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Singapore — Growth is still strong in developing East Asia, but continues to moderate mainly due to weakening external demand, underscoring the need for governments to refocus on reforms to increase domestic demand and productivity, says the World Bank in its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released today.

New York: A United Nations policy guide released today offers advice on how to reform and improve criminal justice systems so that they are fairer and more sensitive to the needs of the victims of terrorism and their families.

New York: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today the need to de-escalate the current tensions in the Middle East so that direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians can resume as soon as possible.

Norway’s economy continues to perform well amidst considerable global turbulence. Over the last two years, mainland GDP has grown steadily at an annual pace of 2-3 percent, supported by robust growth in consumer spending and favorable terms of trade developments. Output has now surpassed its pre-recession levels, and unemployment remains low. This solid recovery has been aided by supportive policies, including low interest rates and temporary fiscal stimulus employed during the recession.

New York: The United Nations official leading the fight against sexual violence during conflicts today urged the international community to never forget the deadly violence which ravaged Guinea in September 2009, noting that while justice in the country had been delayed, it could not be denied.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission, led by Mr. Adnan Mazarei, met with the Pakistani authorities in Dubai and Islamabad November 9-19 to conduct the 2011 Article IV consultation.

New York: Timor-Leste is making significant progress in consolidating its social, security and political stability despite a number of challenges, a senior United Nations said today, noting that presidential and legislative elections slated for next year will be key milestones in that process.

New York: The United Nations today launched a campaign ahead of its major conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in June next year, inviting governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people everywhere to engage in a global conversation about the communities they want to see in the future.

New York: A British biologist today received a United Nations award for her work using the diminutive bee to thwart the world’s largest land animal, the elephant, from crop-raiding in Kenya.

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Oral Williams, visited Bujumbura from November 8–21, 2011 to conduct the seventh review of the government’s economic and financial program supported by the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The mission also reviewed the authorities’ fiscal plans for 2012 and discussed the key elements of a successor ECF arrangement.