Ban Urges Countries to Press on Political Deal at Climate Summit

New York: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging countries to seize the opportunity presented by next month´s climate change conference in Copenhagen to clinch a political agreement that will help chart the way forward on a new legally binding pact to combat global warming. "Opportunity is knock...

Recent News

Ban Urges Countries to Press on Political Deal at Climate Summit
New York: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging countries to seize the opportunity presented by next month´s climate change conference in Copenhagen to clinch a political agreement that will help chart the way forward on a new legally binding pact to combat global warming. "Opportunity is knock...
Historic Health Care Reform Passes House
At 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the historic passage of a health care bill revamping the health care system and bringing about the reforms promised by President Obama during the November 2008 election. The vote was 220 to 215 with one Republican, Representative C...
Childhood vaccines at all-time high, but access not yet equitable
$1 billion minimum required annually to reach children still at risk. WASHINGTON, DC | GENEVA -- Reversing a downward trend, immunization rates are now at their highest ever and vaccine development worldwide is booming, according to a new assessment released today by the World Health Organizati...
President Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize
Barely nine months into office, President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize, substantially boosting his prestige and standing in the United States and internationally. The Nobel Committee said the President won the award for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diploma...
Health care leaders urge Congress to act on meaningful health reforms
More than 400 of the nation's most respected health care leaders issued a joint Open Letter to Congress declaring that the health care system is in crisis and is unsustainable and calling on Congress to act now on meaningful reforms. They state that Congress has a moral and ethical obligation to imp...
Health Care Home Run: Obama Address Energizes Nation
Speaking to a joint session of Congress last night, President Obama gave a clear, inspiring and unusually detailed explanation of our nation´s health care crisis and his plan to address it. The President outlined the two key goals of health care reform: safety and security for those already insu...
Presidential Address to School Kids Earns an A+
Stay in school and take personal responsibility are two messages President Barack Obama delivered to U.S. school children. Obama's speech to the nation's school children Tuesday encouraged them to do the best they can. "(At) the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most...
FLOODS AFFECT 600,000 PEOPLE ACROSS WEST AFRICA
The number of people hit by deadly floods across West Africa has now topped 600,000, and the heavy rains have also destroyed crops and infrastructure in a region already hard hit by poverty, the United Nations humanitarian arm reported today. The rains that began in June have claimed nearly 160 l...
Large populations susceptible to infection
GENEVA -- Monitoring of outbreaks from different parts of the world provides sufficient information to make some tentative conclusions about how the influenza pandemic might evolve in the coming months. WHO is advising countries in the northern hemisphere to prepare for a second wave of pandemic ...
Earthquake Strikes Indonesia; 13 Dead
A strong earthquake struck Indonesia Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, injuring 18 others and damaging several older buildings, witnesses said. The earthquake, centered about 150 miles from Jakarta, initially was categorized at 7.4 magnitude before being downgraded to 7 by geological official...
2 Firefighters Die in Calif. Fire
By William M. Welch LOS ANGELES -- Two firefighters died in a wildfire Sunday in the San Gabriel Mountains that threatened more than 10,000 homes and the century-old Mount Wilson Observatory. Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant said the two firefighters died in the Angeles Nationa...
Ted Kennedy Dies: 'The Model of Public Service'
Praise for the long political career of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., began coming in early Wednesday as word of his death was reported. The Kennedy family released a brief statement announcing the death and thanking those who cared for the senator in his last months. "He loved this count...
Bernanke Tells Bankers to Expect Growth
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told assembled bankers and policymakers in Wyoming Friday to expect the U.S. economy to grow soon. "Fears of financial collapse have receded substantially," Bernanke said at the Fed's annual retreat in Jackson Hole. "After contracting sharply over the...
