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Even before the Twelfth Plan envisaging a 9 per cent growth average for the five years (2012-17) is finalized, the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia concedes that the target may prove difficult, with the embedded inflation in the economy and an unfinished reform agenda. Near term prospects for progress on both fronts can be virtually ruled out and hence understandably, the target was not more ambitiously set at 10 per cent, as the Prime Minister would have desired.

L.K. Advani confirms the correctness of two beliefs. One is that hope springs eternal in the human breast and the other is that age cannot be measured in years since it is a state of the mind. Despite contrary noises from his party, few will doubt that his latest rath yatra – the sixth since his memorable debut in 1990 – is intended by him to pitchfork him into the frontline in the race for prime ministership.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Climate change threatens to increase hunger and malnutrition among the Pacific region's poorest people unless there is action soon, says a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $100 million loan to the Indian state of Gujarat to help accelerate the rollout of new large-scale solar power facilities.

People with university degrees have suffered far fewer job losses during the global economic crisis than those who left school without qualifications, according to the latest edition of the OECD’s annual Education at a Glance. Good education and skills are crucial to improving a person’s economic and social prospects.

The expected is happening in Himachal Pradesh. As the Assembly elections near, political and governance issues have started coming to the fore. Two such developments -one on political and the other on governance front- took place in the past few days.

About 18 months ago when Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a summit meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, China made sure that Bangladesh becomes its strategic partner. The two sides agreed to sign deals that would ensure a long-term Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s economic and social development.

Political scene in Tamil Nadu is warming up again as ruling AIADMK will lock horns with DMK for wresting control of local bodies and corporations in the state-wide polls due to take place in October. In the three months since her return to power in May with a massive majority, an ebullient AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa has left no stone unturned to further marginalize Mr Karunanidhi’s DMK, which suffered a humiliating defeat in the Assembly elections.

Argentina has joined the OECD system for the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) in the Assessment of Chemicals. Through MAD, Argentina’s non-clinical safety data related to the protection of human health and the environment must be accepted by OECD and other adhering countries.

New York: The United Nations atomic energy agency today pledged to play a central role in restoring public faith in nuclear power after this year’s disaster at Japan’s Fukushima plant, which is projected to slow the growth in the use of such electricity generating reactors.