WEALTHY nations would commit to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade, and the world should strive to nearly eliminate them – or at least cut them in half – by 2050 under a draft text circulated yesterday at the UN climate talks.

THE European Union and China have agreed to begin new negotiations on trade and energy that will not be directly dependent on China delivering progress on human rights issues.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to meet Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao today as part of a high-level Irish trade mission to the communist nation.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is in Ireland today to meet the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and to sign a new tourism agreement with the Government.