a new rebel offensive in the southern country where oil fields are now threatened…
DRC: European Parliament Votes for Tougher Measures on Conflict Minerals
May 21, 2015
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The Guardian
European gold, tantalum (the material that makes mobile phones vibrate), tungsten and tin imports from conflict zones will be subjected to tougher surveillance procedures under…
DRC: Parliament Prioritises Human Rights in Conflict Minerals Crackdown
May 21, 2015
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Julie Levy-Abegnoli, The Parliament
Parliament turned into its own conflict zone when MEPs approved new rules in an effort to stop blood minerals from being used in products made…
DRC: Brandeis University Goes Conflict-Free
May 21, 2015
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Enough Project
Student activists are celebrating the announcement from Brandeis University of a new policy to ensure computers and other electronic equipment they purchase are not connected to killing, child…
Sierra Leone: S/Leonean Leader Orders Halt to Land Grabbing around University Campus
May 21, 2015
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APA, Star Africa
Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma has ordered authorities at the University of Sierra Leone to immediately address the protracted issue of land grabbing around…
China/South China Sea: Exclusive: China Warns U.S. Surveillance Plane
May 21, 2015
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CNN
The Chinese navy issued warnings eight times as a U.S. surveillance plane on Wednesday swooped over islands that Beijing is using to extend its zone…
DRC: First Copper from Congo-China Deal Due by Year End - Government
May 21, 2015
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Aaron Ross, Reuters
A joint venture between Democratic Republic of Congo's state miner and two Chinese companies, signed under a 2009 "minerals for infrastructure" deal, will begin producing…
Obama Highlights Long-Term Climate Security Threats, Releases Review of Federal Resources
May 20, 2015
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Schuyler Null
In a commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy today, President Obama said “climate change constitutes a serious threat to global security, an immediate…
Empowered Women = Happy Planet? Gender Equality in a Changing Environment
May 20, 2015
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International Institute for Environment and Development
Gender and women's empowerment are getting increasing attention in global discussions on climate change, sustainable development and the green economy. The international community is recognising…
South Sudan: South Sudan Government Denies Main Oil Fields Seized by Rebels
May 20, 2015
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John Tanza and Waakhe Simon Wudu, Voice of America
The South Sudan government on Wednesday dismissed claims by rebels loyal to former vice president Riek Machar that they have seized control of the strategic…
Nigeria: Youth and Civil Society Groups Protest against Governor Uduaghan over Embezzlement and Land Grabbing
May 20, 2015
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Sahara Reporters
More than 2,000 youth and community activists took to the streets in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, to protest the corrupt actions of Delta…
United States: Obama: Climate Change Poses Risk to US Military, National Security
May 20, 2015
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Roberta Rampton, Reuters
May 20 Rising seas, thawing permafrost and longer wildfires caused by warmer global temperatures threaten U.S. military bases and will change the way the U.S.…
Myanmar: Kachin MP Calls for Urgent Govt Intervention on Hpakant Jade Mines
May 20, 2015
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Kyaw Hsu Mon, The Irrawaddy
A Union Parliament lawmaker from Kachin State has called for an urgent overhaul of mining in Hpakant, home to the world’s most lucrative sources of…
Cooperation Is Not Enough: Why We Need to Think Differently About Water
May 19, 2015
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Naho Mirumachi
In 2003, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2005 to 2015 to be the decade of “water for life” as a way to encourage countries…
European Parliament Must Seize its Chance to Stop Trade in Conflict Minerals
May 19, 2015
On 20 May, the European parliament will vote on a proposed regulation to tackle the trade in conflict minerals. The trade in tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG)…
South Sudan: South Sudan Rebels Say Capture Oil Refinery, Tell Firms to Leave
May 19, 2015
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Denis Dumo, Reuters
South Sudanese rebels said on Tuesday they had captured a refinery near a major oilfield in Upper Nile State, where fighting has flared up in…
Liberia: GVL Oil Mill - Welcoming News after Ebola in Liberia
May 19, 2015
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FrontPageAfrica
When news broke last Thursday that the Asian Oil Palm giant Golden Veroleum Liberia had signed a US$20.984M contract for the construction of its Oil…