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Environmentalists have raised red flags about cultivating palm oil. Malaysia and Indonesia are addressing these concerns, but they risk damaging a major economic sector in doing so.

Umweltschützer haben Bedenken gegen den Anbau von Palmöl geäußert. Malaysia und Indonesien gehen auf diese Bedenken ein, riskieren dabei aber, einen wichtigen Wirtschaftszweig zu schädigen.

Stockholm beobachte den Aufbau von russischen Militärstützpunkten und Rüstungsfabriken in unmittelbarer Nähe der skandinavischen Länder, erklärte der schwedische Verteidigungsminister Pål Jonson am Montag.

L’UE est en bonne voie pour atteindre ses objectifs visant à assurer une couverture complète de la connectivité haut débit de nouvelle génération, en particulier la 5G et la fibre optique. C’est ce qui ressort des données publiées le 16 juin par la Commission.

The post 5G et fibre optique : l’UE sur la bonne voie pour atteindre une couverture complète d’ici 2030 appeared first on Euractiv FR.

The France-Spain interconnector is expected to double cross-border capacity and end the Iberian Peninsula’s energy isolation.

Austria wants the EU to reconsider its Russian energy ban if the Ukraine war ends, amid clashes over gas cuts and delayed nuclear tariffs.

Le nombre de bénéficiaires de subsides a augmenté dans presque tous les cantons romands depuis 2015. Genève arrive en tête avec 37,6% de sa population concernée.

The move is likely to inflame tensions between Germany and countries in the EU's South and East.

"It is about both Russian investments in nuclear weapons capability and the development of a new doctrine," the country's defence minister said.

Une République d'Amérique latine réaffirme son soutien au Royaume du Maroc pour le règlement du différend concernant son Sahara. Le Panama considère l'initiative d'autonomie comme “la base la plus sérieuse, crédible et réaliste” et “l'unique solution à l'avenir” pour résoudre le différend régional autour du Sahara marocain.
La République du Panama, membre non permanent du conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, considère l'initiative d'autonomie comme “la base la plus sérieuse, crédible et réaliste pour la résolution du différend” régional autour du Sahara marocain.

La position de ce pays sur le dossier du Sahara a été exprimée dans un Communiqué conjoint signé, lundi 16 juin 2025, à Rabat, à l'issue de la rencontre entre le ministre des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération africaine et des Marocains résidant à l'étranger, Nasser Bourita et le ministre des Relations Extérieures de la République du Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, en visite de travail au Maroc.

Le chef de la diplomatie panaméenne a déclaré, lors du point de presse que l'initiative d'autonomie présentée par le Maroc en 2007 “devrait être l'unique solution à l'avenir”. M. Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez a réitéré le soutien clair de son pays à l'initiative d'autonomie pour progresser vers un accord durable sur ce différend.

Ce soutien de ce pays membre non permanent du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU à l'initiative d'autonomie présentée par le Royaume pour résoudre le différend autour du Sahara marocain intervient suite à sa décision de rompre toutes relations avec la pseudo « rasd » en novembre 2024.

Le Royaume du Maroc et la République du Panama ont souligné leur attachement à la sacralité des principes de souveraineté et d'intégrité territoriale, conclut le communiqué conjoint.

La 5e édition du Championnat National Scolaire du Bénin se déroulera du 21 au 28 juin 2025 au stade omnisports d'Aplahoué. Le tirage au sort des différentes poules a été fait, vendredi 13 juin 2025, en prélude à la compétition qui réunira 1488 jeunes athlètes, filles et garçons, venus des 12 départements du pays.

Les poules ont été réparties dans cinq disciplines sportives au Championnat National Scolaire du Bénin : football, basketball, handball, volleyball et athlétisme.

En football masculin, on retrouvera notamment un premier match alléchant entre le CEG 2 Azovè (Couffo) et le CEG 1 Avrankou (Ouémé).
Chez les filles au football, le match inaugural mettra aux prises le CEG Sèmè-Podji (Ouémé) et le CEG 1 Lokossa (Mono).

Le basketball masculin verra s'opposer à la première rencontre le CEG 1 Natitingou au CEG 1 Malanville.
Du côté féminin, le CPEG St Luc (Ouémé) ouvrira le bal face au CEG 2 Dassa (Collines).

