Obama to boost Afghanistan deployment by 30,000

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United States President Barack Obama says he will send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, saying it's needed because Taliban insurgents are gaining momentum.
Australian Government to make third try for ETS
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The Australian Government says it will try for a third time to get its emissions trading scheme (ETS) through Parliament.
More HIV/AIDS education needed in Pacific
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World AIDS Day is being recognised by many countries around the world.
Heavy rain hits Guam as El Nino strengthens
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Residents on Guam have been told to stay on alert as heavy rains continue in the area.
New head of UN atomic agency promises impartiality

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The new head of United Nations' atomic watchdog agency says he will do his best to deal with the challenges facing his organisation, such as Iran's nuclear program.
CNMI anger over US immigration takeover
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Many businesses on the Northern Mariana Islands remain angry at the lack of consultation by Washington on the federalisation of the Pacific territory's immigration system.
New Caledonia to take increased responsibility for education, security
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New Caledonia's Congress has voted unanimously to take over responsibility for a number of sectors from France.
Fiji upset by NZ lobbying against Games bid
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Fiji's top sport authority says he is dismayed by New Zealand's actions against the Pacific island nation's campaign to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
Japanese research could lead to obesity drug
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Japanese researchers have found that simply thinking about eating something sweet can cause your muscles to store energy.
India blocks millions of mobile phones
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Indian authorities have blocked 25 million mobile phones that lack an identification number allowing calls to be traced.
Indonesia screening of 'Balibo' film cancelled
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A planned screening of a film about five Australian journalists killed in East Timor has been cancelled, after authorities intervened.
Radio Australia celebrates 70 years

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Radio Australia, the ABC's radio broadcaster to the Asia-Pacific region, has celebrated its 70th anniversary.
NZ inquest into Australians' glacier deaths
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New Zealand is set to begin an inquest into the deaths of two Australian brothers who were crushed by falling ice at a South Island tourist attraction.
Asylum seekers should have been removed: Abbott
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Australia's new Federal Opposition Leader has indicated that if he were in charge, he would have taken a tougher approach to getting a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers off the Oceanic Viking off the ship.
Bank of Japan announces further economic revival measures
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Japan's central bank has announced new measures to pump more than 100 billion US dollars into the financial system.
Climate change action requires market mechanism, says Stern
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The leading climate change economist Nicholas Stern says rich countries need to put a price on greenhouse gases, have strong support for technical progress, and support for poorer countries.
Detention camp exodus begins in Sri Lanka
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Thousands of Sri Lankan civilians have begun leaving state-run detention camps set up by the government after its victory over Tamil Tiger rebels in May.
UN torture representative says PNG police need new powers
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The United Nations special representative on torture says Papua New Guinea's police need new powers to deal with violence in the country.
Philippines mayor faces 25 murder charges

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Prosecutors in the Philippines have filed additional charges against a prominent politician alleged to have been behind last week's deadly political massacre.
Climate change treaty expected in 2010: UN

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The United Nations' chief negotiator for the climate change meeting in Copenhagen says a treaty is now more likely to be delivered in 2010.
Sri Lanka says civilian detainees free to go
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Sri Lanka says it's lifting all restrictions on the movement of the thousands of civilians detained in state-run camps.
Party shakeup nets new leader for Australia's Liberals

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Australia's Opposition Liberal party has elected a new leader, by a margin of one vote.
Malaysian court refuses to drop Anwar sodomy case

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A Malaysian court has rejected an application by opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to drop a sodomy case against him.
Cambodia's Khmer Rouge trial declines to investigate judges
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Cambodia's war crimes tribunal has dismissed a request to investigate two of its foreign judges, including Australian Rowan Downing, for bias.
US to announce new Afghanistan plan, UK increases deployment

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United States President Barack Obama is soon expected to outline the long-awaited details of his new war strategy for Afghanistan.
Mortality rate higher for NT Aboriginal children
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Aboriginal children in Australia's Northern Territory are four times more likely to die than non-Indigenous children, according to a new report.
North Koreans accused in information leak
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South Korean media is reporting that a number of North Koreans face execution for leaking information on the movements of their leader, Kim Jong-il.
Australia's education name still good in China: Survey
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A new survey has found that Australia is still regarded as a good place for tertiary study in its biggest education export market, China.











