16+DEC

 **** __Climate Talks Near Deal to Save Forests__ **** By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL Negotiators were closing in on a sweeping deal that would compensate countries for preserving forests and other natural landscapes.

**** __Nuclear Power Expansion in China Stirs Concerns__ **** By KEITH BRADSHER China’s aggressive expansion of nuclear plants could cut carbon emissions, but the pace could lead to shortcuts.

**** __As Goldman Thrives, Some Say an Ethos Has Faded__ **** By JENNY ANDERSON Some current and former executives of Goldman Sachs are convinced that, under the leadership of Lloyd C. Blankfein, it now puts quick profits above all else. **** __In Copenhagen, ‘To Be Elaborated’ Means a Stalemate__ **** By ANDREW C. REVKIN and JOHN M. BRODER The top United Nations climate official said the many disputes at the climate conference reflected the challenge of finding common ground among 193 countries.

**** __Abkhazia Is Recognized — by Nauru__ **** By ELLEN BARRY Facing depletion of its main resource, phosphates, Nauru is only the fourth nation to recognize the region, which separated from Georgia.

****MIDEAST MEMO**** **** __Weighing Netanyahu as Peace Maker__ **** By ETHAN BRONNER Some observers say Benjamin Netanyahu, like previous hawks who became prime minister of Israel, is becoming more conciliatory. **** __Pittsburgh Sets Vote on Adding Tax on Tuition__ **** By IAN URBINA The mayor of Pittsburgh says a 1 percent tuition tax on students attending college in Pittsburgh will raise revenue needed to pay pensions for retired city workers.

**** __Oral Roberts, Fiery Preacher With Vast Empire, Dies at 91__ **** By KEITH SCHNEIDER Mr. Roberts’s televised ministry attracted millions of followers and made him one of the most controversial religious leaders of the 20th century.

**** __Obama Health Care Meeting Aims to Rally Senators__ **** By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and ROBERT PEAR President Obama urged Senate Democrats to bury their differences and pass sweeping health legislation within the next nine days. **** __An Unwelcome Spotlight Falls on SAC Capital__ **** By ALEX BERENSON After a former SAC analyst was charged for activities occurring after he left the firm, a flurry of articles have tried to connect SAC with the investigation.

**** __Never Listen to Céline? Radio Meter Begs to Differ__ **** By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD By measuring what people listen to rather than what they report, a radio rating system is finding new winners.

**** __Asian Stocks Mixed, but Nikkei Rises After Report on Delayed Capital Rules__ **** By REUTERS Japanese bank shares surged on a report of a possible delay in new global bank capital requirements.