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At U.N., Obama Sets New Tone, but Problems Are Familiar

By HELENE COOPER 1 minute ago

UNITED NATIONS — President Obama sought to signal a new era of American engagement with the world, but much of his speech centered on old and intractable issues.

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President Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
Doug Mills/The New York Times

President Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

White House Pivots in Mideast Peace Bid
By HELENE COOPER and MARK LANDLER

UNITED NATIONS — President Obama is largely setting aside his demand for a full freeze on settlements in the West Bank.

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Obama Considers Strategy Shift in Afghan War

By PETER BAKER and ELISABETH BUMILLER

WASHINGTON — A plan advocated by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. would scale back American forces and focus more on Al Qaeda than on the Taliban, officials said.

U.K. Approves Deal on Ivory Coast Toxic Waste Claim

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 9:20 AM ET

A British court has approved the settlement of thousands of claims against the oil-trading company Trafigura relating to toxic waste dumping around the city of Abidjan.

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Ford Hopes New Figo Will Help It Win Asian Buyers
By HEATHER TIMMONS 8:40 AM ET
Alan R. Mulally, left, chief executive of Ford, and Michael Boneham, managing director of Ford India, unveil the Figo in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI — As it rolled out a new small car in India, Ford said it would increase its focus on the fast-growing car-buying markets of the Asia-Pacific region.

Dust Storm Blankets Eastern Australia
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 4:20 AM ET
A woman takes a photograph as the Sydney Opera House is shrouded in a blanket of dust on Wednesday.

The country’s worst dust storm in 70 years covered the east coast Wednesday in a cloud of red Outback grit.

President Obama delivered remarks to the leaders gathered in the General Assembly hall on Tuesday.
U.S. and China Vow Action on Climate but Cite Needs
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

UNITED NATIONS — Speaking to the U.N., Presidents Hu Jintao of China and Barack Obama acknowledged that a deal is an important goal, but also stressed their own needs.

Latest News From Asia
Irina Bokova, a Bulgarian diplomat, was chosen as the new director-general of Unesco by a vote of 31 to 27.
After Uproar, Unesco Rejects Egyptian
By STEVEN ERLANGER

PARIS — A Bulgarian diplomat narrowly defeated an Egyptian accused of anti-Semitism and censorship in a contest for Unesco’s leadership post.

Latest News From Europe
About New York
Iran’s Turmoil Has Its Day in New York
By JIM DWYER

Say what you will for the United Nations and its General Assembly. The sidewalk diplomacy almost never disappoints, and the stakes are always high.

Latest News From the Middle East
Supporters of Eudy Simelane danced in August outside the court where three men charged with her killing were to go on trial. One defendant was convicted Tuesday and two were acquitted.
Mixed Verdict in S. African Lesbian’s Murder Trial
By BARRY BEARAK

DELMAS, South Africa — The sexual orientation of Eudy Simelane, a lesbian activist and soccer player, was never acknowledged as being a factor in her murder.

Latest News From Africa
A supporter of Manuel Zelaya, Honduras's ousted leader, kicked a tear gas canister in front of the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday.
Mystery in Honduran Leader’s Return
By MARC LACEY and GINGER THOMPSON

After initially denying that Manuel Zelaya had come back, the government that ousted him was forced to send soldiers and the police to disperse thousands of his backers.

Latest News From the Americas
It was unclear whether a federal ban on flavored cigarettes that went into effect Tuesday would apply to flavored small cigars.
Flavors Banned From Cigarettes to Deter Youths
By GARDINER HARRIS

WASHINGTON — The ban is the first major crackdown on cigarettes since the Food and Drug Administration was given authority to regulate tobacco products.

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Obama Considers New Strategy in Afghan War

“While a military approach, through a decidedly smaller and more focused military footprint, may be necessary to eliminate the threat of Al Qaeda, it won’t be sufficient — not by a long shot,” writes Elizabeth in Ontario.

Wheels: Road Safety

“The single biggest factor that will reduce traffic fatalities is driver training. There is an appalling lack of skill demonstrated ... by those who possess the minimum knowledge needed to make the car move,” writes R. Muench.

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