Peace

A demining technician in protective gear carefully surveys a forested hillside in Croatia for an article about Croatia landmine free declaration

Croatia declares its entire territory free of landmines after 31 years

By / / Good News For Humankind

Croatia officially declared its entire territory free of landmines in February 2026, closing a 31-year chapter that began with the 1990s Homeland War. Demining teams removed approximately 107,000 landmines and more than 407,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance at a total cost of around 1.2 billion euros. The milestone fulfills Croatia’s obligations under the Ottawa Convention and returns vast tracts of farmland, protected natural areas, and previously inaccessible terrain to safe public use for the first time in a generation.

Man holding Palestinian flag

France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco formally recognize Palestinian statehood

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a landmark diplomatic moment, France, Belgium, and a coalition of other European nations have formally recognized a Palestinian state. The coordinated effort, announced at the United Nations General Assembly, is a powerful affirmation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. This is a significant step toward a two-state solution, demonstrating a growing international consensus that a stable peace in the Middle East requires a sovereign Palestine existing alongside Israel.

Palestinian flags

Britain, Australia, and Canada formally recognize a Palestinian state

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a landmark move, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have formally recognized Palestine as an independent state.
This diplomatic action, hailed as a major step toward a two-state solution, is a powerful affirmation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The coordinated effort signals a growing international consensus that a stable and lasting peace requires a sovereign Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.
While this move is largely symbolic and does nothing to mitigate the suffering happening in Gaza every day, it is perhaps still a moment of hope, demonstrating that diplomacy and international law can be key tools in resolving long-standing conflicts and moving toward justice.

Peace sign lit in the sky at night

Kurdistan Workers’ Party agrees to peace deal with Turkey, ending deadly 40-year conflict

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The decision promises to put an end to one of the longest insurgencies in the Middle East and could have significant impact in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. In February, party leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, urged his group to convene a congress and formally decide to disband. The call by Ocalan marked a pivotal step toward ending the decades-long conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.

Ukraine flag

Ukraine allies pledge €21 billion in fresh military aid

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The announcement came as members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group met at Nato’s headquarters in Brussels to pledge air defences, missiles, and other gear as Europe sought to fill the gap left by the changed priorities of the U.S. under Donald Trump. More than half of the aid – €11 billion over four years – is coming from Germany. Support also includes a $590m package from the U.K. and Norway to fund radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs, and hundreds of thousands of drones as the nation faces a brutal, unlawful invasion from Russia.

Ukraine flag

Norway boosts financial support to Ukraine with €4.3 billion

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The Norwegian Parliament has agreed to more than double the financial support to Ukraine for 2025 as the United States continues to withdraw its support under the Trump administration. Norway’s state budget for 2025 initially granted €2.98 billion to Ukraine. Today’s increase by 50 billion kroner boosts the total sum for this year €7.24 billion, more than doubling Norway’s contribution. None of the politicians were against helping Ukraine in its defense against aggressor Russia, from the far right to the far left.

Marshall Islands flag

Marshall Islands signs treaty banning nuclear weapons in the South Pacific

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The Marshall Islands has become the 14th Pacific Islands Forum member state to join the South Pacific’s nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament treaty. The agreement, known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, was opened for signature on 6 August 1985 and entered into force on 11 December 1986. The current member states of the treaty are Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Peace sign lit in the sky at night

Israel and Hamas agree to cease-fire after 15 months of war and terror

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The guns have gone silent in Gaza after over a year of brutal war, destruction, and terror. The initial stage of a truce between Israel and Hamas prompted celebrations in Gaza and hope for an end to the 15-month war. Three women were the first Israeli hostages to be released. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release dozens of Palestinian prisoners. Since October 2023, over 45,900 Palestinians and 1,700 Israelis have been killed, including many civilians, children, journalists, and humanitarians.

Man holding Palestinian flag

Ireland, Norway, and Spain jointly recognize Palestine as a state

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At a time when European capitals are divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the initiative aims to relaunch the peace process on the basis of the two-state solution. The State of Palestine is now recognized as a sovereign state by 145 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. It has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly since November 2012.

Ukrainian flag

Spain to give Ukraine €1 billion in military aid in decade-long defense deal

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Although the precise details of the agreement have not been made public, the Spanish government said its assistance would “allow Ukraine to prioritize its capacities, including its air defenses.” The bilateral deal was agreed two days after Russia’s onslaught in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed 18 people, and as E.U. leaders grow increasingly exasperated with Hungary’s efforts to block aid to Ukraine.