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New York: The head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has welcomed the decision by leaders of the Group of 8 (G8) industrialized countries to boost efforts to improve maternal and child health in poorer countries, urging the world to ensure that no woman died while giving birth.

New York: Eritrea deserves credit for its recent constructive engagement with its neighbours and the international community, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report in which he urges the country to provide evidence that it is complying with a Security Council resolution that imposed sanctions for the country's destabilizing activities in Djibouti and Somalia.

New York: All parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been urged to forge ahead with preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections, which were originally scheduled for earlier this year but have been postponed several times.

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headed by Mark Flanagan, visited Reykjavik during June 14-28 to hold discussions for the 2010 Article IV Consultation and the third review under the US$2.1 billion Stand-By Arrangement.

New York: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy for Kyrgyzstan have welcomed the peaceful and orderly conduct of the constitutional referendum held yesterday in the Central Asian nation, noting the good turnout for the poll despite the recent violence.

New York: Calling for more people in tea-producing countries to drink tea, the United Nations agriculture agency has spotlighted the potential for the industry to enhance food security by increasing farmers' incomes.

New York: The head of United Nations relief operations in Gaza has deplored yesterday's morning attack on a recreational facility used by children in the territory, the second such incident in a month.

New Delhi: Dr. M. S Gill, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports will inaugurate the newly built Cycling Velodrome here tomorrow in the presence of Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, and Shri Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games, 2010. The new velodrome is constructed at the cost of Rs. 150 crore to suit the latest international requirements of Track events for Commonwealth Games. It is fully covered, air-conditioned and has 250 m long Timber Track with a seating capacity of 3800.

Luck, politically speaking, seems to be favouring Prem Kumar Dhumal. Even after completing half his term, Himachal Pradesh's BJP Chief Minister finds himself politically in a comfortable position. He faces no major challenges which usually confront state Chief Ministers before they reach midway of their term.

Doubts whether the global recovery will continue has become the central question following the events of the past 6 weeks. We have had terrible financial contagion type developments in the eurozone. There have been fears of a China slowdown consequent to the crack down on the housing market. Economic data in the US has hit a soft patch, especially with the pace of US job creation disappointing. There has been an overload of unusual events and headlines all undermining confidence. Political and social tensions are on the rise globally and there appears to be a leadership and a policy deficit in coping with them.