WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- The Food and Water Watch issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: The gas industry - by a company called "Southern Tier CO2 to Clean Energy Solutions" - recently announced a proposal to drill and frack in New York using carbon dioxide (CO2), including test wells as soon as this spring. Almost a decade after New York historically led the nation and protected public health and the environment by banning high-volume hydraulic fracking, this dangerous proposal to g  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- A Better Balance, a legal advocacy organization, issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2023, by Co-Founder and Co-President Dina Bakst: * * * One year ago, Congress passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), a groundbreaking civil rights law that guarantees long overdue dignity, fairness, and equality for moms and moms-to-be. The passage of the PWFA, as well as the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, which also passed one year ago, marked a momentous victory for gende  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Access Now, an organization that says it defends and extends the rights of people and communities at risk, issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: Access Now is alarmed by the introduction of India's Telecommunications Bill, 2023 to parliament's lower house today, amid opposition, after a last-minute addition to the agenda. The rushed move provides cover for the bill to evade public scrutiny and limit parliament's ability to debate provisions which threaten open  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Access Now, an organization that says it defends and extends the rights of people and communities at risk, issued the following letter: * * * To: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister for Railways, Communications,Electronics & Information Technology, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India Subject: International group of organisations and experts urge the Department of Telecommunications to withdraw the Telecommuni  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Access Now, an organization that says it defends and extends the rights of people and communities at risk, issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: Today's second announced set of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) by the European Commission overlooks essential digital players. While it is positive to see that Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat have been designated, Access Now urges the Commission to take action and address the alarming absence of Spotify and Teleg  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Access Now, an organization that says it defends and extends the rights of people and communities at risk, issued the following news release: To protect the privacy and security of people in Australia, the eSafety Commissioner must amend the new draft industry standards. Through an open letter (https://www.globalencryption.org/2023/12/take-action-sign-the-joint-letter-in-response-to-australian-esafety-proposed-industry-standards-2/), Access Now, Digital Rights Watch, and th  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S., issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the appointment of Mike Zamore as National Director of Policy and Government Affairs. Bringing more than two decades of experience on Capitol Hill, Zamore will lead all federal advocacy in the newly-c  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- Action Against Hunger issued the following news release: * * * Mobile teams are working to save lives along one of the world's most dangerous migration routes * * * Action Against Hunger recently launched a lifesaving program in one of the world's most perilous jungles. The Darien Gap, which lies between Colombia and Panama, has made headlines for its brutal conditions, and many people who travel through it die during the journey. Risks include hunger, dehydrati  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (TNSres) -- Action Against Hunger issued the following news release: * * * "Catastrophic" Hunger Crisis Declared in Gaza by International Food Security and Nutrition Experts Ability to deliver humanitarian assistance severely limited due to ongoing blockade and bombardment * * * Parts of Gaza are at high risk of famine according to a new report released today, which classified 378,000 people as facing "catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity." By early February, this   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants issued the following news release: The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), the global professional association representing excellence in executive search and leadership advisory, is pleased to welcome AIMS International into its global membership. The firm's acceptance follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure quality standards and alignment with the AESC Code of Professional P  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 -- The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies issued the following statement by Aacha Sharon Ojema, program officer for monitoring and documentation: * * * Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since fighting erupted on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The violence has worsened an already existing direhumanitarian situation in the nation. Before the conflict broke out, Sudan was alrea  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * Efforts to prioritize tenant voices, address building conditions, and shift the NYC housing narrative to recognize housing as a human right remain high amidst the FDIC's initial sale of Signature's property portfolios and rent-stabilized/rent-controlled loans. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recently disclosed the sale of portions of Signature's  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (TNSres) -- The Anti-Defamation League issued the following news release: * * * Post-Oct. 7 political cartoons in Arabic press invoke hateful anti-Jewish themes * * * In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre and Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, political cartoonists in the Arab press have doubled down on the use of hateful antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes, according to a report from ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). The assessment of political cartoons ap  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers issued the following news: As the most wonderful time of the year fills the radio waves and streaming playlists with cheer, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, announces both the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs and the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs for 2023. Celebrating the ASCAP songwriters behin  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The New York City Anti-Violence Project issued the following news release: The two bills passed by the New York City Council aim to increase oversight over NYPD by requiring record-keeping for police stops and prevent senseless deaths at Rikers Island by limiting the use of solitary confinement. The ban on Solitary Confinement in city jails is the result of years of activism by a coalition of family and loved ones, organizations and stakeholders including AVP, which was l  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to stop sending what it called "genocide bombs" to the far-right Israeli government after the New York Times revealed that U.S.