International Development Agency (IDA) will provide $250 million for 'Third Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund Project' to empower the targeted rural poor people that would help them achieve respectable livelihoods.

Some of the developing world's largest rivers including Ganges in South Asia are drying up because of climate change.

Researchers from the US-based National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) said this after analysing data combined with computer models to assess river flows across the world.

Satellite imagery from US space agency NASA on Sunday showed at least 420 forests across the country blazing under wildfire.

Similar picture on Saturday had shown wildfire in 400 places. Nepal

The world's forests are at risk of becoming a source of planet-warming emissions instead of soaking them up like a sponge unless greenhouse gases are controlled, scientists said.

Deforestation emits 20 percent of the world's carbon dioxide when people cut and burn trees, but standing forests soak up 25 percent of the emissions.

By Alastair Lawson, BBC News
The Irrawaddy dolphin grows to up to 2.5m in length and frequents large rivers, estuaries and freshwater lagoons in south Asia.

Conservationists have expressed their amazement that thousands of rare dolphins have been found in Bangladeshi waters when previously they were thought to be endangered or dead.

The 22nd Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN Habitat) was held from March 30 to April 3, 2009 at the UN Habitat Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya under the theme