This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a €45.75 million sovereign loan to Albania’s state-owned energy company, Operatori i Shperndarjes se Energjise Elektrike (OSHEE). The loan will be used to restructure some of the €81.5 million in short-term loans that OSHEE obtained from […]EBRD provides €45.75 million loan to Albanian energy company OSHEE
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a €45.75 million sovereign loan to Albania’s state-owned energy company, Operatori i Shperndarjes se Energjise Elektrike (OSHEE). The loan will be used to restructure some of the €81.5 million in short-term loans that OSHEE obtained from […]World News in Brief: Fresh fighting in eastern DR Congo, global trade update, elections in CAR, Pakistan train hijack
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Fresh fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has displaced tens of thousands of families, with children particularly at risk, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday. Over 850,000 civilians have been displaced in South Kivu province, nearly half of them children, according to […]How Sound Economic Policy Can Help Prevent Conflict
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Macroeconomic policy can play a key role in preventing armed conflict, in turn saving lives and avoiding injuries, forced displacement and migration, and vast damage to the economy. That’s according to new IMF research, based on policy simulations incorporating machine learning-based predictions of conflict. The paper finds that every […]UN chief affirms solidarity with Bangladesh amid political transition
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. On a visit to Bangladesh, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the pivotal moment the country is facing as it navigates a period of significant transition and reform. Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Secretary-General praised Bangladesh’s progress and highlighted the role of the international community in […]EIB provides €160 million to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Tuscany
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €160 million financing package for the Tuscany region, aiming to back the investments and the working capital needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Tuscany. Tuscany Region President Eugenio Giani and EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti launched the operational […]‘Time for bold moves’: UN urges inclusive transition as Syria marks 14 years of conflict
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Marking 14 years since the start of the Syrian conflict, top UN officials raised alarm over renewed violence and growing instability, warning that without urgent action, Syria’s fragile transition could be at risk. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen called for an immediate end to hostilities […]EBRD boosts Uludağ’s competitiveness and green credentials
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a €25 million loan to Türkiye’s Uludağ to finance investment in production lines and renewable energy capacity. The loan will finance the establishment of two aseptic production lines at the company’s factory in Yenice, which will […]The Cost of Conflict: Understanding the Health Consequences of War and Displacement
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Aamuktha Marepalli, a third-year medical student at SVIMS with a strong interest in research, medical awareness, and advocacy. 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 […]Romanian industrial hub of Ploiesti to get EIB advisory support on green transport projects
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise the Romanian municipality of Ploiești on green transport projects as part of a Europe-wide push to make urban life healthier for people and the environment. EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris and Ploiești Mayor Mihai Poliţeanu signed an agreement on advisory […]EBRD joins with BII and Proparco to support trade in Ukraine
March 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with EBRD. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is joining forces with the UK’s development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), and the French development agency, Proparco, to support Ukraine‘s cross-border trade. The two institutions are providing the EBRD with risk-sharing guarantees for the EBRD’s Trade […]‘Brighter future hangs in the balance’ in Syria after 14 years of war
March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Constitutional Declaration issued by Syria’s caretaker authorities marks a pivotal moment in the country’s turbulent transition, with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen expressing cautious optimism about its potential to fill a legal vacuum and pave the way for a “credible and inclusive political transition”. The announcement […]Sudan war: Children facing ‘unimaginable suffering’, warns UNICEF chief
March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Sudan is now the world’s largest and most devastating humanitarian crisis, the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday. After two years of war, over 30 million people – more than half of them children – are living in the grip of mass atrocities, […]Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces used as ‘method of war’
March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Senior human rights investigators reporting to the UN Human Rights Council alleged on Thursday that sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians – including children – have been increasingly used “as a method of war” following the 7 October 2023 attacks that sparked the […]Human rights breaches in Thailand, Sudan and Azerbaijan
March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted human rights resolutions on Thailand, Sudan and Azerbaijan. Violations of democratic principles and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees Parliament condemns the deportation of Uyghur refugees to China, and urges […]Ukrainian refugees – Kyiv’s chance for European integration?
