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 […]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 […]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 […]Venezuela quake: Key services crippled and health workers missing
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Search and rescue operations continued in Venezuela on Tuesday as thousands of displaced survivors struggled to find shelter and humanitarians issued an alert over the spread of infectious disease. The UN aid effort – Key Facts Widespread shortages Tweet URL Six days after powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck […]When Crisis Shapes the Womb: Why Climate Change and War Are Becoming Women’s Health Emergencies
June 30, 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 […]From saving sight to next-generation logistics: meet the 2026 EU Women Innovators
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. When Dr Katerina Spranger was a child, she came very close to losing her sight. “I had an accident and had to undergo emergency surgery,” she recalled. Precision is a key part of such procedures. Even a tiny error can […]France: Exosens secures €140 million in EIB financing to foster innovation in Europe’s defense and security industry
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Exosens, a high-tech company specializing in mission- and performance-critical amplification, detection, and imaging technologies, has secured a €140 million financing facility with the European Investment Bank (“EIB”). The facility will support the Group’s research, development, and innovation activities, as well as selected industrial investments serving European defense, […]Start-up to Scale-up: EIF, HBOR and Croatia scale up partnership to boost venture financing in the country
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Hrvatsku inačicu preuzmite ovdje Over the past eight years, the partnership between the European Investment Fund (EIF), the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) has mobilised €270 million in public investment […]EIB Group steps up support for Ukraine with over €470 million for housing, connectivity and private sector growth
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is stepping up support for Ukraine with over €470 million in new financing to strengthen private-sector investment and critical infrastructure including housing and roads, bridges and border infrastructure. The package was announced today at a “Ukraine Recovery Conference” in Gdańsk, […]Middle East conflict leaves developing countries paying the price
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With another weekend of strikes involving the United States and Iran, renewed diplomatic efforts on Monday have eased immediate fears of escalation, but the economic shockwaves are already taking a heavy toll on some of the world’s poorest countries. Tweet URL According to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), […]Commission clarifies rules on plastic bottles recycling
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission today adopted new rules on recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily of polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled content. This is part of the Commission’s […]Commission greenlights Denmark’s final payment request of €359 million under NextGenerationEU
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission positively assessed Denmark’s fifth and final payment request for €359 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. As the Commission’s flagship post-pandemic programme, the RRF supports Member States’ recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness. With […]Commission presents financial package for Montenegro’s EU accession
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a financial package setting out the budgetary arrangements that would apply to Montenegro upon its accession to the European Union. Montenegro advances in the accession process and this proposal marks a significant step in the country’s path towards becoming […]Commission disburses €3.9 billion for drones under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission begins disbursement today of €3.9 billion as the first payment under the first tranche of around €6 billion dedicated to drone procurement, a key capability enabling Ukraine to withstand Russia’s war of aggression. This disbursement follows the Commission’s first €3.2 billion […]International cooperation critical as terrorism threat evolves
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Terrorism is evolving amid global instability characterised by heightened geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts and growing fragmentation – and the international response must also evolve to meet the challenge. The issue is the spotlight as the United Nations marks the organization’s Fourth Counter-Terrorism Week, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from […]Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 1,700 as UN continues to scale up response
June 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Five days after powerful earthquakes struck central-northern Venezuela, the death toll continues to climb along with the intense rescue operation and the UN coordinates humanitarian assistance, warning that recovery “is going to take time.” Venezuelan authorities confirmed on Monday that at least 1,719 people have died following […]
