Chief secretary to PM rules out leadership bid as he says he has received reassurances from BurnhamGood morning. There are very few upsides for Keir Starmer for his current situation, but one of them is that soon he will no longer have to worry about taking PMQs. In his memoir, Tony Blair described PMQs as “the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage draining experience in my prime ministerial life, without question”. Today’s could be Starmer’s third last.
While we will hear from Starmer at PMQs, interest in what he has to say may be limited. Power is like water on a surface with a slope; it very quickly heads in one direction and, despite only being sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon, Andy Burnham is already the most powerful figure in Westminster, and most of the political class is focused on what sort of administration he might lead. It has emerged that Burnham will appoint James Purnell, who served in cabinet with him under Gordon Brown, as his chief of staff. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the PM, has announced that he will not stand as a leadership candidate against Burnham.
He had been refusing to rule this out, and some Starmer loyalists were urging him to run. Ben Quinn has the story. Continue reading...
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Read original · aljazeera.com• Azerbaijan's president confirmed that clandestine talks between German and Russian officials recently took place in Baku. • The meetings occur as Azerbaijan continues to balance relations by providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while refusing to join Western sanctions against Russia.
Read original · globalbankingandfinance.com• UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for increased diplomatic efforts and restraint to end the escalating conflict between the US and Iran. • The conflict has spread across ten nations, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE, leading to attacks on vital infrastructure.
Read original · news.un.org
UN News• The head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) warned that ongoing conflicts and energy market disruptions are threatening global progress in the fight against hunger. • These instabilities are driving up the costs of essential commodities, including fuel, fertilizer, and food, which could push millions more people into food insecurity.
Read original · independent.co.uk
The Independent• The conflict in Yemen continues to be exacerbated by the Southern Transitional Council's (STC) renewed demands for an independent southern state and a surge in attacks by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). • A severe humanitarian crisis persists, with 21.6 million people requiring urgent aid, including 11 million children.
Read original · cfr.org• Iran has launched a series of attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in regional conflict. • The offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 3 U.S. service members and left dozens of others wounded.
Read original · cbsnews.com• Iran-backed Houthi rebels have expanded their conflict by implementing a blockade on Saudi ships in the Red Sea. • This escalation follows a series of military actions, including the U.S. launching strikes against Iran for the 10th consecutive night.
Read original · nytimes.com• The World Peace Forum in Islamabad recently recognized Pakistan's proactive regional diplomacy, with international speakers praising the country's efforts to foster stability. • Senator Mushahid Hussain urged the establishment of a new "World Order" led by the Global South to challenge existing geopolitical imbalances.
Read original · nation.com.pk• Tensions between the USA and Iran have escalated, sparking renewed fears of a broader regional conflict across West Asia. • The escalation occurs within a region already destabilized by multiple ongoing security crises and geopolitical volatility.
Read original · tfipost.com
Tfipost• In an article published July 20, 2026, author Ellen Brown explores the "AI Abundance Paradigm" and the societal shift occurring as machines replace human labor. • The piece examines how the transition from a scarcity-based economy to one of abundance alters human behavior, moving away from competition and fear of loss.
Read original · globalresearch.ca• Governments are increasingly utilizing social media influencers as unofficial ambassadors to shape global public opinion and project soft power. • States provide these creators with privileged access, official tours, and interviews with senior officials to cover geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, as well as China's global ambitions.
Read original · frontline.thehindu.com• Recent attacks in Ukraine over the weekend resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and numerous injuries across the country. • Infrastructure damage was reported at World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses in Dnipro and World Health Organization (WHO) facilities near Kyiv.
Read original · press.un.org