A quick overview of what has made the news briefing today.
This introduction provides a summary of what’s going on today. Before you get into today’s main stories; that have been summarised and contextualised for you. And at the bottom we have today’s newspaper summarised as well. Goodie!
The UK’s second heatwave of the year is set to peak this Monday with temperatures hitting over 34C. The heatwave is affecting much of the country, with major events such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon issuing warnings that could see people being forced to leave early.
The headlines continue to cover the controversy at Glastonbury after punk duo Bob Vylan’s chants of “death, death to the IDF” during the duo’s performance. The performance, along with Irish band Kneecap, will not be available to stream online.
Wimbledon kicks off today, with the headlines reporting on the record number of British tennis players in the world-famous tournament.
There is some continued coverage of the prime minister’s U-turn on the benefits row. The PM backed down from his harsh welfare reforms, making some huge concessions to appease the Labour backbenchers who were mounting a rebellion.
‘Death to the IDF’ chant at Glastonbury sparks backlash for world-famous festival and the BBC.
During their Glastonbury 2025 performance on the West Holts stage, punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting “Death to the IDF”, referring to the Israeli Defence Forces, while calling for Palestinian solidarity. The performance was broadcast live by the BBC and quickly sparked backlash across political and media circles. Festival organisers later described the chant as “vile”, while the BBC removed the footage from iPlayer and Sounds, citing editorial standards. Police are now reviewing the footage, as is common in potential hate speech investigations.
Irish rap group Kneecap, who appeared on the same stage earlier in the day, also used their set to deliver pro-Palestinian messages and harsh criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Their lyrics referenced “British complicity” in Israel’s actions and mocked Starmer’s stance on the conflict. No arrests were made during the festival.
The controversy has reignited debate around freedom of speech versus incitement, especially at major cultural events with live broadcast reach. The chant from Bob Vylan, interpreted by many as calling for violence, crosses a red line for critics, particularly given the rise in antisemitism linked to the Israel-Gaza war. For the BBC and Glastonbury, the fallout raises deeper questions about how to handle politically charged performances, especially when aired live to national audiences.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chant “completely unacceptable” and backed the police review. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the performance was “dangerous and inflammatory”, adding that “the BBC should never have aired it.”
Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis said that while political expression was part of the festival’s ethos, “hate speech and incitement are not”, and confirmed Bob Vylan would not be invited back. Bob Vylan defended the performance on social media, claiming the chant was a “call for justice” against what they described as war crimes in Gaza.
Avon & Somerset Police are reviewing footage to determine whether the chant constitutes a hate crime or incitement to violence, but have made no arrests. The BBC is conducting an internal review of its editorial oversight for live music events. Ministers are expected to summon the BBC and Glastonbury organisers to answer questions in parliament.
At the same time, free speech campaigners have warned against criminalising political performance, while pro-Palestinian groups argue the reaction is part of a broader crackdown on legitimate criticism of Israel. The outcome could set a precedent for how future festivals and broadcasters handle political content.
Mass exodus from Gaza City as Israel warns of major offensive in another cruel turn in the genocide.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled eastern Gaza City after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued warnings on social media about a “major offensive” extending into the city centre to dismantle Hamas military capacities. The evacuation order directed civilians to the already overcrowded coastal area of al-Mawasi. On Sunday alone, 23 Palestinians, including at least three children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza’s north, some hitting homes after earlier alerts. Witnesses describe chaotic scenes as families packed their belongings into donkey carts, bicycles and cars, while Gaza’s civil defence agency reported heavy bombing and ongoing refugee movements.
This mass displacement highlights the escalating severity of the 20-month Gaza conflict, which has already claimed over 56,500 Palestinian lives. The targeting of dense urban areas brings significant humanitarian risks, including famine, disease, and disruption of already fragile aid efforts. There are grave concerns from international observers and UN officials that the offensive could disproportionately impact civilians and exacerbate a humanitarian crisis in an already devastated region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the offensive, linking it to broader strategic gains following recent military successes, including freeing hostages and striking an Iran-linked target. President Trump echoed calls for a swift end to hostilities and hostage release, urging a rapid resolution on social media. Meanwhile, UN agencies and humanitarian organisations have expressed alarm about aid access in Gaza, especially as food distribution remains precarious amid daily bombardment near delivery sites.
As the IDF likely prepares to intensify its Gaza City offensive, international pressure is growing for renewed ceasefire talks. Qatar and Egypt, supported by the US, continue to broker indirect negotiations, though little progress has been reported. Humanitarian groups are calling for safe corridors for civilians and for mass aid to reach displaced populations in al-Mawasi. With the offensive escalating, the risk of deeper displacement and civilian suffering will dominate both diplomatic efforts and media scrutiny in the coming days.
Extra cost of disability in UK rises 12% in five years according to new study published ahead of Commons vote.
A new report from disability charity Scope has revealed that the additional cost of living with a disability in the UK has surged by almost 12% since 2020. The average disabled person now pays around £1,300 more per month for essential goods and services, with some facing costs exceeding £2,000. These include expenses for heating, specialist equipment, accessible transport, and personal support. Scope attributes the increase to inflation, rising energy bills and ongoing economic instability, arguing that disabled people are facing a “deepening crisis”.
The findings underline the disproportionate impact of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people, many of whom are already more likely to live in poverty. Despite longstanding calls for reforms to disability benefits, campaigners say support has failed to keep pace with rising costs. This comes amid controversial welfare cuts being pushed through Parliament, prompting warnings that disabled people risk being left behind by the current government policy.
The report lands at a politically sensitive moment. Labour is already facing pressure from within its own party over disability welfare reforms and the broader direction of the welfare bill. Meanwhile, ministers claim they are tackling inequality, citing upcoming support measures. But campaigners argue that this report exposes the urgent need for targeted, long-term investment. With a general election on the horizon, how parties respond could shape their standing with disabled voters and advocacy groups.
Scope’s CEO described the figures as “staggering and shameful”, urging immediate government action to reassess disability payments. Labour’s disability spokesperson said the figures proved the welfare system was “not fit for purpose”. A government spokesperson said they were “listening carefully” and pointed to upcoming targeted support in the poverty strategy.
MPs across the political spectrum are expected to raise the findings in upcoming debates on the welfare bill. Scope is calling for the government to build “a disability price index” to ensure future payments reflect real-world costs. The charity is also pushing for increased access to affordable and inclusive services, including energy and transport. With the Disability Strategy due for review later this year, the cost crisis is likely to dominate discussions.
Monday’s newspaper headlines are dominated by the controversial Glastonbury performance from punk duo Bob Vylan, who chanted “death, death to the IDF.” Several headlines criticised the BBC for not pulling the performance off live TV, whilst other headlines looked at the reaction to the chant, including the prime minister’s condemnation of the performance.
Copyright WTX News 2025
