OTTAWA -- Canadian Governor General Julie Payette announced her resignation Thursday afternoon after media reported the conclusion of a harassment investigation at the governor general's office.

"Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It appears this was not always the case at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General," Payette said in a statement Thursday. "Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry." (Canada GG -resign)

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LIMA -- Peru's general elections will be held despite a second wave of COVID-19 infections, Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti said on Thursday.

The April 11 elections, which will choose his successor, are within an established legal framework and the government is working on implementing health protocols to protect voters, the president stated. (Peru-Elections)

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to approve a waiver for Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star general, to serve as President Joe Biden's defense secretary.

The lower chamber approved the measure in a 326-78 vote, with opposition from 15 Democrats and 63 Republicans. (US-Pentagon-Biden)

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UNITED NATIONS -- The UN secretary-general's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, on Thursday expressed grave concern over serious allegations of sexual violence in Ethiopia's conflict-stricken Tigray region.

The allegations include a high number of alleged rapes in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. There are also disturbing reports of individuals allegedly forced to rape members of their own family, under threats of imminent violence, said Patten in a statement. (UN-Ethiopia-Tigray) Enditem

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