(Monday 7 July) – Today’s headlines reflect on the 7 July 2005 terrorist attacks in London. The bombings claimed the lives of 52 people and injured more than 800.
Lots is happening in UK politics at the start of the week, with the prime minister potentially facing a new backbench rebellion, threats of NHS strikes and reports on the new left-wing party to be led by Jeremy Corbyn.
The start of the week covers Wimbledon as Cameron Norrie is the only British player left in the tournament.
British headlines have been dominated by international affairs this week, with the conflict in the Middle East and the G7 leading the way. The week began with the G7 being dominated by the Israel-Iran conflict, and now, by Friday, there are fears the UK could be dragged into Israel’s war in Iran after the United States signalled they could enter the war within weeks.
The G7, though overshadowed by the Middle East, was still a success for the prime minister, who got his UK-US trade ideal signed, whilst forging closer relations with Europe, especially in their response to the Iran-Israel conflict.
The week also saw the UK decriminalise abortion in England and Wales – marking a major shakeup to women’s rights in more than 60 years.
On Friday, MPs will vote on assisted dying – another major milestone for the United Kingdom (if passed). It will head to the Lords after.
The UK has been basking in glorious heat this week, with a confirmed heatwave across Britain. The summer heatwave is set to last until Sunday – so don’t forget your sunscreen!
What’s been happening this week (so far) – politics, historic votes and heatwaves!
🇬🇧 Starmer shines at G7 – PM Keir Starmer struck a chord at the summit in Canada, picking up dropped trade deal papers and sealing a pact on cars and aerospace with Trump.
🤝 UK–US trade deal emerging – A landmark agreement to slash tariffs on UK vehicle and aerospace exports is set for rollout by July, with steel and pharma discussions still ongoing.
📈 Inflation steady – The UK inflation has held at 3.4% in the year to May. It has come as a bit of a surprise to experts who expected to see a slight dip.
🏛️ MPs back abortion decriminalisation – In a major shift, Parliament voted overwhelmingly (379–137) to strip criminal penalties for women ending pregnancies outside the legal framework.
🚂 HS2 delays continue – Progress on the high-speed rail project has hit fresh snags, pushing back crucial segments by a further two years.
🔥 UK heatwave alert – Temperatures soared this week, prompting health advisories as parts of England face hotter-than-average summer days. The UK is set for another week of heatwaves.
It’s Monday and the UK’s news agenda is buzzing. First up, Keir Starmer has announced a national inquiry into grooming gangs—pressuring councils and police to answer for past cover‑ups, as the NCA gears up to investigate hundreds of cases.
The prime minister is in Canada, joining other world leaders, at this yeat’s G7 summit. The ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran is set to dominate the agenda.
📅 Key Cultural & Business Events – This Week
Move your body, clear your mind. Even a short walk or a gentle stretch can work wonders for your mental health—reducing stress, boosting mood, and improving focus. Physical movement stimulates endorphins, encourages better sleep, and helps break the cycle of overthinking.
Today, give yourself the gift of movement – you don’t need a gym, just a little time and intention.
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.
Shrieks overhead in “screaming parties” on summer evenings, and spends nearly its entire life airborne—eating, sleeping, even mating on the wing. Look high above towns at dusk for dark, crescent‑winged silhouettes and piercing screams.
In a landmark free vote, the House of Commons passed an amendment to the Crime & Policing Bill by 379 to 137, removing criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies outside the legal framework. The reform does not affect the existing 24-week limit or the requirement for two doctors’ approval. Healthcare professionals performing abortions beyond legal bounds can still face prosecution. This marks the most significant change to abortion law since the 1967 Act.
Read a WTX News report on the historic vote
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Positive–neutral.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater expressed confidence that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will pass its crucial Commons stage on Friday, moving on to the House of Lords. The legislation would allow adults in England and Wales diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to live less than six months to request assisted dying, with safeguards including approval from two doctors and an expert panel of legal, medical, and social professionals. The bill has already passed its second reading 330–275, and public backing remains strong (around 72–75%). However, it faces increasing opposition due to concerns over procedural speed, potential impact on vulnerable groups, especially those with learning disabilities, and NHS readiness.
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will tell Parliament that the London–Birmingham section of HS2 will miss its already postponed 2033 opening and face at least a two-year further delay, with no new timeline given.
Two independent reviews—led by HS2 CEO Mark Wild and infrastructure guru James Stewart—have revealed a “litany of failure”, including poor governance, contract mismanagement, £37 billion cost overruns, £2 billion wasted on the cancelled northern leg, allegations of subcontractor fraud, and aborted station plans.
The government is responding with a “reset”: accepting 89 recommendations, appointing former TfL chief Mike Brown as HS2 Ltd chair, enhancing oversight, and pledging six-monthly progress reports.
Read a WTX News report on the HS2 train project.
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative.
At the G7 summit in Canada, UK PM Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump inked a bilateral trade deal covering the aerospace and automotive sectors. US tariffs on British aerospace goods are removed entirely, while auto tariffs are reduced from 25% to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles annually.
However, UK steel exports remain subject to a 25% tariff—temporarily lower than the US’s global 50% rate—with discussions continuing around quotas and supply-chain security due to Chinese ownership concerns at British Steel. Trump praised the pact, stating the UK is “very well protected…because I like them,” though he mistakenly referred to it as an EU deal. Further talks at G7 will address potential new Russia sanctions and steel quotas.
Read a full WTX News report on the UK-US trade deal
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive.
