This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has set a new operational record in Central Asia by investing €2.26 billion through 121 projects in six regional economies last year – almost doubling its annual investment in Central Asia compared with 2023. It also mobilised €784 […]EBRD sets an investment record in Central Asia
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has set a new operational record in Central Asia by investing €2.26 billion through 121 projects in six regional economies last year – almost doubling its annual investment in Central Asia compared with 2023. It also mobilised €784 […]New year sees uptick and expansion of fighting on Ukraine’s frontlines
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The recent holiday and New Year season brought no respite in Ukraine, but rather an escalation and even expansion of the fighting, consistent with developments in 2024, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs said in a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday. “Most disturbingly, in 2024 […]EBRD provides €5 million financing package to Union Bank in Albania
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting small businesses in Albania in partnership with Union Bank, the European Union (EU) and other donors. The Bank is lending €5 million to enhance the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improve access to […]Relentless crisis in Haiti: One in eight children internally displaced
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has reached a critical point, with one in eight children now internally displaced due to escalating violence fuelled by armed groups who continue to control most of the capital, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The latest data reveals that over […]EBRD provides €50 million to boost energy efficiency in Kosovo’s public buildings
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is scaling up its support for energy efficiency in public buildings in Kosovo through a sovereign loan of up to €50 million to the Ministry of Finance. The loan is part of a project worth at least €86 […]Gaza ceasefire could boost aid deliveries to 600 trucks per day: WHO
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid reports that Israel’s security cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) expressed cautious optimism on Friday over the potentially major boost to aid relief in the devastated enclave. “The target is to get between 500 […]Security Council briefed on challenges to peacekeeping in Lebanon, Syria
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Two senior UN peacekeeping officials briefed the Security Council on Friday on recent developments in Lebanon and the occupied Syrian Golan, and the challenges facing “blue helmets” serving there. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix was joined by Major General Patrick Gauchat, Head of the UN Truce […]In Lebanon, Guterres highlights challenges and support for peacekeepers
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Continuing his high profile visit to Lebanon, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday underscored the challenges faced by UN peacekeepers and reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces. His itinerary included a trip to Naqoura in the south – where the UN Interim Force […]Will those responsible for atrocities in Syria finally face justice?
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Hopes are rising that, with the support of the United Nations, the architects of the brutal former regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria will eventually be held accountable for their crimes. For years, UN human rights bodies have been documenting, monitoring and publishing reports on abuses, […]World News in Brief: Antisemitism action plan, DR Congo violence escalates, new migration movie, year of ‘peace and trust’
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN launched a new Action Plan on Friday that will enhance monitoring and response to antisemitism. The plan was announced by the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), a platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation. Miguel Ángel Moratinos called antisemitism – prejudice or hatred […]‘Lebanon is on the cusp of a more hopeful future’, says UN chief Guterres
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday expressed optimism for Lebanon’s future as he wrapped up a two-day solidarity visit with a call on the new government, the Lebanese people, and international community to “make the most of this atmosphere of opportunity”. “A window has opened paving the […]Guterres welcomes start of ceasefire in Gaza as UN ramps up food deliveries
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the start on Sunday of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as UN humanitarian convoys brought in urgently needed food aid to begin pulling the war-ravaged territory back from starvation. “We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery […]As One Cycle Ends, Another Begins Amid Growing Divergence
January 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas We project global growth will remain steady at 3.3 percent this year and next, broadly aligned with potential growth that has substantially weakened since before the pandemic. Inflation is declining, to 4.2 percent this year and 3.5 percent next year, in a return to central bank […]Sudan war becomes more deadly as ethnically motivated attacks rise
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The conflict in Sudan is taking an “even more dangerous turn for civilians”, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday. His warning comes in the wake of reports that dozens were brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks in Al Jazirah state in the […]UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) on Friday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, pledging to scale up aid delivery across the stricken enclave once it comes into effect. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Lazzarini emphasised […]EU provides €235 million humanitarian aid to Syrians
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission will provide new humanitarian support to Syrians, both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, for an amount of €235 million for 2025. Following the collapse of the former government in Damascus, the EU is working at all levels to boost humanitarian […]Negotiators conclude on modernised Global Agreement with Mexico
January 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Political negotiations have concluded to modernise the EU’s Global Agreement with Mexico, following political engagement between Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. The agreement puts in place an ambitious and modern framework to deepen and […]UN stands with Ukrainians for the long-term, insists UN aid chief
January 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The embattled people of Ukraine and those forced abroad need $3.32 billion in lifesaving and sustained humanitarian assistance to help them cope as a fourth year of war looms after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, UN aid chiefs said on Thursday. In a joint appeal from […]Economic recovery is losing steam, warns UN labour agency
January 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Geopolitical tensions, the rising costs of climate change and unresolved debt issues are putting labour markets under pressure, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) published on Thursday. The newly released World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025, sheds light on the deceleration […]Global Gateway: Côte d’Ivoire secures EUR 50 million EIB loan with ADITI to support low carbon transition, sustainable trade and investments
January 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire has secured a EUR 50 million investment loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to increase its membership in the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI). This operation was made possible thanks to a European Union guarantee in the framework […]G7 Leaders Statement on Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
January 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. We, the Leaders of the G7, fully endorse and will stand behind the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. This is a significant development that has the potential to secure the release of all remaining hostages; further facilitate urgently needed humanitarian aid; and […]Peace in 2025: a tricky business as usual?
