Trussell Trust charts extraordinary rise of need for food parcels in UK
The Trussell Trust, a charity started by a Christian couple from a garden shed to feed people in need, says that 2.9 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship across the UK between April 2024 and March 2025, with more than a million of these provided for children. This is equivalent to one parcel every 11 seconds and a 51 per cent increase compared to five years ago. Families with children under five have seen a 32 per cent rise over the past five years. Story here
Proposed ban on headscarves for girls under 15 in France
Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and now head of Macron’s party, Renaissance, has proposed a ban on “minors under 15 wearing the veil in public spaces”. The Guardian reports that Attal told Le Parisien he also wanted to introduce a criminal offence of coercion for parents who make their daughters aged under 18 wear the veil. The announcement came ahead of the publication of a report on “political Islamism” in France. It’s reported that President Macron has asked ministers to come up with proposals before June to address the “serious” findings of a report into the presence of the Muslim Brotherhood in France. The Élysée Palace said that because of the “seriousness” of its findings, the government had been tasked to make proposals swiftly. Guardian story here
Pope’s MAGA supporting brother Louis meets the Pope
The Catholic News Agency reports that Donald Trump met Louis Prevost, the oldest brother of Pope Leo XIV, at the White House on Tuesday. Louis is a MAGA supporting Trump supporter and has already given several interviews to the press following his brothers’ appointment. Reports say Trump told reporters after meeting with House Republicans in an attempt to rally support behind a budget reconciliation bill, that he likes Pope Leo XIV and was looking forward to meeting with the Pope’s brother. CNA report here. Picture of the meeting from special assistant to the President and communications adviser Margho Martin, here.
Pope Leo continues prayers for peace in Gaza
Crux Now reports that the Pope used his first general audience to say he would continue his predecessor’s reflection on Jesus Christ as a source of hope during the ongoing Jubilee year and prayed for peace in Gaza.
CofE releases musical album of music from Daily Prayer app
The Church of England reports the release of a new album of music, The Gift of This New Day, featuring new recordings of the most requested musical pieces from the Morning Prayer app, performed by St Martin’s Voices. It says that since its launch in 2021, the Daily Prayer audio service has more than 3.1 million unique users and nearly 12 million downloads. Story here
Pew Research – 3:10 US adults look at their stars
Three-in-ten U.S. adults say they consult astrology (or a horoscope), tarot cards or a fortune teller at least once a year, according to a new Pew Research Center report. Most say they engage in these practices for fun, and few say they make major decisions based on what they learn along the way.
