UN warns of mounting humanitarian toll as Israel-Iran hostilities continue

This article is published in association with United Nations. As deadly missile exchanges between Israel and Iran enter a second week, the United Nations is sounding alarm over the growing toll on civilians, warning of mass displacement and regional instability. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday called for “maximum restraint” and reiterated […]

Strengthening social dialogue in the EU through the European Works Council

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes another important political step that strengthens social dialogue in the EU. This morning, the European Parliament and EU Member States reached a political agreement on the revised European Works Council Directive, which aims to strengthen social dialogue in the EU. European […]

€50 million in EIB support for Ukraine’s rail border crossings and infrastructure to boost EU connectivity and trade

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government of Ukraine have agreed to direct €50 million of EIB financing to Ukraine’s national railway company, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), to upgrade key rail border crossing points with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, contributing to the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes initiative […]

‘Intolerable’ suffering in Gaza amid deadly airstrikes, continued aid blockade

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday spoke of new “intolerable” suffering for Gazans following the resumption of deadly Israeli airstrikes, underscoring three immediate needs: a renewed ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and the unconditional release of hostages. “We will not give up on these objectives,” António Guterres said during […]

Gaza: More than a million receive food aid since the start of the ceasefire

This article is published in association with United Nations. Over one million people in the Gaza Strip have received food assistance since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect nearly three weeks ago, UN aid coordination office OCHA said in an update on Wednesday.  The temporary agreement to stop the fighting and release hostages brought […]

First Person: Syrian migrant shipwreck survivor vows to reconstruct shattered country

This article is published in association with United Nations. Syrian refugee Doaa Al Zamel’s harrowing tale of surviving a deadly shipwreck brought the horrors of fleeing war to a worldwide audience when it was told in the book “A Hope More Powerful Than The Sea” in 2017.  After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, […]

Spain: EIB provides €80 million loan for expansion and electrification of port of Bilbao

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an €80 million loan with the Port Authority of Bilbao to finance the expansion and electrification of the port of Bilbao. The project supports maritime transport as an alternative to other more carbon-intensive modes, with the EIB financing also helping […]

Commission seeks feedback on proposed revision of the State aid Aviation Guidelines

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has launched today a public consultation inviting all interested parties to comment on a proposed targeted revision of the 2014 Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines (the ‘Aviation Guidelines’). Interested parties can respond to the consultation until 5 March […]

Forging Peace in Syria: Great opportunities, grave risks

This article is published in association with United Nations. Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Sunday, Syria has entered a period of profound uncertainty, and the UN will have a vital role in ensuring an orderly transition to renewed, stable institutions, continuing efforts to bring together different groups and factions which began at […]

Birth registration increases, but 150 million children still ‘invisible’

This article is published in association with United Nations. A new report from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals significant progress in ending the problem of the “invisible” millions of babies each year who go unregistered. Nearly eight in 10 children under five were successfully registered at birth in the last five years.  However, the report, […]

€3 billion of EIB Group financing announced for farmers and bioeconomy

Parliament endorses simpler rules and more support for farmers 

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. European Investment Bank (EIB) Group President Nadia Calviño has announced a €3 billion financing package for agriculture, forestry and fisheries across Europe along with moves to bolster farm insurance. The EIB Group loans will be matched by other participating financial institutions, unlocking close to €8.4 billion […]

Commission adopts €1.8 billion support package to underpin Moldova’s economic growth plan on its path to the EU

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova worth €1.8billion and underpinned by a Reform and Growth Facility for the period 2025-2027. The Plan, which is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova’s independence, will boost Moldova’s economy, […]

Lebanon: Crisis deepens amid escalating conflict and funding shortfalls

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is published in association with United Nations. The urgency of deescalating tensions along the frontier that separates Lebanese and Israeli armed forces, “cannot be overstated”, a senior UN humanitarian official said on Tuesday. Since the start of the military operation by Israel in Gaza in October 2023, in response to the terror attacks by […]

Gazans reeling from closed hospitals, malnutrition and heat risks, warns UN health agency

This article is published in association with United Nations. In Gaza, overwhelmed hospitals, soaring temperatures, hunger and a lack of even basic sanitation present an ever more deadly threat to a population under constant attack, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday. Briefing journalists in Geneva, UN World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that according to […]

The significant benefits of immigration

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Hana Taher, a medical student from Egypt. 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 topic, nor The […]

On the ground in Rafah: UNICEF reports ‘lethal’ lack of water, services

This article is published in association with United Nations. Almost 3,000 malnourished children are at risk of dying before their families’ eyes in Gaza, where the eight-month-long war continues, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as spokesperson James Elder told UN News on Saturday about the situation on the ground in the besieged and bombarded […]

