This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability. Parliament argues the cost of non-enlargement would exceed that of new members joining the EU, […]EU enlargement: a strategic investment in Europe’s security and stability
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability. Parliament argues the cost of non-enlargement would exceed that of new members joining the EU, […]‘Perfect storm’: Lebanon crisis deepens as civilians bear the brunt
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as conflict, mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned. The current escalation began on 2 March, when outgoing fire by Hezbollah drew a strong retaliation from […]Package travel: Parliament greenlights new rules to protect holidaymakers
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday MEPs gave the green light to revised rules on package travel, enhancing protection for holidaymakers by drawing lessons from the pandemic and high-profile bankruptcies. The updated directive, already provisionally agreed with the EU member states, clarifies which trips and services can be […]March infringements package: key decisions
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Overview by policy area In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of […]Commission decides to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose VAT measures into national law
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose two separate Directives related to VAT measures into national law. Council Directive (EU) 2020/285 introduced substantial changes to the VAT rules applicable to small businesses (SMEs) […]Mental Health as a Global Health Priority: Why Equity Must Lead the Agenda in 2026
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Günel Orucova is a 21-year-old public health student and an active member of AzerMDS SCOPH. 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 […]Commission approves €260 million Belgian State aid for carbon capture and storage project
March 12, 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 €260 million Belgian measure in favour of Air Liquide Large Industry NV (‘Air Liquide’) and BASF Antwerpen NV (‘BASF’) for a carbon capture and storage (‘CCS’) project, Kairos@C. The measure will contribute to […]World News in Brief: Türk’s South Sudan ceasefire call, Ukraine strikes, Gaza food alert, Afghan returnees
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned accounts of “gruesome killings” of civilians in South Sudan, the destruction and poisoning of key water sources and fresh waves of mass displacement. 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=2031338097816855012&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.un.org%2Fen%2Fstory%2F2026%2F03%2F1167112&sessionId=2d6b0f89295cbfdd02b3278a2b0c8c07970d1373&siteScreenName=UN_News_Centre&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px In an appeal for an immediate ceasefire, he said that over the […]Protecting copyrighted work and the EU’s creative sector in the age of AI
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. To protect the creative sector in the EU, the use of copyrighted work by artificial intelligence requires transparency and fair remuneration, Parliament says. On Tuesday, MEPs adopted a series of recommendations to protect copyrighted creative work from use by artificial intelligence (AI), by 460 […]Commission unveils new AI tool to fight agri-food alerts and food fraud
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform, TraceMap, to accelerate the detection of food fraud, contaminated food and foodborne disease outbreaks across the EU. In line with the EU’s high safety standards for food and imported products, this new tool […]International Women’s Day: call to act against cyberbullying
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, MEPs heard Jackie Fox’s testimony about the cyberbullying her daughter suffered and her subsequent work to protect children and adults against such harm. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “The courage of women who refuse to stay silent continues to shape our […]‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]Health in an Age of War: Priorities from the Next Generation
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Frank Shao, a medical student from ST. FRANCIS UNIVERSITY (SFUCHAS) in Tanzania. 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 […]Germany: NHW and EIB sign €465 million framework contract for affordable and sustainable housing in Hessen
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The Nassauische Heimstätte Wohnstadt group (NHW) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a framework agreement in the Schönhof district of Frankfurt am Main for a total of €465 million in financing. The signing ceremony took place in a showhome flat, between NHW CEO Thomas Hain and […]Migration: the Civil Liberties Committee adopts a reform of EU return rules
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. With 41 in favour 32 against and 1 abstention, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee adopted […]Commission invests over €103 million in European strategic environment and climate projects
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is investing more than €103 million in seven strategic projects across Europe with funding under theLIFE programme. They will contribute to strengthening the EU’s prosperity, reinforcing economic stability, food systems and environmental ecosystems, while also improving public health and quality […]EU steps up civil protection efforts and brings back 356 citizens home amid developments in the Middle East
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Two repatriation flights chartered directly by the European Commission have safely landed in Romania. The two flights brought back 356 European citizens who were stranded in the Middle East from Oman to Romania. For the first time ever, the Commission mobilised its own rescEU […]Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]Women’s representation in parliament sees sluggish gains
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Women held 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide as the year began –a 0.3 per cent increase from 2025, marking the slowest growth in nearly a decade, according to a new report from the UN-backed Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The report titled Women in parliament 2025 released […]Spain: EIB and ICF sign €50 million loan to strengthen social infrastructure in Catalonia
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Institut Català de Finances (ICF), the public development bank of the Government of Catalonia, have signed a €50 million loan to strengthen social infrastructure in Catalonia. The agreement will support the construction, acquisition and refurbishment of care homes, day centres […]On day seven of Middle East war, no let-up in suffering
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday. Seven days since Israeli and US bombing in Iran prompted ongoing counter-strikes across the Middle East, humanitarians confirmed massive […]Commission suspends visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service or official passports under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports. They are now required to be in possession of a visa when entering the Schengen area for official purposes. It is the first time that the new […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue across Middle East as humanitarian concerns grow
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Highlights Production team: Vibhu Mishra with Daniel Johnson in GenevaToday 12:15 μ.μ. UN rights office warns displacement orders in Lebanon affecting hundreds of thousands The UN human rights office has warned that large-scale displacement orders and ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are worsening the suffering of civilians already affected […]The EIF commits €50 million via the InvestEU Defence Equity Facility to Join Capital Fund III for European deeptech and dual-use
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, today announces at the EIB Group Forum in Luxembourg a €50 million commitment to Join Capital’s third fund as Europe moves from defence spending announcements to rebuilding industrial capability. The commitment is the EIF’s largest to […]UN calls for fair play in the global race for critical minerals
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt are central to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As the Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss “energy, critical minerals and security,” here is some of the work the UN is doing to ensure that the transition is just […]Deal on measures to reinforce farmers’ position in the food supply chain
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on new provisions to strengthen the contractual position of farmers to help stabilise their income. The informal agreement reached by the co-legislators seeks to ensure that the final prices of food products reflect multiple factors, notably the […]Stakeholders Push Forth Recommendations Before the European Commission Adopts the EHDS Regulation
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr Enrique De La Cruz, a student researcher in the public health The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. As the European Commission plans to adopt the European Health Data […]EIB and WTO sign first agreement to strengthen cooperation on global trade and investment
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat have taken an unprecedented step to support sustainable global commerce and economic development. The EIB Group’s arm for international partnerships and development finance, EIB Global, and the WTO Secretariat today signed a Memorandum of Understanding […]Commission approves €200 million Spanish State aid for manufacturing capacity in the EV value chain
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €200 million Spanish State aid scheme to support strategic investments that add manufacturing capacity for the electric vehicle (EV) value chain, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Further escalation drives uncertainty and suffering
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. On day six of the war in the Middle East, there’s been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We’ll bring you […]Commission holds first meeting of Special Panel on child safety online
March 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted the first meeting of the Special Panel on child safety online. The panel, announced in the 2025 State of the Union address, will provide expert recommendations to better protect and empower children online and will […]Commission coordinates repatriation flights from the Middle East under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
March 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Yesterday and today, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has supported EU Member States with the organisation of six repatriation flights, bringing European citizens safely back to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia. Additional repatriation flights under the Mechanism are planned in the […]Commission proposes Industrial Accelerator Act to strengthen industry and create jobs in Europe
March 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission has adopted a legislative proposal to increase demand for low-carbon, European-made technologies and products. The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) will boost manufacturing, grow businesses, and create jobs in the EU, while supporting industry’s adoption of cleaner, future-ready technologies. In line […]
