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This week’s world news briefing – A shifting world order, a spring in the wind, Trump’s Gulf Megadeals
Its May and the sun is shining and spirits are being lifted. There’s a renewed level of energy as people are moving forward, powered by the sun.
The news is also tempered, from Gulf mega deals to EU election surprises in Poland, the tone of diplomacy is bold — and in places, abrupt, but there does seem to be a route to peace in Ukraine. President Trump flexes muscle in the Middle East a few days after his clash with Benjamin Netanyahu while French premier Macron is accused of taking cocaine on a train to Kiev? A welcome distraction as the news of France’s biggest actor Gerard Depardieu reaches print media as he is convicted of Sexual crimes.
In Turkey and Syria, the PKK’s sudden disbandment could signal a historic peace for Kurds. India and pakistan seem to have reached an accord. But fighting rages on in Sudan as the fight to control minerals between the US and South Africa rages on.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s devastation deepens, as Israeli PM rages on with a full scale invasion of Gaza, and systematically, the State sponsored terrorists, who have the ear of the Prime Minister, The Israeli settlers continue to kill, evict and take over Palestinian homes and land.
But there is hope, flowers are blossoming and the Nightingale is back. In Venice, La Biennale di Venezia continues to mirror this global turbulence — beauty and resistance on canvas.
✍️ Ahem Ahem – I don’t buy it!
There is a growing narrative that is shifting from unwavering support for Israel to one now that is sympathising with the plight of Palestinians. As I write this editorial, the BBC is questioning the skilful Israeli spokesperson David Mensa, about the aid blockade.
Some have suggested this is because Trump’s had enough of Netanyahu. But in all this, there is undertone that hasn’t changed, That Israel is allowed to blame Hamas for everything. Until Israel is held to account, nothing will change.
Why is an Israeli spokesperson allowed to obfuscate issues and circumvent the questions of genocide, compare it to Russia, why isn’t President Putin’s spokesperson given the same opportunity, if indeed that is the way of a democracy.
🌼 Flower of the Week
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Blooming across central Europe and the UK in May, the cornflower symbolises hope and remembrance. Once a weed of wheatfields, it’s now a protected wildflower in France and Germany.
🐦 Bird of the Week
Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
This reclusive songbird is arriving from Africa. Best heard at dusk, its powerful, melodic call echoes through southern woodlands — though habitat loss has made it harder to find.
Cliff Notes – Greece issues tsunami warning after strong earthquake
- An offshore earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck 48km southeast of the island of Kasos, prompting emergency services to issue a tsunami warning and advise residents to evacuate the coast.
- Tremors from the quake, which was reported at a depth of 83 kilometers, were felt across the region, including parts of Egypt, Israel, and southwestern Turkey, with varying magnitudes reported by different sources.
- Greece is situated on multiple fault lines and frequently experiences seismic activity, having recorded over 18,400 low-magnitude quakes in the Cyclades archipelago in recent weeks.
Greece issues tsunami warning after strong earthquake
Greece’s emergency services have warned people to move away from the coast after an offshore earthquake struck near the island of Kasos.
“A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km [south-east] of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area,” the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection posted on the 112 Greece account. “Move away from the coast immediately.”
The tiny island of Kasos, which has a population of around 1,000, lies in the Aegean Sea between Crete and Rhodes.
Tremor also felt in Egypt
The quake was at a depth of 83 kilometers (52 miles), the German Research Centre for Geoscience (GFZ) said.
GFZ recorded the earthquake as being magnitude 6.3, according to AFP news agency, higher than that reported by the Greek authorities.
Tremors from the quake were felt as far away as Israel and southwestern Turkey.
People in Egypt also felt the quake with the country’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics reporting a magnitude of 6.4 but no casualties or property damage.
Greece is located on a number of fault lines and is sporadically hit by earthquakes.
Between January 26 and February 13, more than 18,400 quakes, mainly of a low magnitude, were recorded off islands in the Cyclades archipelago, including the popular tourist island of Santorini, according to the University of Athens seismology laboratory.
