At UN, Malala, Anne Hathaway call for action on women’s rights

The event blended reflection, celebration and urgency, highlighting both the progress made in advancing women’s rights and the growing challenges many women and girls face worldwide. The gathering in the General Assembly Hall brought together diplomats, advocates and activists, with speakers reminding the audience that progress on women’s rights has never come automatically – it […]

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UK Marks 30 Years of Dayton Article IV and Sub-Regional Arms Control: UK statement to the OSCE

Madam Chair, the United Kingdom is pleased to join others today in marking the 30th Anniversary of the Sub Regional Arms Control Agreement under Article IV of Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Accords. This milestone provides an important opportunity not only to reflect on the Agreement’s achievements, but also to consider how it can […]

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An ‘alarming’ two-thirds of children say cyberbullying has increased

The report highlights “alarming trends” and “the urgent need for the entire online ecosystem to act faster and together to protect children,” the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said.  The findings come amid increasing threats to children with growing conflicts, displacement, poverty, and levels of violence.  “We meet today once again in a […]

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Office of Public Affairs | Tennessee Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to $80M Pandemic-Relief Fraud Scheme

The owner of a tax preparation business in Tennessee pleaded guilty today to orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that steered approximately $80 million in pandemic relief funds designed to help small businesses and workers to herself and her clients. According to court documents and statements made in court, Renata Walton, 45, of Mississippi, owned and […]

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Statement to the 111th Session of the Executive Council of the OPCW

Chair, Director-General, Deputy-Director General, Excellencies, I would like to begin by thanking the Director-General for your comprehensive update and to your colleagues for the continuing work of the OPCW to confront growing chemical weapon related risks and ensuring a world free from chemical weapons. My thanks also to the current Executive Council chair, Ambassador Thomas […]

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World News in Brief: Türk’s South Sudan ceasefire call, Ukraine strikes, Gaza food alert, Afghan returnees

In an appeal for an immediate ceasefire, he said that over the past 17 days, more than 160 civilians have been killed. This includes at least 139 on 1 March by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group in the northern Ruweng administrative area. Civilians ‘lured’ to their deaths On 21 February, the High Commissioner alleged […]

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Office of Public Affairs | Department of Justice Releases First-Ever Corporate Enforcement Policy for All Criminal Cases

The Department of Justice released today the first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy for criminal matters, promoting uniformity, predictability, and fairness in how it pursues white-collar cases to protect the American people. “This Department of Justice is committed to transparency and fairness, and our first-ever Department-wide corporate enforcement policy is yet another example of that,” said […]

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‘You are the foundation-shakers’: UN chief answers tough questions at townhall with women’s civil society groups

“You are foundation-shakers,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the annual townhall meeting with women’s rights defenders – which runs until 19 March – “and you are shaking out justice, dignity and equality for communities across the globe.” Highlighting persistent power imbalances, including in politics, the economy and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), he […]

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Nicaragua: Rights experts uncover State corruption fuelling repression, spying on exiles

The report to the Human Rights Council called on the Government, led by partners in marriage and politics, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, to ensure accountability, restore civic space, and take meaningful measures to guarantee the rights of all Nicaraguans – including those in exile. “Repression and institutional corruption have become the governing method in Nicaragua […]

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the EU has very few options to limit the war’s economic impact – and prevent a recession

After the US and Israel began their military strikes on Iran on February 28, oil and gas markets were plunged into chaos and energy prices shot up. As of today, Brent Crude Oil prices are 20% higher than in late February. They went from around $70 a barrel in late February to quickly surpassing $100, […]

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