-supplied 2,000-pound bombs were "routinely" used against Palestinian civilians in so-called "safe areas" in Gaza  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2023: The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed hate crime charges against a man suspected of tagging his building with threatening anti-Muslim graffiti. A 76-year-old man has been charged with one count of criminal mischief in the third degree as a hate crime; one count of criminal mischief in the third degree; and eight counts of mak  more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 23 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2023: Today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill 1196a / Assembly Bill 1673a into law, securing a major win for patients across New York. The new law will require all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, which will enable more New Yorkers to access precision medicine treatments that can lead to fewer side effects  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * As the New York City Council prepares to vote on the police transparency legislation the How Many Stops Act (HMSA), Center for Constitutional Rights Legal Director Baher Azmy issued the following statement in support of the bill and in response to the City's representations about the scope of so-called low-level police encounters: The Center for Constitutional Rights served as cou  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Center for Employment Opportunities issued the following news release: The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the nation's largest reentry services provider, lauded the recent introduction of the Training & Nutrition Stability Act (S.3190) by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) which fixes a flaw in current law that forces thousands of formerly incarcerated Americans to choose between pursuing a quality job or feeding themselves and thei  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Center for Human Rights in Iran issued the following news release: Iranian civil and political activists, forced to flee political persecution in the Islamic Republic, face expulsion from their refuge in Turkey and extradition back to Iran. Given the grave concerns for their fate, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) urges immediate international assistance to prevent their forcible return to a country marked by severe human rights abuses and a biased judicial sys  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Center for Human Rights in Iran issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: The recent affirmation of the life sentence against former Islamic Republic of Iran official Hamid Nouri by a Swedish appeals court signifies a crucial step towards justice and should serve as a precedent for holding more Iranian officials accountable for their human rights violations through the principle of universal jurisdiction. "This verdict deserves global commendation, serving as  more

SYRACUSE, New York, Dec. 22 -- The Central New York Community Foundation issued the following statement on Dec. 21, 2023: * * * Today, we are pleased to announce the Community Foundation's next leader. After a months-long national search, Central New York Community Foundation Board Chair Dan Fisher is pleased to send word that Melanie Littlejohn has been selected as the Community Foundation's next President and CEO. Dear Central New York community, I am writing to share some exciting news.   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Counter Extremism Project issued the following news release: The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) invites you to a webinar on Thursday, January 11, 2024 to present a new, in-depth report concerning a major source of Houthi intelligence and revenue: telecommunications in Yemen. The Houthis may have appeared unsophisticated to outside observers when they took Sanaa in 2014. However, since then they have had a very deliberate approach toward information technology. The Hou  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The New York Immigration Coalition issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: On Tuesday, December 19 at 4PM, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), United Federation of Teachers, along with elected officials, education allies, asylum seeking families, and immigrant New Yorkers held a children's March and a press conference at City Hall Park, urging Mayor Adams to stop attacking the city's right to shelter mandate. Advocates demanded that the city eliminate the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- The American Clean Power Association issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: The American Clean Power Association (ACP) today announced that Anne Reynolds, a leader in the clean energy industry, will join the organization as the new Vice President, Offshore Wind, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong track record in advocacy and environmental policy. Reynolds, previously the Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), played  more

SYRACUSE, New York, Dec. 22 -- The Central New York Community Foundation issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: Following a nationwide search, the Central New York Community Foundation Board of Directors announced today that it has selected Melanie Littlejohn as the organization's next president & CEO, effective March 1, 2024. Littlejohn has worked for National Grid-New York for 29 years, most recently serving as vice president of customer & community engagement. "Melanie is the r  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- The Conference Board issued the following news release: The Leading Economic Index provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below. Next month's release of the composite economic indexes will incorporate annual benchmark revisions which bring them up-to-date with r  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- The Conference Board issued the following news release: * * * About the Leading Economic Index and the Coincident Economic Index: The Leading Economic Index provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term. The Coincident Economic Index provides an indication of the current state of the economy. Additional details are below. Next month's release of the composite economic indexes wi  more

YONKERS, New York, Dec. 22 (TNSres) -- Consumer Reports issued the following news release: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its latest Automotive Trends Report, highlighting the progress the auto industry has made on improving fuel economy and reducing emissions for the 2022 model year. The results are mixed. The report shows the biggest annual improvement in fleet-wide fuel economy in 9 years. However, it also shows that since 2016, nearly all net improvements in flee  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Counter Extremism Project issued the following news release: The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is the torchbearer in highlighting the continued threat posed by ISIS, its affiliates across the globe, and the group's presence online. From Iraq and Syria to West Africa and beyond, CEP researchers continuously monitor ISIS activity. Despite territorial loss and degradation of its leadership, ISIS maintains broad influence - with declared 'provinces' in over a dozen count  more

