This article is published in association with United Nations. UN-led efforts are continuing to ensure that all countries can benefit and regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it increasingly shapes our economies, societies and daily lives. The UN’s Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance is one of the key initiatives on AI. It brings together all 193 United […]World News in Brief: Tackling the AI digital divide, deadly migration journeys, Lucy Hale named new WFP Goodwill Ambassador
April 22, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN-led efforts are continuing to ensure that all countries can benefit and regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it increasingly shapes our economies, societies and daily lives. The UN’s Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance is one of the key initiatives on AI. It brings together all 193 United […]Strait of Hormuz: With hunger looming, life-saving fertiliser shipments cannot wait, head of UN task force says
April 22, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As the Persian Gulf crisis continues, time is ticking for farmers who rely on fertilizer shipped via the Strait of Hormuz – and millions worldwide who depend on their crops, particularly in vulnerable countries such as war-torn Sudan. In normal times, one third of global fertiliser trade […]EU, Ukraine and Canada to co-host high-level meeting on returning Ukrainian children
April 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU, together with Ukraine and Canada, will co-host a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 11 May in Brussels. On this occasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has […]Commission clears Lisbon railway line bid under Foreign Subsidies Regulation, subject to conditions
April 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has authorised Metropolitano de Lisboa to move forward with awarding the contract for the construction and design of the Lisbon ‘Violet’ metro line, subject to conditions under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), following a change by the consortium that avoids any […]World News in Brief: AI diagnostics, humanitarian deal for DR Congo, rights abuse allegations in Belarus, Ukraine children bear heaviest burden
April 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. New data shows that nearly three in four countries in Europe now use Artificial Intelligence in their health services to make a diagnosis. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO) joint report with the European Union, 74% of countries in the bloc use AI tools in medical […]Commission awards €180 million tender for sovereign cloud to four European providers
April 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is strengthening the European Union’s digital sovereignty by awarding a tender that allows EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (Union entities) to procure sovereign cloud services for up to €180 million over 6 years. The four awarded providers are European companies: […]World News in Brief: Myanmar amnesty, rising needs in Afghanistan, another power loss at Ukraine nuclear plant
April 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Authorities in Myanmar released the country’s ousted president from prison on Friday, along with some 4,000 other people, as part of an amnesty to mark the traditional New Year festival. President Win Myint had been in jail since February 2021 when the military overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected […]More than 38,000 women and girls killed in Gaza war, UN gender equality agency reports
April 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The war in Gaza has inflicted a far higher toll on women and girls than in previous conflicts in the Palestinian enclave, with more than 38,000 killed by Israeli air bombardment and land military operations since Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel sparked the war in October 2023, […]Second meeting of Special Panel to advise President von der Leyen on child online safety
April 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Special Panel on child online safety advising President von der Leyen on child online safety, convened for a second meeting. Today’s meeting focused on current EU rules and initiatives to protect minors online, shared by experts advising Member States, as well as international approaches, such as Australia’s social […]World failing Sudan as war enters a fourth year, UN relief chief warns
April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Sudan remains the world’ s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis, UN agencies and partners said on Tuesday, calling for an end to the war between rival militaries on the eve of the three-year mark. “This grim and chastening anniversary marks another year when the world has failed […]Commission consults Member States on proposal for a Temporary Crisis Framework
April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is gathering the views of Member States on a draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Crisis Framework to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis, as announced on 13 April 2026 by President Ursula von […]Commission issues €9 billion in its fourth syndicated transaction of 2026
April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 4th syndicated transaction for 2026. The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €3 billion tap of the 3-year EU-Bond, maturing on 12 July 2029, and a €6 billion new 20-year EU-Bond, maturing on 12 October […]‘Time for diplomacy over escalation’ in Middle East war: Guterres
April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As the war in the Middle East continues, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a passionate call for “serious negotiations” between the US and Iran to resume, warning that respect for international law “is being trampled” underfoot. Addressing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York outside the Security […]Commission invests close to €400 million for postdoctoral researchers
April 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission opens the 2026 call for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships, with a budget of €399.05 million. These fellowships support researchers holding a PhD to carry out their research activities abroad and acquire new skills in different disciplines and […]Defence industry needs joint action and stronger coordination to match EU security goals
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted two new opinions warning that Europe’s defence ambitions risk falling short unless its industrial base becomes more integrated, better funded and easier to coordinate across Member States. Russia’s war against Ukraine and […]Social services for persons with disabilities: towards genuine inclusion and independent living
