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At heart, neither Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, nor union environment minister Jairam Ramesh may disagree that national mineral resources are meant to be scientifically exploited for the country's economic development and for the improvement of the quality of life of those impoverished people sitting on the piles of idle under-soil wealth for generations. But, the latest political farce over the bauxite mining venture of Vedanta Resources in Orissa's tribal stronghold in the Kalahandi region gives a different impression.

The winter of the global financial crisis is far from over. Whatever recovery is being noticed is fragile in nature. The proposed withdrawal of fiscal stimulus package in Western Europe may lead to double-dip recession and would not solve the intended fiscal problem since tax receipts will further fall, cautions UNCTAD in its trade and development report for the year 2010.

Consensus seems to be eluding the proposed Food Security Bill for various reasons. While Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council was able to push through two important legislations - the Right to Information and the NREGA, during the UPA 1 regime, the Food Security Bill is still in the making as the NAC and the government do not agree on some points.

Advanced economies must pursue long-term policy reforms to reduce public debt levels over the coming decades and ensure future fiscal sustainability, according to three papers published today by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In order to protect the fragile economic recovery, support growth and job creation and provide reassurance to capital markets, fiscal adjustment plans must be clearly defined—but with a focus on the medium term rather than seeking a quick fix.

New York: Falls are a major public health problem across the world with an estimated 424,000 fatalities occurring each year, making it the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death after road traffic accidents, according to the United Nations health agency.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Albert Jaeger, visited Serbia during August 19-31, 2010, to conduct discussions on the fifth review of Serbia's economic program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF.

The budget of the government in a developing country such as India has to play a vital role in the mobilisation of resources for promoting economic and social welfare. Failing that, there is bound to be economic distortions and social tensions.

Is the Indian Union Muslim League(IUML)-sponsored conference against terrorism, which was held at Kottakkal, a town in Malappuram district, last month, a mere flash in the pan? Lack of follow-up action has created serious doubts about the sincerity of purpose of the IUML in holding the conference.

KOLKATA: About 80% of the rural population of West Bengal will face hard times economically from November onwards, unless there is a miraculous revival of monsoon.

New York: The United Nations today launched a global action plan to combat human trafficking, with senior UN officials urging that governments worldwide take coordinated and consistent measures to try to defeat the scourge.