Andy Burnham officially becomes UK Parliament member

Andy Burnham officially becomes UK Parliament member Now Burnham can vie for leadership in the Labour Party as well as the prime minister's postLONDON, June 22. /TASS/. Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who is seen as the favorite to succeed Keir Starmer as the country’s prime minister, has officially been sworn in as a member of the British Parliament in a ceremony aired by Sky News from the House of Commons. After taking his oath of allegiance to the Crown, the 56-year-old Labour Party member signed the Test Roll, a parchment book headed by the oath. Now that Burnham is officially part of the UK government, he can vie for leadership in the Labour Party as well as the prime minister's post. Keir Starmer, who now holds these posts, announced his resignation on Monday. According to opinion polls, Burnham enjoys widespread support in the party and has already announced plans to seek party leadership. Given his party’s ruling status, the leader is guaranteed to become the nation’s next prime minister for the next three years, before the parliamentary election takes place. Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves were not present at the ceremony. On June 18, Burnham won a special election in northern England for a seat in Parliament. Burnham became the mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, two years after losing party leadership challenge to Jeremy Corbyn. In Gordon Brown’s government (2007-2010), he held the post of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (June 2007 - January 2008), Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (January 2008 - June 2009), and the Secretary of State for Health (June 2009 - May 2010). Ukraine crisisEU weighs not on talks with Russia, but on ways to put pressure on it — chiefAntonio Costa pointed out that "the EU does not want to be a mediator, it stands with Ukraine and supports Ukraine"Read moreUS-Iran talks in Burgenstock continued through the night — Swiss MFAThe Foreign Ministry said that Switzerland remains ready to support this process, in line with its tradition of good officesRead moreStarmer’s team begins handing over responsibilities ahead of resignation — newspaperAccording to the newspaper, on June 20, Keir Starmer and his inner circle began drafting a speech in which the prime minister would announce his resignationRead moreNegotiating teams agree to involve Lebanon in conflict resolution effortsTechnical teams will continue consultations on a number of issues throughout the weekRead moreEU aid to Ukraine frozen — BorrellThe ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against RussiaRead moreNew UN chief must fix Guterres’ mistakes, end Western dominance — MFADirector of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry Kirill Logvinov believes that, first of all, the overrepresentation of the Western minority who have flooded the Secretariat must be addressedRead moreRussia’s West battlegroup destroys 49 drone control posts, two Starlink stationsThe battlegroup also eliminated three ammunition depotsRead moreRussia talks with UN about Ukraine bias, but no one listens — MFAKirill Logvinov emphasized that that in recent years cooperation with senior UN officials has been difficult due to a "systemic inability of the Secretariat to act objectively and impartially in the context of the Ukraine crisis"Read moreSwiss talks produce mechanism to ensure safe passage of ships through Hormuz — BaghaeiIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman emphasized that Tehran considers a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, to be a key condition for working out a final agreementRead moreIran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassadorTehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomaticallyRead moreWest mistaken in its hopes of defeating Russia — KremlinYury Ushakov noted that Western countries "are playing their own games, which are ultimately aimed at defeating us; everyone is talking about this"Read moreSlovak PM backs European Council head in his attempt to establish contacts with RussiaAccording to Robert Fico, there are several prime ministers who share this viewRead moreEU demands Turkey does not supply Russian gas to unionAs German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche noted, Turkey takes into account the great importance that the EU places "on weaning itself off Russian commodity supplies," but made it clear that replacing Russian supplies is impossible overnightRead moreNearly 170 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during dayRussian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 168 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black and Azov Seas, Crimes, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, Rostov, Tver, Tula, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar RegionsRead moreUS troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White HouseThe United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28Read moreMoscow faces one of largest drone attacks in two years — TASS estimatesThe latest reports say that air defenses have shot down 84 enemy drones heading for Moscow since midnightRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about series of quakes