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Gaza: nearly 1,400 Palestinians killed during food, because the UN warns that paratroopers are not a solution
Between July 30 and 31 only, 105 Palestinians were killed and at least 680 others injured along the convoy roads in the Zikim region in northern Gaza, from the south of Khan Younis, and near GHF sites in Middle Gaza and Rafah, at the office (Ohchr) said in a press release published Friday
In total, since May 27, at least 1,373 Palestinians were killed during the search for food; 859 near the GHF and 514 sites along the roads of food convoys.
Ohchr noted that most murders were committed by the Israeli army and that, even if it is aware of the presence of other armed elements in the same areas, it has no information indicating their involvement in murders.
“” [The office] Has no information that these Palestinians participated directly in hostilities or threat to Israeli security forces or other people. Each person killed or injured had desperately fought for survival, not only for themselves, but also for their families and dependents, “he said.
Maintain international law
The office pointed out that intentionally directing attacks on civilians who do not directly participate in hostilities and intentionally using civilians as a war method by depriving them of objects essential to their survival, including rescue supplies that voluntarily prevent war crimes.
“If part of a systematic or widespread attack against the civilian population can also constitute crimes against humanity,” added the OHCHR, noting that the cumulative impact of these incidents and humanitarian access restrictions.
“Each of these murders must be studied quickly and independently, and those responsible for accounting for. Urgent measures must be put in place to avoid recurrence, “he said.
Non -efficient paratroopers
Meanwhile, the United Nations Rescue and Work Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), underlined the need to open level passages to provide large -scale aid through the Gaza strip.
“Airdrops are at least 100 times more expensive than trucks. The trucks carry twice as much aid as planes ”, the general commissioner of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini said on social networks.
“If there is a political will to authorize paratroopers-who are very expensive, insufficient and ineffective, there should be a similar political will to open up to level passages,” he said.
Mr. Lazzarini also noted that UNRWA had 6,000 trucks responsible for helping stuck outside Gaza pending authorization to enter.
During the ceasefire earlier this year, UNRWA and other UN agencies were able to bring 500 to 600 aid trucks every day.
“Aid has reached the entire Gaza population in terms of safety and dignity. He managed to reverse in -depth famine without any hijacking, “said UNRWA chief.
“Let’s go back to what works and do we do our job.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Gaza Strip: Humanitarians warn of worsening famine conditions, attacks on civilians
Of the 154 malnutrition-related deaths since October 2023 (including 89 children) reported by Gazan health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) said 63 occurred in July alone.
These deaths follow a steep drop in food consumption: 81 per cent of households reported poor food consumption in July (up from 33 per cent in April), and 24 per cent experienced severe hunger (up from 4 per cent), crossing the famine threshold, according to the humanitarian update issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday.
Acute malnutrition rates also surpassed famine thresholds in Khan Younis, Deir al Balah and Gaza City.
Given these recent figures, IPC food security experts warned that the worst-case famine scenario is unfolding. However, they added that while the third famine threshold of starvation-related deaths is rising, collecting data remains a challenge.
UN agencies caution that time is running out for a full-scale humanitarian response. 22 per cent of the analyzed population is facing “catastrophic” level of food insecurity, and a further 54 per cent is at “emergency” level.
At the same time, less than 15 per cent of essential nutrition services remain functional.
Attacks on civilians
Of the over 60,000 Palestinians reported killed since October 2023, nearly 9,000 died after hostilities reignited in March, and 640 between 23 and 30 July.
Civilian casualties while seeking food are also rising, with 1,239 killed and over 8,152 injured since 27 May.
OCHA further noted that displacement figures since 18 March have surpassed 767,800, though no new evacuation orders were issued by Israeli authorities since 20 July. The 20 July order affecting a humanitarian hub in Deir al Balah has since been rescinded.
Amid ongoing displacement, overcrowding in shelters, lack of privacy and worsening hunger has elevated the risk of gender-based violence (GBV) for women and girls.
The conditions are especially dire in southern Gaza, where there are no longer any safe shelters for GBV survivors.
Humanitarian measures
Between 23 and 29 July, only 47 per cent of 92 coordinated aid movements were fully facilitated by Israeli authorities. About 16 per cent were denied, 26 per cent impeded after initial approval and 11 per cent withdrawn by organizers.
The Israeli military announced a daily 10-hour pause in military activity, beginning 27 July, in Al Mawasi, Deir al Balah and Gaza City “to increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.”
