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 […]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 […]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 […]EIB Invests €24 Million in TWAICE to Accelerate the Energy Transition with Predictive Battery Analytics
February 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. TWAICE, the analytics platform built for real-world battery energy storage operations at scale, has secured €24 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), provided as a long-term venture debt loan, backed by the InvestEU programme. The financing will accelerate TWAICE’s growth as electrification drives […]South Sudan: ‘All the conditions for a human catastrophe are present’
February 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Military tensions in South Sudan are “rapidly expanding” between Government forces and opposition militia as fighting continues in restive Jonglei state. Briefing journalists based at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said […]Commission greenlights Portugal’s eighth payment request for €1.1 billion under NextGenerationEU
January 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission positively assessed Portugal’s eighth payment request for €1.1 billion, of which €828.8 million in grants and €286 million in loans, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and […]‘Cycle of attacks must end’: Lead UN official in Ukraine
January 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The senior UN official in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, has issued a condemnation of the massive overnight Russian drone and missile strike on several major Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians, and knocking out energy infrastructure amid sub-zero temperatures. The attacks on some of Ukraine’s most important population […]Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individuals
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission strongly condemns the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a shared core value with the United States across the democratic world. […]MEPs back new measures to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness
December 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, MEPs from four committees approved new proposals to accelerate defence investment and improve the EU’s responsiveness in the face of security challenges. The set of legislative files, part of the so-called “Omnibus V” package of EU simplification measures, aims to speed up […]Risks mount for pregnant women in Ukraine
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Pregnant women took shelter in a bunkerised maternity unit in the Ukrainian city of Kherson last week, after a hospital was struck just 1.5 km from the frontline. The incident comes amid alarming new data from the UN’s reproductive health agency (UNFPA), showing a sharp rise in the […]Prevention, investment and reform in healthcare bring economic prosperity
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. A new report published as part of the State of Health in the EU shows Europe urgently needs innovative and resilient health systems to improve healthcare and boost competitiveness. With pressing challenges such as ageing populations and non-communicable diseases, EU Member States are now […]Peace proves relative in Gaza with no let-up in deadly airstrikes
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In Gaza, as airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continued to kill and maim Palestinians, UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Wednesday rejected suggestions by the Israeli military that the so-called “Yellow Line” of concrete blocks it has erected inside the enclave represented a new border. “The Security […]Commission approves State aid for the construction and operation of Poland’s first nuclear power plant
December 10, 2025 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, an aid package to support the construction and operation of the first nuclear power plant in Poland. The nuclear plant, with an electricity generation capacity of up to 3 750 MW, is scheduled to […]UN strongly condemns Israel’s unauthorised entry of UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said that Israeli police raided its compound in East Jerusalem early on Monday, representing “a new challenge to international law.” Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the facility, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media platform X. Police […]Iraq: UN mission ends, with pledge of continued support
December 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The recent parliamentary elections in Iraq mark a fitting end to the work of the UN Mission in the country, the Security Council heard on Tuesday. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Mohammed Al Hassan, briefed members for the last time as the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) prepares to conclude its mandate on […]Defying the odds: Young entrepreneurs vow to take their chances and build the industries of tomorrow
November 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Young people make a vital contribution to the creation of industries that benefit people and the planet. Their role was recognised on Wednesday at Generation Future day of the Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, with commitments to ensure that their voices are heard and their ideas shared […]Sweden: EIB backs Sandvik with €500 million for advanced mining and machining innovation
November 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €500 million loan agreement with Swedish engineering group Sandvik, a global leader in equipment, services and digital solutions for the mining, manufacturing and infrastructure industries, to support the company’s 2026–2029 research and development. The investment programme focuses on […]From Fridge to Resistance: How Everyday Food‑Storage Habits May Fuel the Next AMR Crisis
November 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, FarmanRiaz | MD, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta | Chief organizer PIMSA Indonesia. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant global health […]Sudan: UN’s gradual move back to Khartoum ‘an important step’
