Starmer announced he will resign as UK prime minister following a successful internal challenge, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to succeed him. Burnham, the long-serving mayor of Manchester, won a parliamentary seat last week, making him eligible to mount a leadership challenge. Starmer said his parliamentary party had answered the question of whether he remained the best person to lead into the next election and that he accepted their view. Labour leadership nominations open July 9 and the c

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued implementation measures that set minimum renewable energy consumption share targets and establish a weighting-based responsibility system for renewable power consumption. The NDRC will support energy-intensive sector firms in raising renewable consumption above the minimums and encourages capable regions to assign minimum renewable consumption targets to government departments, public institutions and state-owned enterprises. Renewable power minimums can be met via on-site renewable self-generation and self-use, green power direct connections, and green certificates and green power trading (including transfers). Non-electric renewable minimums can be met through renewable heating/cooling, integrated renewable use in hydrogen/ammonia/methanol production, and non-power biomass utilization.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said that following constructive talks in Switzerland, Iran has pledged to ensure free, open passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to grant IAEA inspectors access. As part of that framework, the Treasury has issued a 60-day temporary general license authorizing production, delivery and sale of some Iranian crude.