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Top Story: Just days after countries agreed to a face-saving agreement at the U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen, accusations have begun to fly about who was responsible for the disappointing conference. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized the United States for failing to commit for emissions reductions. South African negotiators, who participated in the drafting of the final agreement, nonetheless attacked it as "not acceptable."
E.U. environment ministers will meet today to discuss how to proceed in the wake of the Copenhagen "disaster." Writing in the Guardian on Sunday, British climate secretary Ed Miliband accused China of having "hijacked" the proceedings for its own goals. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman responded that Miliband's accusations were just a way "to shirk responsibilities that should be assumed towards developing countries."
At least one minister seemed happy with how the talks turned out. Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh told parliament that India had been able to resist international pressure to agree to binding emissions cuts. The markets were less upbeat with carbon prices plunging on the European exchange on Monday.
He's back: Controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's approval ratings are increasing again after his nose was broken by a mentally disturbed man last week.
Middle East
- In a speech to supporters, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed a U.S. deadline for agreeing to an internationally negotiated nuclear enrichment deal.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says there won't be another intifada, as long as he's in office.
- Israel would reportedly be willing to agree to a prisoner swap with Hamas for captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, as long as some of the Palestinian prisoners are deported.
Asia
- A WTO arbitrator upheld a ruling that China illegally restricts U.S. media imports.
- U.S. and Afghan troops engaged in a four-hour firefight with Taliban militants -- including suicide bombers -- in the city of Gardez.
- Japan plans to resolve the dispute over the U.S. military base in Okinawa by May.
Americas
- Mexico City legalized gay marriages and adoptions.
- A Colombian state governor was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas.
- At least 23 people were killed from drug-related violence in the Northern Mexican state of Chihuahua from Sunday to Monday.
Europe
- A Lithuanian investigation found that the CIA used at least two secret detention centers in the country for interrogating prisoners after 9/11.
- The United States and Russia are planning "unprecedented cuts" in their nuclear arsenals, according to Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
- Serbia will formally submit its EU membership application today.
Africa
- A U.N. panel recommended that member's of Guinea's ruling junta be referred to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
- Zimbabwe's rival leaders Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai reached an agreement on forming committees to oversee human rights, the media and elections.
- Ethiopia sentenced five people to death for planning to kill government ministers.
SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images
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