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There is certainly some thing queer about our China debate. The great China enigma is no more confined to that country's growth miracle, its new assertiveness or military build-up. The riddle very much pervades our own policy establishment. Dealing with China is no more a cut and paste job as has been a couple of decades ago. It is a more complex task with all the daily dose of the dragon flexing muzzles and adding new 'pearls' to the string all around us.

President Barack Obama is battling hard to revive growth to create jobs as well as confidence in the middle class, highly frustrated in the absence of an economic bounce-back, even as Democrats fear losing the November 2 midterm elections to a Republican take-over of the Congress. The Republicans pledged to restore broadly the Bush-era style of governance, are in upbeat mood, counting on widespread voter discontent and on the backing it has of the ultra-conservative, anti-establishment Tea Party Movement with its impressive showing at the grassroots level.

India and Germany have identified areas of cooperation in biotechnology, infrastructure development, telecom and healthcare. India needs more investment in power, roads, railways, ports and aviation. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Clusters offer new avenues for foreign investors.

Stock market fixers are back again in droves. Like on the last occasion, they all are of overseas origin, from Mauritius, Kayman Island, Isle of Man, St. Kitts, Virgin Islands, Liberia and other tax havens. They have been pumping in billions of dollars into the Indian stock market since early this year. Their 'buy' orders had unilaterally dragged up the Bombay stock exchange's (BSE) 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) to a 32-month high at 20,001.55 on September 21. Local punters are, however, less enthusiastic - cautiously optimistic, in analysts' language - this time about the rising Sensex than they were in January, 2008. Many are considering 'sell' options.

KOLKATA: There are several reasons for the timing of the present war of words between Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ms Mamata Banerjee and young Congress Party general secretary Mr. Rahul Gandhi.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have noted that El Salvador's economy is gradually recovering after having been severely affected by the global crisis and that the medium-term outlook is also generally favorable. Further strengthening the economy's growth prospects and reducing poverty will depend on a durable fiscal consolidation effort and improvements in the investment climate through continued commitment to macroeconomic and financial stability. Timely implementation of structural reforms will also be important.

New York: Presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers gathered today at the Security Council, the primary United Nations body responsible for keeping the world at peace, for its first meeting in nearly two decades devoted to updating the tools at its disposal for its ever-expanding role.

New York: Drug cartels now threaten the basic stability and social fabric of many Central American countries, Costa Rica's President told the United Nations today, warning that the battle against narco-trafficking can only be won if nations worldwide overhaul their current strategies.

New York: Climate change, natural disaster and the triple crises of food, finance and fuel jeopardize sustainable development gains made by small island developing States (SIDS), according to a new United Nations report.

New York: A United Nations treaty designed to empower people to uphold their economic, social and cultural rights edged closer to entering into force today when one country ratified it and two others signed the document.