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Despite the global financial crisis, economic growth in Côte d'Ivoire accelerated to 3.8 percent in 2009—achieving a positive per capita growth rate for the first time since 1998. Benefiting from abundant rainfall and the rise in world cocoa prices, in particular, agriculture achieved significant progress. Industry and services followed this good dynamic. The general consumer price index declined, reflecting improvements in supply at the national level and in import prices. The external current account shows a sizeable surplus, owing to a substantial improvement in the terms of trade.

At its meeting on 19 March 2010 the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) elected Ambassador Yonov Frederick Agah of Nigeria as its new chairman. China stated full compliance with DSB rulings in trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) case, and the EU announced agreement with Argentina in biotech dispute.

Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains. Punjab's political elite seems to have taken a cue from this call of the 1948 Communist Manifesto for unanimously supporting its move in the State Assembly seeking withdrawal of cases of “political vendetta” against prominent politicians.

After a year-long Congressional battle, overcoming Republican blockade, Democrats voted to give America a reformed health care system and President Barack Obama, the victory he desperately needed for his highest domestic priority. The outcome had turned crucial for his credibility in office. Yet, it was a narrow win - 219 to 212 - those against including 38 Democrats along with 178 Republicans.

New York: The situation faced by those uprooted by violence in Darfur region cannot be sustained, a senior United Nations official has said, calling for a two-track transition to promote development in the war-wracked Sudanese region.

New York: Marking the 50th anniversary of the massacre of protesters taking a peaceful stand against apartheid in South Africa, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that there is 'no room for racist and xenophobic acts' at this summer's soccer World Cup in the country, the first time the event will ever be held in Africa.

New York: Visiting Ramallah, where he witnessed the challenges Palestinians face first-hand, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his commitment to help the Israeli and Palestinian sides reach a settlement in the next two years.

How swiftly is the power equation changing in Delhi. It was only a few weeks back that the Congress establishment seemed asserting its authority to rein in the UPA government on issues like Sharm-el-Sheikh joint statement and uncontrolled price rise. The government side was clearly on the defensive and squirming. A deliberate silence by the party spokesman or a vague hint by Sonia Gandhi at the Parliamentary Party meeting was enough to send shockwaves in South and North Blocs. This was the position even until last month.

NEW DELHI: Budget 2010-11, now before Parliament, has almost ignored the most serious problems of inflation and unemployment. By doing so, it has dismissed as of little consequence the urgent concerns of the country's three-fourth population. They include all those working in the industry, SEZs, SMEs. Agriculture besides vast mass of unorganised workforces who have no means to reach their voice to the policy-makers.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the fifth review of Georgia's economic performance under an 18-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for an amount equivalent to SDR 477.1 million (about US$ 729.2 million) approved on September 15, 2008. On August 6, 2009, the Executive Board approved an augmentation of access under the SBA to an amount equivalent to SDR 747.1 million (about US$1,141.8 million) and an extension of the SBA until June 14, 2011. The completion of the fifth review allows for the immediate purchase of an amount equivalent to SDR 97.3 million (about US$148.7 million).