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This week so far …
In the UK and Europe, a heatwave is sweeping the continent, with record temperatures being hit and health warnings being issued. Temperatures in the UK could hit 40C this week as France and Spain also consider work-from-home orders.
The British PM is set to face a crucial vote on Tuesday as despite his U-turn on his controversial welfare bill, many Labour backbenchers want the PM to go further in protecting disabled people and their benefits.
Glastonbury has been making international headlines after English punk duo Bob Vylan chanted “death to IDF” – the BBC, Glastonbury, are now facing international backlash. The US has revoked the duo’s visas.
In the Middle East, at least 20 Palestinians were killed by Israel after it bombed a popular cafe on the seafront.
In the USA, Trump’s tax and spending bill is being debated ahead of a 4 July deadline. It’s not clear if the bill will pass, especially in its current form, as it could add 3 trillion USD to US debt.
📅 Key Cultural & Business Events – This Week
FIFA Club World Cup Final – 1 July 2025, USA
Wimbledon Championships – 30 June to 13 July 2025, London, UK
Cannes Film Festival – 17–28 May 2025, Cannes, France (just ended)
G20 Summit – 4–5 July 2025, New Delhi, India
Venice Biennale (Art Exhibition) – Ongoing until November 2025, Venice, Italy
Davos World Economic Forum Summer Meeting – 1–4 July 2025, Davos, Switzerland
✍️ Thought of the day
Remember to sit tall with good posture. A simple change can ease back strain and boost your mood.
🌼 Flower of the Week
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Why it’s special: Blooms into early July, releasing its signature calming scent. Great for attracting bees and butterflies, and beautiful in borders or pots.
Fun fact: The Romans used lavender to scent their baths and bed linen.
🐦 Bird of the Week
Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
Why it’s special: Known for its spectacular “song-flight,” spiralling or hovering up to ~200 m while singing for minutes on end.
Spot it: Head to open fields, farmlands, or heathland on a still morning and listen for its high-pitched dawn song.
US airstrikes delay Iran’s nuclear programme by one to two years, Pentagon says
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced that U.S.–led strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan have likely set back Tehran’s nuclear progress by 1 to 2 years, revising earlier intelligence suggesting only months of delay. The operation, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, targeted underground centrifuge halls and enrichment chambers using bunker‑buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles.
Despite this, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi warned Iran could resume enrichment within months. Iran has responded by suspending cooperation with the IAEA, raising verification concerns.
🔁 Reactions:
- Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell: “We have degraded their programme by one to two years … intel assessments inside the Department assess that.”
- IAEA’s Rafael Grossi: > “They could resume enriched uranium production in a matter of months.
- Iran’s FM Abbas Araqchi: > “Facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged,” but steps are being taken to restart operations.
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- Reuters/AP/Euronews report with precision and contrast between Pentagon optimism and IAEA caution; factual tone dominates. (euronews.com)
- Wall Street Journal/FT stress the geopolitical significance and debt to military credibility, but note uncertainties in verification.
- Washington Post opinion argues military strikes alone cannot eliminate nuclear ambitions, urging return to diplomacy. (washingtonpost.com)
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative. The airstrikes deliver a temporary blow to Iran’s nuclear capacity, yet raise fresh challenges in verification, diplomacy, and regional stability, signalling complex implications ahead.
Dalai Lama says successor will be chosen outside China
The 14th Dalai Lama, speaking ahead of his 90th birthday in Dharamsala, affirmed that the centuries‑old tradition of finding a successor will continue after his death. He announced that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he founded, will solely oversee the recognition of the next Dalai Lama, emphasising that no other authority, including the Chinese government, has a say. He added that the next incarnation is expected to be born outside China, likely in a “free country”.
This declaration dispels earlier hints that he might be the final Dalai Lama and directly challenges Beijing’s claim that only China has the right to select the next spiritual leader under its historical Golden Urn ritual. China has reaffirmed its insistence that any future Dalai Lama must be born and approved in China, setting the stage for a potentially rival reincarnation.