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 20 -- The Association for Talent Development issued the following news release: Daniel Pink, bestselling author and one of the foremost business minds of our day, will speak at the Association for Talent Development's 2024 International Conference & EXPO in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 21, 2024. Pink has written five New York Times bestsellers, including: The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward; When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing; To   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres issued the following news: Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres in the United States (MSF-USA) joined 13 other humanitarian, human rights, and protection of civilians organizations today in an appeal to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III calling for the US to take urgent steps to protect the more than two million civilians suffering under relentless bombardment and siege conditions in Gaza. The joint let  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres issued the following statement on Dec. 22, 2023: * * * US abstains from voting after using its power and influence to weaken the language of the resolution. * * * After days of negotiations and delay, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution demanding the parties to the conflict allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access at scale to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The vote was 13-0 in f  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- EcoHealth Alliance, an environmental health nonprofit organization, issued the following news: In 2018, EcoHealth Alliance drafted and submitted a proposal to DARPA for funding along with partners at UNC, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Duke-NUS, PARC and the WIV. The proposal was rejected for funding and the work was never done. However, documents representing incomplete or early drafts of the proposal have been acquired via the Freedom of Information Act and publis  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: Today, Governor Hochul's administration took an important step towards reducing harmful climate pollution and protecting communities with the release of the New York Cap-and-Invest Pre-Proposal Outline. This is the next step in the rulemaking process -- led by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Aut  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral argument in the February 2024 session in response to industry requests, submitted on the High Court's shadow docket, to block or stay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Good Neighbor Rule - the Clean Air Act standard that protects people in downwind states from coal plant and industrial pollution that blows across state  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following statement on Dec. 21, 2023: * * * Statement by Emily Steinhilber, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds Virginia, Environmental Defense Fund Yesterday, Virginia Governor Youngkin released his proposed biennial budget, setting his policy agenda ahead of Virginia's General Assembly session this coming January. The budget includes a critical $100 million investment to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, which  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Physicians for Human Rights issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: As presidential elections begin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) redoubles its call on all actors to prevent further escalation of violence and the humanitarian crisis in the country. "The stakes for the DRC's elections couldn't be higher. Conflict in eastern Congo has already left almost 7 million individuals displaced and set off waves of  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Family Equality Council issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: Today, Family Equality announced that it will indefinitely pause all activity on Twitter/X following policy updates that enable and embolden misinformation, harassment, and cyberbullying against the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups. In this decision, Family Equality joins several movement organizations, including GLSEN, whose full statement Family Equality signed onto earlier this  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Anti-Defamation League issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: A federal judge in Missouri has thrown out a defamation lawsuit filed by Darrell McClanahan against ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), saying his case failed to demonstrate a legitimate claim of defamation/libel or invasion of privacy. McClanahan, a former candidate for political office in Missouri, alleged in his lawsuit that an article published on the ADL website in August 2022 (https://www.ad  more

MANHASSET, New York, Dec. 20 -- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research issued the following news: Northwell Health and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research's Christina Brennan, MD, senior vice president of clinical research, has received the Clinical Trial Europe's Christine Pierre Clinical Trials Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to leading innovative, equitable and clinically meaningful clinical trials throughout her career and particularly her leadership in rolling ou  more

MANHASSET, New York, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research issued the following news: * * * The NIH Pathways to Prevention panel recommends forming "Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Prevention Moonshot" program * * * The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations -- with worse health outcomes for Black women and other minority groups. To help find actionable solutions, Karina Davidson, PhD, director of Northwell Health's The Feinstei  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Food and Water Watch issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: Today, despite widespread public opposition, the Adams Administration finalized controversial rules to govern implementation and enforcement of Local Law 97, New York City's Green New Deal for buildings. The new rules, which set key regulations into place, include massive loopholes for the real estate lobby, who are Mayor Adams' largest campaign donors. Food & Water Watch, New York Communities for  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Counter Extremism Project issued the following news release: The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is pleased to announce the appointment of former U.K. diplomat Edmund Fitton-Brown as Senior Advisor for the Counter Extremism Project. In this pivotal role, Ambassador Fitton-Brown will bring his extensive diplomatic expertise to enhance CEP's efforts in countering extremism and promoting global security. With a distinguished career spanning 38 years in international relat  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The International Rescue Committee issued the following news release: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) welcomes the demands for immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access through all available routes to Palestinians throughout Gaza, for International Humanitarian Law to be upheld and for the unconditional release of hostages contained in UNSC Resolution 2720. These are prerequisites for relief of the humanitarian suffering. However, with more than 20,000 Pa  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (TNSres) -- Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives issued the following "Highlights Of 2023": * * * AFRICA 2023 has been another year of growth, collaboration and solidarity within the movement. Undoubtedly our biggest highlight of the year was finally being able to bring together members to our Africa Regional Meeting in Tanzania (https://photos.app.goo.gl/KAmvSynVDAJhQovHA). The meeting brought together 56 people from 17 countries across the region. * New Members! T  