This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed that the EU needed more decentralised energy and better coordination on electricity grids. Networks should be rapidly digitalised and be aligned with national energy and climate plans. The […]The EU’s electricity grids must be strong, smart and secure
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed that the EU needed more decentralised energy and better coordination on electricity grids. Networks should be rapidly digitalised and be aligned with national energy and climate plans. The […]UN nuclear agency chief ‘deeply concerned’ by reports of latest attack on Iran power plant
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Reports of yet another projectile strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant prompted Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to register his deep concern on Saturday. The IAEA was informed of the strike – the fourth such incident in recent weeks – by […]Breaking the Gaza aid bottleneck: 106-tonne delivery arrives via new sea route
April 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has facilitated the delivery of some 106 metric tonnes of lifesaving nutrition supplies to the Gaza Strip – the first shipment via a mechanism to deliver aid by sea, in line with a UN Security Council resolution and amid the ongoing war […]Lebanon: The UN peacekeepers helping communities who’ve stayed behind
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The killing of three UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon in the past two days has highlighted the grave dangers for the 10,000 military personnel who make up the bulk of UNIFIL, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon – and for the communities caught up in intense clashes […]Lebanon at ‘breaking point’ as displacement soars and strikes intensify
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s top humanitarian official warned the Security Council on Tuesday that Lebanon is facing one of its most dangerous moments in years, with escalating violence, mass displacement and deepening human suffering pushing the country to “breaking point”. Briefing ambassadors from Beirut, Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher […]Commission opens formal State aid assessment of French support to new nuclear programme
April 1, 2026 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 France plans to grant for the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors is in line with EU State aid rules. The opening of an in-depth State aid investigation […]‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the war in the Middle East continues, a situation which has been described as unprecedented in the post-Second World War era. The seafarers are working on some 2,000 ships including oil and gas tankers, […]Airstrike on funeral underscores rising civilian toll in Sudan
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Fears are mounting for civilians caught up in Sudan’s deadly war between rival militaries as attacks intensify and humanitarian access shrinks, following a deadly airstrike on a funeral gathering in West Kordofan. Seven people were killed and dozens injured when an airstrike hit a funeral gathering in […]The image from Gaza that still haunts me: Palestine relief agency chief
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Asking the softly spoken, veteran humanitarian worker Philippe Lazzarini how he feels as he comes to the end of his second term as the head of the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, is perhaps an unfair question. “No doubt that I have mixed feelings today,” he says. […]Commission allocates €21.5 million in emergency support to farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, Member States endorsed the Commission’s proposal to mobilise €21.5 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in Bulgaria (BG), Estonia (EE) and Hungary (HU) affected by adverse weather events during the 2025 growing season. They will respectively receive €7,4 million (BG), €3,3 […]Commission publishes guidance to support implementation of new packaging rules, for a more sustainable and competitive EU packaging sector
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission published guidelines on the implementation of thePackaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to facilitate the uniform application of the new packaging rules across the EU and simplify compliance for economic actors and Member States. The full application of this law […]Commission adopts €1.5 billion work programme to boost European and Ukrainian defence industry
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission approved today a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to enhance and modernise Europe’s defence industry, boost production capacity and secure technological advancement and resilience. EDIP tackles pressing challenges in European defence and security by boosting […]UN condemns killing of two more peacekeepers in Lebanon
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations has condemned two consecutive days of deadly attacks on peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid rising hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday, and two more were injured, in an explosion that hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy, destroying […]Middle East war: Attacks on vital healthcare, evacuation strike fears
March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Almost one month since Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran began, sparking a wider regional war, UN agencies and partners on Friday highlighted the terror among civilians fleeing bombardment, with “no safe space” to go. In a rare piece of good news, though, the UN World Health […]EIB Global and Techcombank announce €200 million credit line for climate investments in Viet Nam
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) have announced a €200 million financing agreement to accelerate climate action and environmental sustainability projects across Viet Nam. The long-term financing facility aims to bridge the financing […]Global Health Priorities for the Year Ahead: Insights from the Next Generation
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Essono Uriel, a 5th year medical student from Cameroon. 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, […]Deeper EU capital markets need stronger supervision and integration