Au handball, le premier affrontement en masculin mettra aux prises CEG Agon (Atlantique) et CEG 1 Comé (Mono). Chez les filles, CEG Gbozounmè (Ouémé) affrontera CEG Zongo (Borgou) au match d'ouverture.

Quant au volleyball chez les garçons, la première rencontre opposera CEG Lissazounmé (Zou) à CEG Gbéto (Atlantique). En féminin, ce sera CEG 1 Ouassa-Pehunco (Atacora) contre CEG Akpao-Ogou (Donga).

Tableau récapitulatif des tirages au sort

VOLLEYBALL MASCULIN

POULE A

CEG Lissazounmé (Zou)

CEG Gbéto (Atlantique)

CEG Azonlihoué (Mono)

POULE B

CEG Ita-Djèbou (Plateau)

CEG Gouka (Collines)

CEG Toviklin (Couffo)

POULE C

CEG 2 Kandi (Alibori)

CEG 1 Djougou (Donga)

CEG Zounguè (Ouémé)

POULE D

CEG 1 Nikki (Borgou)

CEG Dantokpa (Littoral)

CEG Ouassa-Pehunco (Atacora)

Premier match : CEG Lissazounmé vs CEG Gbéto

VOLLEYBALL FÉMININ

POULE A

CEG 1 Ouassa-Pehunco (Atacora)

CEG Akpao-Ogou (Donga)

CEG 3 Akpro-Missérété (Ouémé)

POULE B

CEG Sègbana (Alibori)

CEG Zongo (Borgou)

CEG Azonlihoué (Mono)

POULE C

CEG Gouka (Collines)

CEG Ikpinlè (Plateau)

Lycée Houégbadja (Zou)

POULE D

CEG Sègbèya (Littoral)

CEG Hèkanmin (Atlantique)

CEG 1 Aplahoué (Couffo)

Premier match : CEG Ouassa-Pehunco vs CEG Akpao-Ogou

FOOTBALL MASCULIN

POULE A

CEG 2 Azovè (Couffo)

CEG 1 Avrankou (Ouémé)

CEG Zè (Atlantique)

POULE B

CEG 1 Bantè (Collines)

CEG Océan (Littoral)

CEG Malanville (Alibori)

POULE C

CEG 1 Natitingou (Atacora)

CEG 1 Bohicon (Zou)

CEG 4 Comé (Mono)

POULE D

CEG 1 Pobè (Plateau)

CEG 1 Bassila (Donga)

Lycée Mathieu Bouke (Borgou)

Premier match : CEG 2 Azovè vs CEG 1 Avrankou

FOOTBALL FÉMININ

POULE A

CEG Sèmè-Podji (Ouémé)

CEG 1 Lokossa (Mono)

CEG 1 Bassila (Donga)

POULE B

CEG 2 Kandi (Alibori)

CEG Les Pylônes (Littoral)

CEG 1 Kétou (Plateau)

POULE C

Lycée Mathieu Bouké (Borgou)

CEG 2 Natitingou (Atacora)

CEG Avogbannan (Zou)

POULE D

CEG Toviklin (Couffo)

CEG Cocotomey (Atlantique)

CEG Agboro (Collines)

Premier match : CEG Sèmè-Podji vs CEG 1 Lokossa

BASKETBALL MASCULIN

POULE A

CEG 1 Natitingou (Atacora)

CEG 1 Malanville (Alibori)

CEG Ste Rita (Littoral)

POULE B

Lycée Houffon (Zou)

CEG 1 Pobè (Plateau)

CEG 1 Azovè (Couffo)

POULE C

CEG 1 Comé (Mono)

CEG Hubert Maga (Borgou)

CEG Tokpa-Domé (Atlantique)

POULE D

CEG 1 Ouessè (Collines)

CEG 3 Djougou (Donga)

CEG Akonabouè (Ouémé)

Premier match : CEG 1 Natitingou vs CEG 1 Malanville

BASKETBALL FÉMININ

POULE A

CEG 2 Dassa (Collines)

CPEG St Luc (Ouémé)

CEG 1 Kétou (Plateau)

POULE B

CEG Tokpa-Domé (Atlantique)

CPEG Les Hibiscus (Borgou)

CEG 2 Azovè (Couffo)

POULE C

CEG 1 Comé (Mono)

