The term world news is often used to describe current events around the globe. This is news that deals with a global subject, and is usually sent out by news agencies for distribution to a wide audience, including individuals, corporations and intelligence agencies. It differs from national news which deals primarily with events that directly affect the interests and security of a particular nation-state.

In this issue of WORLD, we take a look at the big stories of the past year, from the fifth-deadliest earthquake in history striking Turkey and Syria to a deadly cholera outbreak in Somalia. Plus we see the impact of Hurricane Michael in Florida and the ten-day struggle to free a group of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

We also follow the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as a secretive hacktivist group that’s trying to target sites associated with the Kremlin. In addition, we learn how a lone American soldier survived being shot by snipers while on patrol in Afghanistan.

We also look at what’s coming in the future. Could the planet be crossing a dangerous threshold that scientists have warned about for decades? And what’s the latest from graffiti artist Banksy, who has kept his identity a secret for years?

Conflict is a serious disagreement and argument between two or more people. The key to conflict resolution is finding a way to come up with solutions that meet the needs of everyone involved. Conflict can also be a great opportunity for growth, but only if we let it.

Some people are energized by conflict, and thrive on the debate and discussion that may ensue. Others prefer to avoid conflict, and hope that the issue will resolve itself. The problem is that unaddressed conflict almost always intensifies. In fact, a common cause of workplace stress is the conflict that arises from poor communication and the failure to manage it effectively.

In a story, conflict occurs when the protagonist wants something but there is a person or force that stands in their way. This obstacle can be someone who wants the same thing, or it could be a person or situation that is in direct opposition to what the protagonist wants. Conflict can also result from the character’s own internal struggle with their emotions or a fear of failure.

Difficult People

One of the most common sources of conflict at work is dealing with difficult people. These are individuals who have a habit of crossing the line into unethical business behavior such as bullying, harassment, discrimination and other forms of unfair treatment. This can lead to a toxic work environment and can seriously impact business operations.

People who are prone to these types of behaviors often lack clear boundaries and do not communicate effectively with others. This can make it difficult to identify when a conflict is developing, and leads to the situation escalating out of control.

When confronted by a difficult person, it is important to try to remain calm and to approach the situation in a respectful manner. It is also important to talk directly to the individual about what the problem is and how it affects you. It is best to do this in a private and quiet place where you will be uninterrupted for as long as the conversation takes.

It is also important to listen carefully to the other person’s point of view, and to try to understand their perspective. Many times conflict is fueled by the desire to be “right,” but seeking the truth can trap us in our own narrow positions. In addition, it is often more productive to focus on the group’s interests rather than arguing about the particulars of their position.

In most cases, a negative feeling about someone does not stem from a single event, but is a cumulative buildup of annoyance. It is critical to recognize this when attempting to solve conflicts, and to separate the person from their problem. This will help to keep conflict from escalating into personal attacks and blame. It is also helpful to think about the positive traits of the individual, and look for ways to support them even if you do not agree with their stance on an issue.

War is an occurrence of intense and prolonged violence between nations and states. It occurs over political power, territorial and ethnic issues, societal stresses such as poverty and injustice, or the supply of weapons and ammunition. It also takes the lives of civilians. Many people consider themselves to be pacifists, but others recognize the necessity of military action to support or defend the security and safety of individuals, communities and nations from attack. They are still concerned about the moral dimensions of war, however: what is and is not permissible, or justifiable, as targets for warfare; what strategies and tactics are fair game; and whether treaties and covenants should be negotiated to reduce the risk of future conflict.

Philosophers have debated the causes of war for centuries. Some, such as Cicero and Hugo Grotius, define it as a “contention by force,” while Denis Diderot writes that it is a “convulsive and violent disease of the body politic.” Karl von Clausewitz argues that war is “the continuation of politics by other means.”

