British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he will step down as leader of the governing Labour Party and leave office within weeks, ending a turbulent tenure that lasted less than two years.

Starmer said he would remain as caretaker prime minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader, with the transition expected to be completed before Parliament returns in September. The announcement came after increasing pressure from within his party amid falling popularity and growing concerns over Labour’s political fortunes.

Pressure within Labour intensifies

The resignation follows days of speculation over Starmer’s future after former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham emerged as a strong challenger within the party. Burnham’s recent victory in a special parliamentary election intensified calls for a leadership change and added to the pressure on Starmer to step aside.

Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, bringing the party back to power after 14 years in opposition. However, his government’s popularity declined sharply over the past year as Labour struggled in opinion polls and local elections.

Emotional announcement outside Downing Street

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, an emotional Starmer said every major decision he had taken had been guided by what he believed was best for the country. He also said he now wanted to spend more time with his family while ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

His departure makes him the sixth British prime minister in the past decade to leave office before completing a full term, highlighting continued political instability in the United Kingdom.

The Labour Party is expected to begin the process of choosing its next leader in the coming weeks, with Andy Burnham widely seen as a leading contender.

At least 54 people were injured and 18 others remained missing after an explosion and fire struck a gas facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s most important natural gas hubs.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Barzan gas supply facility during the start-up of operations, according to state-owned energy company QatarEnergy. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site, and authorities later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control.

Rescue teams continue search operation

Qatar’s Interior Ministry said 54 people had been injured in the blast, while specialised search and rescue teams, working alongside Civil Defence personnel, were continuing efforts to locate 18 individuals reported missing. Authorities described the incident as a “technical accident” and said there was no gas leak posing a threat to public safety.

Ras Laffan Industrial City, located north of Doha, serves as Qatar’s main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing centre and is a crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure. The Barzan facility primarily supplies gas to Qatar’s domestic market.

Cause under investigation

QatarEnergy has not yet disclosed the extent of any damage to the facility. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, while flames and thick smoke were seen rising from the industrial complex. Officials have not indicated whether the incident will affect broader energy operations at Ras Laffan.

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon as the reason behind the move. The development comes just days after the waterway had reportedly been reopened following a period of heightened regional tensions.

According to reports, the announcement was made by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s top joint military command. Iranian authorities alleged that ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon and what they described as insufficient efforts by the United States to restrain those attacks had violated the terms of a recently established ceasefire arrangement.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. A significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a matter of international concern.

Iranian officials reportedly described the closure as an initial response and warned that additional measures could follow if regional hostilities continue. The announcement has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy markets and maritime trade.

However, there were conflicting assessments regarding the immediate impact of the decision. A senior US official reportedly said there was no visible indication of Iranian military activity that would suggest an imminent enforcement of the closure, while diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran were expected to continue in Switzerland.

The latest development marks another escalation in regional tensions and places renewed focus on the security of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.