Most of Monday’s news is taken up by the latest from the Middle East after Donald Trump surprisingly took the United States into the war on Saturday. The prime minister is calling for Iran to come back to the negotiating table instead of retaliating to the US attack – something that’s unlikely to happen.
Monday’s UK news is focused on the Middle East crisis after Donald Trump took the United States into Israel’s war with Iran on Saturday.
There’s some coverage of weight loss jabs being available on the NHS and government plans to lower energy costs for businesses (set to be announced later on Monday) – but otherwise it’s all focused on the global crisis and what might happen to America’s allies. PM Keir Starmer has called for calm, asking Iran to not retaliate to the attack.
📅 Key Cultural & Business Events – This Week
🇬🇧 Business Travel Show Europe – London
Take a break and hydrate well. A glass of water or herbal tea is a simple act of kindness to your body.
Today, give yourself the gift of hydration – a little herbal tea break can help bring a soothing calm into your busy day.
Blooming across central Europe and the UK in May, the cornflower symbolises hope and remembrance. Once a weed of wheatfields, it’s now a protected wildflower in France and Germany.
This reclusive songbird is arriving from Africa. Best heard at dusk, its powerful, melodic call echoes through southern woodlands — though habitat loss has made it harder to find.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support today for the US airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, seen as a coordinated effort with Israel to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, but simultaneously warned of the high risk of broader Middle East escalation. The UK was not directly involved in the strikes, viewed by Donald Trump as a “spectacular military success” against sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In response, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel, disrupting flights and raising tensions in the region. Starmer convened a Cobra emergency meeting, and alongside leaders of France and Germany, issued a joint call urging de-escalation and demanding Iran return to diplomatic talks.
Diplomatic efforts now intensify: Starmer held high-level calls with leaders from Jordan, Oman, Canada, and the EU, reinforcing the need for Iran to resume negotiations amid rising conflict threats. Parliament is expected to debate the legality and long-term implications of supporting US-led strikes. The UK has enhanced regional military readiness, deploying RAF Typhoon jets and increasing force protection. With Iran threatening further escalation, including closing strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz, global oil markets and diplomatic channels hang in the balance. The government is now under pressure to navigate between supporting nuclear non-proliferation and preventing a full-scale war.
GPs begin prescribing weight-loss jabs on the NHS in England. GPs can now prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to combat obesity for the first time via the NHS. Initially, eligibility is limited to around 220,000 severely obese patients (BMI over 40) with at least four related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or sleep apnoea. This marks a shift from specialist-only access to GP-led prescribing over the next three years, with future expansion to around three million people with a BMI over 35 anticipated.
Read a WTX News report on the weight-loss jabs
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📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive.
The Met Office has issued yellow UK thunderstorm warnings for parts of northern England, northeast Wales, and the Scottish Borders, with a forecast of up to 40mm of rain within two hours, frequent lightning, hail, and gusty winds. The warning remains in place until 03:00 BST Sunday. Southern and central England, meanwhile, remain under an amber heat-health alert, with daytime highs reaching 28°C and overnight temperatures staying uncomfortably high for vulnerable groups. The contrast in conditions raises the risk of localised flash flooding, commuter disruption, and potential power outages, especially in urban and low-lying areas. Local authorities have begun preparing emergency drainage clearance and issuing travel advice. The Met Office has asked people to plan journeys carefully and avoid driving through floodwater.
Read a WTX News report on UK weather
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📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative.
A round up of what the Politicians have been doing.
*Denotes wanted for war crimes.
The prime minister will attempt to step up his diplomatic efforts regarding the Middle East crisis this week after Trump unexpectedly took the US into Israel’s war in Iran.
The UK going into war will not be well received at home, and it does not seem like something the PM is willing today.
He continues to call for de-escalation and will hold further talks with Iranian diplomats.
The Conservative leader is slamming Keir Starmer for not saying the US was justified in attacking Iran, despite the United States’ own intelligence saying there was no evidence.
The Reform UK leader has said that if he gets into power, he would give non-doms the chance to dodge paying UK taxes if they pay a one-off fee of £250,000, with the proceeds going to the poorest in the country.
The leader of the Liberal Democrats has suggested that new recruits to the army should be offered a £10,000 signing-on fee to help boost military numbers.
“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.
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.
FEATURED EVENT – International Summit – Tirana, Albania
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.
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.
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.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
➤ A gentle reminder that we’re always a work in progress. Whether today brings triumphs or stumbles, what matters most is pressing on. Be proud of the journey you are on, take note of the successes as much as the failures keep going forward with a smile on your face and be willing to learn more as you go.
After months of doom and gloom about the UK economy, there’s finally some good news – the UK has just been named Europe’s top spot for business deals.
New data shows a massive 52% jump in mergers and acquisitions compared to last year, with over 1,200 deals worth nearly £88 billion in the first half of 2025 alone. The second quarter saw a strong bounce back, helped by falling interest rates, more political clarity, and a US trade deal.
Big moves like DoorDash’s takeover of Deliveroo and the Saipem–Subsea7 merger are signs that confidence in the UK market is returning fast.
The heatwave may be over, but the summer vibes most certainly are not! Plenty is happening across the UK this week, from arts and culture to sports and business.
| Day | Event Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mon 16 | Salisbury Motor Show; English Riviera Air Show |
| Tue–Wed (17–18) | Aldeburgh Festival; Air Show continues |
| Thu–Sun (19–22) | Taste of London; West End LIVE; Herds in London; Regency Week starts |
| Fri–Tue (20–24) | England vs India Test at Headingley |
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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