This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the leaders of the six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) gathered in Skopje for a high-level meeting dedicated to the EU-backed Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The leaders […]Western Balkans Leaders’ meeting in Skopje reaffirms commitment for swift delivery of the Growth Plan
July 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the leaders of the six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) gathered in Skopje for a high-level meeting dedicated to the EU-backed Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The leaders […]Aftermath of Tripoli clashes puts Libya’s fragile stability to the test
June 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Libya once again stands at a critical juncture in its political transition, after armed clashes erupted in Tripoli last month, further destabilising the country, the UN Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Tuesday. Nearly 15 years after Gaddafi’s fall, Libya remains split between […]Gaza: Over 400 Palestinians killed around private aid hubs, UN rights office says
June 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. At least 410 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military while trying to fetch from controversial new aid hubs in Gaza – a likely war crime – the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. The alert comes nearly a month since the Israeli and […]Iran-Israel crisis: IAEA chief calls for access to damaged nuclear sites
June 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. After surprise US bombing raids on Iranian uranium enrichment facilities over the weekend, the head of the UN-backed nuclear watchdog on Monday appealed for immediate access to the targeted sites to assess the damage that is likely “very significant”. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy […]MEPs propose stricter rules on dog and cat welfare and traceability
June 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The draft law approved by Parliament on Thursday lays down the first ever minimum EU standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of cats and dogs. MEPs want all dogs and cats kept in the EU to be individually identifiable with a microchip. They […]Clean Industrial Deal must marry industrial competitiveness with climate action
June 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Industrial Decarbonisation Bank and action plan for affordable energy are crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of European industry, MEPs say. The resolution, adopted on Thursday 19 June in response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal plan, stresses the need to combine […]EBRD launches InvestEU Programme in Croatia
June 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched today the InvestEU Guarantee Facility in Croatia, marking a significant milestone in mobilising sustainable private and public investment across the country. InvestEU is a flagship initiative of the European Union aimed at supporting strategic investments in sustainable […]Drifting architects: Plankton, climate, and the race to understand our changing ocean
June 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. They drift unseen, but everything depends on them. Plankton– the ocean’s lifeblood– regulate the climate, feed the seas, and shape life on Earth. Scientists along the French Riviera are in a race against time to unlock the mysteries of these tiny organisms before their decline reverberates across the […]Number of aid workers killed in Gaza conflict, highest in UN history: Guterres
June 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations paid tribute on Thursday to the 168 staff members who lost their lives in 2024. They include 126 personnel killed in Gaza, all but one of whom served with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA. Ahead of a memorial service at Headquarters […]As AI evolves, pressure mounts to regulate ‘killer robots’
June 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A world in which algorithms determine the fate of soldiers and civilians alike is no longer hypothetical. AI-driven drones are reshaping warfare, raising deep ethical questions about autonomy in combat. As international policymakers scramble to set ground rules, the race is on to rein in this rapidly-evolving technology. […]Flavoured nicotine products driving youth addiction, WHO warns
June 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. For most nicotine users today, their first experience with the drug is a flavoured product – making it easier, and more appealing, to try. This is especially true among youth users: it’s one of the main reasons young people experiment with tobacco or nicotine products in the […]Gaza: Top UN envoy calls on Israel to end devastating strikes, starvation of civilians
May 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Gaza’s population is being “starved and denied the very basics,” while the region stands at a dangerous crossroads, the UN’s Middle East peace envoy warned the Security Council Wednesday, urging immediate action to halt the violence, restore aid and advance a two-State solution before time runs out. […]Human Rights in Medical Education: Medical Curricula as Inequity Perpetrators
May 27, 2025 by 2 Comments
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Addonai Teixeira, a Brazilian medical student and active member of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). 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 […]UN relief chief welcomes limited Gaza aid resumption – but it’s a ‘drop in the ocean’
May 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN humanitarian affairs chief has welcomed Israel’s decision to allow limited aid to cross into Gaza after 11 weeks of complete blockade – but significantly more is needed “starting tomorrow morning”. Tom Fletcher said in a statement on Monday that nine UN trucks were cleared to […]EIB Group to provide €70 billion for tech firms and innovators
May 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. EIB Group President Nadia Calviño explains how Europe can benefit from the Trump chaos, with the tech sector set to receive a massive financial boost. Interview by Carsten Volkery (originally published in German by Handelsblatt) The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching a new initiative to close […]Commission amends State aid rules to provide public access to justice in environmental matters
May 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has adopted today amendments to its State aid rules to provide public access to justice in environmental matters in relation to EU State aid decisions. For that purpose, the Commission revised rules which allow non-governmental organisations (‘NGOs’) to request a Commission […]Guterres alarmed by Israeli plans to expand Gaza ground offensive
