The EIT is now organising a call for expressions of interest with a view to establishing a reserve list for Temporary Staff (TA) for the profile of Head of Communication Section. The place of employment will be Budapest, where the EIT seat is located.
The Head of Communication Section will contribute to and manage external communication activities and actions and strengthening the EIT’s communications and promotion efforts to increase the awareness, visibility and understanding of the EIT Community, its results and achievements.
TASKS
In particular, the tasks of the Head of Communication Section will include the following:
Support the Head of Unit and the Head of Department in the coordination of the work of the section in their area of responsibility;
Contribute to drawing up, managing, implementing and evaluating the EIT communication and engagement strategies and plans, including dedicated campaigns in priority areas;
Manage the EIT’s external communications tools and channels and the creation of engaging content for EIT audiences;
Financial and/or operational management, including coordination and supervision of procurement, grant procedures and expert management processes; implementation of contracts; operational initiation, verification and reporting;
Develop internal processes for the efficient function of the Section.
The jobholder may be asked to carry out any other tasks as deemed necessary in the interest of the service.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2026 (12:00 PM Budapest time)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a leading figure in last year’s protests, and called on authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
He urged the authorities to proceed “a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation, consistent with international human rights standards” and called for restraint as Bangladesh heads towards legislative elections scheduled for February 2026, its spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at a regular press briefing in New York.
Mr. Guterres also called for calm, calling on all parties to “refrain from all violence, reduce tensions and exercise the greatest restraint in order to preserve a peaceful electoral environment.»
This murder also aroused the same concern on the part of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who said he was “deeply troubled” by Mr Hadi’s death after being shot dead last week.
“Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all.” Mr. Türk said in a statement published in Geneva, echoing calls for accountability from those responsible.
New troubles
Youth leader Hadi, 32, was shot dead by masked attackers on December 12 as he left a mosque in Dhaka, according to media reports. He was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore for treatment, where he later died from his injuries.
Following the news of his death on Thursday, protests broke out in several regions of Bangladesh.
Media reports further reported that thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital, with some buildings set on fire or vandalized. Authorities said several properties, including buildings housing major newspapers, were set on fire and journalists were allegedly attacked during the unrest.
A fragile political moment
Troubles arise against a backdrop of dramatic political change last year. In July 2024, student-led demonstrations Initial demands for reforms to civil service employment quotas were met with violent repression by security forces and pro-government groups.
Although the quota system was later withdrawn, the protests expanded into a national movement calling for the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and accountability for the violent suppression of protests.
At the beginning of August, the situation deteriorated significantly. Sheikh Hasina, who has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 after an earlier term from 1996 to 2001, fled the country on August 5 under growing pressure.
Mr Hadi has emerged as one of the movement’s most prominent young leaders and, according to media reports, had planned to run in the February 2026 parliamentary elections.
With the campaign set to begin soon, the UN human rights chief stressed that it is essential to ensure an environment in which all individuals can participate safely and peacefully in public life and freely express their different views.
“I urge the authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and the safety of journalists at this critical time, and to prevent a further escalation of unrest.“, said Mr. Türk.
Potential treatments for one of the world’s most dangerous hospital superbugs have been found in a surprising location – hospital toilets.
Samples in the phage collection. Transparent dots show where the phages have been effective in breaking down bacteria. Image credit: University of Southampton
An international team of researchers led by the University of Southampton and funded by Bowel Research UK have comprehensively catalogued a new collection of bacteria-eating viruses called phages sourced, in part, from hospital wastewater.
The phages in the collection have been shown to be effective against different strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae – a type of bacteria that has become a serious threat in hospitals because of its growing resistance to multiple antibiotics.
While phages that target Klebsiella are increasingly being documented in research, their clinical use has been slowed by fragmented access to data on phages and which bacteria they target.
To speed up research and treatment development, the researchers have made the new collection open source and publicly available at www.klebphacol.org . It’s been detailed in a paper published today (20 November 2025) in Nucleic Acids Research.
Dr Franklin Nobrega , Associate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Southampton and project lead, whose work is supported by Bowel Research UK , said: “Making the Klebsiella Phage Collection open access is crucial. It means scientists everywhere can both use and build on it. Researchers can request samples of phages and bacterial strains for their own studies, compare results across labs, and even contribute new phages and strains to the collection.
“By sharing these resources openly, we’re breaking down barriers that have slowed progress and creating a truly collaborative global effort to tackle antibiotic resistance.”
