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New York: Timor-Leste and the United Nations are stepping up their efforts to uncover unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the small South-East Asian country and strengthen its capabilities to dispose of these deadly objects.

WASHINGTON - The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a US$66 million development policy loan to enhance Panama’s capacity to implement its Disaster Risk Management Program for natural disasters. This operation offers Panama timely funds in the aftermath of a major natural disaster, enabling the Government to complement its own resources and quickly address emergencies and other risk reduction needs.

JAKARTA − Despite impressive growth, around 170 million people in the East Asia-Pacific region still have no electricity connections while another 1 billion people still use solid fuels for cooking. Nonetheless, universal access to modern energy is still within reach in this region, says a joint World Bank-AusAID report, released today. One Goal, Two Paths: Achieving Universal Access to Modern Energy in East Asia and Pacific outlines an ambitious program to overcome energy poverty in the region by 2030. The report was funded by AusAID as part of a wider partnership with the World Bank to help develop sustainable infrastructure in East Asia-Pacific.

G20 finance ministers meeting in Paris have agreed new principles on financial consumer protection developed by the OECD.

New York: Senior United Nations officials today stressed the importance of development cooperation and making assistance more effective, especially at a time when governments worldwide are tightening their belts and aid budgets are being slashed.

New York: Two United Nations agency chiefs today committed to work together to empower rural women through investment in education, economic integration and security initiatives.

New York: Applications for asylum in developed countries rose by 17 per cent in the first six months of this year, with most of those seeking admission coming from countries with a history of population displacement, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

New York:UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on European countries today to unite in tackling the world’s most looming issues and work together to ensure the prosperity of future generations.

New York: A United Nations expert on torture today called on all countries to ban the solitary confinement of prisoners except in very exceptional circumstances and for as short a time as possible, with an absolute prohibition in the case of juveniles and people with mental disabilities.

New York: Organizations in 12 countries that help victims of human trafficking seek justice, return home and otherwise recover from their ordeal were collectively awarded some $300,000 today in the first grant of a new United Nations fund.