A new analysis has revealed that Australia is releasing more emissions from deforestation than reported to the United Nations. The revelation came after an assessment of satellite images of more than 50 properties in Queensland.

A new analysis has revealed that Australia is releasing more emissions from deforestation than reported to the United Nations. The revelation came after an assessment of satellite images of more than 50 properties in Queensland. The images were clicked by Martin Taylor, who happens to be an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Queensland. Taylor noticed disparities between what is termed as cleared land by Australia’s National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS) and the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (Slats) used by the state government. Oh hell's bells - we should have all suspected this extra gloom thanks to our state and Federal governments Australia’s emissions from land clearing likely far higher than claimed, analysis indicateshttps://t.co/bbNDB8Zy3f pic.twitter.com/N0lh0ZtcnO — Sue_Jash (@SueAshford3) November 7, 2021 × How countries treat emissions coming from the land sector has always been a controversial point. This is because of the challenges that are faced in accurately measuring and monitoring a changing vegetation. Also read | COP26 climate summit: World leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030 The government, for years, relied on its reporting of falls in land-clearing rates. This is how it concluded that the country’s emissions have fallen by about one-fifth since 2005. The government’s net zero plan report states, "Emissions from [LuluCF] have fallen by 114m tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent since 2005, and in 2019 the sector represented a 25 Mt CO₂-e sink for Australia." The revelation comes at a time when various countries are pledging to cut their emissions at the COP26 summit being help at Glasgow. Some countries have upgraded their existing pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, there have been separate deals on phasing out coal, ending foreign fossil fuel funding, and slashing methane.

Analysis reveals Australia’s emissions from land clearing way more higher than claimed

US actress Robin Wright always wanted to direct, but it wasn't until Netflix's 'House of Cards' crew helped her helm 10 episodes that she gained the experience to make her first movie.

"What a gift that was, because otherwise I would not have had the confidence to move on and do a feature film, that's for sure," said Wright at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of her debut 'Land'&nbsp;on Sunday.

It is a lesson in teamwork painfully ignored by the film's lead character Edee -- played by Wright -- who after suffering immense personal tragedy decides to live alone in the beautiful but unforgiving Wyoming wilderness.

Arriving at a leaky, dilapidated cabin miles from civilization without phone or car, Edee's attempts to teach herself to hunt and survive take a humbling and perilous turn, before the arrival of a local hunter.

"Why make this movie?... It's a reminder that we do need each other," said Wright at a Q&amp;A taking place remotely -- like the entire festival -- due to the pandemic.

"We do face adversity, and it's generally the compassion and kindness of another person that gets us through that difficult time... I think we all can resonate with that right now."

Even with her skills honed on Netflix's political drama, Wright faced unprecedented challenges shooting "Land" across 29 days in remote Alberta, Canada, where her team constructed a log cabin at 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).

"We had one day of summer, and then all of a sudden it just turned into winter," she said "And so we had to shoot 10 to 15 (scenes)... in one day. But it was doable."

A scene featuring a bear confronting Edee couldn't be shot on the mountain in case the trained animal encountered real wild bears, which were so common on set that one regularly helped itself to hamburgers from the craft services table.

Making matters more challenging still was the juggling act of directing for the first time while also starring.

"You're in front of the camera, and you're in six feet of snow, and you can't walk... to watch playback because you're going to put footsteps in the snow -- and it's freshly fallen snow that we need to shoot!" said Wright.

Still, an early review from Deadline said Wright "succeeds impressively on both counts," with her film described by Variety as "a beautiful haiku."

The movie hits limited theaters February 12. With the Oscars postponed to its latest-ever date in April due to the pandemic, it could be a late entry to Hollywood's award season race.

Top indie film festival Sundance itself is taking place largely online this year, with all 72 feature films making their premieres via streaming.

The festival -- co-founded by Robert Redford and typically based in the Utah mountains -- ends Wednesday

US actress Robin Wright always wanted to direct, but it wasn't until Netflix's 'House of Cards' crew helped her helm 10 episodes that she gained the experience to make her first movie.

