This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alex Thornton, Senior Writer, Formative Content Spain has many attractions – delicious cuisine, a balmy climate, sublime music and a fascinating history. And now it can add another accolade: it has just been named the healthiest country in the […]These are the world’s healthiest nations
February 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Alex Thornton, Senior Writer, Formative Content Spain has many attractions – delicious cuisine, a balmy climate, sublime music and a fascinating history. And now it can add another accolade: it has just been named the healthiest country in the […]The latest emoji are more inclusive – but who approves them?
February 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Johnny Wood, Senior Writer , Formative Content Dozens of disability-themed emoji have met with approval from the Unicode Consortium and also received a thumbs-up from disability rights campaigners. The new designs show people of different ethnicities using sign language […]Risks rising in corporate debt market
February 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with OECD. Global outstanding debt in the form of corporate bonds issued by non-financial companies has hit record levels, reaching almost USD 13 trillion at the end of 2018. This is double the amount outstanding in real terms before the 2008 financial crisis, according to a new OECD […]Spotlight Initiative – EU and UN fight against domestic violence in the Pacific region
February 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Union and the United Nations are announcing today a €50 million investment to tackle domestic violence in the Pacific region, as part of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. The €50 million contribution will fund new programmes to support concrete measures to end domestic […]Europe had a record year for Measles – and it’s partly down to anti-vaccine campaigners
February 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Emma Charlton, Writer Have you had your children vaccinated? It’s a question that might spark a strong “yes” or “no” in what’s become a highly charged debate. And while the majority of parents opt to go ahead, the World […]Why the agtech boom isn’t your typical tech disruption
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Karn Manhas, Founder, Terramera Five years ago, almost no one knew what agtech was. Inside the industry, we didn’t even know what to call what we were doing. But fast forward to today, and agricultural technology – from vertical […]Office workers in these economies clock up the most extra hours
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sean Fleming, Senior Writer, Formative Content Most people will have stayed late at work to finish urgent tasks or might even have pulled an all-nighter to hit a really tight deadline. When those occasions are the exception rather than […]Is poor generational intelligence holding you back at work?
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Poornima Luthra, External Lecturer We have all heard about IQ, EQ (emotional intelligence) and even CQ (cultural intelligence), but what about GQ? No, we are not referring to the men’s magazine, but to generational intelligence: the ability to work […]Have we reached peak smartphone?
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Emma Charlton, Writer When did you last upgrade your smartphone? Perhaps not as promptly as you have in the past? After explosive growth, the smartphone industry is showing some signs of slowing. So have we passed the peak? The […]7 ways to break the fast fashion habit – and save the planet
February 25, 2019 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Kate Whiting, Senior Writer, Formative Content In 2018, it became fashionable to calculate the ‘cost per wear’ (CPW) of a clothing item – the lower the cost, the more value the wearer was getting for their shiny new leather […]Climate Change and Human Health: Two Faces of The Same Coin
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Ahmed Al-Zubaidi, a 5th year Medical student at HUCOM, Al-Mukalla, Yemen. He is affiliated to 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 the topic, nor […]New state aid rules: Commission increases national support to farmers up to €25,000
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The ceiling for national support to farmers will rise significantly, allowing greater flexibility and efficiency, notably in times of crisis and situations demanding a swift response by the public authorities. Today the Commission has adopted revised rules on state aid in the agriculture sector […]What data dominance really means, and how countries can compete
February 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Emma Charlton, Writer Governance of the digital economy was a key topic on the global agenda at Davos 2019, from panel discussions to Shinzo Abe’s announcement of a G20 track for data governance. It seems as though we are […]Safer roads: More life-saving technology to be mandatory in vehicles
February 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Safety features such as intelligent speed assistance, advanced emergency-braking system and emergency stop signal will have to be installed in new vehicles. In a drive to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on EU roads, Internal Market Committee MEPs approved on Thursday a […]Youth for Climate Change
February 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Omnia El Omrani, a 6th year medical student living in Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. She is affiliated to 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 […]These 11 EU states already meet their 2020 renewable energy targets
