This article is published in association with IMF. Thoughtful policy changes can help ensure spending pressures remain contained, while creating space to care for elderly people and respond to economic shocks Korea’s population is aging faster than almost any other country. That’s because people live longer than in most other countries, while the birth rate is […]As Korea Ages, Fiscal Reforms Can Help Safeguard Government Finances
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Thoughtful policy changes can help ensure spending pressures remain contained, while creating space to care for elderly people and respond to economic shocks Korea’s population is aging faster than almost any other country. That’s because people live longer than in most other countries, while the birth rate is […]Yemen: Children are dying and it’s going to get worse, warns aid veteran
January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. In Yemen, renewed political instability and economic woes linked to the war threaten to complicate the already difficult task of helping vulnerable people suffering from deepening hunger, illness and displacement, the UN’s top aid official there said on Monday. “The simple narrative is, children are dying and […]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 […]Gaza humanitarian crisis ‘far from being over,’ UN aid coordination office warns
January 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Three months into the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the UN and partners have delivered tonnes of assistance items and carried out critical repairs, but this is only a temporary “Band-Aid” solution, a veteran aid worker has warned. “The humanitarian situation and crisis in Gaza is far […]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 […]Game-changing international marine protection treaty comes into force
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 €200 million German State aid for Canadian-produced renewable hydrogen and its derivatives for EU market
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €200 million German scheme to support the production in Canada of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, known as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). These RFNBOs will be imported to Germany and sold […]Commission approves first wave of defence funding for eight Member States under SAFE
January 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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, […]In Haiti’s storm-hit south, food vouchers restore choice and dignity for families
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Standing outside a colourfully painted building in southeastern Haiti, at the entrance to a bustling shop called Gods Will Depot where bags of food are stacked to the ceiling, Ketia surveys the large pile of groceries she has selected for her family: a big sack of flour, […]11-year streak of record global warming continues, UN weather agency warns
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The past 11 years have been the warmest in the modern era, while oceans continue to heat up, too, says the UN weather agency. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Wednesday that 2025 was one of the three warmest years on record, continuing the streak of extraordinary […]Commission presents a financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals to secure continuous financial support to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. This marks a significant milestone in the EU’s strong support for the country’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression. The legislative package consists […]East Jerusalem: Forced shutdown of UN clinic signals escalating disregard for international law
January 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The temporary closure of a UN-run health centre in East Jerusalem is the latest phase in “a pattern of deliberate disregard” for international law, the head of the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Wednesday. Israeli forces stormed the UNRWA-operated health centre on Monday and ordered it […]Increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to save lives, urges WHO
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Beverages like sugary drinks and alcohol are too accessible and cost too little in most of the world – helping fuel obesity, diabetes, cancer and injury, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday. WHO is calling on governments to significantly increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol, […]Global employment stable but decent jobs in short supply
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Global unemployment remains stable, but progress toward decent work has stalled, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), which warns that young people continue to struggle in a job market which risks being further undermined by AI and trade policy uncertainty. According to […]Commission presents a financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027
January 14, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals to secure continuous financial support to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. This marks a significant milestone in the EU’s strong support for the country’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression. The legislative package consists […]Debate on Europe’s future in a time of uncertainty
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At a time of growing geopolitical, economic and social uncertainty, the EESC’s Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) is opening the year with a high-level debate on how Europe can strengthen its autonomy, resilience and preparedness. The event will feature a […]Leasys signs financing agreement with the EIB to boost zero-emission mobility across Europe
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. Leasys – the joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility – and the European Investment Bank (EIB), signed a financing agreement to support the Pan-European Clean Fleet Transport operation, aimed at promoting sustainable mobility in Europe. The project foresees a €300 million credit envelope […]Gaza: Storms worsen already dire humanitarian situation, UN warns
