This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank’s international partnerships and development arm, EIB Global, has signed a €2 million top-up to the outstanding €10 million loan to Bank Respublika, reinforcing the European Union’s commitment to expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan. The additional […]EIB Global increases support for Azerbaijani MSMEs with additional financing for Bank Respublika
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank’s international partnerships and development arm, EIB Global, has signed a €2 million top-up to the outstanding €10 million loan to Bank Respublika, reinforcing the European Union’s commitment to expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan. The additional […]World News in Brief: Rafah crossing reopens, gender inequality worsens global water crisis, rights defenders in Colombia
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Rafah crossing into Gaza reopened on Thursday for limited movement in both directions after a 20-day suspension, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners supported the medical evacuation of nine adult patients, most […]Cyprus Presidency debriefs European Parliament committees on priorities
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Ministers held a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council. Cyprus holds the presidency of the Council until the end of June 2026. Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee On 26 January, Minister of […]March infringements package: key decisions
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Overview by policy area In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of […]Women’s representation in parliament sees sluggish gains
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Women held 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide as the year began –a 0.3 per cent increase from 2025, marking the slowest growth in nearly a decade, according to a new report from the UN-backed Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The report titled Women in parliament 2025 released […]On day seven of Middle East war, no let-up in suffering
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday. Seven days since Israeli and US bombing in Iran prompted ongoing counter-strikes across the Middle East, humanitarians confirmed massive […]UN calls for fair play in the global race for critical minerals
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt are central to the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As the Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss “energy, critical minerals and security,” here is some of the work the UN is doing to ensure that the transition is just […]EIB invests €30 million in the City of Thessaloniki for sustainable urban development and climate resilience
February 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed a new €30 million financing agreement with the City of Thessaloniki, supporting the implementation of the city’s 2025–2030 investment programme within the framework of its Climate Neutrality Plan 2030. This marks the second direct financing operation between the EIB […]World News in Brief: Conflict deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan, restrictions hinder aid delivery in Gaza, UN child rights envoy concludes first visit to Syria
February 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency response in South Sudan’s Jonglei state, where escalating conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and pushed hunger to critical levels. About 60 per cent of the population – some 1.2 million people – is […]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, […]European Commission issues €11 billion in its 2nd syndicated transaction of 2026
February 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today raised €11 billion of EU-Bonds in its 2nd syndicated transaction for 2026. The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €6 billion tap of the EU-Bond maturing on 13 December 2032 and a €5 billion tap of the EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2045. The […]DR Congo: UN vows orderly peacekeeping transition as South Africa withdraws troops
February 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. South Africa has moved to withdraw its peacekeepers deployed at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) after nearly three decades of service. In a statement issued on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres on […]MEPs adopt proposals to tackle Europe’s housing crisis
February 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, the Housing Committee adopted its final recommendations on the housing crisis in the EU, proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing. In its final report, adopted with 23 votes in favour, 6 votes against, and 4 abstentions, Parliament’s Special Committee on […]How AI, gaming and virtual worlds are reshaping Holocaust remembrance
February 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. While new digital technologies are transforming how the Holocaust is remembered and taught, experts warn that sustainability, ethics and collaboration are now as important as creativity to keep a global memory alive of Nazi Germany’s genocide that killed six million Jewish people and millions of others during […]EU survey: rising concerns push demand for more European action
February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, citizens are increasingly anxious about their future and want the EU to act with unity and ambition. The results of the European Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey, published on Wednesday, show that global developments instil a sense of […]Ukraine: Civilians injured, miners killed, in separate Russian attacks
February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A fresh wave of Russian strikes overnight across Ukraine injured several people and left thousands “without heat in the heart of winter,” the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country said on Tuesday. Matthias Schmale was “appalled” by the attacks in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kyiv, noting that many more people in several […]EBRD boosts affordable and social housing with Slovenská sporiteľňa bank
February 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the growth of the Slovak Republic’s capital markets and its transition to a greener, more inclusive economy with a €43 million investment in a €750 million covered bond issuance by Slovenská sporiteľňa bank (SLSP) – the […]16th EU-India Summit: advancing our Strategic Partnership across trade and defence
