A team of scientists has uncovered a rare isotope in microscopic fossils, offering fresh evidence that ocean ecosystems Source link
21 airlines to modify ‘misleading’ environmental claims
21 airlines have agreed to modify their ‘misleading’ environmental claims, following talks with the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Network. They will no longer claim that a flight’s CO₂ emissions can be cut by passengers’ financial contributions to climate protection projects. Source link
21 airlines to modify ‘misleading’ environmental claims
21 airlines have agreed to modify their ‘misleading’ environmental claims, following talks with the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Network. They will no longer claim that a flight’s CO₂ emissions can be cut by passengers’ financial contributions to climate protection projects.
DRC’s hunger crisis worsens due to fighting and lack of aid funding
UN aid agencies are struggling to access provinces overrun by Rwandan-backed M23 rebel fighters earlier this year, although dramatic funding shortfalls for humanitarian work have also contributed to the dire situation. Kigali has always denied providing military support to the group.
Aid could be delivered more easily if air access was restored, PAM insisted, because two airports in the M23 areas “have been closed virtually since the end of January… we urgently request that a humanitarian air corridor be established,” said Cynthia Jones, PAMCountry Director for the DRC.
The alert follows the publication of a report by UN-backed food insecurity experts in Integrated food safety phase classification (IPC) platformwarning that almost 25 million people are experiencing high levels of food insecurity, rated IPC3 on a scale of one to five, with five indicating famine.
This includes an alarming three million people facing “emergency” levels of hunger – IPC4 – a number that is “rising” and is “almost double since last year”, Ms Jones said.
“What does this mean for families? This means they skip their meals, thereby depleting all the goods in their household. They sell their animals“, she said, speaking by video from Kinshasa to journalists in Geneva.
According to the UN agency, “people are already dying of hunger” in parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ms Jones noted that fighting between M23 militiamen and DRC government forces continues, causing further displacement and people “forced to leave their homes again and again”.
In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this left an estimated 5.2 million people displaced “including 1.6 million who were displaced this year alone.”making the DRC one of the largest displaced persons crises in the world,” added the WFP official.
Despite worsening hunger, funding for lifesaving humanitarian action is drying up and the UN agency has been forced to reduce the number of people it helps, from around a million at the start of the year, to 600,000 today.
“We will only be able to support a fraction of those who need it” Moving forward, Ms Jones said, in an appeal for $350 million to support emergency food and nutrition assistance over the next six months. “Without this, we will have to make further cuts [assistance] even more, up to 300,000 people, which represents only 10 percent of the three million people in need.”
Without a significant increase in funding, the WFP has warned of a “total breakdown of the pipeline” of aid by March 2026.
“This means a complete cessation of all emergency food aid to the eastern provinces. »
The severe funding gap has also had an internal impact on the agency. “We are starting to close downtown offices, we are reducing our footprint, the number of employees and juggling how to maintain operational capacity to deliver in a very complex environment,” Ms Jones explained.
And yet, humanitarian aid remains vital for displaced people in the eastern provinces, including North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika, as vital services have been closed amid persistent insecurity.
“The banks are closed, there is no money available and this has had a major impact on the population and the humanitarian response,” Ms Jones said. “This has devastated livelihoods and truly put the food security of those affected in extremely dire circumstances. »
As the conflict drags on, families seek refuge in urban centers like Ituri, where host communities are already struggling to get by. Equally worrying is the fact that millions of subsistence farmers forced from their homes or too fearful to access their land missed the planting season this year.
“Women, children, men have just suffered devastating sequences of violence perpetrated by non-state armed groups and fleeing the conflict. They are tired, exhausted and need peace,” insisted Ms. Jones.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
EU supports clean transition projects with over €358 million
The EU is investing more than €358 million in 132 environmental and climate action projects across Europe to ensure the EU’s transition to a clean economy. The projects will help restore nature and biodiversity, support the circular economy, accelerate clean energy and strengthen climate resilience.
