This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 16-18 May, the third and final session of the European Citizens’ Panel on the new EU long-term budget took place in Brussels. For the first time, a group of 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States have brought forward bringing […]Commission welcomes European citizens’ recommendations for a stronger EU budget
May 21, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 16-18 May, the third and final session of the European Citizens’ Panel on the new EU long-term budget took place in Brussels. For the first time, a group of 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States have brought forward bringing […]EIB Group to provide €70 billion for tech firms and innovators
May 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. EIB Group President Nadia Calviño explains how Europe can benefit from the Trump chaos, with the tech sector set to receive a massive financial boost. Interview by Carsten Volkery (originally published in German by Handelsblatt) The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching a new initiative to close […]World News in Brief: Sudan aid update, child migrant deaths at sea, nursing shortages, invasive pest scourge
May 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN expressed deep concern on Monday over the impact of ongoing drone attacks on civilian infrastructure across Sudan. Port Sudan – the main entry point for humanitarian supplies and personnel into the country – came under attack for the ninth consecutive day. As the UN’s main humanitarian […]Mauritania: Nouakchott data centre inaugurated
May 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould El-Ghazaouani, Minister of Digital Transformation and Modernisation of Administration Ahmed Salem Bede Etvagha, EU Ambassador to Mauritania Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga and EIB Head of Unit for West and Central Africa Public Sector Financing Svetla Stoeva inaugurated the Nouakchott data centre on Thursday […]EBRD supports regional fast food expansion with first circular economy loan in Western Balkans
May 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €9.9 million to Aptha Global and Tastra (on a joint and several basis) to finance the expansion of KFC restaurants in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rollout of Taco Bell restaurants in the […]Security Council debates precarious path forward for a new Syria
April 28, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Syria is undergoing a rocky transition after years of conflict and authoritarian rule. Despite tentative political progress, ongoing violence, deepening economic hardship and a worsening humanitarian crisis highlight the urgent and continued need for international support. Four and a half months after the fall of the Assad […]The impact of war on health
April 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Shanzay Naveed, a 3rd year MBBS student at Allama Iqbal Medical College, is an affiliated member and Assistant Director of PUBSSD at IFMSA. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong […]The Lebanese Healthcare System: Struggling Amid a Multi-Layered Crisis
April 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr. Jad Hamawi is a seventh-year medical student at the University of Balamand in Lebanon. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. Lebanon has undeniably been going through dire straits […]How to Build Public Support for Energy Subsidy and Pension Reforms
April 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Era Dabla-Norris, Davide Furceri, Mauricio Soto Many countries struggle with low economic growth and high debt and will need bold fiscal actions to restore their finances. Two significant areas for potential savings are energy subsidies and pension systems. However, reforms in both areas can be unpopular with the public. Public […]South Sudan on the brink as peace deal falters, UN warns
April 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. South Sudan stands at a dangerous crossroads as rising political tensions threaten to derail a fragile peace deal, amid growing fears of renewed conflict in the world’s youngest nation, already buckling under a deepening humanitarian crisis. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, […]Commission rolls out plan to boost circular and efficient products in the EU
April 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted the 2025-2030 working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation. The plan provides a list of products that should be prioritised to introduce ecodesign requirements and energy labelling over the next five years. This will foster sustainable, repairable, […]Myanmar: Military strikes persist amid earthquake response efforts
April 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Military operations continue in Myanmar despite ceasefires declared after the recent earthquake that killed more than 3,600 people, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday. “At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is […]How Rising Geopolitical Risks Weigh on Asset Prices
April 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Salih Fendoglu, Mahvash S. Qureshi, Felix Suntheim Heightened tensions can hurt stock markets, raise government borrowing costs, and pose risks to financial stability Global geopolitical risks remain elevated, raising concerns about their potential impact on economic and financial stability. Shocks such as wars, diplomatic tensions, or terrorism can disrupt cross-border trade […]Albania: €90 million EU financial package for Durrës – Rrogozhina railway upgrade
April 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. During High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas’ official visit to Albania, an EU financial package worth €90.5 million for the reconstruction of the Durrës – Rrogozhina railway section was signed by the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and the […]Myanmar quake: ‘I constantly worry – what if another earthquake happens?’
