Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Political Upheaval Prompts Rethink on Terrorism Risk Management

7 Jun 2011 13:00 Africa/Lagos


Political Upheaval Prompts Rethink on Terrorism Risk Management: Aon Map
Political violence, strikes and war join terrorism as key threats to businesses

PR Newswire

CHICAGO and LONDON, June 7, 2011

CHICAGO and LONDON, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Political violence, strikes, riots, civil war and war threaten the sustainable growth, continuity and profitability of businesses as much as terrorism, according to Aon Risk Solutions, the risk management business of Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON). Consequently, for the first time in its 10-year history, Aon's annual Terrorism Threat Map now also takes these factors into account in assessing the severity of threats businesses face around the world.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100719/AQ37264LOGO)

The 2011 Aon Terrorism and Political Violence Map shows increased risk of political violence in the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the significant turbulence of the Arab Spring uprisings in the region. The risk of coup d'etat and rebellions in Africa reflect a continent that presents a significant political violence risk. Civil unrest and labor disputes arising from austerity measures in Western European nations such as Greece, France, Spain and the UK are also reflected on the map. Meanwhile, terrorism continues to severely afflict established conflict zones like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia as well as parts of Nigeria and the Sahel region. The threat of occasional acts of international terrorism remains significant for most Western nations and major powers.

The map, produced by Aon in collaboration with the security consultancy firm Janusian, which is part of The Risk Advisory Group, reflects data recorded by Terrorism Tracker*, which monitors global indicators of terrorism threat, including attacks, plots, communiqués and government countermeasures, Aon WorldAware*, which provides country risk information for business travelers and an expert assessment of the security situation in more than 200 countries. Each country is assigned a threat level, starting at negligible, and rising through low, medium, high and severe.

The Aon Terrorism and Political Violence Map acts as a gauge for the intensity of the threat of political violence to international business in each country and three icons indicate the forms of political violence likely to be encountered:

* Terrorism and sabotage
* Strikes, riots, civil commotion and malicious damage to property
* Political insurrection, revolution, rebellion, mutiny, coup d'etat, war and civil war


Neil Henderson , head of terrorism in Aon Risk Solutions' Crisis Management team, commented: "While the attacks of September 11 were the genesis for the Aon Terrorism Threat Map, the issues that should be of most concern to people and businesses have evolved greatly in the nearly 10 years since. While terrorism remains a very real threat around the world, the reality is that threats to business continuity are also coming from political violence in all its many forms. The change in the way the map is scored should not be seen as a decrease in the incidence or severity of terrorist threats, but rather the fact that it provides businesses with a more inclusive view of some of the risk management issues they are facing around the world.

"Businesses should, as a first step, identify the threats they face and implement a comprehensive risk management program to protect their employees, physical assets and ultimately, their bottom line. As the insurance market for terrorism insurance is very mature and can cope with complex international risks, it should be considered as part of a sound risk management program."

Dr. David Claridge , managing director of Janusian , added: "The threat of terrorism remains a daily concern for business risk managers. Islamist terrorist groups continue to pursue a global agenda, illustrated by plots such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's attempt to bomb cargo planes last October last year as well as internationalizing local grievances by attacking targets like Moscow's Domodedovo airport, which was bombed in January.

"The uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have highlighted the need for risk managers to take a comprehensive approach by assessing exposure to political violence in all its forms."

Access to Aon's online 2011 Terrorism and Political Violence Threat Map and hard copies can be requested via http://www.aon.com/terrorismmap.

*Notes to editors

A collaboration between Aon and Janusian, Terrorism Tracker is a set of tools to help businesses assess and manage terrorism risk. At its center is the Terrorism Tracker database, which allows subscribers to conduct their own research on terrorist activity around the world and display their results using Google Maps. The database informs Janusian's ratings for the annual Aon map and supports a monthly newsletter available to Aon's clients.

Terrorism threat is defined as an assessment of the intent and capability that terrorist groups will stage attacks and the likelihood that they will succeed.

Aon WorldAware is a country risk information service available online to Aon clients as well as via mobile apps. The information is provided by Janusian and is updated on a daily basis to reflect the ever changing political and security situations around the world.

