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New York: The United Nations is working with Iraqi officials to make State-owned businesses more market-oriented and less reliant on the Government.

New York: For the first time since it adopted the 1951 Refugee Convention almost two decades ago, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has granted a recognized refugee citizenship, in a move hailed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In 2009, following a decade of economic decline and hyperinflation during 2007-08, economic policies in Zimbabwe improved significantly. The multi-currency system adopted in early 2009 helped restore price stability, restart financial intermediation, and impose fiscal discipline by precluding the option of budget deficit monetization. Budget revenue increased significantly, which helped finance improved delivery of public services, while the fiscal position was broadly balanced. Price and exchange system liberalization improved allocation of resources and availability of goods in the domestic markets. In response to better policies, short-term capital inflows and FDI increased in 2009. All these positive steps have supported a nascent economic recovery.

Every government in India in the past three decades has tried to push through some whimsical law or policy which shatters the democratic consensus, violates Constitutional values and offends the citizen's conscience. In 1984-85, Rajiv Gandhi committed a blunder in the Shah Bano case and then opened the gates of the Babri Masjid to Hindu communalists. This eventually catapulted the Bharatiya Janata Party into power. In 1991-92, Narasimha Rao presided over the economy's neoliberal transformation and the razing of the Babri mosque.

When the BJP leaders depend on communal violence to make political gains, they forget that they may have to pay a legal price later. When the summons come, therefore, for them to appear before the inquirers, they try to take evasive action. So, it isn't surprising that Narendra Modi has not shown any eagerness to depose before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme.Court to probe some of the horrifying incidents of violence during the Gujarat riots.

New York: Significant advances have been made in the fight against tuberculosis, with nearly 6 million people saved in the past 15 years, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, calling for the momentum to be maintained in the fight against the deadly disease.

The return of constitutional order to Mauritania has established a basis for the resumption of the reform agenda and of financial support from the international community.

New York: Decent employment opportunities are essential for countries to achievement economic growth and alleviate poverty, the head of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has said, stressing the need to create more and better jobs each year.

New York: The United Nations is adding several reptiles and amphibians from Central America and Iran to its endangered species trade list overseen by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

New York: Limiting fluctuations in the prices of crude oil and other commodities that many developing countries depend on for economic growth is crucial to ensure steady sources of revenue to fund poverty-alleviation programmes, the head of the United Nations trade and development agency has said.