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March 2026 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an exploratory opinion on how to ensure social inclusion and independent living for persons with disabilities through high‑quality, specialised social services. Building on the UN Convention on […]The EU’s electricity grids must be strong, smart and secure
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed that the EU needed more decentralised energy and better coordination on electricity grids. Networks should be rapidly digitalised and be aligned with national energy and climate plans. The […]‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the war in the Middle East continues, a situation which has been described as unprecedented in the post-Second World War era. The seafarers are working on some 2,000 ships including oil and gas tankers, […]Airstrike on funeral underscores rising civilian toll in Sudan
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Fears are mounting for civilians caught up in Sudan’s deadly war between rival militaries as attacks intensify and humanitarian access shrinks, following a deadly airstrike on a funeral gathering in West Kordofan. Seven people were killed and dozens injured when an airstrike hit a funeral gathering in […]UN condemns killing of two more peacekeepers in Lebanon
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations has condemned two consecutive days of deadly attacks on peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid rising hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday, and two more were injured, in an explosion that hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy, destroying […]Global Health Priorities for the Year Ahead: Insights from the Next Generation
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Essono Uriel, a 5th year medical student from Cameroon. 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 on the topic, […]Deeper EU capital markets need stronger supervision and integration
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. In an opinion adopted at its March plenary session, the EESC calls for more ambitious reforms to integrate Europe’s capital markets and reinforce EU-level supervision, warning that persistent fragmentation is holding back investment, competitiveness and growth. Supporting the European Commission’s proposals […]War in the Middle East: Cultural treasures damaged, with more at risk
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Since the outbreak of war on 28 February, several unique sites of cultural significance have been damaged in Iran, Israel and Lebanon, alongside immense suffering, displacement and death. In Iran, these sites include Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, Masjed-e Jame mosque (also in Isfahan) and buildings located near Prehistoric Sites […]WHO verifies deadly hospital attack in war-torn Sudan
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) verified on Saturday a hospital attack in war-torn Sudan that killed 64 people. The Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, was struck late Friday, killing scores of people, including 13 children, two nurses, a doctor and multiple patients. […]Stakeholders Weigh in on Targeted Revisions on EU Regulations on Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostics
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by two of our passionate readers, Ms. Ifza Zia and Mr Enrique De La Cruz, student researchers in public health. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writers’ views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. As the European Commission continues reviewing the implementation of the […]UN weather agency warns of record ‘climate imbalance’ as planetary warming accelerates
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. All-time high greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere continue to drive heat records on land and sea, with long-lasting consequences for humanity, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Monday. Hot on the heels of a scorching decade, the UN’s weather agency has said that the planet’s […]Commission approves French State aid scheme for production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
March 23, 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 French scheme to support the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in line with the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme will also contribute to the […]Commission approves €5 billion Danish State aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and reaching the 2030 renewable […]War in the Middle East: Iran nuclear facility hit as equivalent of ‘one classroom of children’ killed, wounded daily in Lebanon
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 1,000 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Lebanon since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, UN officials said Saturday. Key points “Recent escalation has killed or wounded the equivalent of one classroom of children every day,” said Ted Chaiban, deputy chief […]Statement by Commissioner Tzitzikostas on the IMO decision on the Strait of Hormuz
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU welcomes the adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Council decision, strongly condemning the threats and attacks by Iran against vessels which affect innocent civilian seafarers. The EU echoes IMO Council’s demands to cease any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing […]Gender inequality continues to cast a shadow over the media
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. Gender stereotypes continue to be perpetuated and amplified by contemporary media, particularly in the digital sphere. At a conference organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), speakers called for stronger use of EU legal instruments to address the repression […]Cyprus achieves record €372 million EIB Group financing in 2025, including new €125 million loan for public school modernisation
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Record EIB Group activity in Cyprus in 2025 In 2025, the European Investment Bank Group achieved a historic level of activity in Cyprus, providing a total of €372 million in financing, of which €354 million were EIB loans and €18 million mobilised by the EIF. Overall, […]Sweden: EIB launches first pre-IPO support to help European growth company access public markets
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed its first pre-IPO advisory agreement to help a European growth company prepare for access to public capital markets. The support is provided through the InvestEU Advisory Hub and aims to strengthen the ability of innovative European companies to grow […]
