World enters era of ‘global water bankruptcy’

UN News/Alban Mendes de Leon MINUSCA troops survey Central African Republic’s open border with Sudan. Villagers move back and forth freely – by foot, on the back of a donkey, or with cattle. Armed men cross, too.

This article is published in association with United Nations. The world has moved beyond a water crisis and into a state of global water bankruptcy, says a new flagship report released on Tuesday by UN researchers. For decades, scientists, policymakers and the media warned of a “global water crisis,” implying temporary shock – followed by recovery.  […]

Game-changing international marine protection treaty comes into force

This article is published in association with United Nations.

This article is published in association with United Nations. Almost two decades in the making, an international agreement to protect marine life in international waters and the seabed is due to come into force on Saturday, marking a major step forward in efforts to ensure the health of ocean ecosystems for decades to come. Officially known […]

Commission approves first wave of defence funding for eight Member States under SAFE

MEPs back new measures to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has endorsed the national defence plans of eight Member States, marking a milestone in Europe’s push to strengthen its security. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. President of the European Commission, […]

Gaza: A ceasefire that still kills children is not enough, says UNICEF

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour Children receiving a hot meal at a UN World Food Programme-supported kitchen in Khan Younis, Gaza.

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 […]

The Human Face of Resistance: When Antibiotics Fail, Communities Speak

Sadia Khalid is a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technology. She is driven by a commitment to advance public health and scientific understanding. With research interests spanning molecular medicine, infectious diseases, bacteriology, hepatology, and gastroenterology, she aims to contribute meaningful, evidence-based insights that support health, safety, and community awareness.

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. 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 […]

Commission amends ETS State aid Guidelines to tackle carbon leakage for more energy-intensive industries

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today adopted an amendment to the Guidelines on certain State aid measures in the context of the system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading post-2021 (‘ETS State aid Guidelines’). As announced in the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, the amendment […]

Overnight strikes leave death, destruction and power outages in Ukraine

© UNOCHA A UN worker in Ukraine inspects a building damaged in the ongoing war with Russia. (file)

This article is published in association with United Nations. A new wave of overnight strikes and front-line hostilities in Ukraine have caused further civilian casualties and damage to critical energy infrastructure, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday. Several civilians were killed and nearly 30 injured, including children, according to […]

Gaza: Access to food improves but living conditions remain dire

Deep concerns for Palestinians amid intense Israeli raids in occupied West Bank

This article is published in association with United Nations. A pregnant woman in Gaza thought she might lose her child because of malnourishment. Ten days ago, she gave birth and is now in recovery thanks to World Food Programme (WFP) facilities that are back up and running again, the agency’s representative for Palestine said on Thursday. […]

Commission approves €408 million Spanish State aid scheme to support decarbonisation of industry, in line with Clean Industrial Deal objectives

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €408 million Spanish scheme to support the decarbonisation of manufacturing industry, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and is funded under the Recovery […]

Commission simplifies transparency rules for sustainable financial products

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 […]

European Solidarity Corps to benefit from an increased budget of €175.3 million in 2026

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, the European Commission launched the European Solidarity Corps 2026 call, marking a double anniversary year: 30 years of EU volunteering, which started in 1996 with a pilot of the European Voluntary Service, and 10 years of the European Solidarity Corps. With an increased […]

UN and African Union vow closer action for peace and development

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Secretary-General called on Wednesday for action to prioritize Africa, urging the world not to turn its back on the continent.  António Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters in New York following the ninth conference between the global body and the African Union (AU). The high-level […]

Commission welcomes the judgment of the Court largely confirming the validity of the Directive on adequate minimum wages

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union largely confirming that the Directive on adequate minimum wages stands on firm legal ground.  Adequate minimum wages are essential for social fairness and a productive and inclusive economy. They help to protect workers’ purchasing power, reduce wage […]

Close to €1.6 billion of EU funds will help Spain recover from Valencia’s devastating floods 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has proposed to the European Parliament and the Council an aid of €945 million from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to Spain to support the recovery from the destructive ‘DANA floods’ of October 2024 in Valencia. In addition, the Commission has approved […]

UN hails Colombia’s first convictions under transitional justice measures as ‘crucial milestone’

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN has welcomed Colombia’s first convictions under its transitional justice tribunal, calling sentences handed down to former rebel commanders “a crucial milestone on the path to accountability,” in the words of human rights chief Volker Türk. “After decades of atrocity upon atrocity, these convictions represent a […]

Parliament adopts its position on the future of EU agriculture policy  

Read-out from the extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers on securing EU food security and sovereignty in an uncertain world

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs want a bigger stand-alone post-2027 agriculture budget, with less red tape for farmers and incentives to achieve environmental and social objectives. Parliament says the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must not be integrated with other funding areas or become part of a wider […]

In South Asia, anaemia threatens women’s health and economic futures

This article is published in association with United Nations. Anaemia remains one of South Asia’s quietest but most pervasive health crises, disproportionately affecting the region’s poorest women and girls – and with 18 million more cases projected by 2030, experts say urgent, unified action is critical. The warning, issued jointly by UN agencies and the regional […]

Beyond the Clinic

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Samaa Tarek Hassan is an MBBS student at Mansoura University, 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 […]

UN reiterates call for urgent de-escalation amid Iran-Israel conflict, worsening Gaza crisis

This article is published in association with United Nations. Senior UN officials reiterated an appeal for urgent restraint on Saturday as conflict spiral between Israel and Iran, amid a wider regional crisis exacerbated by Israel’s war in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian situation facing Palestinian civilians. In a joint call to de-escalate, UN agencies have warned […]

UN warns of growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN and partners on Sunday issued a stark warning over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Israeli authorities maintain a near-total blockade on the delivery of aid for a ninth consecutive week. In a statement released by the UN Humanitarian Country Team – which leads […]

Stuck in the middle? Indebted nations plot path to growth amid global trade upheaval

This article is published in association with United Nations. Faced with mounting debt and economic stagnation, middle-income countries have issued a call for financial reform, sustainable investment, and a roadmap to escape the so-called “middle-income trap,” at a UN-backed international conference held in Manila, Philippines, which concluded on Tuesday. The High-Level Conference of Middle-Income Countries (MICs), […]

Soil monitoring: deal with Council on new EU law with better support for farmers

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The informal agreement between EU co-legislators will ensure soil is monitored in all EU countries and farmers get better support to improve soil health. On Wednesday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a soil monitoring […]

UN continues response to crises in Gaza and Lebanon

This article is published in association with United Nations. UN agencies continue their response to the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon, as access challenges, food shortages and reconstruction needs plague both regions. At his regular press briefing, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted the dire situation, and the efforts to alleviate suffering and provide essential aid. […]

Air pollution is a silent killer. Here’s how cities are tackling it

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Shirley Rodrigues, London Deputy Mayor for Environment & Our Common Air Commissioner, City of London, Iyad Kheirbek, Director, Air Quality Program, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Magdalena Młochowska, Director Coordinator, Green Warsaw, City of Warsaw Air pollution kills 13 people every […]

Europeans show strong support for EU civil protection in Eurobarometer survey

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, the European Commission published the results of the Special Eurobarometer measuring public opinion about European civil protection actions in the Member States. Results show a strong consensus among the citizens of the European Union that civil protection activities should be coordinated across the […]

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