Doha Social Summit: Businesses, civil society walk side by side for fairer futures
With nearly 14,000 attendees registered for the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently underway in Doha, the gathering has become a meeting place for governments, global organizations and community voices working to shape what a fairer future might look like.
UN News is on the ground in Doha, following two major events held alongside the Summit on Wednesday: one led by business, the other by civil society.
Business forum: Not charity – smart investment
The Private Sector Forum, co-hosted by the International Organisation of Employers, the UN Global Compact and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), focused on how companies can support inclusive growth while adapting to technology shifts, climate pressures and changing labour markets.
Opening the event, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock pointed to the narrowing window to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and the financing needed to get there.
“With the annual financing gap for the SDGs currently standing at 4 trillion US dollars, one of the key barriers we face is financing,” she said. “But we know, and you know, that money as such is not the problem. The question rather is how and where it is invested.”
She noted that companies with strong environmental, social and governance performance “report operating margins 10 per cent higher and a cost of capital 20 per cent lower.”
“In simple terms: they are more profitable,” she said.
“We are not asking the private sector to act out of charity. Inclusive business models strengthen societies and [boost] market confidence…and help create the very environment in which business can grow and prosper.”
Later, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Gilbert Houngbo closed the Forum with a call for cooperation, emphasising that “no single country, no single company can navigate current challenges in isolation” and that “universal and lasting peace can only be established based on social justice.”
Participants at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) attending the Second World Summit for Social Development..
Civil society forum: People power on the show
A few rooms away, the Civil Society Forum opened with stories of community-led solutions already transforming lives – from Moroccan women’s cooperatives producing argan oil to the “Solar Mamas” of Cameroon installing solar panels in rural villages.
“We see how far the global social vision has come,” said Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, crediting grassroots groups for keeping governments accountable and making sure social justice and inclusion “weren’t just words on paper.”
“You are proof that social development matters and always will be, because you make it real in communities and in people’s lives every day,” she told participants. “You are our copilots.”
The Forum concludes Thursday (as does the Summit), with discussions shaped around ten themes drawn from the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration – all focused on how to ensure policy translates into real improvements in daily life.
Newly discovered brain cells are wired for uncertainty
Newly identified brain cells evolved along the theme, “Life is uncertain; Eat dessert first.” The neurons, located in
Israel has rejected over 100 aid requests since Gaza ceasefire, UN says
“Our partners report that since the ceasefire, the Israeli authorities have rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials, including blankets, winter clothes, and tools and material to maintain and operate water, sanitation and hygiene services,” Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York.
He said almost 90 per cent of the rejected requests came from more than 30 local and international non-governmental organisations, or NGOs.
“More than half of the requests were denied on the grounds that the organizations were not authorized to bring relief items into Gaza,” he added.
Mr. Haq stressed that such restrictions continue to hamper humanitarian efforts, even as the UN and its partners work to deliver aid under the current 60-day plan.
Severe restrictions
“The UN and our partners can do more when other impediments are lifted,” he said, noting that some rejected materials were classified by Israeli authorities as falling outside the scope of humanitarian aid or deemed “dual-use” items, such as solar panels, generators, and vehicle parts.
Despite the still fragile ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israeli forces – which reportedly continue to control just over half of the Gaza Strip – the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to receive reports of military activity.
“Continued detonations of residential buildings have been reported daily in multiple areas where the Israeli military remains deployed,” Mr. Haq said, pointing to eastern Khan Younis, eastern Gaza City, and Rafah on the southern border.
OCHA has reminded the Israeli military of its obligation “to take constant care to spare civilians, including aid workers, throughout its operations.”
Population movements across Gaza also remain fluid, with more than 680,000 people moving from southern to northern areas since the ceasefire began.
Staying in place
However, Mr. Haq said that many displaced families “have reported a desire to remain in their current locations, due to widespread destruction, lack of alternatives, and continued uncertainty about safety and services in their areas of origin.”
