Author: LoveWorld UK

DIGITAL CURRENCY GETS FIRST EU APPROVAL –  There will be pilot exercise and initial transactions in mid-2027 The European Parliament gave its first approval to the digital euro.  The Committee on Economic Affairs voted by a large majority in favour of the first of three measures to introduce an alternative payment system to the Mastercard and Visa networks, with 49 votes in favour, 14 against, and 1 abstention, for the text authorising the creation of a digital euro under the management of the European Central Bank.  This is the most important measure in a legislative package that also includes rules…

STARMER HOLDS FIRST CABINET SINCE EXIT – Burnham faces potential rivals in contest  Keir Starmer has held his first cabinet meeting since announcing he will resign as Labour leader and prime minister . Ministers made their way along Downing Street this morning to shouts from journalists about who they might support as leader and whether they would run themselves. At least one member of the Cabinet is considering challenging Andy Burnham for the leadership of the Labour Party and the role of prime minister. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, a staunch Starmer loyalist, is said to be…

IMO TO OPEN TEMPORARY HORMUZ PASSAGE – The IMO announced an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers  The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Tuesday announced an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO has secured the necessary safety guarantees and verified safe navigation conditions to support the evacuation operation, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement. The operation follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, and will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, other countries in the region, and…

EASYJET REJECTS £4.7BN TAKEOVER BID – Airline says offer undervalues company  Budget airline easyJet has rejected a £4.74 billion takeover bid from U.S. investment firm Castlelake, describing the proposal as “highly opportunistic” and accusing the firm of trying to buy the airline at a discount. Castlelake revealed it had made three separate approaches this month, all of which were turned down. Its latest offer values EasyJet at 625 pence per share, a 24 percent premium on the airline’s recent closing share price. EasyJet argues its stock has been temporarily weakened by disruption to the travel sector linked to the Iran…

NETANYAHU VOWS IRAN WILL NOT GO NUCLEAR – Israeli PM pledges continued pressure on Iran and Hezbollah Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon while he remains in office, making the pledge during the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem. Netanyahu also addressed reports of tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that while the two leaders do not always see eye to eye, they respect each other’s sovereignty and maintain a strong working relationship. Turning to Lebanon, the Israeli leader said Israeli forces would continue occupying a security zone along the…

IRAN-US TALKS PROGRESS IN SWITZERLAND – Mediators say roadmap agreed for final deal  Talks between Iran and the United States have concluded on a positive note in Switzerland, with mediators reporting significant progress toward a broader agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and regional instability. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the discussions produced a roadmap for a final deal within 60 days, alongside the creation of a high-level committee to oversee the process and the launch of further technical negotiations. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar said the first round of talks was constructive despite lingering disagreements over Lebanon…

KREMLIN DOWNPLAYS STARMER RESIGNATION – Moscow says UK stance on Russia unlikely to change The Kremlin has said the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is unlikely to alter what it describes as London’s “hostile” stance towards Russia. Starmer announced on Monday that he would step down, pledging an orderly transition of power by September at the latest, as Britain prepares for its seventh prime minister in a decade. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Starmer had not taken any position that distinguished him on relations with Moscow, adding that UK policy had consistently remained at “zero level” engagement. Peskov…

STARMER STEPS DOWN AS PRIME MINISTER – Labour leader says successor will be chosen by September  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will resign, with a new Labour leader and prime minister expected to be in place by the time Parliament returns in September. The decision comes less than two years after Starmer led Labour to a landslide election victory, ending years of political turbulence. In a statement, he said he would fully support whoever succeeds him as party leader. Pressure on Starmer had intensified in recent months amid falling approval ratings and growing unrest within Labour. The…

BURNHAM CONFIRMS LABOUR LEADERSHIP BID – Former Manchester mayor moves to replace Starmer as PM  Following Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcement of his resignation, prompting Andy Burnham to confirm he will stand to replace him as Labour leader and the country’s next prime minister. Burnham’s decision comes just days after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, which returned him to Westminster and fuelled speculation about his future ambitions. The former cabinet minister is widely viewed as one of the frontrunners in the contest to succeed Starmer. Speaking after confirming his candidacy, Burnham appeared upbeat and relaxed. Asked how he…

POLLS OPEN IN CRUCIAL MAKERFIELD BY-ELECTION – Polls will close at 2200 BST on Thursday  Polls in a crucial by-election in northern England opened on Thursday morning (June 18), where Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hopes to make his return to parliament. Representing the Labour Party, a win by Burnham in the Makerfield election could see him becoming the frontrunner in any leadership challenge to current Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Following close behind Burnham in recent polls is Robert Kenyon, candidate of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. MP Josh Simons announced last month that he was stepping down to make…