NATO secretary general's successor rises on agenda ahead of summit
The debate over who should succeed Jens Stoltenberg, a Norwegian former prime minister, has become complicated. It's also possible he could agree to a fourth contract extension.
Norway
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Talks open on plastics treaty to defuse environmental 'time bomb'
About 69% of all the plastics produced, mainly through fossil fuel burning, are used just once or twice before they are thrown away. About 22% is mismanaged. Just 9% is recycled.
U.N. proposes global 'roadmap' to 80% cut in plastic pollution by 2040
The estimated annual social and environmental costs of plastic pollution range from US$300 billion to $US1.5 trillion.
Venezuelan deal sets stage for US$3B in frozen assets to go to aid fund
The agreement restarts negotiations and clears the way for Chevron to resume pumping Venezuelan oil.
More frequent wildfires globally seen as sign of climate 'tinderboxes'
A UN report finds wildfires are burning longer and hotter, and will likely become more frequent in some areas.
E.U. regulator approves first COVID-19 vaccine
A two-shot vaccine from BioNTech and Pfizer gained official approval in the E.U., two days after Switzerland approved it through a normal procedure.
U.N. talks open on Syria national governance
Syrian representatives, dogged by mistrust from an almost decade-long civil war, began a fourth round of peace talks on a new system of governance.
WFP wins Nobel Prize to focus world on hunger
The Nobel Peace Prize went to the World Food Program for its efforts to alleviate hunger amid the pandemic and to urge more international cooperation.
Leaders seek 'quantum leap’ for vaccines
More than 30 nations pledged to help 10 international organizations raise US$35 billion for fast-tracking coronavirus tests, medicines and vaccines.
Trump shuns multilateral vaccine effort
The Trump administration said it will steer clear of a multilateral effort to accelerate the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines.
Trials continue for Srebrenica 25 years on
Eight Bosnian men and boys killed 25 years ago were laid to rest outside Srebrenica, a reminder that justice for genocide victims comes slowly, if at all.
U.N. resolution calls for global virus effort
The U.N. General Assembly urged all nations to join in ensuring universal access to medical supplies, drugs, future vaccines and testing for the pandemic.
Virus fears amplify appeals for Syria peace
Human rights experts warily eyeing the first cases of coronavirus in Syria renewed long-ignored calls for an end to the war, this time in the name of health.
Syria's horrific war marks grim milestone
Almost 5 million children in Syria have known nothing but war for nine years while another 1 million were born as refugees into a harsh life, UNICEF reported.
WEF's top 5 global risks all environmental
WEF's annual compendium of the biggest risks on the planet, released to shape next week's gathering at Davos, overwhelmingly focuses on the climate crisis.
Security Council vote squeezes aid to Syria
The U.N. Security Council renewed a humanitarian operation in Syria but gave in to Russia's demand that it reduce cross-border aid to two Turkish crossings.