This article is published in association with United Nations. Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday. Members of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, an independent probe into Russia’s full-scale invasion […]Russia deportation of Ukraine children is crime against humanity: independent probe
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday. Members of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, an independent probe into Russia’s full-scale invasion […]World News in Brief: Deadly drone attacks in Sudan, violence against women in the spotlight, more clashes in DR Congo
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday he was appalled by the devastating impact on civilians of increasing drone attacks in Sudan, amid reports that more than 200 civilians have been killed by drones since 4 March alone, in the Kordofan region and White Nile […]Venezuela’s repressive State apparatus ‘intact’ despite leadership change
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Venezuela’s repressive State apparatus remains operational despite the seizure of former President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces on 3 January, according to independent UN human rights investigators. “The structures that have sustained persecution for years have not been dismantled, nor have State policies been announced to […]Aid operations strained across Middle East: WFP seeks $200 million to sustain food assistance
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Rising food prices, growing displacement and disruptions to global supply routes are placing millions of people across the Middle East at greater risk of hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), which warns that the humanitarian system is struggling to keep pace with expanding needs. The […]Child sexual abuse online: support for extending voluntary rules until August 2027
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs support extending an exemption to privacy legislation allowing the voluntary detection of child sexual abuse material online until 3 August 2027. With 458 in favour, 103 against and 63 abstentions, the European Parliament has endorsed a temporary extension of a current derogation of […]MEPs call for common defence market and action on flagship EU defence projects
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its proposals to build a genuine EU single market for defence and close critical EU defence capability gaps. In a first report, MEPs set out a vision for a stronger and more integrated EU single market for defence, to build […]EU enlargement: a strategic investment in Europe’s security and stability
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability. Parliament argues the cost of non-enlargement would exceed that of new members joining the EU, […]‘Perfect storm’: Lebanon crisis deepens as civilians bear the brunt
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as conflict, mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned. The current escalation began on 2 March, when outgoing fire by Hezbollah drew a strong retaliation from […]Parliament’s economic, employment and social priorities for 2026
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In two votes on Wednesday, MEPs called for smart defence spending, better implementation of EU economic governance rules, and measures to address poverty and social exclusion. Economic prioritiesThe resolution on economic priorities, adopted with 392 votes in favour, 219 against and 18 abstentions, notes […]Package travel: Parliament greenlights new rules to protect holidaymakers
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday MEPs gave the green light to revised rules on package travel, enhancing protection for holidaymakers by drawing lessons from the pandemic and high-profile bankruptcies. The updated directive, already provisionally agreed with the EU member states, clarifies which trips and services can be […]March infringements package: key decisions
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Overview by policy area In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of […]Commission decides to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose VAT measures into national law
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose two separate Directives related to VAT measures into national law. Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 introduced substantial changes to the VAT rules applicable to small businesses (SMEs) […]Mental Health as a Global Health Priority: Why Equity Must Lead the Agenda in 2026
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Günel Orucova is a 21-year-old public health student and an active member of AzerMDS SCOPH. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily […]Commission approves €260 million Belgian State aid for carbon capture and storage project
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €260 million Belgian measure in favour of Air Liquide Large Industry NV (‘Air Liquide’) and BASF Antwerpen NV (‘BASF’) for a carbon capture and storage (‘CCS’) project, Kairos@C. The measure will contribute to […]UN relief chief condemns ‘$1 billion-a-day’ cost of war in Middle East
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring and aid funding is falling dangerously short. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency […]World News in Brief: Türk’s South Sudan ceasefire call, Ukraine strikes, Gaza food alert, Afghan returnees
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned accounts of “gruesome killings” of civilians in South Sudan, the destruction and poisoning of key water sources and fresh waves of mass displacement. Tweet URL https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=UN_News_Centre&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2031338097816855012&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.un.org%2Fen%2Fstory%2F2026%2F03%2F1167112&sessionId=2d6b0f89295cbfdd02b3278a2b0c8c07970d1373&siteScreenName=UN_News_Centre&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px In an appeal for an immediate ceasefire, he said that over the […]An ‘alarming’ two-thirds of children say cyberbullying has increased
