This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. Europe will need significantly more investment if it wants to secure the critical raw materials required for its green, digital and defence transitions, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warned in an opinion adopted at its June plenary session. The […]Europe’s raw materials ambitions need industrial investment
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. Europe will need significantly more investment if it wants to secure the critical raw materials required for its green, digital and defence transitions, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warned in an opinion adopted at its June plenary session. The […]Heat, Flood, Fire: The Climate Crisis and the Body
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. 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 reflect IFMSA’s view on […]Sudan’s people subject to ‘relentless’ drone strikes in El Obeid
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The war in Sudan threatens to spiral further as the strategically-important town of El Obeid continues to face “relentless” drone attacks by advancing paramilitary militias, the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk, said on Friday. Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, he called for urgent […]Global push for AI governance amid warnings of ‘catastrophic harm’
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Can artificial intelligence benefit all of humanity – safely, fairly and without causing “catastrophic harm”? That is the question at the heart of a major UN summit opening in Geneva on Monday. Governments, tech companies, academics and civil society will spend two days at the Global Dialogue […]Commission proposes five joint defence projects to strengthen Europe’s industrial capabilities
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission proposed five new large-scale projects, known as the European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs), to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities by developing key military systems together. The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and counter-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and […]Civilian dangers multiply as drones transform Ukraine’s battlefield
July 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As drones reshape the battlefield in Ukraine, they are also creating new and increasingly complex dangers for civilians, threatening recovery efforts, agriculture and global food security long after the fighting ends. “The battlespace has become a lot deeper, a lot wider and a lot more lethal,” Paul […]Climate Change and Women’s Health: Why Pregnancy Must Be Part of the Climate Conversation
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. 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 reflect IFMSA’s view on […]El Niño forecast to intensify, increasing likelihood of extreme weather
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More blistering heatwaves and other weather extremes are becoming increasingly likely across the world now and in coming months, linked to strengthening El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday. “El Niño will also give an extra boost to global temperatures,” […]Taking the world’s temperature: WHO chief spotlights global health emergencies
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The hantavirus global outbreak is officially over, Ebola outbreaks are growing in Africa and responders are helping recovery efforts in quake-hit Venezuela, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Thursday, announcing updates on global health emergencies. Key takeways Taking the world’s temperature on pressing health matters, […]Ukraine: Rescuers work to save trapped residents after wave of Russian attacks
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Aid agencies in Ukraine on Thursday rushed to respond to a massive uptick in deadly strikes by Russia, including one of the largest attacks on Kyiv to date. According to reports, at least 18 people died in the capital, where densely populated residential areas sustained significant damage […]Racism significantly impacts access to sport: Independent expert
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. From high participation costs and restrictions on Palestinian athletes – to bans on Muslim women wearing hijabs – racism continues to shape who gets to participate in sport, a new UN report published on Thursday has found. Despite sport’s ability to promote diversity and inclusion, the report noted […]Electricity grids: MEPs back plans to accelerate energy project permit process
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The proposal adopted on Thursday will allow faster permitting for electricity grids and renewables projects, to help cut energy prices through the domestic supply of clean energy. MEPs on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee have backed a proposal to speed up the granting […]Remarks by President von der Leyen at the dinner hosted by the Taoiseach for the start of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Taoiseach, dear Micheál, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for such a warm welcome. It is a particular pleasure to join you in this historic Aula Maxima, where both you and Commissioner McGrath were conferred with your degrees. There could hardly be a more fitting […]Commission greenlights Belgium’s fourth payment request for €567 million under NextGenerationEU
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission positively assessed Belgium’s fourth payment request for €567 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the […]Venezuela’s earthquake-hit hospitals pushed to the brink as disease risk grows
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A week after earthquakes tore through northern Venezuela, hospitals in La Guaira are buckling under the weight of the disaster – and the risk of disease outbreaks in shelters is rising fast. An assessment by the UN-backed Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) found that all eight health […]France: The EIB grants Orano a loan of €125 million to finance Orano Med’s innovations and industrial infrastructure
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Orano announced today the signing of a €125 million credit line to finance the development of Orano Med and its industrial infrastructure, notably the construction of the Advanced Thorium Extraction Facility (ATEF), located in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, France. Orano Med, a subsidiary of the […]Local leaders and EIB join forces to pool public and private funds for affordable houses
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. European Investment Bank, regions and cities on 2 July discussed the EU’s housing policy with President Calvino, Members of the European Parliament and associations. During their debate in a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, they also voiced concerns that the next EU […]Expanding areas under Israeli control in Gaza increase risks to civilians, UN warns
