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New York: The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Nigerian Government to contain an unprecedented outbreak of lead poisoning in the country's north, a result of the processing of lead-rich ore in gold mining.

Thanks to a powerful and effective policy response, says International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in its concluding statement, the recovery from the Great Recession has become increasingly well established. Since mid-2009, massive macroeconomic stimulus and the turn in the inventory cycle have overcome prevailing balance sheet strains, and—aided by steadily improving financial conditions—autonomous private demand has also started to gain ground. While still modest by historical standards, the recovery has proved stronger than we had earlier expected, owing much to the authorities' strong and effective macroeconomic response, as well as the substantial progress made in stabilizing the financial system. Important steps have also been taken to sustain growth and stability over the medium term, including through landmark health-care legislation and, as noted in the FSAP assessment, significant progress toward reform of financial regulation.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have commended the authorities for their decisive fiscal and financial sector policies during the crisis, which helped stabilize the economy and generate a recovery. Notwithstanding encouraging signs, the Lithuanian economy faces important challenges of high fiscal deficits and rapidly growing public debt as well as a high stock of non-performing bank loans. In addition, growth needs to rebalance towards exports. Addressing these challenges will sustain the recovery and facilitate euro adoption.

“Every One Counts” is the theme of World Population Day 2010. Which falls on 11th of July. This is an annual event, which seeks to raise awareness about global population issues. This year's theme is about encouraging people to participate in their official census and other methods of collecting data on populations. The event, established by the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, seeks an increased public awareness of population issues like importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights which have a serious impact on the world's development and environment.

New York: The progress made by Guinea-Bissau following last year's political crisis could be jeopardized unless major reforms in the areas of defence and security are carried out, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report.

An outward-oriented development strategy has brought rapid growth and prosperity to the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), transforming it into a modern industrial economy and a leading exporter of information technology (IT) products, according to a WTO Secretariat report on the trade policies and practices of Chinese Taipei.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in a mid-year update for the world economy, revises up growth estimates for most economies, on the basis of “modest but steady recovery” in advanced economies and strong growth in many emerging and developing economies. India can feel flattered its growth projection for 2010 has been raised by a half percentage point to 9.4 per cent while an equal rise will put China at 10.5 per cent. That developing Asia has been leading the global recovery has been apparent for some time.

When the US President Barrack Obama visits India in November, will he arrive in Delhi as a triumphant leader winning the US mid term elections for his party or will he be disheartened at the results? No doubt the elections are crucial for the President as he built a powerful campaign and got himself into the White House in 2008. Now, as head of the Democratic Party, he is looked upon to get his party candidates into office. But, judging by his 18 months track record, it looks a little doubtful. Obama soared into office with great expectations from the people as a Superman who was expected to single-handedly save the world from a crippled economy, deal with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and resolve the Middle East conflict. But Obama's critics say that he has not lived up to their expectations.

The Bank Group and Morocco on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, in Tunis signed a €100 million agreement for the financing of the fourth phase of the country's public service reform support project (PARAP IV). The project falls within the framework of the country's public service and governance reforms that began in 2002. The project aims to improve governance and the effectiveness of public services with a view to enhancing human development and providing quality services in line with international standards. The legal documents relating to the agreement were signed for the country by its ambassador to Tunisia, Najib Zérouali Ouariti, while the Bank Group's vice president for country programs and policies, Aloysius Ordu, signed for the Bank.

Despite generally improved economic conditions and a long period of healing after the failure of Lehman Brothers, progress toward global financial stability has recently experienced a setback. Sovereign risks in parts of the euro area have materialized and spread to the financial sector there, threatening to spill over to other regions and re-establish an adverse feedback loop with the economy. Further decisive follow-up is needed to the significant national and supranational policy responses that have been taken in order to strengthen confidence in the financial system and ensure continuation of the economic recovery.