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AMENDMENTS 1 - 358 - Draft opinion Global Gateway -– past impacts and future orientation
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Development
Hildegard Bentele, Chloé Ridel

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

AMENDMENTS 359 - 714 - Draft opinion Global Gateway -– past impacts and future orientation
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Development
Hildegard Bentele, Chloé Ridel

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

AMENDMENTS 359 - 714 - Draft opinion Global Gateway -– past impacts and future orientation
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Development
Hildegard Bentele, Chloé Ridel

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In today's edition: €4bn CMA fund, health expert deepfakes, German insurance

In today's edition: EU vs Elon Musk, Meta ad model, Space Act compromise, GDPR overhaul

Europe’s cohesion and competitiveness depends on air connectivity, but we are at risk of losing regional airports because of overly stringent EU state aid enforcement. Allowing state aid to airports for operating costs is essential for keeping every region part of Europe’s economy and green transition.

Plus NATO silence, a fresh rebellion against Europe-first procurement, and EDIP officially voted through Council

DÉCRYPTAGE - Le rejet du budget de la Sécurité sociale par les députés pourrait fortement aggraver le déficit des comptes sociaux en 2026, sans toutefois paralyser complètement la Sécu.

The EU executive thinks the search giant might be abusing its position by not allowing publishers and videomakers to opt out of AI training

In today's edition: Mercosur safeguard, protests, mergers

09:30 – 09:45 PLENARY: Driving the future – Charting the path to sustainable transport in the EU Mobility is at the heart of the European Union, enabling the movement of people, goods, and services. It is a cornerstone of the EU’s competitiveness and is vital to advancing the green and digital twin transitions. In this […]

Kiev cherche à résister à la pression exercée par les États-Unis pour conclure un accord qui verrait la cession de territoires à la Russie.

Strong economic performance sent government revenue soaring in 2025, putting the country in an enviable fiscal position.

Elle s'oppose à toute forme d'éducation sexuelle et ne veut pas qu'on touche au nom de rues célébrant des prélats collaborateurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Par contre, l'Église catholique n'a pas un mot pour condamner les violences antiserbes qui s'amplifient en Croatie.

- Articles / Croatie, Religions, Croatie Église catholique, François Balkans, Novosti

Elle s'oppose à toute forme d'éducation sexuelle et ne veut pas qu'on touche au nom de rues célébrant des prélats collaborateurs de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Par contre, l'Église catholique n'a pas un mot pour condamner les violences antiserbes qui s'amplifient en Croatie.

- Articles / Croatie, Religions, Croatie Église catholique, François Balkans, Novosti

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 30th November 2025 in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Army rescue boats transported villagers stranded near the Kelani River to safer locations. People boarded the boats carrying their essential items, hoping to escape the dangerous flood levels surrounding their homes. Credit: UNICEF/InceptChange

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 2025 (IPS)

In late November, Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka and southern India, bringing heavy rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and devastating landslides. The storm caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and resulted in a significant loss of life. Communities have been severely impacted, with limited access to essential services, while humanitarian agencies face challenges in reaching the most vulnerable populations.

According to figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 1.5 million Sri Lankans are estimated to have been impacted by the cyclone, including over 275,000 children. Additionally, updated reports from the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC) in Sri Lanka indicate that 474 people have been killed, 356 are still missing, and around 201,875 individuals from 53,758 families are taking shelter in 1,564 government-supported shelters.

“UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the destruction the cyclone has caused to children and the vital services they depend on for their safety and well-being,” said Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka. “Children urgently need help. It is a race against time to reach the most vulnerable families who (urgently) require lifesaving services. And while the cyclone may have passed, the consequences have not.”

The actual figures are projected to be even higher as communication disruptions and blocked entry points for humanitarian aid hinder accurate reporting and assistance efforts. Initial assessments from the UN RC in Sri Lanka show that more than 41,329 homes have been partially or fully destroyed, alongside the damaging of at least 10 bridges, the disruption of 206 roads rendered impassable, and sections of the rail network and power grid affected, and an inundated substation.

The Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam districts are among the hardest-hit, with each district reporting north of 170,000 affected civilians. The Mannar, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Badulla, and Matale districts have also reported considerable damage to civilian infrastructure and livelihoods as a result of flooding. The UN RC in Sri Lanka also notes that water levels in Colombo and the Kelani River region are beginning to slowly recede. However, northeast monsoon conditions are projected to gradually increase over the coming days, with heavy rains expected across several areas.

Furthermore, over 200 deadly landslides have been reported across several areas, with most occurring in the central highlands of the nation. The Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts recorded a significant loss of life, structural damage, and high volumes of civilian displacement, with landslide alerts extended until December 3.

“The people of Sri Lanka have not seen such widespread destruction in years,” said Kristin Parco, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka. “Communities have been uprooted and many families are now sheltering in overcrowded, temporary spaces while facing immense uncertainty. We are entering a critical phase of this emergency, and mobilizing humanitarian assistance is essential to reduce the suffering of those displaced by Cyclone Ditwah and to ensure their safety, dignity, and access to basic services during this difficult time.”

Figures from IOM show that more than 209,000 Sri Lankans have been displaced in the days following the cyclone’s landfall. Additionally, IOM describes the ensuing floods as some of the most severe the country has experienced in almost two decades, noting that all 25 districts of Sri Lanka have been inundated, with 150-500 mm of continuous heavy rainfall and winds reaching 70–90 km/h over three days.

These challenges have significantly hampered both relief efforts and the ability to assess the full scope of the damage. IOM reports widespread power outages, blockages of critical access points, and severe disruptions to communication networks across the country. Additionally, several high-risk areas, such as Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Colombo, to name a few, have been placed on red alert, with additional emergency evacuation orders being issued for communities along landslide-vulnerable slopes and low-lying river basin areas.

The UN RC for Sri Lanka reports that the country’s electricity and water infrastructure have sustained significant damage, which has had severe implications for public health and further strained the already collapsing national healthcare system. Numerous areas have already reported a near-total lack of clean drinking water, while health facilities continue to operate under severe shortages of essential supplies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the severe flood conditions, underscoring the heightened risks of vector-borne, food-borne, and water-borne diseases. The agency has called for increased public awareness around mosquito-bite prevention, safe food handling, and the importance of drinking safe, clean water.

Additionally, WHO has been in the process of delivering urgent support to Sri Lanka’s overwhelmed healthcare system, which has been severely strained by the influx of new patients following the cyclone. The agency, in partnership with WHO Southeast Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF), is supporting mobilization and deployment of emergency public health teams who are positioned to deliver urgent care for trauma, as well as referrals for hospital care for pregnant women, children, elderly, and others.

Furthermore, WHO has pledged USD $175,000 to support emergency health services and continues to collaborate with national authorities and humanitarian partners to reach the most vulnerable populations with lifesaving care. “The funds will be used for rapid response teams to support essential health services for the affected communities, and for strengthening health information management and surveillance, key for timely detection of disease outbreaks to facilitate appropriate response,” said Dr Rajesh Pandav, WHO Representative designate to Sri Lanka.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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Au-delà des conséquences politiques de la journée, le projet de budget de la Sécu aura un impact concret sur la vie des Français. Que contient le projet de loi de financement de la Sécurité sociale (PLFSS) qui sera soumis au vote mardi 9 décembre après-midi à l'Assemblée nationale ? Tour d'horizon.