US actress Robin Wright always wanted to direct, but it wasn't until Netflix's 'House of Cards' crew helped her helm 10 episodes that she gained the experience to make her first movie. "What a gift that was, because otherwise I would not have had the confidence to move on and do a feature film, that's for sure," said Wright at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of her debut 'Land' on Sunday. It is a lesson in teamwork painfully ignored by the film's lead character Edee -- played by Wright -- who after suffering immense personal tragedy decides to live alone in the beautiful but unforgiving Wyoming wilderness. Arriving at a leaky, dilapidated cabin miles from civilization without phone or car, Edee's attempts to teach herself to hunt and survive take a humbling and perilous turn, before the arrival of a local hunter. "Why make this movie?... It's a reminder that we do need each other," said Wright at a Q&A taking place remotely -- like the entire festival -- due to the pandemic. "We do face adversity, and it's generally the compassion and kindness of another person that gets us through that difficult time... I think we all can resonate with that right now." Even with her skills honed on Netflix's political drama, Wright faced unprecedented challenges shooting "Land" across 29 days in remote Alberta, Canada, where her team constructed a log cabin at 8,000 feet (2,400 meters). "We had one day of summer, and then all of a sudden it just turned into winter," she said "And so we had to shoot 10 to 15 (scenes)... in one day. But it was doable." A scene featuring a bear confronting Edee couldn't be shot on the mountain in case the trained animal encountered real wild bears, which were so common on set that one regularly helped itself to hamburgers from the craft services table. Making matters more challenging still was the juggling act of directing for the first time while also starring. "You're in front of the camera, and you're in six feet of snow, and you can't walk... to watch playback because you're going to put footsteps in the snow -- and it's freshly fallen snow that we need to shoot!" said Wright. Still, an early review from Deadline said Wright "succeeds impressively on both counts," with her film described by Variety as "a beautiful haiku." The movie hits limited theaters February 12. With the Oscars postponed to its latest-ever date in April due to the pandemic, it could be a late entry to Hollywood's award season race. Top indie film festival Sundance itself is taking place largely online this year, with all 72 feature films making their premieres via streaming. The festival -- co-founded by Robert Redford and typically based in the Utah mountains -- ends Wednesday

'House of Cards' star Wright battles wilderness in Sundance debut 'Land'

Pakistan`s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on March 20 in connection with a case against Jang Group owner Mir Shalikur Rehman.

According to NAB, Sharif had illegally leased 54-Kanal land to Jang Group's Editor-In-Chief Mir Shakilur Rehman in 1986.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/is-nawaz-sharif-victim-of-a-political-witch-hunt-283820">Is Nawaz Sharif victim of a political witch-hunt?</a>

Sharif would have to record his statement in front of the NAB. Currently, Sharif is in London for treatment after being granted bail on medical grounds, Dawn has reported.

"There must be some reasons that he [Rehman] was exempted 54 plots measuring one kanal each in a single compact block. He was required to surrender 70 per cent of this land," Dawn quoted sources as saying.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-request-britain-to-deport-nawaz-sharif-from-london-283788">Pakistan to request Britain to deport Nawaz Sharif from London</a>

Rehman allegedly acquired the land illegally during the tenure of then Punjab Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Rehman was handed over to the NAB for 12-day physical remand by a court after he appeared before a joint investigation team of the NAB at its provincial headquarters in Thokar Niaz Beg on Thursday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-exempted-from-personal-appearance-by-court-on-medical-grounds-in-money-laundering-case-280827">Pakistan court exempts Nawaz Sharif from personal appearance in money laundering case</a>

NAB served an arrest warrant to Rehman after he could not satisfactorily answer the probe team's queries and was detained in the Bureau's lock-up.

According to Dawn, under Lahore Development Authority (LDA) not more than 15 plots each measuring one kanal can be exempted.

Also see: Pak: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-pak-punjab-govt-seeks-fresh-medical-reports-from-nawaz-sharif-within-3-days-277553">Punjab govt seeks fresh medical reports from Nawaz Sharif within 3 days</a>

After his appearance before the NAB team in Lahore last week, Rehman claimed that the land in question was bought from a private party and no illegality had been committed.

Before being granted bail, Sharif was serving jail time of 10 years after the NAB found him guilty of money laundering.

Pakistan`s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on March 20 in connection with a case against Jang Group owner Mir Shalikur Rehman.

