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An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ana Lucía Coronel visited Astana and Almaty during December 1–9, to review economic and financial sector developments since the last Article IV consultation in July 2010, and discuss economic prospects. The mission appreciates the open discussions held with the government, parliamentarians and central bank officials, and with representatives of the international, banking and business communities.

New Delhi: The prospects of finalization of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union in the near future looks brighter and the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh who left for Brussels on Thursday made adequate indications about signing of the deal next year.

New York: The United Nations human rights chief voiced concern today over reported ‘cyber war’ pressure on private companies to sever links with the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, saying this could amount to attempted censorship in breach of international covenants.

New York: While the outlook is good “in many regards” as Burundi turns to building a sustainable economy after elections that met the requirements of all observers, social, political and institutional challenges remain, the head of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission’s country-specific segment warned today.

New Delhi: Based on various studies conducted, NWDA has identified 30 links (16 under Peninsular Component & 14 under Himalayan Component) for preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs). Out of these, FRs of 14 links under Peninsular Component and 2 links (Indian Portion) under Himalayan Component have been completed.

New Delhi: The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating withdrawal of ground water by new industries/projects in over-exploited, critical and semi-critical areas. The CGWA has issued guidelines for withdrawal of ground water in these areas and requested the State Governments to implement these guidelines. They have ‘notified’ 43 areas for regulation of ground water development and decentralized their regulatory powers to district level authorities for grant of permission for extraction of ground water for drinking and domestic use in these areas. Complaints of violations of norms in notified areas are referred to the Authorized officers for taking actions under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

New Delhi: Contours of a political solution to the Kashmir problem are likely to emerge in the next few months. The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram said this while addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry here today.

New Delhi: Shri Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology (C&IT) has called upon all stakeholders to work towards strengthening the hardware and manufacturing segment of the Telecom sector. The Minister said that telecom as the service industry alone cannot continue to contribute to country’s GDP at the level it is doing now for long.

The winter session of Parliament has ended without transacting any business with a frozen relationship between the ruling UPA and the opposition.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a trade finance agreement with the Bhutan National Bank Ltd. It is ADB's first such agreement in the South Asian country.