This article is published in association with United Nations. The Asia-Pacific region is significantly off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with most targets either stalled or off pace – despite ongoing efforts, according to a new UN report. The 2025 SDG Progress Report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and […]Asia-Pacific falling behind on sustainable development and climate targets
February 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Asia-Pacific region is significantly off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with most targets either stalled or off pace – despite ongoing efforts, according to a new UN report. The 2025 SDG Progress Report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and […]World must not turn its back on Sudan’s deepening crisis: Guterres
February 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General on Friday called on the international community to urgently scale up funding and diplomatic action to ease the suffering of millions of Sudanese facing hunger and displacement as rival militaries continue battling each other for control. Speaking at a high-level humanitarian conference in the […]Medical education: where do we go now?
February 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Khalil Bilani, a 4th-year medical student at Saint George’s University of Beirut. 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 […]EBRD and Citi Ukraine sign revolving credit facility to support Ukrainian clients
February 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Citi Ukraine have signed a US$ 100 million revolving credit facility in Ukrainian hryvnia to increase the availability of the national currency to local businesses affected by the war. This follows a similar facility agreed a year […]February infringements package: key decisions
February 13, 2025 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 pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper […]Shaping the future of the EU together: the Commission sets out the road to the next EU long-term budget
February 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission published a Communication on ‘The Road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework’. It outlines the key policy and budgetary challenges that will shape the design of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This lays the groundwork for reflections on how […]DR Congo: Rights chief warns crisis could worsen, without international action
February 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday expressed profound concerns at the ongoing violent escalation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) caused by the ongoing Rwanda-backed M23 offensive. “If nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the […]Palestinians’ rights matter, says UNRWA chief
February 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The head of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA underscored its commitment to assist a population whose rights “continue to be violated”. In a social media post on Friday, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that “people in Gaza have undergone systematic dehumanization” since the war there began. He emphasized […]European Union calls for end of Female Genital Mutilation
February 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Ahead of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on 6 February 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President Kallas reaffirm the EU’s strong commitment to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation in Europe and across the world: “Female Genital Mutilation is […]“Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders
February 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. At the informal European Council meeting on defence, the European Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision on how Europe can and must strengthen its own security and defence. “More action, more financing and more cooperation”, must be the EU’s goals, she argued. “First, we […]Spain: EIB finances GreenLight Biosciences with €35 million to invest in research and production of RNA based biological pesticides
February 4, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan of up to €35 million with GreenLight Biosciences España to support research and production of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)-based biocontrols. RNAi based biocontrols constitute a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical pesticides, with benefits to biodiversity through low or […]Sudan: UN rights chief ‘alarmed’ by summary executions, attacks on civilians
February 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has voiced deep alarm over reports of summary executions of civilians allegedly carried out by fighters and militias allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the city of Khartoum North, calling for an immediate halt to the […]Poland: EIB contributes €400 million to building the EU’s largest offshore wind farm
February 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement to support Poland’s largest utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) with a €400 mln loan towards the design and construction of Baltica 2, the European Union’s largest offshore wind farm to date. Baltica 2 will feature innovative technology for […]EBRD and EU support for flood recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina
February 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) are supporting small businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina to bounce back after the 2024 floods by providing them much-needed funding for repairs and new investments. Recognising the difficult situation that local businesses face after […]UN agencies warn of worsening humanitarian and human rights crisis in eastern DR Congo
February 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. United Nations agencies on Friday called for an end to the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as fighting between Government forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group expands. The rebels have already seized the provincial capital, Goma, and reports indicate that they […]UNRWA ‘continues to deliver’ as Israeli ban comes into effect
January 31, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA on Thursday upheld its commitment to support millions across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as Israel’s order for it to cease operations went into effect. “UNRWA continues to deliver assistance and services to the communities we serve,” the agency said in a […]EBRD and EU promote youth entrepreneurship in Morocco
January 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting young entrepreneurs in Morocco with a loan of up to €20 million (to be provided in local currency) to Al Amana Microfinance, a leading microlender in the country. This financing package is being provided under the EBRD’s […]Commission approves International Paper’s acquisition of DS Smith subject to conditions
January 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of DS Smith Plc (‘DS Smith‘)by International Paper Company (‘International Paper‘). The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the parties. The Commission’s investigation International Paper and […]In Syria, top UN envoy highlights international backing for political transition
January 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Special Envoy for Syria on Wednesday emphasised the strong international consensus that is emerging in support of the country’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime last month. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen is on his second visit to Syria since 8 December and […]Will those responsible for atrocities in Syria finally face justice?