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The continued expansion of areas under Israeli control in Gaza since October’s ceasefire agreement is placing civilians at greater risk and severely constraining humanitarian operations, the UN and humanitarian partners warned on Wednesday. The alert comes amid continued displacement and mounting humanitarian pressures across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). […]World News in Brief: Risk of atrocities in Sudan, UN programme prevents climate displacement, more civilians killed in Ukraine
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Drone attacks by advancing rebel fighters who are besieging El Obeid, Sudan, continue to result in civilian casualties, putting around half a million civilians at grave risk of large-scale atrocities. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday that drone strikes had recently damaged schools, a site housing internally […]Ukraine: Rescuers work to save trapped residents after wave of Russian attacks
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Aid agencies in Ukraine on Thursday rushed to respond to a massive uptick in deadly strikes by Russia, including one of the largest attacks on Kyiv to date. According to reports, at least 18 people died in the capital, where densely populated residential areas sustained significant damage […]‘The science is here’: UN chief welcomes first global AI assessment
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Fresh scientific evidence and options for harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) were unveiled Wednesday following the launch of the first global, independent scientific assessment of opportunities, risks and impacts by a pioneering UN expert panel. Key takeaways The report outlines findings across seven key domains: “The science […]EU launches connectivity and communities support programmes for peace in the South Caucasus
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today in Baku, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, met with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to discuss ways to foster peace in the region through greater connectivity and support to border communities. They also discussed bilateral […]EU and Armenia strengthen their partnership, boosting resilience, trade and connectivity
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today in Yerevan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, met with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The visit follows the recent general elections that showed the strength of Armenia’s democracy and its commitment to continuing the path of […]Venezuela earthquake disaster: needs ‘skyrocketing’, say relief agencies
July 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In Venezuela, a rescue operation in La Guaira has succeeded in getting a toddler out alive from under the rubble, six days since the double-earthquake disaster. The miraculous story of the three-year-old’s rescue in the worst-hit northern region came as tens of thousands of people remained without […]Commission opens antitrust investigation into Align Technology’s conduct regarding Invisalign clear aligners and intra-oral scanners
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Align Technology has breached EU competition rules by tying its intra-oral scanners to its dental clear aligners branded as Invisalign in the European Economic Area (‘EEA’). This investigation, which follows a complaint […]AI explained: Why the world needs to act now
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving faster than governments can keep up. Just a few years ago, it could answer questions or generate text. Today, it can write computer code, analyse vast amounts of data, create realistic images and videos, help scientists discover new medicines and increasingly act […]New E-commerce duty for small packages set to increase fairness for EU businesses and safety for consumers
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Starting today, the EU abolishes an outdated customs duty exemption for e-commerce packages worth less than €150. The measure will help to ensure fair conditions for EU businesses and safe choices for consumers, in response to the surge of billions of low-value e-commerce goods entering […]Amid crushing European heatwave, things are about to get hotter for transport systems
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As European transport officials scramble to deal with melting train tracks and buckling roads amid a crushing heatwave, a UN report released Tuesday warns of more extreme weather in the decades ahead for Europe, Central Asia and North America. Extreme weather forecasts are expected to pummel roads, […]Children are turning to AI for homework – and life advice
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Millions of children across the globe are already using artificial intelligence to learn, solve problems and even seek advice about personal worries, while safeguards are failing to keep pace with the technology’s rapid adoption. Based on new data from 10 countries, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that at […]World News in Brief: Aid convoy attacked in South Sudan, Ebola threatens livelihoods, UN deplores death penalty
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Five humanitarian workers have been killed after a clearly marked aid convoy was ambushed in Jonglei State, South Sudan. The convoy, operated by the John Dau Foundation, was transporting humanitarian staff returning from an Action Against Hunger training exercise when it came under attack on Monday along […]Strait of Hormuz: Gradual re-opening is no quick fix for developing nations, UN warns
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Re-opening the Strait of Hormuz would bring vital relief for many economies, but developing countries will continue to grapple with increased food and fuel costs, according to a new UN report released on Tuesday. Following the shaky ceasefire in the US and Israeli war with Iran, commercial shipping through the strait quickly began to rebound in mid-June, […]Quake latest: Food grows scarcer for thousands of Venezuelan families
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The deadly Venezuela quakes have deepened hardship for families who already needed support and left others without homes, income or regular access to food. Before the disaster, the World Food Programme (WFP) was already assisting around 500,000 people through school meals and community support. Now, the agency […]Despite record $100 million shortfall, Palestine relief agency still ‘a critical platform’ for Gaza recovery
July 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN agency serving 5.9 million Palestine refugees, UNRWA, continues to strive to deliver on its mandate while facing an unprecedented $100 million budget shortfall, a gap it hopes to narrow during Tuesday’s pledging conference at UN Headquarters. Operating primarily on voluntary donations since its inception in the […]