A more sophisticated approach is to examine the conditions for war to prevent it from occurring. Some philosophers look at the factors that must exist for the threat of violence to be averted: bumbling rulers; hatreds, prejudices and misunderstandings; access to weapons; economic limitations and scarcity of resources; the tendency toward “reciprocal” and “escalating” retaliation; and so on. Some scholars argue that these are not the chief reasons for war, however.

Other philosophers consider the intangible and ideological incentives that motivate leaders to fight: God’s glory, nationalist ideals, or other visionary goals. Think, for example, of Vladimir Putin’s obsession with the Soviet Union’s glory and his refusal to compromise on Ukraine; or liberation movements in colonial areas that were willing to suffer the ruin and risks of war partly in pursuit of an ideal.

The consequences of war go well beyond the immediate physical damage and loss of life. Repeated exposure to traumatic events can cause mental and emotional distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and lead to substance abuse, depression and other health problems. Moreover, it is difficult to sustain stable economies in war zones and many citizens lose their jobs and homes as a result of conflict. Consequently, they are less likely to be able to afford healthy foods and other essential goods. This leads to malnutrition, weakened immune systems and longer-term health issues such as heart disease. This can in turn contribute to a vicious cycle of increased conflict, greater poverty and even more violence. Ultimately, the only way to avoid this is to prevent conflict before it begins. This is why it is important to promote peace education, work for a global arms treaty and reduce the proliferation of weapons in developing countries, which bear the brunt of death and destruction from armed conflict.

The world war was a large, global conflict between many nations in which over 9 million people died. It was caused by many reasons including imperialism, alliances and nationalism. Imperialism was when countries expanded their territories and control, which led to tension between nations. Alliances were military agreements between countries. They helped to cause tension because they meant rivalry between different countries. Nationalism was a big factor in world war because it made people decide their loyalty based on ethnic or cultural background, rather than shared ideals.

By the summer of 1914, all the major European powers were preparing for war. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started it all off and it didn’t take long for it to spread across the entire continent.

Countries spent lots of money on their militaries and arming for war, which led to a lot of tension between the countries. In addition to that, there was secret diplomacy, which means that countries would meet in private and try to work out their differences without letting the other side know about it.

In the US, Woodrow Wilson calls for a declaration of war against Germany. Millions of men sign up to be draftees, and the ANZACs are the first troops from Australia and New Zealand to enter the battle. British Prime Minister Lloyd George tasked General Allenby with capturing Jerusalem by Christmas, which he does weeks ahead of schedule and deals a major blow to Turkish forces.

The central Ukrainian soils, known as the chernozems, are among the world’s most fertile. These occupy about two-thirds of the country’s land mass and may be divided into three broad groups. The north consists of a belt of deep chernozems, about 5 feet (1.5 metres) thick and extremely rich in humus; south and east of the former are zones of prairie or ordinary chernozems, thin and less rich; and in the west, a band of alluvial and calcareous chernozems with low humus content.

In the 16th through 18th centuries, Orthodox East Slavs in Ukraine began forming semi-autonomous host communities of peasant warriors called Cossacks. Despite their cultural affinity for Muscovite Russia, these independent statelets were often at odds with their Polish-Lithuanian overlords. They were also subject to regular raids by Russian and other forces.

After a brief period of independence following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine came under Soviet rule and suffered the brutal rigours of two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) that killed millions. The ill-effects of this period were compounded by the 1986 nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl power plant, which caused widespread radiation exposure and is still being cleaned up today.

Since independence, Ukraine has struggled to regain political stability, prosperity, and democracy. Its economy lags behind most other former Soviet republics and corruption is widespread. The current president, Petro POROSHENKO, won the election in 2014 with an explicit promise to strengthen Ukraine’s ties with the West and democratize the country. He was reelected in 2019 with even more votes.

