G20 leaders have approved a strategy outlining development priorities for the group members. 

The strategy lays out priorities including reinforcing the G20's commitment to shared growth and improving the group's approach to development. 

The first day of the summit has also reached a consensus among members to conclude short-term stimulus programs and, instead, promote long-term investment. 

The G20 leaders have one more scheduled working meeting this Friday before the announce a joint declaration.

 

Chinese president calls for closer G20 partnership to boost world economy

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a speech to the G20 Summit .

Xi Jinping has told the leaders of the world's 20-largest economies they need to build a closer relationship to try to shore up the world economy.

He says part of that needs to include better communication and coordination on macro-economic policy.

The Chinese president has also told the G20 he believes China's fundamental economics are sound, describing his government's policies as responsible for both China and the world.

 

U.S. proof of chemical weapons use far from convincing: Putin spokesman

A spokesperson for the Russian government has issued a new statement, saying the United States' "proof" of the use of chemical weapons in Syria is "far from convincing."

At the same time, the Russian spokesperson says the Russian side is encouraging its partners in the UN Security Council to consider the situation in Syria in "a responsible manner."

Echoing the Chinese position, the Russian government says any decision about action in Syria should only be made after UN chemical weapons experts finish their assessment of last month's alleged attack.

The comments by the Russian government have been made at the G20 meeting taking place in St. Petersberg.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed making the issue in Syria the main talking point during a forthcoming dinner meeting among the G20 leaders.

 

Iraq to impose traffic restriction in Baghdad to stem violence

The Iraqi government is poised to impose traffic restrictions on the streets of Baghdad. 

Vehicles will be restricted with an even-odd license plate system on a daily basis. 

The new measures will take effect Saturday.

No specific reason for the move has been released.

However, it's widely believed the move is being made to deal with the increasing number of car bombings in Baghdad. 

At least a dozen of car bombs have gone off in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad this week, leaving close to 50 dead and over 150-others hurt.

 

PKK leader announces suspension of withdrawal from Turkey: report

It's being reported the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, has haulted its withdrawl from Turkish territory.

A leading PKK commander is being quoted as saying the Turkish authorities are not living up to their end of the peace agreement reached last year.

As such, the commander says the Kurdish fighters who have been slowly moving into northern Iraq have now haulted their withdrawl.

He also says if Turkish troops attack their fighters, they will send groups back into Turkey to continue their insurgency.

As part of an agreement reached almost a year ago, the PKK agreed to begin withdrawing its rebel forces from Turkish territory in May as part of a three-pronged peace process.

In agreeing to the provisions, the PKK is demanding Ankara create legal amendments to the constitution to give the ethnic Kurdish population in the country more autonomy.

The PKK contends the Turkish government hasn't lived up to this end of the agreement.

Kurdish rebels have been fighting for an ethnic homeland in southeast Turkey since 1984.

 

Mandela's home powered off as the national strike spread

A city-wide strike by power workers in the South African city of Johannesburg has cut power to the home of former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Mandela's home is now being powered by generators.

It's unclear whether the machines helping keep the ailing former president breathing have been affected.

The work stoppage by power workers in Johannesburg is part of a broader so-called 'strike season' in South Africa.

September is when many public-sector contracts come up for renewal in South Africa.

 

Yosemite wildfire started by hunter's campfire

Investigators in the US have determined the wild fire that has been ripping through Yosemite National Park in California began after a hunter's illegal campfire went out of control.

No arrests have been made.

The hunter's name is not being released.

The blaze, dubbed the Rim Fire, began on August 17th just outside Yosemite National Park.

The fire, the fourth largest in California since 1932, is now 80-percent contained.

It has burned more than 66-thousand acres of Yosemite National Park.

It's also threatening to fill the reservoir that supplies water to San Francisco full of ash.

111 structures had been destroyed by the blaze.

 

Yuan Enters World's Top 10 Most-Traded Currencies

The Renminbi has officially become one of the top 10 most frequently traded currencies in the world.

A new survey by the Bank for International Settlements is reporting that Chinese yuan has climbed to ninth place on the global currency trading list.

This is up from 17th in 2010.

Yuan flows have risen from 4-trillion US dollars a day to 5.3-trillion.

Offshore yuan trading is being cited as one of the main factors contributing to the surge.

Offshore yuan trading began in April.

Significant trading of the Mexican peso has launched that currency into the top-10 as well, bumping the Hong Kong dollar and the Swedish Krona from the top-10.