March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by one of our passionate readers, Mr. Yuri Mirovich, a ukrainian refugee who is a law student at the University of Groningen, Netherelands. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not necessarily The European Sting’s position on the issue. Demographic and socio-economic catastrophe in Ukraine […]The European Union convenes the 9th international conference in support of Syria on 17 March
March 14, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union will convene its 9th international Conference in support of Syria on 17 March, in Brussels. This year’s edition comes at a historic moment, following the fall of the Assad regime, where the Syrian people have the chance to re-take control of […]The EU must support the political transition and reconstruction of Syria
March 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament urges the EU and members states to support Syria’s transitional forces and calls on Damascus to end historical alliances with Tehran and Moscow. Concerned about stability in Syria and in the Middle East, MEPs want the EU to “seize this historic opportunity to […]The EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine
March 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, Parliament says the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence. MEPs welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They expect Russia to agree […]Press statement by President von der Leyen with Commissioner Šefčovič on EU countermeasures to US tariffs
March 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. President von der Leyen: The trade relations between the European Union and the United States are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people. And trade has created millions of good jobs on both sides of the […]World News in Brief: Syria families executed, Duterte arrested on ICC warrant, Sudan’s healthcare collapse
March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Days of violence against Syria’s mainly ethnic Alawite communities have included the summary execution of entire families, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, confirmed on Tuesday. Speaking in Geneva, OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said that 111 people have been confirmed dead so far. Media reports indicate the […]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 […]European Commission issues €9 billion in its 3rd syndicated transaction of 2025 *
March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. * The European Commission has today raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 3rd syndicated transaction for 2025. The single-tranche transaction concerned a new €9 billion EU-Bond maturing on 12 December 2035. The 10-year bond was priced 99.674% with a re-offer yield of 3.413%. Bids received […]Commission responds to unjustified US steel and aluminium tariffs with countermeasures
March 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. In response to the imposition of new, unjustified US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, the Commission has launched swift and proportionate countermeasures on US imports into the EU. The Commission regrets the US decision to impose such tariffs, considering them unjustified, disruptive […]EU countermeasures on US steel and aluminium tariffs explained
March 12, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 12 March, the United States imposed tariffs of up to 25% on imports of steel, aluminium, and certain products containing steel and aluminium from the European Union and other trading partners. In response, the Commission is launching a series of countermeasures to protect […]One in four countries report backlash against women’s rights in 2024
March 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The basic rights of women and girls are facing unprecedented growing threats worldwide, from higher levels of discrimination to weaker legal protections -and less funding for programmes and institutions which support and protect women. UN Women’s latest report Women’s Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, published ahead […]UN emergency aid fund releases $110 million for neglected humanitarian crises
March 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Amid deep cuts to global humanitarian funding, the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, on Thursday allocated $110 million to neglected crises across Africa, Asia and Latin America. The UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher, said that more than 300 million people urgently need assistance. But funding […]World’s largest conference on women calls for equality amid gender backlash
March 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Gender equality is a critical goal at a time when the demand for rights faces a global backlash, top UN officials told thousands of diplomats, business and civil society delegates gathered at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday for the world’s largest annual conference focused on […]Medical Education in the 21st Century
March 11, 2025 by 1 Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sura Abdallat, a medical student at the University of Debrecen and a member of IFMSA Hungary (MOSZ/HuMSIRC). 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 […]Boosting Growth and Prosperity in South Africa
March 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with IMF. Improving the business environment, strengthening governance, and reforming the labor market are among the keys to economic success South Africa is well-positioned to confront significant longstanding challenges that have been holding the economy back: declining real per-capital income, persistent unemployment, pervasive poverty, and one of the highest inequality […]Post-Assad Syria faces critical test over eliminating chemical weapons
March 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The fall of the Assad regime has created a historic opportunity to rid Syria of chemical weapons and ensure long-term compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the UN’s top disarmament official told the Security Council on Friday. Briefing ambassadors, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament […]Investigation by the Commission and national consumer authorities finds that nearly half of second-hand online traders fail to correctly inform consumers of their return rights
March 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities of 25 Member States as well as Iceland and Norway released the results of a screening (‘sweep’) of online traders selling second-hand goods, such as clothes, electronic equipment or toys. ‘Sweeps’ are coordinated by the […]Commission proposes to align the protection status of the wolf in EU legislation to the Bern Convention
March 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission is proposing a targeted amendment of the annexes of the Habitats Directive. This will align the Habitats Directive to the changed protection status of the wolf from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ under the Bern Convention, which entered into force today. The […]
Commission invites comments on the draft State aid Framework supporting the Clean Industrial Deal