🌍 World News Briefing – 7 May 2025
It’s a moody start to the week in Europe with chilly winds sweeping the continent, while in Asia, dry heat stokes cross-border flames — quite literally. Explosions along the India–Pakistan border fire marks one of the most serious escalations in months, in what global leaders worry will erupt into nuclear war. In Gaza, Israeli strikes have left 26 dead overnight as ceasefire efforts collapse.
⚡ Tensions mount across continents as political alliances realign
Meanwhile, Canada’s Mark Carney heads into a tense meeting with President Trump, while cardinals in Rome quietly prepare for a future without Pope Francis. Across the globe, all eyes turn to Red Square as Xi Jinping is set to join Vladimir Putin for Russia’s Victory Day, deepening the East’s growing strategic front.
This Friday, the cultural lens shifts as La Biennale di Venezia opens to the public — a timely canvas of conflict, identity, and global imagination.
🌼 Flower of the Week – Lily of the Valley
Traditionally blooming in early May across Europe, this delicate white flower symbolises renewal and humility. In France, it’s a May Day gift of good luck. Why don’t you try it?
🪶 Bird of the Week – White Stork
White storks are returning to continental Europe after wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Known for nesting atop churches and chimneys, they signal fertility and long-standing folklore. But habitat disruption means their comeback is anything but guaranteed.
📰 India–Pakistan border fire and explosions
India Pakistan border conflict May 2025
A series of explosions and fires broke out early Wednesday along the contested India–Pakistan border near Jammu and Kashmir. India’s military claims the flames were triggered by Pakistani artillery targeting supply lines, while Pakistan accuses India of “provocative movement” near the de facto border.
The Line of Control has seen intermittent clashes since 2019, but this incident marks the most serious escalation in months. Villages on both sides were evacuated as local officials warned of further strikes. Pakistan has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting, while India’s defence ministry says it will “respond proportionately.”
Strategists suggest Pakistani army has 19 days of full on war before it runs out of money and resources, unless China steps in.
With Indian elections under way and Pakistan’s civilian government still finding its footing after February’s elections, analysts fear neither side can afford to appear weak — especially with nationalist rhetoric flaring.
Media Spotlight
France 24: Highlights mutual accusations and risks of regional escalation.
Al Jazeera: Focuses on civilian displacement and risk to villages.
The Guardian: Frames the conflict within broader post-election instability in both countries.
BBC News has been criticised for pushing Indian propaganda – which could have something to do with the new trade deal that has been signed.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @MEAIndia: “Unprovoked aggression met with proportionate response. India will not stand down.”
- @ForeignOfficePk: “Indian shelling has threatened peace. Pakistan urges immediate UN intervention.”
- @AJEnglish: “Fires burn along the LoC as India–Pakistan blame game reignites.”
📰 Vatican cardinals begin informal talks to replace Pope Francis
Pope Francis succession Vatican 2025
Senior Catholic cardinals have begun quiet, informal discussions over Pope Francis succession Vatican 2025, as the pontiff’s frail health and recent hospitalisation spark succession planning. The Vatican insists the talks are not formal, but several sources confirm that key blocs — including African, Latin American, and conservative European factions — are already aligning.
Francis, 88, has declined to resign but acknowledged the Church must prepare for the future. No conclave has been called, but tensions are rising between those who want to continue Francis’ reforms and those seeking a return to a more traditionalist papacy.
The next pope will likely shape the Church’s stance on issues ranging from LGBTQ+ inclusion to climate theology and geopolitical diplomacy.
Media Spotlight
France 24: Emphasises the global nature of the succession struggle.
The Guardian: Focuses on ideological splits within the College of Cardinals.
BBC: Offers a historical perspective on papal health and transitions.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @Pontifex: “The future of the Church rests not in tradition, but in faith lived today.”
- @GuardianRelig: “Sources confirm bloc-building underway in Vatican circles.”
- @LaCroixInt: “Rome stirs as cardinals prepare for a future beyond Francis.”
📰 Israeli airstrikes kill 26 in Gaza, say rescuers
Gaza Israeli airstrikes news today
At least 26 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, according to local rescuers and health authorities. The dead include women and children, with some buried under collapsed buildings in Khan Younis and Rafah. Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hamas infrastructure following rocket launches into southern Israel.
With ceasefire talks once again collapsing in Cairo, UN agencies have called for restraint as humanitarian corridors remain blocked. Hamas accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian zones, while the IDF insists all targets were “active combatant sites.”
The situation has reignited global outrage as diplomatic pressure mounts on the US to push for a truce.
Media Spotlight
France 24: Highlights the breakdown in ceasefire talks.
BBC: Uses neutral phrasing, focuses on UN response.
