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New York: Voicing alarm at reports that at least 66 people have been executed in Iran in January alone, including several political activists, the United Nations human rights chief today once again called on the Government to halt the use of the death penalty.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Martin Petri visited Port Louis during January 19–February 2, 2011 to conduct the discussions for the Article IV consultation with Mauritius. The mission met with The Honorable Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Pravind Jugnauth, Governor of the Bank of Mauritius Rundheersing Bheenick, other senior government officials, as well as representatives of the National Assembly, the private sector, and civil society.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have commended the Comorian authorities for their broadly satisfactory policies in a challenging political and economic environment, including the uncertain global recovery and renewed pressure on commodity prices. Directors also welcomed the improved fiscal performance in the first half of 2010, but expressed concern at slippages later in the year. They welcomed corrective steps underway and urged the authorities to implement expeditiously planned revenue and expenditure measures to strengthen the fiscal position.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) congratulated Estonia on its successful adoption of the euro—the result of sound macroeconomic policies and resolute commitment to fiscal discipline underpinning a long-standing currency board arrangement. Directors welcomed a return to export-led growth and the prospect of a further rebalancing of the economy. They noted the challenges ahead in maintaining growth while reducing high unemployment. Against this backdrop, Directors were reassured by the authorities’ commitment to continue fiscal prudence, closely monitor price developments, improve the resilience of the financial system, and enhance productivity and external competitiveness, taking full advantage of the euro zone membership.

NEW DELHI: The controversy over the National Food Security Bill (NFSB) between the Government and the National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by the Congress President and Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Sonia Gandhi, ought to be an eye opener for every one concerned with the miserable plight of the country’s working people, in the context of exorbitant food prices.

For six years 2004 onwards, DMK leader Mr M Karunanidhi has held unrivalled sway as an ally of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, setting his terms in electoral contests, installing his nominees in the Union Cabinet, and heading a minority Government in Tamil Nadu for a full term with Congress support from outside taken for granted. The veteran Chief Minister has long believed that his enduring legacy would be unalloyed Dravidian dominance in Tamil Nadu.

Member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) gathered on 25-27 January 2011 in Barbados to assess how Aid for Trade (AfT) can facilitate the development of the small vulnerable economies of CARICOM. The conference was sponsored by the CARICOM Secretariat, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Executive Directors of the the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have commended the Congolese authorities for the continued satisfactory implementation of their program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF). As a result of the sustained implementation of prudent policies, macroeconomic stability is now well established and the external position has improved markedly, while structural reforms have moved ahead. Directors noted that Congo’s medium-term economic outlook is favorable, provided that public investment and measures to improve the business climate are successful in raising non-oil growth. Significant challenges remain and strong efforts will continue to be needed to increase private sector participation in the economy and accelerate poverty reduction.

New York: Top United Nations officials led a visit by 150 eminent personalities and representatives of 40 Governments today to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest and most notorious of all the Nazi death camps, to combat denial of the Holocaust of millions of Jews and others during the Second World War.

New York: The United Nations, its humanitarian partners and the Sri Lankan Government launched a joint programme today to help hundreds of thousands of people in the north of the Indian Ocean island recover and rebuild their lives after the end of the decades-long war with Tamil separatists.