Follow Aon on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aoncorp

Sign up for News Alerts: http://aon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=58

About Aon

Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON) is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing. Through its more than 59,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to deliver distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Aon's industry-leading global resources and technical expertise are delivered locally in over 120 countries. Named the world's best broker by Euromoney magazine's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Insurance Survey, Aon also ranked highest on Business Insurance 's listing of the world's insurance brokers based on commercial retail, wholesale, reinsurance and personal lines brokerage revenues in 2008 and 2009. A.M. Best deemed Aon the number one insurance broker based on revenues in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and Aon was voted best insurance intermediary 2007-2010, best reinsurance intermediary 2006-2010, best captives manager 2009-2010, and best employee benefits consulting firm 2007-2009 by the readers of Business Insurance. Visit http://www.aon.com for more information on Aon and http://www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon's global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.

About Risk Advisory and Janusian

The Risk Advisory Group is an intelligence, investigations and security company. Risk Advisory guides corporations, financial institutions and individuals through an increasingly complex international environment. It operates under two brands: Risk Advisory, specialising in intelligence and investigations services, and Janusian, whose services include security analysis, security operations and political risk analysis. For more information please see www.riskadvisory.net.

David Skapinker


Kelly Drinkwine


+44.(0)20.7505.7478


+312.381.2684


david.skapinker@aon.co.uk


kelly.drinkwine@aon.com




SOURCE Aon Corporation

Web Site: http://www.aon.com



Sunday, March 27, 2011

UN Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya


Under attack: Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi explode after a coalition air strike


24 Mar 2011 14:48 Africa/Lagos

UN Secretary-General Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya

NEW YORK, March 24, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the continued use of force in the western part of Libya, including Zintan and Misrata. Once again, he reiterates his call for an immediate end to violence by all parties, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011), and for the responsibility to protect civilians. All those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law will be held fully accountable.

Source: UNITED NATIONS

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time 24 Mar 2011

14:48 UN Secretary-General Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya

23 Mar 2011 21:57 African Union Chairman Obiang Supports Conclusions of High-Level AU Committee on Libya

20:22 Focus-Libya / NATO now in play. Italy's role. Frattini reporting to the Senate today

20:05 Libya / EU imposes additional sanctions following the adoption of UNSCR 1973

13:45 Libya Retains Scud Missiles



Friday, March 25, 2011

Open session on sexual violence, women and children in armed conflicts


Mass raped women protesting in DRC, Africa.Photo Credit: Trends Updates.


23 Mar 2011 20:32 Africa/Lagos

Open session of the PSC on sexual violence, women and children in armed conflicts

ADDIS ABABA, March 23, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) will hold an open session on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” on Monday, 28 March 2011 at the Headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


The event, which has been institutionalized in 2010, will provide an opportunity to the survivors of sexual violence and representatives of grassroots rehabilitation projects to address the PSC. Speakers will also include relevant departments of the AU Commission, the Panel of the Wise and Mrs Margot Wallstrom, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General against sexual violence.


For the record, the 2010 briefing of the PSC on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts”, held in the framework of the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, provided a general overview of the scope of the issue. It coincided with the celebration of the 10th Year Anniversary of UN Resolution 1325, the thematic reflection of the Panel of the Wise on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” and the launch of the African Women Decade.

Journalists are invited to attend throughout, in the balcony, the open session with the exception of the interactive discussions and the adoption of the communiqué. A press conference is scheduled to take place at the end of the PSC meeting. The panel will include the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Lamamra Ramtane, the Chair of the PSC for March (Nigeria), the Panel of the Wise and Mrs Margot Wallstrom, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General against sexual violence



Source: African Union Commission (AUC)


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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Côte d'Ivoire / Is War the Only Option?

3 Mar 2011 18:37 Africa/Lagos


Côte d'Ivoire / Is War the Only Option?

DAKAR, March 3, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Côte d'Ivoire is on the verge of a new civil war. This tragedy can only be avoided if Africans and the wider international community stand firm behind the democratically elected president, Alassane Ouattara, and he launches an initiative for reconciliation and a transitional government of national unity.

Côte d'Ivoire: Is War the Only Option?, the latest International Crisis Group report, examines the escalation of political violence and armed confrontations since Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in the November presidential election and has sought to retain office by manipulating institutions and violence. The report says war is imminent, with Gbagbo's army and militias already beginning to clash with the former insurgent Forces Nouvelles in Abidjan and the west of the country, close to the border with Liberia.

