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Report: Asias forests face threat

Report: Asias forests face threat A shortage of wood to fuel growing demand from pulp and paper mills worldwide is forcing some companies to tap illegal sources while others are clear-cutting tropical forests, a leading conservation group charged Thursday. In an eight-year study, the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research, or CIFOR, also found that international investors have sunk US$40 billion (euro31.3 billion) worldwide into financially risky and environmentally destructive projects with little concern for their sustainability. Financial institutions have shown a surprising lack of interest in understanding how the pulp companies requesting loans are going to get all this cheap wood, said

Kerry leaves for 12-day trip to Mideast, Asia and Europe

Kerry leaves for 12-day trip to Mideast, Asia and Europe Sen. John Kerry left Monday for a 12-day overseas trip to the Middle East, Asia and Europe where he will focus on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to global health problems. His stops will include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, England and India. Kerry will meet in Iraq next week with Gen. George Casey, commander of coalition forces. He will also visit with Iraqi government officials and Massachusetts troops who are stationed near Ramadi. His first stop is Tuesday in London to meet with British intelligence officials and Chancellor of the

Prince Charles inaugurates Asia Pacific Water meet

Prince Charles inaugurates Asia Pacific Water meet Prince Charles has inaugurated the two-day Asia Pacific Water Conference on Wednesday along with other distinguished guests. Erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur Gaj Singh and UNDP Resident Representative Maxine Olsen were also present at the occasion. In his address, Maxine said that the UNDP is working on an awareness campaign about conservation of water in Asian countries and has launched several projects to educate people about issues of availability, sustainable supply of water, future complications and quality management of water. The UN agency was working in Pakistan and India to improve the quality of water management, he

Meet the Man Who Is Bringing Asia Together: William Pesek Jr.

Meet the Man Who Is Bringing Asia Together: William Pesek Jr. The next time you think your job is impossible, think of Haruhiko Kuroda. The soft-spoken 61-year-old runs the Asian Development Bank, which may not seem like a huge deal to investors. After all, it's not the International Monetary Fund or even the World Bank. Based in the Philippines, the ADB is known for making loans to countries like Cambodia, Mongolia and Papua New Guinea. Less known is the ADB's key role in accelerating development and reducing poverty in China and India. When you consider that investors and executives are

East Asia meet gives warm fuzzies, but function vague

East Asia meet gives warm fuzzies, but function vague The East Asia Summit meeting Wednesday took the first step toward stronger political and economic cooperation in a region of 3 billion people, but failed to clarify a distinct framework for an "East Asian Community" the participating leaders promised to create. Also left unanswered was how the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Three (Japan, China and South Korea) would differ from that of the East Asia Summit. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was upbeat Wednesday about discussions on the matter at future summit meetings. "The unity of the participants