This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the […]EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages
December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the […]Nuclear energy key to decarbonising Europe, says EESC
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The EESC has adopted an opinion pointing out that nuclear energy is an essential component of the clean energy mix which is needed to phase out fossil fuels. The Committee calls on the European Commission to include key regulatory and financial […]2040 climate target: deal on a 90% emissions reduction in EU climate law
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Co-legislators agree on a 90% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, to achieve a climate neutral EU by 2050. On Tuesday evening, negotiators from Parliament and Council reached a provisional political agreement on an amendment to the EU […]WHO expert group reaffirms no link between vaccines and autism
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee has again confirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), following a new review of global scientific evidence. Meeting on 27 November, the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety examined 31 major research studies […]MEPs’ recommendations for a new EU framework for innovative companies
December 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. To boost investment and innovation, MEPs propose a separate corporate structure recognised across EU countries and based on fully harmonised rules. With 18 votes in favour, 4 against and 1 abstention, the Legal Affairs Committee approved series of recommendations for an upcoming Commission proposal […]Italy: Water infrastructure – Viveracqua Hydrobond 2025 closes sixth issue with total of €200 million
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Viveracqua has completed its sixth bond issue of €200 million as part of the Hydrobond initiative. This most recent placement brings the total investment mobilised to modernise and improve the efficiency of Veneto’s integrated water service infrastructure to €2.4 billion since 2014. The issuance was fully subscribed by […]Commission proposes upgrade of the EU’s energy infrastructure to lower bills and boost independence
December 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The backbone of European energy system, the grids infrastructure, will be modernised and expanded to unleash its full potential. The Commission’s European Grids Package and the Energy Highways initiative, proposed today, will enable energy to flow efficiently across all Member States, integrating cheaper clean […]Mercosur: MEPs endorse rules to protect EU agriculture
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.Commission welcomes political agreement on Forest Reproductive Material
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on the proposal concerning forest reproductive material (FRM). Today’s agreement concludes two years of negotiations and constitutes a major step for the future of […]Ukraine civilians bear brunt of escalating attacks as winter closes in
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Civilians across Ukraine endured a surge in deadly strikes over the weekend, with the UN warning of an “alarming pattern” of intensifying hostilities and mounting damage to essential services as temperatures continue to drop. Speaking in New York on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists the […]One year after Assad’s fall, Syria’s future must be ‘free, sovereign and united’
December 8, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has marked the first anniversary of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, calling the moment “a day to honor [Syrians’] sacrifices and to renew the aspirations that fueled the historic change in the country.” In a statement on Sunday, António Guterres paid tribute to […]Lebanon: UN peacekeepers warn of ‘clear violations’ following latest Israeli airstrikes
December 7, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Israeli airstrikes took place within the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) area of operations, the mission said in a statement issued on Friday. The strikes come as the Lebanese Armed Forces continue operations to control unauthorised weapons and infrastructure in south Lebanon a year after a cessation […]Mozambique’s displaced facing massive needs as attacks intensify
December 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The ongoing emergency in northern Mozambique continues to worsen as prolonged attacks by non-state armed groups in Nampula trigger one of the largest displacement surges of the year, the UN warned on Friday. According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, 107,000 people have fled their homes […]EUR 500 million EIB financing for TRATON to accelerate truck transport transformation
December 4, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. European Investment Bank (EIB) and TRATON SE have signed a EUR 500 million loan agreement that will help to accelerate the rollout of next-generation, fuel-efficient commercial vehicles and expand TRATON’s advanced modular platform, empowering truck brands like Scania and MAN to reduce emissions, cut ownership costs, […]World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: embracing compassion and dignity
December 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Ms. Mai AbouShloua, born in 2005 in 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 European […]Landmark deal to renew prime EU trade instrument for development
December 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on revised rules for the EU’s preferential trade arrangement with developing countries. The updated rules revise the EU’s generalised scheme of tariff preferences (GSP), which allows vulnerable developing countries to export goods to the […]World News in Brief: Global economy ‘on the brink’, ending slavery, Latin America jobs update
December 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Global economic growth will slow to 2.6 per cent in 2025, down from 2.9 per cent in 2024, as global trade and investment face growing pressure from financial volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a new report by the UN Trade and Development body (UNCTAD). Shifts in […]Cyclone Ditwah brings worst flooding in decades to Sri Lanka, killing hundreds
December 1, 2025 by 2 Comments
