The United Nations says increased trafficking and use of amphetamine type stimulants, or ATS, as well as the illicit production and abuse of drugs is a growing problem in Asia. In its global drug report released Tuesday, the U.N.’s Office on Drugs and Crime says the trend is especially troubling in China and South East […]
UN: Trafficking, Use of Illegal Drugs on the Rise in Asia
Asia Number One Home of World’s Millionaires
Asia’s population of millionaires outpaced that of North America for the first time last year, but the total net worth of the world’s wealthiest people declined in the face of global economic uncertainty. The newest World Wealth Report says the Asia-Pacific region was home to 3.37 million people having $1 million or more to invest, […]
Senior US Official to Visit Vientam, Brunei, Thailand
The U.S. Department of State says Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Andrew J. Shapiro, will leave Tuesday for a five-day East Asia tour that will take him to Vietnam, Brunei and Thailand. A statement issued Monday says the tour will begin in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, where Shapiro will attend the fifth meeting […]
US to Station Majority of Warships in Pacific
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the United States will shift the majority of its warships to the Asia-Pacific region over the next several years as part of a new strategic focus on Asia. In Singapore Saturday, Panetta told a conference of defense officials from 30 Asia-Pacific nations that the U.S. Navy would reposition its […]
Panetta to Unveil Future US Defense Strategy for Asia-Pacific
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has begun a nine-day journey to Asia-Pacific to promote the Obama administration’s plans to shift its primary military focus to the region. Panetta will give a major speech at an annual Asian security conference in Singapore Saturday, outlining Washington’s plans to increase the number of U.S. troops and military equipment […]
WTO Chief Warns Against Asian Protectionism
The head of the World Trade Organization says growing Asian protectionism is the biggest threat to sustained economic growth in the region. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told the opening session of the World Economic Forum on East Asia Thursday that deeper trade integration among Asian nations is key to making the region more resilient to […]
Asian Governments Stifled Dissent Amid Arab Spring Protests: Amnesty
Amnesty International says several governments in the Asia-Pacific region heightened their crackdown on political dissent in 2011, in an attempt to tighten their grip on power following uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. The group’s 50th annual report on global human rights said Thursday that activists and journalists in Asia were inspired by […]
World Bank: Growth in Developing East Asia Strong, but Slowing
The World Bank says growth in East Asia’s developing economies remains strong, but warns they need to reduce their reliance on exports as the global economic slowdown continues. The Washington-based lender said in a biannual report Wednesday that it expects growth to slow to 7.6 percent this year in developing East Asia, which excludes Japan. […]
World Bank: Growth in Developing East Asia Strong, but Slowing
The World Bank says growth in East Asia’s developing economies remains strong, but warns they need to reduce their reliance on exports as the global economic slowdown continues. The Washington-based lender said in a biannual report Wednesday that it expects growth to slow to 7.6 percent this year in developing East Asia, which excludes Japan. […]
Clinton Arrives in India for Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in India where she will urge New Delhi to reduce the oil it imports from sanctions-hit Iran. Clinton arrived in Kolkata Sunday after visits to Bangladesh and China. She will head to New Delhi Monday to meet with top government officials. India has made some reductions in its […]