This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Mid-Cap companies in Czechia and Slovakia will be eligible for as much as €400 million in favourable loans as a result of a guarantee from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to a local subsidiary of UniCredit SpA. The EIB is providing a €200 million guarantee to […]Czech and Slovak Mid-Caps to get €400 million financing boost under EIB accord with UniCredit subsidiary
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Mid-Cap companies in Czechia and Slovakia will be eligible for as much as €400 million in favourable loans as a result of a guarantee from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to a local subsidiary of UniCredit SpA. The EIB is providing a €200 million guarantee to […]‘No matter what’, UN Women vows to stay in Afghanistan, amid deepening rights crisis
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Women will continue delivering for Afghan women and girls despite sweeping restrictions and ongoing instability, a senior official said on Tuesday. The agency is operating in what it describes as the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis, where women are nearly four times less likely than […]Afghanistan: UN condemns deadly attack on rehab centre in Kabul
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Top UN officials condemned on Tuesday Pakistan’s overnight strike on a rehab centre that reportedly killed at least 400 people in Kabul, according to Taliban authorities, and injured more than 250 others. “A reported overnight strike on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Facility in Kabul, managed by the […]Nearly 5 million children are still dying annually before their fifth birthday: Here’s why
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to new United Nations estimates released on Tuesday – highlighting a worrying slowdown in global progress on child survival. Most of these deaths are preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and […]World News in Brief: West Bank displacement, Cuba fuel crisis, Sexual abuse safeguards, New ‘humancentric’ AI Advocate
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A new UN human rights report warns that expanding Israeli settlements are driving large-scale displacement of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank. According to the UN human rights office, UNHCR, more than 36,000 Palestinians were displaced in the year to October 2025 amid intensifying settlement activity and […]Middle East war risks pushing 45 million more people into acute hunger
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Middle East war could cause the worst disruption to lifesaving humanitarian work since COVID, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, as the UN chief again demanded an end to the widening conflict. “The Secretary-General asserts once more that the war in the Middle […]War-driven energy price spikes highlight value of renewables: UN climate chief
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The disruption of global energy supplies is being felt worldwide, the UN’s top climate change official warned on Monday, as conflict in the Middle East drives oil and gas prices sharply higher – echoing the market turmoil triggered by the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the 2026 […]World News in Brief: Deadly drone strikes in Sudan, families killed in West Bank, Ukraine casualties update
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Relentless drone strikes across Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur regions are causing civilian casualties and further restricting humanitarian access, the UN warned on Monday. Two people were reportedly killed in a strike on the town of Al Rahad, southeast of El Obeid in North Kordofan, where a hospital […]‘Glimmer of hope’ in Haiti amid shifting gang frontlines
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The liberation of territory from gangs and a more “motivated and visible” police presence has provided a “glimmer of hope” for Haiti as the Caribbean island nation continues to struggle with violence, insecurity and poverty. At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been […]‘Hope’ for Haiti’s political future as some 300 groups reportedly register for upcoming elections
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Haiti remains mired in a multidimensional crisis marked by weak institutions, political uncertainty, widespread gang violence and overwhelming humanitarian needs, but a recent new agreement by political groups offers “a moment of hope and progress for the Haitian people”, according to the UN’s most senior official in the Caribbean […]Deepfakes, voice cloning and weaponised AI: Global wake-up call to organised fraud
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
The Sawyers from Australia were never really interested in volatile investing. As their retirement age approached, the idea of a low-risk investment for their pension seemed attractive. But one day, after clicking on a seemingly legitimate online advert that offered a reasonable risk-averse plan, they unlocked a process that would lead them to lose over […]EU announces €458 million in humanitarian aid for the war-torn Middle East
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is confirming €458 million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt in 2026. With major donors withdrawing from the region and international humanitarian law under unprecedented strain, the EU is sustaining life-saving assistance to millions of people. In Syria, […]Middle East war’s ‘spiral of conflict’ drives mounting civilian toll
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The widening war in the Middle East and its growing impact on civilians came under scrutiny at the UN in Geneva on Monday, as independent experts briefing the Human Rights Council warned of escalating violence following the onset of Israeli and US strikes on Iran and counterstrikes […]France: EIB Group and BNP Paribas increase their existing guaranteed portfolio under InvestEU to €325 million to continue financing innovation and sustainability in Europe
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. BNP Paribas has secured an additional €250 million guarantee from the European Investment Bank Group via the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InvestEU Programme. This significant envelope enables BNP Paribas to advance its goal in supporting innovative and sustainable businesses across the EU, reinforcing its […]Croatia gets €536 million in EIB Group financing in 2025 with focus on small businesses, venture capital and cities
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s new financing in Croatia totalled €536 million last year on the back of support for technological advances by a range of Croation businesses. More than half of the 2025 amount was for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Mid-Caps and public entities […]Italy: EIB provides €225 million to Iren to promote circular economy and energy efficiency
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Iren Group have signed a new €225 million finance contract to support the company’s investment plan for 2025-2028. Signed today in Milan by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Iren Executive President Luca Dal Fabbro, the operation aims to back a range […]EIB commits €40 million to Speedinvest to empower Africa’s next tech champions and deepen Europe-African innovation ties
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. African technology startups will receive a financing boost through a €40 million commitment from EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to the first Africa-focused investment vehicle from leading European venture capital firm Speedinvest. The investment strengthens EU–Africa ties, supports digital transformation, […]From Evidence to Equity: Reclaiming Knowledge for Indigenous Health
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. María Beatriz Maruyama Ikeda, a Peruvian medical student born on September 13, 2004, in Lima, Peru. 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 […]Middle East crisis: UN health agency releases emergency funds for Lebanon, Iraq, Syria
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing another $2 million in emergency funds to support health systems in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as strikes against Iran by the US and Israeli continue amid counterstrikes across the Gulf and wider region by Tehran. The funds based on […]Commission adopts new State aid rules to boost the use of more sustainable ways of transport
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission adopted today the State aid Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines (LMT Guidelines) and the State aid Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER). These instruments support more sustainable transport modes for both passengers and freight and update the EU State aid framework for […]Commission greenlights Germany’s third payment request for €4.6 billion under NextGenerationEU
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission positively assessed Germany’s third payment request for €4.6 billion in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the areas […]Middle East war: Women in Lebanon forced to give birth on roadside
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel. “There’s 11,600 pregnant women who […]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 […]