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Around two-thirds of children worldwide report an increase in cyberbullying, with one in two say they don’t know how to get the right support, according to a recent poll carried out by the UN’s top official who works to end violence against children. The report highlights “alarming […]Migration: the Civil Liberties Committee adopts a reform of EU return rules
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. With 41 in favour 32 against and 1 abstention, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee adopted […]Protecting copyrighted work and the EU’s creative sector in the age of AI
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. To protect the creative sector in the EU, the use of copyrighted work by artificial intelligence requires transparency and fair remuneration, Parliament says. On Tuesday, MEPs adopted a series of recommendations to protect copyrighted creative work from use by artificial intelligence (AI), by 460 […]Commission unveils new AI tool to fight agri-food alerts and food fraud
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform, TraceMap, to accelerate the detection of food fraud, contaminated food and foodborne disease outbreaks across the EU. In line with the EU’s high safety standards for food and imported products, this new tool […]International Women’s Day: call to act against cyberbullying
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, MEPs heard Jackie Fox’s testimony about the cyberbullying her daughter suffered and her subsequent work to protect children and adults against such harm. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “The courage of women who refuse to stay silent continues to shape our […]Tax incentives, renovation and less red tape to tackle the EU’s housing crisis
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its recommendations on the housing crisis in the EU, proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing. The final report of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, adopted by 367 votes in favour and 166 against, with 84 abstentions, […]‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]Health in an Age of War: Priorities from the Next Generation
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Frank Shao, a medical student from ST. FRANCIS UNIVERSITY (SFUCHAS) in Tanzania. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view […]Germany: NHW and EIB sign €465 million framework contract for affordable and sustainable housing in Hessen
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The Nassauische Heimstätte Wohnstadt group (NHW) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a framework agreement in the Schönhof district of Frankfurt am Main for a total of €465 million in financing. The signing ceremony took place in a showhome flat, between NHW CEO Thomas Hain and […]Migration: the Civil Liberties Committee adopts a reform of EU return rules
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. With 41 in favour 32 against and 1 abstention, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee adopted […]Commission invests over €103 million in European strategic environment and climate projects
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is investing more than €103 million in seven strategic projects across Europe with funding under theLIFE programme. They will contribute to strengthening the EU’s prosperity, reinforcing economic stability, food systems and environmental ecosystems, while also improving public health and quality […]EU steps up civil protection efforts and brings back 356 citizens home amid developments in the Middle East
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Two repatriation flights chartered directly by the European Commission have safely landed in Romania. The two flights brought back 356 European citizens who were stranded in the Middle East from Oman to Romania. For the first time ever, the Commission mobilised its own rescEU […]Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]Women leading climate action: EIB Group’s pioneering network drives sustainable market solutions
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Women climate leaders from the 27 EU Member States, representing the private sector, gathered this week at the EIB Group Forum 2026, bringing together leaders from politics, public institutions, finance, business and civil society to explore how Europe can strengthen its global role through innovation, investment […]Invisible work, visible impact: recognising the women who sustain our societies
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a panel discussion highlighting the essential but undervalued work carried out largely by women across Europe. The event, held at the close of Civil Society Week, examined […]Women’s representation in parliament sees sluggish gains
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Women held 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide as the year began –a 0.3 per cent increase from 2025, marking the slowest growth in nearly a decade, according to a new report from the UN-backed Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The report titled Women in parliament 2025 released […]Spain: EIB and ICF sign €50 million loan to strengthen social infrastructure in Catalonia
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Institut Català de Finances (ICF), the public development bank of the Government of Catalonia, have signed a €50 million loan to strengthen social infrastructure in Catalonia. The agreement will support the construction, acquisition and refurbishment of care homes, day centres […]
