Asia Times OnlineNews and business analysis from AsiaDaily Forex Commentary- March 1, 2005 There were more bad signs for the US dollar, but there were bad signs for the euro, too. Both had their backers and their detractors. Who's right - Jack Crookshttp://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/GC02Dj02.html CENTRAL ASIA:- March 1, 2005 Europe is unfazed by a uranium deal signed by Russia and Iran.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia.html Philippines follows Argentina's debt path- March 1, 2005 Public-sector debt default is looming in the Philippines, where just as in Argentina, the risk of default is being driven by social revolt and weak governance. - Jephraim P Gundzikhttp://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/GC02Ae04.html SOUTH ASIA:- March 1, 2005 Delhi put a dent in Kabul's dreams about a pipeline project. - Sudha Ramachandran Bangladesh could be coming out of denial on Islamic miliancy.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia.html China's takeover battle in a tangled web- March 1, 2005 China's leading online game operator Shanda seemed poised to take over top portal Sina and create a national Internet giant. But Sina's poison pill may signal "game over" and set the stage for a global bidding war. - Gary LaMoshihttp://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/China/GC02Ad05.html Commentary - by Francesco Sisci Black holes and rogue states- March 1, 2005 The US, having dealt with one "rogue" state, Iraq, now has its sights set on Iran, and to a lesser extent on North Korea. This is a dangerous strategy because, by dealing with a rogue state, what in effect is created is a lawless geopolitical black hole that offers terrorists a sanctuary they would otherwise not have had.http://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GC02Ak02.html CHINA:- March 1, 2005 Hong Kong is already anxious about its next chief executive, as is Beijing. - Qiu Xinhttp://www.atimes.com/atimes/China.html SOUTHEAST ASIA:- March 1, 2005 Thailand wants to become the "gold standard" in the drive to snuff out smoking.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia.html China fuels energy cold war- March 1, 2005 Driven by the lack of a coherent multilateral approach to energy security in Asia and by China's already tense relations with neighboring states, competition for energy resources may prove to be the spark for regional and international conflict. Ultimately, this would bring China into confrontation with the world's largest energy consumer, the US. - Chietigj Bajpaeehttp://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/China/GC02Ad07.html Asians kick Big Tobacco in the butt- March 1, 2005 It was a formidable challenge: slow the poisoning of Asians by foreign cigarettes without poisoning multilateral trade ties. But the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control became a reality over the weekend, and it could be a landmark achievement not just for human health in Asia, but also for long-term economic well-being. - Alan Boydhttp://atimes01.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/GC02Dj01.html |