🔁 Political and Public Reactions:
- Dalai Lama (via Trust): “No one else has any authority, tradition must guide this.” (thedailyguardian.com, thefinancialexpress.com.bd)
- Indian exile leader Penpa Tsering: > “China must not interfere, this is our cultural right.” (ajc.com)
- China’s Foreign Ministry (spokesperson Mao Ning): “Only the government has the right to approve reincarnations.” (reuters.com)
📰 Bias Snapshot & Framing:
- Reuters/AP/Guardian present the Dalai Lama’s statement as significant but contrasted firmly with China’s regulatory claims, spotlighting contested religious sovereignty. (theweek.com, washingtonpost.com)
- Al Jazeera/Time explore the geopolitical implications, India’s role, U.S. interest, and Chinese efforts to assert soft power via spiritual legitimacy.
- China‑aligned media frame the announcement as a challenge to state sovereignty and denounce Western backing as interference. (rfa.org)
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive. The Dalai Lama’s clear succession framework reassures Tibetan Buddhists and counters Chinese efforts to control the narrative. Yet it also crystallises a brewing clash between religious freedom and state sovereignty.
Turkish police detain over 50 people in crackdown on banned Istanbul Pride march
Turkish police detained 54 individuals, including six lawyers and at least three journalists, as they attempted to join a banned Istanbul Pride march in central districts. Organisers were forced to move gathering points repeatedly due to heavy police presence, in a continuation of the decade-long ban on Pride events since 2015. Among those arrested was opposition MP Kezban Konukcu, who condemned the detentions as part of a campaign to demonise LGBTQ+ individuals.
🔁 Reactions:
- Kezban Konukcu (DEM Party MP): “The palace regime will not stay in power by demonising the LGBTQ community.”
- LGBTQ+ rights group Kaos GL: > “54 people were detained—including lawyers. This is an assault on basic rights.”
- Civil‑rights observers: “Turkey’s long-standing ban on Pride events reflects broader suppression of dissent.”
📰 Bias Snapshot:
- Reuters/AP/The Independent provide factual reporting, detailing arrests, legal status of Pride, and police tactics, without sensationalism.
- The Guardian (historical context) notes how Pride numbers once reached tens of thousands, contrasting with current systemic bans.
- Rights advocates (Amnesty/Human Rights Watch) have long highlighted the crackdown as part of growing limitations on assembly and expression.
📊 Sentiment: Negative. The arrests illustrate continued state repression of LGBTQ+ rights and civic freedoms in Turkey. Despite peaceful intent, the Pride march was forcibly suppressed, under
Suicide bombing kills six Pakistani soldiers near India border
A suicide bomber attacked a military convoy near Gadani, in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, close to the Indian border, killing six soldiers and injuring several others. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility, stating the attack targeted Pakistani forces involved in counter-terror operations. The Afghan Taliban condemned the violence and called for restraint. This incident highlights the growing militant threat in a sensitive, geopolitically tense region.
🔁 Reactions:
- Pakistani Army spokesperson: “This cowardly act will be met with a strong response; we will not allow terrorism to prevail.”
- Afghan Taliban official: “We stand against such extremism; civilians must not be harmed.”
- Public (Twitter user): > “Another checkpoint ambushed… when will this end?”
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- AFP/The Independent focuses on the immediate facts: casualties, location, responsibility, and regional implications.
- Pakistani state media emphasise military retaliation and national resilience.
- Regional outlets often frame this within a broader India-Pakistan security context, underscoring cross-border tensions.
📊 Sentiment: Negative. The attack tragically reinforces instability in Balochistan and raises concerns over militant strength along a strategically sensitive frontier.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and brother killed in crash in Spain after burst tyre sends car off road
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and brother killed in crash in Spain
Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his 26-year-old brother André Silva died early Thursday in a single-car crash near Zamora, Spain. Their Lamborghini reportedly experienced a tyre blowout on the A52 motorway, veered off the road, and burst into flames. The Spanish Guardia Civil confirmed both fatalities occurred at the scene.
