Inbrief

Governments are to strengthen their supervision of the diamond industry's attempts to stem the supply of 'conflict diamonds' from war-torn areas such as Ivory Coast. Spot checks on consignments and random verification of records were among measures agreed in Botswana last month by members of the Kimberley Process, a forum that brings together 71 governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations. Companies in the diamond trade have welcomed the decision.