Pakistan`s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on March 20 in connection with a case against Jang Group owner Mir Shalikur Rehman. According to NAB, Sharif had illegally leased 54-Kanal land to Jang Group's Editor-In-Chief Mir Shakilur Rehman in 1986. Also read: Is Nawaz Sharif victim of a political witch-hunt? Sharif would have to record his statement in front of the NAB. Currently, Sharif is in London for treatment after being granted bail on medical grounds, Dawn has reported. "There must be some reasons that he [Rehman] was exempted 54 plots measuring one kanal each in a single compact block. He was required to surrender 70 per cent of this land," Dawn quoted sources as saying. Also see: Pakistan to request Britain to deport Nawaz Sharif from London Rehman allegedly acquired the land illegally during the tenure of then Punjab Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif. Rehman was handed over to the NAB for 12-day physical remand by a court after he appeared before a joint investigation team of the NAB at its provincial headquarters in Thokar Niaz Beg on Thursday. Also read: Pakistan court exempts Nawaz Sharif from personal appearance in money laundering case NAB served an arrest warrant to Rehman after he could not satisfactorily answer the probe team's queries and was detained in the Bureau's lock-up. According to Dawn, under Lahore Development Authority (LDA) not more than 15 plots each measuring one kanal can be exempted. Also see: Pak: Punjab govt seeks fresh medical reports from Nawaz Sharif within 3 days After his appearance before the NAB team in Lahore last week, Rehman claimed that the land in question was bought from a private party and no illegality had been committed. Before being granted bail, Sharif was serving jail time of 10 years after the NAB found him guilty of money laundering.

NAB summons Nawaz Sharif on March 20 for involvement in illegal land allotment case

Underlining that desertification is a worldwide problem, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that India will aim to convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land by 2030.

The minister made the comments ahead of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which is slated to be held from September 2-13 in Greater Noida.

"Desertification is a worldwide problem directly affecting 250 million people and a third of the earth`s land surface. To fight this menace, India will convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land in the next 10 years. It will implement provisions of New Delhi Declaration which is to be adopted at the end of the conference," Javadekar told reporters in Delhi.

He said that a Centre for Excellence will be established at Dehradun.The minister also expressed India`s continued commitment to stay on track on a sustainable path to land use and land management.

"It is our collective responsibility to do our duty towards protecting the environment and ensuring that there is no harmful impact on it," Javadekar said.

Elaborating further on India`s key role as the President of UNCCD COP for the next two years, the minister said, "It is the common resolve of the world to combat desertification and India will lead from the front and move the world in a positive direction, taking into cognisance the support of other countries."

Delegates from 196 countries comprising of scientists and representatives of national and local governments, global business leaders, NGOs, gender-based organisations, youth groups, journalists, and faith and community groups will present and share their expertise and give an overview to achieve their goals at the 12-day event. 
&nbsp;

Underlining that desertification is a worldwide problem, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that India will aim to convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land by 2030.

Underlining that desertification is a worldwide problem, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that India will aim to convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land by 2030. The minister made the comments ahead of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which is slated to be held from September 2-13 in Greater Noida. "Desertification is a worldwide problem directly affecting 250 million people and a third of the earth`s land surface. To fight this menace, India will convert degraded land of nearly 50 lakh hectares to fertile land in the next 10 years. It will implement provisions of New Delhi Declaration which is to be adopted at the end of the conference," Javadekar told reporters in Delhi. He said that a Centre for Excellence will be established at Dehradun.The minister also expressed India`s continued commitment to stay on track on a sustainable path to land use and land management. "It is our collective responsibility to do our duty towards protecting the environment and ensuring that there is no harmful impact on it," Javadekar said. Elaborating further on India`s key role as the President of UNCCD COP for the next two years, the minister said, "It is the common resolve of the world to combat desertification and India will lead from the front and move the world in a positive direction, taking into cognisance the support of other countries." Delegates from 196 countries comprising of scientists and representatives of national and local governments, global business leaders, NGOs, gender-based organisations, youth groups, journalists, and faith and community groups will present and share their expertise and give an overview to achieve their goals at the 12-day event.

India pledges to restore 50 lakh hectares of degraded land by 2030: Javadekar

At least 25 people died when a land dispute in Myanmar turned violent this week, a regional MP said Friday, as details were still emerging days after the brawl.

It is unclear what sparked the July 23 clash in central Magway region and whether all the deaths were from fighting or the sinking of a boat full of people fleeing the violence.&nbsp;

But Magway region lawmaker Tint Lwin said 25 bodies had been found and 13 people were still missing, adding that authorities had been hauling corpses out of the Irrawaddy River for the last two days.

