This article is published in association with United Nations. Nearly a month after Cyclone Ditwah tore across Sri Lanka, more than a million people – including over half a million children – remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as floods, landslides and renewed rainfall continue to compound one of the country’s worst disasters in decades. […]Sri Lanka cyclone: More than a million still need aid weeks after Ditwah floods
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Nearly a month after Cyclone Ditwah tore across Sri Lanka, more than a million people – including over half a million children – remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as floods, landslides and renewed rainfall continue to compound one of the country’s worst disasters in decades. […]Sudan civil war: Health system ‘on the verge of collapse’
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The war in Sudan has been tearing the country apart for almost 1,000 days, putting the country’s health system under intolerable pressure. The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting widespread disease outbreaks, severe shortages, malnutrition and rising deaths. The UN agency has revealed shocking figures related to […]New green financing model launched in Serbia
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. In partnership with Serbia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and the European Investment Bank’s EIB Global arm, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a new green financing model under the EU for Green Agenda in Serbia initiative. Combining donor grants and favourable bank loans, which […]One health, one fight: confronting antibiotic resistance before it becomes a cancer
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Isaac Aidoo Erzuah, a third-year medical student and research assistant at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. 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 […]The spread of antibiotic resistance through plastic pathways
December 29, 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. For many years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was treated as a hospital problem. […]UN peacekeeper injured in gunfire near ‘Blue Line’ in south Lebanon
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. One United Nations peacekeeper was injured on Friday after heavy machine gunfire from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions south of the Blue Line, following a nearby grenade explosion, impacted close to a UN patrol in southern Lebanon. According to a note to correspondents issued by UN Spokesperson […]Italy: EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo to provide €700 million to support access to finance and investment for companies
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo have finalised two new agreements totalling €700 million to back access to finance and investment by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Italy. The two operations – announced by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Intesa Sanpaolo’s Head […]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. […]Italy: €50 million to Comau for research and development in robotics, advanced automation and digital technologies for various industrial sectors
December 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Comau have signed a €50 million finance contract to support the Turin company’s research, development and innovation activities in the fields of robotics, advanced automation solutions, machine tools development, and digitalisation for various industrial sectors: from batteries, both automotive and […]Industrialisation without destruction: A UN blueprint for the future
December 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Since the 19th century, industrialisation has had a transformative effect on the world, both positive and negative. It has created jobs and lifted millions out of poverty. But it has also had devastating consequences; destroying ecosystems, polluting the air, and driving the climate crisis that threatens to […]Gaza: Humanitarian response ongoing despite restrictions
December 25, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Although “significant restrictions and impediments” continue to hamper humanitarian operations in Gaza, teams are still responding to the population’s needs, the UN aid coordination office OCHA said on Wednesday. “As part of these efforts, the UN and its partners offload more essential supplies at crossings around Gaza […]DR Congo: Displaced people in South Kivu close to ‘utter desperation’, WFP says
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. An estimated 500,000 people have been forced from their homes since fighting erupted in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at the beginning of December. That’s according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which announced on Tuesday that it is scaling up to deliver aid to more than 210,000 people displaced by the […]Security Council remains divided over Iran nuclear programme, sanctions stay in place
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. At a meeting to discuss nuclear non-proliferation on Tuesday, the Security Council’s stance on Iran’s nuclear activities remained divided on the issue, split between those who support the reinstatement of sanctions, and the members who believe the sanctions should be permanently lifted, whilst questioning the legality of […]Myanmar elections marked by fear as UN warns civilians are coerced from all sides
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Peace and Security As Myanmar approaches elections scheduled for 28 December, the UN’s top human rights official has said that civilians are being coerced from all sides – forced by the military to vote and threatened by armed opposition groups to boycott – in a climate of […]World News in Brief: Gaza aid restrictions, Syria humanitarian needs, lawyer reprisals in Burundi
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN and partners continue to provide assistance to people in Gaza, where recent winter storms have worsened conditions for thousands across the enclave. However, the humanitarian response has not been able to keep pace with needs due to ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities, the UN […]New package of measures to boost circular economy and strengthen Europe’s plastic recycling
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector. By optimising the recycling of plastics, these measures will further unlock the potential of the Single Market […]Commission amends ETS State aid Guidelines to tackle carbon leakage for more energy-intensive industries
