This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN has the funds and capacity to scale up relief and reconstruction operations in Gaza but does not have the necessary access to carry out these vital tasks, Alexander De Croo, the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), told journalists on Tuesday. Mr. De Croo, […]Humanitarian access to Gaza still insufficient for relief and rebuilding: UN development chief
February 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN has the funds and capacity to scale up relief and reconstruction operations in Gaza but does not have the necessary access to carry out these vital tasks, Alexander De Croo, the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), told journalists on Tuesday. Mr. De Croo, […]Epstein files: ‘No one is too wealthy or too powerful to be above the law’; rights experts demand accountability
February 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The large-scale disclosure of materials known as the “Epstein Files” has revealed “disturbing and credible evidence” of what independent human rights experts describe as a possible global criminal enterprise involving systematic sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation of women and girls. In a statement on Monday, the independent […]Jakarta/Indonesia, the sinking city: the apnea of the forgotten
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr Tommaso Franco, geopolitical analyst specialized in International Relations at Luiss University (MA in European Studies). The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. All routes lead to Jakarta: the global […]World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum puts women at the heart of economic transformation
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Women entrepreneurs must be recognized as the architects of economic change and not the beneficiaries. That was the central message of the Manama Declaration, issued at the close of the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF) held this week in Bahrain. The declaration places women at the […]EIB Group and BNP Paribas sign new securitisation transaction to support French small businesses and mid-caps
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The EIB Group (formed by the European Investment Bank, EIB, and the European Investment Fund, EIF) has signed its sixth synthetic securitisation transaction with BNP Paribas since 2017. Building on the five previous transactions, its investment will support small and medium-sized companies and green projects in […]World News in Brief: Madagascar hunger crisis, Colombia aid appeal, Cuba fuel shortages
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Back-to-back cyclones in Madagascar have left more than 400,000 people in need of food assistance, according to estimates by the UN World Food Programme (WFP), while roads, power lines and homes have been severely damaged. Between 31 January and 10 February, tropical cyclones Fytia and Gezani struck […]UN forum calls for overhaul of agrifood systems
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Rising food prices and declining farm incomes are putting increasing pressure on the global food system, with up to 720 million people facing hunger last year, and billions more struggling to afford healthy diets. These numbers point to an even deeper crisis: in 2024, an estimated 2.3 […]Sudan: Thousands cling to a fragile hope in makeshift tents
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Tawila camp for internally displaced in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region is home to more than half a million people who live in makeshift huts of sticks, hay and plastic sheeting. Some families have survived in those harsh conditions for months. Among them, 17-year-old Doha and her […]Guterres deplores Israel’s move to resume land registration in the West Bank
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Israel’s decision to resume land registration procedures in a large part of the occupied West Bank, his Spokesman said on Monday. The development follows an Israeli cabinet decision from May 2025 and applies to Area C of the West Bank, which […]Commission closes antitrust investigation following the withdrawal by Edwards Lifesciences of its disputed company policy
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has decided to close its antitrust investigation into allegedly anticompetitive behaviour by Edwards Lifesciences, a producer of medical devices for cardiovascular applications. The closure of the investigation follows the company’s withdrawal of its so-called Global Unilateral Pro-Innovation (Anti-Copycatting) Policy (‘UPIP’). Hence, […]As conditions worsen in Ukraine, refugees struggle to return
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As Ukraine prepares to enter the fifth year of the full-scale Russian invasion on 24 February, UN monitors say harm to civilians has “demonstrably worsened”, while energy attacks and freezing temperatures are making it harder for displaced families to return. “More people are killed and injured each […]World News in Brief: Deadly strikes in Sudan, health systems in South Sudan near the brink, Guterres calls for unity ahead of Ramadan
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A sharp increase in drone attacks across the Kordofan region in the centre of Sudan is endangering civilians and damaging critical infrastructure. Over the past week, North Kordofan state recorded more than a dozen attacks in and around the towns of El Obeid, Bara, Rahad and Um Rawaba. In South Kordofan, […]‘Like a scene out of a horror movie’: UN report warns of war crimes in Sudan’s El Fasher
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Paramilitary forces in Sudan unleashed “a wave of intense violence…shocking in its scale and brutality” during their final offensive to capture the besieged city of El Fasher last October, committing atrocities that amount to war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, according to a report released on […]Brazil Can Boost Growth by Bringing More Women into the Labor Force
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Priority reforms include improving childcare, recalibrating social transfers, and closing wage gaps When Brazil’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 percent in November 2025—the lowest in a quarter century—it punctuated an impressive turnaround from the pandemic. Yet, while men’s participation in the labor market has returned to its pre-COVID […]In the hands of innovators from the Global South, AI can transform lives
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Artificial intelligence is no longer the sole preserve of rich western nations. The applications for the Global South, in areas ranging from health to agriculture and industry, are having a transformative effect on people’s lives. Fodder cutters are fearsome machines with huge circular blades spinning at high […]Romania to expand solar-power production with €34 million in financing from EIB
