Amman, Jordan - A major snowstorm has hit the Middle East, posing a serious threat to refugee families living in tents, huts and half-built buildings. There are currently more than 3 million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq, as well as hundreds of thousands of displaced Iraqis and Palestinians in Gaza.

Paris, France - This morning’s deadly attack by gunmen on the Paris office of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo is a chilling assault on freedom of expression, Amnesty International said.

Washington, DC - The United States welcomes the start of the UN Electoral Observation Mission to Burundi (MENUB) on January 1. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as it once again becomes a stand-alone entity within the UN system.

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry and Polish Foreign Minister Schetyna Remarks on the Terrorist Attack in Paris:

Washington, DC - The United States condemns today’s attack on the Police Academy of Sana’a and the senseless murder and injury of Yemeni citizens, many of whom sought to undertake public service and protect the Yemeni people. We express our sincere condolences to the victims and their families.

Washington, DC - We strongly condemn the January 4 bombing of a Greek-operated oil tanker near Derna, Libya, that killed two crewmen. We extend our sincere condolences to the victims’ families.