Storm Warning Issued for Florida, Alabama
A tropical storm warning was issued Sunday for Florida and Alabama as a tropical depression organized off the Gulf Coast, meteorologists said. The depression, on the brink of becoming Tropical Storm Claudette, was located about 125 miles south-southeast of Apalachicola and moving toward the Florid...
Eunice Kennedy Dies at 88
By Karen Jeffrey, Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. HYANNIS -- Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 88, an internationally acclaimed advocate for people with physical and development disabilities, died early this morning at Cape Cod Hospital, according to a statement from the family. Born into the privilege...
President Bill Clinton Wins Freedom for Journalists
Former Democratic President achieves diplomatic coup. By Matt Williams Two American reporters were freed from North Korea's notorious labour camps after former President Bill Clinton flew in for talks. Clinton met Kim Jong-il yesterday during a surprise visit to the secretive Asian state. ...
Bush-Era Surveillance Tactics Called Illegal
Inspectors General fault Bush-Era surveillance tactics for questionable effectiveness and circumvention of legal safeguards. Top federal investigators from the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, CIA, Directorate of National Intelligence, and the National Security Agency issued a detai...
World Mourns as American Icon Michael Jackson Remembered
AVE MARIAH FOR MICHAEL; STARS FLOCK TO MEMORIAL AS 17,000 FANS FIND OUT OF THEY'VE GOT A TICKET By Keith McLeod Mariah Carey will sing the Jackson Five's classic I'll Be There as Tinseltown pays tribute to the King of Pop today. Maria, who had a hit with the haunting ballad in 1992, is o...
Iranian Protesters Maintain Rallies
Protesters hit the streets of Tehran again Tuesday to express anger over election results they say were manipulated to keep Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power. The government has begun cracking down harder on the demonstrations that have turned deadly, while reaction from world leaders remains subdued, ...
Senate Bill Gives FDA Power Over Tobacco
By Marie McCullough, The Philadelphia Inquirer The tobacco-control movement celebrated another milestone yesterday as the U.S. Senate easily passed a bill giving the government unprecedented power over the making and marketing of tobacco products. Supporters say the law will enable the Food ...
Cheney Oversaw Briefings on Interrogation Methods
By PAUL KANE; JOBY WARRICK FORMER US vice-president Dick Cheney personally oversaw at least four briefings with senior members of Congress about controversial interrogation programmes, part of a secretive and forceful defence he mounted throughout 2005 in an effort to maintain support for the hars...
Sonia Sotomayor is Obama's Pick for Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has nominated federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of New York for the U.S. Supreme Court positioning the longtime federal jurist to become the first Hispanic member of the nation's high court. Sotomayor, a former federal prosecutor who first was appointed to the fed...
North Korea Conducts 2nd Nuclear Test
North Korea claimed Monday it had "successfully" conducted a nuclear test, its second since October 2006, to "bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense." South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported the testing comes in the wake of the Communist country's warning last month about its nuclear pla...
Atlantis Landing Postponed Until Saturday
Poor weather conditions prevented the the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis from landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA said Friday. The landing was rescheduled for Saturday. Two landings were waved off at the center because weather conditions wouldn't permit a safe landing, the space agen...
Kobe, Lakers Rally for Game 1 Victory Over Nuggets
Los Angeles - Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, sank six free throws in the final 30.5 seconds and came up with the game-sealing rebound in the final seconds, as the Lakers rallied to beat Denver, 105-103, in the opener of the Western Conference finals. Bryant had 18 of his points in the fourth quarte...
President Obama Draws Cheers From Notre Dame Crowd
By Tom Troy, The Blade, Toledo, Ohio SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame University gave a thunderous welcome during Sunday's graduation ceremony to President Obama and cheered him throughout the program despite stark differences on abortion that prompted protests on the Catholic campus. Mr. Obama w...
Pope Benedict Urges Middle East Peace
