The Week in Pictures: March 16 – March 23, 2015

After such a busy week we take a moment to look back at some of the biggest stories that hit our headlines and those of other publications around the world

In one of the most brazenly mercenary political efforts yet seen Benjamin Netenyahu's Likud Party won a narrow victory in the Israeli election. To shore up support in the last days before polling Mr. Netenyahu dredged the very bottom of the right-wing rhetoric barrel claiming he would never allow a Palestinian state on his watch and likened Arab Israeli voters to a hostile military force. This disgusting display of blatant electioneering hypocrisy has made a mockery of the peace process, the Likud party and the Israeli public.

Millions of people across Europe and North Africa enjoyed the spectacle of a solar eclipse on Friday as the Spring equinox and a so-called “super moon” coincided with the big visual event that saw some of the very northern most latitudes experience a total eclipse of the sun in a stunning astronomical display. Scientists and fans alike flocked to Torshavn, capital of the Faroe Islands for the full two minutes of totality, with those in Svalbard getting another half minute on top of that. Whilst eclipses happen relatively often the next to be seen in this region won't be until 2027.

Tunisia remains on a high state of alert after gunmen, reputedly trained in Libya by Islamic State perpetrated a deadly attack on the Bardo Museum that sits alongside the Parliament building in central Tunis. 21 people, including many foreign nationals, were killed during the attack, with the two gunmen responsibly, Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui, shot dead during a gun battle with security forces inside the Museum. President Beji Caid Essebsi said a third attacker was still being sought and that a monument would be erected to the victims.

In sport Steven Gerrard, veteran captain of Liverpool FC, got himself sent off during the game his team lost 2-1 against Manchester United on the weekend, he managed this in a remarkably brief 38 seconds after joining the game as a substitute and then stamping on Ander Herrera. Gerrard later apologized for this moment of madness but will this cost Liverpool a shot at the title? You'll have to read our daily news pages to find out, but in the meantime lets have a look what hit our headlines last week.

1. Barcelona and Real Madrid have been great rivals for a very long time now due to political reasons and also because of collisions in the transfer market.

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3. Ezugi just announced an agreement with Racing Card Derby in which Ezugi will present Derby's Knockout Baccarat sidebets on their worldwide PC and mobile customer base.

4. Association of British Bookmakers, the British Horseracing Authority and Government officials at loggerheads about bookmakers paying for the right to accept bets on British racing

5. In the aftermath of the cyclone that came crashing down in the Pacific Islands of Vanatau, PokerStars is working alongside CARE to match every dollar donated by players to finance emergency relief aid for the victims

6. Players had a fashionable fiesta at the High Fashion Mobile Slot, while on the go, at Uptown Aces Casino after being offered a 250% match bonus up to $1000. to finance emergency relief aid for the victims

7. Players had a fashionable fiesta at the High Fashion Mobile Slot, while on the go, at EPT Malta promised thrilling poker games throughout the 6 days of the competition.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands IKEA banned it's patrons from playing hide-and-seek in their stores citing health and safety concerns. Last summer thousands turned up to play in a store in Belgium and the internet response to organizers for this year reached into the tens of thousands. Spokeswoman Martina Smedberg is quoted as saying “We need to make sure people are safe in our stores and that's hard to do if we don't even know where they are.” Alternative venues are now being sought for the huge games but it remains to be seen if IKEA patrons will resist the temptation.