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New York: In an effort to prevent the misuse of funds earmarked for fighting global pandemic diseases in developing countries, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today announced new measures to further strengthen safeguards against fraud and corruption.

New York: A high level of disaster risk awareness, preparedness and planning helped prevent casualties when Tropical Cyclone Yasi struck north-eastern Australia earlier this week, the United Nations’ top disaster risk official said today, urging other countries to invest in improving their capacity to respond to such disasters.

New York: Two and half hours of moderate physical activity a week can reduce the risk of breast and colon cancers, according to new recommendations released by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) to mark World Cancer Day, which is being observed today.

New York: The UN refugee agency today warned that military operations against insurgents in the north-west region of Pakistan known as Mohmand agency could displace up to 90,000 people by the end of February if the fighting intensifies.

On 31 January 2011, at the first Working Party meeting on Afghanistan’s accession, WTO members carried out a first review of Afghanistan’s trade regime.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have noted that the Micronesian economy had rebounded from the impact of the global crisis and that infrastructure grants in the pipeline are expected to support the modest recovery. Over the medium term, however, further fiscal adjustment and bolder structural reforms will be needed to lift growth prospects, reduce the dependence on grants, and expand the role of the private sector.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They commended the Macedonian authorities for their sound macroeconomic and financial policies, which helped to contain the impact of the global crisis, and welcomed prospects for a return to more robust growth in 2011 and beyond.

New Delhi: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy during his interaction with Ms. Lehtomaki, Minister of the Environment of Finland stressed on potential cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy. They agreed that there is tremendous scope for understanding and exchanges in the sphere of renewables, especially bio-fuels, waste to energy and in sustainable development.

New Delhi: The National Innovation Council has proposed setting up of Sectoral Innovation Council by the Central Ministries for preparing a roadmap for a decade of innovations in the respective sectors. The aim is to facilitate the creation of multiple Sectoral Innovation Councils aligned to Central Government Ministries to drive competitive advantage in the identified sector.

New Delhi: Handicrafts exports has recorded a growth of 18% and reached Rs.8614 crore till January 2011, in comparison to the same period in the fiscal year 2009-10. Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Textiles Minister, said this while inaugurating International Jewellery Summit “Abhushan – Design Dialogues in Jewellery” organized by World Craft Council here today. Thiru Maran said “The export of Indian handicrafts was Rs.11,224 crore (US $2.5 Billion approx) in last fiscal year 2009-10. This year till January, 2011 export has been Rs. 8,614 crore (US $1.8 billion approx.) recording a growth of 18% in comparison to the same period in the fiscal year 2009-10”.