The role of developing countries in meeting the challenge of climate change has been in the news in recent weeks, particularly in the wake of Hillary Clinton's visit to India. India's position on the issue has been consistent with the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility", which is part of the un Framework Convention on Climate Change (unfccc).

A wildfire raged close to a village near the Greek capital Athens, sending people fleeing from their homes and workplaces Thursday and damaging buildings, officials said.

More than 100 fire fighters with 25 fire engines and five helicopters battled the flames in an industrial area near Magoula, about 20 km (12 miles) northwest of Athens, while strong winds fanned the blaze.

Helping developing nations to adapt to climate change such as floods or heatwaves can give bigger economic benefits than a focus on deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, a study indicated on Friday.

Scientists expect climate change to dramatically affect coffee production in Central America in the coming decades, but some lowland farmers in Guatemala say they are already feeling the effects.

AFTER holding talks with Indian authorities about the pros and cons of the construction of Tipaimukh dam vis-

State Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh as one of the most affected countries due to world climate change impacts has been tirelessly working to save its land and resources from the environmental hazards by managing its internal rivers.

The Food and Agriculture Organi-sation (FAO) of the United Nations has put Bangladesh on a list of 31 countries that are in substantial need of food assistance in 2009.

Most of the food-insecure least developed countries (LDCs) are in Africa, while five are in Asia, and one is Caribbean.

Mexico is suffering from its driest year in 68 years, killing crops and cattle in the countryside and forcing the government to slow the flow of water to the crowded capital.

The Maldives on Wednesday said a budget crisis will keep its president from attending landmark U.N. climate talks, the results of which could have a huge effect on the future of the low-lying archipelago.

As the Prime Minister, Agriculture Minister and Finance Minister seized the opportunity provided by the Chief Ministers