Jota, who had recently married Rute Cardoso and leaves behind a wife and three children, made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals for Liverpool. He helped the Reds clinch the Premier League title this season and won two Nations League trophies with Portugal. His brother André played for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.
🔁 Reactions:
- Luis Montenegro (Portugal PM): > “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Diogo and André.” (thesun.co.uk)
- Pedro Proença (PFF President): > “An extraordinary person with contagious joy – Portugal mourns irreparable loss.” (apnews.com)
- Liverpool FC > “Unimaginable loss”
📰 Media Bias & Framing:
- Reuters/AP/Guardian provide respectful factual reporting, focusing on accident details, career legacy, and immediate tributes (thesun.co.uk).
- People/The Sun/The Times offer personal touches – marriage, family, and heartfelt testimonials from peers and pundits (thesun.co.uk).
- El País/OneFootball emphasise technical crash details and local emergency response (onefootball.com).
📊 Sentiment: Negative. The football community and public are in shock and deep sorrow following the death of a celebrated young star and his brother, marking a profound personal and sporting tragedy.
US dollar slumps to 50-year low amid Trump policies and market turmoil
What happened
In the first half of 2025, the US dollar has suffered its worst decline since 1973, plunging roughly 10.8% against a basket of major currencies. Analysts link this slump to President Trump’s economic and trade policies, especially erratic tariff actions, ballooning national debt from his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and public attempts to influence Federal Reserve independence. This decline has eroded the dollar’s appeal as a safe-haven asset, while boosting alternative assets like the euro, gold, and non-US bonds.
Why it matters
A weakened dollar ripples across global markets: it raises import costs for US consumers and travel expenses, but improves export competitiveness. Investors fearing prolonged uncertainty are shifting to other currencies and assets like gold and German bonds. Concerns are mounting that persistent policy volatility could undermine the dollar’s central role in global finance, though some analysts argue the decline primarily reflects Fed rate cut expectations.
Reaction
Market reactions have been mixed. Stock indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have reached new highs, buoyed by low rates and debt-fueled spending. Some analysts suggest the dollar is oversold, with potential for recovery as bearish sentiment peaks. Others paint a bleaker picture: David Roche predicts the dollar could fall another 15-20% over five years without policy adjustments.
What next
Wall Street will closely watch two major developments: the Senate’s vote on Trump’s fiscal bill, which may ramp up debt further, and the Federal Reserve’s next moves. If Trump succeeds in replacing Fed Chair Powell and pushing for rate cuts, the dollar could weaken further. Meanwhile, global investors are offloading US assets, and currencies like the euro, yen, and Swiss franc are likely to continue appreciating.
Cloudburst in Uttarakhand kills two, leaves seven missing amid monsoon mayhem
A devastating cloudburst hit Uttarkashi district in the Himalayas overnight, triggering landslides that killed two labourers at a hotel construction site and left seven others missing, including construction workers at a shelter near the Yamunotri Highway. Rescue operations are ongoing amidst heavy rainfall and flash floods. The incident prompted a 24-hour suspension of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Since monsoon onset, 65 people have died in Uttarakhand, double last year’s toll, with 18 missing due to landslides, road accidents, and flash floods. Cloudburst-triggered landslides also blocked roads and disrupted the pilgrimage routes, cutting off over 40,000 people and damaging at least 72 roads in Kumaon.
🔁 Reactions:
- Survivor (Nepalese worker): > “Just a five-second delay would’ve cost me my life.”
- Uttarakhand CM Dhami: “Urgent caution is needed; heavy rain continues.”
📰 Bias Snapshot:
- The Independent/AP/Reuters focus on casualty numbers and rescue efforts.
- The Times of India highlights monsoon-wide impact and infrastructural disruptions.
