(August 30, 2002) ‘China’s central government … worked to explain why officials waited 10 days before informing people in Harbin that the blast several kilometers up the Songhua River had dumped dangerous amounts of poisonous, cancer-causing benzene into the waterway.’
Part 4: Reform in the forests
(August 30, 2002) The final article in Asia Times Online’s xclusive series on the Mekong examines how logging in the ancient rain forests has affected the mighty river, and the people who depend on it.
Romanians want western help for second CANDU
(August 30, 2002) Export Development Canada (EDC) is negotiating with France’s Société Générale, a private bank, over support for the Cernavoda 2 nuclear plant in Romania.
Tens of thousands may lose livelihoods due to Nam Theun 2
(August 30, 2002) “Despite millions spent on a decade of planning the Nam Theun 2 dam, the [World] Bank has grossly underestimated the number of people whose livelihoods are at risk for this project.” – says Gráinne Ryder, Probe International.
Dying to breathe
(August 29, 2002) As pollution worsens in China, Beijing is under pressure to develop sources of renewable energy. Unfortunately, it includes large-scale hydropower in that category despite the environmental damage caused by big dams.
Mohammed Abacha to remain in jail
(August 29, 2002) Hopes of an early release for Mohammed Abacha, who was set free last week by the Supreme Court were dashed this morning when an Abuja High Court failed to sit and entertain his application for bail.
Forensic expert reveals
(August 28, 2002) It has now been established that the bulk of corrupt practices in the country takes place mainly at the procurement and tendering boards level.
Ex-chief justice appears before corruption probe team
(August 7, 2002) Former chief justice Matthew Ngulube yesterday appeared before the task force probing corruption under the Chiluba regime.
Vietnam plans 22 hydro stations
(August 27, 2002) Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has announced it plans to build 22 hydro stations from 2003 to 2010 at a cost of US $19.1B.
Overwhelmed by debt
(August 24, 2002) In the fifth of a six-part series, Andrea Mandel-Campbell examines what went wrong with South America’s experiment with democratic and economic reform.
Ecuador court orders ex-finance minister jailed
(August 24, 2002) Ecuador’s highest court on Saturday issued a jail order for former Finance Minister Carlos Julio Emanuel, who is accused of mismanaging state funds in a corruption scandal that has rocked this Andean nation.
An update on the Chalillo dam in Belize’s Macal River Valley
(August 23, 2002) In the last two years, we’ve made our concerns about Fortis and its federal backers heard in parliament, before the Senate, at Fortis shareholders’ meetings in St. John’s, and via the media in Belize, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, and the United States.
Part 3: Hey, big spenders
(August 23, 2002) International donors have poured some US$1 billion into countless reports, plans and studies on how to manage the Mekong.
August 2002 Campaign Letter
An update on the Chalillo dam in Belize’s Macal River Valley.
The lessons of Harbin
(August 22, 2002) ‘Government inaction means millions are paying for prosperity with their health.’