400 million under-fives regularly experience violent discipline at home

This article is published in association with United Nations. Six in ten children under five years old worldwide regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, according to new UNICEF estimates. Of these nearly 400 million under-fives, 330 million are punished by physical means.  “When children are subjected to physical or verbal abuse at home, […]

Electric vehicles are key to the energy transition – but the switch must be sustainable. Here’s why

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Lisa Donahue, Co-Head, Americas and Asia, AlixPartners, Vance Scott, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners There is ample evidence suggesting electric vehicle (EV) market demand is cooling off in many critical markets, raising questions about how big a role car buyers can play […]

EU steps up humanitarian assistance for Palestinians

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. n light of the continued deterioration of the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the steady rise of needs on the ground, the Commission is stepping up its funding to support Palestinians affected by the ongoing war. The EU has now allocated an additional […]

How cities can flex their purchasing power to stimulate innovation

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sam Markey, Ecosystem Director for Place Leadership, Connected Places Catapult, Andrew Watkins, President and COO, Marketplace.city City governments spend $6 trillion annually buying goods and services from private sector suppliers, amounting to 8% of world GDP in 2021. […]

Commission opens two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in the solar photovoltaic sector

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission launched two in-depth investigations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The investigations relate to the potentially market distortive role of foreign subsidies given to bidders in a public procurement procedure. The Commission will assess whether the economic operators concerned did benefit from an […]

Call for action on rising cholera cases, and other health stories

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Shyam Bishen, Head, Centre for Health and Healthcare; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum 1. Action needed to prevent worldwide cholera upsurge – ICG Immediate action is needed to prevent a “multi-year upsurge in cholera cases worldwide”, […]

Open Transaction Network: What is it and what does it mean for the incoming era?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alejo Czerwonko. Chief Investment Officer, Emerging Markets, Americas, UBS AG “Throughout history – from the agricultural to the digital age – infrastructures have shaped society’s defining activities, impacting social, economic and environmental conditions of the times,” says Herman Gyr, […]

Commission approves €900 million French State aid scheme to support the production of energy and fuel from biomass and renewable hydrogen to foster the transition to a net-zero economy

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €900 million French scheme to support companies investing in the use of biomass and renewable hydrogen in energy and fuel production, to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was […]

Is this a pivotal moment for the rise of the ‘middle powers’?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alejo Czerwonko. Chief Investment Officer, Emerging Markets, Americas, UBS AG The global geopolitical map is experiencing its deepest reconfiguration in decades. Global trade is being rerouted, supply chains are being redesigned and new security alliances are being forged. All […]

Commission disburses first €4.5 billion of bridge financing to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has disbursed the first €4.5 billion of support under the EU’s new Ukraine Facility. Through this exceptional bridge financing, the EU is providing much needed liquidity to Ukraine, to help finance the functioning of the state, such as public wages, pensions, and […]

Human rights breaches in Afghanistan and Venezuela

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted two resolutions on the respect for human rights in Afghanistan and Venezuela. The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women MEPs are gravely concerned by the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The […]

EU and the Philippines announce resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the EU and the Philippines officially announced the resumption of negotiations for an ambitious, modern and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) – with sustainability at its core. Trade agreements such as these are a cornerstone of the EU’s economic security, opening new opportunities […]

The 5 areas EU must focus on to meet climate targets

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Marushia GislénCommunity Lead, Europe and Eurasia, World Economic Forum, Emmy Van Enk, ECP 2023-24 Cohort 1, CEO Action Group European Green Deal, World Economic Forum The European Union (EU) is a longstanding frontrunner in international efforts to keep global warming […]

Parliament wants to improve consumer protection against misleading claims

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament has adopted its position on establishing a verification and pre-approval system for environmental marketing claims to protect citizens from misleading ads. The green claims directive would oblige companies to submit evidence about their environmental marketing claims before advertising products as “biodegradable”, “less polluting”, […]

Reducing pollution from industry and large livestock farms

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs on the International Trade Committee endorsed the extension of trade liberalisation measures to support Ukraine and Moldova in the face of Russia’s war. MEPs approved on Thursday, by 26 votes, with 10 against and 1 abstentions, a proposal to renew the temporary suspension of import […]

The accidental activist: How one woman became an advocate for women farmers in Senegal

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alison Buckholtz, Writer, World Bank Group The first time Korka Diaw ever heard that a woman could make a living at rice farming, back in 1991, she knew it was the career for her. What she didn’t know, she […]

Commission invests over €233 million in Strategic Environment and Climate Projects across Europe

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is investing over €233 million in twelve new Strategic Projects across Europe under theLIFE programme to support the implementation of the EU’s environmental and climate ambitions under the European Green Deal. These Strategic Projects are expected to mobilise substantial additional funds […]

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