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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World

Newsdesk notes for Monday October 15

In today's news podcast: an ambitious plan to split the Taliban by encouraging the defection of senior officials has been endorsed by the British government. Our diplomatic editor Julian Borger explains why the strategy in Afghanistan appears to be shifting.

And we hear from schools minister Ed Balls on his concerns about the crisis in childhood obesity and where the responsibility for sorting out the problem lies.

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The Chinese Communist party congress gets underway today - it's the most important meeting of delegates in the country for five years says our correspondent in Beijing Jonathan Watts. Party officials are likely to be jostling for position with one eye on the retirement of President Hu Jintao in 2012.

Plus we hear from Robert Kitson in Paris following a triumphant win for the England rugby team against France on Saturday. England now face South Africa in the final on Saturday for the chance to retain the World Cup.

Haroon Siddique rounds up the rest of the news in today's papers, Shehani Fernando presents.

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