In today’s World News Briefing: Israel’s deadly strike on Rafah kills 22 as Gaza reels under renewed bombardments. Donald Trump rebukes Zelenskyy over Crimea, prompting international backlash.
In India, PM Modi promises justice after a deadly attack in Kashmir amid election tensions and is on a warpath with Pakistan. France and Israel clash as Macron proposes Palestinian statehood recognition — a move Netanyahu slams as “a reward for terror.”
And our hidden story honours how Indonesians, in the Muslim-majority nation, reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and his decade of global interfaith leadership.
The Trump impact has caught many politicians off guard, they now know they have to be more dynamic and can’t be stuck in one camp or another, otherwise, they will get backed up into a corner.
On a lighter cultural note, Liverpool fans across the globe are preparing to tune into the weekend match of the Premier League as Arsenal dropped more points last night at Palace, ensuring any positive result will crown them Champions of England.
World News Today
Bird of the Week
The European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) has returned to southern Spain and Italy after its African wintering. Known for its brilliant colours and aerial insect-chasing, it thrives in open countryside and sandy cliffs — but is increasingly vulnerable to habitat loss due to agricultural expansion.
Israel continues its fascist operation
Israel’s government cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials two days before they were to start a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Sunday, the group said.
It also came amidst diplomatic tensions after President Emmanuel Macron said France would soon recognise a Palestinian state. Which would have serious implications for Israel’s genocide in Gaza; Palestine has a right to defend itself.
Israel has also finally admitted to failings by the IDF, after a relentless barrage of eyewitness reports that report how aid workers and entire families were buried in a mass grave, with rescue workers searching for survivors, who were ambushed and killed.
The Israeli military has not set up an operative to confiscate all phones and recording equipment.
Media bias
BBC: Focuses on death toll and UN warnings of a potential “mass disaster.” – It should have called it for what it is, a ‘mass grave’
Al Jazeera: Leads with eyewitness accounts, calling it “a massacre of civilians.”
France 24: Israeli military admits ‘professional failures’ in killings of Palestinian medics – Notes regional diplomatic fallout and tensions over stalled ceasefire talks.
Political Reactions
Netanyahu insists Israel “will not hesitate to defend itself.” – the fall back keyphrase that Israelis use when they have no way to defend themselves. Palestinian and UN officials say this was “a war crime, plain and simple.”
- @IsraeliPM: “Rafah was a Hamas stronghold. We hit terrorists, not innocents.”
- @DrHananAshrawi: “Another red line crossed in Rafah. What does it take to stop this?”
- @ICRC: “We urge restraint. Civilians are not collateral.”
Trump and Zelenskyy just can’t seem to see eye to eye
Trump slams Zelenskyy for refusing to recognise Russian control of Crimea
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticising him for rejecting any recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea. In a televised interview, Trump called Zelenskyy’s position “naïve and dangerous,” suggesting that continued refusal to acknowledge Russia’s hold over the territory is “delaying peace” and “unrealistic in a multipolar world.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash from both sides of the Atlantic. Zelenskyy doubled down, calling Crimea “an integral part of Ukraine — always was, always will be.”
European leaders distanced themselves from Trump’s comments, reaffirming support for Ukrainian sovereignty as outlined in international law.
Trump’s stance aligns with his previous reluctance to confront Russian foreign policy directly. Analysts say the remarks may appeal to segments of the US electorate favouring “realpolitik,” but could fracture Western consensus as peace negotiations stall once more.
Media Narrative Comparison
France 24: Highlights international diplomatic backlash and Zelenskyy’s sharp rebuttal.
The Guardian: Frames Trump’s comments as part of a “longstanding appeasement of Russia.”
Al Jazeera: Focuses on Ukrainian domestic response and European silence on US rhetoric.
Political Reactions
Zelenskyy said: “Crimea is Ukraine. That’s not up for negotiation.” Trump’s campaign defended his comments as “pragmatic.”
- @ZelenskyyUa: “Ukraine is not for sale. Not in 2014. Not in 2025.”
- @TeamTrump: “President Trump will always pursue peace — not endless war.”
- @AndersFoghR: “Appeasing Russia has never led to peace — only more aggression.”
Modi wants war with Pakistan
Modi vows justice after deadly Kashmir rebel attack
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to “track and punish” those responsible for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left nine Indian soldiers dead and several others wounded. The ambush, carried out by suspected separatist militants, is one of the deadliest incidents in the region this year. Modi said the government would act decisively to maintain national security.