Klebsiella can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections—particularly in hospital patients or people with weakened immune systems.
Health officials are particularly concerned as some strains are developing resistance to multiple antibiotics, including those used as a last resort when others have failed.
New phage family discovered
Different phages work a bit like different keys – each one can only “unlock” (infect) certain strains of the bacteria.
The Klebsiella Phage Collection fully characterises 52 different phages, alongside 74 strains of Klebsiella. These phages come from five viral families, including a newly discovered group linked to the human gut.
Previous studies have suggested that some strains of Klebsiella are associated with inflammation in the gut, potentially worsening inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dr Nobrega commented: “Some of these newly identified phages can be found in people’s guts across the world, in everyone from pre-term babies to older adults. They were found in healthy guts, so we know they are important for good gut health.
“The presence or absence of certain phages can predict how severe diseases like bowel cancer and IBD are going to be, so our discovery, along with our new library of phages, paves the way for more research to understanding more about these diseases and ultimately improve treatments.”
Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, CEO of Bowel Research UK, said: “Research like this is crucial in understanding the best way to harness the power of the microbiome to prevent and treat bowel conditions. We’re enabling more research to help scientists fully understand the role our gut microbiome plays in maintaining a healthy gut and protecting us from bowel disease.”
The hope is that this phage library will not only support new treatments but also improve understanding of how phages and bacteria interact -knowledge that could prove vital in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Potential treatments for one of the world’s most dangerous hospital superbugs have been found in a surprising location – hospital toilets.
Samples in the phage collection. Transparent dots show where the phages have been effective in breaking down bacteria. Image credit: University of Southampton
An international team of researchers led by the University of Southampton and funded by Bowel Research UK have comprehensively catalogued a new collection of bacteria-eating viruses called phages sourced, in part, from hospital wastewater.
The phages in the collection have been shown to be effective against different strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae – a type of bacteria that has become a serious threat in hospitals because of its growing resistance to multiple antibiotics.
While phages that target Klebsiella are increasingly being documented in research, their clinical use has been slowed by fragmented access to data on phages and which bacteria they target.
To speed up research and treatment development, the researchers have made the new collection open source and publicly available at www.klebphacol.org . It’s been detailed in a paper published today (20 November 2025) in Nucleic Acids Research.
Dr Franklin Nobrega , Associate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Southampton and project lead, whose work is supported by Bowel Research UK , said: “Making the Klebsiella Phage Collection open access is crucial. It means scientists everywhere can both use and build on it. Researchers can request samples of phages and bacterial strains for their own studies, compare results across labs, and even contribute new phages and strains to the collection.
“By sharing these resources openly, we’re breaking down barriers that have slowed progress and creating a truly collaborative global effort to tackle antibiotic resistance.”
Klebsiella can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections—particularly in hospital patients or people with weakened immune systems.
Health officials are particularly concerned as some strains are developing resistance to multiple antibiotics, including those used as a last resort when others have failed.
New phage family discovered
Different phages work a bit like different keys – each one can only “unlock” (infect) certain strains of the bacteria.
The Klebsiella Phage Collection fully characterises 52 different phages, alongside 74 strains of Klebsiella. These phages come from five viral families, including a newly discovered group linked to the human gut.
Previous studies have suggested that some strains of Klebsiella are associated with inflammation in the gut, potentially worsening inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dr Nobrega commented: “Some of these newly identified phages can be found in people’s guts across the world, in everyone from pre-term babies to older adults. They were found in healthy guts, so we know they are important for good gut health.
“The presence or absence of certain phages can predict how severe diseases like bowel cancer and IBD are going to be, so our discovery, along with our new library of phages, paves the way for more research to understanding more about these diseases and ultimately improve treatments.”
Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, CEO of Bowel Research UK, said: “Research like this is crucial in understanding the best way to harness the power of the microbiome to prevent and treat bowel conditions. We’re enabling more research to help scientists fully understand the role our gut microbiome plays in maintaining a healthy gut and protecting us from bowel disease.”
The hope is that this phage library will not only support new treatments but also improve understanding of how phages and bacteria interact -knowledge that could prove vital in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
For the second year, the UN is commemorating this ancient practice, which is proven to help improve personal well-being and mental health.
“When attention deficit is so great, meditation is absolutely essential,” Indian spiritual leader Gurudev Ravi Shankar said at an event at UN headquarters Friday before the event. World Meditation Day.
“Nearly 500 universities around the world have now started adopting meditation. Hospitals are adopting meditation,” he added.