The requirements to avoid a disastrous new conflict include Gbagbo stepping down; Ouattara offering to negotiate, with civil society help, an agreement for unity, national reconciliation and an interim transitional government with him at its head (but without the irreconcilable former president); the UN peace-keeping mission standing firm to carry out its civilian protection mandate; and the international community unequivocally supporting any decisions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including deployment of a military mission.

“The Gbagbo regime is a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the whole West African region”, says Rinaldo Depagne, Crisis Group's West Africa Senior Analyst. “Any proposal to end the crisis that endorses or extends the Gbagbo presidency would only prolong the chaos and increase the risks”.

The election was part of a peace process that began after the September 2002 rebellion and was endorsed by several accords, the latest the 2007 Ouagadougou Political Agreement that all candidates, including Gbagbo, accepted and that set out compromises on organisation and security for the balloting. Ouattara won the run-off with a margin of more than 350,000 votes over Gbagbo.

The UN certified that result, but Gbagbo used the country's highest court to throw out votes arbitrarily so he could stage a constitutional coup. Since then, he has relied on violence and ultra-nationalist rhetoric to cling to power. Over 300 people have been killed, dozens raped and many more abducted and disappeared by security forces. ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) have recognised Ouattara as president-elect and asked Gbagbo to step down, but he is apparently prepared to resist to the end, even if it means throwing Côte d'Ivoire into anarchy, war and economic disaster with terrible consequences for the entire region.

The international community has an important role to play in assuring a peaceful outcome. The UN Security Counsel must support the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and encourage it to use all necessary means to accomplish its mandate. A new list of Ivorians subject to targeted sanctions should be developed, and the illegitimate Gbagbo regime's sources of finance should be examined. African states in particular need to show unity, and in particular South Africa should support ECOWAS efforts to remove Gbagbo and install Ouattara rather than pursue dangerously mistaken power sharing notions.

“The most likely scenario is an armed conflict involving massive violence against civilians that could provoke unilateral military intervention by neighbours”, says Crisis Group West Africa Project Director Gilles Yabi. “To prevent this, ECOWAS must reclaim responsibility for political and military management of the crisis, with the unequivocal support of the AU and the UN”.



Source: International Crisis Group



Wednesday, August 18, 2010

President Barack Obama Speaks on Ending the War in Iraq

Good afternoon,

Shortly after taking office, I put forward a plan to end the war in Iraq responsibly. Today, I'm pleased to report that -- thanks to the extraordinary service of our troops and civilians in Iraq -- our combat mission will end this month, and we will complete a substantial drawdown of our troops.

Over the last 18 months, over 90,000 U.S. troops have left Iraq. By the end of this month, 50,000 troops will be serving in Iraq. As Iraqi Security Forces take responsibility for securing their country, our troops will move to an advise-and-assist role. And, consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all of our troops will be out of Iraq by the end of next year. Meanwhile, we will continue to build a strong partnership with the Iraqi people with an increased civilian commitment and diplomatic effort.

A few weeks ago, men and women from one of the most deployed brigades in the U.S. Army, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, returned home from Iraq. The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden were at Fort Drum to welcome the veterans home and spoke about their personal experiences as a military family:

Our commitment to our troops doesn't end once they come home -- it's only the beginning. Part of ending a war responsibly is meeting our responsibility to the men and women who have fought it. Our troops and their families have made tremendous sacrifices to keep our nation safe and secure, and as a nation we have a moral obligation to serve our veterans as well as they have served us.

That's why we're building a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs. We've made one of the largest percentage increase in the VA’s budget in 30 years, and we're dramatically increasing funding for veterans' health across the board. In particular, we're delivering unprecedented resources to treat signature wounds of today's wars—Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Our sacred trust to take care of our veterans goes beyond simply healing the wounds incurred in battle. We must ensure that when our veterans leave the Armed Forces, they have the opportunities they need to further their education and support their families. Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, some 300,000 veterans and families members have pursued a college degree. Others are taking advantage of job training and placement programs.

My Administration will continue to do our part to support the brave men and women in uniform that have sacrificed so much. But supporting our troops and their families is not just the job of the Federal Government; it's the responsibility of all Americans.

As we mark this milestone in the Iraq war and our troops continue to move out of Iraq, I hope you'll join me in thanking them, and all of our troops and military families, for their service.

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama









Sunday, April 4, 2010

A Different Kind of Religious War

Happy Easter with Our Best Wishes from Nigerians Report.


