THE CRA PERSPECTIVE • WORLD & SOCIETY The 10 Most Peaceful Countries in the World Where safety, stability and social harmony create a better environment for life. 2026 GLOBAL PEACE INDEX EDITION Imagine living in a country where people feel secure walking through their neighbourhoods, institutions function reliably, communities coexist peacefully and international disagreements are less likely to turn into violence. Peace is one of the most valuable conditions a society can achieve. It allows children to grow up with confidence, businesses to invest, communities to prosper and individuals to pursue their ambitions without the constant fear of conflict. But peacefulness is not simply the absence of war. It also involves personal safety, political stability, low levels of violence, peaceful relations with neighbouring countries and a society in which people can trust the institutions around them. Every year, the Insti...
Kefir: A Tangy Probiotic Beverage A glass of kefir being poured. Kefir is a cultured, fermented milk drink originally from the Caucasus Mountains of Eurasia. It has a tangy, slightly sour taste and a gentle fizziness from fermentation. In texture it’s like a thin, drinkable yogurt – usually made from cow, goat, or sheep’s milk. People add “kefir grains” (gelatinous clusters of bacteria and yeast) to milk and let it sit at room temperature; the microbes in the grains turn the milk sugar (lactose) into lactic acid, tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide, and a trace of alcohol. The result is a nutritious dairy beverage rich in protein, calcium and B vitamins, loaded with live probiotic organisms (beneficial bacteria and yeasts) that help maintain healthy gut flora. Today kefir is enjoyed worldwide – plain or flavored – and comes in many varieties (even non-dairy versions made with water or juice). Origins and Traditional Use Kefir has a long history as a health-promoting folk food. It l...