UK to expand nuclear deterrent with US jets
26 Jun 2025
The UK is set to expand its nuclear capabilities by purchasing twelve F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying US-made B61 nuclear bombs, marking the largest upgrade to Britain’s deterrent since the Cold War. Keir Starmer announced the move at the NATO summit in the Hague, warning that peace can no longer be taken for granted amid rising global tensions. The jets, costing £80 million each, will operate as part of NATO’s nuclear mission and be stationed at RAF Marham. This reintroduces a nuclear role for the RAF, dormant since 1998, and complements the UK's Trident submarine-based system. The decision comes amid warnings of potential attacks on UK soil and a broader strategic shift to counter growing threats from Russia and China. Starmer emphasised national security as his government’s top priority, hinting that tax increases may follow to fund defence. NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and Donald Trump welcomed the UK’s strengthened commitment.
UK chooses death from beginning to end
26 Jun 2025
In a deeply consequential week for UK society, Parliament has voted in favour of two laws radically altering the nation’s stance on life. MPs voted 379 to 137 to decriminalise abortion, effectively allowing termination up to birth, and later backed assisted suicide legislation by 314 to 291. If approved by the House of Lords, both measures will bring sweeping changes to British life and law. Critics warn the abortion vote ignores root causes such as poverty, pressure, and lack of support for women, while the assisted suicide law may create a 'duty to die' among the vulnerable. The NHS will be compelled to rewrite its constitution, and the Hippocratic Oath’s principle of 'do no harm' is under threat. Efforts to amend the bill to protect those suffering depression or feeling burdensome were rejected. These decisions mark a further departure from Biblical values in British law, sparking calls for renewed Christian advocacy, compassion, and prayerful action as society drifts from its moral foundations. See
NATO allies, including the USA, have reaffirmed their ‘ironclad commitment’ to collective defence at a brief summit in The Hague. The final five‑paragraph communiqué emphasised unity, describing Russia as a ‘long‑term threat’ but stopping short of explicitly condemning its invasion of Ukraine, marking a shift from prior statements. In the only reference to the war, it said: ‘Allies reaffirm their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours.’ It also reaffirmed NATO’s founding tenet, that an attack on one is an attack on all, despite Trump hinting at differing definitions. A notable commitment was a pledge to raise defence investment to 5% of GDP by 2035. The toned‑down language and ambitious new spending target reflect tensions within the alliance. Meanwhile, on 24 June seventeen people were killed and over a hundred injured in a daytime Russian airstrike: see
Greece: five wildfires break out on Chios
26 Jun 2025
A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Chios as five separate wildfires, fanned by strong winds, are ravaging homes, farms, and infrastructure. The fires broke out within hours of each other, prompting the evacuation of seventeen communities. The authorities have launched an arson investigation, citing the suspicious timing and clustering of the blazes. They have caused widespread damage, destroying homes and cutting power across the island. Nearly two hundred firefighters, backed by aircraft and helicopters, are tackling the flames, with ninety more en route from Athens and Thessaloniki. Residents have joined in the firefighting effort, using buckets and makeshift equipment. This is the first major wildfire this summer for Greece, which is no stranger to devastating fires and extreme heat.
Protesters in Venice have claimed an ‘enormous victory’ after forcing US billionaire Jeff Bezos and guests to move their wedding celebration away from the city centre. The three‑day event, featuring A‑list guests like Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, sparked anger over the overt display of wealth and the strain caused by such a huge event. The group No Space for Bezos, supported by activists and environmental campaigners, celebrated the shift as a symbolic win for locals against wealthy elites. One activist said it demonstrated how ordinary citizens can challenge even the powerful. Venice, grappling with rising seas and rising rents, has long been a flashpoint for debates about sustainable tourism and economic equity. City authorities criticised the protest, citing the benefits that wealthy visitors bring. Yet activists insist that the issues of over‑crowding, rising costs, and climate vulnerability must be addressed. The wedding itself will of course proceed, but for many Venetians, this moment has highlighted urgent questions about the future of their historic city.
After a US bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Donald Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth offered conflicting assessments of its impact. At first, Trump claimed total obliteration, later suggesting the damage might have been ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, while a leaked Pentagon assessment concluded the setback was only a matter of months. CIA director John Ratclife insisted that critical sites like Fordow had been rendered inoperable for years, while Israel announced that the strikes had pushed Iran’s programme back significantly. Meanwhile, questions emerged about Iran’s highly enriched uranium, some of which appears to have been moved prior to the attacks. The IAEA warned that different estimates of how long it will take Iran to rebuild distracted from the larger issue of long‑term non‑proliferation, and the risk of Iran expelling inspectors and leaving the non-proliferation treaty altogether.
Donald Trump’s decision to authorise airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities has strengthened North Korea’s belief that nuclear weapons are vital for regime survival. While both nations seek deterrence, North Korea’s approach is rooted in preserving the Kim regime itself, backed by its extensive nuclear and missile arsenal. A US strike on that arsenal is highly unlikely, due to the country’s ability to target Seoul and US interests in the Indo‑Pacific. Its deeply buried nuclear facilities and alliances with Russia and China further complicate any potential attack. Experts have warned that Trump’s decision has had a significant impact on Pyongyang’s foreign policy, strengthening its belief that possessing nuclear weapons guarantees survival. With deepening mistrust of the USA, North Korea will be even less likely than before to change its belligerent attitude.
A deadly attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus on 22 June has shaken Syria, especially its Christian community. At least 25 people were killed when an armed man opened fire and detonated a suicide bomb. The attack, claimed by both IS and another group, has spotlighted serious security concerns for Syria's new government. Labour affairs minister Hind Kabawat called for unity, stressing the shared pain of Christians and Muslims. The end of Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime was meant to usher in a hopeful era, yet the recent attack raises questions about the new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and his ability to protect religious minorities. Despite promises of inclusivity, tensions and mistrust linger. The Mar Elias attack intensifies fears that minorities may be forced to leave the country, highlighting the fragile nature of Syria's recovery. The government's response to these security and sectarian threats will define its legitimacy and shape its future.