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: Today, GLSEN announces its exit from Twitter/X following increased cyberbullying and harassment against transgender and LGBTQ+ youth. GLSEN's exit is supported by partner organizations: The National Center for Transgender Equality, ActionLink, Equality Federation, Family Equality, PFLAG National, Lambda Legal and Out & Equal who share in the growing concerns over the waning p  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust issued the following news release: Recognizing the critical need for access to quality diabetes care in humanitarian settings, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust today announces a $2.6 million grant to the International Alliance for Diabetes Action (IADA) to address diabetes within the context of rising global displacement. "As more people face forced migration due to compounding health and humanitarian c  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The Counter Extremism Project issued the following news release: Since Western troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, the new Taliban regime has struggled to maintain security and rein in terrorism. It has also imposed devastating restrictions on women and girls. This year, the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) has continued to report on the situation in Afghanistan, the failures of the de facto Taliban leaders, and the terrorist threats emanating from the region, includin  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda issued the following statement regarding the signing of Senate Bills 3 and 4 in Texas: "Hispanic Federation strongly condemns Governor Abbott's decision to sign Senate Bills 3   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Hispanic Federation, an organization that supports and strengthens Latino institutions through education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment and the environment, issued the following news release: Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization, announced that it has allocated a total of $800,000 for 13 Latino-led, nonprofits in North Carolina. The grants are part of the Community Resilience Fund, an initi  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary: * * * A Win for Iranian Women Football Fans By Tara Sepehri Far, Iran and Kuwait Senior Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division For the first time in years, Iranian female football fans were allowed to cheer for their favorite teams at the Tehran Football Derby - a match between famous rivals Esteghlal and Persepolis -on December 14 at the Azadi Stadium. "Azadi" means freedom in Persian, but for nearly four d  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * Political Deal on EU Corporate Accountability Law is a Step Forward By Juliane Kippenberg, Associate Director, Children's Rights Division Last week, after long negotiations over corporate accountability rules in Europe, negotiators from the European Council and Parliament agreed on a text for the draft EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. This is a big deal - once formally adopted  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * Tragedies Born of Negligence in Iraq By Sarah Sanbar, Iraq Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division 122 killed by a fire in a wedding hall. 82 killed by a fire in a Covid-19 hospital. Three months later, another hospital fire claimed the lives of 92 more. Though they may seem to be freak accidents, these fires were preventable tragedies sharing one common theme: gross negligence. Govern  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * When White Flags Turn Red in Gaza By Fred Abrahams, Associate Director for Program The Israeli military's announcement that its forces in Gaza shot and killed three Israeli hostages despite them being shirtless and waving a white flag raises core issues about the protection of civilians in the current hostilities. First, these men and the other civilians abducted on October 7 should not have been  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (TNSres) -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 19, 2023: * * * 10 Good News Stories for Kids in 2023 By Jo Becker, Advocacy Director, Children's Rights Division Grim stories of conflict, abuse, and deprivation seem to confront us every day. That's why at year's end we like to highlight the progress made for children. Here are 10 good news stories for kids in 2023: 1. For the first time, Rohingya children of all ages in refugee camps in Bangladesh we  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary: * * * Behind Bars for 'Blasphemy' in Indonesia By Andreas Harsono, Indonesia Researcher This month marks the third year behind bars for 74-year-old Apollinaris Darmawan. He was convicted under Indonesian law for "blasphemy" for writing a book and posting on social media his criticisms of Indonesia's Muslim leaders and Islamic law. His prosecution violates his rights to freedom of expression and belief protected by the I  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary: * * * EU's Migration Pact is a Disaster for Migrants and Asylum Seekers By Judith Sunderland, Associate Director, Europe and Central Asia Division A new "political agreement" to overhaul the European Union's asylum and migration system will severely curtail the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Despite triumphant rhetoric surrounding the announcement, these reforms are no cause for celebration. The Dece  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary: * * * Guinea Massacre Trial Rebounds After Prison Break By Tamara Aburamadan, Counsel, International Justice Program Over the past month, Guinea's landmark trial around the country's horrific 2009 stadium massacre entered a new phase as seven witnesses, including former high-level government officials, testified. Judges already have heard from each of the 11 accused, including Guinea's former president, Moussa Dadis Cam  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Most of Gaza's Population Remains Displaced and in Harm's Way By Nadia Hardman, Researcher, Refugee and Migrant Rights Division On October 13, Israeli authorities ordered more than a million people in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes. Two months later, almost 1.9 million people - 85 percent of Gaza's population - are displaced, nearly half crammed inside Rafah, the enclave's southernmost gove  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 22, 2023: * * * Police Assault Prominent Rights Lawyer in Cameroon By Lewis Mudge, Director, Central Africa Atoh Walter M. Tchemi, a prominent Cameroonian human rights lawyer, knows firsthand the harassment and threats that comes with his job. But even he wasn't expecting to be beaten up by the police when he went to meet a client. About 10:30 a.m. today, December 22, Tchemi went to a garage on Mulango Street in  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * UN Member Countries Should Resist Defunding of Human Rights By Louis Charbonneau, United Nations Director Countries hostile toward United Nations human rights bodies have in recent years sought to hijack negotiations at the UN General Assembly's Fifth Committee, which oversees the organization's budget. Their evident goal is to deny funding to investigations of human rights abuses and laws-of-war   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * What Happened Here Should Have Been a Warning, Not an Inspiration By Emilie McDonnell, Officer, UK Advocacy and Communications Australia's policy of transferring people seeking asylum to Pacific islands for processing is now a well-known, shameful domestic policy. Asylum seekers and refugees continue to suffer because of