World | WPN World People News

Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Journalists wait for the arrival of official delegations at the Geneva II Conference on Syria, in Montreux, Switzerland.

Private companies are increasingly used by European countries and the EU to provide security and military services in missions abroad. However, military tasks and the protection of civilians are heavy responsibilities and if something goes wrong it can have fatal consequences. Parliament's foreign affairs committee has drafted rules to increase the accountability of private security firms and prevent them from taking on military combat tasks. MEPs will vote on the report during the June plenary.

Representatives of the world’s cultures will come together in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 5 and 6 for the 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held to boost and support efforts in favour of cultural diversity and inclusive societies through dialogue among all stakeholders.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$10.7 million (75 million Danish Krone) contribution from the Government of Denmark to help roll back famine in South Sudan and to assist hungry people in Horn of Africa countries hit by drought.

Young mothers wait with their children to be seen at a UNICEF-supported outpatient therapeutic center in Garbaharey, Somalia.

UNHCR staff at Mussungue reception centre, north-west Angola, distribute food supplies including maize, rice, beans, oil, salt and sardines to Congolese refugees who fled an eruption of violence in Kasai region.

A convoy bound for East Ghouta, Syria, on 19 April 2016.

In the eyes of a growing number of citizens, belonging to the EU is a good thing. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey of Europeans’ attitudes, figures are virtually back at their pre-crisis levels in 2007.

From trade to Nato, the EU and Turkey have enjoyed a productive relationship in many domains for decades. However, recently relations have turned frosty as concerns mount over the state of democracy in the country with media outlets being closed and journalists being jailed. MEPs also keep a close eye on developments and wonder if it may not be time to rethink how the EU cooperates with Turkey.