Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Yeh Fei “Jim” Chu discusses his experience being charged with an antitrust crime by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and living as a fugitive for approximately five years before pleading guilty to resolve his case.
Note: This video contains excerpts from an interview Mr. Chu recorded as part of his community service obligations.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary-General/African Union
Central African Republic
Security Council/Yemen
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Democratic Republic of the Congo
World Radio Day
Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICAN UNION
The Secretary-General is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will take part in the 38th African Union Summit. Today, he met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, and he also met with our UN colleagues.
Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will have a series of bilateral meetings with the leadership of the African Union Commission, as well as heads of State and Government from the continent. He is also scheduled to take part in meetings of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, on the situation in Sudan and on the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Secretary-General will deliver remarks during the opening session of the African Union Summit on Saturday, and he is also scheduled to hold a press conference – at 3:00 pm, Addis time that day.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the killing of a Tunisian peacekeeper of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) during the night of 11 February by an unidentified armed person near the village of Zobassinda.
The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He calls on the Central African authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this tragedy so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.
Regarding the peacekeeper who was tragically killed in the Central African Republic on Tuesday, his name is Seifeddine Hamrita from Tunisia. Once again, the UN extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all members of the peacekeeping mission.
SECURITY COUNCIL/YEMEN
This morning, our Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, briefed Security Council members on the situation in the country. He stated that the tentative reduction in hostilities, along with the release of the crew of the Motor Vessel Galaxy Leader, is a welcome relief, and we must build on this opportunity as a foundation for further de-escalation.
Mr. Grundberg said that over the past month, he continued his active engagement with all regional and international actors. His message to all remains that only a political settlement of the conflict will support the Yemenis in their aspirations for lasting peace.
For his part, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, says that almost 20 million Yemenis are in dire need of our support, right now. He asked the Council to back us to return UN operations to full capacity and give us the money to deliver for those we serve. The UN reiterates its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=13%20February%202025
Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (SESG for Yemen), briefing the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
After recovering from a shoulder surgery with the help of Tai Chi, U.S. Army Veteran Clayton Crosley found an unexpected calling that would impact hundreds of others at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System.
Incorporating a practice of both Tai Chi movements and Qigong, Crosley has been volunteering for over 10 years in the Hinesville and Savanah area to help fellow Veterans find relief through the ancient practice. Through volunteer-led programs like Crosley’s Tai Chi classes, the VA continues to expand its Whole Health approach, offering Veterans complementary practices that support their journey to better health – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
In a recent video message from his desk at the VA Central Office, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins addressed media concerns that Veterans’ benefits might be targeted for cuts.
“I’m the Secretary of VA, and I’m telling you right now, that’s not happening … the reality is, Veterans benefits aren’t getting cut,” Collins said. “In fact, we are actually giving and improving services.”
He went on to emphasize that the Veterans Benefits Administration is clearing cases faster than ever and that VA remains mission-focused by doing what it is supposed to do.
Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. There can be no peace deal without Ukraine at the table. As we stand for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, our priority must be to strengthen Ukraine.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
President Cyril Ramaphosa as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officiates the handover of the mortal remains of SANDF members who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the families who have lost loved ones.
President Ramaphosa pays his respects to the families of the departed soldiers alongside Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya at the Air Force Base Swartkops. #GovZAUpdates #RIPSASoldiers
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Then Big Ben in 1905
Now 120 years later, with dials restored to the original Prussian blue
Today’s agenda for business in the House of Commons chamber includes business questions to the Leader of the House and a general debate on LGBT+ History Month.
In the House of Lords, there is a debate on National Holocaust Memorial Day and a short debate on bank closures in the past decade and the impact on people in rural communities.
Both Houses rise for recess at the conclusion of today’s business and will return on Monday 24 February.
Take a tour of Parliament over recess: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/january/easter-speakers-house-tours/
“The EU in the World”
Keynote speech by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission followed by Q&A
Read more on the AI Action Summit here: https://europa.eu/!fnXHKg
Find European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s speech here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en
Follow us on:
-X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
-Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission
Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers opening remarks at the 26th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Feb. 12, 2025
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Your military is an all-volunteer force that serves to protect our security and way of life, but Service members are more than a fighting force. They are leaders, humanitarians and your fellow Americans. Get to know more about the men and women who serve, who they are, what they do, and why they do it.