Al Jazeera: Leads with graphic images and accusations of war crimes.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @IsraelMFA: “We target terrorists. Not civilians. Hamas hides behind the innocent.”
- @PalestineUN: “Twenty-six dead. This is not defence. It is massacre.”
- @UNHumanRights: “All parties must respect international law. Civilian lives are not bargaining chips.”
📰 Trump and Canada’s Carney hold high-stakes economic summit
Trump Carney Canada US trade meeting
President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are meeting in Washington today for high-stakes talks on trade, migration, and NATO defence contributions. The summit comes amid strained relations over steel tariffs, energy policy, and Carney’s recent criticism of Trump’s unilateral approach to global affairs.
Sources say Trump will demand a “fairer deal” on cross-border manufacturing, while Carney is expected to push back on new tariffs and press for joint action on Arctic security.
This is the first official meeting between the two since Carney’s election — and a major test of Canada–US relations in the new geopolitical order.
Media Spotlight
France 24: Frames the summit as a test of diplomatic stability.
Washington Post: Focuses on Carney’s economic vision and quiet toughness.
Reuters: Emphasises market anxieties over US–Canada trade talks.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @POTUS: “Canada needs us more than we need them. We’ll make it fair.”
- @MarkJCarney: “We stand for fairness, shared prosperity, and climate security.”
- @ReutersBiz: “Markets watch closely as Trump and Carney face off in DC.”
📰 Xi Jinping to join Putin at Victory Day parade in Moscow
Xi Jinping Putin Moscow Victory Day 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping is travelling to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade alongside Vladimir Putin, marking the most overt show of solidarity between the two since the invasion of Ukraine. Xi’s attendance is seen as a geopolitical signal to the West — reinforcing the Sino-Russian strategic axis in the face of US-led alliances.
Kremlin officials say the parade will feature “enhanced displays of missile strength” and a joint military tribute. NATO countries have condemned the visit as provocative, while Beijing insists it’s a cultural gesture celebrating WWII’s end.
Analysts say the move underscores the global division between East and West — with Xi increasingly positioned as Putin’s top diplomatic ally.
Media Spotlight
CNN: Emphasises Western unease and military optics.
China Daily: Frames the visit as a peaceful celebration of WWII victory.
The Guardian: Highlights growing rift in global alliances.
Political Reactions + Tweets
- @KremlinRussia_E: “A historic day. Unity, strength, and remembrance.”
- @NATO: “Peace cannot be celebrated with weapons. The world sees clearly.”
- @XHNews: “President Xi visits Moscow in honour of global sacrifice and unity.”
🕯️ Marshall Islands launch national football team to fight climate apathy
Hidden Story
In a story that blends sport, survival, and sovereignty, the Marshall Islands — one of the world’s smallest and most vulnerable nations — is forming its first national football team. But this is no ordinary debut. The team’s mission goes beyond the pitch: it’s about drawing global attention to climate change and the existential threat facing the islands.
With rising sea levels already eroding their coastline and displacing families, Marshallese leaders hope international football will provide both a platform and a voice. Training is underway in Majuro, where players juggle full-time jobs and activism.
The project is being supported by Pacific Football federations, and organisers hope to gain recognition from FIFA. “If we can’t play at home one day, we’ll make sure the world knows why,” said head coach Solomon Tekai.
It’s a poignant reminder: in the fight for visibility, every goal matters — especially when the sea is rising.
🌍 Global Cultural & Business Events This Week
- 🇮🇹 La Biennale di Venezia (Venice) – The world’s leading contemporary art showcase opens to the public, exploring war, identity, and the climate crisis through global perspectives.
- 🇺🇸 Met Gala 2025 (New York City) – The fashion world’s most anticipated night lights up Manhattan under the theme “Myth and Memory.”
- 🇦🇪 Arab Media Forum 2025 (Dubai) – Regional leaders, journalists, and AI tech pioneers gather to debate the future of news in the Middle East.
- 🇬🇧 London Craft Week – A citywide celebration of craftsmanship, design and sustainability, from fashion houses to heritage makers.
- 🇪🇺 EU–Africa Business Summit (Brussels) – Key discussions on investment, energy transition, and post-pandemic recovery strategies for both blocs.
🖼️ Cultural Spotlight – Tate Modern’s “Power & Protest” Exhibition (London)
Running this week at the Tate Modern, Power & Protest brings together iconic and emerging voices from around the globe, exploring how art shapes — and is shaped by — resistance movements.
Featuring works from Ai Weiwei, Zanele Muholi, Banksy, and Indigenous artists from the Amazon and Australia, the exhibition confronts state violence, environmental collapse, and digital activism through immersive installations and protest art archives.