Starmer warns Burnham not to borrow to fund defence as he reveals £15bn plan

• Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that NATO is adapting to a changing security environment rather than facing a crisis. • Guler dismissed concerns regarding a U.S. exit from the alliance, asserting that Washington is seeking better burden-sharing from European allies rather than withdrawal.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a renewed global commitment to combat terrorism by addressing its root causes rather than relying solely on security measures. • Guterres warned that terrorist threats are evolving, emphasizing that a rights-based approach is essential to prevent radicalization and ensure long-term stability.

• Internal power struggles within the Iranian regime have intensified as rival factions clash over the direction of the country's nuclear talks. • The conflict has escalated beyond foreign policy disagreements, evolving into a bitter battle for political influence at the highest levels of government.

• The European Union is implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), shifting the focus of global energy competition from physical resources to regulatory frameworks. • While traditional energy diplomacy centered on securing oil fields, gas reserves, and pipelines, CBAM introduces environmental regulations as a tool for geopolitical influence.

• Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold diplomatic talks in Doha, Qatar, on June 29, 2026. • The primary objective of the meeting is to discuss the specific implementation details of a previously established US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

• The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) convened for a two-day session on June 30, 2026, to discuss critical governance and human rights issues. • The session focused on the obligation of governments to guarantee children's rights to survival, development, and protection from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.

• The government of Bashar al-Assad collapsed in late 2024 following a successful offensive by Turkish-backed opposition forces. • This power shift has intensified the long-standing regional rivalry between Turkey and Iran, as Turkey expands its influence over the Syrian landscape.

• The United States and Iran have agreed to a temporary stand-down to halt an escalating cycle of conflict, though the U.S. claims a ceasefire is now in effect. • Despite the agreement, Donald Trump has reiterated threats to "wipe out" Iran, signaling continued volatility in diplomatic relations.

• The US and Iran have agreed to "stand down" following a series of mutual strikes over the weekend that threatened to escalate regional tensions. • Both nations had accused each other of violating an existing ceasefire agreement, leading to the exchange of military attacks.

Billionaires’ wealth grew by 25% on average in the year ended in April, research from Swiss bank UBS findsBusiness live – latest updatesThe number of billionaires in the world has jumped by 13% to a record 3,302 people, new figures show, as the super-rich accumulate wealth at an accelerating rate.Billionaires’ wealth grew by 25% on average in the year ended in April, compared with a 10.8% rise in average personal wealth around the world, the Swiss bank UBS found. Continue reading...

The prime minister in waiting is seeking an interim base in the city centre before Ancoats site is completed in 2028A civil service base that is under construction in Manchester has been earmarked for Andy Burnham’s No 10 North, according to reports.The northern centre of government will be in Ancoats, on the outskirts of Manchester city centre, but the site is not due to be completed before 2028, according to the Manchester Evening News. Continue reading...

Police allege the 75-year-old tried to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy after explicit online chatsSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA New Orleans man who legally changed his name to Santa Claus was jailed recently on allegations that he tried to use a dating app to sexually prey on someone he believed to be an underage boy.Claus, 75, initiated contact through the app with an undercover detective who was posing as a 15-year-old boy as part of a sting operation being carried out over the weekend to arrest potential child predators, said a statement from police in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner. Continue reading...