Climate change brings conflict, Senegal leader warns
United Nations, United States (AFP) April 23, 2016 -
Senegal's President Macky Sall sees a link between climate change and security, in particular when it comes to the jihadist threat in the Sahel.
"Global warming exacerbates receding water levels... and when water becomes scarce there are fewer agricultural lands and conflict begins," Sall told AFP in an interview after signing the Paris climate deal at the United Nations.
"In the Sahel, ...
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China's Xi stresses Communist leadership over religion
Beijing (AFP) April 24, 2016 -
Chinese religious groups must obey the staunchly atheist ruling Communist Party, President Xi Jinping has told a key meeting on religion according to state media, as Beijing tightens controls on civil society organisations and churches.
"Religious groups... must adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," Xi told senior party officials at a conference ending on Saturday, ...
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Ecuador quake death toll jumps to 646, one week on
Quito (AFP) April 23, 2016 -
Nearly 650 people are now known to have died in the strong earthquake that hit Ecuador one week ago, President Rafael Correa said Saturday, as the toll jumped yet higher.
Last Saturday's 7.8-magnitude quake was the worst to strike the South American country in decades, causing buildings to collapse and damaging roads and other infrastructure in tourist areas along Ecuador's coast.
Strong ...
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Nepal marks one year since quake as frustration mounts
Kathmandu (AFP) April 24, 2016 -
Thousands of Nepalis grieved Sunday for their loved ones killed in a massive earthquake a year ago, as protesting victims still living in tents accused the government of failing them.
Mourners carrying candles and Nepali flags packed into Kathmandu's badly damaged historic square to pray and to mark the anniversary of the quake that ripped through the impoverished country, killing almost 9,0 ...
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Nepal's quake-hit ghost village begins fragile recovery
Langtang, Nepal (AFP) April 24, 2016 -
Langtang in Nepal is now little more than a graveyard. The once tranquil mountain village was obliterated last April when a massive earthquake shattered a glacier, raining tonnes of ice, snow and rock down into the valley below, where hundreds of bodies still lie buried.
Scientists estimate the avalanche hit the ground with enough force to cause a blast more than half the strength of the nuc ...
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