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- Ban says binding emissions treaty no longer likely
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says a legally binding document no longer is a likely outcome for UN treaty discussions in Copenhagen over global climate change, saying voluntary targets were a more plausible goal. Ban said he hoped that in the absence of a legally binding treaty, voluntary targets could be replaced with legally binding rules within a year. African nations joined UN climate talks in Barcelona after staging a boycott, demanding that developed countries pledge to do more to cut emissions after 2012. The Times (London)
(11/4)
, Bloomberg
(11/4)
- UN supports DRC, not abuses
The United Nations will continue to back the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat the presence of rebel groups but has withdrawn support from units believed responsible for civilian deaths, said Alain Le Roy, the UN peacekeeping chief. Rights groups have accused army units of killing hundreds of civilians since March as they battle rebels associated with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Reuters
(11/3)
- Trial malaria vaccine raises hope in Africa
A vaccine able to prevent the African strain of malaria in 50% of children is in the final testing phases, raising hopes the 1 million child deaths attributed to the mosquito-borne disease in Africa each year soon might end. Researchers hope to submit trial results to regulators in 2012 and introduce a vaccine on the market shortly after. Google/The Associated Press
(11/3)
- Breast cancer rising in the developing world
Breast cancer cases are on the rise across the developing world, where nearly two-thirds of women are not diagnosed before the cancer spreads through their bodies. Stigma, fear and poor diagnosis are contributing to the rise. International cancer specialists are meeting this week to prepare a two-pronged strategy to combat the rise by training midwives and negotiating cheaper prices for chemotherapy treatment. Google/The Associated Press
(11/3)
- U.S.-China partnership urged on carbon projects
U.S. and Chinese officials need to better cooperate on issues related to climate change, prioritizing projects to develop carbon capture technology and a carbon market, the Asia Society, Center for American Progress and Natural Resources Defense Council say. Environmental advocates believe cooperation between the countries is essential to achieving any concrete results at the Copenhagen climate meeting in December. U.S. President Barack Obama is set to visit China later this month. The New York Times
(11/3)
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- U.S. diplomat meets with Suu Kyi
Making a rare appearance outside the confines of the house where she has been imprisoned for most of the past 14 years, detained democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Kurt Campbell at his hotel in Rangoon. The two-hour meeting -- details of which were not disclosed -- followed a meeting among Campbell and his assistant and representatives from Myanmar's military junta as the U.S. makes an effort at engagement with the isolated regime. The Guardian (London)
(11/4)
- About 700 million want to migrate
Sixteen percent of the world's adult population -- around 700 million people - want to move to another country, according to a poll by Gallup. People in sub-Saharan Africa are most likely to want to leave their home country, and the United States and Canada are the most desired destinations. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
(11/3)
- Abdullah blasts Afghan process, vows opposition
Former presidential challenger Abdullah Abdullah has quashed the notion of joining Afghan President Hamid Karzai's new government as he views the re-election process as illegal. Karzai, who is crafting a new cabinet, was handed a second term Monday after election officials canceled a runoff vote. AlertNet.org/Reuters
(11/4)
- Iranian opposition takes to the streets
Riot police sparred with tens of thousands of opposition members in Iran as protesters sought to mark the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy. Iranian authorities have been struggling to contain opposition anger since a controversial presidential election in June. Many demonstrators called on U.S. President Barack Obama to end fledgling talks with Iranian officials and support their efforts instead. The New York Times
(11/4)
- "Rogue" Afghan policeman kills 5 UK soldiers
Former UN Deputy Special Representative Peter Galbraith said rushed police and military training for Afghan officers and troops is to blame for the deaths of five U.K. soldiers at the hands of what is being described as a "rogue" Afghan policeman. Galbraith said the training schedule, abbreviated by authorities to put more police on the ground, does not include much vetting and does not provide sufficient training. U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the attack was orchestrated by the Taliban and that its agents might have infiltrated the Afghan police force. BBC
(11/4)
, The Independent (London)
(11/4)
- Clinton pushes dialogue despite Israeli settlement plans
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling for talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials to proceed despite Israel's controversial plans for settlement expansion. Palestinians have demanded all settlement construction in the West Bank be halted before talks resume. Israel has rebuffed calls from U.S. officials to end expansion plans. The New York Times
(11/4)
- China to join U.S. in space race
Chinese vice chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen. Xu Caihou visited the U.S. Strategic Command in a conference designed to improve military ties between the nations -- whose development efforts are leading them into space. Chinese air force commander Gen. Xu Qiliang said competition between the U.S. and China to expand into space likely will increase. Xu Qiliang further said the People's Liberation Army air force will assume an offensive instead of defensive stance, signaling to U.S. authorities that China plans to serve as a counter to U.S. power in space. BBC
(11/4)
, Financial Times (tiered subscription model)
(11/3)
- Public trial exposes corruption ring in China
A massive public trial in Chongqing, China, has exposed a web of corruption that encapsulates police, bureaucrats and petty gangsters -- as well as billionaire drug traffickers. Gunning for a reputation as a crime fighter, the rising Communist Party star Bo Xilai has busted up the crime syndicate in a very public way, drawing maximum attention to the trial, though it has yet to reach any senior Chinese officials. The New York Times
(11/3)
- Israel captures ship carrying weapons
Israeli authorities captured a disguised ship flying Antigua colors and carrying dozens of containers of weapons. Israeli Defense Force officials said the ship, which roused suspicions after it passed through the Suez Canal, might have originated in Iran and might have been destined for Hamas. The Washington Post
(11/4)
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