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. In an opinion adopted at its March plenary session, the EESC calls for more ambitious reforms to integrate Europe’s capital markets and reinforce EU-level supervision, warning that persistent fragmentation is holding back investment, competitiveness and growth. Supporting the European Commission’s proposals […]War in the Middle East: Cultural treasures damaged, with more at risk
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Since the outbreak of war on 28 February, several unique sites of cultural significance have been damaged in Iran, Israel and Lebanon, alongside immense suffering, displacement and death. In Iran, these sites include Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, Masjed-e Jame mosque (also in Isfahan) and buildings located near Prehistoric Sites […]EU road deaths drop by 3% in 2025
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission has released preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2025, reporting around 19,400 deaths. This represents a 3% decrease from 2024, meaning that 580 fewer people died on European roads. Given the increase in vehicles on EU roads and kilometres driven, […]Stakeholders Weigh in on Targeted Revisions on EU Regulations on Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostics
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by two of our passionate readers, Ms. Ifza Zia and Mr Enrique De La Cruz, student researchers in public health. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writers’ views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. As the European Commission continues reviewing the implementation of the […]EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, […]Dire fertiliser shortage a lurking threat due to Hormuz crisis
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Since the start of the Middle East conflict with Israeli and US strikes on Iran on 28 February, concerns have been growing over rising oil and commodity prices. At the centre of it lies the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints […]UN weather agency warns of record ‘climate imbalance’ as planetary warming accelerates
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. All-time high greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere continue to drive heat records on land and sea, with long-lasting consequences for humanity, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Monday. Hot on the heels of a scorching decade, the UN’s weather agency has said that the planet’s […]Commission approves French State aid scheme for production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
March 23, 2026 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 French scheme to support the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in line with the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme will also contribute to the […]Commission approves €5 billion Danish State aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and reaching the 2030 renewable […]Forests are more than a resource: How Belarus protects its vital ecosystem
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Forests cover more than 40 per cent of Belarus. At the same time, the country recorded twice as many forest fires last year compared to the year before. Ahead of the International Day of Forests, observed on 21 March, deputy resident representative of the UN Development Programme […]WHO verifies deadly hospital attack in war-torn Sudan
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) verified on Saturday a hospital attack in war-torn Sudan that killed 64 people. The Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur’s capital, Al Deain, was struck late Friday, killing scores of people, including 13 children, two nurses, a doctor and multiple patients. […]War in the Middle East: Iran nuclear facility hit as equivalent of ‘one classroom of children’ killed, wounded daily in Lebanon
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 1,000 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Lebanon since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, UN officials said Saturday. Key points “Recent escalation has killed or wounded the equivalent of one classroom of children every day,” said Ted Chaiban, deputy chief […]Statement by Commissioner Tzitzikostas on the IMO decision on the Strait of Hormuz
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU welcomes the adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Council decision, strongly condemning the threats and attacks by Iran against vessels which affect innocent civilian seafarers. The EU echoes IMO Council’s demands to cease any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing […]Sweden: EIB launches first pre-IPO support to help European growth company access public markets
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed its first pre-IPO advisory agreement to help a European growth company prepare for access to public capital markets. The support is provided through the InvestEU Advisory Hub and aims to strengthen the ability of innovative European companies to grow […]Slovenia sees increase in EIB Group financing in 2025 with focus on transport upgrades, business growth and tech advances
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group provided €366 million in new financing to Slovenia in 2025, focusing on road upgrades, business growth and technological innovation. The 2025 total included €227 million from the EIB and €139 million from European Investment Fund (EIF), which focuses on […]Deeper EU capital markets need stronger supervision and integration
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. In an opinion adopted at its March plenary session, the EESC calls for more ambitious reforms to integrate Europe’s capital markets and reinforce EU-level supervision, warning that persistent fragmentation is holding back investment, competitiveness and growth. Supporting the European Commission’s proposals […]Commission partially greenlights Malta’s fourth payment request for €51,5 million under NextGenerationEU
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission partially greenlighted Malta’s fourth payment request for €51,5 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the areas […]
