This article is published in association with United Nations. The global food import bill is projected to exceed $2 trillion in 2024 – fuelled by the rising cost of everyone’s favourite hot drinks – according to the latest Food Outlook released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday. The biannual report, which focuses on […]Coffee, tea and cocoa costs see global food import bill soaring past $2 trillion
November 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The global food import bill is projected to exceed $2 trillion in 2024 – fuelled by the rising cost of everyone’s favourite hot drinks – according to the latest Food Outlook released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday. The biannual report, which focuses on […]November infringements package: key decisions
November 15, 2024 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 pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper […]Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
November 4, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. With Europe facing increasingly intense floods and droughts, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and WWF are teaming up to accelerate climate adaptation in Europe by developing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that will help to buffer societies and economies against the worsening impacts of the climate and biodiversity […]Israeli Knesset vote on UNRWA set to deepen Palestinian suffering
October 29, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Monday’s vote by the Israeli Knesset banning the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) contradicts principles of the UN Charter, violates Israel’s obligations under international law, and sets a dangerous precedent, the head of the Agency, Philippe Lazzarini has warned. The UN chief pledged later he would […]Lebanon: Cholera fears for communities uprooted by war
October 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN health agency has warned that a first case of highly infectious cholera virus has been detected in northern Lebanon, raising fears that those displaced by Israeli bombardment may already be at risk from the potentially deadly disease. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus […]Gazans in the north trapped with nowhere to go, as fighting intensifies
October 8, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN humanitarians have warned that conditions in northern Gaza are deteriorating rapidly, with over 400,000 people facing Israeli evacuation orders amid ongoing airstrikes and ground operations. Residential areas are under attack, hospitals have been ordered to evacuate, and electricity remains cut off, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said […]Climate finance by multilateral development banks hits record in 2023
September 24, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Multilateral development banks (MDBs) announced today that their global climate finance reached a record high of $125 billion in 2023. The combined total last year from institutions, including the European Investment Bank, is more than double the amount provided in 2019, when MDBs announced their ambition […]Political Parties of all Stripes are Pushing for Higher Government Spending
September 20, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Large fiscal deficits and elevated debt levels call for greater fiscal prudence, but political forces are pulling in the opposite way Era Dabla-Norris, Enrico Di Gregorio, Yongquan Cao September 16, 2024 Conservative politics has traditionally been defined by its emphasis on fiscal prudence and the idea of a […]UN General Assembly demands Israel end ‘unlawful presence’ in Occupied Palestinian Territory
September 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to adopt a resolution that demands that Israel “brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence” in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. With a recorded vote of 124 nations in favour, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, the resolution […]What to expect at the United Nations general debate
September 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. It’s the busiest and probably most high-profile week at UN Headquarters in New York, where leaders from across the world come together to discuss global issues or highlight their country-specific priorities. The 79th session of General Assembly gets underway in mid-September and the centrepiece for many is […]Commission recommends stronger measures on smoke-free environments to better protect public health
September 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission has recommended to better protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke and aerosols through the revision of the Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments. The new initiative recommends that Member States extend smoke-free environment policies to key outdoor areas, to better […]UN warns of continued prohibited weapons transfers to Ukraine, Russia
September 16, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid continuing prohibited weapons transfers to Ukraine and Russia during the ongoing war, top disarmament and legal officials issued calls on Friday for parties to the conflict to abide by international law and protect civilians. Warning the Security Council, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said that […]AI in Medical Education: Revolutionizing Tomorrow’s Doctors
August 27, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Julian Pascal Beier (29) is a second-year medical student at the Medical Faculty of Ulm University, Germany. 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 […]EU allocates €122 million for humanitarian aid in the Greater Horn of Africa
August 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU has released an additional €122 million for humanitarian assistance in the Greater Horn of Africa, as the region continues to face the impact of conflicts and climate-related disasters such as drought and floods. The funding will help address the most urgent needs […]‘Break the cycle of violence’ through prevention and peacebuilding, Security Council told
August 22, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Violence cost the world nearly $20 trillion last year, but investment in peace and conflict prevention has been steadily decreasing, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, addressed the Council’s high-level debate on the UN Secretary-General’s New […]World News in Brief: Sudan aid breakthrough, rights in Afghanistan, Myanmar displacement continues
August 22, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The first food supplies destined for desperate communities in Sudan’s Darfur region have crossed the Adre border from Chad, after it was reopened this week by the Sudanese authorities following a six-month closure. World Food Programme (WFP) trucks carrying sorghum, pulses, oil and rice destined for 13,000 people […]World News in Brief: Lebanon latest, Ukraine war update, anti-LGBT law change in Bulgaria
