Massive brown cloud costs Asia

A brown cloud of smoke, pollutants and other particles that is three kilometers deep and stretches from the Arabia to the Pacific Ocean is harming the region's health and agriculture, a UN agency says.

In this Feb. 6, 2007 satellite image from NASA, a band of brown haze appears to narrow somewhat as it crosses over South Korea, center, then spreads out over the Sea of Japan toward Japan, center right. Opaque white clouds mix with the haze, especially over the Yellow Sea and Japan. According to a report commissioned by the U.N. Environment Program and released Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, a thick brown cloud of soot, particles and chemicals stretching from the Persian Gulf to Asia threatens health and food supplies in the world, (AP Photo/NASA)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) claims that the cloud will damage hearts and lungs, and impair photosynthesis resulting in lower crop yields. The cloud will even hamper ability to monitor global warming.

CTV.ca

Brown cloud 'costs lives and crops' Aljazeera.net - 15 hours ago A brown cloud of soot and pollutants floating over Asia is killing thousands of people and damaging crops, the UN says. The environment programme (UNEP) reports that contamination from factories, fires, cars and deforestation contains particles that ... Toxic Cloud Masks Warming Effects Wall Street Journal UN Report Highlights Dangers Of 'Atmospheric Brown Clouds' RedOrbit

China announces $586 bn stimulus plan

China announced a US $586 billion economic stimulus plan Monday boosting stock markets around the world.

The new plan will help bolster manufacturing and is stabilizing commodity prices and strengthening confidence in countries that supply raw materials for manufactured goods.

Beijing will concentrate most of the money into new construction, which uses large quantities of commodities.

Japan recently announced a $277 billion stimulus plan, and US President-elect said that one of his first priorities upon taking office will be to implement a new stimulus package.

Sydney Morning Herald

China stimulus plan to bolster regional economies Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 3 hours ago BEIJING'S mammoth economic rescue package will focus overwhelmingly on construction, raising hopes China can help to stabilise global commodity markets and ... China's stimulus package to be felt worldwide RTE.ie China Stimulus Plan Will Boost Stocks Sentiment (Update1) Bloomberg $US586b Chinese stimulus package good news for NZ National Business Review

Boston Globe

Asian, European stocks surge on China stimulus plan Business Standard, India - 3 hours ago ... 2008, 18:12 IST Asian and European stocks surged more than five per cent, as investors cheered China's mammoth $586 bn economic stimulus package, ... European shares higher in early trading MarketWatch European indexes seen up 2.9-3.6 pct -bookmakers Reuters UK

Protests after 3 executed for Bali bombings

Protesters threatened revenge after the execution of three terrorists convicted in the Bali nightclub attack of 2002.

Indonesia has taken impressive steps since those bombings to clamp down on radical activity.

Times Online

Threats of revenge as 3 executed for Bali bombings International Herald Tribune - 31 minutes ago By Peter Gelling JAKARTA: Hours after the executions of three men for their roles in the Bali bombings of 2002, nearly a thousand Islamic radicals shouted "God is great" in Arabic and threatened revenge as the bodies of two of the men arrived in their ... Video: Report: Bali Bombers Executed AssociatedPress Supporters Gather for Funerals of Executed Bali Bombers Voice of America