- Roy Keane praises Man Utd player for ‘outstanding’ performance against Newcastle
- Britain’s ‘loneliest sheep’ set to have twins after two years of losing weight
- Parents honour ‘murdered’ mother of six as £18,000 raised for her children
- 12-Year-Old Boy Heroically Rescues Lives After Mom Collapses While Driving at 60mph
- Three Missing Following Devastating Boxing Day Fire in the Early Morning
- British activist reunites with family in UK after years imprisoned in Egypt
- Cornwall Seal Sanctuary Rates Its Residents – Who’s Number One?
- Treasury Values Priceless Tapestry at £800 Million | News UK
🌼 Flower of the Week
🐦 Bird of the Week
✍️ Quote of the Week
This week’s world news briefing – Israel allies turn, Gaza catastrophe and UK & EU buddies at last
It has been curious week, thunderstorms have caused havoc in Asia, with power cuts and blackouts. In the US a relentless spell of dangerous weather that spawned dozens of tornadoes has killed 28 people displaced millions in Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
In Europe its been an unpredictable wet start to the week which has lent its incalculable nature to global diplomacy. What’s has caused this sudden shift towards Israel. Staunch allies are now turning on Netanyahu with a suspicious level of venom. Although welcomed by millions around the world, this does make one question, where was this leadership 12 months ago? because the genocide was as evident then as it is now.
Israel has isolated itself but its savage invasion of Gaza’s is on full swing, as protests against Netanyahu grow within the Knesset. Politically motivated violence spikes in Germany are fuelling a surge in hate crimes, and Britain cautiously celebrates a landmark EU agreement. Meanwhile, Italy braces for a new pope whose progressive ideals challenge conservative politics.
Amidst the international turbulence, we explore the quiet yet powerful role of intuition in everyday decision-making.
While roses bloom worldwide, reminding us of both beauty and thorns, a solitary songbird—the European Robin—fills gardens across Europe with melodious clarity.
For those who love a flower, Italys jasmine flower is blossoming and you can smell it on the streets. It serves as a reminder for countries to avoid GM seeds and crops if they wish to maintain their colourful effervescent vegetation.
🌼 Flower of the Week
Rose
Symbolising love and passion, roses flourish globally each May, traditionally representing both beauty and complexity—much like current global politics.
🐦 Bird of the Week
European Robin
Found across Europe, this small bird is famously territorial yet loved for its gentle, melodic song, marking the start and end of each day. The European robin, known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in the British Isles
📰 Western criticism grows over Israel’s assault on Gaza – Israel’s limited aid into Gaza amid ongoing invasion is ‘unacceptable’
Israel’s limited aid into Gaza amid ongoing invasion is unacceptable says Keir Starmer. Western criticism grows over Israel’s assault on Gaza. After weeks of devastating violence where Israel has stated its desire for complete control over Gaza.
Reluctantly, Israel has allowed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza following intense international pressure. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists military actions remain necessary to dismantle Hamas infrastructure, which the world is beginning to see as misdirection. Palestinian authorities say the aid is insufficient to address the humanitarian catastrophe, warning that Gaza remains on the brink of collapse.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in parliament “horrified by the escalation from Israel” and that the limited aid is unacceptable. As such the UK, Canada and France have suspended trade negotiations with Israel.
This is a major escalation as the PM has never before condemned the Israeli war offensive in such strong and harsh words which was echoed by the Foreign Secretary, who said Netanyahu’s government are “damaging the image of the State of Israel in the eyes of the world”, David Lammy UK foreign secretary.
A Joint statement by the UK, Canada and France condemned “the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate,” reminding that such expulsions are a violation of international humanitarian law.
Media Comparison: The tide has turned on Israeli impunity
- France 24: Highlights the humanitarian crisis as critical and aid as inadequate.
- BBC: Stresses Israel’s security rationale, framing aid as a diplomatic concession.
- Al Jazeera: Criticises Israel’s response as a superficial measure that avoids deeper political accountability.
- WTX News: Israel’s limited aid into Gaza amid ongoing invasion is ‘unacceptable’
Political Reactions:
- Netanyahu Tweet: “Aid allowed in, but our operation continues until Hamas threat ends.”
- Mahmoud Abbas Tweet: “Token aid won’t end suffering. Israel must cease aggression.”
- Public Reaction Tweet: “Real aid needs real peace. World must pressure Israel to stop strikes.”
Key Takeaways: Western criticism grows over Israel’s assault on Gaza
The British PM made that statement in Parliament, which means, from this day onwards he will not be able to defend Israel’s actions
If Israel does not change its stance, this will be a slippery slope to the Hague for Netanyahu by its allies.
President Macron went live on French TV to condemn Israel’s war and called it a humanitarian catastrophe and has floated the idea of the French recognition of a Palestinian state.
Millions have been outraged for months, but the pressure of protests and boycotts has paid off, The Israeli minister acknowledged the impact of boycotts ” as devastating”
📰 Germany reports 40% rise in politically motivated crimes by the Far-Right
Germany has experienced a dramatic 40% rise in politically motivated crime, driven largely by extreme far-right violence targeting migrants, activists, and politicians. This coincides with the Elon Musk-affiliated AfD far-right party’s popularity in the last German elections.
Interior Minister Faeser has labelled the situation alarming, pledging stronger police presence and legislative measures. Opposition leaders accuse the government of ignoring rising tensions too long.
Media Comparison:
- France 24: Emphasises Germany’s political fractures and government response.
- Deutsche Welle: Critiques delayed government action and highlights community fear.
- Der Spiegel: Connects crime rise to economic disparities fueling extremism.
Political Reactions:
- Nancy Faeser Tweet: “We won’t tolerate hatred. Immediate action to protect communities is underway.”
