Latest International agreements News

Global plastic pollution treaty talks hit critical stage in Canada

Apr. 23, 2024 00:26 AM EDT

Thousands of negotiators and observers representing most of the world’s nations are gathering in the Canadian city of Ottawa this week to craft a treaty to stop the rapidly escalating problem of plastic pollution. Each day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are...

Chinese general takes a harsh line on Taiwan and other disputes at an international naval gathering

Apr. 22, 2024 14:24 PM EDT

QINGDAO, China (AP) — One of China's top military leaders took a harsh line on regional territorial disputes, telling an international naval gathering in northeastern China on Monday that the country would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. The 19th biennial...

Venezuela's opposition backs unknown former diplomat in latest gambit to unseat Maduro

Apr. 20, 2024 14:31 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — Venezuela's opposition is rallying behind an unknown former diplomat to challenge Nicolas Maduro in this summer's presidential election, the latest gambit to unseat the self-declared socialist, whose lock on power seems all but assured. On Friday night, all 10 parties...

UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats

Apr. 19, 2024 13:25 PM EDT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The United Nations' refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to stop numerous Syrian refugee-laden boats departing Lebanon from reaching the European Union-member island nation mustn’t contravene international human rights laws or put passengers at risk. ...

Israel gave US last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7

Apr. 19, 2024 09:28 AM EDT

CAPRI, Italy (AP) — The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received “last minute” information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani,...

Chinese foreign minister criticizes US role in Gaza talks during visit to Indonesia

Apr. 18, 2024 06:35 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attacked the United States for earlier blocking United Nations resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting with his counterpart in Indonesia. The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers reiterated their...

UN agency helping Palestinians in Gaza seeks support against Israel's demands for its dissolution

Apr. 17, 2024 22:50 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency that has helped millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank for decades urged the Security Council on Wednesday to ensure its survival as Israel again demanded its dissolution, accusing the agency of becoming part of Hamas’ “terror war...

Italy's leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year

Apr. 17, 2024 14:17 PM EDT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The head of Italy's right-wing government acknowledged Wednesday that Tunisia cannot serve as a dumping ground for migrants, days after Tunisia's president reaffirmed his unwillingness to let Europe outsource migration problems by sending those not welcome there to his...

Solomon Islanders cast votes in an election that will shape relations with China

Apr. 17, 2024 07:09 AM EDT

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (AP) — Voting has closed across Solomon Islands on Wednesday in the South Pacific nation's first general election since the government switched diplomatic allegiances from Taiwan to Beijing and struck a secret security pact that has raised fears of the Chinese navy...

US navy flies aircraft through the Taiwan Strait a day after US-China defense chiefs hold rare talks

Apr. 17, 2024 05:53 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The U.S. 7th Fleet said a Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, a day after U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions. The patrol and reconnaissance plane...