They also announced measures including airdrops of flour, sugar and canned food; the reconnection of the power line from Israel to the southern Gaza desalination plant; the removal of customs barriers on food, medicine, and fuel from Egypt; and the designation of secure routes for UN humanitarian convoys.
However, humanitarian partners warned that airdrops could endanger civilians, lead to unequal distribution and fall short of needs.
Working with limited funding
In addition, lack of sufficient funding is also hampering response efforts.
As of 30 July, only about 21 per cent of the $4 billion requested for the 2025 urgent humanitarian appeal for the region has been secured, leaving critical gaps.
Haiti: more than 1,500 killed between April and June, the UN report finds
These numbers are similar to those of the first quarter Out of 2025, when 1,617 people were killed and 580 were injured.
“Gang attacks in the Articonites and Central departments, and in the capital, continue to cause serious human rights violations and worsen an already disastrous humanitarian crisis,” said Ulrika Richardson, resident and humanitarian coordinator of the United Nations in Haiti.
Gangs inside and beyond the Capitol
The assassination of President Jenel Moses in 2021 sparked great violence in the gangs in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Today, the UN estimates that gangs control at least 85% of the city. In recent months, many have started to extend their influence in the departments of the Center and Artibonite.
In June alone, 45,000 people were moved to the center and at the artibonite, which means that the total number of people displaced in these two departments has more than 240,000, according to the International Migration Organization (Iom).
Between April and June, the security forces were able to slow down the expansion of the gang in the capital, but the United Nations Office in Haiti, Binuh. noted that the situation remains exceptionally volatile.
While they expand their territory, the gangs have committed human rights violations, according to the UN, including the rape of gangs, extrajudicial murders, children’s farms, trafficking and murder.
“The gang members continued to use murders, gang rapes and kidnappings to maintain their control over the populations living in areas under their influence,” said Binuh.
Different authors
The UN has long warned that gangs are not the only groups that commit violations and human rights violations in Haiti – government security forces and local self -defense groups also have engaged violations.
Of the 1,520 people killed and 609 injured between April and June, most of them were in the capital or the departments of the center and artibonite, with 24% of them killed or injured by gangs.
Gangs security operations represented 64% of deaths and injuries during this period, with 73 documented cases of summary executions and a third of deaths occurring following explosive drones.
The self -defense groups, which were formed in reaction against gangs and the inability of the security force to contain them, were responsible for 12% of people killed and injured.
Respect human rights
The humanitarian situation in Haiti is increasingly disastrous, with more than 1.3 million displaced people and half of the population faced with food insecurity.
With the humanitarian response plan only at 8%, the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs Coordination (Ochha) calls on the international community to intensify financial support.
The report has also urged the international community to continue to increase the support of Haiti’s struggle against gangs.
“The report calls for the Haitian government, with the support of the international community, to strengthen the fight against gangs while strictly respecting human rights and standards on the use of force,” said the United Nations mission in Haiti.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The EBA publishes the results of its 2025 EU-wide stress test
The European Banking Authority (EBA) today released the results of its 2025 EU-wide stress test involving 64 banks from 17 EU and EEA countries and covering 75% of EU banking sector assets. The results confirm that European banks remain resilient even under a severe hypothetical economic downturn. The simulated scenario involves a sharp deterioration in the global macro-financial environment, driven by a resurgence in geopolitical tensions, entrenched trade fragmentation, including increase in tariffs, and persistent supply shocks. EU banks, despite bearing losses of EUR 547bn,[1] maintain strong capital positions and their capacity to continue supporting the economy.
Key findings
- The capital depletion under the adverse stress test scenario amounts to 370 bps, resulting in a CET1 ratio at the end of the scenario of 12%[2]. The strong income generation during the exercise helps banks to partly offset their losses and results in a lower depletion compared to the 2023 exercise.
- Banks start the exercise with higher profitability and capital than in recent years. While banks are more risk-sensitive, showing higher nominal losses, they have better absorption capacity through income generation. Banks show more vulnerabilities in credit and market risk, which are the main contributors to the stress test losses.
- Specific adverse scenarios affect economic sectors differently. Banks have improved their ability to differentiate the impact of adverse scenarios across sectors, but there is still a need to further improve their modelling efforts.
- Strong performance of the EU banks in the 2025 EU-wide stress test is reassuring, nonetheless, maintaining adequate capital remains essential to ensure the safety of the EU banking system.