January 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Union and India are holding their 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, opening a whole new chapter in the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the launch of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership […]EIB invests €50 million in Amber Dragon, the first-ever infrastructure equity fund for Ukraine’s recovery
January 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. On the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €50 million commitment to Amber Dragon Ukraine Infrastructure Fund I (ADUIF), the first-ever specialised infrastructure equity fund investing in Ukraine. The fund is designed to help mobilise private […]Why Young People Must Be at the Center of Pandemic Preparedness
January 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Syed Talha Hussain Tirmzi MS-5 Amna Inayat Medical College Pakistan and Dr Ahmed Bilal, MD, Vice President, PIMSA-GHWD– Pakistan International Medical Students Association. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writers’ views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. By Syed Talha Hussain Tirmzi […]The Next Pandemic Could Start in a Factory, Not a Wet Market
January 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Dr Syed Faseeh Hassan, MD, Vice President of PIMSA Internal Affairs and Dr Ahmed Bilal, MD, Vice President, PIMSA-GHWD– Pakistan International Medical Students Association. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writers’ views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. Dr Syed Faseeh Hassan, […]World News in Brief: Gaza education update, the General Assembly at 80, Venezuela’s humanitarian needs
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More children in war-ravaged Gaza are now back in the classroom, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Friday. Ten additional temporary learning sites in Gaza Governorate have been renovated so far this month, and more than 440 spaces are operational overall, serving roughly 270,000 pupils supported by more than 6,300 teachers. The […]Will AI kickstart a new age of nuclear power?
January 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence worldwide is putting electrical grids under huge pressure and many believe that, to meet that need without contributing to the climate crisis, a full-scale expansion of nuclear energy is essential. The global demand for electricity is growing at a vertiginous […]EIB launches first-ever financing in Greece dedicated to the security and defence sector with €100 million via Piraeus Bank
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €100 million financing agreement with Piraeus Bank, marking a milestone transaction as the first ever EIB intermediated operation in Greece dedicated to supporting companies active in the security and defence sector. Through Piraeus Bank, the financing will be […]Iran: UN urges ‘maximum restraint’ to avert more death, wider escalation
January 16, 2026 by 1 Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As nationwide protests in Iran appear to ease after nearly three weeks of unrest and bloodshed, a senior UN official called on Thursday for action to prevent further escalation. Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee briefed an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York called by the […]EIB Group provides EU-backed guarantees to expand finance for war-affected businesses in Ukraine
January 15, 2026 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) – together the EIB Group – have signed new EU-backed guarantee agreements with PrivatBank and Ukreximbank to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine. The financing was made possible by […]‘A torture that never stops’: Sri Lanka failing survivors of conflict sexual violence, UN says
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Conflict-related sexual violence in Sri Lanka remains largely unaddressed more than 15 years after the end of the civil war, with survivors still denied justice, recognition and reparations, according to a new report by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Tuesday. It concludes that a legacy […]Gaza: A ceasefire that still kills children is not enough, says UNICEF
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Airstrikes, drone attacks and hypothermia continue in Gaza despite the ceasefire, with more than 100 youngsters killed since early October, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday. “That’s roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire,” UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told […]Beyond the Ramp: A Medical Student’s Manifesto for Inclusive Healthcare
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Altumush Saad, a highly dedicated medical student at Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh. He 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 […]Syria signals renewed cooperation on chemical weapons destruction
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Progress continues to be made towards eliminating remnants of the chemical weapons programme in Syria that was developed under the Assad regime, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday. Adedeji Ebo, Officer-in-Charge of the UN’s Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), welcomed a commitment by the new authorities to cooperate with […]UN’s ‘responsibility to deliver’ will not waver, after US announces withdrawal from dozens of international organizations
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed regret over the decision by the United States to withdraw from a number of UN entities, while underscoring that the system will continue to deliver on all its mandates. “As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget […]Human Rights Council elects Indonesian candidate President for 2026
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Human Rights Council – the world’s principal defender of vulnerable people worldwide – has elected an Indonesian diplomat to be President for 2026 in a first for the country. Under Council rules, presidents are appointed to serve for one year by the body’s 47 Member […]West Bank: UN report warns of ‘systematic asphyxiation’ of Palestinian rights
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A sweeping UN human rights report released on Wednesday concludes that in the occupied West Bank, Israel is violating international law prohibiting racial segregation and apartheid, warning that the discriminatory practices have accelerated dramatically since late 2022 amid growing violence, repression and impunity. The report by the […]
