Latest International agreements News

World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says

Apr. 23, 2024 20:38 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its...

Global plastic pollution treaty talks hit critical stage in Canada

Apr. 23, 2024 16:52 PM 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...

Britain's home secretary touts UK-Rwanda migrant deportation deal during visit to Italy

Apr. 23, 2024 15:52 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Britain’s home secretary on Tuesday touted Britain’s migrant deportation deal with Rwanda as a “new and creative” deterrent to an old and growing problem. But he said he took seriously criticism by the U.N. refugee agency that it violates international law. Home...

More deaths in the English Channel underscore risks for migrants despite UK efforts to stem the tide

Apr. 23, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Five more people died in the English Channel on Tuesday, underscoring the risks of crossing one of the world’s busiest sea lanes in overloaded inflatable boats just hours after British lawmakers approved a controversial migrant bill to stop the traffic. The...

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...