UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on June 22, 2026. This resignation opens the possibility for Andy Burnham, who recently won a special parliamentary election, to become the new Labour leader and potentially the next prime minister.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
He resigned on June 22, 2026.
This will make the UK’s seventh prime minister in just over ten years.
Andy Burnham recently won a special parliamentary election.
Burnham is seen as the leading candidate to replace Starmer as Labour leader.
The resignation was linked to changes in global politics and public mood.
The news was reported by FRANCE 24 and journalist Douglas Herbert.
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South East Water has chosen John Halsall as its new chief executive after the previous leader, David Hinton, resigned. Halsall plans to focus first on fixing immediate problems for customers and then invest £2.1 billion to improve the company’s water service over time.
Key Facts
John Halsall will replace David Hinton as chief executive of South East Water.
Halsall previously worked at Thames Water, South West Water, and Network Rail.
South East Water has faced repeated water supply failures in Kent and Sussex.
Halsall intends to respond to customers’ urgent concerns and then make long-term improvements.
The company plans to invest £2.1 billion to improve reliability and service.
The appointment requires approval from regulators.
David Hinton resigned in May; he earned £400,000 plus a £115,000 bonus last year.
South East Water has £1.3 billion in debt and recently raised water prices by about 7%, to an average annual bill of £324.
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Babcock International, a major UK defence company, reported a 19% drop in profits due to increased costs on a Royal Navy shipbuilding contract. The company said Brexit, Covid, higher raw material prices, and labour shortages made the contract unprofitable.
Key Facts
Babcock’s annual profits fell by nearly one-fifth to £293.3 million by the end of March.
The company took a £140 million charge on its contract to build five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy.
The contract, won in 2019, offered limited protection against rising costs caused by Brexit, Covid, and labour shortages.
Design changes to the first two ships in the contract caused additional cost increases.
A delay or increase in production hours or labour costs could increase losses by tens of millions of pounds.
Babcock’s nuclear and aviation divisions performed well, increasing profits by 19% excluding the ship contract losses.
The company has £9.8 billion in forward contracts, including a US partnership to build nuclear submarines.
Babcock’s chief executive said the company is positioned to benefit from growing global demand for defence capabilities.
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The first round of talks between the United States and Iran took place in Switzerland but started with tension. Iran linked the success of the talks to stopping the fighting in Lebanon, while President Donald Trump warned of possible military attacks.
Key Facts
The US and Iran held their first round of talks in Switzerland.
Iran said ending the fighting in Lebanon is essential for successful talks.
President Donald Trump repeated threats to resume attacks against Iran.
Fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon during the talks.
Iran had recently closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, despite ceasefire efforts.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 16 people amid ongoing conflict.
Non-government groups in Lebanon criticized Israeli attacks on medical workers.
The negotiations come amid increasing tensions in the Middle East involving multiple parties.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will resign, with a new leader expected before parliament returns in September. His popularity dropped due to his handling of the economy, and pressure increased after Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament, allowing him to challenge Starmer for Labour party leadership.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of the UK.
Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, June 22, 2026.
A new leader should be in place by September 2026 when parliament returns.
Starmer’s popularity fell because of his economic policies.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, won a parliamentary seat recently.
Burnham’s win opens the way for him to challenge Starmer for leadership of the Labour party.
Pressure on Starmer to resign had been growing for several months.
The Labour party is one of the main political parties in the UK.
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A recent poll by Axios-Ipsos shows that most Americans want political candidates to support lowering health care costs ahead of the November elections. Many voters support different policies like renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanding cheaper prescription drug sales to reduce their expenses.
Key Facts
About half of Americans say drug and insurance affordability will influence their vote.
Over 60% support direct sales of prescription drugs to consumers to lower costs.
Around 60% want to bring back higher subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Concern about health care costs is strongest among people aged 30-49, parents of children under 18, and households earning less than $50,000.
Many Americans believe the government should ensure health care access.
54% support expanding drug discount programs like TrumpRx and GoodRx.
Democrats (71%) and independents (49%) mostly favor restoring ACA subsidies, while fewer Republicans (26%) do.
Rising insurance premiums and copays are making 26% of people consider changing their health plans this year.
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France is experiencing a severe heat wave with daytime temperatures over 40°C (104°F) and hot nights, lasting until at least Friday. The government has issued red alerts for many regions and taken steps like school closures and warnings about alcohol and water safety to help people cope.
Key Facts
Most of France is under a heat wave described as a “plateau” of nonstop high temperatures.
Daytime highs exceed 40°C (104°F), and nighttime temperatures stay above 20°C (68°F), making it hard to sleep.
Hundreds of schools closed or canceled classes to protect children.
Authorities advised people to drink plenty of water and limited public alcohol consumption.
