- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
Environmentalists slam lobbyist influence on plastic talks
Environmental groups on Wednesday slammed the presence of dozens of petrochemical and fossil fuel industry lobbyists at UN talks on a plastic pollution treaty, accusing them of "obstruction" and "misinformation."
"It's a direct conflict of interest," said Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemical campaign coordinator at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
"Their interests conflict with the objective of the mandate (of the talks) and their presence here challenges independent science."
Nearly 200 countries are in South Korea to agree on a treaty to end plastic pollution, capping two years of talks.
The resolution setting up the talks calls for a treaty addressing the full "lifecycle" of plastics, as well as the need for sustainable production and consumption.
Environmental groups and many countries say this is a mandate to limit new plastic production, putting the goals of the treaty in conflict with the business model of fossil fuel and chemical companies whose products are the raw materials for plastic.
CIEL said its analysis of a UN list of participants showed over 200 lobbyists from the fossil fuel and chemical industries were registered for the talks.
"We have watched industry lobbyists surrounding the negotiations with sadly well-known tactics of obstruction, distraction, intimidation, and misinformation," said Levi Alvares.
The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) put the number of industry delegates in attendance at 135, and pushed back against the claims.
"We are far outnumbered" by observers from NGOs, said Matthew Kastner, director of media relations for the American Chemistry Council, an ICCA member.
"Our delegation is here to listen to governments so we can understand the unique challenges they face," he said.
Industry observers want to offer the "deep technical expertise our industries have that can help end plastic pollution."
Environmental groups argue that deep-pocketed industry organisations have a massive advantage in influencing negotiations, and are often found on the delegations of countries accused of blocking progress towards a more ambitious treaty.
"The difference is that NGOs are representing public interests whereas these industries are representing private interests," Levi Alvarez said.
NGOs have regularly criticised the presence of industry players on country delegations negotiating at the talks.
Countries are free to choose who participates in their delegations and in some cases have brought environmental groups into the talks.
UN Environment Programme chief Inger Andersen told AFP earlier this week that she had no mandate to limit participation in delegations.
"We've had a large contingent of observers from all kinds of groups," she said.
"We do not have the ability to tell member states who they put on their delegations."
O.Norris--AMWN