Summary of key results[3]
Transparency and input to the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process
The EBA has published detailed, bank-level results from the stress test, including comprehensive data on both the starting point and the projected outcomes under the baseline and adverse scenarios.
While the EU-wide stress test does not apply a predefined pass/fail threshold, it serves as a critical input for the Pillar 2 supervisory assessment. The results will support Competent Authorities in evaluating banks’ ability to meet prudential requirements under stress and provide a robust basis for discussions between supervisors and individual institutions. These discussions cover capital adequacy and distribution plans as part of the regular Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP).
Notes to the editors
- Detailed information on bank-level results, including interactive tools, can be found on in the 2025 EU-wide stress test website.
- The 2025 EU-wide stress test involves 64 banks from 17 EU and EEA countries, covering 75% of the EU banking sector assets. This stress test allows supervisors to assess the resilience of EU banks over a three-year horizon under both a baseline and an adverse scenario. The full sample of banks can be found in Annex 1 of the EBA methodology.
- The EU-wide stress test is initiated and coordinated by the EBA and undertaken in cooperation with the EU Competent Authorities, including the European Central Bank (ECB) for the Banking Union, and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).
- The EBA develops a common methodology and is responsible for the final dissemination of the outcome of the exercise. The adverse scenario is designed jointly by the ESRB and the ECB, and the baseline scenario is provided by the national central banks. Competent Authorities, including the ECB Banking Supervision for the euro area banks, are responsible for ensuring that banks correctly apply the common methodology. In particular, they are responsible for assessing the reliability and robustness of banks’ assumptions, data, estimates and results and the resulting supervisory actions.
- The EU-wide stress test is based on the implementation by the banks of the EBA methodology and the two scenarios, under the close scrutiny of their supervisors (“constrained bottom-up” exercise). Some parts of the stress test rely on top-down projections or have been centralised. The 2025 methodology benefits from enhancements, including the centralisation of net interest income (NII) projections with a revised NII scope and a more risk-sensitive market risk approach with enhanced proportionality. The changes are part of the medium-term plan of revising the stress test framework.
- The EU banking package regulation (CRR3/CRD VI), which applies from 1 January 2025, is reflected in the 2025 EU-wide stress test methodology and templates, which should, however, continue to be understood as a risk exercise, and not as an exercise that assesses the impact of regulatory changes. The Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR3) is introduced step by step using transitional arrangements until full implementation in 2033. The Report focuses on applicable CET1 capital ratios, i.e. “transitional ratios” taking into account all the applicable transitional arrangements specified in the CRR3 over the three-year scenario horizon. For completeness, the outcome of the exercise under the assumption of full implementation, i.e. “fully loaded ratios”, is also reported (see section 2.4 of the Report for further details).
- Detailed information about the baseline and adverse scenarios can be found in the note produced by the ESRB.
- The EBA’s 2025 stress test methodology can be found on the EBA website.
[1] These are total credit, market and operational risk losses.
[2] This refers to the applicable capital ratios and stress test impacts computed considering all applicable CRR3 transitional arrangements (i.e. “transitional capital ratios“). See section 2.4 of the Report for more details about the implementation of CRR3.
[3]Bank projections are based on the regulatory regime applicable as of January 1, 2025, when CRR3 applies. The ratios are provided on transitional basis. The progressive phase-in of the regulation through transitional arrangements facilitates the adjustment of banks towards the new framework, which will apply in full as of 2033.
Documents
Digital publication of the 2025 EU-wide stress test results
A change of change: the UN publishes proposals for rationalization of tasks within the framework of the major reform program
Mandates – requests or directives of action issued by the General Assembly, the Security advice and the Economic and social council – have multiplied significantly since 1945. Today, there are more than 40,000 active mandates, served by around 400 intergovernmental bodies. Together, they require more than 27,000 meetings per year and generate around 2,300 pages of documentation each day, with an annual cost estimated at $ 360 million.
A growing challenge
Mandates guide UN work in more than 190 countries and territories, from peacekeeping to humanitarian response and development. But many are obsolete or riding, and their complexity increases. Since 2020, the number of average words of the resolutions of the General Assembly has increased by 55%, while the resolutions of the Security Council are now three times longer than they were 30 years ago.
“Let’s face the facts,” said Secretary General António Guterres Friday, during a briefing at the General Assembly, “we cannot expect a much more important impact without the means to deliver. By dividing our capacities so thin, we risk focusing more on the process than on the results. ”
A lack of coordination adds to the strain. Several United Nations entities cite the same mandates to justify separate programs and budgets, resulting in duplication and reduction in impact. More than 85% of mandates do not contain any examination or termination provision. “Effective examinations are the exception, not the rule,” said Guterres. “The same mandates are discussed year after year – often with only marginal modifications of existing texts.”
