POLITICS & POLICY

Security Council Allows Expansion Of African Union Force In Somalia

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously approved the extension of the African Union (AU) deployment of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until Oct. 31, 2014. The UNSC has requested the AU expand AMISOM's force strength from 17,731 to a maximum of 22,126 uniformed personnel.

China Plans to Create 'Independent and Impartial' Judiciary

Even as China works its way up as a market oriented economy, a widely held belief is that China’s judicial system is failing in its role as an independent and impartial arbitrator of the rule of law. With the judiciary playing an increasingly important role in driving a market economy, it is now being widely accepted in China that the judicial reforms; aimed at creating a fair, efficient and predictable dispute settlement and criminal justice system are a must.
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UN Launches $301 million Appeal for Haiyan (Yolanda) Affected Philippines

As aid workers laboured round-the-clock to get food, clean water, shelter and basic medicines to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations (UN) Tuesday made a worldwide appeal for nearly $301 million funding to provide humanitarian assistance for the Philippines. The flash appeal for financial aid was launched by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos after surveying the damage caused over the weekend by Typhoon Haiyan as it ripped thought nine regions in south-east Asia.

China Execs Urge To Abolish One-Child Policy

Several Chinese government officials have acknowledged the country's 30-year-old one-child policy needs to be revised. If not abolished, some remained wary any new amendments would pose more hazards than good for the world's second largest economy.

Iran, IAEA Agree To Strengthen Ties On Nuke Program

Even as talks in Geneva failed to arrive at an agreement on restraining Iran's nuclear program, the country has signed a joint statement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreeing to strengthen cooperation and dialogue to ensure the peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program.

NZ PM John Key May Postpone Philippines Visit, Pledges $2M Additional Aid

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is expected to postpone his trip to the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Mr Key was supposed to travel to Manila on the invitation of President Benigno Aquino from November 20 to 22 to discuss the two countries' mutual interest and cooperation.

Child Poverty in Australia, UNICEF and Community Groups Call to Prioritise Action

Even in times of economic well-being, nearly 600,000 or 17.3 per cent of Australia’s children continue to live in poverty, says a updated report released by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). As the new session of Parliament opens on Tuesday, the UNICEF and child rights activists called on the government to accord top priority to tacking the issue of child poverty.

Syrian National Coalition Conditionally Agrees to Join Talks in Geneva

Even as several other rebel groups declared their opposition to the Geneva talks on Syria, the main Western-backed Syrian National Coalition declared their conditional decision to participate in the international discussions on finding a way to end the two-and-half-year-old civil war.

Cash Crunch Threatens UN Aid to Palestinian Refugees

Facing a major cash crunch, the United Nations agency working among Palestinian refugees has warned that its operation could come to a standstill. Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi, chief of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, has appeals to both traditional and new donors to step up support to help the agency sustain its operations.

South Korea Demands North Korea to Identify Man Arrested on Spying Charges

South Korea on Monday rejected North Korea's claim that it had arrested a South Korean citizen on spying charges and demanded that Pyongyang reveal the arrested man's identity. North Korea had on Thursday said that it has arrested a South Korean spy for using "dishonest elements" for a mission seeking to destabilize the country's social system. Media reports had said that the arrested man was a missionary.

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