Obama to create the largest protected area

WASHINGTON • United States President Barack Obama was scheduled to create the largest protected area on the planet yesterday by expanding a national marine monument off the coast of his native Hawaii to encompass about 1.5 million sq km of land and sea.

The move, which more than quadruples the size of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument that former President George W. Bush established a decade ago, underscores the extent to which Mr Obama has elevated the issues of conservation and climate change in his second term.

He has now used his executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act to protect more than 222ha of federal land and water, more than double what any of his predecessors have done.

WASHINGTON POST

World Bank chief gets US nod for 2nd term

WASHINGTON • United States President Barack Obama has nominated Jim Yong Kim for a second five-year term as president of the World Bank, despite persistent complaints among employees about his leadership at a time when the mission of the global development institution is in question.

The nomination on Thursday came two days after the bank invited nominations for its next president as it did for the first time in 2012.

While many World Bank watchers expect Mr Kim to be reappointed, given the seven-decade tradition of choosing an American picked by the US, the bank's largest contributor, they say he will have to work to solidify support.

NEW YORK TIMES

Kurdish group's attack in Turkey kills 11 cops

ISTANBUL • The militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) yesterday claimed a suicide bomb attack on Turkish police in the south-eastern town of Cizre that left 11 officers dead and wounded dozens more.

"Our sacrifice team staged a comprehensive action in Cizre that left dozens of police dead," said the PKK, which is known for exaggerating tolls.

In the statement on its website, it said the attack was in retaliation for the "continued isolation" of its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and the "lack of information" about his whereabouts.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE