There is immense hope for human progress despite the seemingly endless intractable wars and repeated economic crises, writes think-tank vice-president Kemal Dervis

German baritone Benjamin Appl is about to undertake a tour of Ireland, with dates including Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen (Sunday) and Triskel, Cork (November 20). His concert will include arias from popular Mozart operas such as The Marriage of Figaro, as well as songs by Mendelssohn and Schubert, and a new work by Irish composer Marian Ingoldsby.