Amid these challenges, the UN and partners have reached tens of thousands of households with food, cash assistance and essential services.
“The impact of the humanitarian scale-up in Gaza is already clear,” Mr. Haq said, “yet far more could be done if the remaining obstacles were removed.”
EIB provides €100 million to strengthen economic resilience and heating infrastructure in Ukraine
- €70 million will go to Ukrgasbank to keep Ukrainian businesses operating and protect jobs during the war, while advancing energy efficiency investments.
- €30 million will be directed to repairing and upgrading municipal district heating systems via Ukrgasbank and Ukreximbank, ensuring reliable heat supply for communities during the war.
- The funding is backed by the EU for Ukraine Fund and the Ukraine Investment Framework, demonstrating the European Union’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and resilience.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has disbursed a total of €100 million to support economic resilience and critical municipal heating infrastructure in Ukraine. The financing is part of a coordinated Team Europe effort backed by the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Fund and the European Commission’s €1.95 billion guarantee under the Ukraine Investment Framework, which is part of the broader €50 billion Ukraine Facility. It demonstrates the European Union’s continued support to sustain Ukraine’s economy and ensuring essential public services.
€70 million to support Ukrainian businesses
€70 million has been disbursed to Ukrgasbank under the €400 million Ukraine Economic Resilience Facility Lending Envelope. The project is backed by the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Fund, which is supported by EU Member States. The financing will expand access to long-term loans for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-caps across the country, helping to sustain employment and support the resilience of Ukraine’s private sector.
The loan also contributes to Ukraine’s green transition by supporting investments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. Ukrgasbank will on-lend the funds to businesses on more favourable terms made possible by the EIB financing, making financing more accessible and affordable for Ukrainian enterprises.
€30 million to restore and strengthen municipal district heating
€30 million has been disbursed (€15 million to Ukrgasbank and €15 million to Ukreximbank) as the first tranches of larger EIB district heating loans (€50 million and €100 million, respectively), guaranteed under the European Commission’s Ukraine Investment Framework.
The financing will be on-lent to communities and public utilities to repair and upgrade district heating systems, improve energy efficiency in public buildings and deploy renewable energy solutions, thereby reducing dependence on vulnerable centralised infrastructure. It will also enable the timely reconstruction of facilities damaged by Russia’s attacks, strengthening the resilience and energy security of communities across Ukraine. As a result, municipalities will have more independent and efficient heating systems for schools, hospitals and residential communities.
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the bank’s operations in Ukraine, said: “The disbursement of these funds ensures that support is now reaching Ukrainian businesses and municipalities at a critical time. It helps keep local economic activity going and enables communities to maintain heating and essential public services during the winter. We are working in close cooperation with the European Commission, the government of Ukraine, local partner banks and local authorities to make sure this assistance is delivered effectively and where it is most needed.”
“This is now the fourth winter in which Russia tries to keep Ukrainians in the cold. We are seeing the worst attacks on energy infrastructure in this war. EU support is helping rebuild a stronger and more resilient energy system. The EU is helping to restore power plants and investing in district heating, in expanding renewables, and in making buildings more energy efficient. Together we make sure schools, hospitals, and homes remain warm this winter”, said Marta Kos, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement.
“Support from the European Investment Bank is extremely important for the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine. Owing to these funds, we will be able to finance businesses and communities that are restoring critical infrastructure and implementing district heating and energy-efficient solutions throughout the country,” emphasised Acting Chairperson of the Management Board of Ukrgasbank Rodion Morozov.
“The first tranche of funding under the EIB’s Ukraine district heating project, made possible through the steadfast support of the European Union and European Investment Bank, provides Ukrainian communities with the means to withstand the challenges of winter under continuous attacks of Russia. It reinforces the reliability of heat supply, modernises vital infrastructure and promotes energy efficiency, safeguarding the needs of residents, especially in the cold season,” said Chairman of the Management Board of Ukreximbank Viktor Ponomarenko.
