In a video message to the High-level session, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called upon the scientific community to help make sense of the complex and interconnected challenges --including climate change, the financial crisis and food, water and energy insecurity -- that threaten human well-being and civilization as we know it.

UNESCO: Irina Bokova: we must harness the power of science to empower people | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

This will mark the first time in recent years that a Republican House will have to engage in a high-level negotiating session with a Democratic Senate.

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What worries many people here is the prospect that the high-level political session of the talks, due to start late on Wednesday, will land ministers in an almost impossible situation.

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For her this is all part of the daily routine that takes in A-level studies, driving lessons, socialising, and another training session in the evening.

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Instead, McPherson used the executive session to once again stress the value of great television and the level of risk-taking it takes to achieve.

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Right-hander Phil Hughes made 25 throws at both 60 and 90 feet during his third level ground throwing session after being sidelined two weeks by an upper back bulging disk.

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