- CDU Opposition Tweet: “Government ignored warning signs for years; now it’s catching up.”
- Public Reaction Tweet: “Time to confront the roots of hate, not just police it.”
Key takeaways:
- Germany saw a jump in cases of crime attributed to the far right in 2024, driven largely by online offences and hate speech.
- Two essential elements of the neo-national Socialist ideology are nationalism and racism.
- New figures show a “dramatic” increase in racist and Islamophobic crimes in Germany.
- The German Far-right are exporting their fanatical and terrorist behaviours to parts of France and Poland
📰 Britain and EU reach landmark economic agreement
After prolonged negotiations, Britain and the European Union have finally signed a comprehensive economic partnership deal, marking a turning point post-Brexit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed it as crucial for UK economic stability, while EU leaders praised restored trade clarity. Critics warn unresolved issues around Northern Ireland could still undermine the deal.
Far-right leader Nigel Farage hailed the deal as a disaster suggesting he and his now-rebranded Brexit party would have done a better job. To which a commenter on social media responded on X ‘You can’t keep control of the women beaters in your party never mind Europe.’
Media Comparison:
- CNN: Frames deal positively as economic stabilisation for both sides.
- The Guardian: Expresses cautious optimism, highlighting unresolved Northern Ireland border concerns.
- The Telegraph: Portrays it as a victory for UK negotiating strength.
Political Reactions:
- Kemi Badenoch Tweet: “Historic day, securing Britain’s economic future alongside our European allies.”
- Keir Starmer Tweet: “Deal welcomed but watchful—Northern Ireland deserves clarity now.”
- Public Reaction Tweet: “A good step, but the devil remains in Northern Ireland’s details.”
✍️ Quote of the Week
“Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” – Ronald Reagan
🕵️ Did Biden hide his health from the American public?
In short the answer is yes! For months, the Washington political world has been eagerly anticipating publication of a sensational new book by two veteran journalists that delves deeply into the cognitive difficulties that ultimately ended Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection bid and the efforts by his closest aides to hide them from the public.
“What the public saw of the realities of his functioning was concerning,” the authors write. “What was going on in private was worse.”
While Original Sin predates the news of his cancer, Tapper and Thompson submit, based on more than 200 interviews with staffers, strategists and cabinet officials, that Biden’s health was deteriorating for years — well before his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump last summer brought it to national attention.
But news of his cancer diagnosis has prompted a wave of sympathetic well wishes from Democrats and Republicans, including even Trump.
This editions of the global cultural & business events This Week has been overshadowed a little by weather. It should be a sunny outlook to the this week, with whispers of suncream and SPF, especially around central Europe and the United States, but the weather has became a little unsettled and unpredictable.
But there’s lots of stuff going on around the world and plenty for people to see. Here’s a selection of best picks.
🌍 Global Cultural & Business Events This Week:
- 🇫🇷 Cannes Film Festival – All the stars have headed to the south of France which will kick off a summer of festivals and events in Cannes.
- 🇯🇵 Tokyo Tech Summit 2025 – This is one of the biggest tech events in Asia, often has the best and latest events on showcase and a must for those who want to see the cutting edge of tech.
- 🇺🇸 Brooklyn Art Week – This is a more intimate selection of art that is designed with view of showcasing the heritage of Brooklyn’s culture. A worthwhile investment for anyone.
- 🇦🇪 Arabian Travel Market – The “gateway to global travel and tourism growth”, ATM will return in 2025 for its 32nd edition as the region’s annual focal point for the inbound and outbound travel industry.
- 🇬🇧 Chelsea Flower Show, London – RHS Chelsea Flower Show is filled with amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping.
🖼️ Art digest
The Louvre, Paris – Mamluk’s
The Mamluk’s built a pluralistic society in which women, Christians and Jewish minorities had a place and thrived. A Kingdom so diverse it was known as the Kingdom where Europe, Africa and Asia converged and in which people and ideas circulated, as did merchandise and artistic repertoires.
The Musée du Louvre marks a European first with a major exhibition on the Mamluk sultanate (1250–1517), aiming to address this golden age of the Islamic leadership. It encompassed a vast territory including Egypt, Bilad al-Sham (Syria, Libya, Israel/Palestine, Jordan), part of eastern Anatolia and the Hejaz region of Arabia, which includes Mecca and Medina.
The exhibition presents nearly 260 works, a third of which are from the Louvre and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, featured beside prestigious national and international loans.
Who were the Mamluks?
Mamluks were military slaves who, through their service, rose to become a powerful ruling elite in various Islamic states, particularly in Egypt and Syria. A time when Sultans mingled with Emirs. They formed a military caste and eventually established their own dynasties, the most notable one of which was the Mamluk Sultanate.
Exhibit: Mamluks – Visit Louvre.fr
🏛️ Global Institution Briefs
- IMF warns global inflation risks persist despite easing
- NATO to host emergency security summit next month
- UNESCO launches initiative to rebuild Gaza’s damaged heritage sites
- WHO alert issued for Dengue outbreak in South Asia
- World Bank supports Nigeria’s digital economy expansion with new funding
Keep an eye on the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025 – From local action to global influence: the next long-term Union budget- is being live streamed for anyone with an deep interest in the EU summit.
✍️ Thought of the day
The Power of Intuition: Science catches up – TIME
New scientific research highlights intuition as a credible cognitive skill, validating “gut feelings” as valuable in decision-making processes. Long regarded as unscientific, intuition is now seen as informed subconscious analysis, reshaping how psychology and neuroscience approach human cognition.
🌼 Flower of the Week
🐦 Bird of the Week
✍️ Quote of the Week
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