This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. Visitors to Utrecht’s Wilhelmina Park in the summer of 2023 may have come across an unusual sight: volunteers on stationary exercise bikes, cycling for science. The bikes were set up in different parts of the park – in its centre, […]Scientists race to understand the health risks of microplastics
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. Visitors to Utrecht’s Wilhelmina Park in the summer of 2023 may have come across an unusual sight: volunteers on stationary exercise bikes, cycling for science. The bikes were set up in different parts of the park – in its centre, […]AI joins the quest to find new treatments for rare diseases
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. Belgian AI company Kantify was doing business as usual until a cancer diagnosis forced the team to rethink their direction. “We built algorithms for sectors like marketing or transport,” said Ségolène Martin, Kantify’s co-founder and CEO. “Those were complex projects that had […]Reconnecting body and brain: Europe’s breakthrough in reversing paralysis
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. Europe’s breakthrough in reversing paralysis Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the most devastating neurological conditions, severing communication between the brain and the body and leaving millions worldwide with permanent paralysis. Despite decades of research, restoring movement after spinal […]Are parents sharing too much online? The hidden risks for children
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was published in association with the Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine. The internet is now woven into everyday family life, shaping how children learn, play and connect with others from an early age. But alongside these opportunities, new risks are emerging, sometimes from an unexpected source: parents themselves. Every day, parents […]World News in Brief: UN relief vehicle struck in Ukraine, emergency airdrops in South Sudan, backlash against LGBTIQ+ rights
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Secretary-General is alarmed that a clearly marked United Nations vehicle was struck twice in Kherson city in Ukraine on 14 May, his spokesperson said in a statement. Tweet URL https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=UN_News_Centre&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2055040228528636344&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.un.org%2Fen%2Fstory%2F2026%2F05%2F1167525&sessionId=7c5b79ec7a55c8721fa382b72a6ad299dd591146&siteScreenName=UN_News_Centre&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px The vehicle was part of an inter-agency humanitarian mission led by OCHA, the UN humanitarian affairs […]World Urban Forum opens in Baku as housing crisis and climate shocks intensify
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Soaring housing costs, climate shocks and conflicts are leaving millions without adequate shelter – but what can be done? As the 13th UN World Urban Forum opens on Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan, participants will grapple with solutions to a deepening global housing crisis. The conference, organized by […]European Investment Fund and LABORAL Kutxa mobilise 150 million euros to support micro enterprises and social entrepreneurs in Spain
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), and LABORAL Kutxa have signed a new guarantee agreement that will allow the credit cooperative of MONDRAGON to allocate up to 150 million euros to microloans and social loans. The agreement is […]Italy: EIB and FiberCop: €1 billion agreement to accelerate ultrafast broadband development
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a financing package of up to €1 billion for FiberCop, the company that manages the most advanced and extensive digital infrastructure in Italy, to expand and modernise the national ultrafast broadband network. An initial tranche of €500 million was […]Somalia at ‘real risk of famine’ as Middle East war fallout continues
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. At least six million people in Somalia are going days without enough food, UN aid teams warned on Friday, highlighting that nearly two million of this number are young children “at high risk of illness or death”. “The humanitarian context in Somalia is worsening faster than we originally […]HIV prevention and treatment services faltering, warns UNAIDS
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Decades of gains in the fight against AIDS are under growing threat as donor funding declines and community-based health services collapse in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries, the head of the joint UN programme on HIV/AIDS warned on Thursday. The sudden funding decline is hitting […]Afghan mothers and children face worsening hunger crisis, WFP warns
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Afghanistan’s deepening malnutrition crisis is pushing mothers and children to the brink, the UN World Food Programme has warned, as mass returns from neighbouring countries and severe funding shortfalls overwhelm already strained humanitarian operations. “WFP has been sounding alarm bells for months,” Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive […]Ebola outbreak in Central Africa declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing rising cases, cross-border spread and significant uncertainties about the scale of the epidemic. The decision, announced by WHO […]European Union takes decisive steps to ensure accountability for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
May 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, joined the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the document setting out the institutional, financial, and administrative modalities of the Special Tribunal. Following today’s decision, participating […]Lebanon: UN peacekeeping force warns drone incidents near its positions are putting personnel at risk
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday that escalating drone activity and nearby explosions involving suspected Hezbollah drones and Israeli forces are endangering its personnel and threatening already fragile stability in southern Lebanon. The warning came amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah fighters, […]Funding shortfalls force deep cuts to Syria food assistance: WFP
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Millions of Syrians are at growing risk of hunger after severe funding shortages forced the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to halve emergency food assistance, cutting support for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people across the country. UN officials warn that the cuts come at a dangerous […]Afghanistan crisis deepens as record returns, drought and aid cuts strain economy
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic crisis is deepening despite modest economic growth, with nearly three in four people unable to meet basic needs, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said on Wednesday. Estimates indicate that around 28 million people in Afghanistan were living in poverty in 2025, with the […]Recycled plastics for food use require stronger safeguards, warn UN food security experts
