LONDON, England, June 19 -- The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued the following news: * * * Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed * newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war  * up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence * appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls - Britain will continue to drive international acti more PR

LONDON, England, June 19 -- The British Cabinet Office issued the following news: * * * Government procurement to prioritise national security * New procurement guidance will protect national security and enhance supply chain resilience across critical sectors  * Government separately confirms PS5 billion in contracts awarded to British firms since March, accelerating delivery of the modern Industrial Strategy in priority sectors, and supporting growth in key industries * Communities across the country to benefit from Farnborough to Hudde more PR

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced an international public-private partnership to tackle the illegal gold trade during his address at the World Gold Council and London Bullion Market Association Summit in England. Speaking at the Hilton London Tower Bridge, Lammy explained that the initiative will unite governments, industry leaders and civil society to protect public safety and disrupt criminal networks that use gold to launder money and fund conflicts. The partnership intends to strengthen responsible more PR

PARIS, France, June 19 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Council of Europe Development Bank posted the following news: * * * CEB approves fourteen loans totalling EUR1.2 billion The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has approved 14 new loans totalling EUR1.2 billion for social investment across Europe. The financing targets key sectors including housing, education, healthcare and social inclusion, with significant support to Target Group Countries. Two additional loans for Ukraine bring total CEB approvals for the country to over  more PR

LONDON, England, June 19 -- His Majesty's Treasury issued the following news: * * * Government procurement to prioritise national security * New procurement guidance will protect national security and enhance supply chain resilience across critical sectors  * Government separately confirms PS5 billion in contracts awarded to British firms since March, accelerating delivery of the modern Industrial Strategy in priority sectors, and supporting growth in key industries * Communities across the country to benefit from Farnborough to Huddersfi more PR

LONDON, England, June 15 -- The International Bar Association issued the following news release: * * * IBA condemns Russia's escalating and systematic attacks on Ukraine's civilians and civilian infrastructure The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, condemns Russia's intensified attacks against Ukraine, including the deliberate and repeated targeting of civilians and civilian objects. Last night's strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra - a symbol of Ukrainian history and UNESCO world heritage site dating more PR

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on June 18, 2026: * * * ICYMI: Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Tillis Preview 2026 NATO Summit at Atlantic Council Event Yesterday, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, joined an Atlantic Council Front Page event to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. more PR

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, June 20 -- Lawyers for Lawyers issued the following news: * * * Khrystyna Kit: supporting survivors and challenging systemic inequality As part of the Breaking Barriers: Women Lawyers Campaign, Lawyers for Lawyers is launching a global interview series highlighting the experiences of women lawyers working across diverse contexts. Through these conversations, the series highlights the gendered challenges within the legal profession, while showcasing the resilience, leadership, and impact of women lawyers worldwide. more PR

WASHINGTON, June 19 [Category: Energy] -- The Institute for Energy Research posted the following commentary: * * * Oil Market Price Shock Has Been Relatively Muted * Key Takeaways 1 Despite the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to world energy flows during the Iran conflict, oil prices have remained relatively muted. 2 Major reasons include demand destruction, particularly in China, the world's largest oil importer; increased U.S. exports to Europe and Asian refiners; and use of commercial stocks and strategic reserves. 3 China has bui more PR

LYON, France, June 19 -- INTERPOL issued the following news: * * * Police 'hackathon' identifies sexual exploitation networks on content subscription sites Law enforcement officers from seven European countries have joined forces for a four-day 'hackathon' to target the emerging trend of subscription-based content platforms being used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Operation CyberProtect III (19 - 22 May 2026), co-organized by INTERPOL and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), generated d more PR

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following opening remarks on June 18, 2026, at a nominations hearing for key State Department positions: * * * Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee nomination hearing. Witnesses included Juan Segura to be an assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere affairs,  more PR

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Ranking Member Shaheen Opening Remarks for Nominations Hearing for Key State Department Positions Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks during a Committee hearing on the nominations of Kari Lake to be Ambassador to Jamaica, Rudolph Bauer to be Ambassador to Belize, Juan Pablo Segura to be Assistan more PR

LONDON, England, June 15 -- Shell plc, an oil and gas company, issued the following news release: * * * Shell Plc First Quarter 2026 Euro and GBP Equivalent Dividend Payments The Board of Shell plc today announced the pounds sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments in respect of the first quarter 2026 interim dividend, which was announced on May 7, 2026 at US$0.3906 per ordinary share. Shareholders have been able to elect to receive their dividends in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling. Holders of ordinary shares who have validly su more PR

VIENNA, Austria, June 19 -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe posted the following news release: * * * Sustained commitment needed to maintain protection for refugees, OSCE human rights head says ahead of World Refugee Day WARSAW - Continued commitment is essential to upholding the rights and protection of refugees and displaced persons, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today, ahead of World Refugee Day on 20 June and the upcoming 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. more PR

LONDON, England, June 19 -- TheCityUK issued the following news release: * * * Viet Nam International Financial Centre (VIFC): A tale of two cities Anna Rogers, Director, International Development Viet Nam's planned International Financial Centre (VIFC) represents one of the most ambitious and structurally innovative financial sector reforms undertaken by an emerging economy in recent decades. It is more than the creation of another financial hub, VIFC offers a new model for how international financial centres (IFCs) can be designed, govern more PR