PRETORIA, South Africa, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Embassy issued the following news release: The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mass rape of women and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - an armed, illegal rebel group that has terrorized eastern Congo for over a decade - and elements of the Mai Mai, community-based militia groups in eastern Congo. This horrific attack is yet another example of how sexual  more

ATHENS, Ga., Aug. 25 -- The University of Georgia issued the following news release: For the second consecutive year, a record number of University of Georgia students--eleven--have been awarded scholarships from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Nine of the students accepted the scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. Recipients of the U.S. Student Full Grants, which cover research and study opportunities, include spring graduates Jeremy Akin of Savannah, Virginia Newman of Decatu  more

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 25 -- The University of Virginia issued the following news release: Hundreds of students, families and local leaders joined in a seven-hour chorus of celebration recently to commemorate the grand opening of the Building Tomorrow Academy of Gita, a school in Uganda supported by the University of Virginia community. The academy's nearly 200 students headlined a song and dance marathon that lasted well in to the evening to show their appreciation and excitement for th  more

DES PLAINES, Ill., Aug. 25 -- The City of Des Plaines issued the following news release: Rosemary Argus, Des Plaines 8th Ward Alderman and Director of the Des Plaines Community Foundation, recently presented a check for $600 to the Central Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to assist with Central Cares, a Humanitarian Outreach Committee that is currently doing a local backpack drive to assist those students in the district whose families are unable to provide backpacks and sc  more

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 25 -- Arizona State University issued the following news release: Arizona State University students want to make a difference and change the world. Now, not after they graduate. That passion and commitment to higher education as an agent for positive social transformation has earned ASU a coveted place in the Changemaker Campus Consortium, announced today by Ashoka U. Ashoka U is a branch of Ashoka, a global non-profit network of more than 2,500 social entrepreneurs.   more

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 -- The United Nations population Fund issued the following statement by Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid: It is my pleasure to deliver this statement on behalf of the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. I would like to thank the Government of Mexico for the initiative of organizing this World Youth Conference. I would also like to congratulate Mexico for the celebration of 200 years of Independence and the 100th a  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 -- The U.S. Department of State issued the following transcript of the daily press briefing: INDEX: DEPARTMENT USAID Administrator Shah in Pakistan US offers condolences to air crash victims in Nepal US strongly condemns murderous attack by Al-Shabaab against civilians in Somalia NORTH KOREA US does not want to jeopardize the prospects for Mr. Gomes return/US concerned about his health and welfare/US doing everything in our power to see him returned US  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Mission to the United Nations issued the following statement by Ambassador Susan Rice: Thank you, Mr. President. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his thoughtful report examining the options for prosecuting suspected pirates and imprisoning convicted ones. We hope very much that this report will help enlighten all concerned about the very real challenges we all face in this area. We also commend the Russian Federation for leading the call fo  more

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 -- The U.S. Mission to the United Nations issued the following statement: Thank you, Mr. President. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his thoughtful report examining the options for prosecuting suspected pirates and imprisoning convicted ones. We hope very much that this report will help enlighten all concerned about the very real challenges we all face in this area. We also commend the Russian Federation for leading the call for this report and drawing a  more