the Australian government's unrelenting offshore processing regime and boat p  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following agency statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Human Rights Watch has been made aware of a document being published by Wildlife Alliance as a response to research that Human Rights Watch started in 2022. Since September 2022, we have been in regular contact with senior representatives of Wildlife Alliance to seek their comment and to ensure thorough and objective reporting. That process is ongoing. We welcome the focus that Wildlife Alli  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: Peru's destruction of its stocks of cluster munitions is a major milestone for the international treaty banning the weapons, Human Rights Watch said today. Peru was the last state party to complete this crucial obligation, highlighting the global rejection of cluster munitions, even as countries that have not joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions continue to use, produce, and transfer them. "Peru's  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following statement on Dec. 21, 2023: * * * I am honored to appear before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Organized crime and gangs have a dramatic impact on human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) reports that the Americas has the highest homicide rate in the world, with 15 homicides per 100,000 people in 2021, and approximately 50 percent of those homicides are linked to o  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following transcript of an interview on Dec. 18, 2023: * * * A German lawmaker of Kurdish-Syrian background received threatening notes with glass and feces. A Polish lawmaker brandishing a fire extinguisher put out Hanukkah candles in the Parliament building. A pig's head was left near the site for a proposed mosque in England. A wave of antisemitic graffiti appeared in Paris and its suburbs. The escalation in hostilities in Israel and Palesti  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following joint letter on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * To: Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301 Dear Secretary Austin, The undersigned humanitarian, human rights, and protection of civilians organizations write to express our deep concern regarding civilian harm in U.S.-supported Israeli military operations in Gaza and request urgent steps to protect the more than two million civilians suffering unde  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following news release: Meta's content moderation policies and systems have increasingly silenced voices in support of Palestine on Instagram and Facebook in the wake of the hostilities between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The 51-page report, "Meta's Broken Promises: Systemic Censorship of Palestine Content on Instagram and Facebook," documents a pattern of undue removal and su  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Human Rights Watch issued the following news release: On April 15, we awoke to news that war had broken out in Sudan. From our screens, my family, our Sudanese community, and I followed media outlets and WhatsApp groups, hungry for information on what was happening overseas. We watched from afar as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces spilled into Khartoum, causing chaos, and transforming the once vibrant and familiar capital into a trail  more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 23 -- The Humane Society of the United States issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2023: Today Gov. Kathy Hochul signed critical legislation (A.2917/S.4099) ending wildlife killing contests for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, crows and other species in New York. This historic new law prohibits competitive events during which contestants compete to kill the most, the heaviest and the smallest animals for cash and prizes. Championed by Assemblymember   more

BUFFALO, New York, Dec. 23 -- The New York Immigration Coalition issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: Partnership for The Public Good, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Language Access Working Group, elected officials and community members held a press conference celebrating the passage of the Erie County Language Access Act. The Erie County Legislature passed the Erie County Language Access Act, a county-wide, comprehensive language access law mandating the development  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The New York Immigration Coalition issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: Today, the United Federation of Teachers, joined by individual teachers, filed suit in Manhattan State Supreme Court to stop the Adams administration from cutting as much as $2 billion from city schools. The lawsuit charges that as the State increased education funding to the city's public schools, New York City illegally reduced its contribution to education. Liza Schwartzwald, Director  more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 23 -- The Immigrant Defense Project issued the following news release on Dec. 22, 2023: Today, Governor Kathy Hochul granted 16 pardons, 7 of those to immigrants who are deeply rooted in their communities in New York, yet face immigration impacts because of their convictions. We applaud the Governor's announcements to grant these pardons and to commute the sentences of 4 others. One of the pardon recipients is Kayode Oseni, a former lawful permanent resident who first c  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The New York Immigration Coalition issued the following news release: Today, the New York City Council passed Resolution 556 calling on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign the Access to Representation Act, a first-in-the-nation bill that establishes the right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings. Members of the Campaign for Access, Representation, and Equity (CARE) for Immigrant Families steering committee reacted to the news: Mura  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The International Rescue Committee issued the following news release: HarperCollins Children's Books and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) are joining forces with Endless OS Foundation and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to bring many celebrated and New York Times bestselling children's books, in both e-book and hardcover format, to children and their families displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. With 4 million children inside Ukraine in need of humanitarian aid, and   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The International Rescue Committee issued the following statement on Dec. 19, 2023: * * * Humane, Safe, and Orderly Asylum System is Possible * * * The International Rescue Committee (IRC) condemns Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB4) and urges the U.S. federal government to take all available legal steps to prevent its implementation. The bill, adopted by the Texas legislature in November and signed into law by Governor Abbott yesterday, will target communities of color, violates   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The International Swaps and Derivatives Association issued the following agency statement on Dec. 22, 2023: * * * ISDA has published the following statement in response to today's publication of comments on certain aspects of the recent consultation on euroyen TIBOR by JBA TIBOR Administration (JBATA), the administrator of yen TIBOR and euroyen TIBOR, and subsequent remarks by the Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA). "JBATA launched a public consultation on whether   more

