International


Afghanistan: SDG1 Case Study: How Burberry Is Helping Afghan Goat Farmers Cash in on Cashmere

Nov 19, 2018 | Madeleine Cuff, BusinessGreen

Despite its luxury cachet, many of Afghanistan's cashmere farmers still live in extreme poverty - Fashion giant Burberry has teamed up Oxfam and PUR Projet…


Water Diplomacy: Council Adopts Conclusions

Nov 19, 2018 | European Council

On 19 November 2019, the Council adopted conclusions on water diplomacy. The Council recalls that water is a prerequisite for human survival and dignity and…


Myanmar: Myanmar's Special Raw Gems, Jade Sales Yield 32.72 mln USD

Nov 18, 2018 | Xinhua

Myanmar's special sale of raw gems and utility jade in local currency Kyat ended in Nay Pyi Taw late Saturday, with a total proceeds of…


Climate Change: Climate Change and Security to Be Discussed at APEC Summit

Nov 17, 2018 | Radio New Zealand

New Zealand's Prime Minister has arrived in Papua New Guinea for the APEC leaders' summit, where climate change, regional development and trade, are expected to…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Baghdad and Kurds Strike Deal to Resume Kirkuk Oil Exports

Nov 16, 2018 | Al Jazeera

Iraq says it has reached an initial agreement with Kurdish authorities to restart exports from the oilfields of Kirkuk, one year after flows were halted due…


Myanmar: 41 Civil Society Ogranisations Call on the Myanmar Government to Suspend Controversial Land Law Which Risks Evicting Millions of Farmers from Their Land

Nov 16, 2018 | ReliefWeb

Letter of concern regarding implementation of the Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Management Law (2012) as Amended by The Law Amending the Vacant, Fallow and…


South Sudan: South Sudan Pegs Economic Recovery on Resuming Oil Exports

Nov 16, 2018 | Julius Barigaba, East African

South Sudan will host its second Oil and Power Conference next week as it looks to rebuild its stunted economy following a five-year civil war…


Philippines/Vietnam/South China Sea: Vietnam-Philippines South China Sea Activity in Focus with Naval Exchange

Nov 16, 2018 | Prashanth Parameswaran, Diplomat

On November 10, Vietnam and the Philippines conducted the fourth iteration of their naval personnel interactions on Northeast Cay in the Spratly Islands in the…


South China Sea: Pence Urges Speed on South China Sea Code of Conduct

Nov 16, 2018 | Ralph Jennings and Nike Ching, Voice of America

US Vice President Mike Pence is urging the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) to move forward with a code of conduct for the South China…


Conflict Minerals: WDC Issues Definition of Conflict Diamonds

Nov 14, 2018 | Rapaport News

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has released its proposed new Kimberley Process (KP) definition of conflict diamonds, which addresses a broader range of human-rights abuses.…


Myanmar: Myanmar Holds Special Raw Gems, Jade Sales in Nay Pyi Taw

Nov 13, 2018 | Xinhua

A special sale of raw gems and utility jade in local currency Kyat is underway in Myanmar's capital of Nay Pyi Taw. A total of…


Afghanistan: 4th Saffron Flower Festival Held in Herat Province, Western Afghanistan [Photos]

Nov 13, 2018 | Xinhua

Afghan farmers display their products during the Fourth Saffron Flower festival in Herat province, western Afghanistan.


Climate Change: Retired Navy Rear Admiral Calls Extreme Weather a National Security Threat

Nov 12, 2018 | Yale Climate Connections

As Hurricane Florence targeted the East Coast, the Navy moved its ships away from Hampton Roads, Virginia, to keep them safe. Retired Navy Rear Admiral…


Sudan: Sudan to Launch over 30 Oil Bids in 2019: FT Reports

Nov 12, 2018 | Sudan Tribune

Sudan is preparing to launch over 30 oil exploration bids next year in an attempt to lure western companies to reinvest in its petroleum industry…


Iraq: Blaming the Rain for Iraq’s Corruption

Nov 11, 2018 | Arab Weekly

Iraq, like many Arab countries, is plagued by rampant corruption at nearly all levels of government. Many public servants, from the policeman directing traffic at…


Iraq/Kurdistan: Explainer: Why Are Iraq's Kirkuk Oilfields So Important?

