Scientists eyeing UN's top climate job

Top scientists from six countries are bidding to become chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in a vote today at a meeting in Croatia. The winning candidate from either Austria, Belgium, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Switzerland or the US will lead the United Nations' top body on climate change, succeeding Dr Rajendra Pachauri of India, who quit in February over sexual harassment claims, after 13 years at the helm.

Findings on mental health literacy

The Institute of Mental Health will be releasing the findings of its mental health literacy study today. This nationwide study assessed recognition and beliefs about the causes, treatment options and outcomes for alcohol abuse, dementia, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

The knowledge will identify and help prioritise mental illnesses to be targeted for mental health promotion, among other things.

IMF issuing latest economic forecasts

The International Monetary Fund is expected to issue its latest outlook for the global economy for the rest of this year as well as next year. It had earlier forecast global growth of 3.3 per cent this year and a stronger 3.8 per cent next year.

Yesterday, the World Bank cut its growth forecast for parts of East Asia and the Pacific this year, forecasting that developing East Asia and Pacific will expand 6.5 per cent this year.