The UN has made mandates around the world, including the certification of elections in Namibia in 1989.
The UN80 initiative: a systemic approach
THE Report of the examination of the implementation of the mandate,, Released on July 31, is part of the wider initiative of the Secretary General’s UN80 – a multi -year effort to modernize the functioning of the UN. Rather than assessing the mandates individually, the report adopts a “life cycle” approach, by examining how the mandates are created, implemented and examined and proposing ways to improve each step.
“Let me be absolutely clear: mandates are the affairs of the Member States,” Guterres told the General Assembly. “They are the expression of your will. And they are the sole property and the responsibility of the Member States. The vital task of creating them, examining them or withdrawing you resides – and you alone. Our role is to implement them – fully, faithfully and effectively. ”
“This report respects this division,” he added. “He examines how we make the mandates you confuse us. »»
From creation to delivery
To approach duplication and complexity, the report calls for registers of the digital mandate which facilitate monitoring of what has been adopted in different organizations. It also encourages shorter and clearer resolutions with realistic resources requirements. “We cannot expect a much more important impact without the means to deliver,” said Guterres.
The report also highlights the growing operational burden on meetings and reports. Last year, the United Nations system supported 27,000 meetings and produced 1,100 reports – three out of five on recurring subjects. “Meetings and reports are essential,” said Mr. Guterres. “But we must ask ourselves: do we use our limited resources in the most effective way?”
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, a miss, was mandated by the Security Council.
Financing and impact
The proposals include the reduction in the number of reports and meetings, rationalization of formats and the use of the surveillance report to guarantee relevance. The secretary general also calls for stronger coordination between the United Nations entities to avoid overlapping and ensuring that each mandate is linked to clear deliverables.
The report warns that fragmented funding underflects coherent delivery. In 2023, 80% of the United Nations funded from voluntary contributions, 85% of which were affected. “Fragmented funding, combined with fragmented implementation, leads to a fragmented impact,” said Mr. Guterres. “Each of us has a role to play in solving this problem. And each of us must act on the levers under our control. ”
Put people first
For the secretary general, reforms not only concern the process, but on the impact. “Mandates do not end in themselves,” he said. “These are tools – to provide real results, in a real life, in the real world.”
He praised UN staff as at the heart of this effort. “None of the work of implementing mandates is possible without our staff – the women and men of the United Nations,” said Guterres. “Their expertise, their dedication and their courage are essential for this business. If we want to improve the way we implement mandates, we must also support and empower people who make them. ”
Many United Nations mandates have agreed to the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York.
A call to the Member States
In his final remarks, the Secretary General stressed that the next steps were to come from the Member States. “The path to follow is up to you to decide,” he said. “My responsibility is to make sure that the secretariat provides the capacities and inputs required by the action plan you choose.”
The report invites Member States to consider an intergovernmental process limited over time to advance proposals and ensure that this effort succeeds when the previous ones failed. The result, according to the report, would be a more agile, coherent and impactful UN which is better to provide programs and services.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Horizon Europe Missions: 30 consortia secure funding under 2024 calls
A total of 30 consortia have signed grant agreements under the latest Horizon Europe Missions calls, contributing to climate adaptation and the restoration of oceans and waters missions. With over €200 million in funding, their projects bring together actors from across Europe to implement innovative, impactful solutions.
30 out of 32 projects selected under Horizon Europe Missions calls have now turned into grant agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
These projects are set to make a significant impact under two key EU Missions: Adaptation to Climate Change and Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030. They aim to implement innovative actions that build resilience to climate risks and accelerate the health and sustainability of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
The evaluations relied on the assessments of external experts. Successful applicants were invited to sign the contract with CINEA between the months of April and July. Below is the breakdown per call:
- HORIZON-MISS-2024-CLIMA-01 – The call, that closed on 18 September 2024, received 79 proposals. 17 out of 19 projects selected have now been signed. The budget distributed as part of this call so far is nearly €113 million.
- HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-01 – The call closed on 18 September 2024, receiving a total of 42 project proposals. All seven projects selected have been signed. The total budget distributed in this call is nearly €48 million.
- HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-02 – This call, focused on supporting communities of actors working towards the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, closed on 1 October 2024 and received 17 proposals. All five projects selected have signed their grant agreements. A total of nearly €54 million will be distributed among the signed projects.
- HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-IBA – One €14 million grant was awarded to support public infrastructure for the European Digital Twin Ocean without a call for proposals. This was because the work required a beneficiary with specific technical competence and high degree of specialisation.
These initiatives are driven by around 500 beneficiaries from 34 countries, representing a wide spectrum of actors including SMEs, research organisations, local authorities, schools, and businesses.
More details on the selected projects, including budget and beneficiaries, are available in the project overview.
Background
Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation, with a total budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027. Horizon Europe Missions are a key novelty under this programme, aiming to provide bold, impactful solutions to pressing societal challenges.
CINEA is implementing three of the five missions under the Horizon Europe framework programme. These missions are Adaptation to Climate Change, Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, and 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart cities by 2030.
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In Myanmar, conflict and floods collide as UN warns of deepening crisis
Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, stressed the need for unimpeded relief operations and a peaceful path out of crisis.
“The UN remains concerned by ongoing violence in Myanmar, including aerial bombardment hitting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said, at the regular press briefing in New York.
“Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”
His remarks come as monsoon rains and flooding – worsened by Cyclone Wipha – swept through parts of the country, further straining regions already destabilized by conflict and a devastating earthquake in March.
Millions forced to flee
The crisis left more than 3.3 million people internally displaced, with another 182,000 seeking refuge abroad since the military coup in February 2021, according to the latest UN figures. In addition, over 1.2 million – mostly members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community – were forced to flee the country, driven by waves of violence.
The largest exodus took place in August 2017, when nearly one million Rohingya fled brutal violence and attacks by security forces, likened to a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
Disasters and fighting has forced millions across Myanmar to flee their homes in search of safety. Many shelter in IDP camps like this one in central Myanmar.
Floods, landslides upend lives
In the flood-affected areas of Bago, Kayin and Mon states, more than 85,000 people have been affected, with homes destroyed, roads cut off and emergency services overstretched.
Relief partners report significant shortages of food, safe drinking water and medical supplies. In Taungoo district (Bago) alone, three flood-related deaths have been confirmed, while six more people reportedly died in a landslide in Shan state.
The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence
– UN spokesperson Farhan Haq
“The pathway out of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar requires an end to the violence and unimpeded access for relief workers and supplies,” Mr. Haq stressed, noting that health systems are also under acute strain.
Disease outbreaks rising
A humanitarian bulletin from the World Health Organization (WHO)-led Health Cluster warns that floodwaters are driving spikes in acute watery diarrhoea, dengue and malaria.
There are deep concerns over outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, and polio is increasing due to low immunization rates and poor hygiene conditions in overcrowded camps.
WHO has verified 27 attacks on healthcare facilities so far this year, with other monitoring groups reporting over 140 additional incidents.
Meanwhile, severe funding shortages – exacerbated by cuts in United States funding – have forced the suspension of services at 65 health facilities and 38 mobile clinics across Myanmar. Services at a further 28 mobile clinics have been scaled down.
Hakha, the capital of Chin state in Myanmar.
Elections under military cannot be credible
The political context remains grim. Since the February 2021 military coup, which overthrew the elected government and imprisoned top leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen a steady escalation of armed conflict and repression.
The junta’s plans to hold elections have drawn deep concern, including from the UN.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his concern over the military’s plan to hold elections amid ongoing conflict and human rights violations, and without conditions that would permit the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights,” said Mr. Haq.
He recalled Security Council Resolution 2669, adopted in 2022, which called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi; upholding democratic institutions and processes; and pursuing in constructive dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.
Commitment to stay and deliver
Despite the volatility and access constraints, UN agencies remain committed to reaching affected populations.
As of July, nearly 306,000 people had received health services in 59 earthquake-hit townships – just 67 per cent of the target population, reflecting the limited funding and security challenges faced by aid workers.
“The United Nations is committed to staying and delivering in Myanmar,” Mr. Haq affirmed, “and to working with all stakeholders, including ASEAN and other regional actors, to attain sustainable peace.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Statement by the Spokesperson on the criminal conviction in appeal of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Statement by the Spokesperson on the criminal conviction in appeal of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik
104/2025 : 1 August 2025 – Judgment of the Court of Justice in Case C-600/23
Royal Football Club Seraing Football: the Court affirms the right, for clubs and players in particular, to obtain effective judicial review of arbitral awards made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport Source link