One of the most traditional dishes in Ukraine is borscht, a classic beetroot soup made with tender beef chunks, lots of beets, carrots, cabbage and onions. It is a comforting and delicious meal for any day of the week, but it’s especially popular at weddings or festivals. Another favourite is nakisniki, which are pancakes that are filled with canned berries and sweet cottage cheese. They’re similar to blintzes, which have Eastern European Jewish origins, and are eaten for breakfast or dinner with sour cream on top. Garlic and dill are other essentials for Ukrainian cuisine. Like many other Slavic countries, Ukraine’s cuisine blends into those of its neighbouring nations and can be found in Poland, Belarus, Romania and Russia with slight tweaks and variations.

The US no longer sees cooperation with Russia as a realistic possibility. Instead, Washington is focused on knocking it out of the ranks of the great powers and reducing its capabilities.

Experts agree that the United States military’s globe-spanning force would clobber the Russian military in a toe-to-toe conventional fight. But most modern wars do not take place in a conventional fight where the two sides face off with equal numbers of fighter jets, bombers and aircraft carriers. Geography and politics inevitably give one side an advantage.

Russia’s collapsing economy and its lack of cohesive NCO training programs also make it ill-equipped for the type of large-scale warfare that the United States, NATO and many of Russia’s Pacific allies are building up to counter China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. If the US or its allies were to interdict China’s petroleum supplies, a massive famine would break out within a year, potentially deterring the country from risking a full-scale war that it could not win.

That’s why the US is working to degrade the country’s tools of statecraft by imposing economic sanctions, sending lethal weapons and trainers to Ukraine and ramping up naval exercises in Eastern Europe. This may not be the beginning of a war, but it could easily escalate into an ugly display of Cold War-era suspicion, antagonism and gamesmanship. A direct clash between the world’s two nuclear-armed superpowers is not inevitable, but it is a very real possibility.

Whether you’re a political novice or seasoned politician, chances are you’ve heard the terms “liberal” and “Democrat” used often. These words are synonymous for many people, but there’s a lot more to their meanings than meets the eye.

To be a liberal means to support the concept of individual liberty and believe in progressive government to address social and economic inequality. A Democrat is someone who supports the Democratic Party, one of two major political parties in the United States. Historically, the Democratic Party was rooted in liberalism, but the values and beliefs of political parties evolve over time.

In recent years, the Democratic Party has become more centered on progressive policies such as Medicare for All and a Green New Deal. However, some members of the Democratic Party have more moderate or conservative views on certain issues such as gun control and climate change. These people are referred to as “Democratic Mainstays” or “Blue Dog Democrats,” and their opinions often influence the majority of Democrats in the United States.

To avoid confusion and misinterpretation, it’s important to use the terminology correctly when describing political ideology. Be sure to understand how the concepts of liberal vs democrat differ and how the definitions are evolving. By doing so, you can better help others understand the differences between progressive politics and traditional conservatism. This will ultimately benefit our democracy and ensure the continued survival of our republic. – Faiz Shakir, Ph.D., is a political scientist who studies American politics and public opinion. He is a co-founder of The Washington Post’s Beltway & Bazaar blog and the author of three books on political culture and history.

Russia is a continental landmass with some of the world’s most extraordinary natural resources. It spans Europe and Asia, incorporating the cultures of both in a nation more than twice as large as the United States. Russia’s immense size and geographic variety have made it a center of trade, diplomacy, and military might for centuries.

During the time of Czar Peter the Great in the eighteenth century, Russian rulers began to understand the importance of acquiring modern technology and learning from Westerners. Peter commissioned scientists and engineers and built a fleet of ships for the navy. He was also the first czar to visit foreign ports and recognize the need to expand Russia’s economic base beyond agriculture.

Although it is possible to grow some crops in northern areas of Russia, the country depends on imported grain. The long, cold winters and short growing season limit agricultural output. Consequently, the state needs large quantities of foreign currency to fund industrialization. The government has attempted to boost industry through tax exemptions, subsidized credit, and grants for research. In addition, a national savings program was initiated to promote investment.