off SevastopolAs many as seven earthquakes continued off Sevastopol for four hoursRead moreIran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TVAccording to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"Read moreUkraine loses 9,500 troops, mercenaries in special military op zone in past week — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the upward casualty trend in the Ukrainian army has persisted for the fifth consecutive weekRead moreRussian Geran drones wipes out Ukrainian fuel depot in Dnepropetrovsk RegionThe strikes were followed by a strong fire, the Russian defense ministry saidRead moreRussia-Belarus Union State helps defend common interests, Putin saysAccording to the Russian president, an important component of relations between Moscow and Minsk is cooperation between the legislative bodiesRead moreEurope has already injected 20 bcm of gas into storage facilities for next winterEuropean gas storage facilities are currently 46.4% full, which is 14.53 percentage points below the average for this date over the past five yearsRead moreWest is entering new phase of war against Russia — senior legislatorAlexey Pushkov believes that actions such as providing Ukraine with intelligence for strikes on Russian industrial, military, and civilian targets are among the main indicatorsRead moreMore than 60 packages, suspected to contain cocaine, discovered along Fiji coastlineFiji police said they are continuing efforts to locate additional packages and are working with regional and international law enforcement agencies to determine their origin and intended destinationRead moreThere can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — MedvedevDeputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"Read moreEgypt claims first-ever World Cup match victory with win over New ZealandBefore this match, the Egyptians had played eight games at the tournament, recording three draws and five defeatsRead moreIran awaits US Treasury's announcement on lifting of oil sanctions — news agencyAccording to the report, the talks in Switzerland also addressed the unfreezing of Iranian assetsRead morePutin, Lukashenko to discuss Zelensky’s threats soon — KremlinDmitry Peskov added that it will be a good opportunity to discuss other issues as wellRead morePezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogueIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorismRead moreRussia liberates 94 buildings, destroys 95 Ukrainian soldiers in KonstantinovkaServicemen of Battlegroup West destroyed up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers and one Dzhura armored vehicle in the settlement of Krasny Liman in the DPR over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead moreSignificant progress and foundation for final deal: results of US-Iran talksConsultations on the US-Iranian memorandum are not expected to continue on June 22Read moreUS military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TVIran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operationRead moreTrump says US may charge ships for passage through Strait of HormuzThe US president added that this would happen if Washington and Tehran did not reach final agreementsRead moreRussian troops strike Ukrainian army’s UAV assembly, storage sites over past dayRussia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreFar-right politician de la Espriella leads presidential election in ColombiaAfter 46.74% of votes counted, Abelardo de la Espriella received support from 50.52% of votersRead moreIranian delegation continues talks with US in Switzerland — mediaThe Iranian Al Alam television channel reported earlier that the Iranian delegation had walked out of the talks in protest against US President Donald Trump’s threats on renewed strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreTrump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open straitTime is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President saidRead moreIranian delegations expresses protest to US side over Trump’s threats — TVAccording to the Press TV channel, Iran "is looking at options of an appropriate response" to US President’s threatsRead moreSeven earthquakes recorded off Crimea’s coast near SevastopolGovernor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that further tremors are possibleRead moreIranian delegation walks out of talks with US over Trump’s threats — TVUS President wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreSpecial committee to oversee US-Iran talks to be establishedThe heads of the delegations are expected to report to it on a regular basisRead moreCabo Verde, Uruguay share points in World Cup clashThe match marked only the second World Cup appearance for Cabo VerdeRead moreRussia discussed Gazprom's sale of NIS stake with Serbia — KremlinDmitry Peskov said these are commercial contacts, the content of which should not be made publicRead moreAnother strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in IranOne of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI saidRead moreIran’s chief negotiator warns US against threatening TehranTrump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreRussia sees no constructive role for UN in Ukrainian crisis — MFAKirill Logvinov, Director of the International