In a time of global challenges, meditation offers a powerful way to cultivate peace, unity and compassion.
What is behind the international day?
In an effort to raise awareness of the benefits of this practice, last year the United Nations General Assembly organized proclaimed on December 21 as World Meditation Dayreaffirming the right of everyone to enjoy the highest possible standard of physical and mental health.
Organized by the Permanent Mission of India and other countries which promoted the establishment of the international day, the event “Meditation for World Peace and Harmony» aimed at fostering domestic harmony and promoting international unity.
Meditation has the power to bring those who practice it to a “space of feeling oneness, of tranquility – that oneness that binds everyone together,” said Mr. Shankar, who also led a meditation session at the event.
Mr. Shankar noted that there are now 700 research articles showing more than 100 benefits of the practice.
With a focus on breathing and presence, incorporating meditation into one’s daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can help achieve a sense of calm and focus.
Before starting the meditation session, Mr. Shankar spoke about the anger and desire that grips the mind.
“Those two things don’t give you peace of mind, they don’t even let you sleep,” he said.
Meditation and breathing can relieve these disturbing feelings.
“Our breathing has a secret. Breathing connects our body and mind. By paying attention to the breath, you are able to calm your emotions,” he explained.
He concluded that meditation cannot be forced, it just happens.
“You are only creating a situation in which meditation can and does happen and for that you have to keep your desire on one side and your anxieties and fears on the other – we can deal with that later,” he said, before leading the room into a state of calm.
The staff member was arrested by security officers on December 15. MISS was in close contact with local authorities, seeking safe release. The Mission received confirmation of his death earlier this week.
“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague,” Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of UNMISS, said in a statement. statement.
“Such killings of United Nations personnel are unacceptable. We call for an immediate and thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of his detention and death and to ensure that justice is served for him and his family. The safety and security of UN personnel must always be respected.»
The Mission extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the victim, describing him as a dedicated member of the United Nations team committed to serving the people of South Sudan.
Serving peace in the face of complex challenges
UNMISS was established in 2011, following the independence of South Sudan, with a mandate to protect civilians, monitor human rights and support peacebuilding and reconciliation, working closely with communities, government institutions and civil society.
With more than 17,000 civilians, police and soldiers deployed across the country, UNMISS operates in some of the most challenging environments, where insecurity and inter-communal violence continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.
Despite these risks, the Mission remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, protection and accountability.
UNMISS urged national and local authorities to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international and national laws.
According to the last CPI report – global monitoring of malnutrition and food insecurity – no area of Gaza is currently classified as being in famine (IPC Phase 5), following improved humanitarian and commercial access following the October 10 ceasefire.
However, almost the entire Gaza Strip remains in an emergency situation (IPC Phase 4), while hundreds of thousands of people continue to experience very high rates of acute malnutrition.
Between mid-October and the end of November, about 1.6 million people – or about 77 percent of the population analyzed – faced crisis-level famine (phase 3) or worse. This included more than 500,000 people in emergency (phase 4) and more than 100,000 people in disaster (phase 5), the report said.
“The famine has been pushed back. Many more people have access to the food they need to survive,” he told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
He added, however, that 1.6 million people in Gaza – more than 75 percent of the population – “are expected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical risks of malnutrition”.
The IPC analysis projects that until mid-April 2026, around 571,000 people will remain in emergency conditions, while around 1,900 people are expected to continue to face catastrophic hunger. In a worst-case scenario – including a resumption of hostilities or a cessation of humanitarian and commercial flows – the entire Gaza Strip could once again face famine.
Malnutrition is a major concern
Malnutrition remains a major concern, particularly among children and pregnant and lactating women.
Nearly 101,000 children aged six to 59 months are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by mid-October 2026, including more than 31,000 severe cases. It is also estimated that 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will need treatment.
Although food aid has increased, the report highlights that aid largely only meets basic survival needs. Health services, water and sanitation systems, housing and livelihoods remain severely damaged, leaving families vulnerable – particularly in winter.
Source: IPC (issue 142, December 2025)
Acute food insecurity and acute malnutrition projected in the Gaza Strip.
“Families are enduring unbearable situations,” Mr. Guterres said, describing children sleeping in flooded tents and buildings collapsing in heavy rain and wind.
He said humanitarian teams were preparing more than 1.5 million hot meals every day, reopening nutrition centers and restoring water and health services, but he warned that needs continued to grow faster than aid delivery.
