David Smith

David J. Smith has over 30 years’ experience as a consultant, lawyer, mediator, professor, trainer, senior manager, career coach, and author. He supports educators, youth, and professionals in promoting civic, conflict, and peacebuilding awareness.
UK fighter jets intercept Russian plane over Norwegian Sea.

UK Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Aircraft Near Norway

What happens when a Russian surveillance aircraft flies unusually close to a NATO carrier strike group? In the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea, it prompted an immediate military response. The UK says two F-35 fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft repeatedly approached HMS Prince of Wales at low altitude.

Nine Thai monks killed after 11-year-old driver collides with procession.

Nine Thai Monks Killed In Procession Crash Involving Child Driver

Nine Buddhist monks were killed and several others injured after an 11-year-old boy allegedly lost control of his parents’ pickup truck. The pickup truck crashed into a religious procession in Thailand’s Mukdahan province. The group, made up of 35 monks and five lay followers, was walking on a pilgrimage when the vehicle ploughed into them.

Local organisers and the Vatican said 1.2m people lined Madrid's streets.

Pope leads Open-Air Mass As Crowds Throng Madrid Streets

Madrid looked less like a capital city and more like a sea of faith on Sunday. As more than a million people flooded its streets for an open-air Mass led by Pope Leo XIV. But what turns a city into a pilgrimage ground overnight? Wearing the colours of the Vatican, crowds waved flags, threw flower

Bolivian minister's convoy ambushed while overseeing roadblock clearance.

Bolivian Minister Convoy Attacked While Clearing Roadblock

A government convoy, dynamite explosions, and a minister briefly lost in the chaos — what exactly is happening on Bolivia’s highways right now? On Saturday, Bolivia’s Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora was caught in a violent ambush. While leading an operation to clear protest roadblocks near Copata, south of La Paz. His convoy was separated

Oscar winner Pavel Talankin brought along the award to show university students during a screening in New York.

Oscar Disappears After Winner Is Stopped From Flying With Trophy

How does an Oscar-winning film end up without its Oscar? That’s the strange travel mystery now surrounding filmmaker Pavel Talankin, co-director of Mr Nobody Against Putin. The award-winning documentary has already made headlines—but now its golden statuette has gone missing in transit. Talankin was flying from New York City to Germany. When airport security at

Nineteen jailed over deadly Moscow concert attack.

Russia Jails 19 Over Moscow Concert Hall Attack

How does a country respond to one of the deadliest terror attacks in its recent history? In Russia, the answer has now come in the form of harsh prison sentences. A military court has jailed 19 people for their roles in the devastating 2024 attack at the Crocus City Concert Hall near Moscow. The assault

Trump sacks Noem after uproar over $220m ad blitz.

Trump Fires Noem After $220m Ad Controversy

Why is the head of US homeland security stepping down just months into intense political scrutiny? The answer lies in a swirl of controversy, criticism, and political pressure. Kristi Noem, a key figure in Donald Trump’s tough immigration push, will leave her post as head of the US Department of Homeland Security at the end

Anger as woman’s headless body found in Istanbul bin.

Anger As Woman’s Headless Body Found In Istanbul Bin

A shocking discovery in Istanbul has ignited fresh anger over violence against women. Who could ignore a story like this — a woman found dead, her body mutilated and dumped in a rubbish bin in the Sisli district? It’s the kind of brutality that makes people ask: How has this become so normal? The victim,

Bodies of 21 migrants found in Libyan grave.

Bodies Of 21 Migrants Found In Libyan Grave

What began as a routine security tip quickly turned into a chilling scene. In eastern Libya, authorities have uncovered at least 21 bodies buried in a mass grave near the town of Ajdabiya. It exposes yet another dark chapter in the region’s migrant crisis. Security forces raided a nearby farm after receiving reports that migrants

Long-lost ‘masterpiece’ sells for almost 3m euros.

Long-lost ‘Masterpiece’ Sells For Nearly €3m

What’s more thrilling than discovering buried treasure? Finding a forgotten Rubens masterpiece sitting quietly in a Paris mansion. That’s exactly what happened when auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat stumbled upon a 1613 painting of Christ on the cross. It was a work he later called “a masterpiece” created when Rubens was “at the height of his talent.”

Tanzania’s Hassan declared landslide winner in election marred by violence.

Tanzania’s Hassan Wins By Landslide In Violence-Marred Election

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a sweeping victory — nearly 98% of the vote. The election has sparked anger and deadly unrest across the country. The win, announced Saturday, gives Hassan, 65, another five years in power. But it comes amid accusations of repression and an opposition boycott that turned what critics called

Families search Mexican forest for remains of over 100 missing.

Families Scour Mexican Forest For Remains Of 100+ Missing People

In the quiet woods south of Mexico City, the sound of shovels and machetes breaks the silence. Families are digging—not for treasure, but for truth. They’re searching for loved ones who vanished without a trace, feared to be buried in the dense forests of Ajusco. Imagine combing through the earth, hoping for closure yet dreading