Nov 11, 2018 | Reuters

Iraq’s oilfields in the disputed Kirkuk region have taken on new significance after the United States restored oil sanctions against neighboring Iran. Washington is pressuring…


Afghanistan: Report: Counter-Narcotics Effort in Afghanistan Ineffective

Nov 9, 2018 | FEDweek

Even though the U.S. has spent more than $8 billion on efforts to thwart the opium cultivation and trade in Afghanistan, the problem is “worse…


Food Security: Peace, Stability Not Possible without Rural Development, Says IFAD President ahead of Paris Peace Forum

Nov 9, 2018 | East African Business Week

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Gilbert F. Houngbo will, at this week’s Paris Peace Forum, ask global leaders to consider the crucial role…


Learn How Army Veterans Are in the Farming Business Thanks to Cornell Program

Nov 9, 2018 | Matt Steecker, Ithaca Journal

Cornell Farm Ops assists veterans interested in agriculture by connecting them to workshops, online courses, fellow farmer veterans and scholarships for more advanced workshops that may not be…


Kyrgyzstan: In Kyrgyzstan, Warming Brings Less Water - and More Conflict

Nov 9, 2018 | Katie Arnold, Thomson Reuters Foundation

The World Bank has found that up to half of Kyrgyzstan could be affected by desertification by the end of the century, as the region…


Iraq/Kuwait: Iraq to Pay Kuwait 1.5 Percent of Oil Proceeds as ‘Compensations’

Nov 8, 2018 | Arab Times

United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) Governing Council said on Thursday that Iraq would pay, effective early next year, 1.5 percent worth of oil sales’ proceeds…


Afghanistan: How to Avoid the Resource Curse? Take Six Years to Approve Deals

Nov 7, 2018 | Eltaf Najafizada, BloombergQuint

Afghanistan selected preferred bidders for three gold and copper mines in 2012. It took the war-torn nation six years to finally sign the contracts. Afghan…


Vietnam: Vietnam, US Complete Cleanup of Toxic Chemical from Airport

Nov 7, 2018 | Associated Press

Vietnam and the United States have finished the cleanup of dioxin contamination at Danang airport caused by the transport and storage of the herbicide Agent…


Iran: Iran Holds Int’l Seminar on War’s Consequences for Family, Environment

Nov 7, 2018 | Alireza Hashemi, Iran Front Page

The 2018 edition of an international seminar revolving around the impact of war on woman, family and environment was held in Tehran on Tuesday, in…


Myanmar: Bringing the Land Use Policy to Life

Nov 7, 2018 | Eva Hirschi, Frontier

When it comes to land, Myanmar suffers from a contradictory, fragmented and outdated legal framework. The country has more than 40 laws on the books…


Iraq/Kurdistan: ISIS War, Financial Crisis Damaged Kurdistan Region Environment

Nov 7, 2018 | Karwan Faidhi Dri, Rudaw

Iraq suffered immense environmental devastation during its war with Islamic State. Some areas, particularly Mosul and other Sunni-dominated cities, have been reduced to toxic wastelands.…


Rights Groups Call for Greater Attention to Environmental Security in Armed Conflicts

Nov 7, 2018 | Erik Slobe, Jurist

Amnesty International released two public statements on Tuesday regarding environmental security during war and armed conflicts. One statement addressed to the Chair of the UN…


Afghanistan: Decades of War Takes Its Toll on the Environment

Nov 6, 2018 | Tamim Hamid, TOLOnews

National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA) officials said Afghanistan’s water resources, soil and air quality have fallen victim to the war and that the thousands of mines…


Afghanistan: How to Avoid the Resource Curse? Take Six Years to Approve Deals

Nov 6, 2018 | Eltaf Najafizada, Bloomberg

Afghanistan selected preferred bidders for three gold and copper mines in 2012. It took the war-torn nation six years to finally sign the contracts. Afghan…


Sierra Leone: President Bio Calls for Diamonds to Be Cut and Polished in Sierra Leone

Nov 5, 2018 | Sierra Express Media

Addressing board members and management of AWDC, diamond traders, miners, bankers and the press, President Bio said that Sierra Leone was a major exporter of…