CEG 3 Kandi (Alibori)

CEG 1 Tanguiéta (Atacora)

POULE D

CEG 1 Bassila (Donga)

CEG 1 Abomey (Zou)

CEG 1 Akpakpa-Centre (Littoral)

Premier match : CEG 2 Dassa vs CPEG St Luc

HANDBALL MASCULIN

POULE A

CEG Agon (Atlantique)

CEG 1 Comé (Mono)

CEG 1 Djidja (Zou)

POULE B

CEG 1 Djakotomey (Couffo)

CEG 1 Natitingou (Atacora)

CEG Gogounou (Alibori)

POULE C

CEG Ifangni (Plateau)

CEG Le Littoral (Littoral)

CEG 1 Avrankou (Ouémé)

POULE D

CEG 1 Bassila (Donga)

CEG Zongo (Borgou)

CEG 1 Glazoué (Collines)

Premier match de Handball masculin : CEG Agon vs CEG1 Comé

HANDBALL FÉMININ

POULE A

CEG Gbozounmè ( Ouémé )

CEG Zongo (Borgou )

CEG 1 Pobè ( Plateau )

POULE B

CEG 3 Kandi ( Alibori)

Lycée Houffon ( Zou )

CEG 1 Bassila ( Donga )

POULE C

CEG Toviklin (Couffo)

CEG 2 Lokossa (Mono)

CEG Le Littoral (Littoral)

POULE D

CEG 1 Savè (Collines)

CEG Matéri (Atacora)

CEG Tokpa-Domé (Atlantique)

Première rencontre du Handball féminin : CEG Gbozounmè vs CEG Zongo

A displaced mother from Khartoum brings her child for treatment at the UNICEF-supported Alkarama clinic in Kassala state. Credit: UNICEF/Ahmed Mohamdeen Elfatih

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 16 2025 (IPS)

Over the course of 2025, the food security situation in Sudan has taken a considerable turn for the worst. Compounded by the Sudanese Civil War, millions of civilians face alarming levels of food insecurity and are at risk of experiencing famine. Humanitarian experts have described the situation in Sudan as being the worst hunger crisis in the world today.

Over two years of warfare has decimated critical infrastructures and countless livelihoods in Sudan, leaving many unable to access basic services. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that roughly 24.6 million people, or half of the population, is acutely food insecure. Additionally, about 638,000 people are estimated to be facing the most severe levels of hunger, the highest of anywhere in the world.

On June 12, the WFP, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a joint press release detailing the food security situation in the Upper Nile State. With armed conflict intensifying in this area, humanitarian aid deliveries have been hampered and food sources have been decimated. According to the latest findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), roughly 11 in 13 people in Upper Nile State counties are now facing emergency levels of hunger.

The two most vulnerable counties in the Upper Nile State are Nasir and Ulang, which have been ravaged by armed clashes and airstrikes since March. Rates of displacement have soared in these areas and experts have projected that famine is imminent. Approximately 32,000 people in these counties are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC Phase 5), marking a threefold increase from previous projections.

“Once again, we are seeing the devastating impact conflict has on food security in South Sudan,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, Country Director and Representative for WFP in South Sudan. “Conflict doesn’t just destroy homes and livelihoods, it tears communities apart, cuts off access to markets, and sends food prices spiraling upward. Long-term peace is essential, but right now, it is critical that our teams are able to access and safely distribute food to families caught in conflict in Upper Nile, to bring them back from the brink and prevent famine.”

In addition to worsening levels of hunger in Upper Nile counties, the food security situation has deteriorated significantly in the areas surrounding Khartoum State, where the fighting has been concentrated over the course of the war. According to WFP’s Country Director in Sudan, Laurent Bukera, Khartoum and its surrounding areas have experienced “widespread destruction”, with several areas at high risks of famine.

“The needs are immense,” said Bukera. He underscored the prevalence of a particularly virulent outbreak of cholera, as well as a lack of access to water, healthcare, and electricity. Jabal Awliya, which is roughly 25 miles south of Khartoum, has been described by Bukera as having an intense “level(s) of hunger, destitution, and desperation”.

Bukera has also expressed concern over the possibility of displaced civilians returning to highly damaged and dangerous areas such as Khartoum, which would further complicate relief efforts. “We have rapidly scaled up our operation to meet increasing needs,” Mr. Bukera said. “We are aiming to reach seven million people on a monthly basis, prioritizing those facing famine or other areas at extreme risk.”