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is committing €34 million for an expansion of solar-power production in Romania. The EIB financing is to support the construction and operation in southwestern Romania of three photovoltaic plants that will have a combined capacity of 190 megawatts (MW) – enough […]The Future of Inclusive Health: Ensuring Digital Innovation Leaves No One Behind
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. 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 […]Commission approves UMG’s acquisition of Downtown, subject to conditions
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by Universal Music Group N.V. (‘UMG’) of Downtown Music Holdings LLC (‘Downtown’). The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the companies, which entail the full divestment […]Gaza: Lifesaving aid operations continue despite restrictions
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Humanitarians in the Gaza Strip continue to face impediments in their efforts to deliver lifesaving aid to the population. The United Nations said that its teams attempted to coordinate eight humanitarian missions on Friday and five were fully facilitated. The remaining three – which included a mission to reach a water treatment plant in Khan Younis – were denied […]EIB Group supports heating points in Ukraine amid energy instability
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continue to disrupt electricity supply across the country. During prolonged outages and freezing temperatures, heating points – known in Ukraine as “Points of Invincibility” – play a critical role, offering warm and safe spaces where people can stay during blackouts, […]Quantum Systems Secures New European Financing Package to Scale the Future of Unmanned Technologies
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Quantum Systems has secured €150M financing backed by the European Investment Bank, Commerzbank, KfW and Deutsche Bank. The agreement highlights a growing commitment to ensuring that security-related innovation can be developed and scaled with European capital. Quantum Systems, the global powerhouse of unmanned systems, today announced […]Connecting Europe Facility – EESC calls for strong increase in funding for energy and transport
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. According to an opinion adopted at the January plenary, the EU key funding instrument should be reinforced with EUR 20 billion to make the implementation of cross-border investments in energy and transport a reality. This is essential to urgently strengthen the […]Japan 2026: the first female premier and the cultural challenge to sumo for a turning point in the land of the rising sun
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr Tommaso Franco, geopolitical analyst specialized in International Relations at Luiss University (MA in European Studies). The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. Japan is experiencing a historic turning point with the […]Violence in north-east Syria may amount to war crimes, warn MEPs
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament strongly condemns all violence against civilians in north-east Syria and calls on all parties to abide by the ceasefire. In a resolution on the situation in north-east Syria, MEPs stress that extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, forced displacement and attacks on civilian […]Human rights violations in Iran, Türkiye and Uganda
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Iran, Türkiye and Uganda. Systematic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in IranMEPs condemn the violence by the Iranian regime against its own population, particularly targeting civil society actors, […]Parliament calls for continued EU action to fight cancer
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs want the EU to renew its political commitment, funding and coordination to support full implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. With 427 votes in favour, 15 against and 93 abstentions, on Thursday Parliament adopted a resolution marking this year’s World Cancer Day (4 […]Europeans perceive growing threat to their security and trust EU to do more in this field, according to latest Eurobarometer
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. A new Eurobarometer survey released today, ahead of the Munich Security Conference, shows Europeans’ growing perception of threat for their countries in the current international situation. The majority of them would also entrust EU with strengthening defence. Investment in this field is also seen […]Inclusive Healthcare: Improving Accessibility and Care for Disabled Patients through Investment and Workforce Innovation
February 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. 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 […]Parliament’s proposals to eradicate poverty in the EU by 2035
February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament called for more funding and coordination to combat poverty and social exclusion in the EU. MEPs want the Commission to recognise poverty as a violation of human dignity in its upcoming anti-poverty strategy and want to see it work urgently to […]Measles cases drop in 2025 across Europe and Central Asia, but outbreak risks remain
February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia declined by 75 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), which warned of remaining outbreak risks. “While cases have reduced, the conditions that led to the resurgence […]New rules to protect farmers against unfair trading practices
February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament adopted new measures to protect European farmers from unfair trading practices by buyers of agricultural products. With 555 votes in favour, 0 against and 26 abstentions, MEPs gave their final green light to new rules that oblige national authorities to cooperate […]West Bank: UN rights chief warns against deepening Israeli control over Palestinian land
February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Wednesday for Israel to rescind recent measures to expand control over Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank. “This is yet another step by the Israeli authorities towards rendering a viable Palestinian State impossible, in violation of the […]World News in Brief: School shooting in Canada, cholera outbreak in DR Congo, evacuations in Gaza
February 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has expressed his sorrow over Tuesday’s deadly shooting at a school in rural Canada that left at least eight dead and 25 wounded. António Guterres was “saddened to learn of the tragic shooting in Tumble Ridge, British Columbia,” his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at […]