The attack comes in the middle of India’s multi-phase general election, where Modi’s ruling BJP is campaigning heavily on national security and Hindu nationalist themes. Opposition leaders have urged restraint, warning against using the incident for electoral gain. But Modi seems determined to follow in Netanyahu’s footsteps and use this as an opportunity to stay in power.
Security has been ramped up across Kashmir and India’s northern border zones. Pakistan has denied involvement but urged India to avoid inflaming tensions. Meanwhile, rights groups are calling independent investigations but India has denied all access.
Media Bias
France 24: Focuses on Modi’s election-season rhetoric and regional fallout.
BBC: Highlights military response and opposition concerns.
Al Jazeera: Frames it within the context of ongoing repression in Kashmir.
India Today: High time India cuts Pakistan’s ‘jugular veins’: Ex-US official on Pahalgam attack
Political Reactions
Modi vowed “swift justice for our soldiers.” The opposition called for “accountability, not escalation.”
- @narendramodi: “India will not forget. We will punish the guilty.”
- @INCIndia: “Security is a national duty — not an election slogan.”
- @AJEnglish: “Modi vows revenge in Kashmir as tensions rise again.”
Netanyahu challenges Macron’s plan to recognise Palestinian state
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to recognise a Palestinian state “in the coming weeks,” calling the move a “reward for terror.” Macron’s comments, made during a press conference in Brussels, come amid a renewed European push for a two-state solution.
Netanyahu said such a decision would embolden Hamas and undermine Israel’s security. France, Ireland, and Spain are reportedly drafting coordinated recognition efforts through the European Council. The US State Department offered no formal response but reiterated support for “a negotiated path forward.”
The diplomatic clash adds to mounting strain between Israel and Western allies over the Gaza war and ongoing settlement expansion. Macron’s proposal is seen as a bold pivot in EU foreign policy, but its success depends on broader regional coordination — and US silence may prove decisive.
Media look
France 24: Highlights Macron’s bold departure from US alignment.
The Guardian: Describes Netanyahu’s rhetoric as “escalatory and defiant.”
Al Jazeera: Frames the issue around growing EU frustration with Israeli policy.
Political Reactions
Netanyahu said the EU was “rewarding murderers.” France said peace “requires recognition.”
- @IsraeliPM: “No one will force us to recognise terror as a state.”
- @francediplo_EN: “Recognition is not reward. It’s a path to peace.”
- @MiddleEastEye: “Macron’s move shakes EU-Israel relations as Gaza toll rises.”
Hidden Story: Indonesians praise Pope Francis’ legacy of tolerance
As Pope Francis nears the twilight of his papacy, Catholics in Indonesia — the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation — are reflecting on his decade-long leadership with deep admiration. In a DW video feature, young Indonesian Catholics describe Francis as “a pope for peace,” noting his efforts to build bridges between faiths and stand up for marginalised communities globally.
Under his papacy, interfaith initiatives in Indonesia have grown steadily, often supported by both church leaders and local imams. Francis’ vocal stance on climate justice, anti-racism, and the dignity of the poor resonates widely across Southeast Asia, where ecological and social issues intertwine with religion.
Despite rising religious conservatism in parts of the country, Indonesia has remained largely pluralistic, in part due to the legacy of global religious diplomacy. Yet, mainstream coverage of Francis’ influence in the Global South remains limited. For many here, his papacy wasn’t just about doctrine — it was about dignity.
Digital Gallery Highlight
🎨 “Waterlines” at the Guggenheim (New York City) – A bold exhibit tracing climate, migration, and memory through large-scale installations. Featuring works by Ai Weiwei, El Anatsui, and Yayoi Kusama.
🔗 Explore the Guggenheim
🌐 Global Cultural & Business Events
- 🇺🇸 Tribeca Film Festival – Showcasing social storytelling in NYC
- 🇬🇧 London Coffee Festival – Where Caffeine Meets Culture
- 🇪🇺 EU Startup Summit – Lisbon – Innovation Meets Policy in Southern Europe
- 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week – Green deals and global energy debates
- 🌍 Tokyo Game Show Spring 2025 – Asia’s biggest gaming and tech expo returns
💬 Quote of the Day
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn
A gentle reminder that hope, like seeds, grows best when nurtured with purpose — in gardens, politics, and peace.
🏛️ Global Political Bulletins
- UN Security Council: Ceasefire vote on Gaza delayed again amid US-EU friction
- IMF Regional Outlook: Warns of “slowbalisation” hitting African and Latin American growth
- World Bank Tech Forum: Highlights AI risks in developing nations with weak regulatory capacity
- NATO Joint Ops Briefing: Cyber-defence prioritised after Baltic intrusion test
- WHO Geneva Alert: New bird flu strain under watch in Southeast Asia
