Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
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.
It’s set to be a tense summit with European leaders wanting to push Donald Trump on Ukriane-Russia, Israel-Iran and the genocide in Gaza. The world leaders will need to balance calling for the US to step up without letting the US president feel disrespected – don’t forget, he walked out of the 2018 G7 summit.
A little closer to home, there’s coverage of the prime minister’s announcement of an inquiry into grooming gangs. It’s led to some publications calling for the prime minister to apologise to the victims after he initially ruled out a public inquiry.
There are fears of a potential backbench rebellion within the Labour Party with MPs not happy over the prime minister’s plans to cut the benefit bill. PM Starmer has insisted the reforms must be pushed through, but observers believe it could lead to a huge party rebellion.
MI6 has appointed its first female chief despite the organisation being 116 years old. Blaise Metreweli joined the intelligence service in 1999 and will become the 18th chief of the organisation when she takes over from Sir Richard Moore later this year.
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.
The G7 is a group of advanced democracies—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US – plus the EU, meeting annually to align on global economic, security, and geopolitical issues.
This year’s summit spotlights three priorities: protecting communities and global peace, ensuring energy security and digital transition, and securing partnerships for the future.
The central debates centre on the Israel‑Iran conflict, US tariffs, and escalating tensions over trade and nuclear proliferation, under the looming shadow of US President Donald Trump and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
Expect G7 declarations limited to thematic issues rather than full communiqués, avoiding direct public confrontation—particularly on Trump’s unilateral tariff decisions and Iran policy. European leaders will press Trump on Israel‑Iran de-escalation, while Canada pushes unity on global trade and energy resilience.
Bilateral discussions are underway on US auto tariffs, Ukraine support, and AI and defence contributions.
The summit’s outcome will be a critical test for international cooperation under a Trump presidency, with implications for the upcoming NATO meeting, future sanctions on Russia, and global supply chains. Security concerns are boosted, with Calgary and Banff set as protest hubs and emergency services on alert.
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?”. His refusal emerged amid escalating violence between Israel and Iran, including Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 406 people in Iran and Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities. Trump defended his stance, saying that “sometimes they have to fight it out” but expressing hope for a peace deal and warning that U.S. forces stand ready.
Trump’s veto signals U.S. opposition to further escalation while positioning him as a potential mediator at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, where world leaders—including those of Europe—are set to press him on de-escalation and Iran negotiation. As diplomatic efforts unfold, the risk of wider regional conflict looms, with officials preparing for possible U.S. military involvement and urging international calls for a ceasefire.
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. He met Canadian PM Mark Carney in Ottawa, suggesting the summit could be a platform for de-escalation. The UK Foreign Office issued a strong travel warning and deployed RAF jets amid fears of reprisals, following recent Iranian missile strikes on Israeli cities.
At the G7 summit in Alberta, Starmer seeks backing for a coordinated push for de-escalation and humanitarian access, as European leaders plan to challenge Trump on his stance toward Iran and Israel. The UK’s response—balancing military readiness, diplomatic pressure, and travel safety—will shape the summit’s approach to Middle East security. Ongoing efforts, including a trade and security working group with Canada, reaffirm Britain’s strategic positioning amid global uncertainty.
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.
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 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.
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