- Local voices critique inadequate slope stability measures and emergency preparedness.
📊 Sentiment: Negative. The deadly cloudburst underscores the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to extreme weather and inadequate disaster readiness, compounding pilgrimage disruptions and loss of life.
A round up of what the Politicians have been doing.
*Denotes wanted for war crimes.
The PM has been forced into a humiliating backdown on his controversial welfare reform, days after already making huge concessions. The PM’s bill passed in the Commons yesterday, but still
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, a step that follows the Baltic nations and Poland’s move to boost their defence as
It’s a huge week for the US president as his “One Big Beautiful Bill” is to be voted on in the Senate (4 July deadline). There has been backlash towards
On a drive to strengthen the EU, especially with the threat of Trump’s growing allies within the union, who won’t allow a stronger EU.
- Syrian Leader
Syria is set to have some US sanctions lifted after the White House said it was a move to support the country’s “path to stability and peace.” The sanctions included
She is in Seville today and said the EU needs: “A paradigm shift is needed on development aid”. A clash is forming with the EU, right wing are attacking EU
Attending the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development in Seville. And using the opportunity to sweeten relations with former African colonies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a five-nation tour on Tuesday covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia, marking an important push to strengthen India’s
Netanyahu said “many opportunities have opened up” following Israel’s military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing home the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
✍️ 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.
✍️ Quote of the Week
➤ Every major achievement once looked daunting. Don’t be discouraged by how far there is to go – just take the next step.
Chaotic new aid system means getting food in Gaza has become a matter of life – and often death
A new, Israel‑and U.S.-backed aid distribution system in Gaza, run through a private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has replaced UN and NGO channels, causing deadly chaos at a handful of militarised food hubs; hundreds of Palestinians have been killed or injured while desperately seeking basic aid, turning food distribution into a life‑or‑death lottery. (The Conversation)
Here are some of the huge global events happening this week – it’s all sports! From the world-famous Wimbledon to the Women’s European Championship, there’s plenty of great sporting action starting this week. Away from sport, there are business and cultural events taking place too – here’s your global events guide for Week 27.
Global Events Guide: 30 June – 6 July 2025
Sports Highlights
FIFA Club World Cup Final (1 July, USA)
A major global football tournament final featuring the best club teams from each continent. Hosted in the USA this year, it’s a significant draw for international football fans and media.
Wimbledon Championships (30 June – 13 July, London, UK)
One of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and the oldest tennis event in the world. Wimbledon attracts top players and millions of viewers globally, with its iconic grass courts and traditional British atmosphere.
Women’s European Championship (2 July – 27 July, Switzerland)
The Lionesses will attempt to defend their European title in a months-long tournament showcasing the best of women’s football. Spain, France and Germany are amongst the teams to keep an eye on – whilst newcomers Wales will be enjoying their first tournament.
Cultural Highlights
Venice Biennale (Ongoing until November, Venice, Italy)
The world’s leading contemporary art exhibition showcases cutting-edge art from around the globe. It draws artists, collectors, critics, and tourists worldwide.
Business & Political Highlights
Global Business Summit (5 July, Memphis, TN)
A gathering of business leaders focused on global economic trends and strategic insights.
Lessons in leading through crisis from Jacinda Ardern
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shares insights and lessons in leading through crisis, reflecting on the challenges of leadership at the highest levels.
She shares how her empathetic leadership style, shaped by self-doubt, that drove her with the power of transparent communication and leading with trust, not ego, allowed her to move forward decisively.
Here are the Key Takeaways from her interview on Leadership:
1 – Imposter Syndrome Can Be a Leadership Asset
2 – Trust Is Built Through Honesty, Not Perfection
3 – Empathy and Resilience Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
4 – Crisis Is an Opportunity to Advance Policy Goals
5 – Sustainable Leadership Requires Self-Awareness
A bit of travel inspiration from some of our favourite places and best deals.
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