New York, Apr. 1 : The current global economic crisis, which began with the severe strains on the financial and banking system in parts of the developed world, now risks triggering a human development catastrophe in the world's poorest countries. As the leaders of the richest nations set off to London for the G-20 summit this Thursday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that those most vulnerable to the crisis are living outside the spotlight and their predicament should be addressed at the table.

Washington, Apr. 1 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that if US President Obama doesn''t act to stop Iran developing a nuclear weapon, the Israelis may be forced to attack Iran.

An article titled, "Netanyahu to Obama: Stop Iran-Or I Will" in The Atlantic makes the threat of a unilateral strike on Iran''s nuclear sites very explicit, reports CBS.

Washington, Apr 1 : The threat given by Pakistan Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud to target the White House and other important places in the United States must be taken seriously, terrorism experts have said.

Mehsud told a foreign news agency on Tuesday that soon he would launch an attack in Washington that will amaze everyone in the world.

Experts call Mehsud a "rising young star" who is linked both to the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the September 2008 bombing that killed 54 people in the Marriott hotel in Islamabad.

New York, Apr 1 : French fashion designer Pierre Cardin is all set to sell of his fashion empire, but only if he gets the right amount.

Cardin, 86, has put the price up at 1 billion euros, and will only sell if he gets it.

"The asking price is 1 billion euros, and if prospective buyers can''t pony up the funds, then that''s their problem, not mine," the New York Post quoted him as telling the spring/summer issue of Fantastic Man.

"It''s not like I''m strapped for cash," he added.

Washington, Apr 1 : When it comes to screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), female commercial sex workers (CSW) prefer self-collection of samples to traditional tests, revealed researchers at the University of Westminster.

The simple and convenient screening method used by the researchers didn''t require the sex workers to attend clinics.

The women were given tampons that they could use to collect their own samples, and post them to a laboratory.

Washington, Apr 1 : Not everybody prefers Coke or Pepsi, for there are people who love their local beverages far better than these global brands. And now, scientists have delved into the consumers' psyche to know the reason behind this tendency.

A new study has examined why some consumers prefer local products and others gravitate toward global brands.