Hundreds more were reportedly injured in clashes following the disputed elections and around 2,000 arrested, including teenagers, young adults, opposition members, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers, as well as bystanders. Since then, the Government has announced the conditional release of over 100 of those detained. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Volker Türk termed the move “an important step” and called for review of cases of all those still held. “I also urge the authorities to provide guarantees of a fair trial for detainees. This includes allowing them to designate a lawyer of their choice, and providing…
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As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks. This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $500 million. It includes: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs); Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs); High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs); light tactical vehicles; Chemical,…
Reprinted by permission from VoxDev The spread of conditional cash transfer programmes in low- and middle-income countries has been described as perhaps the most remarkable innovation of recent decades in welfare programmes. These programmes provide regular cash transfers to poor families contingent on specific behaviours. These include school enrolment and regular attendance. The programmes started in the late 1990s in Mexico and quickly became the public policy of choice to fight poverty and low enrolment. Today, more than 60 countries operate education conditional cash transfer programmes, often at a national scale. There is plenty of evidence showing that conditional cash…
The Department of State is announcing additional action today under the visa restriction policy that prohibits visa issuance to those who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia. Today’s action will affect approximately twenty individuals, including individuals serving as government ministers and in Parliament, law enforcement and security officials, and private citizens. The United States strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures. Georgian Dream has turned away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, which the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and…
Advances administration’s efforts to expand apprenticeships, strengthen workforceWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its award of $99.3 million in grants to 71 organizations in 31 states to provide training and employment services in its continuing effort to expand access to Registered Apprenticeships, prepare young workers for quality jobs and equip them with industry skills.These YouthBuild Program grants will support pre-apprenticeships to educate and train young people from 16 to 24 and neither enrolled in school or now in the labor market for construction jobs and employment in other high-demand industries. YouthBuild grants will help deliver education and training…
On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send best wishes to the people of Kenya as you celebrate your 61st Independence Day. Today, we celebrate our mutual commitment to leading democracies that deliver prosperity, security, and opportunity for our people. It was an honor to host Kenya this summer for a State Visit, which afforded an unprecedented opportunity to uplift our enduring people-to-people partnership. I commend Kenya’s leadership in advancing shared climate solutions, collaborating on mutually beneficial trade and investment to promote a prosperous and inclusive future, driving digital technology transformation, and tirelessly…
The Commission organised today a roundtable with leading experts in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in various scientific disciplines and in fundamental AI research. Hosted by the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen and the Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, the discussion focused on identifying gaps and exploring pathways to use AI to accelerate scientific innovation and excellence in Europe. The experts’ input is also timely in view of the forthcoming initiative on a European AI Research Council and the Strategy to increase the uptake of AI by European scientists. Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protections from hazardous conditions.“I’ve talked to workers in construction, particularly women, who have spoken of personal protective equipment that didn’t fit or was simply unavailable at the jobsite in their size,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “PPE must fit properly to work. I’m proud of the broad support from both employers…
More than 60 per cent of these killings occurred in countries experiencing conflict – the highest percentage in over a decade. “Reliable information is vital in conflict situations to help affected populations and to enlighten the world,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “It is unacceptable that journalists pay with their lives for this work. I call on all States to step up and ensure the protection of media workers, in accordance with international law,” she added. Alarming trends The report highlights that 42 journalists were killed in conflict zones this year, including 18 in Palestine, which recorded the highest toll. Other countries…
Delivering his final briefing for the year, Hans Grundberg noted that 2024 was marked by immense turmoil and tragedy across the Middle East region, where far too many people – including in Yemen – have endured profound loss due to violent conflicts. “With the last months’ dramatic developments in Lebanon and Syria, it should be obvious to all that the Middle East is in urgent need of stabilization. This includes Yemen,” he said. Pathway to peace In Yemen, Government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels, have been fighting for over a decade. The country is…