Top story: A frustrated U.S. President Barack Obama addressed U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen on Friday and urged countries to accept an agreement, even if imperfect, though he stopped short of promising new U.S. emissions cuts. "No country will get everything that it wants," he said.
Obama also met privately with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. China has been criticized throughout this week for its resistance to binding emissions targets or outside monitoring of its environmental efforts. An official said the two leaders "took a step forward and made progress,” though neither has changed its negotiating position. Without specifically mentioning China, Obama said that an agreement without outside verification would be a "hollow victory."
Obama maintained in his remarks that "We are ready to get this done today," but with talks in disarray on Friday, the United Nations has reportedly advised negotiators to make arrangements to extend their stay through Sunday.
World leaders arriving on Friday were irritated that there was no agreement on the table prior to their arrival and seemed to believe that the chances of a deal were slim.
"I am not sure if such an angel or wise man will come down to this plenary and put in our minds the intelligence that we lacked," Brazilian President Lula Inacio Lula da Silva said. "I believe in God. I believe in miracles."
Cyber attack: Iranian hackers briefly blocked access to Twitter early this morning, redirecting users to the page of the "Iranian Cyber Army."
Asia
- Afghan officials say President Hamid Karzai will keep half of his current cabinet.
- India says it has withdrawn 30,000 troops from Kashmir.
- The Obama administration has proposed setting up a permanent U.S. liaison office in North Korea.
Europe
- A French judge filed corruption charges against former President Jacques Chirac.
- Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev will meet briefly in Copenhagen in Friday, hoping to finalize a nuclear arms control deal.
- The Vatican accepted the resignation of an Irish Bishop implicated in a sex abuse investigation.
Middle East
- Iranian troops reportedly briefly crossed into Iraqi territory and took control of an oil well before withdrawing.
- Iran's nuclear chief says the country is building more advanced centrifuges which will be put into operation by 2011.
- Six Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo Bay will be repatriated.
Africa
- A record 74,000 African fled across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen in 2009, according to the U.N.
- Eritrea's entire national soccer team has requested asylum in Kenya.
- The archbishop of Zambia has been defrocked by the Vatican for getting married, attempting to ordain married priests, and faith healing activities.
Americas
- Hugo Chavez accused the Netherlands of helping the U.S. prepare for an attack on Venezuela.
- Brazil's supreme court overturned a custody ruling in favor of an American father who is attempting to bring his son back to the United States.
- Mexican authorities say yesterday's killing of drug lord Beltran Levya could spark more bloodshed.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
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