Gaza at mercy of what comes next as Israel ramps up brutal offensive

** A new initiative connecting Detroit and Nagoya is giving women entrepreneurs a global boost. The cofounder of femUniti, a group driving this effort, calls it a "blueprint for the future," pointing to hard evidence that supporting women-led businesses isn’t just fair—it’s smart economics.

What This Mean: ** This isn’t just feel-good news—it’s proof that investing in women pays off. With data backing the impact, stories like this challenge old biases and show how bridging gaps between cities (or even continents) can create real opportunities. For anyone who cares about equitable growth, it’s a sign of progress worth watching.

** UK newspapers are buzzing with last-minute drama as EU leaders scramble to finalize a Brexit deal ahead of today’s summit. Headlines scream "down to the wire" and even accuse some of "Brexit betrayal," hinting at deep divisions and high stakes. Talks dragged on until the eleventh hour, leaving everyone on edge about whether an agreement will hold—or collapse under political pressure.

** Police are urging people to steer clear of Bangor’s city centre after reports of gunfire. High Street is currently blocked off with a cordon as officers respond to an unfolding situation—details are still scarce, but authorities are clearly treating it as serious.

Jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan is calling for a dramatic change in approach to repair the strained relationship between Turkey and its Kurdish population, following the PKK’s unprecedented decision to lay down arms. His message, delivered through a visiting pro-Kurdish political delegation, suggests this could be a pivotal moment—if both sides are willing to seize it.

What This Mean: This isn’t just another political statement—it’s a rare signal from a key figure in a decades-long conflict. With the PKK disarming, there’s a narrow window for Turkey to address Kurdish grievances or risk squandering a chance at lasting peace. Whether Ankara listens could define the region’s future.

** Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is making diplomatic waves in Rome, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pope Francis, while back home, emergency crews have rescued eight people from rising floodwaters in New South Wales. Flood warnings remain active for several regions, adding to the day's mix of high-stakes diplomacy and local crisis response.