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The 193-nation Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change (Dec.7-18) failed to come up with what the world had long expected, a legally binding Treaty, or even a Declaration with promise of Kyoto Protocol-II being drawn up in 2010. But its near collapse was averted with a five-nation “Copenhagen Accord” brokered by President Barack Obama - his probable first victory in the international arena - taking along China, the largest polluter, India, Brazil and South Africa.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The People's Republic of China (PRC) will receive $100 million dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop small towns and cities in Shanxi province, a move that will provide new jobs and help narrow the urban-rural income gap.

Eucalyptus has attracted attention from global development researchers and environmentalists. Outside of their natural ranges eucalypts are both lauded for its beneficial economic impact on poor populations and derided for being an invasive water sucker, leading to controversy over its total impacts and future. It is a fast-growing source of wood, its oil can be used for cleaning and functions as a natural insecticide, and it is sometimes used to drain swamps and thereby reduce malaria risk.

New York: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the deal on climate change reached by world leaders at a United Nations summit in Copenhagen, calling it an 'essential beginning' that contains progress on all key fronts, but adding that work must now focus on turning the deal into a legally binding treaty.

The general perception about the UPA's Telangana misadventure has been that it was just one false step by the otherwise well-run government. But a closer look will show that the panic decision on December 9 should also serve as a warning shot about the way this government takes important decisions.

BHOPAL: The Telangana fever is spreading pretty fast. It has already affected Madhya Pradesh. Here, a demand is being raised for the creation of two new states—Vindhya Pradesh and Bundelkhand. At present, only disgruntled politicians are making this demand. For instance, the first leader to demand a separate Bundelkhand was Uma Bharati, who has been reduced to a non-entity in her home state, because of her own doings.

Eleven European countries have ratified a United Nations-backed agreement designed to promote the sustainable management of forests producing tropical timber and a diverse and legal international trade in such products.

New York: In an effort to harness the energy, imagination and initiative of the world's youth in overcoming the challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic development, the United Nations proclaimed an International Year of Youth starting on 12 August 2010.

New York: Fleeing conflict, poverty and drought, more than 74,000 people - a record number - from the Horn of Africa risked their lives this year to make the treacherous journey across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to begin their lives anew in Yemen, the United Nations refugee agency said.

New York: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights marked International Migrants Day by drawing attention to the plight of an estimated 200 million migrants worldwide, many of whom are exposed to violations of their basic rights and continue to be treated as commodities.