This article is published in association with United Nations. Moving goods around the world could soon become cheaper, faster and far more flexible, following the adoption of a new United Nations-backed agreement that modernises the paperwork behind global shipping. The UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents creates, for the first time, a single document that can […]UN deal delivers a smoother ride for global trade
December 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Moving goods around the world could soon become cheaper, faster and far more flexible, following the adoption of a new United Nations-backed agreement that modernises the paperwork behind global shipping. The UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents creates, for the first time, a single document that can […]Gaza ceasefire still fragile as cold turns deadly, Security Council hears
December 17, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, while humanitarians continue to face obstructions in delivering aid to the people, a senior UN official working to promote greater peace in the region told the Security Council on Tuesday. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, provided the update […]‘Africa’s biggest challenge is a mindset challenge’: UN Special Adviser
December 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Africa does not have a million problems, it only has one – a mindset problem, says UN Special Adviser on Africa Cristina Duarte. The 2025 Academic Conference on Africa at UN Headquarters earlier this month, brought together leading African scholars, ministers, and activists to examine why many on the […]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 […]Commission approves €408 million Spanish State aid scheme to support decarbonisation of industry, in line with Clean Industrial Deal objectives
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €408 million Spanish scheme to support the decarbonisation of manufacturing industry, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and is funded under the Recovery […]Commission fines automotive starter battery manufacturers and association €72 million for participating in a cartel
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has fined three automotive starter battery manufacturers, Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra)and Rombat, as well as the trade association EUROBAT, a total of around €72 million for participating in a long-running cartel concerning automotive starter batteries, together with Clarios (formerly […]Spain: EIB and Grupo Oesía sign €30 million loan to boost European research, development and innovation in security and defence
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Grupo Oesía have signed a €30 million loan to finance the company’s research, development and innovation in advanced technology. Grupo Oesía is a Spanish tech multinational that specialises in advanced digital and industrial engineering projects for dual use (civilian and military), […]EIB Group provides EU-backed guarantee to ProCredit Bank to expand finance for war-affected businesses in Ukraine
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – together the EIB Group – have signed a new EU-backed guarantee that will enable ProCredit Bank Ukraine to mobilise more than €43 million in additional lending for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The guarantee […]Dialogue is ‘not naïve – it’s necessary’ as global divisions deepen, UN Riyadh forum hears
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The 11th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations opened in Riyadh on Sunday with a blunt message for a world riven by distrust: dialogue is not a luxury – it’s a survival strategy. The 11th Global Forum opened in Riyadh on Sunday with a blunt […]EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the […]Climate change is expanding the global threat of vector-borne diseases
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Ms. Maryam Latif with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Pakistan. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. The high-pitched buzz of a mosquito has long been associated with humid […]UN sounds alarm over rising demands on water resources as scarcity increases
December 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Pressure on freshwater resources is growing as demand increases in regions marked by scarcity, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report published on Friday. It provides an update on renewable water availability, which refers to the amount of freshwater that is replenished each […]Labour rights for journalists: safeguarding independence and truthful Information
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its December 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an own-initiative opinion calling for urgent action to strengthen labour rights for journalists and media professionals across Europe. The EESC’s message is clear: decent working conditions are […]Masika’s Story and Uganda’s Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Bwambale Isaac, a Ugandan medical student at Kampala International University. 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, […]Social media: Age-related bans won’t keep kids safe, UNICEF warns
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A social media ban for children under 16 came into effect in Australia on Wednesday, marking a global first. After months of anticipation and debate over the government’s controversial move, under 16s woke up to find themselves locked out of popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, according to media […]World News in Brief: Gaza winter storm, $7 billion UNICEF appeal, support for emergency response fund
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As another winter storm hits the Gaza Strip, low temperatures and rains are putting the lives of newborns and other vulnerable groups at risk, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Wednesday. Following two years of war, most of Gaza’s roughly two million residents are living in makeshift shelters. Humanitarians […]Traditional medicine is now a global reality: WHO