“We need a truly lasting ceasefire,he said, calling for more crossings into Gaza, fewer restrictions on essential supplies, safe routes within the Strip, sustainable funding and unhindered humanitarian access.
The IPC report highlights that without sustained and expanded access, continued aid and the rebuilding of critical infrastructure, Gaza’s food security situation could rapidly deteriorate again, with long-term consequences for an already traumatized population.
Given the speed and complexity of challenges faced by the European Union, unity, urgency and ambition are key. That is also the spirit behind which President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, representing the Council of the EU, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, signed the Joint Declaration on the margins of the European Council today.
The Joint Declaration prioritises legislative actions that focus on boosting the EU’s competitiveness and resilience, safeguarding citizens and businesses, while pursuing ambitious simplification goals and working towards agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Utmost priority will be given to key policy objectives for a new era for European defence and security, to secure Europe’s sustainable prosperity, competitiveness and simplification, to strengthen our societies and our social model and quality of life, to ensure comprehensive approach to broader management and migration, to protect our democracy, uphold our values and to leverage our global influence and partnerships.
The Joint Declaration highlights legislative priorities which the three Institutions have committed to prioritise in 2026. Progress on these proposals should be regularly monitored throughout the year, both to provide updates on the state of play and to allow for early warning of any developments that risk any delay in their progress.
President Metsola said: “Europe moves when we all pull in the same direction. This Joint Declaration for 2026 is more than just words on a paper – it is a sign of unity and our firm conviction to deliver on people’s expectations. For the first time, it sets out a clear and focused list of ten legislative priorities to make our Union stronger, safer, and more competitive. Parliament is ready to get to work”.
President von der Leyen, said: “Today we stand united with a shared vision for our Union’s future. We must deliver a new era of European security – and that starts with a just and lasting peace for Ukraine an strengthening our own defences. We must also build a more competitive, fairer Europe for our citizens and businesses. And finally we are committed to reaching a swift agreement on the next long-term EU budget. Because to turn our common vision into reality, we must have the means to deliver it”.
Next steps
The Joint Declaration will be published in the EU’s Official Journal in the coming days. The co-legislators will ensure the timely and effective implementation of this Joint Declaration.
Background
As set out in the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making, signed in 2016 by the three institutions, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission discuss and agree on legislative priorities for the next year through an annual Joint Declaration, after the Commission adopts its work programme. This approach helps the institutions collaborate more efficiently on key legislative proposals, with the Parliament and the Council acting as co-legislators.
Given the speed and complexity of challenges faced by the European Union, unity, urgency and ambition are key. That is also the spirit behind which President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, representing the Council of the EU, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, signed the Joint Declaration on the margins of the European Council today.
The Joint Declaration prioritises legislative actions that focus on boosting the EU’s competitiveness and resilience, safeguarding citizens and businesses, while pursuing ambitious simplification goals and working towards agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Utmost priority will be given to key policy objectives for a new era for European defence and security, to secure Europe’s sustainable prosperity, competitiveness and simplification, to strengthen our societies and our social model and quality of life, to ensure comprehensive approach to broader management and migration, to protect our democracy, uphold our values and to leverage our global influence and partnerships.
The Joint Declaration highlights legislative priorities which the three Institutions have committed to prioritise in 2026. Progress on these proposals should be regularly monitored throughout the year, both to provide updates on the state of play and to allow for early warning of any developments that risk any delay in their progress.
President Metsola said: “Europe moves when we all pull in the same direction. This Joint Declaration for 2026 is more than just words on a paper – it is a sign of unity and our firm conviction to deliver on people’s expectations. For the first time, it sets out a clear and focused list of ten legislative priorities to make our Union stronger, safer, and more competitive. Parliament is ready to get to work”.
President von der Leyen, said: “Today we stand united with a shared vision for our Union’s future. We must deliver a new era of European security – and that starts with a just and lasting peace for Ukraine an strengthening our own defences. We must also build a more competitive, fairer Europe for our citizens and businesses. And finally we are committed to reaching a swift agreement on the next long-term EU budget. Because to turn our common vision into reality, we must have the means to deliver it”.
Next steps
The Joint Declaration will be published in the EU’s Official Journal in the coming days. The co-legislators will ensure the timely and effective implementation of this Joint Declaration.
Background
As set out in the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making, signed in 2016 by the three institutions, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission discuss and agree on legislative priorities for the next year through an annual Joint Declaration, after the Commission adopts its work programme. This approach helps the institutions collaborate more efficiently on key legislative proposals, with the Parliament and the Council acting as co-legislators.
