Top story: While critics outside the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen continue to attack the science of climate change, within the convention hall, the main debate is between rich and poor countries. A draft proposal known as the "Danish text" was leaked to the media yesterday and was immediately criticized by delegates from developing nations.
The proposal -- which was prepared by a number of countries including the United States and United Kingdom -- would have set binding targets on carbon emissions from developing nations and given donor nations greater oversight over aid to fight climate change. NGO Oxfam International also criticized the proposal, saying it, "falls far short of emissions cuts needed, and remains vague on the climate cash,” Oxfam International.
Another document, prepared by Brazil, South Africa, India and China, makes no mentions of binding cuts for developing nations and rejects outside verification schemes. Inevitably, the argument over how best to tackle the Earth's rising temperature seems to have boiled down to an argument over money.
Economy: Global stock markets are taking a hit over Greece and Dubai's debts as well as weak Japanese economic data.
Asia
- U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth began talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang under heavy security.
- Violent separatist protests shut down the Indian city of Hyderabad.
- Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says he will present a proposal to the United States next week to resolve an ongoing dispute over the future of the U.S. military base in Okinawa.
Middle East
- Iran's chief prosecutor said authorities will "show no mercy" toward protesters after two days of widespread student demonstrations.
- Yemen's army entered the second day of an offensive against Houthi rebels in the country's north.
- Israel's parliament approved a piece of legislation that would require a national referendum for a peace deal involving East Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.
Africa
- Guinea's ruling junta arrested 60 for the attempted assassination of leader Moussa Dadis Camara.
- Al Qaeda in the Maghreb says it is holding the three Spanish aid workers captured last week in Mauritania.
- A new Amnesty International report accuses Nigerian police of killing civilians who fail to pay bribes.
Americas
- Honduras's top anti-drug official was murdered by gunmen.
- U.S. Senate Democrats have reached a deal to replace the proposed public option in the healthcare bill with a more scaled-back program.
- Peru's army is close to a deal to buy tanks from China.
Europe
- Germany has filed terrorism charges against a Turkish-German citizen who was allegedly plotting attacks against U.S. targets.
- Ireland's strict abortion laws are being challenged in the European Court of Human Rights.
- The British government announced a one-time tax on banker's bonuses.
asper Carlberg/AFP/Getty Images
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