Pope Benedict XVI, in Israel on his Middle East tour, called for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would lead to a homeland for both sides. The pontiff said, "I plead with all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstandin...
Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Gay Marriage
By Bangor Daily News, Maine AUGUSTA, Maine - Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed a gay marriage bill passed just hours before by the Maine Legislature. Baldacci made his announcement within an hour of the Maine Senate giving its final approval to LD 1020. The Senate voted 21-13 in favor o...
Rep. Virginia Foxx Calls Matthew Shepard's Hate Motivated Murder "A Hoax"
Washington – During a debate on hate crimes legislation taking place last week in the well of the United States House of Representatives, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) claimed that Matthew Shepard's murder and torture were "a hoax." While Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard looked on from above in the H...
Obama to Put Stamp on Highest US Court
By DENIS STAUNTON US SUPREME court justice David Souter is set to retire this summer, offering President Barack Obama his first opportunity to shape the court after almost a decade of conservative government. Mr Obama yesterday declined to comment on Mr Souter's decision, which had yet to be m...
Global Health Alert As Swine Flu Death Toll Rises
By ADAM THOMSON Governments and health authorities worldwide went on the alert over the weekend for a possible influenza pandemic as the death toll from a new strain of swine flu in Mexico reached 81. Janet Napolitano, US homeland security secretary, yesterday declared a "public health emergen...
EPA Moves Toward Regulating Greenhouse Gases
By Sandy Bauers and John Shiffman, The Philadelphia Inquirer WASHINGTON -- In a landmark move that countered eight years of inaction by the Bush administration, the Environmental Protection Agency determined yesterday that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare because they contribu...
Court: Democrat Al Franken Has Won Minnesota Senate Seat
By Rachel Stassen-Berger, Pioneer Press Democrat Al Franken won last year's U.S. Senate race, three judges decided Monday. The decision comes after a tough and testy two-year campaign, a two-month statewide hand recount and a detailed seven-week trial. In the cool spring evening Monday, F...
Pope Celebrates Easter Vigil
Pope Benedict XVI began the Easter Vigil late Saturday at St. Peter's in Rome, celebrating the mass that opens the holiest day of the Christian calendar. The service began in darkness, the BBC reported. After Benedict lit a candle to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he was joined by thousand...
Vermont Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Vote to override Governor's veto makes Vermont first state to recognize marriage for lesbian and gay couples through legislative process. Vermont becomes the fourth state to recognize gay marriage. Momentum in favor of same-sex marriages increases following similar victory for marriage equality ...
Same-Sex Marriage Now Legal in Iowa
By Rod Boshart, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa In a precedent-setting ruling, the Iowa Supreme Court Friday upheld a lower court decision legalizing same-sex marriages in Iowa. The unanimous landmark decision is expected to carry national implications as Iowa becomes the first Midwest state...
Tobacco on Road Toward Regulation
By Erica Werner, The Associated Press WASHINGTON - The House is poised to thrust tobacco companies under government control after years of attempts in legislatures and the courts to tame one of the country's signature industries. "We cannot and we must not wait a moment longer to protect our...
Earth Hour Covers Globe in Awareness
By Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press BONN, Germany - From an Antarctic research base to the Great Pyramids of Egypt and beyond, the world switched off the lights Saturday for Earth Hour, dimming skyscrapers, city streets and some of the world's most recognizable monuments for 60 minutes to high...
Obama to End Iraq War in '10
By Ben Feller, Associated Press CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- President Barack Obama consigned the Iraq war to history Friday, declaring he will end combat operations within 18 months and open a new era of diplomacy in the Middle East. "Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our comb...
Clinton, Hu Meet, Promise Closer Ties
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Beijing Saturday amid calls for closer ties between the nations, officials said. Hu and Clinton said the need to deepen and develop ties between China and the United States is becoming ever more important, Xinhua, the ...