April 8, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Ten days after the catastrophic quake which struck Myanmar, children remain the most vulnerable – losing their homes, their schools, and in many cases, their families. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck shortly before 1 PM local time on 28 March, was the strongest in recent memory. […]Norway provides further €139m to Ukraine’s Naftogaz via the EBRD
March 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the government of Norway are deepening their cooperation to help Ukraine maintain its energy supply, with an injection of new funding. Norway, a founding member of the EBRD and a strong strategic partner, will provide NOK 1 […]Croatia to get EIB guidance on promoting capital markets and business innovation
March 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will offer policy guidance to Croatia on becoming a regional hub for financial technologies and capital markets. Under a new advisory agreement with Croatia’s Ministry of Finance, the EIB will support plans to turn the country into a fintech leader. In […]UN staff member killed in central Gaza blast, five others injured
March 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. At least one UN staffer has been killed and at least five others injured – several very severely – following an explosion at two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The UN is verifying and confirming the details, including the […]EIB Global assists cities develop climate resilient urban projects in East Africa
March 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has availed over €1.2 million (over Ksh 166 million) in technical assistance support to cities in East Africa for preparation of climate resilient urban development projects. The cities set to benefit from this technical assistance are Kericho, Nyamira, Kisumu, Embu, […]‘Intolerable’ suffering in Gaza amid deadly airstrikes, continued aid blockade
March 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday spoke of new “intolerable” suffering for Gazans following the resumption of deadly Israeli airstrikes, underscoring three immediate needs: a renewed ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and the unconditional release of hostages. “We will not give up on these objectives,” António Guterres said during […]Afghanistan: Security Council renews UN mission as WHO warns of health catastrophe
March 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Security Council on Monday extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, as UN agencies reported sharp declines in resources for lifesaving aid. Unanimously adopting resolution 2777 (2025), the 15-member council stressed the “critical importance” of a continued presence of […]‘Humanity’s future depends on investing in the machinery of peace’: UN chief
March 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. “Humanity’s future depends on investing in the machinery of peace, not the machinery of war,” said Secretary-General António Guterres in a message marking the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness. Celebrated on 5 March, it is an opportunity to reinforce global commitments to reducing arms and […]New EU programme launched with banking sector to support women entrepreneurs across Europe
March 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank and the European Commission have launched today a first of its kind advisory programme aimed at helping EU commercial banks improve access to finance for women-owned and women-led SMEs in Europe. Women make up a third of Europe’s entrepreneurs and yet many […]Ukrainians continue to flee the frontline, as war stretches into fourth year
March 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Communities on the frontline of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are being killed, injured and displaced on a daily basis, as the war grinds on. “In the last six months alone, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from frontline areas in the east and north,” said […]World News in Brief: Peacekeeper killed in CAR, Gaza and DR Congo latest, preventing violent extremism
February 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the killing of a Tunisian peacekeeper serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA. The ‘blue helmet’ was part of a long-range MINUSCA patrol to protect civilians, that was near the village of Zobassinda, in Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture, which […]Strengthening medium-term fiscal frameworks in Southern Africa
February 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Governments across Sub-Saharan Africa are grappling with the fiscal trilemma: containing debt, meeting development needs through increased spending, and managing resistance to tax hikes. According to the October 2024 World Economic Outlook, while debt-to-GDP ratios are projected to decline, they remain elevated due to persistent risks, including macroeconomic […]Syria: Chemical weapons watchdog hits reset button in Damascus, following productive meetings
February 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In a significant move towards eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons programme, the head of the UN-backed international watchdog dedicated to ending the scourge has been visiting Damascus, together with a high-level delegation. In a press release on Saturday the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said […]Reusable rockets, air taxis and ‘autonomous autos’ are the future: WIPO
February 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Air taxis, “autonomous autos” and reusable rockets are just some of the future transport solutions that inventors all over the world are striving to make a reality, while patents for combustion engines are “flatlining”, the UN intellectual property agency (WIPO) said on Thursday. Latest information gleaned from […]Sudan: Top aid official warns against escalating violence in two states
February 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in Sudan are on the brink of catastrophe as violence continues to escalate at an alarming rate, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country said on Thursday in a statement. Clementine Nkweta-Salami said the latest outbreak of hostilities in South Kordofan’s […]Clock ticking on South Sudan’s transition, Security Council hears
February 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As South Sudan enters its extended transitional period this month, the UN’s top envoy to the country has warned that the clock is ticking to accomplish the commitments under a key 2018 peace accord, ahead of a new deadline set for February 2027. Signed in 2018 to […]EIB Board approves €2.4 billion of financing for business innovation, energy grids, flood resilience and transport
February 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) today approved €2.4 billion of new financing for business investment, clean energy, transport, telecommunications and flood protection in Europe. The EIB Board of Directors also discussed the strategic orientation of EIB Global. Reflecting the changing geopolitical context and even better aligning […]EBRD exits Ibnsina Pharma in Egypt
February 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has fully exited its remaining 8.8 per cent stake in Ibnsina Pharma through the Egyptian Exchange (EGX). The Bank acquired a 20 per cent stake in Ibnsina Pharma in 2015 through a combination of primary and secondary transactions […]Sudan: UN chief condemns reported executions as starvation risks rise
February 4, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General expressed deep alarm on Monday over reports of summary executions of civilians in the Sudanese city of Khartoum North, allegedly carried out by fighters and militias allied with the forces of the military Government. Many of the victims are believed to be from the […]