"There was a serious fight," he told AFP. "I've never had this kind of experience before."

Hundreds of villagers were involved in the clashes but no one has been arrested yet as authorities carry out post mortems and try to determine what happened, he said.

The central region is about 12 hours north of the commercial capital Yangon.

State-backed Global New Light of Myanmar said a boat capsized as villagers along the river tried to leave, while survivors told local media outlets they were attacked with stones and knives.&nbsp;

Land ownership is extremely sensitive in Myanmar where huge swathes of the population work in agriculture.

Many villagers lack documents proving ownership despite having worked on their farms for generations.

The junta that ruled the country for almost 50 years until a democratic transition in 2011 has also been accused of rampant land grabbing.

Critics say civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government has struggled to address simmering land disputes despite promises by her party the National League for Democracy

At least 25 people died when a land dispute in Myanmar turned violent this week, a regional MP said Friday, as details were still emerging days after the brawl. It is unclear what sparked the July 23 clash in central Magway region and whether all the deaths were from fighting or the sinking of a boat full of people fleeing the violence.

At least 25 people died when a land dispute in Myanmar turned violent this week, a regional MP said Friday, as details were still emerging days after the brawl. It is unclear what sparked the July 23 clash in central Magway region and whether all the deaths were from fighting or the sinking of a boat full of people fleeing the violence. But Magway region lawmaker Tint Lwin said 25 bodies had been found and 13 people were still missing, adding that authorities had been hauling corpses out of the Irrawaddy River for the last two days. "There was a serious fight," he told AFP. "I've never had this kind of experience before." Hundreds of villagers were involved in the clashes but no one has been arrested yet as authorities carry out post mortems and try to determine what happened, he said. The central region is about 12 hours north of the commercial capital Yangon. State-backed Global New Light of Myanmar said a boat capsized as villagers along the river tried to leave, while survivors told local media outlets they were attacked with stones and knives. Land ownership is extremely sensitive in Myanmar where huge swathes of the population work in agriculture. Many villagers lack documents proving ownership despite having worked on their farms for generations. The junta that ruled the country for almost 50 years until a democratic transition in 2011 has also been accused of rampant land grabbing. Critics say civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's government has struggled to address simmering land disputes despite promises by her party the National League for Democracy

At least 25 dead after Myanmar land dispute

Thousands of farmers under the aegis of Lok Sangharsh Morcha on Thursday marched towards Azad Maidan here to press for their demands, which include farmland ownership and implementation of Forest Rights Act.

Farmers from across Maharashtra, beginning their march on Tuesday, reached Byculla Bridge in the city on Thursday morning. They are also scheduled to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later in the evening. There are also likely to take up the issue of loan waiver.

Speaking to ANI, general secretary of the Lok Sangharsh Morcha Pratibha Shinde said, "We will definitely meet the Chief Minister and put forward our demands. Only after the meeting, we will be able to decide whether the government and we are on the same page or not. In the last six months, the government has not even done even two per cent of the works they promised to us."

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Maharashtra: Lok Sangharsh Morcha that comprises of tribals and farmers across the state reaches Dadar. The Morcha that has begun from Kalyan yesterday is marching towards Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The farmers are demanding loan waiver and drought compensation among others. <a href="https://t.co/K6c3RHp4jb">pic.twitter.com/K6c3RHp4jb</a>
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On Wednesday evening, Maharashtra's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan met the protesters and asked them to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis to which the farmers agreed. Last night, farmers had stayed at Shivaji Maidan in Chunabhatti.

This is the third mass protest of farmers in Maharashtra within a year. Earlier in March this year, around 25,000 farmers under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha carried out a protest march, demanding a complete farm loan waiver. In July, dairy farmers too protested, seeking a hike in milk prices.

Thousands of farmers under the aegis of Lok Sangharsh Morcha on Thursday marched towards Azad Maidan here to press for their demands, which include farmland ownership and implementation of Forest Rights Act.

