Prime Minister Keir Starmer is spearheading urgent diplomacy ahead of the G7 in Canada amid escalating Israel–Iran tensions.
Author: WTX News Editor
PM Keir Starmer is pressing ahead with a controversial £5 billion-a-year overhaul of disability benefits, centred on tighter eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), despite facing rebellion from up to 170 Labour MPs.
The G7 dominated the early European news this week with the EU wanting more pressure put on Russia – something Trump is reluctant to do. The EU also signed a defence deal with Australia and unveiled a plan to phase out Russian gas contracts by 2027.
Ukraine is calling for more help after the heaviest day of airstrikes since Russia’s war in Ukraine began, whilst there has been backlash to plans to raise the GDP defence target to 5%, with Spain calling it unreasonable.
Much of Europe’s focus has been on the latest from Iran-Israel, with many European nations worried they could be dragged into the war after the United States signalled it could soon be joining Israel.
As summer sweeps across Europe, the sun is out and the days are gloriously longer. Plenty is happening across Europe this week.
Sweden’s Saab CEO Micael Johansson urges EU states to consolidate defence expenditures into a common fund—aiming for €100 billion—to finance flagship military projects
Much of the UK news has been dominated by international affairs, with the G7 summit at the beginning of the week marking a big moment for the prime minister, who got his UK-US trade deal over the line.
The prime minister announced a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal after an audit suggested a cover-up and that an entire generation of women and girls had been failed.
By midweek, the news is dominated by the MPs voting in favour of legislative changes to abortion rules, marking the biggest change in 60 years.
Wednesday also marks the beginning of the UK heatwave, set to last until Sunday with temperatures reaching 33C.
On Friday MPs will vote on the assisted dying bill and there are reports the UK could enter the Israel-Iran war, if the United States does.
Cliff Notes Cole Cooper, a 19-year-old, was found dead in a wooded area after being reported missing for a month, with his death currently deemed "unexplained" by authorities. A vigil at Glenskirlie Castle hotel saw family and friends gather to honour him, with emotional tributes emphasising his caring nature and the family’s demand for justice. Police Scotland continues its investigation, having conducted extensive searches and interviews, and remains open to information from the public regarding…
UK events guide for the week of 16–22 June 2025, covering arts, entertainment, business, festivals and more.
Spain has a tourism problem one that it must deal with now What’s happening The weekend saw citizens across Spain are preparing coordinated protests—using water pistols, smoke bombs, banners and stickers against “touristification” in major cities such as Barcelona, Palma, Ibiza, Malaga, San Sebastián, Granada, and Mallorca. Planned water‑pistol stunts at airports and tourist zones; localised events include “Your holidays, my misery” slogans and to curb tourism. Protesters insist they’re targeting the tourism system, not…
Monday’s front pages are dominated by the latest from the crisis in the Middle East as Iran and Israel enter the fourth day of cross-border strikes after Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran.
The G7 summit starts today and the current crisis will be at the top of the agenda. There are reports on the front pages that the USA is prepared to join the attacks if Americans are targeted but otherwise, neither the US, UK or any other major Western nation is joining Israel in its attack.
The tabloids use sensationalised reporting, prompting fears that an all-out war is on the brink, whilst the broadsheets have a much more measured tone in their reporting.
Cliff Notes Forensic excavation begins at the former ‘mother and baby home’ in County Galway, where the remains of nearly 800 children are believed to be buried, following revelations from historian Catherine Corless’s research. The excavation aims to identify remains through DNA testing, with the eventual goal of providing a dignified reburial for the deceased children, many of whom were dumped in a former sewage tank. This investigation symbolises a turning point in acknowledging the…
Monday’s front pages report on the prime minister’s announcement of an inquiry into grooming gangs – after previously ruling out such a move.
It’s a hot topic for the UK tabloids who have been demanding a national inquiry for months and months.
Sir Keir Starmer said he had accepted the recommendations of an audit by Baroness Louise Casey into the data and evidence on the nature and scale of group-based child sexual abuse.
Baroness Casey has recommended a national inquiry is required, he said. The inquiry will cover England and Wales.
For months, Sir Keir has faced criticism for not being willing to set one up.
Monday’s news is dominated by the latest in the Middle East and the upcoming G7 summit. The G7 summit is to start today, with world leaders arriving in Canada at a time of high tension and political chaos. The summit will focus on de-escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the US tariff war and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Tehran perceives its recent rocket strikes on Israel as “effective”, resulting in at least five fatalities in central Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Bnei Brak.
President Trump has rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—a proposal reportedly vetoed after he asked, “Have the Iranians killed an American yet?”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched a diplomatic campaign in Canada ahead of the G7 summit, urging global leaders—including Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron—to defuse rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
The 51st G7 Summit kicked off on 16–17 June 2025 in Alberta, hosted by Canadian PM Mark Carney, marking Canada’s second summit here since 2002.
Monday’s front pages are dominated by several stories – all political. The papers report on the announcement that an inquiry into grooming gangs will be launched. It comes after the prime minister had originally ruled out an inquiry. The papers call for him to apologise. Elsewhere, the G7 summit in Canada and the cross-border strikes between Israel and Iran dominate the headlines – in print and online.
The G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, is primarily focused on the Israel-Iran conflict, with leaders seeking de-escalation amidst ongoing global crises.
Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first woman to lead MI6, succeeding Sir Richard Moore in the autumn.
Emergency services responded to a serious incident at Luton Airport, where a car reportedly fell from a multi-storey car park, leaving one man injured.
Liam Gallagher criticised Edinburgh council after a report labelled Oasis fans as “drunk, middle-aged and fat”, raising concerns about crowd control during the band’s August performances.
Protests against mass tourism are occurring across Spain, Italy, and Portugal, highlighting issues like rising housing costs and local displacement in cities such as Barcelona, Venice, and Lisbon.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified sharply, characterised by Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, prompting swift retaliation from Iran with missile attacks.
A 23-year-old woman tragically died after falling into the water at Rogie Falls in Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands.