Topic: Asia

China acts to stem the tide of officials fleeing with cash

As many as 10,000 corrupt government officials have fled China with $100 billion.

French assertiveness on credit crisis jars Europe

A spirit of cooperation is tested ahead of a crucial series of meetings to prepare for a Nov. 15 US summit.

World

The Monitor's View: Bite the bullet on fast trains

Californians should approve a ballot measure for a bullet train – despite financial storms.

Asia defends currencies even as stocks fluctuate wildly

Large foreign-currency reserves and overhauled regulatory systems have helped stability. Investors also seem to be better targeting which currencies are at risk.

Opinion: Global financial reformers must heed Asia's clout

The IMF and the World Bank are becoming relics of a bygone era. They are too narrowly focused on Europe and America.

Step 1 in curbing mercury emissions: Find their source.

Unique ‘fingerprints’ of coal beds will help scientists track airborne toxin – and agree on controls.

Five Asian writers to watch

Latin America better girded for financial crisis

The region is affected by global downturn, but more prepared this time thanks to greater foreign reserves and less external debt.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about expanding Internet access, how Israeli settlements effect relations with the Palestinian Authority, nuclear waste, and expanding your family via adoption.

France's Sarkozy emerging as leading figure

President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to Asia this week to broach the idea of bringing India and China together with G-8 nations in a 'Bretton Woods II' framework of economic rules.

Gunfire erupts along Thai-Cambodia border

A disputed border region further strains the Thai government, which also faces protests at home.

In global crisis, oil insulates Gulf

Economists say that Arab states such as Saudi Arabia will feel the pinch, but a year of record oil prices provides a deep cushion.

North Korea allows back nuclear inspectors

They'll be able to monitor the main nuclear complex, but not anywhere else.

The Monitor's View: Mammal gamble

A quarter of the world's wild mammals face extinction. But decline is not inevitable.

Will Asian financial centers overtake Wall Street?

Hong Kong is rising fast thanks to the growth of China. It passed New York as the biggest issuer of initial public offerings in 2006.

America as superpower: shaken, not deposed

Some see demise, but others cite enduring signs of US power.

Violence escalates in Thai protests

Efforts to oust the prime minister included barricading legislators in Parliament for five hours on Tuesday.

World

Obama and McCain diverge on globalized trade

They’re looking for balance between ‘free trade’ and protection for American workers.

Microloans for the Gulf Coast?

Three years after Katrina, one-quarter of New Orleans small businesses are still closed.

Markets foresee global contraction

France, Ireland, and Denmark are in recession. Others teeter on the edge.

India nuclear deal: big step on long road

With no progress on Iran, and setbacks on North Korea, the deal may be Bush's only nonproliferation feat.

Asia acts to contain China's tainted milk

Japanese-brand cheesecake and cookies in Australia are among the latest products found to have melamine. Tests in China have revealed 31 more cases of contamination, the state news agency reported Wednesday.

U.S. government seeks new solutions to combat global hunger crisis

Proposals include improved seed types, better roads, and more-efficient irrigation systems.