Organizations Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Moscow does not expect changes until a new Secretary-General is electedRead moreWhat to know about Zelensky losing Order of White Eagle, threats to Polish leaderPolish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Vladimir Zelensky of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White EagleRead moreAt least 54 injured, 18 missing after explosion at Qatari plant — Interior MinistryThe incident occurred at the Barzan gas processing plant as a result of an operational errorRead moreKremlin comments on fuel situation in CrimeaIntensive work is underway to minimize the negative consequences of the barbaric actions of the Kiev regime, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreRussian forces strike Ukraine’s key energy sites in Kiev, Sumy, Chernigov regions, DPRThe Russian Armed Forces used Gerbera drones, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreRoscosmos invites NASA chief to RussiaThe US Senate unanimously voted to appoint Nelson to the post of NASA chief in late AprilRead moreIN BRIEF: Air defenses shoot down more than 300 Ukrainian drones over Russian regionsAccording to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, 80 drones heading for Moscow have been downed since midnightRead moreUS, Iran discuss nuclear file in detail during talks in Switzerland — mediaAccording to the news portal, the parties had productive talks on implementation of the MOU and how to "make sure everyone is on the same page"Read moreIranian delegation refuses to continue talks in Switzerland — news agencyThe Iranian side protested US violations of commitments under the memorandum and stressed that negotiations on the nuclear program depend directly on compliance with the signed agreementRead moreQatar announces start of US-Iran talks in SwitzerlandDoha expressed hope that these meetings "will lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement covering all aspects addressed in the memorandum of understanding" between the US and IranRead moreUkraine to repay about $1.5 bln to IMF by year-endOverall, the country owes the IMF more than $10 blnRead moreRussian servicemen evacuate first residents from KonstantinovkaThere were six people in the first groupRead morePress review: EU seen as preparing for war with Russia while Zelensky threatens BelarusTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 22ndRead moreOne of sides unable to fulfill Anchorage agreements — KremlinОne party remains committed to the understandings discussed in Anchorage, Yury Ushakov statedRead moreDeal with US shows that Iran did not lose the war, but Israel will take revenge — MedvedevDeputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that "the third participant - Israel - is offended in its expectations of the complete defeat of Iran's political regime, which means it will take revenge, and Trump cannot do anything about it"Read moreUS-Iran talks in Switzerland cut short over Trump’s threats — TVAccording to the Al Hadath television channel sources in the Iranian delegation, "Trump’s threats have cut short the talks in Switzerland."Read moreFurther phases of BRICS expansion will follow, says South African presidentIt is noted that the membership will take effect from January 1, 2024Read moreColombian presidential election proceeds smoothlyFar-right businessman and non-system politician Abelardo de la Espriella, who narrowly led candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling left-wing Historic Pact party in the first round, voted alongside his family in BarranquillaRead moreUS-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reportedThe Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incidentRead moreBritish PM Keir Starmer announces resignationAccording to Keir Starmer, the process to elect a new party leader would begin on July 9Read moreIN BRIEF: Three civilians injured in Ukrainian attack on Russian city of VoronezhManufacturing facilities at a production site were damaged, along with the facades and windows of several apartment buildings, and some carsRead moreInvestigative Committee opens case on Ukraine's terrorist attack on Kerch PeninsulaThe reason was a large-scale attack by Ukrainian armed groups on civilian infrastructure facilities Read moreKremlin spokesman comments on fuel prices, Starmer’s resignation, Zelensky’s threatsDmitry Peskov said the Russian government is taking measures to address fuel prices and remains in close coordination with oil companiesRead moreKiev increasingly relies on terrorist tactics amid battlefield losses, expert saysAndrey Marochko said the Ukrainian armed forces failed to make gains along the line of contactRead moreUS president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructureDonald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hellRead moreUS biolabs in Ukraine likely developed offensive weapons — Scott RitterAccording to the expert, the presence of such weapons in Ukraine increases the risk of provocations involving the leakage and spread of pathogens, which the West will attempt to blame on RussiaRead moreUS fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — mediaAccording to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearmsRead morePakistan, Qatar announce progress in first round of US-Iran talksAccording to the