Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Baroness Smith tells us what it’s like to be the most senior member of the government in the House of Lords and what it means to be the Lord Privy Seal.
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The European Commission does not fine individuals; it fines companies that breach the Digital Services Act. In order to take the decision of fining X, the EU identifies the relevant corporate structure, including entities such as XIUC, X Holdings Corporation, and xAi, before reaching a decision. The fines are calculated by assessing the nature, duration, recurrence, and gravity of the breach, while ensuring the amount remains within the 6% legislative ceiling.
Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, recounts a mother’s extraordinary journey to safety in Darfur — a story of survival through unimaginable violence, and of the courage that carried her as she fought to save a malnourished infant she found in the chaos. Her determination, and the solidarity of those who helped her along the way, reminds us why humanity must never look away.
Amid ongoing Russian military strikes, harsh winter weather in Ukraine is exacerbating conditions for vulnerable civilians, a senior United Nations official says. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, points out that efforts reach those in need are hampered by military operations and calls for more international support to save lives.
Recent years have brought a host of challenges, from widening economic gaps and climate chaos, to geopolitical instability. David Miliband is the president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian organization founded by Albert Einstein in the 1930s to give aid to people whose lives are upended by war, conflict and disaster. He talked to Meet the Leader about a trend he’s tracked for years – the age of impunity – one where leaders seem less accountable to the power they yield. He shares how this has taken shape in conflict zones, democracies and economies, and its surprising impacts to people on the ground. He also shares the challenge he sees for leaders of all stripes in the near future, giving practical advice on how leaders can stay accountable to the big picture, craft strategies and cultures that complement their missions, and better meet the moment in an increasingly disordered world.
This interview was recorded October 2025 in the World Economic Forum New York Office.
About this episode:
International Rescue Committee: https://help.rescue.org/
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Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Central Emergency Response Fund
– Global Humanitarian Overview
– UNRWA
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Syria
– Senior Appointment
– Syria/Refugees
– Ukraine
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Benin
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Cholera
———————————————————————–
CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
Tomorrow, at 10 a.m. here at UN Headquarters, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will be hosting a High-Level Pledging Event for the Central Emergency Response Fund 2026. That will be done in collaboration with the Governments of Ireland and the Philippines.
The Secretary-General, António Guterres, is expected to deliver remarks, as well as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher.
As humanitarian crises around the world outpace the funding available to address them, this pledging event for the UN’s Global Emergency Fund, managed by OCHA, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, seeks to mobilize greater financial commitments so that humanitarians can keep fast-tracking life-saving support for people in need.
Looking back to 2025, CERF has allocated more than $311 million to enable humanitarian action in over 30 countries and territories, including Gaza after the ceasefire and for people fleeing violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The event will take place in ECOSOC, and it will be broadcast by UN Web TV.
GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW
Today, the UN and its partners launched the 2026 global humanitarian appeal to save millions of lives where shocks hit the hardest – in wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and wherever crop failures may occur.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says the immediate priority is to save 87 million lives with $23 billion in funding. Ultimately, the aim next year is to raise a total of $33 billion to support 135 million people through 23 country operations and six plans for refugees and migrants.
The UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said this appeal sets out where we need to focus our collective energy first: life by life. He noted that the Global Humanitarian Overview 2026 is grounded in reform, evidence and efficiency, emphasizing that we are shifting power to local organizations and putting more money directly into the hands of the people who need it.
We will now take this appeal to Member States and ask for their backing, which means asking for their money.
As you know, a brutal funding crisis cut this year strained and even snapped humanitarian lifelines. The funding received so far for the 2025 appeal, which comes to an end in a few weeks, $12 billion, was the lowest in a decade, with humanitarians reaching 25 million fewer people than in 2024.
UNRWA
Early this morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the United Nations compound used by UNRWA in East Jerusalem. Police motorcycles, as well as trucks and forklifts were brought in, and all communications were cut. Furniture, IT equipment and other property was seized. The UN flag was pulled down and replaced by the Israeli flag.
In reaction to this event, I can tell you that the Secretary-General strongly condemns the unauthorized entry into the United Nations Sheikh Jarrah compound held by UNRWA, located in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities. This compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference.
As recently confirmed by the International Court of Justice, any executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action against United Nations property and assets is prohibited under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
The Secretary-General urges Israel to immediately take all necessary steps to help restore, preserve and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises and to refrain from taking any further action with regard to UNRWA premises, in line with Israel’s obligations under the Charter of the UN and its other obligations under international law, including those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-08
We are in the ‘final stretch’ for the UN treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas that are not within individual States’ jurisdiction the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, BBNJ Treaty, says Under‑Secretary‑General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel Elinor Hammarskjöld.
I’m here at the Human Rights Council because everybody needs to hear our stories of being Rohingya”. The Myanmar military’s persecution of the country’s people is a matter of deep concern for the UN Human Rights Council. We hear from Rohingya activist Noor Aziza who urges stronger protection for targeted communities like her own.
I’m someone who has felt every kind of pain that girls in my country experience." Fatima Amiri survived the deadly 2022 Kaaj education centre bombing in Kabul. We follow her as she takes her story to the UN Human Rights Council and demands action, as the forum creates a new mechanism to document abuses in Afghanistan – not least the denial of women’s rights.