Thousands of farmers under the aegis of Lok Sangharsh Morcha on Thursday marched towards Azad Maidan here to press for their demands, which include farmland ownership and implementation of Forest Rights Act. Farmers from across Maharashtra, beginning their march on Tuesday, reached Byculla Bridge in the city on Thursday morning. They are also scheduled to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later in the evening. There are also likely to take up the issue of loan waiver. Speaking to ANI, general secretary of the Lok Sangharsh Morcha Pratibha Shinde said, "We will definitely meet the Chief Minister and put forward our demands. Only after the meeting, we will be able to decide whether the government and we are on the same page or not. In the last six months, the government has not even done even two per cent of the works they promised to us." Maharashtra: Lok Sangharsh Morcha that comprises of tribals and farmers across the state reaches Dadar. The Morcha that has begun from Kalyan yesterday is marching towards Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The farmers are demanding loan waiver and drought compensation among others. pic.twitter.com/K6c3RHp4jb — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2018 × On Wednesday evening, Maharashtra's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Girish Mahajan met the protesters and asked them to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis to which the farmers agreed. Last night, farmers had stayed at Shivaji Maidan in Chunabhatti. This is the third mass protest of farmers in Maharashtra within a year. Earlier in March this year, around 25,000 farmers under the banner of All India Kisan Sabha carried out a protest march, demanding a complete farm loan waiver. In July, dairy farmers too protested, seeking a hike in milk prices.

Farmers march to Azad Maidan in Mumbai for land ownership, other demands

Farmers in Chhattisgarh&#39;s Rajnandgaon district have gone against the state government&#39;s decision to take over their land for setting up food park for food-processing companies, including Ramdev&rsquo;s Patanjali Ayurveda, reports said on Friday.&nbsp;

The government had decided to acquire land at Bijetala village at Rs 10 lakh per acre - four times the value of the land. About 100 farmers had agreed to give up their land but 66 refused with a fear of becoming &#39;landless.&#39;&nbsp;

A &nbsp;memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between three food processing firms to set up units at an estimated investment of Rs 762 crore in 2017. Out of this, Patajanli had decided to invest Rs 671 crore for setting up a &lsquo;Food and Herbal Processing Unit&rsquo; on 500 acres of land, officials informed.

The company intends to manufacture and process honey, amla juice, aloe vera juice, tomato ketchup, frozen vegetables, rice and pulses in the proposed Chhattisgarh facility.

Reports say that when the plan was initially introduced no one was willing to give the land but after some government intervention, some farmers agreed. Farmers who agreed to give their land said they had to do so as people, who have small land holdings around their land, agreed, &ldquo;and therefore, I thought I will be stuck as I will not get a path (way) to reach my land&rdquo;.

Patanjali spokesperson, SK Tijarawala said that this would help farmers and also give farmers a better price for their yield and employment. However, Chhattisgarh Bachaao Andolan and parties like Congress and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh have since carried out protests in opposition to this project.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The government had decided to acquire land at Bijetala village at Rs 10 lakh per acre - four times the value of the land. About 100 farmers had agreed to give up their land but 66 refused with a fear of becoming 'landless'

Farmers in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district have gone against the state government's decision to take over their land for setting up food park for food-processing companies, including Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda, reports said on Friday. The government had decided to acquire land at Bijetala village at Rs 10 lakh per acre - four times the value of the land. About 100 farmers had agreed to give up their land but 66 refused with a fear of becoming 'landless.' A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between three food processing firms to set up units at an estimated investment of Rs 762 crore in 2017. Out of this, Patajanli had decided to invest Rs 671 crore for setting up a ‘Food and Herbal Processing Unit’ on 500 acres of land, officials informed. The company intends to manufacture and process honey, amla juice, aloe vera juice, tomato ketchup, frozen vegetables, rice and pulses in the proposed Chhattisgarh facility. Reports say that when the plan was initially introduced no one was willing to give the land but after some government intervention, some farmers agreed. Farmers who agreed to give their land said they had to do so as people, who have small land holdings around their land, agreed, “and therefore, I thought I will be stuck as I will not get a path (way) to reach my land”. Patanjali spokesperson, SK Tijarawala said that this would help farmers and also give farmers a better price for their yield and employment. However, Chhattisgarh Bachaao Andolan and parties like Congress and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh have since carried out protests in opposition to this project.

Chhattisgarh farmers refuse to give up land to Patanjali, other companies

Sri Lanka said on Tuesday it was withdrawing permission for a Chinese company to buy the freehold to 20 hectares of land being reclaimed under a $1.4 billion port project after India objected. 
 
Instead, it will grant the state-owned construction company a 99-year lease on the land next to the port in Colombo, under a new agreement. 
 
