How Europe’s innovation boost is helping drive investment – a Sovereign Wealth Fund perspective

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Gabi Thesing, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda For governments worldwide, fostering an economic and business environment that enables great innovation is a priority. Achieving the ideal policy mix of regulatory, taxation, education and funding policies, along with ease of doing […]

Disney drops metaverse division, EU seeks rules for virtual worlds, and other metaverse stories you need to read this month

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Cathy LiHead, Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Sport; Member of the ExCom, World Economic Forum 1. Disney drops its metaverse division Walt Disney is shutting down its division for developing metaverse strategies. The closure of the 50-person […]

Fisheries: EU makes proposals for the conservation and sustainable management of tuna in the Indian Ocean

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Union made public four ambitious proposals for the next Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) session taking place from 8 to 12 May 2023. The objective is to improve the conservation of tuna and the management of fisheries. According to the IOTC […]

EU reaches deal on higher renewable energy share, oil prices jump, and the other energy stories you need to read this week

Romania to expand solar-power production with €34 million in financing from EIB with European Investment Bank.This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Roberto Bocca, Head of Shaping the Future of Energy and Materials; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum 1. EU reaches deal on higher renewable energy share by 2030 The European Union reached a provisional deal on 30 […]

30th anniversary of the Cohesion Fund: €179 billion for convergence and sustainable development

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Cohesion Fund. In the last 30 years, the Cohesion Fund has invested nearly €179 billion in the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU. Created in the Maastricht Treaty as a necessary complement to the […]

The chemical industry’s overlooked role ushering in the low-carbon economy

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Dr. Bob Maughon, Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Technology & Innovation and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, SABIC The chemical industry is critical to the global economy and for meeting societal needs. The innovations the field has given rise to […]

How cities can encourage EV adoption

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Andreas Nienhaus, Co-lead the Oliver Wyman Forum’s Mobility Initiative and Partner, Oliver Wyman, Fabian Brandt, Co-lead the Oliver Wyman Forum’s Mobility Initiative and Partner, Oliver Wyman Electric vehicle (EV) sales jumped by more than 60% globally in 2022, hitting […]

Right to repair: Commission introduces new consumer rights for easy and attractive repairs

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods, which will result in savings for consumers and support the objectives of the European Green Deal by reducing waste, among others. Over the last decades, replacement has often […]

Metaverse requires regulatory scrutiny, EU competition chief says, and other metaverse stories you need to read this week

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author:  Cathy Li, Head, Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Sport; Member of the ExCom, World Economic Forum 1. Metaverse requires competition checks, EU antitrust chief says The metaverse needs regulatory scrutiny to ensure unfair competition does not […]

Managing migration: new initiatives to strengthen European integrated border management and expedite returns

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted a Communication which presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation* to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expedite returns. In its extraordinary meeting on 9 February 2023, […]

Climate change: Parliament votes to reduce member states’ emissions by 40%

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new Effort Sharing Regulation reduces the allowed maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions in member states from transport, buildings and agriculture until 2030. Parliament today adopted with 486 votes to 132 and 10 abstentions the revision of the so-called Effort Sharing Regulation. It […]

Maritime Security: EU updates Strategy to safeguard maritime domain against new threats

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication on an enhanced EU Maritime Security Strategy to ensure a peaceful use of the seas and safeguard the maritime domain against new threats. They have also adopted an updated Action Plan through […]

Parliament and Council negotiators agree on new rules to boost energy savings

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 and the Swedish Presidency of the Council agreed on new energy saving targets in both primary and final energy consumption in the EU. Member states should collectively ensure a reduction of energy consumption of at least 11.7% at EU level by 2030 (compared […]

This is how we can make buildings earthquake-proof

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Ian Shine, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda Every country has hundreds of rules and regulations surrounding the construction of buildings. In countries such as Chile and Japan, which face regular earthquakes, many extra rules have been put in place to […]

Ukraine, one year after: MEPs debate the energy outlook with the Commission and IEA

Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative on phasing out EU imports from Russia and BelarusThis article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Speakers highlighted that while the EU managed to save energy and diversify its supply, it now has to develop its own production and adapt to a new energy reality. You can watch the recording of the debate and the press conference. In a meeting […]

EU mobilises over €47 million and launches Humanitarian Air Bridge to help people affected by the conflict in DRC

The escalation of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is driving mass displacement. The resources of food, water and shelter are stretched to breaking point and women and children increasingly left exposed to violence and exploitation. As Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib visits the region, the EU is mobilising €81.2 million in humanitarian aid across the Great Lakes. With this new humanitarian funding, the EU will provide life-saving services to the most vulnerable in the eastern DRC, but also to Congolese refugees forced to flee the country. The funding will also support aid projects in Burundi, where a fragile humanitarian situation continues to leave vulnerable communities at risk, as well as in Rwanda and in Tanzania. Commissioner Lahbib is currently visiting the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda to assess the most pressing humanitarian needs on the ground and to advocate for humanitarian access with all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC. This follows the Foreign Affairs Council discussion on 29 January, where the Commissioner received full support from Member States for her mission, with a view to developing tangible humanitarian diplomacy initiatives. During her visit, she will be meeting with government representatives in the three countries, humanitarian partners and visit EU-funded humanitarian aid projects. Of the €81.2 million, €68 million will fund humanitarian aid inside the DRC, where conflict and displacement are driving the most urgent needs. The funding will provide food assistance and emergency health and nutrition care, restore access to water, sanitation and basic shelter for displaced families, and support protection services, including care for survivors of violence and child protection. €13.2 million will support the regional refugee response and strengthen disaster preparedness across the Great Lakes region, helping partners respond quickly to new displacement and emergencies linked to the crisis. Background The DRC is facing one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, driven by persistent armed conflict, mass displacement, disease outbreaks and deep poverty. More than 21 million people require humanitarian assistance, while violence in the eastern provinces continues to force families to flee repeatedly, often into overcrowded shelters or temporary camps. The crisis is compounded by widespread human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence, and alarming food insecurity affecting nearly 28 million people. Burundi's humanitarian situation remains fragile, with hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees still displaced across neighbouring countries and many more internally displaced by natural hazards such as floods and landslides, while returnees face challenges rebuilding their lives and accessing basic services like food, healthcare, water, sanitation and protection. Recent escalations in neighbouring eastern DRC have triggered large cross-border movements, with tens of thousands of Congolese refugees arriving in Burundi since late 2025, putting additional pressure on already stretched resources, including camps, health services and water systems. The European Union remains a major humanitarian donor to the region, allocating €129.5 million in 2025, most of which to the response in the DRC, to deliver life-saving assistance in the DRC, as well as to refugees across neighbouring countries. For more information: EU humanitarian aid in Democratic Republic of the Congo EU humanitarian aid in BurundiThis article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The humanitarian situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is drastically deteriorating due to a significant further escalation of the conflict in North Kivu. The humanitarian community is facing a worsening situation and is increasingly overwhelmed by the needs of […]

Fluorinated gas emission reductions to advance EU fight against climate change

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament’s Environment Committee agrees to an ambitious reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gases emissions, to further contribute to EU’s climate neutrality goal. On Wednesday members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted their position on revising the EU’s legislative […]

New EU mechanism to protect local craft and industrial products

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Legal Affairs Committee adopted its position on a new scheme to ensure the geographical indication of traditional crafts is protected in the EU and globally. With 19 votes in favour, MEPs from the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted unanimously on Tuesday a draft […]

Europe faces costly race to refill gas storage. Here’s what you need to know about the global energy transition this week

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Roberto Bocca, Head of Shaping the Future of Energy and Materials; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum 1. Europe faces costly race to refill gas storage As Europe emerges from a mild winter with gas storage close […]

