The Belarusian 'Clapping' Revolution

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Ruth Green

While strikes and protests the world over have dominated much of the news this year, the Belarusians are adopting a rather unusual form of anti-government protest: clapping.

In what has now become a weekly ritual that has steadily gathered momentum, on Wednesday hundreds of people once again lined the streets and clapped in silence. Why clapping you might ask? Well in June, Russian news agency Ria-Novosti reported that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had placed a ban on all forms of protest. So the Belarusians are getting their own back now and instead of chanting or holding banners and placards, they merely stand in silence and clap their hands in a taunting gesture to protest against Lukashenko’s government.

Published on 12-07-11. Read on here

South Africa invited to form ‘BRICS’ Grouping

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Ruth Green

Here is my first short piece published on the news feed for IBA Global Insight:

Following its successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2010 last summer, South Africa has had much to celebrate. In December, the coveted BRIC group opened its doors to South Africa and invited the country to a meeting in Hainan in April. The decision has been met with some criticism, but the invitation to become the ‘S’ in ‘BRICS’ highlights the country’s growing importance on the world stage.

Published on 11-05-11. Read on here

BP’s Russian roulette

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Ruth Green

Here is my latest article published in IBA Global Insight:

In January, BP and state-owned Russian energy company Rosneft shocked the world by signing a US$16bn share swap deal. The two companies intend to jointly exploit oil and gas reserves in Russia’s Arctic shelf and make Rosneft the largest single shareholder in BP. The deal, which will also see BP increase its holdings in the former assets of Yukos oil company, occurred only a matter of weeks after Yukos’ former CEO, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was sentenced to a further six years in prison.

A stark reminder of BP’s recent past also came shortly after, when the company reported a loss of US$4.9bn – mainly due to US$40.9bn for charges relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill – making 2010 its first year of losses for 20 years. The tie-up therefore not only raises many questions about the viability of a British – Russian exploration operation, but also poses questions about the future of BP and the oil and gas industry as a whole.

Published on 04-04-11. Read on here

Lands of Opportunity: Latin American exploration market

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Ruth Green

Here is my first article published in IBA Global Insight:

The drama surrounding the rescue of 33 miners in northern Chile has highlighted the great potential in the country’s mining industry as well as the Latin American exploration market.

Latin America has long been known as a mineral rich continent. Nevertheless, periods of economic, political and social instability have discouraged foreign companies from investment. On 13 October, 33 miners were rescued after being trapped for 66 days in the collapsed San José mine in northern Chile. The story captured worldwide attention and turned what could have been a major blow for the country and its mining industry into a global success story. Both the rescue and the euphoria it provoked are telling of the great potential and interest in both Chile and the Latin American market as a whole.

Published on 15-02-11. Read on here

The spoils of Peru’s mines

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Ruth Green

Here is my latest article published in the Guardian:

Foreign demand for Peru’s abundant mineral resources has seen it ride out the global recession better than most. Yet, the revelation earlier this month that a Peruvian indigenous leader is considering joining the presidential race next April highlights the extent to which financial investment and exploitation of Amazon territory has become an increasingly polarising social and political issue in Peru.
Published on 31-08-10. Read on here

Ruth Green

International Freelance Journalist

Category Archives: Energy and Natural Resources

The Belarusian 'Clapping' Revolution

South Africa invited to form ‘BRICS’ Grouping

BP’s Russian roulette

Lands of Opportunity: Latin American exploration market

The spoils of Peru’s mines