Source: [The Guardian, 16 June 2025]
Keir Starmer launches diplomatic push to head off Middle East crisis before G7 summit
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is spearheading urgent diplomacy ahead of the G7 in Canada amid escalating Israel–Iran tensions. In Ottawa, he met Canadian PM Mark Carney, calling for de‑escalation and international collaboration, and signalled arms and jet displacement to protect UK interests. The Foreign Office issued a “no‑travel” advisory for Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, hinting at contingency evacuations. Starmer has not ruled out defensive support for Israel but insists adherence to international law through diplomacy is paramount. He also engaged with the UAE’s President, leveraging regional influence. The UK’s position will be central at the G7, where leaders are expected to press President Trump on his Iran–Israel stance.
🔁 Reactions (tweets):
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive.
Baroness Harriet Harman cautioned that Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose political identity was shaped by opposition to Iraq, might ultimately permit U.S. use of UK-controlled bases, such as Diego Garcia or RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, for strikes on Iran if President Trump requested it. Attorney General Richard Hermer has warned that such assistance could breach international law unless it meets strict criteria, for instance, demonstrable imminence of threat and UK legal approval. A Cobra committee is on high alert, UK assets are being safeguarded, and Starmer is under pressure to balance alliance loyalty with legal and ethical constraints.
IN FULL: Starmer could allow Trump use of British bases to attack Iran, says Harriet Harman
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–negative.
A domestic heatwave is set to hit the UK this week, with temperatures reaching up to 32 °C in southern England by Saturday, according to the Met Office. A yellow heat-health alert is in effect for London, the Midlands, the South West, East England, and Yorkshire from Thursday through Sunday, warning that hot weather may begin requiring three consecutive days above regional thresholds to justify calling it an official heatwave. The same plume will lift temperatures in Scotland to around 28–29 °C, nearing recent June records. Emergency services have issued wildfire warnings in drought-affected areas, advising caution over dry grass and fire risks around the most parched regions.
The heatwave is expected to peak this weekend and taper off by early next week as high pressure drifts away, with a chance of thunderstorms afterwards. Public health bodies urge people, especially those over 65 and those with illnesses, to stay hydrated and minimise sun exposure, while local councils have been advised to prepare fire breaks and check vulnerable residents. Meanwhile, forecasts suggest that such extreme heat will become more common: the Met Office models a 50% chance of a 40 °C day within the next 12 years, raising concerns over preparedness and resilience.
Nationwide police operation on grooming gangs announced
Source: [Sky News, 15 June 2025]
The Home Office today announced a major, nationwide police operation targeting grooming gangs, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Over 800 historical cases have been reopened, with specialist teams—including Operation Hydrant and the Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce—mobilised to identify and prosecute offenders who had been previously overlooked. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says institutional failures—even fears of accusations of racism—allowed these crimes to continue unchallenged. Baroness Casey’s audit, released last night, confirmed the need for a statutory public inquiry and a coordinated national response. The renewed focus comes as Keir Starmer also backs a formal inquiry with subpoena powers to ensure accountability.
Read a full WTX News report on the grooming gangs scandal
Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral‑negative.
Source: [The Guardian, 15 Jun 2025]
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.
Criticism centres on the “four-point rule,” under which claimants must score on a single daily living activity, potentially pushing around 1 million disabled people into poverty by 2029–30. Ministers, including Liz Kendall, have offered targeted protections; transitioning payments for 13 weeks, lifelong illness exemptions, and a “right to work” scheme, but insist there will be no further concessions.
The vote, expected in late June, may become Labour’s largest internal rebellion and could even trigger confidence stakes.
🔁 Reactions:
📰 Bias Snapshot:
📊 Sentiment: Neutral in a negative tone.
A round up of what the Politicians have been doing.
*Denotes wanted for war crimes.
Starmer got his trade deal with the US over the line, meaning the 25% tariffs on British cars have been slashed down to 10%. It’s a little bit of a win for the prime minister, especially because of the praise he received from Donald Trump.
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The prime minister is in Canada for the G7 summit where he will be looking to take a lead on de-escalating the situation between Iran and Israel.
Zelenskyy will be at the G7 meeting after being invited by Canada. There are reports he might meet with Donald Trump.
The US President signed a trade deal with the UK on the first day of the G7 summit in Canada. He left the summit after just one day after the Middle East crisis escalated.
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The G7 will be all about Donald Trump – as it often is with all American presidents, as world leaders will be looking to get on his good side in hopes of a deal, and for the USA to take a tougher approach to Netanyahu and Putin.
The Saudi prince has expressed his anger at the Israeli attacks on Iran calling them a violation of international law.
The EU chief will be heading to the G7 summit today. She is under pressure to secure a deal with the USA.
Macron is heading to Canada for the G7 summit.
Modi is heading to Canada for the G7 meeting – despite not being a member, he was invited to the summit.
“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.
☀️ “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
The summer is here in the UK – get outside and enjoy the weather, it won’t be long until we’re back to the rain.
The chief executive of City broker Peel Hunt, Steven Fine, has claimed that London’s markets are being held back by a “domestic lack of self-esteem.” Speaking to City AM, Fine argued that the UK perceives itself to be in far worse shape than the rest of the world does, a mindset that has contributed to the undervaluation of assets. He suggested that this pessimistic sentiment starts at the top, pointing out that the average tenure of a UK public company CEO is just 3.7 years — a period that has coincided with the emergence of a bleak economic outlook.
The sun is back out in Britain – and there are lots of great things to get involved in this week. From arts to culture to business and community. Here’s your UK events guide for the week of 16–22 June 2025, covering arts, entertainment, business, festivals and more:
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.
Copyright WTX News 2025