&quot;India had a big concern about giving freehold land to China near the Colombo harbour,&quot; government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters. &quot;We have amended the agreement. There will be no freehold land but it will be on a 99-year lease.&quot; 
 
The government had put the project on hold pending a review of all the big-ticket agreements signed under the previous administration of Mahinda Rajapakse. The former president relied heavily on Chinese investment to rebuild the country&#39;s infrastructure after the end of the island&#39;s decades-long ethnic war in May 2009, a move which some say alienated India. 
 
The Chinese-funded port was also controversial among environmentalists. Senaratne said the developers had agreed to drop a proposed Formula One track and increase public park space, and environmental safeguards would be put in place. 
 
The project is being funded by China Communications Construction Company and was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2014 during a visit to Colombo. 
 
Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the Indian Ocean in a &quot;string of pearls&quot; strategy to counter the rise of rival India and secure its own economic interests. 
 
But Senaratne said the government had decided to go ahead with the project under new terms. Colombo would set up an offshore banking centre to compete with Dubai and Singapore, he said. 
 
The reclamation represents the biggest-ever single foreign investment in Sri Lanka. It will add 269 hectares (672 acres) of real estate in the congested capital, which has a population of over 650,000. Once completed, the Chinese will have 108 hectares (266 acres) on a 99-year lease for commercial development. 
 
Earlier, 20 hectares of that was to be on a freehold basis. Under the agreement, the Sri Lankan government will get 62 hectares (153 acres) and the rest will be public parks and access roads. 
 
China, the largest single lender to Sri Lanka, secured contracts to build roads, railways, and ports under Rajapakse, who is under investigation over allegations of corruption during his decade in power. 
 
The administration of President Maithripala Sirisena says the terms negotiated by the previous government were unfavourable. But it has still decided to go ahead with many of the Chinese-funded projects. 
 
(AFP)

Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said Sri Lanka has amended the agreement, it will grant the Chinese company a 99-year lease instead

Sri Lanka said on Tuesday it was withdrawing permission for a Chinese company to buy the freehold to 20 hectares of land being reclaimed under a $1.4 billion port project after India objected. Instead, it will grant the state-owned construction company a 99-year lease on the land next to the port in Colombo, under a new agreement. "India had a big concern about giving freehold land to China near the Colombo harbour," government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters. "We have amended the agreement. There will be no freehold land but it will be on a 99-year lease." The government had put the project on hold pending a review of all the big-ticket agreements signed under the previous administration of Mahinda Rajapakse. The former president relied heavily on Chinese investment to rebuild the country's infrastructure after the end of the island's decades-long ethnic war in May 2009, a move which some say alienated India. The Chinese-funded port was also controversial among environmentalists. Senaratne said the developers had agreed to drop a proposed Formula One track and increase public park space, and environmental safeguards would be put in place. The project is being funded by China Communications Construction Company and was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2014 during a visit to Colombo. Beijing has been accused of seeking to develop facilities around the Indian Ocean in a "string of pearls" strategy to counter the rise of rival India and secure its own economic interests. But Senaratne said the government had decided to go ahead with the project under new terms. Colombo would set up an offshore banking centre to compete with Dubai and Singapore, he said. The reclamation represents the biggest-ever single foreign investment in Sri Lanka. It will add 269 hectares (672 acres) of real estate in the congested capital, which has a population of over 650,000. Once completed, the Chinese will have 108 hectares (266 acres) on a 99-year lease for commercial development. Earlier, 20 hectares of that was to be on a freehold basis. Under the agreement, the Sri Lankan government will get 62 hectares (153 acres) and the rest will be public parks and access roads. China, the largest single lender to Sri Lanka, secured contracts to build roads, railways, and ports under Rajapakse, who is under investigation over allegations of corruption during his decade in power. The administration of President Maithripala Sirisena says the terms negotiated by the previous government were unfavourable. But it has still decided to go ahead with many of the Chinese-funded projects. (AFP)

Sri Lanka withdraws freehold land offer to China after India's objection

Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union, scientists said on Tuesday. 
 
Singapore, Malaysia and northern Indonesia choked under a layer of toxic smog in September and October last year, caused by thousands of fires started in Indonesia to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations. 
 
The fires and resulting haze, an annual occurrence, pushed up pollution levels, caused schools to close, flights to be disrupted and people to fall sick across the region. 
 
Last years blazes were the worst for years with El Nino, a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing tinder-dry conditions. 
 
