Top story: In a stunning upset, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded U.S. President Barack Obama the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, only nine months into his presidency. The committee cited Obama's efforts at nuclear nonproliferation, his outreach to the Muslim world, and emphasis on multilateralism saying, “Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics.”
The choice of Obama is even more surprising given that he had assumed office only two weeks before the Feb. 1 deadline for nominations. When asked whether the award was, perhaps, premature, Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland compared Obama to Willy Brandt and and Mikhail Gorbachev, two leaders whose reforms had not come to fruition when they had received the prize.
“The question we have to ask is who has done the most in the previous year to enhance peace in the world,” Jagland said. “And who has done more than Barack Obama?”
All the same, even the White House seemed shocked by the decision with Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel saying “There has been no discussion, nothing at all.” Though he couldn't help later quipping, "Oslo beats Copenhagen."
Environment: The latest round of U.N. climate change talks ended with no deal on the table.
Asia
- Around 50 people were killed in a car bombing in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
- South Korea and Japan say North Korea should not be granted any more aid until it dismantles its nuclear weapons program.
- After weeks of heavy rain, hundreds have been killed by mudslides in the Philippines.
Europe
- U.S. and EU representatives are meeting with Bosnian leaders to discuss the country's EU membership process.
- A former Guantanamo detainee has arrived in Belgium, where he has been granted residency.
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves on a six-day trip to Europe and Russia today.
Africa
- Britain is calling for U.N. sanctions against Eritrea.
- The European Union backed away from sanctioning Guinea's military junta.
- Japan has obtained rights to develop platinum mines in South Africa and Botswana.
Middle East
- Jerusalem police are on alert for protests during Friday prayers over the ongoing tensions at the al Aqsa mosque.
- At the request of Libya, the UN security council will hold a meeting to discuss the Goldstone report on human rights abuses in Gaza.
- Saudi King Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad jointly called for the creation of a unity government in Lebanon.
Americas
- Representatives from the two sides of the Honduras political crisis have held direct talks for the first time.
- The mayor of the Mexican border town of Palomas was murdered on Thursday.
- Bolivian President Evo Morales paid tribute to Che Guevara on the anniversary of his death.
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