Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) Debate
South Africa: Gayton McKenzie Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture 4
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) Debate
India, Yemen & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (17 February 2026) | United Nations
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– India
– Jesse Jackson
– Yemen
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Libya
– Burkina Faso
– Madagascar
– Ukraine
– Peacebuilding Fund
– Global Tourism Resilience Day,
INDIA
The Secretary-General left New York a short while ago. He is heading to New Delhi to take part in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit. He is scheduled to participate in the Summit’s opening ceremony, which takes place on Thursday, as well as a session on the role of science in international AI governance.
The Secretary-General, as we mentioned, will have bilateral meetings with the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and others that are in New Delhi.
JESSE JACKSON
Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a giant of the civil rights movement in the United States and a longtime champion of human rights, equality and justice around the world. Reverend Jackson lent his powerful voice to the UN’s work against racism, against apartheid and for human rights, including by taking part in a number of events here at Headquarters. The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to his family, hisloved ones, his friends, as well as the Government and the people of the United States.
YEMEN
Today, the Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Moscow, in the Russian Federation. There, he discussed with officials, including the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Alimov, the latest developments in Yemen and they exchanged views on ongoing efforts to return to an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under the auspices of the United Nations. He underscored the complexity of the conflict and the regional challenges including Red Sea security, as well as the need for Security Council unity and sustained international engagement to prevent further instability.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-02-17
SHEIN Investigated for Digital Services Act Breaches
Source: European Commission (video statements)
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Shein under the Digital Services Act, targeting potential breaches of EU consumer safety regulations. The probe focuses on Shein’s addictive design and rewards programmes, the lack of transparency in its recommender systems, and the sale of illegal products, including weapons and child-like sex dolls. This investigation seeks to ensure digital platforms prioritise user well-being and adhere to the highest transparency standards within the European market.
Removing piles of waste from residential areas in #gaza
Statistics and Testimony from the Practitioner and Juror Point of View: Panel Discussion
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
This is one of more than 50 recorded sessions from the symposium, which was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
Keynote and Closing at the 2018 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence Symposium, Gerald LaPorte
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
This is one of more than 50 recorded sessions from the symposium, which was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
The Use of Similarity Measures (Scores) to Quantify the Weight of Forensic Evidence
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
This is one of more than 50 recorded sessions from the symposium, which was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
“Congruent Matching”—Theory and Application in Forensic Image Identification
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
This is one of more than 50 recorded sessions from the symposium, which was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)
Untangling the Relationship Between Hair Microstructure and Ancestry
Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)
This event brought together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities.
This is one of more than 50 recorded sessions from the symposium, which was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 22-25, 2018.
(Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)