Category: World

The United States will provide nearly $157 million in new U.S. humanitarian assistance to support populations affected by conflict in Lebanon and the region.  This funding will address new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations inside Lebanon and the communities that host them.  The assistance will also support those fleeing to neighboring Syria.  This […]

Among the victims at the hands of the so-called Gran Grif gang were 10 women and three infants. “As the attacks unfolded, gang members reportedly set fire to at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles, forcing a number of residents to flee,” said Thameen Al-Kheetan in a statement released in Geneva. He called for a […]

When a child is born, the person giving birth is often subject to extremely harsh treatment – verbal humiliation, invasive practices, unnecessary medication, physical violence, and denial of treatment and pain relief are all commonplace before, during and after birth, both in Europe and across the globe. This can include a lack of informed consent […]

James Swan, acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), briefed the Security Council in New York alongside Mohammed El-Amine Souef, Head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The mandate for UNSOM is set to expire at the end of the month, and Somalia has […]

After eight rounds of consultations, the United States and the Republic of Korea have reached consensus on the proposed text of a new five-year Special Measures Agreement (SMA).  This will be the 12th SMA after it is signed, concluded, and enters into force. The agreement will be a significant accomplishment for both sides, and will strengthen […]

In an unusual exchange on X, formerly Twitter, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Dutch politician Geert Wilders both tweeted in Hebrew, further intensifying the rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Khamenei threatened that “the blows of the resistance front will grow stronger and more painful against the worn and decaying body of the Zionist […]

France remains a top destination for higher education. According to Campus France, 412,087 foreign students enrolled in French institutions for the 2022-2023 academic year – a 3% increase from the previous year and a 17% rise over five years. They represent 14% of students enrolled in higher education. Although France still ranks 6th among host […]

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Guatemala on the occasion of the inaugural High-Level Security Dialogue.  Begin text:The Republic of Guatemala and the United States of America reiterated today their commitment to shared interests in matters of security, democracy, rule of law, and […]

Thank you Madame Moderator. And thank you to the panellists for their insightful presentations.  The United Kingdom believes that international coordination is critical to tackling trafficking in human beings. Conflict, humanitarian crises, irregular migration, and the devastating impacts of climate change are all contributing to growing numbers of people in modern slavery and subject to […]

Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric issued a statement saying that UN chief António Guterres was “extremely concerned” by the fast escalation of the conflict.  “An all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected”, Mr. Dujarric added.  The UN chief spoke to Lebanon’s Prime Minister […]