Category: World

The world experienced over 60 armed conflicts in 2024, a “historically high” number according to scholars in the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. Consequently, the risks faced by multinational companies (MNCs) operating in conflict-torn regions, especially the Middle East and North Africa, have significantly intensified. Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear […]

But as starvation tightens its grip and “children are dying before our eyes,” UN officials and aid workers warn that the measures fall far short of the much-needed ceasefire and unfettered aid access that could help stem the spiralling humanitarian catastrophe. “Welcome announcement of humanitarian pauses in Gaza to allow our aid through,” UN Emergency […]

Vered Berman grew up in West Jerusalem, has lived in Berlin for 22 years, and has been committed to peace since her youth. In 2003, she lost her mother in a Hamas suicide bombing. Twenty years later, she wrote a letter to the attacker’s family. In this interview with Kontrast, she shares what moved her […]

On July 27, 2025, President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a landmark trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. The deal, reached during a high-stakes meeting in Turnberry, Scotland, averts a looming trade war and reshapes the transatlantic economic relationship. 📜 Core Provisions of the Agreement […]

Secretary Rubio’s Phone Call with Thai Foreign Minister Maris July 27, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to urge the Thai government to deescalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire with Cambodia over the ongoing border dispute.  Secretary Rubio reiterated […]

Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona received prison sentences of 15 and 12 years for their roles in brutal attacks against civilians – primarily from the country’s mainly Muslim Seleka population – during the 2013-14 civil war. They were found guilty “beyond any reasonable doubt” of leading and facilitating attacks on civilians in the capital, Bangui, […]

Representatives from 175 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, in August for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution. Non-governmental organisations, academics and industry lobbyists will also be in the room. They will all be hoping to influence what could be the world’s first truly global agreement […]

Colleagues, the world has rallied around President Trump’s call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine has agreed. And we echo that call once again today. Yet week after week, night after night, we see the number of Russian assaults grow. June was the deadliest month yet, and July is on track to be even […]

The United States condemns the Hong Kong government’s July 25 announcement of new arrest warrants and bounties targeting 15 additional overseas activists, including U.S.-based individuals.  The extraterritorial targeting of Hong Kongers who are exercising their fundamental freedoms is a form of transnational repression. We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government’s attempts to apply its […]

  Life sciences – the study of living systems, from cells to ecosystems – are central to our health, environment and economy. Europe has long been a leader in life sciences, backed by a strong knowledge base and scientific excellence. But it is now losing ground to other global players in turning research into real-world […]