Shortfalls in funding have greatly exacerbated the food security situation, with lifesaving nutritional supplies being pushed out of reach for millions, including many young children as well as pregnant or nursing women. The number of children in South Sudan facing the risk of acute malnutrition has risen to 2.3 million in the past few months, marking an increase of over 200,000 people.

“The ongoing challenges with access in some of the most affected areas, as well as health and nutrition site closures reduce the chances of early intervention and treatment. In addition, the cholera outbreak has added to an already difficult situation, putting young lives in a precarious fight for survival,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s country representative in South Sudan. “Now more than ever we need continuity and scale-up of services for prevention and treatment of malnutrition,” added McGroarty.

Despite hostilities presenting numerous accessibility challenges throughout Sudan, the United Nations (UN) is currently assisting over 4 million people a month, marking a four-fold increase from the start of 2024. Additionally, previously unreachable areas, such as Khartoum, have experienced an easing of restrictions, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. WFP is aiming to reach 7 million people as restrictions continue to loosen.

However, the stability of relief efforts remain fragile. According to Bukera, WFP urgently requires $500 million for “emergency food and cash assistance” for the next six months of operations. Additionally, the upcoming rainy season is projected to stretch resources, with flooding compounding risks of disease transmission and damage to critical infrastructures.

Furthermore, the security situation has become increasingly volatile for aid personnel, which threatens to disrupt humanitarian efforts. “Indiscriminate and unacceptable attacks on humanitarian personnel and operations are escalating – including last week’s strike on a WFP-UNICEF convoy when it was just hours from reaching besieged El Fasher in North Darfur,” said Bukera. “In April, aid workers were killed during a major escalation of fighting in Zamzam camp also near El Fasher.”

For a sustainable end to this crisis, it is imperative that there is a lasting cessation of hostilities. The joint report from WFP, FAO, and UNICEF states that areas that have lower volumes of violence have seen improvements in food security. These areas have been linked to better rates of crop production and smoother humanitarian operations, underscoring the positive outcomes that are possible if peace is established.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

Dimitris Kollias, ELIAMEP Junior Research Fellow, gives a brief overview of Israel’s recently launched Operation Rising Lion.

Read the ELIAMEP Explainer here.

Die EU ist auf dem besten Weg, ihre ehrgeizigen Ziele für eine flächendeckende Versorgung mit schnellen Internetverbindungen – insbesondere mit 5G und Glasfaser – zu erreichen. Das geht aus neuen Daten hervor, die die Europäische Kommission am 16. Juni veröffentlicht hat.

Plow moving rubble in Hatay Turkey after earthquake. Credit: Çağlar Oskay, Unsplash

By Maximilian Malawista
NEW YORK, Jun 16 2025 (IPS)

Floods, earthquakes, and droughts are striking the wallets of the world harder than any other time in history. According to the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, the cost of disasters is only growing, with annual expenditures exceeding 2.3$ trillion; accounting for over 2% of global GDP, and if represented as a nation, it would have the seventh largest GDP.

The $2.3 trillion expenditure accounts for indirect and ecosystem impacts. While direct costs are $180 – 200 billion on average annually during 2001 to 2020, which represents a 153% increase from the $70 – 80 billion between 1970 and 2000.

The report mentioned that “a national debt of just $300 billion was enough to trigger the European sovereign debt crisis.” displaying a financial threat on global stability, if left unchecked.

In the report, regions with higher economic stability directly transferred to a nation’s ability to be resilient to disasters, as when North America incurred $69.57 billion in losses during 2023, it only had an impact of .23% on its GDP. On the other hand, Micronesia, a subregion of oceania made up of 2,000 small islands, incurred a loss of $4.3 billion, which represented a 46.1% impact on its nominal $1.43 billion GDP.

Developed nations have the ability to bounce back, but developing nations with less capital have to choose between continuing economic expansion, or rebuilding from the rubble. Now there seems to be a solution.

In Pakistan, floods and storms have posed a continuing threat to the development of further economic growth, among sustainable infrastructure. To smartly invest, Pakistan looked at mangroves, an industry which brings economic stability but also storm protection. This protection ensures safety for their new industries, as the industries surround the mangroves, the mangroves become Pakistan’s insurance against disasters.

