World

In a sobering update from the United Nations, a recent annual report revealed that violence against children in conflict zones has escalated to "unprecedented levels" in 2024. From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the plight of these vulnerable young individuals has reached alarming heights. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 percent surge in the number of grave violations compared to 2023."…

As reported by the civil defense agency in Gaza, Israeli fire has tragically taken the lives of at least 72 Palestinians, including 21 individuals who were awaiting aid near a distribution site. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defense, stated, "The death toll has risen to 72 due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip since dawn today—21 of them were waiting for aid." This highlights the immense danger that civilians face in their struggle for basic necessities. Throughout the night, thousands of…

Roderic O'Gorman, leader of the Green Party, has announced plans to travel to Hungary for the Budapest Pride Parade on June 28, in response to Hungarian police declaring that they will prohibit the event. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the pride parade, which is a significant celebration supporting the LGBTQI+ community in the city. The police stated in a public statement: "The police, acting within their authority over public assemblies, prohibit the holding of the assembly at the aforementioned location and…

Ireland has joined forces with eight other EU member states to urge the European Commission to investigate how goods produced in illegal Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories can be aligned with international law. This important initiative is co-signed by Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot emphasized this shared commitment on social media, stating, "This follows the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly…

In a tense escalation, Israel targeted a significant Iranian nuclear facility, while Iranian missiles struck an Israeli hospital. President Donald Trump is keeping the world in suspense regarding potential U.S. involvement in airstrikes aimed at dismantling Tehran's nuclear capabilities. “Our aim is clear,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has vowed that Israel’s largest offensive against Iran will continue until the nation’s nuclear ambitions are halted, asserting that Tehran’s "tyrants" will face the "full…

The ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has now entered its sixth day, marking the most intense escalation in their longstanding conflict. This situation has heightened concerns about a prolonged confrontation that could spiral into a broader conflict in the Middle East. Recent Developments Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli air force jets successfully targeted what he termed Iran's "internal security headquarters." This comes on the heels of statements from the Israeli military that…

Airfares from Europe to the United States have plunged to levels not seen since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. This trend has been largely driven by a noticeable decrease in travel from Western Europe, a behavior that is anticipated to persist at least until next month. According to preliminary data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), overseas arrivals to the United States dipped by 2.8% in May compared to the previous year. Interestingly, while travel from Western Europe fell by 4.4% during this…

In a startling update, over 60 leading scientists have sounded the alarm on climate change, highlighting alarming trends in carbon pollution, sea-level rise, and global heating. "We are navigating uncharted territories," they emphasize. According to their peer-reviewed findings, greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil fuel consumption and deforestation reached a staggering high in 2024, averaging an unprecedented 53.6 billion tonnes of CO2 annually over the past decade. To put this into perspective, that's a monumental…

Tragic Violence in Minnesota: A Reflection on Leadership President Donald Trump has stated that he did not intend to reach out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, following a weekend shooting that claimed the life of a Democratic politician and injured another. In light of the tragedy, Mr. Trump, a Republican, expressed his outrage over what he termed "horrific violence" that should not be tolerated in the United States. However, he has opted against extending any supportive…

During a recent summit in Canada, leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) pledged their unwavering support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia escalated its military actions against Ukraine. The summit comes at a time when international solidarity is vital, especially after one of the most devastating bombings of Kyiv since the start of the invasion in February 2022, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 10 lives. Although U.S. President Donald Trump and President Zelensky had been expected to meet, Trump…