An U.S. environmental group is denouncing a report commissioned by Laos that recommends going ahead with a proposed hydroelectric dam on the Mekong River. The group, International Rivers, says the study by a Swiss-based company (Poyry Energy AG) represents “a desperate bid” by Laos to gain approval for the multi-million dollar Xayaburi Dam from neighboring […]
Environmental Group Blasts Study on Mekong Dam Project
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Official Says Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 50 Militants
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
A local official says Afghan and NATO troops have killed at least 50 Taliban militants who launched an attack on a base near the Pakistani border. A spokesman for the governor of Paktika province said the combined force responded late Tuesday as a large group of militants attacked the base. NATO confirmed an attack took […]
Liberians Await Results of Poorly Attended Run-off Election
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
Liberians are awaiting the results of a presidential runoff election expected to hand a second term to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, while the government is standing by its decision to close three radio stations believed to be sympathetic to the opposition. An opposition boycott, voter apathy and fears of violence all contributed to what election […]
APEC Reports Major Savings on Regional Trade
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
Researchers for the leading Asia-Pacific economic grouping say improved efficiency has saved regional countries more than $58 billion on trading costs since 2007. The secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum released the findings ahead of an APEC summit to be held in Hawaii later this week. The report says fees and charges on regional […]
US Legislators Caution Against Admitting Japan to Pacific Trade Talks
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 3:30 am (UTC-5)
Leading U.S. lawmakers are urging the Obama administration to exercise caution before admitting Japan into talks for a major free trade partnership. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is expected to announce whether his country will apply to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks before he leaves this week to attend a regional economic summit in Hawaii. […]
China Lashes Out at Dalai Lama’s Visit to Mongolia
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
China says it has lodged a strong protest with neighboring Mongolia over a visit this week by the Dalai Lama. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei announced the protest at a briefing in Beijing Tuesday. He said China has always opposed any country providing the exiled spiritual leader with a platform to advocate independence from […]
IMF Chief Lauds Asia’s Economic Role, Cites Dangers Ahead
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
The head of the International Monetary Fund is promoting the important role of Asia in the recovery of the global economy and urging the region to be ready in the event of another worldwide recession. In a speech Wednesday at the International Finance Forum in Beijing, Christine Lagarde said the economic rise of Asia is […]
China, Neighbors Plan Armed Security Force for Mekong Region
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 2:50 am (UTC-5)
Chinese officials say China and several of its neighbors will soon begin armed patrols in an area of the Mekong River where 13 Chinese crewmen were killed by suspected drug traffickers last month. State-controlled media quoted a Ministry of Public Security official Wednesday saying the special force will begin the patrols next month. Shipping executives […]
Sarkozy: Israeli PM is a ‘Liar’
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar.” News organizations say Mr. Sarkozy made the remark during a private conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama, last week, as the two leaders sat side-by-side at a meeting of the world’s leading 20 economies in France. The two leaders’ comments were inadvertently […]
Afghan Soldier Seriously Wounds 3 Australian Troops
Posted November 9th, 2011 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
Australia’s defense ministry says an Afghan soldier has shot and seriously wounded three Australian soldiers at a base in southern Afghanistan. Officials say the Afghan soldier was armed with an automatic weapon and a grenade launcher when he opened fire Tuesday at the base in Uruzgan province. The attack also wounded two Afghan soldiers. A […]
