1. CLIMATE:
Debate begins anew -- do U.N. talks matter in Washington?
DOHA, Qatar -- The U.N. climate conference is an annual event that draws thousands of diplomats, technocrats and activists who spend a couple of weeks nudging and elbowing one another over their respective nations' positions on curbing heat-trapping greenhouse gases. As delegates wrapped up the latest conference here Saturday, many were facing what has become an annual question: Will this meeting make a difference?