MELVILLE, New York, Dec. 22 -- The Long Island Community Foundation issued the following news release: The advisory committee of the Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUUF) has granted a total of $324,000 to 14 nonprofits in 2023. These grants support timely efforts to advance progressive social change, like advocacy training for Latina immigrants, protecting the culture and identity of our Island's indigenous tribes, promoting inclusive school environments, and much more. "The Fund ad  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (TNSres) -- The Manhattan Institute issued the following news release: As the New York State Legislature returns to session in January amid statewide economic stagnation, a growing fiscal deficit, and a housing crisis, Governor Kathy Hochul must decide whether to submit a new version of her "New York Housing Compact" plan. In a new Manhattan Institute issue brief, senior fellow Eric Kober argues that Hochul should propose a pragmatic 2024 housing production package that would   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The Manhattan Institute issued the following news release: The Manhattan Institute has announced the appointment of former U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr to its Board of Trustees. "For decades, whether as a devoted public servant or as a pioneering legal professional, Attorney General Bill Barr has drawn on his wide-ranging experience and fierce commitment to our nation's founding principles to make enormous contributions to American life, from combating violent cri  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association issued the following news release: The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced today that long-term partner Acosta Group has reached a historic $100 million milestone in fundraising for the leading voluntary health organization in the U.S. for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), and related neuromuscular diseases. Watch the video celebrating the $100 million milestone here (https://youtu  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 (TNSres) -- New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following news release on on Dec. 21, 2023: Today the New York Civil Liberties Union released an interactive analysis of the alarming extent to which racism is baked into every part of the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) system. Using recent data, the NYCLU analysis shows how racial disparities persist and grow at each stage of a family regulation case, as Black and Brown families are subjected t  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The National Association of City Transportation Officials issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Corinne Kisner, Executive Director, and Janette Sadik-Khan, Chair of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), today issued the following statement in response to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) recent publication of the 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): The new edition of the MUTCD makes  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The National Association of Scholars issued the following news release: The National Association of Scholars (NAS) has received word that the case Peter Vlaming v. West Point School Board, et al has been decided by the Virginia Supreme Court in favor of Vlaming. NAS filed an amicus curiae brief (https://www.nas.org/storage/app/media/New%20Documents/2021-11-12%20-%20Amicus%20Brief%20of%20Nat.%20Assoc.%20of%20Scholars%20-%20P.%20Vlaming.pdf) in November 2021 supporting Vlamin  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The National Center on Sexual Exploitation issued the following news: The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) said that Pornhub parent company Aylo (formerly MindGeek) must continue to be held accountable for profiting from sex trafficking and related crimes, following the announcement from the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. "This announcement is a huge victory for survivors who have been bravely coming forward for years   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 -- The National Employment Law Project issued the following statement on Dec. 22, 2023: * * * Today, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a historic bill that would have effectively banned non-compete clauses for workers across New York State. A coalition made up of of workers' rights organizations, unions, economic experts, and health and tech groups released the following statements: "By caving to pressure from Wall Street lobbyists and vetoing this bill, Gov. Hochul has let down mil  more

DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 23 -- National Jewish Health, a respiratory hospital, issued the following news release: The 55th annual National Jewish Health 'A Winter's Evening' Dinner Dance was held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers New York. More than 500 guests attended the event raising over $2 million to establish The Linda and Peter Riguardi Family Fund for Research and Care of Pediatric and Adult Immune-Related Diseases at National Jewish Health, the leading respiratory   more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news: From Long Island Sound to large cities, areas across the state will see positive change through multiple grants recently secured by The Nature Conservancy. Awards will advance ongoing collaborative work with existing partners but will also engage stakeholders in new conservation projects. Long Island Sound Work Long Island Sound's coastal waters in both Connecticut and New York are the focus of a $26  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: Today, the New York Civil Liberties Union announced its letter to Chancellor of New York City Public Schools David Banks expressing concern over possible mistreatment and lack of protections for students in the New York City Public School system who have made statements, attended rallies, or organized protests in support of Palestine. "Students have the right to protest even when teachers,   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (TNSres)-- The New York Immigration Coalition issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: Today, America's Voice and the New York Immigration Coalition highlighted New York City Comptroller Brad Lander's new report calling for "stronger management" to address budget gaps without scapegoating migrants in New York City. Importantly, the new report reveals that asylum seeker costs could total $465 million less than the City budgeted this year, and $1.61 billion less than   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- The Nuclear Threat Initiative issued the following news: On the opening day of the second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, NTI Program Officer Patricia Jaworek joined a panel of fellow experts and a survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing to discuss the devastating humanitarian and societal impacts of nuclear weapons and the growing body of research on the subject. During the event, which was held at the United Natio  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: Today, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and NYC Parks officially opened the East Midtown Greenway and Phase 2B of Andrew Haswell Green Park. Located on a stretch of newly-created open space spanning from East 53rd Street to East 60th street, these two new spaces total almost three acres and represents a $197.6 million investment from the City of New Yo  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 - The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today celebrated major accomplishments and projects across each borough in the past year and furthered its mission to create a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. NYCEDC had numerous accomplishments across its key areas of focus: strengthening business confidence; growing innovation sect  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: Today, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in conjunction with NYC Media Lab (NYCML), approved the creation of NYC Game Design Future Lab, a digital gaming incubator at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering. The program will be led by the NYU Tandon Future Labs, a startup incubator network operator founded 15 years ago with initial funding from NYCEDC.  