2 Apr 2010 15:00 Africa/Lagos


A Different Kind of Religious War

WACO, Texas, April 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Who do you say that I am?" asked Jesus of his disciples. And the rest of humankind has been struggling to answer that question ever since.

Nowhere has answering this question been more divisive and more of a struggle than in resolving the tension between two seemingly rival claims: Jesus was both fully human and fully divine, and Jesus was only fully divine. This schism was central to Christianity during the Church Councils of the fifth century, when it seemed inevitable that the church would abandon its belief in the humanity of Jesus.

It also is a schism that led directly to the collapse of Roman power in the east, to the rise of Islam, to the destruction of Christianity throughout much of Asia and Africa, and to the strengthening of Christianity in Europe. The mainstream Christian church kept the belief that Jesus was fully human - but at the cost of losing half the world.

This battle to "keep" Jesus human is recounted in "Jesus Wars: How Four Patriarchs, Three Queens and Two Emperors Decided What Christians Would Believe for the Next 1,500 Years," written by Philip Jenkins and published this month by HarperOne. Jenkins, a religious historian with joint appointments at Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion and Penn State University, explores the violent and bloody controversy that erupted between the Western and Eastern churches. These battles, says Jenkins, had enormous impact on the future of Christianity and the world.

It was the Council of Chalcedon, near Istanbul in 451, that seemingly settled the matter, formulating the statement that eventually became the official theology of the Roman Empire. This acknowledged Christ in two natures, joined together in one person. This Chalcedonian definition stands today as the official view of Jesus for the vast majority of Christians.

"During the fifth century there were two sides, both of which thought Christ was God," Jenkins says. "What varied was the idea of how much humanity he held. The view that won and became orthodoxy was the view that Christ was both fully human and fully divine. The view that lost was the 'One Nature' view - the idea of Christ in which the human nature was wholly overwhelmed by divinity.

"But Chalcedon was not the only possible solution, nor was it an obvious or, perhaps, a logical one," Jenkins writes. "Only the political victory of Chalcedon's supporters allowed that council's ideas to become the inevitable lens through which later generations interpret the Christian message."

And, the "official victory of Chalcedon," as Jenkins terms it, came with a cost. Violence, bloodshed and death occurred, driven both by the quest for the "right belief" and the secular concept of honor prevailing at the time, which fostered vendettas and feuds. People of the fifth century had no qualms in justifying violence to support their view of the Christ they worshipped.

The struggles recounted in "Jesus Wars" remind us today that beliefs form and reappear throughout time - and must be engaged and confronted. While the violence prevalent then is abhorrent in today's world, the church must still explore new ideas - or risk extinction.

Writing in "Jesus Wars," Jenkins says, "...dialogue can itself be a positive thing, a way in which Christian thought develops its own self-understanding. A religion that is not constantly spawning alternatives and heresies has ceased to think and has achieved only the peace of the grave."

About Philip Jenkins

Dr. Philip Jenkins, one of the world's leading religion scholars, is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion, a position he has held since 2009. He is also is the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Humanities at Pennsylvania State University, where he has taught since 1980. An historian by training, Jenkins' work has been lauded in many different disciplines including sociology, criminology, and religious studies. Jenkins earned his bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. in History from Cambridge University. He is the author of 24 books, more than 100 book reviews and approximately 100 book chapters and refereed articles.

Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com

Media Contacts: Jill Scoggins, 254.710.1964, jill_scoggins@baylor.edu

Source: Baylor University

CONTACT: Jill Scoggins, +1-254-710-1964, jill_scoggins@baylor.edu

Web Site: http://www.baylor.edu/


1 Apr 2010
23:12 Lion Energy grants incentive stock options
20:39 The African Union deploys an Election Observer Mission to Sudan
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Another Way To Stop The Genocide in Darfur

sacredly breathing said...
What the Darfurians need is for activists and awake citizens of the united states to boycott all Chinese made goods until china stops all trades and oil development in Sudan. We have to demand change through denial of the dollar. We don't have time to continue to speak to the wind. The denial of income is the only way short of military intervention to stop this genocide. so I ask for all my brothers and sisters who believe in the sacredness of life and who believe that we are all gods children to push for a citizen, activist, alternative media, message to not spend your money on any thing chinese manufactured.We must act Now!