News Wrap: Biden in Peru for APEC Summit, one of his final appearances on world stage

In our news wrap Friday, all eyes on President Joe Biden as world leaders gather at the APEC Summit in Peru for one of his final appearances on the world stage, climate experts are calling for an urgent overhaul of the United Nation’s COP climate talks and Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has asked Iran to help secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Geoff Bennett:
We start the day’s other headlines in Lima, Peru.
Leaders from APEC — that’s the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation — are gathering for the first global leaders summit since Donald Trump was reelected. All eyes are on President Biden during one of his final appearances on the world stage. On the sidelines, he met with leaders from Japan and South Korea and pledged to spend his last days in office bolstering their partnership.
Joe Biden, President of the United States: Promoting development in Southeast Asia and in the Pacific Islands, linking arms to secure the technologies of the future, and countering North Korea’s dangerous and destabilizing cooperation with Russia. Whether — whatever the issue, we’re taking it on together.
Geoff Bennett:
President Biden will sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow. It will be their first in-person meeting since last year’s APEC summit in San Francisco and their last with Mr. Biden as president.
A group of more than 20 climate experts and former leaders is calling for an urgent overhaul of the U.N.’s COP climate talks. In an open letter, they say the current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity.
This year’s summit has struggled to make progress on its goal of setting a funding target to help developing nations deal with climate change. But top officials today defended the process.
Catherine Abreu, Director, International Climate Politics Hub:
Ultimately, I think we all agree that it is absolutely essential for countries to cooperate to tackle the climate crisis. No one country can do this alone. And this is the only space that brings every country in the world together to do anything. And in this case, it’s to address the greatest crisis of our generation.
Protesters:
Kick big polluters out! Weed out the snakes!
Geoff Bennett:
Meantime, protesters called on leaders to — quote — “Weed out the snakes.” They’re referring to some 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists present at this year’s conference.
Also at the COP talks today, new data was made public showing the world’s most-polluting cities. Shanghai topped the list in producing the most heat-trapping gas. Two U.S. cities, that’s New York City and Houston, came in at numbers three and four.
In Pakistan, authorities in the eastern province of Punjab declared a health emergency today due to severe smog. A toxic haze has engulfed the densely populated region for weeks, sickening nearly two million people. Schools are closed until further notice. Officials have ordered lockdowns in the cities of Multan and Lahore, where the average air quality index topped 600 today. Any number over 300 is considered a health risk.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has asked Iran to secure a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. Those comments came during talks in Beirut with Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader. According to Lebanese media, the U.S. gave Lebanon a draft of a cease-fire proposal for Israel and Hezbollah. Iran is the main backer of the militant group.
And at a news conference today, Larijani was asked if he came to Lebanon to undermine the U.S. truce plan.
Ali Larijani, Adviser to Iranian Leader (through interpreter): We are not after disrupting anything. We are after solving problems. We will support the Lebanese people under any circumstances. It’s Israel’s prime minister and his mob that are after disrupting things.
Geoff Bennett:
Meantime, rescue teams combed through the rubble in the Lebanese city of Baalbek today after an Israeli airstrike on a civil defense building last night killed at least 13 people.
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled against lawmakers who used their subpoena power to halt the execution of a death row inmate for his daughter’s shaken baby death, paving the way for it to proceed. Robert Roberson was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter.
His case gained widespread support from lawmakers and medical experts who questioned the science behind his conviction. Roberson was set to be put to death last month, but, with only hours to spare, lawmakers temporarily stopped it by issuing a last-minute subpoena to have him testify at a hearing that was scheduled after his execution. A new execution date has not been set.
On Wall Street today, stocks fell as investors worried about the outlook for interest rates. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 300 points on the final day of the week. The Nasdaq sank more than 400 points, so more than 2 percent. The S&P 500 also ended sharply lower on the day.
And Conan O’Brien has been selected to host the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony. He emceed the Emmy Awards and the White House Correspondents Dinner, but the 61-year-old is best known for his late-night talk shows and more recently his podcast. On social media, O’Brien gave a taste of what viewers can expect.
Conan O’Brien, 2025 Academy Awards Host: I’m an Oscar winner. It’s amazing.
Man:
You’re hosting.
Conan O’Brien:
Oh, I’m hosting?
Man:
Yes.
Conan O’Brien:
I’m an Oscar host.
Man:
Exactly.
Conan O’Brien:
Oh. But do I still get to keep the Oscar?
Man:
No, you don’t.
Conan O’Brien:
Oh.
Man:
Thank you.
Geoff Bennett:
The 97th Oscars ceremony will occur on March 2.