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrion, Jr., New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball today were joined by elected officials and community leaders to break ground  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Today, the City Council passed a bill effectively banning solitary confinement in New York City's jails. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Donna Lieberman: "By effectively banning the torture of solitary confinement in all its forms in our city jails, the City Council has taken action that will save New Yorkers' lives.  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Today, the City Council passed the How Many Stops Act, police transparency legislation that would require a comprehensive accounting of all New York Police Department's investigative encounters and consent searches. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Donna Lieberman: "By passing the How Many Stops Act, the City Council   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following news release on Dec. 21, 2023: The New York Civil Liberties Union today announced it had sent a letter (https://www.nyclu.org/sites/default/files/final_pdf_-_barnard_college_-_12.19.23_003.pdf) to Barnard College President Laura Rosenbury, expressing concern over a new policy that requires departments to submit the content of their websites for review and approval by the Office of the Provost. Such 'prior restraint' flies   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Orthodox Union, also known as Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, issued the following news release: It's the dream of many NCSY advisors: to grow their communal volunteerism and leadership skills by becoming Shevet Glaubach Fellows (SGF). For the first time since the fellowship's inception in 2019, more young men and women are realizing their goals via an expanded program that has placed SGF fellows in every one of NCSY's 10 regions in 35 communities in   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Orthodox Union, also known as Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, issued the following news release: Standing in the ravaged, eerily silent community of Sderot in the burned out home of Nir, a young husband, father and OU Israel employee, one thing stood out for the 22 rebbetzins and lay leader participants of the Orthodox Union's recent Women's Initiative (WI) Israel Mission: amid the devastation, onions were sprouting in a plastic bin. "We were expect  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Parliamentarians for Global Action issued the following news: On 28-29 November 2023, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and the United Nations Development Program's Inclusive Governance Initiative (UNDP-IGI) co-organized the third African Parliamentary Forum on Gender and Sexual Minorities in Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-four parliamentarians from eleven sub-Saharan African countries - Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Partnership to End Addiction issued the following news: SAFE Project and Partnership to End Addiction launched a revolutionary enhancement to the SAFE Locator (safelocator.org), a comprehensive resource hub for individuals and families grappling with addiction. Teaming up with our new partner, GetHelp, the website now includes a recovery housing locator, establishing itself as the inaugural national platform of its kind. This joint initiative is dedicated to extending p  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- PEN America issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2023: The Wisconsin Legislature's tactics that led the University of Wisconsin regents to freeze all diversity, equity and inclusion staffing until 2026 amount to "partisan bullying at its worst," PEN America said today. Jeremy C. Young, Freedom to Learn program director at PEN America, said: "What happened in the Wisconsin system is partisan bullying at its worst. Strong-arming university regents into following ord  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- PEN America issued the following news release: Thirty of the global art house film community's leading organizations, film festivals, and filmmakers have signed an open letter calling on Iranian authorities to immediately drop all charges against film directors Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha and lift their current travel ban. Sanaeeha and Moghadam were at Tehran airport en route to Paris in September for post-production on their new film, My Favourite Cake, when thei  more

MANHASSET, New York, Dec. 14 (TNSres) -- Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research issued the following news: * * * The distinction recognizes Dr. Hotez's extensive work in global health * * * The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Molecular Medicine today announced that Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, a distinguished immunologist, pediatrician, and global health advocate, has been awarded the Anthony Cerami Award in Translational Medicine for his outstanding contributions to the field of m  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- The International Refugee Assistance Project issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: On December 15, 2023, refugee and human rights advocates submitted an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) to inform the Court's upcoming Advisory Opinion regarding States' human rights obligations in the context of the unfolding climate emergency. The brief was filed by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRA  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project issued the following news release on Dec. 20, 2023: Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, welcomed a landmark Federal Trade Commission settlement with Rite Aid, barring the national pharmacy chain from deploying facial recognition for five years. The FTC found Rite Aid's facial recognition systematically misidentified customers as shoplifters, including   more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- SAGE, an organization that say it provides advocacy, services and support to older members of the LGBT community, issued the following news release: SAGE, the world's oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, is proud to announce its curation of a new special edition of the American Society on Aging (ASA) Generations Journal 2023. The special edition can be viewed here (https://generations.asaging.org/SAGE-2023).   more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Dec. 23 (TNSres) -- Save the Sound issued the following news release: Thanks to a recent ruling by the New York State Supreme Court, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to notify the public of combined sewage overflow discharges within four hours, in accordance with the Sewage Protection Right to Know Act (SPRTKA). Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, on behalf of seven environmental organizations - Riverkeeper, Save the Sound, Bro  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Scholars at Risk issued the following news release: Scholars at Risk stands with the people of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank suffering from horrendous violence, fear, insecurity, and acts of identity-based hatred. Scholars at Risk calls on states, non-state armed groups, the higher education sector, civil society, and the public to (1) protect higher education communities from attack, including by implementing a mutual, meaningful, and lasting cessation of hostilities and  more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 22 (TNSres) --Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy issued the following news release: * * * The 2024 report highlights policies needed to make New York work for families * * * Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy has released the 2024 State of New York's Children Data Book. The release of the annual data book highlights the challenges and opportunities facing New York's children and families as the 2024 State Legislative Session begins. A data briefing will   more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 23 -- The Sierra Club issued the following statement on Dec. 22, 2023: * * * Today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act into law. The new law will eliminate 80-90 percent of the toxic class of pesticides called neonicotinoids, or neonics for short, from entering New York's environment. The law will prohibit the use of unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses. Long connected to mass l  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: Today, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the North Shore Entertainment and Amusement Site (https://edc.nyc/project/north-shore-entertainment-site), formerly known as the New York Wheel site. The RFP seeks qualified parties for the long-term lease and development of an approximately eight-acre, partially  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 -- The International Rescue Committee issued the following news release: The recent security instability in parts of Wad Madani in Al-Jazirah state, previously a safe haven for displaced people from Khartoum, has prompted the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and other humanitarian workers to relocate their staff. This disruption threatens to deprive millions in need of crucial humanitarian aid and will lead to new waves of displacement, warns the IRC. The conflict, involv  more

WHITE PLAINS, New York, Dec. 19 -- The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers issued the following "Year End Review': * * * Welcome to the SMPTE Sum-Up, the weekly publication that details the recent and current events of your favorite standards development organization. SMPTE accomplished a lot this year, and we want to celebrate all of it with you. This year at SMPTE: * * * People The year started strong by welcoming new SMPTE President Renard T. Jenkins! Jenkins has spent the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts issued the following news release: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces that its Broadway Center Stage production of Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM! directed by Emmy(R) and Tony Award(R) winner and New York Times bestselling author Neil Patrick Harris will star Tony Award(R) winner Brandon Uranowitz (Leopoldstadt, Falsettos) as Jon, Tony Award(R) nominee Denee Benton (Na  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (TNSres) -- Human Rights Watch issued the following news release: Since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7 and the Israeli military's ensuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, Human Rights Watch has analyzed evidence to document and report on serious abuses by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups. Throughout the year, we covered many topics from around the world. From a blockbuster report on Saudi border killings to Iran's feminist uprising to rollbacks  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Dec. 19 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2023: Today, Trust for Public Land, in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and other supporters, are proud to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated green schoolyard at 153Q, Maspeth Elementary, in Queens. The schoolyard features green infrastructure that will manage 1.3 million gallons of storm water per year, helping to reduce both ne  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- Uptime Institute issued the following news release: Uptime Institute, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mustapha Louni to the position of Chief Business Officer, a role specifically created to drive strategic leadership and client success. In this new role, Mr. Louni will assume responsibility for the global Uptime sales and marketing organizations and drive overall business value for all Uptime clients. He will retain his existing responsibilities overseeing operat  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 21 -- The Vera Institute of Justice issued the following statement on Dec. 20, 2023: * * * Following today's vote by the New York City Council on Intro. 549 (which would ban the use of solitary confinement), Intro. 632 (Fair Chance For Housing), Intro. 538 and Intro. 586 (How Many Stops Act), Jullian Harris-Calvin, director of the Vera Institute of Justice's Greater Justice New York program, said: "These bills are critical steps forward toward a fairer and more just New York Ci  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- The Volcker Alliance issued the following agency statement on Dec. 21, 2023: * * * This fall, student ambassadors across the Next Generation Service Corps network have hosted and facilitated events for their community on and off campus. University of Houston's student ambassador, Bryanna Nimmons, hosted an event with fellow NextGen Service member Gabriela Hamdieh. They facilitated a town hall and created a vision board to display at the Hobby School of Public Affairs show  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 -- Waterkeeper Alliance issued the following news release: Waterkeeper Alliance Global Ambassador Jax Davey is gearing up for an Arctic Ultramarathon in hopes to raise awareness for clean water and environmental issues by spotlighting stories of local communities who are facing threats of climate change and environmental injustice. Requiring immense discipline, strength, and precision, the race is 230 km across Swedish Lapland, the last remaining wilderness in Europe and heart  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 -- Waterkeeper Alliance issued the following news release: * * * Recent ruling successfully upholds the public notification process and requires the agency to provide a list of all unreported overflows from the past five years to the environmental organizations. * * * The New York State Supreme Court has ordered the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) to promptly notify the public about combined sewage overflow (CSO) discharges as mandated by stat  more

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society issued the following news release: One year ago, 196 governments adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (https://www.cbd.int/article/one-year-kmgbf) , a historic plan to protect life on Earth that includes a set of goals and targets to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, including our planet's wildlife and wild places. "The Global Biodiversity Framework was the result of years of careful international negotiation a  more