South Korea, Asia's fourth largest economy, has pledged to set one of three targets for carbon emissions by 2020, voluntarily joining Kyoto signatories in moving toward a firm commitment to roll back climate change.

The prolonged dry spell and insufficient rainfall has affected agriculture crops over 3,63,120 hectare in the State and the crop loss was more than 50 per cent in 2,65,103 hectare area.

Andhra Pradesh is facing a drought-like situation this year. The state had been receiving good rainfall ever since YSR Reddy became Chief Minister for the first term in June 2004. In his second term now, the Chief Minister is now thinking of declaring a drought in case the state does not receive sufficient rainfall by August 15.

There is a time bomb ticking under the world, but its leaders seem not to be aware of it. This bomb is different from any that war, terrorism and the movies have made us familiar with, because it cannot be defused at the last moment. This one has to be defused as soon as we hear it ticking. Otherwise, the countdown becomes unstoppable. All we can then do is run for shelter.

Threats of hazards are still not taken seriously in Pakistan to the extent of taking precautionary measures in an institutional form. The country has been facing socio-economic losses as hazards are converted into disasters. Earthquakes, floods, droughts, tsunamis and cyclones have occurred in different parts of the country in the recent past.

The breach in the eastern embankments of the Kosi has completely uprooted one of the largest irrigation systems in Bihar

KAMPUR, July 27

Farmers accuse Centre, state of playing politics, not coming up with water management plans Banda Distt/Mahoba Distt: After two years of drought, when the monsoon finally kept its date with Bundelkhand this year, Manar Baksh made his plans: he would sow jowar and bajra on his four acres. But two weeks later, the 60-year-old farmer has been planting shrubs