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In all OECD countries total spending on healthcare is rising faster than economic growth, pushing the average ratio of health spending to GDP from 7.8% in 2000 to 9.0% in 2008. Factors pushing health spending up - technological change, population expectations and population ageing - will continue to drive cost higher in the future.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the first review of the Seychelles' economic performance under the three-year Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFF). The completion of the review makes available a disbursement of SDR 2.2 million (about US$3.3 million dollars), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 5.28 million (about US$7.8 million). The Board's decision was taken on a lapse of time basis. The EFF for Seychelles became effective on December 23, 2009 in the amount of SDR 19.8 million (about US$29.3 million, or 225 percent of Seychelles' quota in the Fund.

New York: The United Nations war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia has terminated appellate proceedings against the former head of Bosnian Muslim forces during the Balkan wars of the 1990s, who had died in April.

New York: Security will be a major challenge in what is gearing up as a critical period for Afghanistan, which will be hosting a major international conference in the capital next month and holding parliamentary elections in September, the top United Nations envoy there said.

New Delhi: Shri Justice S.H.Kapadia, Chief Justice of India released the Shree Ramayana Mahanveshanam, the great quest of Ramayana authored by Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Minister of Law and Justice here today. The stories from the Ramayana have been passed on across generations; the values attached to it are very intricately connected to our culture. Dr.M.Veerappa Moily's shree Ramayana Mahaveshanam is a highly laudable work which, though rooted in the contemporary Indian context, addresses universal concerns and presents a unique vision of the past, present and future, Shri Kapadia said.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted a 4 member Committee with immediate effect to consider and make recommendations on the proposal submitted by the Orissa Mining Corporation Limited, under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.The proposal is for diversion of 660.749 ha of forest land in Lanjigarh Bauxite Mines, in Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts in the State of Orissa.

New Delhi: Under the eighth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP), Government has signed 31 production sharing contracts with 20 companies.

New Delhi: The Minister of State for Tourism Shri Sultan Ahmed has said that tourism plays an important role in most developing as well as developed countries. He said, the sector accounts for 11% of the GDP and 8% of employment globally. Leading Tourism Organizations, including World Tourism Organization and World Tourism and Travel Council, have declared Indian tourism as the fastest growing at a rate of about 8%.

Noise pollution or environmental noise is displeasing to human beings and animals. Unwanted sound can damage physiological and psychological health of humans. It can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus which leads to forgetfulness, severe depression and at times panic attacks, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is all set to blaze a new trail in employee-employer relationship in the industrial relations arena.