Top Headlines

Physician: Breast cancer screenings still important
Nov. 21--LEOMINSTER -- The release this week of a controversial report suggesting new timing for routine breast cancer screenings should encourage women to talk openly with their doctors about breast health, according to HealthAlliance Hospital Chief Medical Officer Val W. Slayton.
Rory piles the pressure on Lee ; Westwood response is three birdies on the trot
RORY McIlroy opened with threebirdies over the first six holes this morning to give rival Lee Westwood something to think about as the Dubai World Championship hots up.
Reid looks to bring health bill to floor
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was set Saturday to seek a key procedural vote bringing the healthcare reform bill to the Senate floor, observers said.
China mine blast death kills 42
A gas explosion at a mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang province killed at least 42 workers and left 66 missing Saturday, officials said.
Westwood ahead by two strokes at Dubai
Lee Westwood had his second 6-under-par 66 of the tournament Saturday and has a 2-stroke lead after three rounds of the European PGA's Dubai World Championship.
Syracuse bumps past UNC for title
Nov. 21--NEW YORK -- North Carolina's Marcus Ginyard sat in the locker room after Friday's 87-71 loss to Syracuse with an ice pack wrapped around his right side and a dejected look about him.
For many, new breast cancer screening guidelines make little sense
Nov. 21--Lori Puczylowski takes a tissue and dabs her eyes.
Motown celebrates 50 years of music, good times, laughter too
Nov. 21--It was as much a family reunion as a party as Motown stars, friends and fans gathered tonight at the Roostertail to toast, drink and dance to the music that made Detroit famous.
Italians arrest 2 in Mumbai terror probe
Two Pakstani men suspected of helping terrorists carry out last year's attacks in Mumbai were arrested in Saturday Italy, authorities said.
China mine blast death toll at 46
A gas explosion at a mine in northeast China's Heilongjiang province killed at least 46 workers and trapped 66 more Saturday, officials said.
Is mammography a flawed technology?: Mammograms are in the spotlight as the uproar continues over how often and at what age women should get them.
Nov. 21--In the 1990s, Christine Norton would show up at the annual Twin Cities Women's Expo for three days in a row to hand out instruction cards on breast self-exams.
Obama: U.S. to strive to increase exports
U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday his administration would strive to increase American exports to Asia-Pacific countries to create jobs back home.
Syracuse blows out No. 6 North Carolina with strong second half
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Wesley Johnson was 10-of-17 shooting for 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, as Syracuse continued an impressive start to the season with an 87-71 thumping of sixth-ranked North Carolina in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Women in their 40s say mammograms worth the anxiety
Nov. 21--Kristina Lehr has good reason to be thankful for her annual mammogram this year.
Syracuse uses 22-1 second-half run to send North Carolina to its first loss
NEW YORK _ The chants of "over-rated!"

Business

Ensnared in the commercial real estate crisis
It's part of an agreement to resolve liability for a $2 billion debt involving other Houston buildings and dozens of other properties across the country.
Royal Mint production surges as investors clamour for gold
Nov. 20--Soaring demand for gold from savers desperate to take advantage of the record bullion price forced the Royal Mint to more than quadruple production of gold coins in the third quarter of the year.
Gold becomes hot item for selling
Nov. 20--It's not every day that someone tries to pawn a handful of teeth.
Kallisto announces Q3 2009 filings and completed banking agreement
CALGARY, Nov. 20 /CNW/ - Kallisto Energy Corp. (TSX Venture: KEC) (formerly Arrow Energy Ltd. - AOF) ("Kallisto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its Q3 2009 financial statements and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the period ended September 30, 2009.
Cash Canada Receives Demand for Payment
TSX Venture Exchange Symbol "CUL"
Peoples Bank parent posts $1.4 million loss in 3Q
Nov. 21--The Munster-based parent of Peoples Bank swung to a $1.4 million third-quarter loss as increases in loan loss provisions and deposit insurance premiums bruised earnings.
The Canadian Shield Fund completes $120 million initial public offering
TSX Symbol: MSP.A
$30 million in capital to fund Entellus expansion
Nov. 21--Entellus Medical Inc., which is developing an easier, more cost-effective way to treat severe chronic sinus infections, has raised an additional $30 million in venture capital.
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada - Trade Resumption - CASSIUS VENTURES LTD. - CZ.P
VANCOUVER, Nov. 20 /CNW/ - Trading resumes in:
Central Bank Ready to Buy Gokhran Gold This Year - Ulyukayev
Nov 19 (Interfax) - The Central Bank of Russia is ready to buy gold from the State Precious Metals and Gemstones Repository (Gokhran) before the end of this year, CB First Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters.
Federal jury deadlocks on most of espionage case against two Silicon Valley engineers
Nov. 21--Underscoring the difficulty of pressing economic espionage cases, a federal jury Friday deadlocked on the central charges against two Silicon Valley engineers accused of stealing technology secrets from their former employer to establish a rival company backed by China.
Kohlberg Capital Corporation Receives Notification of Noncompliance From NASDAQ
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kohlberg Capital Corporation (Nasdaq:KCAP) (the "Company") announces that the Company received a letter on November 17, 2009 from the NASDAQ Stock Market notifying it that the Company is no longer in compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), Obligation to File Periodic Financial Reports, because it did not timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
J-Pacific Prepares for Growth
J-Pacific Gold Inc. (the "Company" or "J-Pacific") (TSX VENTURE: JPN) announced today that is has appointed John P. Thompson, M.Sc., P.Eng., as the Company's Chief Operating Officer.
Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP Appointed Co-Lead Counsel In Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. Securities Class Action
Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP has been appointed as Co-Lead Counsel in the securities class action against Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. ("Skilled Healthcare" or the "Company") (NYSE:SKH), certain of the Company's executive officers, and certain underwriters of the Company's May 2007 initial public offering ("IPO"), currently pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California -- Shepardson v.
The Fortune Financial Progressive Review on Sally Beauty Holdings Inc., ProLogis, Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc., Nomura Holdings Inc., Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.
Markets slipped on Wednesday.
Tajikistan Could Offer Gold License
Nov 19 (Interfax) - Tajikistan may soon call a tender for the rights to the Shakhbas gold field, with an estimated 75 tonnes of gold, said the press office of Emomaly Rakhmon, the country's president, who chaired a meeting in the gold industry on November 18.
Octopus Investments rewrites product literature
Octopus Investments is overhauling its product literature in response to the FSA's structured product review findings.

