In May 2024, New Caledonia was shaken by the worst violence the island has seen in decades, reigniting long-standing tensions over independence. Amid burned cars, blocked roads, and nightly clashes, two young women , Thelma and Elisa, lived the crisis from two very different worlds.

In the Djaafer family card game , I ask for the mother. An Algerian former midwife, Louiza now lives in the south of France with her six children: Kaouthar, Asma, Maria, Amira, Kenza, and Zakary. However, it is impossible not to mention Laya, the daughter of the eldest, who today embodies the hope of their mother’s awakening. A few months ago, after a surgery went wrong, Louiza’s life was shaken, sending her whole family into worry and fear. I came to visit them and wanted to look back at this crucial time in their lives — a moment when, in that same game, her daughters would have had to answer, “Not at home.” Amidst double culture, immigration, religion, and familial love, those five days of coma transformed this family, who, after coming so close to losing their mother, continue to celebrate life.

Kais’ father picks at his food, the heat pressing down on his small apartment in Latakia. When asked why he isn’t eating on the terrace, he shrugs: “Ramadan has started.” As an Alawite, he does not fast or avoid alcohol, but in times of tension even these small habits are kept private. “Better not to raise controversy,” he says. Latakia may be an Alawite-majority city, but discretion has become second nature.

Saint Levant, Elyanna, Bayou... A wave of artists from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) diaspora are making an impact, bringing Arabic sounds, themes, and multicultural identities to the global music scene. Dubbed "Arabizi" by Rolling Stone , these artists are at the forefront of a new genre that blends Arabic and Western influences. But is this "new wave" truly groundbreaking, or is it simply a rediscovery by Western audiences of something the Arab world has known for decades? In an interview with The Glass Room, Dounia, an Algerian-Egyptian journalist, challenged the narrative presented by Rolling Stone and other Western media saying: "Nothing about this is new."

The two-state solution to the political conflict in Israel and Palestine was supposed to be discussed at a United Nations (UN) conference this week. However, due to the missile attacks that are currently going back and forth between Israel and Iran, the UN conference was postponed. French president Emmanuel Macron reportedly states that this is not the right time to discuss the political future of Israel and Palestine, because of “logistical and security reasons”.

With the U.S. presidential election approaching, the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House raises new questions for international justice, including the future of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague. The institution, tasked with prosecuting war crimes committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), relies heavily on international cooperation and political support. A shift in U.S. policy could reshape its ability to function.

In the Groningen region, earthquakes linked to decades of gas extraction have caused significant damage, but the toll extends far beyond the physical cracks in buildings. Residents are grappling with delays, confusion, and emotional strain as they wait for promises of repair and compensation to materialize.

n Groningen, many students rely on cafés as informal study spaces — especially when university libraries are full. But as more students settle in for long work sessions, several cafés across the city have begun restricting laptop use to preserve their atmosphere and keep tables open for paying customers.