The Latest: Shakira performs at global summit opening


              Shakira performs at the start of the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Shakira performs at the start of the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Latest developments at the United Nations summit to adopt an ambitious blueprint to eradicate extreme poverty and other global goals. (All times local).

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12:20

What an opening act: Pope Francis' speech to the U.N. General Assembly led into performances by singers Shakira and Angelique Kidjo as a historic gathering at the U.N. to adopt global development goals began.

Shakira sang "Imagine," and Kidjo sang "Afrika." Then Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai shifted to a more solemn tone with her opening words: "In the name of God, the most beneficent, the most merciful."

Yousafzai made a plea for education for all. "Promise us that you will keep your commitments and invest in our future," she said.

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11:45

A historic gathering of world leaders has adopted a set of ambitious global development goals that aim to eliminate poverty and hunger over the next 15 years.

Around 150 heads of state and government are at the United Nations on Friday through Sunday to launch what are known as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The adoption came minutes after Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly with his own challenge to world leaders to tackle crucial international issues like climate change and ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

The 17 development goals aim to fight climate change and ensure gender equality and education for all, among other things.

The non-binding goals are expected to cost between $3.5 trillion and $5 trillion every year until 2030.

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