The finance minister"s targets for restructuring -- lower fiscal deficit, stronger economic recovery and higher exports -- form the core of his latest budget.

The budget seeks to encourage technological change in India, especially in export-oriented industries, and to obtain private funding for government R&D institutes.

Confusion and lack of interest were the highlights of the annual gathering of scientists this year in Goa.

In 1992, the world moved several steps towards globalisation. But little attention was paid to the sharp economic, social and cultural divides. The rich world, troubled by recession, did not show much courage in dealing with them as it, too, began to feel

Against a background of worldwide recession, the Rio conference came and went with many promises of aid by the Northern countries. But by the end of the year, nobody remembered those promises or the problems of the South. Even doughty donors like the Scan

As per capita private consumption declines in the country, the number of its poor is increasing.