MANILA, July 8, 2008 (AFP) - Many developing countries are paying higher salaries to their state employees than they can accord and stunting economic growth in the process, a study by the Asian Development Bank shows.

'The higher the relative government pay rates, the lesser the economic growth attained,' the study of 19 Asian, African and Latin American countries said.

China is seeking outside help to save the Qinling mountains, home of the giant panda, a national symbol that is threatened with extinction, the Asian Development Bank said Wednesday.

MANILA, May 21, 2008 (AFP) - The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it was looking at sending a team to Myanmar to check on what kind of assistance was needed in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

SINGAPORE, May 20, 2008 (AFP) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday it is considering sending experts to Myanmar to assess the cyclone-hit nation's reconstruction needs.

MAPUTO, May 11, 2008 (AFP) - The African Development Bank warned Sunday that the near doubling of prices of some staple food crops in recent months had serious implications for Africa, particularly the poorest nations.

MANILA, May 9, 2008 (AFP) - Asia's response to tightening global grain supplies has aggravated food price inflation and uncertainty, according to an Asian Development Bank report released here Friday.

MADRID, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - The head of the Asian Development Bank Tuesday expressed his condolences to Myanmar over the country's devastating cyclone, and said the institution would decide how best to respond.

MADRID, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - The Asian Development Bank will provide 500 million dollars (320 million euros) in immediate assistance to member nations hit hardest by the soaring food prices, the head of the bank announced Tuesday.

MADRID, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - The Asian Development Bank wound up its annual meeting Tuesday amid fears over soaring food prices and a debate over its role and relevance in Asia's rapidly changing economic landscape.

MADRID, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - The United States, the Asian Development Bank's second-biggest donor, warned the institution on Tuesday it risked becoming irrelevant if it fails to adapt to the region's rapid economic expansion.