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New York: Liberia, a country once torn asunder by civil war, has made some progress in seeking to cut off the illegal supply of diamonds, timber and other natural resources that have been used to finance wars in West Africa, but more needs to be done, according to a United Nations panel.

New Delhi: Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India here today inaugurated “Ishq-e-Dilli” son-et-lumiere (Sound and Light Show) - a project of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India - at Purana Quila. Kumari Selja, Minister of Tourism and HUPA presided over the function and Shri Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism was the Guest of Honour.

New Delhi: The wage rates under MGNREGA have been increased by the Ministry of Rural Development with effect from 1st January 2011. This will result in 17-30% enhancement of wages under the premier flagship program of the UPA Government across the country.

New Delhi: The three-day ‘International Conference on Accountancy Profession: Catalyst to Sustained Economic Growth’ concluded here today with the signing of a Joint Declaration between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Association of International Accountants, UK (AIA). It was signed by Shri Amarjit Chopra, President, ICAI and Shri M. S. Khare on behalf of AIA. The joint declaration is prepared to benefit both, the Chartered Accountants and the students who pursue CA course. An Honorary membership of the AIA was also conferred upon the President of the ICAI on the occasion.

New Delhi: Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Danish Minister for Economy and Business Affairs today called on Shri G.K.Vasan, Minister for Shipping in his office at New Delhi. Both the Ministers discussed various issues pertaining to the ongoing negotiations on India-European Union Agreement on Maritime Sector, Free-Trade Agreement between India and the European Union and cooperation in the field of shipping/maritime sector between India and Denmark. Senior officers from the Ministry of Shipping were also present during the meeting.

New Delhi: The report of the Srikrishna Committee was made public here today. In the 461 page report, the Committee has put forward several solutions/possible options. The Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice (Retd) B.N. Srikrishna to hold consultations with all sections of the people and all political parties and groups in Andhra Pradesh. The report was submitted to the Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram on 30th December, 2010.

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has asked State Governments to urgently look into the supply management of items that are driving the current round of food inflation in the economy, in particular looking at the local factors that are widening the gap between the wholesale and retail prices. Mr. Mukherjee said that the State Governments need to ensure that all bottlenecks in the supply chain are removed so that food prices can be brought down quickly.

New Delhi: Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, in a bilateral meeting with Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Minister for Economy of Denmark, here today, informed that India and Denmark should focus in the areas of IT, Telecommunication, Biotechnology, Food Processing, and Pharmaceuticals for a mutually beneficial economic engagement. He said that the growth in bilateral trade of 10.50% even in 2009-10 indicates the strong commercial ties between the two countries. Bilateral trade between India and Denmark reached US $ 1,172 billion (exports - $ 580 million and imports $ 592 million) during the year 2009-10, an increase over the quantum of US $ 1,061 billion of 2008-09.

New Delhi: India has sought cooperation in the fields of clean coal technology like Coal to Oil (CTL), Underground Coal Gasification and coal beneficiation besides modern technology for underground coal mining including advance shaft sinking and drift drivage technologies from South Africa. In the bilateral talks with Energy Minister of South Africa here today, Shri Jaiswal said that India is committed to introduce clean coal technology in view of increasing environmental concern and It has already planed to introduced Coal to Oil (CTL) technology in two of its coal blocks, each having capacity of 1.5 million coal reserve. South Africa being the owner of oldest and largest ‘Coal to Oil' plant could assist India to transfer the technology in the other mining projects also.

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal to enhance the allocation for the Special Plan for Bihar from the current level of Rs.1000 crore to Rs.2000 crore in 2010-11 and to the extent of Rs.1468 crore in 2011-12, based on the enhanced level of cost of Rs.8753 crore of all the projects.