May 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of Israeli plans to expand ground operations and prolong its military presence in Gaza, a spokesperson for António Guterres said on Monday. “This will inevitably lead to countless more civilians killed and the further destruction of Gaza,” said UN Deputy […]Where Budgets Meet Gender Equality: Insights from PEFA Data
April 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Gender inequality is a persistent challenge across countries, regardless of income level. Among various policy tools aimed at addressing these disparities, Gender Responsive Public Financial Management (GRPFM) has gained traction as a promising approach. GRPFM integrates gender considerations into budgetary processes, aiming to allocate public resources in ways […]Updated rules for safer roads, less air pollution and digital vehicle documents
April 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. For better road safety and air quality across the EU, the Commission is proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules. The new rules will take into account the growing presence of electric vehicles and adapt to emerging technologies. They […]UN chief urges ‘utmost restraint’ amid escalating violence in Yemen
April 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has expressed grave concern over US airstrikes in and around Yemen’s port of Ra’s Isa this week, which reportedly resulted in scores of civilian casualties. At least five humanitarian workers were said to be among those injured, and significant damage was reported to port […]EU and Member States pledge over €522 million to address Sudan crisis
April 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. To help address the difficult humanitarian situation in Sudan, the European Commission and Member States have pledged €522 million in aid for 2025 at the High-level Conference for Sudan, co-hosted in London today by the Commission alongside the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the […]World News in Brief: East Jerusalem schools told to close, Guterres saddened by Santo Domingo deaths, DR Congo and Haiti updates
April 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Six schools run by the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem have been issued “illegal closure orders” after being forcibly entered by Israeli security forces, according to the agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini. The schools were told they must close within 30 days. Mr. Lazzarini said […]Gaza: Guterres calls on Israel to ensure life-saving aid reaches civilians
April 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. With no aid allowed into Gaza for more than a month, the UN Secretary-General appealed on Tuesday for guaranteed humanitarian access to the enclave. Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters, António Guterres also repeated his call for a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the release […]World News in Brief: Israeli military escalation in Syria, Nicaragua rights probe, South Sudan talks
April 4, 2025 by 9 Comments
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Special Envoy for Syria has condemned the repeated and intensifying military escalations by Israel in the country, including airstrikes that have caused civilian casualties. “Such actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region, and destabilize Syria at a […]Commission launches helpdesk to support EU SMEs comply with sanctions
March 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has launched a new one-stop-shop providing vital support to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigating the complex landscape of sanctions compliance. The EU Sanctions Helpdesk will offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help SMEs comply with EU sanctions […]Exhausted Gazans wake from another night of Israeli bombing: UN aid teams
March 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Israel’s renewed bombing campaign and intensifying ground operation in Gaza are reversing gains achieved during the brief ceasefire, UN humanitarians inside the devastated enclave said on Friday. “We’re waking up from another intense night of bombardments, the fourth night of bombardment since the ceasefire abruptly broke down […]EP President Metsola to EU leaders: “We need to think bigger and act faster”
March 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Speaking to leaders, Parliament President Metsola reiterated that in a world of rising single powers, Europe must step up its political ambition: on defence and competitiveness. On Ukraine, she stressed that peace will always be at the top of our agenda. President Metsola however […]EBRD and donors support greener businesses and homes in Montenegro
March 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 the green transition in Montenegro by helping to improve access to affordable green finance for businesses and homeowners in cooperation with Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka (CKB). An EBRD loan of up to €12 million is being extended […]Commission provides guidance under Digital Markets Act to facilitate development of innovative products on Apple’s platforms
March 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted two decisions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) specifying the measures that Apple has to take to comply with certain aspects of its interoperability obligation. Interoperability enables a deeper and more seamless integration of third-party products with Apple’s ecosystem. […]Gaza: ‘Dramatic escalation’ as bombardments intensify and displacement surges
March 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Israeli bombardments continued across Gaza on Wednesday, killing hundreds more people – many of them women and children – and leaving widespread destruction in its wake, according to local authorities. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that leaflets were dropped over Beit […]Syria: Relative of Assad regime’s disappeared speaks of anguish in search for truth and justice
March 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A relative of two Syrians tortured and murdered by the Assad regime has spoken of the anguish caused by their enforced disappearance during the country’s civil war. Obeida Dabbagh’s brother Mazen, and nephew Patrick – both Syrian-French nationals – were arrested by Air Force Intelligence officials in […]Reject bigotry and discrimination, UN chief says, urging everyone to combat Islamophobia
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has urged everyone to speak out against xenophobia and discrimination to combat a “disturbing rise” in anti-Muslim bigotry. In a message marking Saturday’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Secretary-General António Guterres warned of racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, […]Commission proposes a new Common European System for Returns
March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission is proposing to establish a Common European System for Returns with swifter, simpler and more effective return procedures across the EU. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines and called for by the European Council in October […]