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Recycled plastics could help reduce the world’s growing waste crisis, but only if food packaging is carefully regulated to prevent contamination, according to a new analysis from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The UN food security agency warns that recycled plastics and alternative packaging materials […]One journey, one ticket, full rights: Commission simplifies Europe-wide travel booking and train travel
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has proposed new rules to make seamless travel across Europe a reality. The three proposals adopted today simplify planning and booking for regional, long-distance and cross-border travel, particularly for rail journeys involving multiple operators, and ensure better protection for rail passengers […]Shaping Global Health Equity: Students Driving Awareness, Early Detection, and Inclusive Autism Care
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Nayrouz Lagoune, born on June 27, 2002, a fifth-year medical student in Algeria. She 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 […]Autism Spectrum Disorders in Global Health: Awareness, Early Diagnosis, and Inclusive Care
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Hijran Pirmammadova, a third-year medical student at Azerbaijan Medical University. She 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 […]Romania: Pharmaceutical producer Antibiotice to benefit from EIB guidance on strengthening corporate governance and investment capacity
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise Antibiotice SA, the largest pharmaceutical company with majority Romanian capital, on strengthening its corporate governance to support future growth. Under a new advisory services agreement, the EIB will work with Antibiotice to align its risk-management framework and business operations […]Commission replies to the European Citizens Initiative to ban conversion practices
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a Communication responding to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’. This reply comes just four days ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), reiterating the Commission’s commitment to […]Commission strengthens global health security with new Global Health Resilience Initiative
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a Global Health Resilience Initiative.This strategy positions the EU as a reliable and frontline actor in global health by scaling up global prevention, preparedness and response to future health threats and addressing resilience gaps in health systems. It sets […]World News in Brief: Mounting waste in Gaza, drone attacks in Sudan, aid truck struck in Ukraine
May 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Mounting waste and limited access to sanitation sites are deepening health risks for families across Gaza, as humanitarian workers warn that overcrowded dumping areas and worsening living conditions threaten vulnerable communities. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN’s top aid official in Occupied Palestinian Territory visited a dumping site in Gaza […]EESC urges tougher EU action to curb single market fragmentation
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. Europe’s single market is facing ongoing challenges due to fragmentation, unfair commercial practices and the accelerating pace of technological change. In a series of recent opinions, the European Economic and Social Committee has called for stronger EU action to modernise the […]EIB presents credit risk information in the Middle East and North Africa
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) on Monday hosted a half-day seminar focused on the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs), the world’s largest credit risk database for emerging markets, and its role in supporting investment in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs). The seminarbrought together banks, […]EIB Group President Calviño visits Albania to announce new investments for small businesses, supporting innovation, digitalisation, and green production
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, Nadia Calviño, visited Albania today to launch new financing for key energy, climate, and digitalisation projects in the country, including a €20 million agreement to support small businesses. During the visit, President Calviño met with Prime Minister […]EIB and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions unlock €200 million to accelerate sustainable agriculture across Europe
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €200 million financing agreement with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies operating in the agriculture and bioeconomy sectors across Europe. The financing is part of the EIB’s broader €3 billion […]World News in Brief: Conflict drives hunger in DR Congo, mass corporal punishment in Afghanistan, Earth’s sand is running out
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 26.5 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing acute hunger, according to a new analysis from UN-backed food security experts published Tuesday. Ongoing conflict in the country’s east is driving mass displacement and pushing millions into crisis or emergency levels of […]Guterres highlights Africa’s leadership in speech to summit in Nairobi
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Africa continues to advance and demands investment at scale, justice in global systems, and partnerships grounded in respect, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday. The UN chief was speaking at the opening of the Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted in Nairobi by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron. “The name of this Summit […]Deal to improve the protection of vulnerable adults
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new legislation agreed on Tuesday seeks to foster the right to autonomy for adults across the EU. Parliament and EU government negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new rules to ensure that adults in need of assistance in matters such as medical care, […]World News in Brief: Human rights in Mongolia, surge in sexual violence in Haiti, worsening hunger in Afghanistan
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Monday praised Mongolia’s recent human rights progress during a visit to the country, which recently adopted the region’s first law protecting human rights defenders. Tweet URL https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=UN_News_Centre&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2053857427171274867&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.un.org%2Fen%2Fstory%2F2026%2F05%2F1167484&sessionId=4d54320823bfd009aecdf61016c1de0b2705519c&siteScreenName=UN_News_Centre&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px “At a time when some powerful global actors are openly defying and even […]Commission issues €10 billion in its fifth syndicated transaction of 2026
May 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has raised €10 billion of EU-Bonds in its 5th syndicated transaction for 2026. The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €6 billion new 7-year EU-Bond,maturing on 12 October 2033, and a €4 billion tap of the 30-year EU-Bond,maturing on 12 October 2055. Building […]
