The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
Dented by the Congo rebellion, renewed fighting in Angola, failed privatisation plans in Zambia and slumping metal prices, mining investors are singing the blues. Long-term prospects are not so dim in these three mineralrich countries but the short-to-medium term outlook is bleak, say analysts. The central African belt is one …
YERWADA central jail in Pune has witnessed a sudden upsurge of" visitors. Jail employees are not surprised. They know the reason. Noted social worker Ramon Magsaysay awardee Anna Hazare is lodged here. Hazare was sentenced by a Mumbai metropolitan court on September 10 to three months simple imprisonment in connection …
TAMPERING with the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan region has once again triggered off a disaster in the hills of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Tragedy struck Malpa, a tiny village in the Pithoragarh district, near the Indo-China border on August 18. A five metre high avalanche of rock and water wiped …
THE Yangtze river is swollen. Since May 1998, floods caused by heavy rains have affected thousands across 12 provinces in central, southern and eastern China. Gushing waters have killed more than 1,200 people, according to reports. Though floods are an annual affair in this part of China, water levels have …
MORE than 1,900 fires have devoured forests, green cover, shops, business establishments and homes in an area comprising more than 100,000 hectares (ha) in Florida in the US. The fires have been blazing away for more than a month less than 40 kilometres away from the legendary Disney World, the …
rice tec inc, the us seed company that sent shock waves across India by staking patent rights on a particular variety of basmati rice at the us Patent and Trademark Office, will not be able to pull the same trick on Thailand. Thai farmers have pledged to protect Khao Dawk …
The World Bank has hired outside auditors to investigate expenditures from its annual $25 billion fund for development projects after an internal examaination uncovered "alarming information" about possible kickbacks and embezzlement.
a two-year campaign against genetic engineering by environmentalists, animal rights and consumer groups in Switzerland received a severe jolt on June 7, when Swiss voters, in a referendum, decisively rejected a proposal to ban the production and patenting of genetically modified organisms ( gmo s). The people rejected the ban …
Fiji has enforced nationwide restrictions on the use of water as the country is fighting with the worst drought in recorded history. Those people who are caught washing vehicles, buildings, footpaths, or even watering crops, will have to face a maximum penalty of hav-ing water disconnected for a week. The …
in the end, it turned out to be a facade. All the promises to give importance to the environment by the Bharitiya Janata Party came to nought, when the finance minister, Yashwant Sinha, presented the Union budget in Parliament on June 1. As far as the allocation of funds to …
AT a time when developing nations are getting lured into global economy issues, that translate into increased consumerism promoted by the developed world, the 1998 annual state of the earth report by the Worldwatch Institute, usa, comes as a timely warning. As the living standards of people around the globe …
After prolonged wrangling over dates, the seven members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation have finally agreed to hold their 10th summit in Colombo from July 29, official sources said on Tuesday.
Even as the US successfully lobbied with other members in G-8 to stall new assistance to India from the World Bank, the Andhra Pradesh government seems to be going ahead with its plans for getting fresh loans. Besides its 23 ongoing externally-aided projects, with a total project cost ofRs 11,148.60 …
The government can stave off the adverse impact of sanctions on the Indian economy to a large extent by changing the financing pattern of projects awaiting aid from multilateral agencies.
the prime minister, A B Vajpayee, has said that his government will approach the Supreme Court to lift the interim ban on tree felling and the movement of already cut timber in the forests. Speaking at a meeting with northeastern chief ministers in Delhi on May 8, Vajpayee told the …
The Malaysian government would help its neighbours to fight the haze blanketing part of the Southeast Asian region to ensure non-disruption of the Commonwealth Games. Prime minister Mahathir Mohammed said it is going to be a daunting task for his country. Still, Malaysia is confident of reducing the amount of …
Montek : The decision of the G-8 countries to block all future non-humanitarian loans to India, will not affect the inflow of funds during the current financial year as these have already been sanctioned, said finance secretary Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Saturday. The joint blockade by the developed countries could, …
India has expressed concern over new trade barriers being imposed by developed countries and said it would raise the issue in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Commerce minister Ramakrishna Hegde told the Lok Sabha the government had taken serious note of the imcreasing propensity towards erecting new trade barriers by …
In what is likely to be seen as one of its most politically and socially significant decisions, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatoya Janata Party coalition is set to completely revamp and restructure the state's rural cooperatives. This will be done through the enactment of a new Cooperatives Act based on …
In an apparent measure in response to India's nuclear tests, the World Bank today postponed indefinitely consideration of two proposed loans totalling more than $200 millions to India, it has been learnt here.