December 24, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today adopted an amendment to the Guidelines on certain State aid measures in the context of the system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading post-2021 (‘ETS State aid Guidelines’). As announced in the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, the amendment […]Commission approves €167.8 million French restructuring aid to Corsair
December 24, 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, French restructuring aid of a total of €167.8 million to airline Corsair. The aid consists of an €80 million write-off on loans that were approved by the Commission in December 2020 and €87.8 million […]Overnight strikes leave death, destruction and power outages in Ukraine
December 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A new wave of overnight strikes and front-line hostilities in Ukraine have caused further civilian casualties and damage to critical energy infrastructure, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday. Several civilians were killed and nearly 30 injured, including children, according to […]Synthetic drug market disrupted in Syria after regime change
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Past geopolitical tensions related to the synthetic drug “captagon” are now being mitigated with the Syrian authorities’ commitment to dismantle illicit manufacturing, says the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Captagon, a highly addictive stimulant, has been circulating illegally from the Middle East to Africa […]Weekend attacks in Ukraine bring more casualties, damage infrastructure
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hostilities in Ukraine this weekend resulted in more civilian casualties and widespread damage to critical infrastructure, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Monday. Between Friday and early morning Monday, Ukrainian authorities said that over a dozen civilians were killed and more than 70 others injured, […]Somalia: Funding cuts impact assistance to millions affected by drought
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Brutal slashes to aid budgets are hampering efforts to assist millions of people in Somalia affected by drought, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday. More than 4.6 million people across the country, roughly a quarter of the population, are impacted, according to local authorities. “Partners […]UN warns Sudan war entering deadlier phase as fighting spreads in Kordofan
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The war in Sudan is entering a deadlier phase, the United Nations has warned, as intensified fighting in the Kordofan region, mounting civilian casualties from drone strikes and growing risks of regional spillover push the conflict toward the 1,000-day mark. Briefing the Security Council on Monday, senior […]Commission reports on partner countries’ compliance with visa-free travel requirements
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted its eighth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism, monitoring the EU’s visa-free regimes. While most partner countries have taken steps to address the recommendations issued under previous Visa Suspension Mechanism reports, significant challenges persist. Visa liberalisation is an important part […]Commission extends nitrates derogation for Ireland
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission extended Ireland’s derogation under the Nitrates Directive for a further three years, starting 1 January 2026. This decision follows the approval of the Commission’s proposal by Member States on 9 December. It is subject to additional conditions, including the evaluation of […]EU companies increase research and development investments in key sectors
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. EU companies drove strong research and development (R&D) growth in energy, health, aerospace and defence in 2024, according to the 2025 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard published today. While the report highlights Europe’s leadership in key industries, it also underscores the intense pressure from […]EU and Japan successfully conclude Horizon Europe negotiations
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan’s association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme. The agreement, expected to be signed in 2026, represents the closest form of collaboration offered by the EU to […]Commission approves €61 million Belgian rescue aid for Lineas Group
December 23, 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, a Belgian €61 million rescue loan to rail freight operator Lineas Group SA/NV. In parallel, following a complaint the Commission received from a stakeholder, it has concluded that two past measures relating to Lineas […]Winter aid delivery continues in Gaza
December 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Despite the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, humanitarians continue to receive reports of airstrikes, shelling and gunfire in all five governorates, the United Nations said on Monday. This has resulted in casualties and disruptions to aid operations over the past 24 hours, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at Headquarters, in New […]Security Council renews DR Congo peacekeeping mission amid renewed M23 offensives in the east
December 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for another year, as fighting in the country’s east intensified amid renewed offensives by the M23 rebel group. Resolution 2808 (2025) extends the mandate […]Security Council hears of fading election prospects in Libya
December 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The path to long-awaited elections in Libya is paved with complications but they can be overcome, the UN Special Representative for the country said on Friday in a briefing to the Security Council. Hannah S. Tetteh, who also heads the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), stressed […]EIB provides over €74 million to support essential public services across Ukraine
December 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has disbursed more than €74 million to support investments across Ukraine that help maintain essential services during the war. The financing supports the reconstruction and energy-efficient refurbishment of education, healthcare and social facilities, while also strengthening […]New green financing model launched in Serbia
December 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
New green financing model launched in Serbia
