Wednesday briefing: Where Starmer stands after another precarious day in Parliament

• Sudan is currently experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, which some observers describe as the gravest of recent times. • The crisis is characterized by widespread mass starvation, with 825,000 children specifically facing severe acute starvation.

• A rare convergence of voices, including India’s RSS leadership, Kashmiri figures, and over 100 eminent citizens, has created a potential opening to reset India–Pakistan relations. • The article argues that current Track II talks must evolve into a structured dialogue to move beyond temporary diplomatic pauses.

• The White House has appointed Harvard astronomer and cosmologist Avi Loeb to lead a new scientific advisory council investigating the national security risks posed by UFOs. • Loeb, a former head of Harvard’s astronomy department known for his controversial theories on alien visits, will lead the study into mysterious orbs reported by military personnel.

• Col. Saikat K. Bose argues that the United Nations' value is often underestimated because critics focus on its failure to prevent major wars. • The author highlights that the UN's true strength lies in its routine, less visible functions, such as providing global coordination, legal frameworks, and trust to prevent smaller crises from escalating.

• A growing number of "UN Sceptics" are questioning the continued relevance of the United Nations due to its perceived inability to stop global violence. • The organization's helplessness is highlighted by the ongoing bloodshed and instability in Gaza, Lebanon, and the invasion-shattered regions of Ukraine.

• The UN Secretary-General introduced the preliminary report from the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and welcomed the General Assembly's decision to reform the organization's financial rules. • In Lebanon, thousands of displaced people continue to rely on humanitarian aid, with UN agencies and first responders providing food, water, emergency shelter, and psychological support.

• The UK government is facing accusations of failing to prevent the UAE from supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. • Evidence including satellite imagery, leaked documents, and on-the-ground footage has been used to trace the movement of arms into the region.

• UN relief chief Martin Griffiths has sounded an alarm regarding the escalation of violence in Sudan's North Kordofan region. • He emphasized that humanitarian workers must be granted safe, unimpeded access to reach vulnerable populations affected by the conflict.

Case due to be heard in supreme court this morning. Follow the day’s latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning, and happy Friday. Nick Visser here to wrap up the week after a busy stretch in parliament. Here’s what’s on deck:Liberal MP Moira Deeming has lodged legal action against the party’s Victorian president, Brian Loughnane, which is set to be heard in the state’s supreme court this morning. Deeming had filed a police complaint against a colleague, Matthew Guy, alleging he put her in a headlock. Victoria Police investigated the incident and found “there was no offence detected”, dismissing it last week. Guy has demanded a public apology from Deeming – who said earlier this week she misunderstood the “technical meaning of the term ‘headlock’”, but would not apologise. Continue reading...

Makerfield MP said he would consider reducing business rates as part of a package that could also include freeze on private rentsAndy Burnham promised to ease the cost of living if he becomes prime minister in his first interview since returning to parliament.The Makerfield MP told LBC that if he became prime minister later this month, as expected, he would look at reducing business rates for some high street businesses, bringing down water and energy costs by de-privatising companies and making bus travel free for 16- to 18-year-olds. Continue reading...

Canoeist David Hearn was arrested in June after touching a peeling piece of liner in the pool from renovation projectDavid Hearn, a three-time US Olympian and canoeist, has been indicted by a grand jury in Washington DC after Donald Trump blamed vandals for damaging Washington’s reflecting pool following a $14.7m renovation project.The ‌indictment accuses Hearn ‌of “maliciously” breaking or destroying lining material on the bottom of the reflecting pool on 19 June. Lawyers for Hearn denied ‌the allegations following his arrest, accusing the ​Trump administration of treating ordinary conduct as criminal. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Findings cast doubt on Starmer claims that reallocation of funds to MoD will boost British jobsKeir Starmer’s decision to cut billions of pounds of infrastructure spending to pay for more defence equipment will end up costing the UK 10,000 jobs, according to an analysis of the government’s own figures.The prime minister announced this week he was putting an extra £15bn into defence investment to revamp the country’s armed forces and boost British manufacturing. Continue reading...