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 […]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 […]Guterres condemns deadly attack on Hannukah celebration in Sydney
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the “heinous deadly attack” on Sunday against Jewish families gathered in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate Hanukkah. In a social media post, Mr. Guterres said he was “horrified” by the incident. “My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this […]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 […]Deep concerns for Palestinians amid intense Israeli raids in occupied West Bank
December 13, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed alarm at reports of a so-called “settler road” being built in the occupied West Bank. Around 100 hectares of Palestinian land have been reportedly confiscated to make way for the new route. This would mark another step towards the […]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 […]EESC calls for an ambitious and pragmatic implementation of the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The long-anticipated EU strategic approach to the Black Sea, which recognises the region as a critical hub for security, stability, and economic prosperity, arrives late and with limited ambition, underscores the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), while calling for it […]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 […]Deal on comprehensive reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Early morning on Thursday, co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on revamping the EU’s pharmaceutical policy framework, to boost competitiveness, innovation and security of supply. Regulatory data and market protection to support innovation Parliament and Council negotiators agreed to a regulatory data protection period (during […]Nuclear energy key to decarbonising Europe, says EESC
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The EESC has adopted an opinion pointing out that nuclear energy is an essential component of the clean energy mix which is needed to phase out fossil fuels. The Committee calls on the European Commission to include key regulatory and financial […]2040 climate target: deal on a 90% emissions reduction in EU climate law
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Co-legislators agree on a 90% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, to achieve a climate neutral EU by 2050. On Tuesday evening, negotiators from Parliament and Council reached a provisional political agreement on an amendment to the EU […]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, […]WHO expert group reaffirms no link between vaccines and autism
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee has again confirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), following a new review of global scientific evidence. Meeting on 27 November, the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety examined 31 major research studies […]MEPs’ recommendations for a new EU framework for innovative companies
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. To boost investment and innovation, MEPs propose a separate corporate structure recognised across EU countries and based on fully harmonised rules. With 18 votes in favour, 4 against and 1 abstention, the Legal Affairs Committee approved series of recommendations for an upcoming Commission proposal […]Circular economy: deal on new EU rules for the automotive sector
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Early on Friday morning, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new EU circularity rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. Improved vehicle design and use of recycled materials According to the agreed draft, all new vehicles […]Gaza’s maternal and newborn health system ‘decimated’, UN warns
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Gaza’s health system for mothers and newborns has been “decimated”, the UN said on Thursday, with Israeli attacks destroying almost all hospitals, cutting off medical supplies and driving sharp rises in maternal deaths, miscarriages and newborn fatalities amid mass displacement and hunger. According to the UN human […]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 […]Italy: Water infrastructure – Viveracqua Hydrobond 2025 closes sixth issue with total of €200 million
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Viveracqua has completed its sixth bond issue of €200 million as part of the Hydrobond initiative. This most recent placement brings the total investment mobilised to modernise and improve the efficiency of Veneto’s integrated water service infrastructure to €2.4 billion since 2014. The issuance was fully subscribed by […]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 […]Honoring humanity until the last breath: A call for Dignity in End-of-life care
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Hermann TCHAKOUNTE, a Cameroonian, 5th year medical student at Université des Montagnes, passionate about global health, Surgery and medical education. 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 […]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 […]Commission proposes upgrade of the EU’s energy infrastructure to lower bills and boost independence
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The backbone of European energy system, the grids infrastructure, will be modernised and expanded to unleash its full potential. The Commission’s European Grids Package and the Energy Highways initiative, proposed today, will enable energy to flow efficiently across all Member States, integrating cheaper clean […]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 […]Italy: EIB invests €70 million in Scalapay to accelerate technological innovation in Europe
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €70 million Scale-Up Debt financing agreement with Scalapay, an Italian fintech founded in 2019 and now among Europe’s leading players in the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) sector. The announcement was signed in Milan by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina […]‘All we want for Sudan is peace’ say children fleeing violence
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Nahed was visiting Sudan’s capital Khartoum with her family to celebrate Eid, a major Islamic holiday, when the war broke out between the rival armies vying for control of her homeland. Only 16 at the time, she saw armed men attacking her village and killing people – […]UN seeks $1 billion for ‘first-responder fund’ in emergencies
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Humanitarian Aid Countries rallied at UN Headquarters on Tuesday to shore up a key humanitarian fund that provides timely assistance for millions worldwide when conflict and climate-related disasters strike. Since 2006, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated nearly $10 billion in more than 110 countries through rapid and strategic financing that […]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 […]Commission announces reinforcement of controls on products imported into the EU
December 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission announced a reinforcement of controls on food, animal and plant products entering the EU. At the conclusion of an Implementation Dialogue on import controls with stakeholders, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, set out various measures to strengthen […]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 […]