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The vast majority of World Health Organization (WHO) member States say 40 to 90 per cent of their populations now use traditional medicine. That’s according to Shyama Kuruvilla, director of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, established in 2022 to tap into the potential of these systems […]Commission opens in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of joint control over TERCAT by TIL and Hutchison Ports
December 11, 2025 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, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of joint control of Terminal Catalunya (‘TERCAT‘) by Terminal Investment Limited Holding (‘TIL‘) and Hutchison Ports. The Commission has preliminary concerns that the transaction may lead to higher prices […]Commission welcomes political agreement on major reform of EU pharmaceutical rules
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission welcomes the political agreement to modernise the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation, reached last night by the Council and the European Parliament. The reform is a crucial step in boosting innovation and investment in the EU’s pharmaceutical sector, while ensuring that medicines are […]EU and UK reach €1.2 billion deal on 2026 fishing rights for EU fishers
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2026, covering over 95 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the North-East Atlantic. This arrangement aims to ensure the sustainable management of shared fish stocks, while offering stability and predictability for […]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 […]World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Dignity in End-of-Life Care
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Nogan Mpanjo, a sixth-year medical student from Cameroon passionate about global health, global surgery, and neurosurgery. 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 […]Ukraine faces freezing winter under fire as UN warns of rising civilian toll
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With temperatures plunging below freezing and cities facing long, daily power cuts, Ukrainian civilians are again bracing for winter under fire, as UN officials warned the Security Council that intensified attacks on energy infrastructure and shrinking aid budgets are taking a major toll. Briefing ambassadors, Kayoko Gotoh, […]Austrian firms push ahead on green and digital investment
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. According to the European Investment Bank Austrian firms remain highly active investors despite a weaker outlook, with 90% actively investing, above the EU average, with a growing focus on replacing and upgrading existing capacity rather than expanding it. “Austrian companies are showing exactly the kind of […]At UN, OSCE warns of erosion of security principles amid Ukraine conflict
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chief on Monday urged the UN Security Council to uphold core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and human rights, warning that Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to undermine European security. Addressing ambassadors, Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who […]Mercosur: MEPs endorse rules to protect EU agriculture
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.European Union and Canada strengthen their digital partnership with a focus on artificial intelligence, digital identity wallets and independent media
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU and Canada reinforced their cooperation and reaffirmed shared interests to boost competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience during the first Digital Partnership Council held today in Montreal, Canada. The Council took place back-to-back with the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministerial meeting, hosted […]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 […]Luxembourg contributes €2 million to EIB-managed FEMIP Trust Fund for projects preparation and implementation in the MENA region
December 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Luxembourg’s Finance Minister Gilles Roth has renewed his country’s commitment to the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership Trust Fund, or FEMIP trust fund for short, by signing a €2 million contribution letter today in the country’s capital. Luxembourg’s contribution brings the size of the trust […]Modern, safer electricity distribution networks for Slovakia with €350 million EIB loan to ZSE Group
December 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Západoslovenská energetika (ZSE) Group have agreed on a €350 million loan to finance a multiannual investment program to continue modernising electricity distribution networks across Slovakia, including the Bratislava region. The EIB loan will support ZSE Group upgrading high-, medium- and […]Commission accepts TikTok’s commitments on advertising transparency under the Digital Services Act
December 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission secured TikTok’s commitment to provide advertising repositories that ensure full transparency around ads on its services, as required by the Digital Services Act (DSA). After extensive engagement with the Commission, TikTok has submitted binding commitments that address all the […]Lebanon: UN peacekeepers warn of ‘clear violations’ following latest Israeli airstrikes
December 7, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Israeli airstrikes took place within the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) area of operations, the mission said in a statement issued on Friday. The strikes come as the Lebanese Armed Forces continue operations to control unauthorised weapons and infrastructure in south Lebanon a year after a cessation […]Sweden: EIB invests €77,5 million to deepen Port of Gothenburg for next-generation ships
December 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing 850 million Swedish kronor (around €77,5 million) to the Port of Gothenburg to finance Skandia Gateway – a major infrastructure project that will deepen the fairway and reinforce the quays. The aim is to enable the largest ocean-going container […]
