Nation
Obama removes HIV ban
On Friday, Obama announced that he would remove the ban limiting HIV positive individuals from entering the United States either as immigrants or as tourists. Published on Monday, the reversal was a campaign promise of Obama's, but was initiated by President George W. Bush in July 2008. The ban was originally put in place in 1987 and the United States was one of only a dozen or so countries that maintained the ban for such a considerable length of time.
Record number of 18-24 year olds in college
The Pew Research Center reported on Thursday that, in 2008, close to 40 percent of people between the ages of 18-24 were enrolled in college. This sets a record from 38.9 percent set in 2005. The increase is attributed to the rise in the number of people attending two year community colleges. Currently, 11.8 percent of this age group attends community college. This figure is seen as a success reflecting an increase in percent of people completing college, up to 84.9 percent, and a decrease in the drop-out rate, down to 9.3 percent.
No transit strike during World Series
The Philadelphia city transit union did not go on strike during the World Series, despite little progress in talks. Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell and Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter announced on Saturday that additional talks and decisions were underway that avoided the threat of a transit strike which could have proven disastrous for the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees scheduled for that evening. The union's contract expired last spring and it was strongly considering going on strike after midnight on Friday.
World
European Union initiates fund for developing countries
In an attempt to help reach a global decision on how to deal with climate change, European Union leaders on Friday decided to put money into a fund, which would help developing countries continue to grow in a way that would correspond to climate change initiatives. Environmental activists are disappointed that the donations are dependent on other nations adding to the communal fund. The officials decided that developing countries would need 100 million euros annually by 2020, and that 22-50 million euros would have to come from public funding.
Expelled Honduran President should return to office
Late Thursday, Honduran de facto government reached an agreement that would return the removed president, Manuel Zelaya, into office. The agreement came after US officials pressured the government by stating that it wouldn't accept the results of the upcoming election on Nov. 29 unless Zelaya was reinstated for the remaining three months of his term. The agreement still has to be passed through the Honduran Congress in order to become effective.
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will run unopposed
Abdullah Abdullah announced Sunday that he will withdraw from the presidential elections scheduled to occur on Nov. 7, saying that a fair and transparent election cannot occur. Current President Hamid Karzai, with no serious contenders, would effectively win the election. The United States, along with other nations, expressed hope that a clear decision could be reached and a legitimate government could return without violence.
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