Sports

Bad time to be playing Patriots
There's never really a good time for the New York Jets to face the Patriots.
Kiffins say no excuses
Nov. 21--KNOXVILLE -- Monte Kiffin didn't get to this point in his career by making excuses, and the University of Tennessee defensive coordinator didn't take that route Thursday afternoon.
Hoops: Tall, speedy roster has Santa Fe Indian School ready for contention
Nov. 21--A scorebook, closed in March, sits open-faced in an office devoid of decor and so square it could be divided by four.
Real Salt Lake lacks glitz but not game
Nov. 21--If star power lighted scoreboards, there wouldn't be much point in playing the 13th MLS Cup on Sunday: The Los Angeles Galaxy has it.
Girls basketball: Shiprock outlasts SFIS
Nov. 21--The Lady Braves of Santa Fe Indian School played as though they were behind in the fourth quarter of their girls basketball opener against the Lady Chieftains of Shiprock.
Seahawks CB Josh Wilson has not been cleared to play
Nov. 21--RENTON -- Josh Wilson ascended to a starting cornerback spot without much of an announcement.
Jennings to get fourth shot at golden ring
Nov. 21--RENTON -- The carousel at cornerback has circled back to Kelly Jennings.
Indians eliminate nemesis Noxubee County that haunted them in playoffs
Nov. 21--FULTON -- Two days before to playing Noxubee County, Itawamba AHS head coach Jamie Mitchell compared the Noxubee defense to kicking the top off an ant bed.
Press-Telegram, Long Beach, Calif., Bob Keisser column: Grady nets center court top honor from LBSU
Nov. 21--Today's local and vocal edition of The Sporting Muse:
Westwood ahead by two strokes at Dubai
Lee Westwood had his second 6-under-par 66 of the tournament Saturday and has a 2-stroke lead after three rounds of the European PGA's Dubai World Championship.
Weather plays no favorites: Rain washes out most of second round, throws off schedule
Nov. 21--RICHMOND -- The day was not a total waste, but not much was accomplished Friday at the LPGA Tour Championship.
Streaking Hawks shoot for 8th straight win vs. Hornets
(Sports Network) - The red-hot Atlanta Hawks take the NBA's best record into the Big Easy Saturday for a matchup with the New Orleans Hornets.
Hoops: District 2AAA girls capsules
Nov. 21--POJOAQUE VALLEY ELKETTES
Scots flying high heading into rematch with West Liberty: Scots set to face West Liberty in 2nd round of D-II playoffs
Nov. 21--EDINBORO -- Trevor Harris is feeling good.
'Wick, O-State men win
Nov. 21--Sophomore guard Mark Blazek scored 26 points Friday to lead Hartwick College to an 86-58 men's basketball victory over Cazenovia in the first round of the Tom Greene Memorial Tip-Off Classic at Lambros Arena.
Rally falls short: Blackfoot beats Sandpoint for title
Nov. 21--MOSCOW, Idaho -- The Sandpoint football team chose an inopportune time to misfire on both sides of the ball.
High school football playoffs: Five questions
Are we headed to another Jenks-Union title game?