Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
Israel will permit a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a “starvation crisis” amidst a blockade lasting nearly three months, as casualties escalate in the ongoing conflict.
Good morning! Grab a coffee and let’s dive into the headlines dominating the UK news today. It’s busy on the politics front with Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosting a pivotal summit with EU leaders in London, aiming to reset post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, charities are increasing pressure on the government to abolish the two-child benefit cap, highlighting its impact on child poverty.
In international news, former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, sparking global concern and an outpouring of well wishes. An attempted terrorist attack on a Palm Springs fertility clinic is also featured heavily in the news as the suspect has been named as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.
And in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, resulting in significant casualties amid ongoing ceasefire talks. It comes as Israel agreed to allow a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a “starvation crisis” amidst a blockade lasting nearly three months.
Romania has bucked the trend and voted in a liberal president despite polls suggesting the Trump-loving populist George Simion was set to win.
On a lighter note, Crystal Palace fans are still celebrating their historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City and Chelsea WFC beat Manchester United to win the Women’s FA Cup – completing the domestic treble.
The UK and EU agreed a new 10-year fishing deal, giving EU boats continued access to British waters, in a major breakthrough, years after Britain left the EU. The agreement was seen as key to unlocking progress in wider trade discussions.
As part of the summit, both sides moved towards reducing post-Brexit trade barriers, especially on food and agricultural products. Plans are being discussed to ease checks and simplify rules.
The idea of restoring a youth mobility scheme was also raised. The EU is pushing for it, and while the UK has not committed, it has softened its previous opposition.
The UK is also seeking a new security and defence partnership with the EU. This could include access to the EU’s €150bn SAFE defence fund and deeper cooperation on foreign policy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made clear that this reset is not about rejoining the EU, but building a closer, more stable relationship after years of friction.
Further technical talks are expected in the coming weeks to finalise agreements on trade, mobility, and defence. Any formal changes will likely be announced later this summer.
The future of a youth mobility scheme remains uncertain. The UK has said it is open to “sensible proposals,” but no deal has been made.
Domestically, reaction is mixed. Some MPs support the reset, while others warn against drifting too close to the EU. Polls suggest most of the public supports closer ties, though not EU membership.
Despite the shift in tone, the government has ruled out rejoining the EU’s single market or customs union.
The Daily Mail calls it a “surrender agreement” – the paper says it means Britain will “once more follow laws and abide by its judges’ rulings.”
BBC News says EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds confirmed the UK is pushing for UK passport holders to use EU e-gates.
LBC says the breakthrough – which came around 10:30 pm last night – “was mostly concerned with fishing rights.” Nick Thomas-Symonds, leading the negotiations, told LBC that a deal could give the UK the “tools to tackle illegal migration”, create growth and get the economy moving. He accused Brexiteers against a deal of “defending a status quo that is not working in the best interests of the British people.”
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. His medical team reported a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high-grade cancer. Despite the severity, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which may allow for effective treatment options.
Biden’s office announced that he and his family are currently reviewing potential treatment plans with his physicians. The diagnosis followed recent medical evaluations prompted by urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule.
Well wishes have poured in from across the political spectrum – including one of Biden’s most vocal critics, current US president Donald Trump.
Biden is expected to begin hormone therapy, which is commonly used to treat hormone-sensitive prostate cancers. Further treatment options are being considered based on his overall health and the extent of cancer spread.
The announcement coincides with the upcoming release of a book alleging a White House cover-up of Biden’s previous cognitive decline, raising questions about transparency during his presidency.
ABC News explains what a Gleason score of 9 means – explaining a score of 9 means his cancer is aggressive. The grading system usually ranges from 6 to 10.
Local San Fran newspaper abc7 news speaks to local doctors who say the former president’s cancer is likely ‘generally incurable’ but likely treatable.
Fox News says the “aggressive form” of prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of between 30% and 40%.
A coalition of leading UK charities, including Save the Children and the Child Poverty Action Group, is intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap. This policy, in place since 2017, restricts benefit payments to the first two children in a family and is widely regarded by experts and campaigners as a significant factor in child poverty.
Recent polling commissioned by the charities indicates that public support for tackling child poverty remains strong, even among Labour voters considering switching to the Reform Party. The survey found that 73% of respondents agreed that all children deserve a good childhood, even if it costs the government more to support families in need.
Despite these calls and record child poverty levels—4.5 million children living in poverty as of April 2024—the Labour government is reportedly considering less costly alternatives to scrapping the cap. The charities argue that fulfilling Labour’s election promises will require significant investment and structural change, including expanding free school meals and raising universal credit.
The government is preparing to unveil a child poverty strategy, with discussions ongoing about its content. Prominent voices, including Baroness Ruth Lister and Labour MP Simon Opher, are urging the integration of legally binding poverty reduction targets into the strategy.
While the Labour government has not committed to abolishing the two-child benefit cap, the mounting pressure from charities and public opinion may influence future policy decisions.
ITV reports charities have said that scrapping the two-child benefit limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. “It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty.”
GB News reports that the charities’ letter warns that without scrapping the two-child limit, child poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029. This would mark the highest level since records began.
Dominating the front pages is the news that two homes connected to the prime minister in North London were set on fire yesterday – as was a car on the street of one of the houses on fire.
For a second day, there’s a lot of coverage of yesterday’s announcement from the prime minister regarding a planned crackdown on legal migration to the United Kingdom.
Copyright WTX News 2025