Several drowning incidents occurred as people sought relief in rivers despite warnings.
Climate experts link more frequent and intense heat waves to human-caused climate change.
The UK is also facing record-high temperatures, with heat warnings in southern England and Wales.
The World Health Organization says over 200,000 people died in Europe in recent years due to heat-related causes, many preventable.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned after his party suffered major election losses and faced political challenges. He will stay in charge temporarily until a new leader is chosen by September, while the Labour Party prepares for a leadership contest.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer resigned as UK Prime Minister following poor Labour Party results in local elections.
Labour lost control of Wales’ Parliament, had its worst-ever results in Scotland, and lost many seats in England.
Starmer will remain as caretaker prime minister until his replacement is selected before Parliament reopens in September.
The resignation followed internal party criticism and controversies, including issues with a government appointment linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Peter Mandelson was fired as UK ambassador to the US amid security concerns and Epstein ties, causing political backlash.
Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct but has denied any wrongdoing.
Starmer was elected prime minister in July 2024 and served just under two years, one of the shortest terms in recent UK history.
Labour leadership candidates like Andy Burnham are expected to compete to replace Starmer soon.
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A dietitian explains that what you eat and drink after 7 p.m. can affect how well you sleep. She avoids sugary desserts, heavy meals, and alcohol at night because they can disrupt sleep. Instead, she chooses light snacks like kiwis and milk, and says the timing of eating is also important for good rest.
Key Facts
Sugary foods late at night can cause blood sugar swings that make it harder to fall asleep.
Diets high in fiber lead to better, deeper sleep, while high saturated fat and sugar cause more night waking.
Heavy or fatty meals close to bedtime can cause indigestion and disturb sleep.
Alcohol might help you fall asleep faster but reduces important dream sleep and causes broken rest.
Eating light snacks like two kiwis and milk can support better sleep; kiwis are rich in vitamins and fiber.
Milk contains tryptophan, which is linked to the sleep hormone melatonin, though normal milk has only a small effect.
The ritual of having a warm drink may help some people relax before bed.
Eating late meals may increase hunger and reduce the number of calories burned, according to a Harvard study.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he is stepping down as leader of the Labour Party after losing a key election to Andy Burnham. He will continue as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is the current UK Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.
Starmer decided to resign following a recent election loss to his rival, Andy Burnham.
He will stay in his role as prime minister until the party selects a successor.
The decision followed several days of pressure from within his party.
Andy Burnham won a critical election that influenced Starmer’s resignation.
The Labour Party must now choose a new leader to replace Starmer.
This event is significant in UK politics and could affect future government policy.
The resignation announcement was made on June 22, 2026.
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Two students at a high school in Tacloban, Philippines, opened fire, killing three students and injuring seven others. The two suspects have been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident to understand why it happened.
Key Facts
The shooting took place at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city, Leyte island, Philippines.
Three students were killed and seven others wounded in the attack.
Two student suspects were arrested; one surrendered later and one was caught immediately.
The suspects used a .38-calibre and a 9mm gun during the shooting.
The victims were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a full investigation and emphasized school safety.
The Department of Education called the event a “high alert situation” and condemned the violence.
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, with a similar incident occurring in July 2022.
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A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a 17-year-old named Jamal Coombes was stabbed to death in Battersea, London. Several other teens were arrested, with some released on bail and one still in custody.
Key Facts
Jamal Coombes, 17, was found stabbed and died in Battersea, south-west London.
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 4:20 a.m. on Saturday.
A 14-year-old boy is charged with murder and carrying a bladed weapon.
This boy cannot be named due to legal rules protecting minors.
Two 15-year-olds, a boy and a girl, were arrested but later released on bail.
Another 15-year-old boy was arrested and remains in police custody.
The case is being handled by the Metropolitan Police and youth court.
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The UK and France have changed their “one in, one out” agreement because some migrants who were sent from the UK to France managed to return illegally to the UK by lorry. Both countries agreed to close this loophole by allowing the UK to send back any previously deported migrant no matter how they return. The agreement aims to control illegal Channel crossings and will continue until at least October.
Key Facts
The “one in, one out” deal lets the UK return one illegal Channel migrant to France for every asylum seeker taken from France to the UK legally.
Some migrants deported to France returned to the UK by lorry, using help from people smugglers.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez agreed to change the treaty to stop these returns.
The UK has removed 921 migrants to France since August last year.
At least four deported migrants returned by lorry in a two-week span in March.
The deal was first signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in July last year.
So far this year, Channel crossings have dropped roughly one-third, partly because of bad weather.
The UK and France recently agreed on a new £662 million plan to stop migrants crossing the Channel.