Sources
Greece issues tsunami warning after powerful 5.9 earthquake – Daily Jang
Tsunami warning as powerful 5.9 earthquake strikes off coast of popular Greek island – Daily Express
📰 Nigeria sees highest economic growth in a decade – World Bank
Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.9% in Q1 2025, marking its highest quarterly growth rate in 10 years, according to the World Bank. The recovery is driven by investment in renewable energy, fintech, and strong performance in agriculture, which is flowing through Africa.
Despite security concerns and inflationary pressures, investor confidence appears to be rising, and analysts now expect full-year growth to surpass 4%. The naira has stabilised, and foreign direct investment is increasing.
However, challenges remain: fuel subsidy reform, youth unemployment, and regional instability continue to weigh on long-term prospects.
Media comparison – Nigeria sees highest economic growth in a decade
- DW: Celebrates growth but warns of persistent inequality.
- Bloomberg: Highlights renewables and tech as growth drivers.
- The Guardian Nigeria: Points to disconnect between macro gains and everyday hardship.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @NGRPresident: “Nigeria is back. Growth, investment, and jobs are rising.”
- @WorldBankAfrica: “4.9% growth — highest in a decade. The work continues.”
- @SaharaReporters: “How much of this growth do ordinary Nigerians feel?”
📰 Israel razes corridor of destruction in central Gaza
Israel razes corridor of destruction as European observers are left gobsmacked after witnessing verified images showing that Israeli bulldozers have razed a swathe of civilian homes in central Gaza.
Creating a 1km-long corridor cutting the territory in two. Dubbed the “Morag Corridor” after a former Israeli settlement, the zone now separates the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Israelis call this corridor the corridor of hell as they protest in numbers in Tel Aviv.
The IDF says the area is being used to isolate Hamas fighters and prevent weapon transfers. Critics, including UN officials and European leaders, argue it amounts to collective punishment and creates further displacement in an already devastated region.
Labour MP and London Mayor Sadiq Khan reluctantly called this a genocide on LBC.
This military corridor marks a new phase in Gaza’s physical and political fragmentation, which are war crimes, but who will hold Israel to account?
Media comparison – Israel razes corridor of destruction in central Gaza
- France 24: Emphasises humanitarian cost and displacement.
- Times of Israel: Focuses on military rationale and “security needs.”
- Al Jazeera: Calls it deliberate ethnic engineering.
- WTX NEWS: Israeli state sponsored terrorism leads to ethnic cleansing
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @UNRWA: “Thousands more displaced by new bulldozed corridor. Urgent aid needed.”
- @IDF: “This zone ensures Hamas weapons won’t flow south.”
- @MiddleEastEye: “Entire neighbourhoods erased in Israel’s new Gaza corridor.”
📰 PKK to disband in landmark Kurdish peace initiative
In an unprecedented move, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced it will disband its armed operations and instead campaign for Kurdish rights through democratic and cultural means. The declaration was made from the PKK’s European wing, citing a generational shift and hope for political reform in Turkey
While Ankara has yet to officially respond, Kurdish communities across Turkey, Syria, and Europe are cautiously optimistic. Analysts warn that unless Turkey reciprocates with meaningful reforms, the disbandment could remain symbolic.
If sustained, this could end a decades-long conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Media comparison – PKK to disband in landmark Kurdish peace initiative
- France 24: Frames it as “historic and hopeful.”
- Al Monitor: Highlights cautious Kurdish optimism.
- Reuters: Stresses lack of Turkish response and deep distrust.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @RojavaNetwork: “Hope is in action. Peace is possible.”
- @euronews: “PKK shifts from armed struggle to democratic reform.”
- @TRTWorld: “No comment yet from Turkish government on PKK announcement.”
Trump’s Gulf megadeals spark questions in Arab capitals
Trump’s Gulf megadeals spark questions in Arab capitals, what is going on? US President Donald Trump is promoting a series of billion-dollar investment deals with Gulf states as evidence of his global economic clout. These include AI, defence tech, and infrastructure partnerships spanning Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. But Arab diplomats and analysts are asking: what’s actually in it for the region.