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hopes are rising that, with the support of the United Nations, the architects of the brutal former regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria will eventually be held accountable for their crimes. For years, UN human rights bodies have been documenting, monitoring and publishing reports on abuses, […]‘Lebanon is on the cusp of a more hopeful future’, says UN chief Guterres
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday expressed optimism for Lebanon’s future as he wrapped up a two-day solidarity visit with a call on the new government, the Lebanese people, and international community to “make the most of this atmosphere of opportunity”. “A window has opened paving the […]Sudan war becomes more deadly as ethnically motivated attacks rise
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The conflict in Sudan is taking an “even more dangerous turn for civilians”, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday. His warning comes in the wake of reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in Al Jazirah state in the […]Syria emergency: Four children a day killed or injured by leftover explosives
January 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Syria’s lethal legacy of landmines and other explosives left over from years of conflict has led to the deaths of over 100 children in the last month alone, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, calling on the international community to urgently support country-wide demining projects. […]Georgia: President Zourabichvili calls on EU to step up and defend its values
December 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Wednesday morning, the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili delivered a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Welcoming President Zourabichvili to the hemicycle, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “When you last visited this House, we discussed your country’s progress towards joining our […]EU introduces Flight Emissions Label for more informed and sustainable travelling
December 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted a Regulation putting in place a Flight Emissions Label (FEL), which offers a clear and trustworthy methodology for calculating flight emissions. Airlines operating flights within the EU or departing from the EU will be able to voluntarily join this label […]The second part of the European Semester Autumn Package addresses socio-economic challenges for 2025
December 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission unveils the second part of the European Semester Autumn Package. The first part, presented on 26 November, marked the first launch of the implementation cycle under the new economic governance framework. This second instalment builds upon the first and includes the […]In Damascus, top UN envoy stresses need for credible, inclusive, ‘Syrian owned’ transition
December 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s top Syria envoy has held talks in Damascus with the head of the new administration as well as the prime minister of the caretaker Government, stressing the imperative for a “credible and inclusive Syrian owned and led political transition.” The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry […]World News in Brief: Arrivals surge in South Sudan, the rise of digital media, Haiti crisis update
December 11, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has issued an alert after a surge in the number of displaced people fleeing war-torn Sudan for neighbouring South Sudan. More than 20,000 crossed into South Sudan last week alone, with the number of daily arrivals tripling, compared to previous weeks. This […]Syrians now have ‘historic opportunity’ to build a peaceful future, says Guterres
December 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Sunday. As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, […]European Commission launches the European Board on Agriculture and Food
December 6, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission officially sets up today the European Board on Agriculture and Food (EBAF), thus taking up on one of the recommendations of the final report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture. Chaired by Commissioner for Food and Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, the European […]Commission, online platforms and civil society increase monitoring during Romanian elections
December 6, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. In the context of the ongoing Romanian elections, the Commission has stepped up its monitoring of TikTok under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This relates to the exercise of the Commission’s competences under the DSA and does not address the Romanian electoral process, which is […]Syria risks grave division and destruction, Security Council hears
December 4, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Syria’s status quo has been “radically altered” in a matter of days, with a surge in fighting resulting in an “extremely fluid and dangerous” situation, the UN Special Envoy for the country warned on Tuesday. Geir Pedersen told the Security Council the country faced grave risk of […]Persistent Fall in Private Borrowing Brings Global Debt Down
December 3, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Global debt decreased about one percentage point to 237 percent GDP. The values for 2023 are now available from the just released IMF’s Global Debt Database. Global private debt fell by 2.8 percentage points to 143 percent of GDP, below the 2019 level and more than compensated for the […]
