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) […]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 […]On day seven of Middle East war, no let-up in suffering
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday. Seven days since Israeli and US bombing in Iran prompted ongoing counter-strikes across the Middle East, humanitarians confirmed massive […]Commission suspends visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service or official passports under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports. They are now required to be in possession of a visa when entering the Schengen area for official purposes. It is the first time that the new […]Lebanon ‘dragged back into turmoil’, UN envoy warns
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon has been “dragged back into a state of turmoil and violence”, the UN’s top envoy in the country warned on Saturday, after the latest round of regional strikes triggered a fast‑escalating crisis along the Blue Line. What had been fragile but real momentum, she said, has […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue across Middle East as humanitarian concerns grow
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Highlights Production team: Vibhu Mishra with Daniel Johnson in GenevaToday 12:15 μ.μ. UN rights office warns displacement orders in Lebanon affecting hundreds of thousands The UN human rights office has warned that large-scale displacement orders and ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are worsening the suffering of civilians already affected […]The EIF commits €50 million via the InvestEU Defence Equity Facility to Join Capital Fund III for European deeptech and dual-use
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, today announces at the EIB Group Forum in Luxembourg a €50 million commitment to Join Capital’s third fund as Europe moves from defence spending announcements to rebuilding industrial capability. The commitment is the EIF’s largest to […]UN calls for fair play in the global race for critical minerals
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt are central to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As the Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss “energy, critical minerals and security,” here is some of the work the UN is doing to ensure that the transition is just […]Deal on measures to reinforce farmers’ position in the food supply chain
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on new provisions to strengthen the contractual position of farmers to help stabilise their income. The informal agreement reached by the co-legislators seeks to ensure that the final prices of food products reflect multiple factors, notably the […]Stakeholders Push Forth Recommendations Before the European Commission Adopts the EHDS Regulation
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr Enrique De La Cruz, a student researcher in the public health The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. As the European Commission plans to adopt the European Health Data […]EIB and WTO sign first agreement to strengthen cooperation on global trade and investment
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat have taken an unprecedented step to support sustainable global commerce and economic development. The EIB Group’s arm for international partnerships and development finance, EIB Global, and the WTO Secretariat today signed a Memorandum of Understanding […]Commission approves €200 million Spanish State aid for manufacturing capacity in the EV value chain
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €200 million Spanish State aid scheme to support strategic investments that add manufacturing capacity for the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a […]Commission presents new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 for a more equal, cohesive and successful Europe
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is presenting its new Gender Equality Strategy for 2026 to 2030. The Strategy embeds gender equality into every aspect of life, online and offline, from education and health to work and public life, and addresses modern threats such as cyberviolence […]
