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UN Conference in HYDERABAD.

For the first time since Independence, a global conference of the UN will be held in India. Called the 11th Conference on Biodiversity, it will be held in Hyderabad from October 1-19, 2012, with 194 countries taking part.

COLOMBO: Two top Indian officials will visit Sri Lanka later this week to discuss, among other things, the progress in the reconciliation process in north Sri Lanka, and the United Nations Secretary-General's Expert Panel Report on Accountability in Sri Lanka.

National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao — who have served in Sri Lanka as High Commissioners — will hold consultations with their Sri Lankan counterparts over the steps for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, officials here said.

India on Monday decided to purchase 10 C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift transport aircraft from the U.S. for the Indian Air Force. The deal under the Foreign Military Sales (Government-to-Government) is estimated to cost Rs. 18,000 crore (approximately $4.1 billion).

Former President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated the “Lead Villupuram 2020” programme at Theivanai Ammal College for Women in Villupuram.

A single tree would absorb 20 kg of carbon-dioxide and emit 14 kg of oxygen and if all the saplings put together they would suck in 15 lakh tonnes of carbon-dioxide and give out 10 lakh tonnes of oxygen.