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The conflict in the Middle East has shown that Europe faces big problems because it depends on fossil fuels from other countries. This situation is driving prices up, slowing economic growth, and causing inflation. As a result, Europe is focusing more on investing in clean, renewable energy to become more independent and competitive.
Key Facts
Europe relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, which creates economic risks.
The Middle East conflict has led to higher energy prices in Europe.
Rising energy costs are hurting Europe's economic growth and increasing inflation.
Investing in renewable energy is now seen as essential for Europe’s survival and competitiveness.
Renewable energy helps Europe reduce reliance on foreign energy suppliers.
EU officials describe this shift as critical for Europe’s strategic independence.
The article connects energy security with broader economic and political stability in Europe.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he is resigning as both Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party. He said he will stay in office until a new leader is chosen, with nominations starting on July 9 and a leadership contest finishing before Parliament returns in September.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer has been Prime Minister and Labour Party leader for two years.
He took over a struggling Labour Party six years ago and worked to restore its reputation and values.
Under his leadership, the UK economy grew stronger, wages increased, and improvements were made in healthcare and workers’ rights.
The government ended austerity policies and worked on issues like immigration control and poverty reduction.
The UK improved its global standing by supporting Ukraine and rebuilding relationships with European allies.
Starmer says he accepts that he is not the best person to lead the Labour Party into the next election.
He informed King Charles III of his decision and will remain Prime Minister until a new leader is chosen.
The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee will set a schedule for a leadership vote starting in July.
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The U.S. and Iran signed a cease-fire deal last week to end the war, but tensions remain high with threats and occasional violence. Both countries are holding ongoing talks in Switzerland to work toward a longer-term nuclear agreement.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iran signed a deal last Wednesday to stop the war.
Iran said it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again, but U.S. officials said this did not happen in reality.
Israel has carried out occasional bombings in Lebanon during this period.
President Donald Trump threatened to seize and charge ships using the Strait of Hormuz and warned of military action against Iran’s peace negotiators.
High-level talks are taking place in Switzerland at the Bürgenstock resort, led by Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. envoys.
Representatives from the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar say progress has been made, aiming for a final nuclear deal within 60 days.
U.S. intelligence doubts Iran will agree to key nuclear concessions needed to complete the deal.
For peace to hold, Israel and Hezbollah must maintain a ceasefire, Iran must keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and President Trump needs to reduce hostile rhetoric.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will resign from his position. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, is the leading candidate to take over after winning a recent election.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is the current Prime Minister of the UK.
He announced plans to resign from his role.
Starmer showed visible emotion during the announcement.
Andy Burnham was the mayor of Manchester.
Burnham recently won a by-election.
This election victory increased calls for Starmer to step down.
Burnham is now considered the frontrunner to replace Starmer.
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Andy Burnham, a British politician and current mayor of Greater Manchester, is the leading candidate to replace Keir Starmer as the leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the UK. Known as the "King of the North," Burnham has focused on improving his northern region and has gained support for his outspoken criticism of government policies and advocacy for public services.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is 56 years old and has been mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017.
He previously served in the UK government under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Burnham ran twice for Labour Party leader in 2010 and 2015 but lost both times.
He gained the nickname "King of the North" for defending northern England against London-focused government policies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he criticized Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis as too London-centric.
Burnham has led efforts to improve public transport in Greater Manchester through a project called the Bee Network.
He supported the campaign for justice for the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Burnham recently won a parliamentary seat in a by-election, strengthening his position within the Labour Party.
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Two students at a high school in Tacloban City, Philippines, opened fire, killing three classmates and injuring seven others. Both suspects, aged 14 and 15, are in police custody, and the shooting may be linked to bullying.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Two students, ages 14 and 15, carried out the shooting.
Three students died and seven were injured.
One suspect was arrested immediately; the other surrendered later.
The suspects used a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol.
Police think the shooting might be related to a grudge over bullying.
Gun ownership responsibility is being questioned, with calls for gun owners to be held accountable.
Gun violence in the Philippines has been decreasing, with nearly 5,000 cases recorded nationwide in 2024.
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A recent poll shows many Americans are worried about the growth of data centers, which support artificial intelligence (AI) technology. While few people live near data centers, almost half support a temporary pause on building new ones as a way to address concerns about costs and environmental impact.
Key Facts
Only 8% of people who oppose data centers actually live near one.
38% of respondents would support a data center being built near their home; 34% would oppose it.
49% support a temporary ban (moratorium) on constructing new data centers; 16% oppose this ban.
The poll suggests people are uneasy about how quickly data centers are being built and want more information on issues like water use and who benefits.
AI critics from different political views warn about job losses caused by AI, increasing public concern.
Most new data centers are planned for rural areas, while most existing ones are in cities.
Tech companies face a labor shortage to staff large data centers and are developing robots to help.
The poll surveyed 6,872 registered voters in key states, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
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