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New York: There is an increasing sense that conditions for reconciliation in Afghanistan are becoming more favourable and that there may soon be a real opportunity for a political dialogue leading to a settlement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the war-torn country.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the fourth review of the Dominican Republic’s economic performance under a program supported by a 28-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The completion of the review enabled the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 109.45 million (about US$168.1 million at current rates), bringing total disbursements to an amount equivalent to SDR 547.25 million (about US$840.4 million at current rates).

New York: The Security Council today decided that the expert body providing advice to the Counter-Terrorism Committee assisting States to prevent terrorist acts both within their borders and across regions will continue to operate as a special political mission for another three years.

New York: The mediation team involving the United Nations that is working to advance the Darfur peace process has called on the Sudanese Government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to conclude a ceasefire before the end of this year.

New York: The United Nations climate change chief today called on countries to follow up on the recent conference in Cancún with higher global emissions cuts and the rapid launch of new institutions and funds.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed a high-level external panel to undertake a review of the risk management framework employed by the IMF to manage its strategic, financial, and operational risks. When the framework was launched (2007), it was decided that a comprehensive and independent review of the framework would be undertaken after three years of experience, as is customary for Fund policies. The creation of a review panel has been welcomed by the IMF Executive Board.

New York: Solidarity with those less fortunate is more important than ever, especially at a time when the global economic crisis has pushed an estimated 64 million more people into poverty, says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

New Delhi: Shri R.H. Khwaja, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said it is time for both India and Indonesia to identify areas of cooperation and explore new opportunities to expand tourism opportunities. Addressing the 2nd Joint Working Group meeting on tourism cooperation between India and Indonesia here today, Shri Khwaja said these areas are especially in the field of research and development, education and training, promotion, investment, private sector cooperation, cooperation in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism etc.

New Delhi: The Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Shri S. Vijay Kumar chaired the Stakeholders’ meeting on Review and Restructuring of Indian Bureau of Mines today. The meeting was attended by representatives from State Governments, mineral industry, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), GSI and FIMI. This meeting was held to discuss the Draft Report on the issue, which is available on the website of Indian Bureau of Mines since September 2010.

New Delhi: Addressing the Plenary Session “Prospects of Russian-Indian Trade and Investment Relations Development” of 4th India-Russia Forum on Trade and Investments, here today, Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said that the target of US $ 20 billion trade by 2015 is achievable provided all stakeholders put in concerted high efforts to meet it and added that “let us work together for a renewed thrust on bilateral trade and investment”.