For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
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Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!
Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
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About the U.S. Army:
The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.
Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L
Connect with the U.S. Army online:
Web: https://www.army.mil
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#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #2024 #MostAskedQuestions
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Secretary-General/African Union Summit
– Secretary-General/France
– Yemen
– Namibia
– Security Council/Syria
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Democratic Republic of Congo/Peacekeeping
– Democratic Republic of Congo/Humanitarian
– Bangladesh
– International Day
– Guest Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT
On Thursday morning, the Secretary-General will arrive in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, to take part in the 38th African Union Summit. While there, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leadership of the African Union Commission, Ethiopian authorities as well as Heads of State and Government from the continent.
On Friday, he is also scheduled to take part in meetings of the AU Peace and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, concerning the situations in Sudan and the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Saturday morning, the Secretary-General will attend the opening session of the African Union Summit. He will deliver remarks, during which he will reaffirm that the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger.
He is also expected to reiterate his calls for reforms of the international financial architecture, as well as for permanent representation of African countries at the Security Council.
On Saturday, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold a press conference.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/FRANCE
Before leaving Paris for Addis Ababa to attend the African Union Summit, the Secretary-General visited the headquarters of Reporters Sans Frontières, where he met with its Director General, Thibaut Bruttin.
Addressing the staff, the Secretary-General said that organizations like RSF are on the front line in the common fight for truth against fiction, for science against conspiracy, and for the fight against impunity when journalists face violence and even death.
The Secretary-General said the struggle to defend freedom of the press and the journalists themselves is essential to preserve our democracies.
YEMEN
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the death in detention on 10 February of a World Food Programme (WFP) colleague who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities since 23 January 2025. The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities.
The Secretary-General has called for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable. In his statement, he said that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, is unacceptable. He renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=12+February+2025
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
This FY 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) webinar includes an overview of the FP&S Activity, updates to the program, applicant eligibility, information about the application and review process and allowability of costs.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
FY 2024 AFGP Application Development Training Series – FP&S – Research and Development Activity This FY 2024 FP&S webinar includes an overview of the Research and Development Activity, updates to the program, applicant eligibility, information about the application and review process and allowability of costs. FY24 FPS RD Program Overview Presentation
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
This FY24 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity webinar includes a program overview, understanding the application process and tips for preparing to apply.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
FEMA teams are on the ground providing support to those that are impacted from the Los Angeles wildfires. If you need help, visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to learn more about all the resources that are available.
The UN Human Rights Office today (Feb 12) released a comprehensive, in-depth report on the human rights violations and abuses related to the protests that took place in Bangladesh last year, drawing on over 250 interviews with victims, witnesses, medics and senior officials, as well as individual pieces of digital information.
Drawing on these testimonies and other evidence, it found an official policy to attack and violently repress anti-Government protesters and sympathisers, raising concerns as to crimes against humanity requiring urgent further investigation.
In this episode of the Football for the Goals Q&A video series, we sit down with Executive Director of the Generation Amazing Foundation, Nasser Al Khori. We discuss why his organisation joined the Football for the Goals Initiative, the social impact of Generation Amazing, and its plans for advancing the SDGs.
Generation Amazing is a social and human development programme launched in 2010 as part of Qatar’s FIFA World Cup bid, using football to drive positive change in underserved communities worldwide. Through initiatives focused on education, inclusion, and sustainability, the programme empowers youth with life skills and opportunities to create lasting social impact.
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Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an opportunity to build on football’s powerful and influential reach and to work together to become agents of change by aligning messaging, strategies and operations with the aspirations of the SDGs.
This initiative will inspire and guide the world of football – from confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs, to players’ associations, organized fan groups, as well as media and commercial partners – to build on existing sustainability approaches and to implement SDG strategies that lead to behavioural change.
Members may not only aspire to develop sustainable practices, but may also act as champions of the SDGs during the Decade of Action (2020-2030). Members will use their visibility and outreach power via tournaments, players, corporate brand exposure, media and fan communities to raise the profile of the SDGs through amplification and advocacy. They will inspire action by demonstrating how these sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through any business model, including sport.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Following its call for views, the House of Commons Modernisation Committee announces its next steps as it sets out to make the Commons more effective and accessible to all. Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/736/modernisation-committee/news/205253/modernisation-committee-pushes-ahead-with-change-agenda/