Sources suggest the deals largely favour US firms and mirror Trump’s transactional view of diplomacy. Gulf leaders appear divided — some welcome the commercial boost, while others worry about alienating China and entrenching dependence on the US.
The crooks of the matter, this middle east deal is at the expense of Israel, who is being alienated by the pursuit of peace and diplomacy in the region. The question everyone is thinking, can we trust Trump?
Media comparison – Trump’s Gulf megadeals spark questions in Arab capitals
- The Times: Casts doubt on benefits to the Arab world
- Al Jazeera: Frames it as American opportunism with little strategic vision
- The Guardian: Emphasises the overlap between Trump’s business interests and political positioning
Political Reactions + Tweets as Trump’s Gulf megadeals spark questions in Arab capitals
- @realDonaldTrump: “Nobody makes deals like we do. Billions secured. America leads again!”
- @AJEnglish: “Gulf officials question real value of Trump’s megadeals.”
- @MiddleEastEye: “Are Gulf leaders buying influence or selling sovereignty?”
✍️ Quote of the Week
“History is a set of lies agreed upon.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
This week’s news shows how narratives — whether political, digital, or economic — can be engineered, exposed, or reimagined. The truth, as ever, lies between the lines, but there is no doubt, that history belongs to the victor.
🕵️ No, Macron did not hide cocaine on a train to Ukraine
A viral video claiming French President Emmanuel Macron was “caught red-handed” hiding a cocaine bag on a train to Ukraine has been thoroughly debunked by France 24’s fact-checking team. The footage, which showed Macron holding a white pouch before tucking it into his coat, was deceptively edited. The object was a known brand of French facial tissue.
The clip gained traction on platforms like X and TikTok, fuelled by conspiracy influencers. AI analysis of the video confirmed digital tampering.
This story reflects the increasing use of manipulated media to undermine political figures — particularly during periods of tension like Macron’s current Green rebellion.
Key takeaway: In an age of digital warfare, viral misinformation can move faster than diplomacy.
This weeks global cultural & business events provides a round up of the highlights key events taking place around the world. You don’t need a private jet to get around, some are virtual as well.
🌍 Global Cultural & Business Events This Week
- 🇮🇹 La Biennale di Venezia – Venice
- 🇺🇸 G7 Finance Ministers Summit – New York
- 🇺🇳 UN Digital Inclusion Forum – Geneva
- 🇩🇪 Berlin Design Week – Berlin
- 🇺🇸 SXSW EDU Europe – London
🏛️ Political events to keep your eyes on
- NATO: Turkey requests joint monitoring of PKK disbandment
- IMF: Revises 2025 global growth forecast to 3.2%
- UNESCO: Adds Gaza’s Old Port to watchlist of threatened heritage sites
- WHO: Issues early warning for rising dengue clusters in Asia
- World Bank: Launches climate adaptation bond for Sahel nations
FEATURED EVENT – International Summit – Tirana, Albania
Meeting of the European Political Community, 16 May 2025
The sixth meeting of the European Political Community will bring together leaders from across the continent in Tirana, Albania under the theme ‘New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action’.
The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, António Costa, who will co-chair the meeting along with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.
🖼️ Art/Culture Highlight – Kunsthaus Zurich: “Surveillance and the Self”
An exhibition tracing the history. A Future for the Past
The exhibition focuses on various – also contradictory – perspectives on the historical context in which the arms manufacturer and patron Emil G. Bührle built up his collection: it highlights the biographies of former owners of individual works, whose sale took place under questionable circumstances, and the question of how a differentiated approach to history can succeed in the immediate present.
The Bührle Collection: art, context, war and conflict.
✍️ Thought of the day
We’ve delveoped this need to move on to the ‘next thing’ standing in one place seems to make one anxious. That may be because of the way we are being engineered, the thirst for more. But the negative impact of that is, we rarely get to enjoy the moment.
When enjoying a meal, a walk in nature, or any other activity, pay attention to the details and fully experience it, just stand still (figuratively) and process what you have done, The next, more is not always better.
© 2026 WTX News.