International
Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq's Kurds Stick to Independence Vote Despite US Request to Postpone It
Aug 12, 2017
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Maher Chmaytelli, Reuters
Iraq’s Kurds are sticking to a plan to hold an independence referendum on Sept. 25, despite a U.S. request to postpone it, a high-ranking Kurdish…
Afghanistan: Afghanistan Can Generate 23,000 Megawatts of Hydroelectric Power
Aug 11, 2017
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Zarmina Mohammadi, TOLOnews
Afghanistan has the capacity of generating more than 23,000 megawatt of hydroelectric power from domestic resources, says President Ashraf Ghani’s advisor on infrastructure Humayoun Qayoumi.Under…
Myanmar: EIA Accuses MTE of Stepping back from Reform Commitments
Aug 11, 2017
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Su Phyo Win, Myanmar Times
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has hit out at the Myanma Timber Enterprise’s decision to hire service providers, and said that the risk of corruption…
Iraq: Iraq Should Boost Non-Oil Tax Revenue: IMF
Aug 11, 2017
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Mary Swire, Tax-News.com
Iraq should take advantage of the "large room" to increase non-oil tax revenue by broadening the tax base and modernizing tax and customs administration, the…
Iraq: No Country for Oil Men: Tracking Islamic State’s Oil Assets in Iraq
Aug 11, 2017
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Wim Zwijnenburg, Bellingcat
Now the so-called Islamic State (IS) has lost Mosul as their capital in Iraq, two isolated pockets remain where the terror group has control over…
Myanmar: Drones Find Their Most Important Use Yet: Rebuilding Our Planet
Aug 10, 2017
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Phillip Tracy, Daily Dot
A group of villagers and a local nonprofit organization in Myanmar are recruiting a fleet of drones to help replant 2.7 million trees in an…
Iraq: Iraq Economic Growth Subdued by Risks from ISIL and Volatile Oil Prices, IMF Says
Aug 10, 2017
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Mahmoud Kassem, National
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Iraq's economy remained open to risks stemming from the armed conflict with ISIS and sluggish oil prices, even though medium-term…
Iraq: FAO Turns to Mobile Technology to Tempt Iraqi Farmers back to Fields
Aug 9, 2017
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RJ Whitehead, Food Navigator Asia
Mobile money transfers has been adopted as part of a cash-for-work programme aimed at rehabilitating agricultural infrastructure for the benefit of vulnerable rural families in…
Myanmar: Why Agriculture is Ailing and How Best to Revive the Sector
Aug 9, 2017
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Kang Wan Chern, Myanmar Times
Agriculture forms the backbone of the Myanmar economy. The sector contributes to almost 40 percent of the nation’s GDP, accounts for close to a third…
South Sudan: South Sudan Plans Road, Oil Pipeline Projects Near Ethiopia Border: Ambassador
Aug 9, 2017
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Xinhua
South Sudan plans to construct road projects, oil pipeline and oil refinery after government forces captured the rebel stronghold of Pagak near Ethiopia border. Speaking…
Nigeria/Somalia/South Sudan/Yemen: UN for First Time Links Conflict to Famine in 4 Countries
Aug 9, 2017
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Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press
The U.N. Security Council for the first time on Wednesday linked conflict to the threat of famine facing more than 20 million people in Yemen,…
Myanmar: Activists Warn Kayin State Villagers against Coal
Aug 8, 2017
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Saw Khar Suu Nyar, Karen Information Center
A new network of activists and civil society groups has been warning Kayin (Karen) State residents of the dangers of coal through environmental awareness trainings…
Myanmar: Gas Discovered at Block A-6 Offshore Well in Southern Rakhine
Aug 8, 2017
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Hellenic Shipping News
Test drilling began at the Pyi Thit-1 appraisal well on June 10. The well, which is located in the south of Rakhine and approximately 90…
Colombia: In Colombia, Deforestation Gangs Run Rampant
Aug 8, 2017
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Antonio José Paz Cardona, Mongabay
In Colombia, there are eight major areas of deforestation. Chief among them is the department of Guaviare, where three of the eight deforested areas are…
Colombia: How Colombia’s 8,880 Mining Titles Are Distributed
Aug 8, 2017
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Larisa Sioneriu, Colombia Reports
The provinces of Antioquia and Boyaca own 33% of the country’s 8,880 mining titles while Amazonas is one of three to be left unexploited, Colombia’s…