January 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Olukeye Toluwanimi Deborah, a visionary Nigerian medical student. 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 […]UN rights chief in historic meeting in Syria’s with caretaker authority in Damascus
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN human rights chief Volker Türk has described the unbearable suffering of former detainees under the deposed Assad regime and insisted that he stands with the people of the war-torn nation as they “rebuild a country that works for all Syrians”. Speaking from Damascus after meeting […]Guterres hails Gaza ceasefire deal as ‘critical first step’
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has welcomed Wednesday’s announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza following 15 months of war. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, António Guterres commended mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States for their dedicated efforts in brokering the […]EU will provide €1.9 billion in initial humanitarian aid for 2025
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU continues to remain a leading global humanitarian aid donor. With more than 300 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2025, the EU announces today an initial humanitarian budget for 2025 of €1.9 billion. The EU’s humanitarian aid will be allocated […]EU announces new €120 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. As part of the EU’s long standing commitment to support Palestinians in need and in light of the latest developments in the region, the European Commission today announced a new aid package for Gaza worth €120 million. This brings total EU humanitarian assistance to […]France: EIB and Societe Generale announce agreement to stimulate up to €8 billion investment in the wind industry
January 16, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Societe Generale have agreed on a new initiative which has the potential to unlock investment of up to €8 billion to support wind energy manufacturers in Europe. The EIB will provide a €500 million counter-guarantee to Societe Generale, that the […]Commission calls on Member States to review outbound investments and assess risks to economic security
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today published a Recommendation calling on EU Member States to review outbound investments of their companies into non-EU countries. The Recommendation applies to three technology areas of strategic importance as well as the highest risk – semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum […]Commission unveils action plan to protect the health sector from cyberattacks
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission has presented an EU action plan aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers. This Action Plan was announced in President von der Leyen‘s political guidelines as a key priority within the first 100 days of the new mandate. […]Commission sends Supplementary Statement of Objections to Lufthansa to prevent harm to Frankfurt-New York air passengers
January 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has sent a Supplementary Statement of Objections to Lufthansa indicating the Commission’s intention to order the airline to reinstateCondor’s access to Lufthansa’s feed traffic to and from Frankfurt airport under the conditions the two airlines agreed upon in June 2024. This […]The youthful dream of a peaceful tomorrow: youth’s role in peaceful resolutions of conflicts and restoration of peace
January 16, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sana Syamand, a 21-years-old medical student from Sulaimaniyah city, in Kurdistan-Iraq. 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 […]Haiti: spiralling gang violence has left more than one million displaced
January 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Surging gang violence in Haiti has caused a threefold rise in the number of people uprooted from their homes in a year, the UN migration agency, IOM, said on Tuesday, in a call for “sustained humanitarian assistance right now to save and protect lives”. Latest data from […]Iran: UN experts alarmed as Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Kurdish woman activist
January 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Independent UN human rights experts on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the Iranian Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish woman activist and social worker. “The charges against Ms. Pakhshan Azizi do not meet the threshold of ‘most serious crimes’ required […]
