NEW YORK: The UN General Assembly has postponed until late June the high-level gathering aimed at assessing the global economic crisis and seeking solutions, which take the interests of all nations into account.Originally scheduled to take place from June 1-3, the 'UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development' will now be held in New York from June 24-26.Delegates had voiced concern that they needed more time to negotiate the draft outcome document to be adopted at the gathering, according to spokesperson for Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto, who is also the summit's organiser.The President has appealed for negotiations on the draft outcome document to be wrapped up by June 15, underscoring at an Assembly session that the three-day meeting's success will hinge on "the active engagement of the political leadership of the Member States at the highest possible level." He further expressed confidence that "Member States will demonstrate the necessary political will and good faith regarding the complex negotiations" at the summit, which was called for by participants at a financing for development meeting held in Qatar in late 2008.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
Comments