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A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Mr. Christian Josz visited Bamako from March 21 to April 1, 2011 to conduct the sixth review of the three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The mission met with Sanoussi Touré, Minister of Economy and Finance; Lassine Bouaré, Minister of Budget; Oumar Ly, National Director, Central Bank of West African States; and representatives of the National Assembly, and of Mali’s technical and financial partners.

New York: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today added the vaccine against pneumonia to its national immunisation programme in a United Nations-backed initiative to drastically improve the chances of survival for children under the age of five.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the sixth review of Sri Lanka's economic performance under a program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 137.8 million (about US$ 218.3 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 1.10 billion (about US$ 1.75 billion ).

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Vitaliy Kramarenko visited Zimbabwe during March 16–30, 2011 to conduct the 2011 Article IV consultation discussions. The mission met with Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Minister of Finance Biti, Minister of Youth, Indigenization and Empowerment Kasukuwere, Minister of Economic Development Mashakada, Minister of Public Service Mukonoweshuro, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gono, and other senior government officials, as well as representatives of the diplomatic and business communities, and civil society organizations and labor unions.

New York: The President of the General Assembly held talks today with British officials in London on issues such as United Nations reform and the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as recent developments in several global hotspots.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the first review of the Kingdom of Lesotho's economic performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The Board's decision, which was taken on a lapse of time basis, enables the authorities to draw an additional SDR 5.68 million (US$9 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 13.5 million (US$21.4 million).

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have commended the authorities for advancing fiscal consolidation and restoring confidence in the financial sector. To build on this progress, Directors underscored the need for a better articulated strategy to address macroeconomic policy priorities. Further efforts are necessary to bring down public debt relative to GDP, safeguard financial sector stability, and intensify structural reforms to boost potential growth, create jobs, and enhance competitiveness.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Will the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) open its account in the April 13 assembly elections? Percipient observers of the Kerala political scene are skeptical, but state party leaders are confident of making it to the state assembly this time around.

Proximity of elections usually gives birth to new political outfits which have either no or little popular bases. But seldom does a political party born in an election year forces the mainstream parties to recast their electoral strategies. This is what the Akali Dal’s breakaway former Finance Minister and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s nephew Manpreet Singh Badal’s newly born People’s Party of Punjab has been able to accomplish. As Manpreet’s PPP might grab a share of both the Akali Dal and the Congress vote banks - Akali Dal’s more than the Congress’s - they are opposing Manpreet. The Akali leadership has virtually launched a tirade against him.

LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party leaders have threatened to put chief minister Mayawati behind the bar on the charges of corruption if their party was voted to power in next assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. At a time when assembly elections in UP are scheduled for 2012 it is a virtual war between Samajwadi Party and ruling BSP.