November 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Country Team in Sudan met in Khartoum on Monday – the first time it has convened in the capital since conflict erupted in April 2023. The 28 agencies, funds and programmes have maintained their presence and operations from the coastal city of Port Sudan amid the brutal fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) […]From Cairo to Luanda: Europe and Africa celebrate 25 years of strategic partnership, agree on new commitments and investments
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Leaders from the European Union and the African Union are gathering in Luanda, Angola, to take forward the powerful commitment made in Cairo 25 years ago – to work together for peace and prosperity, sustainable development and new opportunities. President von der Leyen andPresident […]Italy: EIB provides €800 million to Edison to back energy transition
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing up to €800 million to support Edison’s investment plan to promote Italy’s energy transition. The EIB funds will be allocated through several loan agreements. The first €200 million agreement was signed today during a meeting between EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and […]AI and anonymity fuel surge in digital violence against women
November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. What was once hailed as a vehicle for empowerment has, for millions of women and girls, become a source of fear. Fuelled by artificial intelligence, anonymity, and weak accountability, online abuse is rapidly escalating. Yet, 1.8 billion women and girls still lack legal protection from online harassment […]Commission carries out unannounced antitrust inspections in the vaccines sector
October 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is carrying out unannounced inspections at the premises of a company active in the vaccines sector. The Commission has concerns that the inspected company may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit abuses of a dominant market position (Article 102 of the […]EIB Global to roll out Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans
September 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) is launching the Innovation and Green Transformation Facility (IGTF), a new initiative aiming to accelerate sustainable private sector growth across the Western Balkans. The facility supports the EU Economic and Investment Plan and the New Growth Plan for the Western […]‘Famine silently begins to unfold’ in Gaza, UNRWA chief says
July 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. “People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses.” Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), said that is what one of its workers told him on Thursday morning. This sobering comment comes amidst increasingly severe […]Netherlands: European boost for global food security: Dutch biotech Solynta gets €20 million EIB backing for highly disease resistant potato varieties
July 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €20 million venture debt financing agreement with Dutch biotechnology company Solynta, to accelerate the development of potato varieties with enhanced resistance to disease and resilience to climate change. Solynta will use the EIB support for its research into […]Syria crisis: Hundreds killed in ongoing violence, hospitals overwhelmed
July 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid violent clashes in southern Syria’s Suweida governorate, a picture of grave human rights abuses and rising humanitarian needs is emerging by the hour, the UN said on Friday. Briefing reporters in Geneva, UN human rights office, OHCHR, spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani highlighted “credible” reports of “widespread violations […]Ukraine: Increasing hostilities displace civilians, limit humanitarian access
June 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Deadly hostilities continued along the front-line regions of Ukraine on Wednesday, displacing civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure, the UN has reported. Donetsk, Kherson and Sumy regions sustained the most damage, with several civilians reportedly killed, and many displaced, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular […]National recovery plans should add to EU resilience and strategic autonomy
June 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs want to extend EU recovery funding beyond 2026 to ensure the completion of key investments and large-scale projects. A plenary resolution adopted by 421 votes to 180, and with 55 abstentions highlights the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at […]Finland to receive €235 million in EIB financing for hospital and school upgrades
June 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is signing two major financing agreements, totalling €235 million, to support critical public infrastructure in southern Finland. The funding will significantly enhance healthcare services across southern Finland and education services in Vantaa. The first agreement, worth €135 million, will support the […]UN General Assembly adopts Gaza ceasefire resolution by overwhelming majority
June 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Meeting in emergency session on Thursday in New York, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The move followed the Security Council’s failure to pass a similar resolution last week due to a lone veto by permanent […]The battle to quiet the sea: Can the shipping industry turn down the volume?
June 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The ocean has never been silent – waves crashing, seabirds calling, whales singing across vast distances. But in recent decades, a new kind of noise has taken hold: the relentless hum of ships. For many marine species, this growing wall of sound is more than a nuisance […]UN committed to supporting ‘free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all Iraqis’
June 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The top UN official in Iraq reiterated his confidence in the resilience of the country’s people, and the determination of their leaders, in a briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday. “Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can […]Number of aid workers killed in Gaza conflict, highest in UN history: Guterres
June 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations paid tribute on Thursday to the 168 staff members who lost their lives in 2024. They include 126 personnel killed in Gaza, all but one of whom served with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA. Ahead of a memorial service at Headquarters […]