Myanmar: Elephant Killed by Poisoned Bolt in Irrawaddy Region
Aug 7, 2017
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Salai Thant Zin, Irrawaddy
A wild elephant was hunted and killed with a poisoned bolt—an arrow shot from a crossbow—in the village tract of Tin Chaung in Irrawaddy Region’s…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Baghdad Temporary Halts Kirkuk’s NOC Oil Export to Turkey, Gives No Reason
Aug 7, 2017
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Mewan Dolamari, Kurdistan 24
The Federal Government of Iraq on Sunday temporarily halted the oil exports from its Kirkuk-based North Oil Company (NOC) to Turkey and later resumed the…
Mining: Mining Industry Can Now Predict Opposition to Projects before It's Too Late
Aug 7, 2017
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Cecilia Jamasmie, Mining.com
It’s sounds too good to be true, but a new company is proving miners they can foresee opposition or any other form of social conflict…
Colombia: Colombia Faces Soaring Deforestation Following FARC Guerrilla Demobilization
Aug 7, 2017
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Taran Volckhausen, Earth Island Journal
Colombia is currently in the midst of a peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest guerrilla group. According to…
Afghanistan: Chamber of Industries and Mines Starts Functioning
Aug 7, 2017
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Pajhwok Afghan News
The newly-created Afghanistan Chamber of Industries and Mines (ACIM) on Monday started functioning, vowing to develop industries, prevent illegal mineral extraction and attract investment in…
Colombia: Conflict Victims and Biologists Come Together in Medellin to Protest Proposed Hydroelectric Project
Aug 6, 2017
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Taran Volckhausen, Colombia Reports
Around 50 victims of the armed conflict arrived in Colombia’s second largest city Medellin to meet with university biologists and students to show resistance against…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Kurdistan Deprived from Constitutional Share of Iraq’s International Loans
Aug 6, 2017
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Baxtiyar Goran, Kurdistan 24
Iraq’s international debt has exceeded USD $111 billion due to wars waged by the former regime against neighboring countries, the current war against the Islamic…
Myanmar: Flood-Hit Farmers Given Seeds
Aug 5, 2017
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Eleven
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery will distribute paddy seeds to farmers in flood-hit villages nationwide, according to the Deputy Permanent Secretary Myo Tint…
Myanmar: Substandard Water Firms Suspended
Aug 4, 2017
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Ei Thinzar Kyaw, Eleven
Drinking-water brands that violate good manufacturing practices have been suspended, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA officials launched a surprise inspection on…
Iraq: Iraqi Oil Wealth Not Enough for Broad Economic Growth
Aug 4, 2017
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Daniel J. Graeber, United Press International
Corruption and internal political rifts could be factors weighing on the economy of OPEC-member Iraq, a report from Moody's Investors Service said. Moody's gave Iraq…
China/Vietnam/South China Sea: Vietnam, Yielding to Beijing, Backs off South China Sea Drilling
Aug 4, 2017
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Mike Ives, New York Times
Vietnam appears to have retreated in a high-stakes maritime gambit against China, suspending a gas-drilling project that it had approved in the South China Sea…
Myanmar: Gem Traders Blame Smuggling on Tax Rate
Aug 4, 2017
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Htet Naing Zaw, Irrawaddy
The government is losing a large sum on gems and jewelry sales as gems traders smuggle them into China because of a steep trade tax,…
Liberia: Zoa-Liberia's Commendable Initiative with Value-Added Cassava Products
Aug 4, 2017
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Joaquin M. Sendolo, Observer
Cassava is found in many countries, especially in West Africa, and is the most important food crop besides rice. In many countries in the West…
Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraq's Kirkuk Province Spurns Plan to Ship Its Oil to Iran
Aug 3, 2017
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Khalid Al Ansary, Bloomberg
Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk refuses to cooperate with any plans to ship its oil to neighboring Iran because the central government didn’t consult with…
Myanmar: Myanmar’s Resources Fine but Fast Disappearing
Aug 3, 2017
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Myat Moe Aung, Myanmar Times
Myanmar is among the few countries in the world whose natural resources exceed the requirements of its citizens, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)…