"US Official Confirms: Joe Biden to Skip Cop28 Climate Meeting in Dubai"

US President Joe Biden will not be attending the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai this week, according to a US official. The decision comes as Biden balances the demands of a Middle East war and a presidential campaign expected to intensify in January. The conference aims to secure the world's first deal to phase out CO2-emitting coal, oil, and gas. Dozens of countries will be in attendance, including the UK Prime Minister and the Pope, while China's President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend. Envoys for Biden and Xi have signaled their cooperation ahead of the talks.