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The humanitarian crisis across the Gaza Strip remains extremely serious, with harsh winter weather threatening to reverse recent gains in aid delivery, the United Nations said on Monday. Briefing correspondents in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that ongoing rainstorms are damaging and destroying fragile shelters, leaving […]Ukraine: Deadly Russian strikes push civilians deeper into winter crisis
January 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Ukraine has entered the new year under intensifying and deadly Russian attacks which have crippled energy systems and left millions without heating, electricity or water amid freezing temperatures, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Monday. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told ambassadors the start […]‘Beyond GDP’ economists push for clearer metrics on wellbeing, sustainability
January 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Top finance experts are meeting at UN Geneva this week to push for a radical shake up in the way economic growth is gauged, in response to concerns that GDP measurements provide little insight about progress on key sustainability targets that are vital to our survival. Backed […]Air passengers should keep their rights, say MEPs
January 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Transport MEPs reviewing air passenger rights refuse to roll back on compensation for a three-hour delay and push for free cabin luggage and more rights for vulnerable travellers. On Monday, Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee voted to update EU air passenger rights rules, in […]One Health, One Struggle: Confronting Antibiotic Resistance
January 9, 2026 by 1 Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Valentina Orsi is a third-year student at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Barretos Dr. Paulo Prata – FACISB. 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 […]Commission proposes to support over 3,400 dismissed workers in the car industry in Belgium with €7.5 million
January 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €7.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 3,414 workers dismissed after the closure of carmaker Audi’s plant in Brussels. In February 2025, Audi stopped producing the Q8 e-tron car model […]EU and Jordan deepen partnership with first-ever Summit
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the EU and Jordan are marking a key milestone in their long-standing relationship with a first-ever bilateral Summit. The EU was represented by President von der Leyen and President Costa, and Jordan by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The leaders took stock of […]Read-out from the extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers on securing EU food security and sovereignty in an uncertain world
January 8, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, EU agricultural ministers met in an extraordinary meeting, on the invitation of the European Commission and Minister Maria Panayiotou for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council. The Commission was represented at this meeting by Commissioners Hansen, Šefčovič and Várhelyi. Recognising that agriculture is […]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 […]World News in Brief: Storms in Syria, school attacks in Nigeria, strikes continue in southern Lebanon
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Thousands of displaced people in northern Syria are struggling to cope with freezing conditions after a severe snowstorm struck dozens of displacement sites, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Tuesday. The storm hit 90 sites across Aleppo, Idleb and Al-Hasakeh governorates on 31 December, affecting more […]Winter storms upended thousands in Gaza
January 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Some 65,000 households in the Gaza Strip were affected by the severe winter storms that whipped through the enclave last month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday. “Tents were blown away or damaged, homes collapsed under storm conditions, and personal […]One Health, One Fight: Youth’s Call to Action Against Antimicrobial Resistance
January 6, 2026 by 1 Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Pratik Sarangi, a medical graduate from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi, India. 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 […]Security Council: New faces, old tensions as five nations take their seats
January 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. From deploying peacekeepers to conducting quiet – but at times heated – diplomacy, the UN Security Council sits at the heart of global decision-making on war and peace. As of January, five new countries will have a seat around the iconic horseshoe table. Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic […]WHO research shows COVID vaccines still crucial in preventing severe illness
January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Although COVID-19 no longer causes the widespread disruption seen during the global health emergency, the virus continues to hospitalize and kill people across Europe and neighbouring regions. Studies led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe confirm that people who receive timely booster doses are far less likely to develop severe […]New year dawns amid rubble and resolve in Gaza
January 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As 2026 begins, residents of the Gaza Strip are confronting life in displacement camps and among the ruins of destroyed neighbourhoods – facing deep uncertainty after months of war and devastation. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain uprooted, many living in makeshift tents pitched on bare ground […]Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance: An Emerging Challenge in the Management of Urinary Tract Infections
December 31, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Ms. Mariana Pioltine Murari, a third-year student at the Fac/ulty of Health Sciences of Barretos Dr. Paulo Prata (FACISB). 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 […]
