Cliff Notes Hamit Coskun has been found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence after burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London while making derogatory remarks about Islam. He was ordered to pay a £336 fine, which includes a statutory surcharge, amidst assertions from the National Secular Society that the ruling undermines freedom of expression. The case has reignited discussions about blasphemy laws and the balance between free speech and religious sensitivity,…
Several of today’s newspaper front pages cover the illegal crossings yesterday as more than 1000 people crossed the channel. It marks the biggest crossing of 2025 so far. Most of the papers pick up on the comments made by the Defence Secretary who says it’s “pretty shocking” when asked about French police failing to intervene and says that Britain, over the past five years under both Conservative and Labour governments, has lost control of their borders.
Monday’s front pages are dominated by two stories: the upcoming announcement of the Strategic Defence Review and the illegal crossings of the English Channel.
Several newspapers report that results from a new trial suggest that exercise is “better than drugs” in stopping cancer from returning.
Elsewhere, the rest of the front pages are made up of standalone reports including everything from Liz Truss flogging Whiskey to reports that Britain is set for a sunny June.
Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki has won the Polish presidential election with 50.89% of the vote, defeating pro-EU candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, who secured 49.11%.
Good morning! ☕ Let’s grab a coffee and dive into the headlines for Monday, 2nd June 2025. The sun is shining over the capital this morning, so let’s soak up the rays while catching up on the latest news.
Much of the news dominating the UK headlines focuses on international events, however, there are a handful of UK-focused stories – mostly around the UK’s defence spending and plans set to be announced later today in the Strategic Defence Review.
Cliff Notes A year after Labour’s significant election win, the party faces pivotal decisions in June 2025 that could influence its future direction. Upcoming strategies in security, health, and industry are tied to an imminent spending review, impacting key government departments. The Defence Secretary is set to unveil a Strategic Defence Review aimed at enhancing military readiness amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Russia. Starmer puts UK on war footing | Politics News . 👉Listen…
A humanitarian crisis has unfolded in southern Gaza, as a Red Cross field hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of wounded civilians, following a disputed incident near an aid distribution site.
Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, has narrowly won Poland’s presidential election, defeating liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.
Eight people were injured in Colorado, USA, after a man shouting “Free Palestine” attacked a pro-Israel demonstration with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower. The incident occurred on Saturday at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, around 30 miles from Denver.
The UK will build up to 12 new conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines, as part of a sweeping Strategic Defence Review to be announced on Monday by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The submarines will begin replacing the current fleet from the late 2030s and are designed to safeguard Britain and its NATO allies for decades to come.
Ukraine conducted a large-scale drone operation targeting over 40 Russian bomber aircraft at multiple bases, showcasing a significant breach of Russian national defences.
It is understood that the dead man’s wounds were self-inflicted. The body is still at the scene and will not be removed until the area has been declared safe.
The UK government plans to establish at least six new weapons factories as part of a £6bn rearmament initiative to bolster its defence capabilities amid rising threats, particularly from Russia.
Michael Steele, convicted for the notorious “Essex Boys” murders, has been released from prison after 27 years, following a Parole Board decision citing improved behaviour.
Sir Keir Starmer plans to enhance the UK’s military capabilities, including buying more attack submarines, but has not committed to new defence spending ahead of the Strategic Defence Review.
Organised criminal gangs are increasingly using rented houses and flats to operate illegal cannabis farms – and police say it is putting the lives of innocent neighbours at risk.
FBI Director Kash Patel said: “Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available”.
The UK is poised to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliament, as stated by Defence Secretary John Healey, aligning with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ambition.
In a statement, his mother Jo – who appeared on the 2019 series with him – and his father Andrew said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.
Two Scottish nationals were shot dead outside Monaghans bar in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, with a man and a woman reported as victims.
AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender athlete, secured two gold medals and one silver at the California high school track and field championships, igniting national debate over transgender participation in female sports.
Cliff Notes – 30 people killed in Israeli attack near Red Cross aid centre At least 30 individuals have reportedly died and over 115 have been injured in an Israeli attack near an aid distribution hub. Witnesses claim Israeli forces opened fire as civilians approached the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation hub, while the foundation maintains that aid was distributed “without incident.” The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operates under a contentious aid system intended to prevent assistance from…
A government ban on the sale of disposable vapes begins this weekend, aiming to reduce youth nicotine addiction and environmental waste.
Cliff Notes – Europe’s largest low-carbon horticulture site A new 40-hectare greenhouse facility in Essex, powered by waste incineration, is expected to become Europe’s largest low-carbon horticulture site by 2027, aiming to supply 6% of the UK’s tomato consumption. The Rivenhall site will utilise steam for electricity generation and heating, reducing CO2 emissions by 20% compared to landfills, while tackling the unsustainable reliance on imported produce. The National Farmers Union warns that government biodiversity policies…
A leaked wiretap has exposed Israeli firm Paragon and its spyware ‘Graphite’ for hacking journalists critical of Israel’s policies. The software, linked to ex-military chiefs and tested on Palestinians, allows full access to phones without user interaction.
This underreported story raises urgent questions about state surveillance, media suppression, and the demise of free speech.
