Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to type 1 diabetes testing for infants.
Irene Campbell MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petitions:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/728677
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Find out more about how petition debates work: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/content/194347/how-petitions-debates-work/
Stay up-to-date
Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)
Middle East/Iran
Lebanon
Sudan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
South Sudan
Abyei
Security Council
Financial Contribution
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
The Commission on the Status of Women is holding its seventieth session here at UN Headquarters in New York, focusing on rights, justice and action for all women and girls.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the opening of the session. He stressed that gender equality is, and always has been, a question of power. “No step forward for women’s rights has ever been given. Every step has been won.”
Mr. Guterres highlighted progress within the UN, noting that women now make up half of all UN workforce across professional and higher categories, with parity in senior leadership reached two years ahead of schedule. “We did it not by lowering standards, but by widening the search for talent,” he said.
He also warned that globally, the picture remains deeply concerning. As conflicts rage in the Middle East and elsewhere, women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence and the displacement. He added that the number of women and girls living within 50 kilometres of deadly conflict is at its highest level in decades, while conflict-related sexual violence has surged by 87 per cent in just two years.
And just to flag that there will be several side events this week, including one today at 4:45 p.m. in Conference Room 2, where the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict will launch a Global Network on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence prosecutions.
MIDDLE EAST/IRAN
Turning to the situation in the Middle East, we continue to raise the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement of people.
We are particularly concerned by the number of reports of recent strikes on oil facilities, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region, with immediate possible impacts on safe water and air that people need to breathe and on food. This comes on top of strikes on water desalination plants reported in several countries.
And I can tell you that our colleagues at the World Health Organization are particularly following the health impacts of all of these.
The Middle East was already facing immense humanitarian needs prior to this latest escalation.
We reiterate again that all possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure.
SUDAN
In Sudan, the UN is very alarmed by the series of drone strikes we have seen in recent days across several states in Sudan.
In West Kordofan State, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that strikes in the localities of Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on Saturday reportedly hit a market, possibly killing more than 20 people and injuring many others.
In neighbouring North Kordofan, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in the village of Umm Kereidim on Friday. The International Organization for Migration said that in the village, more than 200 people had to flee their homes.
Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that yesterday in East Darfur State, a strike on a fuel market in the city of Ad Duyain reportedly killed seven civilians, including a pregnant woman and a child.
We reiterate, yet again, that the parties must adhere to international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including markets, homes and schools, must never be targeted. Rapid, safe, unhindered humanitarian aid must be allowed at all times.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-09
Europe has diversified its energy supply and strengthened partnerships with global suppliers. Gas imports now come from a mix of pipeline and LNG sources, including Norway and the United States.
These efforts help ensure stable energy supply for Europe while reducing dependence on a single supplier.
Ambassadors from EU Delegations assembled for this year’s EU Ambassadors Conference in Brussels on 9th March 2026. Both Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as High Representative and Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas delivered keynote speeches.
In the President’s speech, Europe’s evolving foreign policy took centre stage, focusing on adapting to global challenges and threats, particularly in the Middle East. She highlighted the necessity for strengthening security and defence, expanding trade and global partnerships, and asserting Europe’s independence and influence while staying true to its values and allies. She also emphasised the importance of adapting diplomatic strategies for effective global governance, urging Europe to seize opportunities to promote its interests and shape the future.
Read the full speech here: https://link.europa.eu/QcPjTQ
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Representatives from the social media companies X, TikTok and Meta will appear in front of the Foreign Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into disinformation diplomacy.
Witnesses:
Ali Law – Director of Public Policy for Northern Europe at TikTok
David Agranovich – Director of Global Threat Disruption at Meta
Wifredo Fernández – Head of Americas, Global Government Affairs at X Corp.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
The Lord Speaker has accepted an urgent question from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on the conflict in the region and the status of the UK’s security and diplomatic relationship with the United States.
Watch live from around 3.15pm.
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