As a result, the country became a major producer of oil and gas. The government is trying to diversify its economy, but oil and gas are still important components of the nation’s income. The nation is a major military power and an active member of the United Nations, NATO, the G8 group of powerful industrialized nations, and the International Monetary Fund.

It has also been a major supplier of weapons and military equipment to other countries. In addition, it has a large stockpile of nuclear arms. The current political structure is a federation of republics, territories, and autonomous districts. There are two federal cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg); forty-six provinces and nine territories (oblasts and krais, respectively) that function as self-governing units; twenty-one republics; four autonomous okrugs; and one autonomous oblast.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has shifted from a centrally-planned economy to a market-based one with privatization and liberalization of some sectors. It is a founding member of the Eurasian Economic Union and APEC.

The international community has reacted with growing concern to Russia’s actions. The United States and several European nations have banned some Russian companies from entering their markets, restricted access to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, and placed sanctions on individuals and banks. Those measures have not deterred President Vladimir Putin, who has expanded Russian territory in Ukraine and Syria to support ally Bashar al-Assad, escalated a war against Ukraine, and threatened Western nations with nuclear strikes. Nevertheless, Putin is supported by some of the wealthiest oligarchs and businesspeople in the world. He has a majority in parliament and leads the world’s largest country by physical area. Its population is primarily ethnic Russian. In recent years, it has seen the return of migrants from former Soviet republics and other parts of the world, including the Ukraine.

The war with Ukraine has left Russia diminished in significant ways: a battered military that will take years to reconstitute; a bleak economic outlook that could include a decade of likely stagnation cut off from key high-tech imports; an alarmed, alienated, and rearming Europe; and a political isolation that may make Putin’s time in office even more difficult. But it also leaves Ukraine deeply diminished: Its military and civilian populations are suffering staggering casualties; a nationwide effort to cancel Russian culture is underway, with towns and cities across the country planning to rename their Pushkin Squares; and the lingering enmity that has built up in recent years will be hard to overcome for years, perhaps decades, after the fighting ends.

For this reason, it remains unclear whether Putin can still convince enough Ukrainians to reintegrate the country into Russia’s sphere of influence. Early pre-war polls suggested that some of Ukraine’s eastern residents might accept reintegration, given their longstanding cultural, linguistic, and religious identification with the Russian world. Indeed, some of the pro-Russian fighters whose numbers Moscow now claims to be outnumbering Ukrainian forces seem to be motivated at least partly by a desire for that reintegration.

Those motivations help explain why, nearly nine months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has failed to make much headway. The propaganda it has spread in Ukraine has amounted to wild exaggerations, including the assertion that a pro-Nazi junta is running Kyiv and is targeting Russian speakers. Putin’s own historical excursions, which are frequently dismissed as outright lies, also have been a factor, including his claim that Russians and Ukrainians are part of “one people.”

World News is a category of journalism in which reporters explore global issues and events. This field is sometimes referred to as international news or foreign news, and it can be considered one of the subfields of journalism that deals with local or national news (such as war reporting).

A world news reporter might specialize in a particular subject such as politics, economy, business, science and technology. The reporter might also focus on a region or country, and often reports to a news editor at a newspaper or magazine. World news may be reported by a full-time foreign correspondent, who is stationed in a specific city, or a special envoy, a freelancer sent to a particular location for a limited amount of time.

The United States and China reached a number of agreements during a meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, including curbing fentanyl production and enhancing military communications. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers found a tunnel shaft used by Hamas militants at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital. The United Nations voiced concerns that the tunnels could impede delivery of aid to Palestinians on Friday. And Britain’s medicines regulator has approved a gene therapy for sickle cell disease, a life-changing treatment for a rare illness. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, delivers business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world’s media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers. Reuters provides trusted business, financial, national and international news to governments, businesses and individuals around the globe. Founded in 1851, Reuters has built its reputation on speed, impartiality and accuracy. Reuters editors verify all content before it appears on the site.