In environmental news, Australia has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, pledging to meet a global target on reducing emissions of greenhouse gas. It was the first official move for new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, coming right after he was sworn in. Rudd’s party beat the Bush administration-backed Prime Minister John Howard last week. Australia’s signature leaves the US as the only industrialized country not to have ratified Kyoto. Rudd has appointed the former lead singer for Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett, to the environment minister post. Midnight Oil was long an outspoken band known for its progressive views.