The Long Night in Geneva

At the climate talks in Geneva, delegates stayed awake for a second night, trying to agree on a final text.

Small island nations asked for a clear promise of money, because rising seas already threaten their homes.

Large oil-producing countries, however, worried that a quick move away from coal and gas would hurt their economies.

Between these two sides, European ministers tried to build a bridge with careful words.

One young negotiator from a small country said that every hour of delay felt like a year for her village.

Just after midnight, a group of developing countries refused to sign the draft, arguing that the rich world was not paying its fair share.

The meeting paused while lawyers checked the numbers in the plan.

Outside the hall, activists held signs and watched the screens, waiting for any sign of progress.

In the end, the parties agreed to meet again in three months, which many saw as a small step rather than a victory.