EU agrees 10th package of sanctions against Russia

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of a 10th package of sanctions against Russia and those that support it in its illegal aggression against Ukraine. 24 February marks one year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 9 years since the beginning of Russia’s […]

Syria: EU organises airlifts with humanitarian aid to earthquake survivors

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. In the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes in the history of the region, a large number of people have lost their homes and livelihoods, who are therefore in need of emergency assistance. Syria Today, as part of an EU humanitarian air bridge for Syria, two planes with […]

1 year on: A timeline of the war in Ukraine

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Stefan Ellerbeck, Senior Writer, Formative Content On the first anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering his armies to invade Ukraine, his forces remain locked in a bloody war of attrition. Towns and cities have been devastated. Tens of […]

Road safety in the EU: fatalities below pre-pandemic levels but progress remains too slow

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today the Commission is publishing preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2022. Around 20,600 people were killed in road crashes last year, a 3% increase on 2021 as traffic levels recovered after the pandemic. This represents however 2,000 fewer fatalities (-10%) compared with the […]

China’s solar power capacity set for record growth. Here’s what you need to know about the global energy transition this week

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Roberto Bocca, Head of Shaping the Future of Energy and Materials; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Stefan Ellerbeck, Senior Writer, Formative Content 1. News in brief: Energy stories from around the world The global oil and […]

Protecting the EU’s recovery funds: MEPs on a fact-finding visit to Spain

This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A delegation the EP Budgetary Control Committee, led by chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE), will travel to Madrid to look into disbursement of the EU’s recovery and resilience spending. During their visit from 20-22 February, MEPs want to be informed first-hand on the implementation […]

So you want to be a social intrapreneur? Here are 5 tips

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Pavitra Raja, Programme and Engagement Lead, Europe and Americas – Schwab Foundation, World Economic Forum, Alexander Court, Marketing Communications Lead, World Economic Forum Have you wondered how you can create change from within your organization? Then you might be […]

Education Cannot Wait: Team Europe pledges €313 million to better education for children in crisis and leave no one behind

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission and EU Member States, as Team Europe, pledged today to invest €313 million in ‘Education Cannot Wait’, the United Nations global fund that helps reach vulnerable crisis-affected children with immediate and longer-term education support. This is the biggest contribution to the […]

Violence against women: MEPs demand the EU ratify the Istanbul Convention

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Union should ratify the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, in line with a 2021 Court of Justice opinion, MEPs insist. The text, adopted by 469 in favour, 104 against and 55 abstentions, says the Istanbul Convention remains the international […]

Semiconductors: MEPs ready to start talks on new law to boost EU chips industry

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The draft bill seeks to secure the EU’s supply of chips by boosting production and innovation, and setting up emergency measures against shortages. Parliament set its negotiating position on two draft bills: one on the “Chips Act”, which aims to bolster technological capacity and […]

Wildfires: EU deploys more than 250 emergency responders to Chile

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Following a request for assistance from Chile, France, Portugal and Spain are deploying more than 250 firefighters, coordination experts, and medical personnel to the most affected areas via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Numerous wildfires are burning across central and southern Chile due to […]

Reform of EU gas market: new measures to decarbonise and secure supply

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs backed two legislative proposals to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, into the EU gas market. On Thursday, the Industry, Research and Energy Committee adopted its position on two acts, a regulation and a directive, to facilitate access to […]

Earthquake: EU mobilises further emergency help for Syria and Türkiye

This article is published in association with United Nations.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Following multiple earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria earlier this week, the European Union will provide additional emergency support to both countries through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and emergency humanitarian assistance worth €6.5 million. This is one of the EU’s largest ever search and […]

Safer Internet Day 2023 – bolstering the fight to protect children online

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Akash Pugalia, Global President, Trust & Safety, Teleperformance, Farah Lalani, Global Vice President, Trust and Safety Policy, Teleperformance With over 175,000 children coming online every day across the world, a greater number of children will experience both the benefits […]
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