This article is published in association with United Nations. Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst flood disasters in two decades, with nearly one million people affected and more than 400 reported dead or missing after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed catastrophic flooding and landslides across the island. According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, 998,918 […]Record cocaine seizure in Haitian waters underlines country’s ‘pivotal’ trafficking role
December 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A record seizure of cocaine off the coast of Haiti has underlined the island nation’s “pivotal role in trafficking routes linking South America, the Caribbean and the United States of America,” according to the United Nations. Haiti is in the grip of a security crisis as gangs […]Mass displacement, trafficking fears deepen crisis in Sudan’s El Fasher
December 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s El Fasher remains dire as mass displacement accelerates and aid access stays restricted, amid warnings of widespread trafficking, sexual violence and the recruitment of children. UN agencies say conditions are deteriorating further across North Darfur and neighbouring Kordofan, while independent human rights […]Human rights violations in Tanzania, Iran and Tunisia
November 28, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament adopted resolutions on the human rights situation in Tanzania, Iran and Tunisia. The post-election killings and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, including the case of imprisoned opposition leader Tundu LissuParliament condemns the use of violence by the Tanzanian authorities […]EIB launching Space TechEU programme to scale up Europe’s space sector
November 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is setting up Space TechEU, its first dedicated financing programme for the European space sector, as part of its TechEU initiative. The space financing initiative was announced earlier today at the European Space Agency`s triannual Council of Ministers meeting in Bremen. […]EIB Group and Inecobank strengthen support for Armenian businesses through EU-backed guarantee
November 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – jointly the EIB Group – are joining forces with Inecobank to enhance access to finance for Armenian entrepreneurs and small businesses. The EIB Group will provide a partial portfolio guarantee to Inecobank under the […]MEPs push for “military Schengen” to withstand potential Russian aggression
November 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Transport and Defence MEPs call urgently for easier movement of troops and military equipment across the EU by removing internal borders and upgrading infrastructure. The draft resolution on military mobility, adopted by the Transport and Defence committees on Monday, stresses the urgent need to […]Leaders’ statement on Ukraine
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The statement was adopted by: President of the European Council, António Costa, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, President of France, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia […]COP30 outcome: slow progress, but insufficient to meet climate crisis urgency
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Following the end of the 2025 climate negotiations, the MEPs leading Parliament’s delegation reacted to the outcome of the COP30. “At COP30, despite our persistent efforts and the European Parliament’s clear mandate on mitigation and the phase-out of fossil fuels, we faced a unified […]EU secures an agreement on a global response to keep the 1.5C limit within reach
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union stood united for strong climate action and the Paris Agreement goals at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in the heart of the Amazonas. While aiming for more ambition, EU negotiators worked with partners to secure an agreement that recognises the […]Europe leads pledging effort in campaign mobilising €15.5 billion for clean energy in Africa
November 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. A year-long campaign to mobilise investments in renewable energy in Africa, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, has secured €15.5 billion to power a clean future across the continent, as well as additional commitments in […]Commission decides to refer GREECE to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to align its rules on family benefits with EU law
November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to bring its national legislation on family benefits in line with EU rules on social security coordination and free movement of workers. Under Greek law, […]‘The world is watching’: Guterres and Lula urge unity as COP30 talks near deadline
November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With the clock ticking on climate negotiations in Belém, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking separately, delivered a united message: the world is watching, and compromise cannot wait. Amid reports of deadlocks on fossil fuels, climate finance and other key […]Civilian deaths in Ukraine surge past last year’s toll as winter deepens crisis, Security Council warned
November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Millions in Ukraine have been left without heating, water or basic public services as winter temperatures plunge – and civilian deaths this year have already surpassed the total for 2024, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday. “Ukrainian civilians have continued to bear the brunt of the […]Commission simplifies transparency rules for sustainable financial products
November 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today proposed a set of amendments to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the EU’s transparency framework for financial products integrating environmental or social aims. The changes are designed to address current shortcomings, making the rules simpler, more efficient, and […]EU Talent Pool: deal on facilitating international recruitment in shortage occupations
November 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A political agreement has been reached today to set up the EU Talent Pool, a digital platform to make it easier to recruit third-country nationals for work in the EU. On Tuesday afternoon, negotiators from the Civil Liberties Committee reached an agreement with the […]