mediators, the talks took place in a positive and constructive atmosphereRead moreIsrael, US attack amusement park in central IranNo information on casualties or damage has been reported yetRead morePutin to lay wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier on Day of Remembrance and SorrowThe Russian leader will also lay flowers at memorial signs dedicated to Hero Cities and to cities awarded the honorary title City of Military GloryRead moreIsrael will stay in southern Lebanon, not let Iran obtain nuclear arms — NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister recalled that over the past year Israel has conducted "two monumental operations: Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion" against IranRead moreRussia’s Iran tactics at UN helps prevent talks from collapsing — MFAAccording to Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, recent reports of an Iran-US deal on peace agreements confirm that Russia’s approach is correctRead moreIranian delegation to continue talks with US after Trump’s apologies — TVAccording to the Al Mayadeen television channel, the Iranian negotiators now "not only insist on the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon but demand that Israel withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon."Read moreSyrian leader says ready to engage in talks with Hezbollah to save LebanonAccording to Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanon "needs a political consensus to get out of the crisis as the situation in the country will not withstand further polarization"Read moreIranian delegation concludes its work, technical consultations to continue — MFAIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that technical teams will continue their talks on June 22Read moreUkraine’s former presidents prove themselves to be Nazis in matter of orders — MedvedevLeonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Pyotr Poroshenko announced their refusal of the Order of the White EagleRead moreHistory of UPA glorification gives Warsaw legal grounds to keep Ukraine out of EURussian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik called a decision by Vladimir Zelensky, a number of Ukrainian officials, and former presidents to renounce Polish state awards a "theatrical demarche"Read moreAccusations of neo-Nazism against Ukraine gaining new evidence base — Russian lawmakerHead of the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy Alexey Pushkov says Vladimir Zelensky risks "miscalculating" by publicly praising the UPA through his actionsRead morePersian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - BloombergIran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the warRead moreRussian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against IranAlexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent daysRead moreUpper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistakeValentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothingRead moreUkrainian forces carry out 11 attacks on DPR over past day, two people killedSix others were injured, including two childrenRead moreRussian athletes not to take part in IWF World Championships in SeptemberThe IWF World Championships will be held in Riyadh on September 4 through 17Read moreIsraeli army eliminates two militants in West BankThe soldiers identified several terrorists who burned tires and hurled Molotov cocktails toward the community of Karmei Zur, the Israel Defense Forces press service saidRead moreSu-34 hit Ukrainian points of drone deployment and control in DPRThe targets were destroyedRead moreCrimea suspends fuel sales at gas stations — regional headSergey Aksyonov asked everyone to remain calm and to trust only official sources of informationRead moreRussia expects not implementation of Anchorage agreements, but victory — KremlinYury Ushakov noted that those who hope to defeat Russia "are mistaken"Read moreIran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from regionIran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nationRead moreRussian forces crush larger part of Ukrainian troops in Konstantinovka, Krasny LimanMilitary expert Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian defenses collapsed in some frontline sectorsRead moreMassive explosion rocks industrial area northeast of Doha — Qatari interior ministryCivil defense forces are working to eliminate the consequences of the accidentRead moreRussian air defenses down 483 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past day — top brassThe Russian Armed Forces eliminated approximately 1,450 Ukrainian troops in the special military operation zoneRead moreTanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTIThe change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, notedRead moreLavrov meets with UN chief candidate Espinosa — Russian Foreign MinistryMaria Espinosa presented her campaign platformRead moreEU seeks to draw US into conflict with Russia, Russian senator saysAlexey Pushkov said that Europe remains hopeful of achieving its goalRead moreFico says he will not miss opportunity to engage in dialogue with Russian presidentThe Slovak prime minister explained that the country "should be interested" in friendly and mutually beneficial relations with those who treat it in the same wayRead more