August 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, said on Friday that ongoing hostilities and daily exchanges of fire across Lebanon’s southern border were continuing to impact civilians on both sides of the Blue Line frontier with Israel. Around 110,000 people have been displaced inside Lebanon since October, 35 […]Upcoming elections in Cameroon mark a ‘key opportunity’ to commit to human rights: UN human rights chief
August 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Despite obstacles, Cameroon maintains immense potential to foster social change and promote civic engagement in their upcoming 2025 and 2026 elections, stressed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Wednesday at the end of a two-day visit to the country. “Cameroon today faces multiple […]First transfer of €1.5 billion of proceeds from immobilised Russian assets made available in support of Ukraine today
July 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the EU makes available in support of Ukraine the first payment of €1.5 billion generated from immobilised Russian assets. These extraordinary revenues generated by EU operators and held by central securities depositories (CSDs) from immobilised Russian sovereign assets were made available by Euroclear […]Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Belgian support for lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors
July 24, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that Belgium plans to grant for the lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors (Doel 4 and Tihange 3) is in line with EU State aid rules. The Commission’s investigation Belgium notified […]Joint Statement by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Minister of Trade Bolat at the EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Trade
July 9, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye Ömer Bolat met today in Brussels for the first meeting of a High-Level Dialogue on Trade. The EU and Türkiye, a candidate country and major trade partner, have bilateral […]Bad debts remain stable in emerging Europe despite macro-financial pressure
July 5, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. Bad debts remain stable in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) European markets, despite external pressure from macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions over the past year, according to the new edition of the NPL Monitor, published today. The latest data suggest that the non-performing loan (NPL) […]European Commission announces additional €1.2 billion investment package for infrastructure and support to entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans
July 3, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission announced the sixth investment package under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans that is expected to mobilise €1.2 billion in investments. This package will support eight new flagship investments in water supply and sanitation, wastewater treatment […]Revolutionising air conditioning with green technology
July 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. Based in Chisinau, Moldova, EnergySolaris is a deep tech start-up which is active in the climate technology and advanced manufacturing sectors and dedicated to the conception, development and implementation of innovative solutions aimed at addressing specific environmental challenges. The company’s main focus is currently its energy-efficient, […]Commission authorises Chikungunya vaccine and funds new mosquito eradication programme
July 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today authorised the first-ever vaccine against Chikungunya virus – a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. While Chikungunya is not endemic in the EU, the effects of climate change have led to an increased presence of mosquitoes that transmit serious diseases in […]Top UN official calls for strict compliance with sanctions on DPR Korea
July 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Any relationship that any country has with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), including Russia, “must entirely abide” by Security Council sanctions, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said on Friday, as she briefed ambassadors. Ms. Nakamitsu noted that in recent months there had […]Romania: Banca Transilvania signs its first synthetic securitisation, supporting new lending to SMEs and mid-caps
July 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), comprising the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), has strengthened the long-term co-operation with Banca Transilvania (BT) by approving a synthetic securitisation and new lending commitments. The landmark transaction is BT’s first securitisation transaction and […]Commission sends Statement of Objections to Microsoft over possibly abusive tying practices regarding Teams
June 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has breached EU antitrust rules by tying its communication and collaboration product Teams to its popular productivity applications included in its suites for businesses Office 365 and Microsoft 365. Microsoft, based in […]UN health agency issues alert on falsified medicines used for diabetes treatment, weight loss
June 21, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday issued a medical product alert on the release of three batches of falsified semaglutides – the type of medicines primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries. The spurious semaglutides – of a specific brand Ozempic […]Team Europe announces over €750 million to the African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator
June 20, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union and its Member States announced that they will contribute over €750 million (more than $800 million), including close to €220 million ($233 million) from the EU budget, to the African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) launched today in Paris. Through this innovative […]European Mobile Operators and GSMA Unveil a Pioneering Manifesto for Europe’s Digital Future
June 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with GSMA. A new digital infrastructure framework that fosters investment, innovation, and a harmonized digital market must be a priority in the next EU mandate Brussels, 20th March 2024: The GSMA and leading European mobile operators today announced the launch of ‘Connecting Europe to 2030: A Mobile Industry Manifesto for […]Should there be any Limits to Fiscal Transparency?
June 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Richard Allen Of course there should be, but they are usually ignored. Obvious examples are the potential liability of government in legal cases, or the maximum tolerable wage increase in negotiations with labor unions. There is also a question of potential information overload. The Open Data Charter for […]Taliban assault on women’s rights continues in Afghanistan
June 14, 2024 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. It has been almost three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan and women’s rights continue to be under attack. On Thursday, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell revealed that in its latest act of disempowerment, de facto authorities have told women civil servants […]