According to the IUCN, Pakistan made a “20 fold return”, revealing that mangroves were not only a defence mechanism, but also a foster for large economic returns bringing sustainable development among stability through offering habitats for fish and animals, protecting coasts against storms, and even storing “3 to 4 times more carbon then tropical forests”.

Makkio Yashiro, regional ecosystems coordinator for UNEP, says “Mangroves are an important tool in the fight against climate change. They reduce carbon in the atmosphere and they also make financial sense. Restoring mangroves is five times more cost effective than building ‘grey infrastructure’ such as flood walls, which also don’t help with climate change,”

UNEP also found that “for every dollar invested in mangrove restoration there is a benefit of four dollars” evaluating it as an investment with no cons.

The Three Harmful Cycles

Structural engineers in disaster relief training in earthquake ruins. Credit:This is engineering, Unsplash

Aromar Revi, Director of the Indian Institute for Human settlements (IIHS), identified three spirals commonly associated with the risk of disasters.

First, he said the rise in debt along with falling income. Adding that “Many companies carry hidden disaster risks because they are underinsured,” this underinsurance makes companies “vulnerable to disasters facing not only supply chain disruptions, but also wider financial instability”

Second, according to Theodora Antonakaki, Director of Bank of Greece’s Climate Change and Sustainability Centre (CCSC), is “a decrease in insurability.” adding that “traditional risk transfer methods are failing to keep up.”

For the third cycle, Ronald Jackson, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery and Resilience Building Team, UNDP, noted an over reliance on costly humanitarian aid. He argued this reliance “weakens resilience” and underscores the crucial need for “disaster financing strategies,” specifically “budget tracking systems” to address regionally specific risks.

While many countries remain stuck in these harmful cycles, Japan, like Pakistan, has taken steps towards a proactive future through disaster risk reduction (DRR). Through investing in mitigation strategies, identifying key risks, and implementing sustainable devices, they have protected their economies and infrastructure, reducing all three cycles.

Japan, which frequently faces tsunamis and earthquakes, has adapted to disasters by using “seismic safety” measures. One of these technologies has been seismic isolation bearings, which allow buildings to have horizontal movement during earthquakes, minimizing any possible damage. For Tsunamis, Japan has employed seawalls and coastal forests, which either block or displace water, both strategies which have been effective in reducing damage.

The report argues that disasters themselves are not necessarily becoming more frequent or stronger, but rather things are getting more expensive to replace, raising economic tolls. A major reason for this is the lack of safe and resilient housing catered to regional risks. With estimates of “Approximately 1.2 billion people are expected to be living in cities by 2050 compared to 2020.”, urban densities must be built with DRR methods at the forefront of construction. Without such measures, infrastructure investments would risk being entirely lost. Research has consistently displayed that “disaster losses are already considerably larger than mitigation costs,” making preventionary DRR measures not only proactive and wise, but economically necessary.

United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres stated “This report clearly shows that investing in disaster risk reduction saves money, saves lives, and lays the foundation for a safe and prosperous future for us all. I urge all leaders to heed that call.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

The EU's position comes partly from the realisation that US President Donald Trump will rely on some tariff revenues to fund planned tax cuts.

Les dirigeants du G7, réunis au Canada, vont tenter lundi 16 juin d’envoyer un message commun sur le conflit entre Israël et l’Iran, un défi de taille pour ce groupe à l’unité fragilisée par la politique de Donald Trump.

The post Les dirigeants du G7 au défi d’une position commune sur le conflit Iran-Israël appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Une enquête sur 45’000 étudiants révèle que si la plupart font preuve de résilience, les problèmes psychologiques doivent être davantage pris au sérieux pendant l’apprentissage.

Aujourd’hui dans Les Capitales : l’UE prône la diplomatie face à l’escalade Israël-Iran, la gauche européenne lance une nouvelle alliance, Macron dénonce les visées américaines sur le Groenland, et Prague annonce un centre d’information pour les Ukrainiens.

The post Les Capitales : L’UE mise sur la diplomatie face à l’escalade entre Israël et l’Iran appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Entrée en fonctions d’un nouveau membre de la Cour de justice et de deux nouveaux membres du Tribunal de l’Union européenne