Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Environmental Audit Committee is holding an evidence session on the International Climate Negotiations: COP30.
We’ll be questioning the Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, after he led the UK’s delegation at the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil.
MPs are likely to ask:
– whether the Government will commit new money to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility
– how will the Government support workers whose jobs are threatened by the energy transition
– the timelines of the UK’s climate finance commitments from next spring
– what the Secretary of State is doing to drive climate action across Government
– what the Government’s climate and nature priorities between now and COP31
A life-long humanitarian, Matthias Schmale has borne witness to a number of seismic moments in world history. Currently United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, he is overseeing efforts to help Ukrainians prepare for a fourth winter at war.
“The longer this lasts, the more the resilience will go down, the more the psychological damage will take hold […] There are nights where I lie in bed thinking, why can’t this nightmare for civilians end?”
Ukrainians have endured four years of hellish conflict that continues to devastate civilian lives and infrastructure, leaving 36 percent of the population in need of aid. In this episode, Matthias Schmale looks back on a long career of humanitarian service, reflects on the deep scars of war and explains why daily life in Kiev can be both heaven and hell.
[00:00] Introduction
[01:01] Experiencing “Heaven and Hell” in Ukraine
[03:03] Do not romanticize resilience
[08:00] Navigating loss and the hard road to healing
[11:04] Hope and reality
[12:36] Winter as a weapon
[14:41] Declining humanitarian funding
[15:49] Hope persists despite dark times
[21:50] What keeps Matthias awake at night
[26:13] Reflections from UNRWA – then and now
[29:49] Losing colleagues in Gaza
[31:42] Clarifying a controversial interview
[35:26] From missionary kid to humanitarian
[37:27] Growing up in Apartheid South Africa
[40:34] Witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall
[42:16] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #unitednations #awakeatnight #OCHA #Ukraine
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
On 4 December 2025, the European Commission proposed its Drug Strategy and Action plan to tackle the use and smuggling of illegal drugs in the EU. The strategy includes detecting the precursors, dismantling the labs where the drugs are produced, and having stronger port alliances. Watch the full press conference for more information on the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
The 2026 SADC Media Awards are now officially open for entries.
Journalists across the Southern African region are invited to submit outstanding work in Television, Radio, Print, and Photography categories for an opportunity to win up to US $2,500.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
In this question from Baroness Gale, members pressed the government on its plans to reduce violence against women and girls in line with the Labour Party Manifesto 2024.
Read a transcript of this question: https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-11-27/debates/20A4CBA4-06E2-4BBA-82BB-DECB9F88D313/ViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls
Catch-up on House of Lords business:
Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/
Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) partners – the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Council on Higher Education (CHE), and Umalusi addresses media on areas of common interest with specific reference to the following key topics:
* New developments in the NQF space
* The persistent challenge of unaccredited institutions
* Steps to verify institutions and certificates
* Latest measures to combat fraud and protect students
