USA

NEW YORK, Mar 17 (APP): Despite women being disproportionately affected by climate change, they play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, distinguished speakers told an event organized by the Pakistan Mission to the UN on the sidelines of the 66th Session of Commission on Status of Women (CSW).

WASHINGTON, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US federal prosecutors accused Chinese government agents of trying to spy on and intimidate dissidents living in the United States including a congressional candidate.

Justice Department officials said the three criminal cases amounted to “transnational repression” by an authoritarian government, including a discussion of assaulting one dissident.

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will hold a call on Friday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the White House said on Thursday, as the United States piles pressure on China not to provide support to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

The planned phone call was announced by White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who said the call is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to maintain open lines of communication between the two countries.

UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned on Wednesday that the current political polarization in Libya may lead to instability.

"Libya is now facing a new phase of political polarization. It risks dividing its institutions once again and reversing the gains achieved over the past two years," she said. "We know from experience what unilateral actions, divided government, and an unending transition may hold in store for Libya."

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2018 as it seeks to tame the highest U.S. inflation in four decades.

"Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures," the Fed said in a statement after a two-day policy meeting, adding the Ukraine crisis and related events are likely to "create additional upward pressure" on inflation and weigh on economic activity.

17 March 2022; MEMO: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday expressed his concerns over a controversial Israeli law preventing the reunification of Palestinian families.

"The secretary-general has been following this long-standing issue and has taken note of the vote of the Knesset to pass a temporary order applying the law for 12 months, said Farhan Haq," Guterres' deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said.

United Nations, Mar 17 (AP) The UN Security Council will meet Thursday at the request of six Western nations that sought an open session on Ukraine ahead of an expected vote on a Russian humanitarian resolution that they have sharply criticized for making no mention of Moscow's war against its smaller neighbour

Russia is committing war crimes and targeting civilians. Russia's illegal war on Ukraine is a threat to us all, tweeted the U.N. mission of the United Kingdom, one of the six countries that requested the meeting.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett was released from jail following six nights behind bars after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.

The former “Empire” actor walked out of the Cook County Jail on Wednesday surrounded by security. He did not comment as he got into an awaiting SUV, but his attorneys said Smollett, who is Black and gay, was the target of a racist justice system and people playing politics.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The trial of four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is resuming after a three-day break because of a COVID-19 case.

U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said testimony will pick up again Thursday. The trial was suspended this week because the virus had struck a key participant in the case.

There have been “no further complications,” the judge said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy summoned memories of Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 terror attacks Wednesday in an impassioned live-video plea to Congress to send more help for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Lawmakers stood and cheered, and President Joe Biden later announced the U.S. is sending more anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons and drones.