This support complements the recently signed EIB financing with Naftogaz Ukraine to help replenish the country’s gas reserves ahead of winter, highlighting a broader, coordinated EU effort to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience during the war.
Background information
The Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) is part of the €50 billion EU Ukraine Facility designed to attract public and private investments for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. It is endowed with financial instruments totalling €9.3 billion, with €7.8 billion in loan guarantees and €1.5 billion in blended finance. In March 2025, the EIB entered into a €1.95 million guarantee agreement with the European Union to support its operations in Ukraine. This guarantee is provided under UIF. The aim of the UIF is to mobilise €40 billion of investments for Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation.
The EU for Ukraine Fund (EU4U) was established by the EIB in 2023 as an additional instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. The fund has received contributions from 16 EU Member States – Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Spain – bringing its total size to €410 million. The fund aims to accelerate EIB support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs and help sustain the country’s economy. It enables the financing of both public and private sector projects, supporting the reconstruction of critical municipal infrastructure and improving access to finance for entrepreneurs.
The EIB in Ukraine
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has been working in Ukraine since 2007. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Bank has stepped up its financial support to help strengthen the country’s resilience and rebuild its infrastructure. Since then, the EIB has provided €4 billion in financing for Ukraine. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing the Ukraine Investment Framework, a dedicated window of the Ukraine Facility, the EIB is strongly committed to accelerating its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders, in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and international partners.
Genocide prevention expert raises alarm over alleged Sudan atrocity crimes
“We see massive violations of international human rights law, direct attacks on civilians, noncompliance with international humanitarian law, which regulates conduct in relation to hostilities, and that the attacks are largely on civilians,” said Chaloka Beyani, who recently took up his post as Special Adviser of the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide.
Mr. Beyani told UN News in an interview on Thursday he had spoken to Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, and plans to issue an advisory to Secretary-General António Guterres, the Security Council, and the wider UN system.
Sounding the alarm
“Once our office sounds the alarm, the alarm rings over and beyond the ordinary violations of human rights or of international humanitarian law,” he said.
“It indicates that the threshold is about to be crossed, and therefore there has to be early action taken.”
Graphic reports and video began circulating at the end of last month online of apparent war crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia as its fighters finally took control of the Darfuri capital of El Fasher from Government troops, following more than 500 days of siege.
Horror in Darfur
“We cannot hear the screams, but – as we sit here today – the horror is continuing,” said UN relief chief Tom Fletcher, briefing the Security Council on 31 October.
Mr. Beyani’s office said risk indicators for atrocity crimes are present in Sudan but emphasises that only an international court or other legal body can make a determination of genocide.
The UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed profound alarm in a statement on Monday over the reports of mass killings, rapes and other crimes emerging from El Fasher, noting that its investigation of alleged war crimes committed since the outbreak of war in April 2023 is ongoing.
“Within the ongoing investigation, the office is taking immediate steps regarding the alleged crimes in El-Fasher to preserve and collect relevant evidence for its use in future prosecutions,” the prosecutor’s office underlined.
RSF agrees ‘humanitarian ceasefire’: reports
The RSF reportedly agreed to a “humanitarian ceasefire” on Thursday, in the wake of mounting criticism of its fighters’ actions in and around El Fasher.
Leaders of the militia group said they would accept the terms of the truce proposed by a mediation group consisting of the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to news reports.
Agony continues for civilians
Meanwhile, the UN is warning of a worsening humanitarian situation in North Darfur, where thousands of families displaced from El Fasher are living in extremely harsh conditions.
“Across Tawila and surrounding areas, displaced people are without adequate food, clean water, shelter or medical care,” Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Thursday.
Aid agencies are working with local partners to set up new camps, adding to the more than 650,000 people already in Tawila.
In Tawila Al Omda alone, over 3,000 recent arrivals urgently need plastic sheeting, mats and blankets as temperatures drop.
Many, including the injured, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied children, sleep in the open. Similar conditions affect more than 6,500 people in Daba Al Naira and Um Jangour camps.
