UN - GENERAL ASSEMBLY: U.S. President Barack Obama will tell the U.N. General Assembly that
the United States can not solve all the problems of the global
community by itself.
Mr. Obama will tell leaders who "used to chastise America for acting
alone in the world" it is time for a true "global response to global
challenges," including climate change, terrorism, endless conflicts and
poverty.
The White House released excerpts of the president's speech early
Wednesday, hours before he makes his maiden address to the U.N. General
Assembly as president.
HONDURAS: Interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti says he is willing to hold talks with ousted President Manuel Zelaya, who remains holed up in the Brazilian embassy in the capital of Tegucigalpa. In a statement read Tuesday by Foreign Minister Carlos Lopez, Micheletti says he is ready to talk with his deposed rival, as long as Mr. Zelaya recognizes the presidential elections scheduled for November. Micheletti also says he will not discuss revoking any of the charges against Mr. Zelaya. The offer was made as the political crisis entered into a third day, after Mr. Zelaya and his entourage secretly returned to Honduras Monday.
INDIA - G-20: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is urging the leaders of the Group
of 20 rich and developing nations to deliver a "strong message" against
protectionism in trade, services and other financial flows when they
meet later this week.
Mr. Singh said in a statement Wednesday that the world economy is, in
his words, "still not out of the woods" (still not out of trouble)
despite improvement in financial markets since earlier this year. He
said India remains an attractive destination for investors - but
that could be hurt if other countries take protectionist measures, such
as raising tariffs on imported goods or restricting import quantities.
ASIA - SARAH PALIN: Former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin delivered a speech to investors in Hong Kong Wednesday, an event that could be used to boost her credentials for a possible White House bid in 2012. The event, which was hosted by investment group CLSA Asia Pacific Markets was closed to reporters. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, and former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan have spoken at the conference in the past. Palin's trip to Hong Kong was her first to the region. She received her first passport in 2007 when she visited Alaska National Guard members serving in Kuwait and Germany.
US - BURMA: A key U.S. lawmaker says he will hold a hearing examining the
effectiveness of U.S. sanctions on Burma and what Washington can do to
promote democratic reform there.
Senator Jim Webb says the October 1 hearing will also focus on how
Burma's history of ethnic conflicts has affected democratic development
in the country.
Webb, a Democrat from Virginia, chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
The senator has been critical of U.S. and European Union sanctions on
Burma. He made a rare visit to that country last month as part of a
five-nation Southeast Asia tour.
UNESCO DIRECTOR: The board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO - has elected Bulgarian diplomat Irina Bokova as the agency's new director. The 57 year-old career diplomat defeated Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni 31 to 27 in a fifth round of voting Tuesday. Bokova, Bulgaria's current ambassador to France, served previously as her country's foreign minister. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov calls her election to head UNESCO a huge recognition and victory for his small country.
US - MIDEAST: Israel's foreign minister says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with the Palestinian and U.S. presidents was a success because it took place without pre-conditions. Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli radio Wednesday the government has proved it must not surrender or make concessions. The Palestinians have said they will not resume peace talks until Israel stops building settlements for Jewish families in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Washington has supported that position, but U.S. President Barack Obama said after the summit in New York Tuesday that both sides should be ready for compromise.
IRAN - NUCLEAR: A newspaper report says Chinese state companies are supplying gasoline
to Iran, a development that could undermine U.S. efforts to pressure
Tehran to give up its nuclear program.
London's Financial Times reports Wednesday the companies
are selling the fuel through intermediaries, and provide up to a third
of Tehran's gasoline imports.
The report is based on unnamed oil traders and bankers.
The sales would complicate U.S.-led efforts to isolate the Iranian government with tough economic sanctions.
Fuel sales to Iran currently are legal. U.S. officials have suggested
imposing international sanctions on the trade to force Iran to stop its
nuclear activities.
Listen to our World News for details.