OPTIMISM: The EU and the US voiced optimism they could work past an impasse despite delegates missing a deadline to wrap up negotiations yesterday evening
The US and the EU stepped back from confrontation yesterday as global talks on climate change headed into extra time amid hopes they could still reach a compromise.

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By Flora Wang
The legislature overhauled the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法) yesterday, introducing better protection of animal rights as well as tougher fines and prison sentences for those who abuse or abandon animals.

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Former US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan says the odds the US will fall into a recession are "clearly rising" and he believes economic growth is "getting close to stall speed."

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POINTLESS: A special state commission found the punishment is more costly than life in jail, does not deter crime and risks killing innocent people
New Jersey, which has eight people on death row, will become the first US state in four decades to abolish the death penalty under a measure lawmakers approved and the governor intends to sign within days.

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Although Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will end emergency rule today as promised, he will first amend the Constitution to protect his decisions from court review, the Pakistani attorney general said. Meanwhile, a UN envoy warned upcoming elections have already been rigged.

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