The study by scientists from the Netherlands, Britain and Indonesia, published in the online journal Scientific Reports recently, was the first scientific report calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the fires using measurements on the ground combined with satellite observations. 
 
&quot;There have been some isolated studies before where people artificially set fires in the lab to try to understand the chemical characteristics of peatland fire smoke in Indonesia,&quot; said Martin Wooster, one of the scientists and a professor of earth observation science at Kings College London. 
 
&quot;But no one had done this on natural fires, and especially not on the kind of extreme fires seen in 2015,&quot; he added. 
 
The researchers first measured the ground-level smoke composition from peatland burning in the region, including in Indonesias Central Kalimantan province, one of the worst-hit areas. 
 
They combined the data with satellite information to work out greenhouse gas emission estimates from the fires. They concluded that 884 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was emitted in the region last year, with 97 per cent originating from forest fires in Indonesia. 
 
The results showed that regional carbon dioxide emissions from the fires were 11.3 million tonnes per day in September and October 2015, more than the 28-nation EUs daily emissions of 8.9 million tonnes during the same period. 
 
The researchers also said the emissions were worse than during the 1997 fires, considered the worst on record.&nbsp;At that time, there was an even longer drought and widespread burning due to a stronger El Ni?o. 
 
The researchers said they hoped the findings would contribute to a better understanding on the need for fire prevention and improved ways of managing the land. 
 
&quot;What is important is the applicability of a study like this in helping policy makers to use more accurate fire emission factors to design policy and act to prevent further fires and greenhouse gas emissions,&quot; said scientist Daniel Murdiyarso from the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research. 
 
The Indonesian fires have prompted criticism from green groups and other Southeast Asian nations, accusing Jakarta of not doing enough to crack down on the slash-and-burn forest clearing techniques. 
 
In a bid to tackle the issue, President Joko Widodo announced in April plans for a moratorium on new palm oil concessions and asked firms to raise yields on existing plantations instead of clearing forests. 
 
(Reuters)

Thousands of fires started to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations disrupted flights and caused sickness

Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union, scientists said on Tuesday. Singapore, Malaysia and northern Indonesia choked under a layer of toxic smog in September and October last year, caused by thousands of fires started in Indonesia to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations. The fires and resulting haze, an annual occurrence, pushed up pollution levels, caused schools to close, flights to be disrupted and people to fall sick across the region. Last years blazes were the worst for years with El Nino, a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing tinder-dry conditions. The study by scientists from the Netherlands, Britain and Indonesia, published in the online journal Scientific Reports recently, was the first scientific report calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the fires using measurements on the ground combined with satellite observations. "There have been some isolated studies before where people artificially set fires in the lab to try to understand the chemical characteristics of peatland fire smoke in Indonesia," said Martin Wooster, one of the scientists and a professor of earth observation science at Kings College London. "But no one had done this on natural fires, and especially not on the kind of extreme fires seen in 2015," he added. The researchers first measured the ground-level smoke composition from peatland burning in the region, including in Indonesias Central Kalimantan province, one of the worst-hit areas. They combined the data with satellite information to work out greenhouse gas emission estimates from the fires. They concluded that 884 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was emitted in the region last year, with 97 per cent originating from forest fires in Indonesia. The results showed that regional carbon dioxide emissions from the fires were 11.3 million tonnes per day in September and October 2015, more than the 28-nation EUs daily emissions of 8.9 million tonnes during the same period. The researchers also said the emissions were worse than during the 1997 fires, considered the worst on record. At that time, there was an even longer drought and widespread burning due to a stronger El Ni?o. The researchers said they hoped the findings would contribute to a better understanding on the need for fire prevention and improved ways of managing the land. "What is important is the applicability of a study like this in helping policy makers to use more accurate fire emission factors to design policy and act to prevent further fires and greenhouse gas emissions," said scientist Daniel Murdiyarso from the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research. The Indonesian fires have prompted criticism from green groups and other Southeast Asian nations, accusing Jakarta of not doing enough to crack down on the slash-and-burn forest clearing techniques. In a bid to tackle the issue, President Joko Widodo announced in April plans for a moratorium on new palm oil concessions and asked firms to raise yields on existing plantations instead of clearing forests. (Reuters)

Land-clearing forest fires choking Southeast Asia in 2015 release record carbon

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