February 22, 2019 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sean Fleming, Senior Writer, Formative Content Almost half of the European Union’s (EU) 28 member states have already hit, or are close to hitting, their 2020 renewable energy targets. But despite this, there has been a gradual slow-down in […]A brief history of cryptography and why it matters
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sean Fleming, Senior Writer, Formative Content Image: Statista Cryptography, cyphers, secret codes. Words that summon up images of a world of covert messages, clandestine meetings and international espionage. Those associations were reinforced recently when Queen Elizabeth II of the […]New Erasmus: more opportunities for disadvantaged youth
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Erasmus+ should triple its funds, allow more people to take part and adapt its grants to the needs of the participants. The Culture and Education Committee approved on Wednesday the next generation Erasmus+ programme, proposing a detailed set of measures to lift all economic, […]MEPs urge the EU to lead the way to net-zero emissions by 2050
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Environment and Industry Committee MEPs outlined their ideas on the EU’s long-term emissions reduction strategy. Environment Committee MEPs said on Wednesday that only two of the eight scenarios (“pathways”) proposed by the European Commission in its November communication would enable the EU to reach […]EU Visa Policy: Commission welcomes agreement to strengthen EU visa rules
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today Member States endorsed the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s proposal to modernise the EU’s common visa policy, adapting the rules to evolving security concerns, challenges linked to migration and new opportunities offered by technological developments. The […]Infringements: Commission adapts its calculation methodology for financial sanctions
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission set out how it will adapt its calculation method when proposing financial sanctions to the Court of Justice of the EU in infringement proceedings. Enforcement of EU law by the Commission will continue to be vigorous, balanced and fair to all […]The digital transformation is a skills and education opportunity for all. Companies must use it
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Jean-Philippe Courtois, President, Global Sales, Marketing and Operations; Executive Vice-President, Microsoft Corporation, Mario Greco, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Insurance Group, Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Society for Human Resource Management & Shea Gopaul, Founder and […]Supercomputing could solve the world’s problems, and create many more
February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Georgia Frances King, Ideas Editor, Quartz Supercomputers have the potential to turn us into superhumans. Our potential and power increase in lockstep with to the tools we have to serve us. The World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on […]Malta and Slovakia: serious shortcomings in the rule of law
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs have serious concerns over the fight against corruption and organised crime, impartiality of law enforcement and judicial independence in Malta and Slovakia. The Civil Liberties Committee adopted on Tuesday a draft resolution summarising the conclusions of the working group set up within the […]Migration and asylum: EU funds to promote integration and protect borders
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs backed on Tuesday increasing the EU budget for migration and asylum policies and to reinforce borders. The Civil Liberties Committee endorsed the renewed Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the 2021-2027 budget of which will increase up to €9.2 billion (€10.41 billion in […]Parliaments broadly agree on next steps for economic, monetary union
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Concluding the banking union, beefing up democratic accountability, and developing a budget for the Eurozone were raised regularly in a meeting between parliaments. The debate on Tuesday, held within the yearly conference on the European Semester bringing together MEPs and national MPs, allowed participants […]Cutting CO2 emissions from trucks: MEPs reach deal with Council
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. This agreed new legislation is the first ever regulation on CO2 emissions for lorries in the EU. The deal reached between MEPs and the Romanian Presidency of the Council on Monday night provides for a legally binding 30% CO2 reduction target for new lorries […]Cohesion Policy after 2020: preparing the future of EU investments in health
February 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Yesterday, Commissioners Crețu and Andriukaitis have brought together health professionals to kick-start the reflection on future EU investments in health under the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy programmes. In the context of the roundtable held today at the Commission with health associations such as European Health […]Commuters in these cities spend more than 8 days a year stuck in traffic
February 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Sean Fleming, Senior Writer, Formative Content Ask any motorist about traffic congestion and they will regale you with tales of long queues, wasted time, and mounting frustration. It’s a global problem with some of the world’s greatest cities also […]At this Italian bookshop, children swap their recycling for something to read
February 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Emma Charlton, Writer Would you swap your recycling for a book? Sounds too good to be true? Well, that’s what one bookseller in Italy is offering children, with a plan he hopes will become a blueprint for raising environmental […]



















