Midday Roundup: Obama in Paris for climate talks

In the shadow of ISIS. The UN climate conference kicks off today in Paris. It’s the first time since leaders met in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 that nations are coming together to craft a binding deal on climate regulations. U.S. President Barack Obama said the summit is a powerful rebuke to terrorists who attacked Paris two weeks ago. After arriving early this morning, Obama visited the Bataclan theater, one of the sites attacked, and laid a flower at a memorial for the victims. Obama and French President François Hollande are scheduled to meet today to discuss both climate change and how to fight Islamic State.

Day of deals. Today is “Cyber Monday,” when many online retailers roll out the e-version of doorbuster deals. Some analysts expect online sales to prop up retail spending this Christmas season. Foot traffic at brick-and-mortar stores on Thanksgiving and Black Friday last week appears to have fallen a bit from 2014, but that could be the result of shoppers getting an early start this year on their Christmas gift buying, according to the retail analytics firm ShopperTrak. Overall, most analysts expect retail sales to be strong this holiday season.

Courtroom drama. The first trial of a Baltimore police officer involved in the death of Freddie Gray in police custody earlier this year begins today with jury selection. Six officers were indicted after Gray died of injuries he received while riding unbuckled in the back of a police van in April. Officer William Porter, whose trial starts today, faces charges of assault, manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and misconduct in office. Gray’s death set off destructive protests in Baltimore that cost the city millions of dollars in property damage. The fate of Porter, who is African-American, could have significant repercussions for the relationships between police and civilians and white and black Baltimore residents. “Everything is at stake. The future of the city is at stake,” Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said.

Campus caution. The University of Chicago canceled classes today after receiving a threat of violence against the campus quad. The FBI notified school officials Sunday of the threat, which was posted online. “Based on the FBI’s assessment of this threat and recent tragic events at other campuses across the country, we have decided in consultation with federal and local law enforcement officials to exercise caution by canceling all classes and activities on the Hyde Park campus,” University President Robert Zimmer wrote in an announcement. The university asked nonessential employees to stay home and students in campus housing to remain inside. A shooter at an Oregon community college killed nine people in October after posting a threat online, leading to heightened awareness of and responses to threatening internet chatter at schools around the country.

WORLD Radio’s Jim Henry contributed to this report.