Burnham vows continued Ukraine support despite Russian threats
Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, has pledged continued support for Ukraine despite what he described as “outrageous threats” from Moscow, during his first official visit to Kyiv as prime minister.
Burnham met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and chaired his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, an alliance established by the UK and France to coordinate support for Ukraine.
He urged the US Congress to increase economic pressure on Russia and said allies were working to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.
The UK has also agreed to provide Ukraine with blueprints for British-made components of the SCALP cruise missile, allowing Kyiv to produce the long-range weapon domestically.
Russia has condemned the decision. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of escalating the war and said Moscow was gathering information on missile production sites for possible strikes.
Responding to the warning, Burnham said: “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?”
US launches tougher sanctions campaign against Iran
The United States has announced what Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, described as the “single greatest financial offensive ever” against Iran, threatening to isolate countries and institutions that continue to support Tehran.
Bessent said Washington would sever economic ties with Iran under a campaign dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast”, presenting Tehran with a choice between global isolation and returning to the international economy.
The move comes as the US seeks to pressure Iran into ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which about a fifth of global oil and gas normally passes.
Iran has warned that it could halt oil exports from the region if the conflict continues and has again warned shipping companies not to pass through the strait without permission.
The confrontation has already pushed global oil prices higher and raised concerns over inflation and energy security.
Trump administration proposes more than $100,000 H-1B visa fee
The Trump administration has moved to formalise a fee of more than $100,000 for new H-1B visas used by highly skilled foreign workers.
The proposed regulation comes after a federal judge ruled in June that the administration’s earlier attempt to impose the fee was unlawful.
The H-1B programme is widely used by technology companies, universities and research institutions to employ foreign specialists.
The proposed fee could significantly increase the cost of hiring skilled workers from abroad and has faced opposition from business groups.
Legal challenges to the policy remain ongoing.
Israel faces Western backlash over West Bank settlement plans
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada have jointly condemned Israel’s plans to build more than 1,200 homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank.
The countries called the plans “unacceptable” and urged Israel to withdraw them, warning that construction in the strategically important area could undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
The United Nations has also warned that the proposed development poses an “existential threat” to the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
The E1 area, east of Jerusalem, has long been regarded as particularly sensitive because development there could effectively divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem.
Nepal protests grow after rape and murder of three-year-old girl
Nepal is facing growing public anger following the alleged rape and murder of a three-year-old girl in Madhesh province.
The child disappeared last week and was found dead three days later. Police have arrested nine people in connection with the case.
The incident has sparked demonstrations and renewed calls for tougher laws against sexual violence and stronger protection for children.
The government has agreed to review laws covering serious offences and establish a memorial for the victim.
Authorities are also investigating the leak of footage showing a teenage suspect in police custody, raising concerns about police conduct and the protection of minors.
AFRICA
Four arrested over suspected poisoning of 18 elephants in Kenya
Four people have been arrested in Kenya as authorities investigate the deaths of at least 18 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem.
The Kenya Wildlife Service said three Kenyans and one Tanzanian are suspected of involvement in the deaths, which may have been caused by cyanide poisoning.
Preliminary laboratory tests reportedly detected cyanide in crop samples recovered from the elephants’ stomachs.
Most of the dead animals were adult females and calves. Investigators suspect they may have consumed tomatoes treated with illegal pesticides.
The Amboseli ecosystem is home to more than 2,000 elephants and stretches across the Kenya-Tanzania border, where wildlife regularly comes into contact with farming communities.
Zambia courts sealed as election challenge deadline approaches
Courts in Zambia have been sealed off amid heightened security as the deadline for challenging President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election approaches.
Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who received 38 percent of the vote against Hichilema’s 60 percent, has pledged to challenge the result over alleged irregularities.
Mundubile is currently in hiding after claiming he faces threats.
The political tension follows the killing of opposition figure Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security raid and the arrest of several opposition-linked figures accused by authorities of involvement in an alleged insurgency plot.
The election petition deadline could determine whether Hichilema’s planned September 1 inauguration proceeds as scheduled.
Two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers killed in South Sudan ambush
Two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers have been killed and seven others injured in an ambush in South Sudan’s Jonglei State.
The United Nations said unidentified gunmen deliberately targeted the patrol, which was carrying out routine operations aimed at addressing insecurity in the area.
The injured include three peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian UN staff.
The UN has called for an immediate investigation, warning that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law.
Ghana GoldBod buyers face funding delays
Companies licensed to purchase artisanal gold for Ghana’s GoldBod are facing funding delays of up to three weeks, according to industry sources.
Some buyers have reportedly stopped purchasing gold or resorted to borrowing to maintain operations, despite high global bullion prices.
GoldBod was established in 2025 with exclusive rights to buy, sell, and export artisanal gold as Ghana seeks to reduce smuggling and increase foreign exchange inflows.
The agency initially relied on Bank of Ghana financing, but the IMF called for an end to central bank funding following losses associated with gold purchases.
GoldBod has since turned to commercial banks and gold importers for liquidity.
DRC Ebola outbreak reaches 5,515 cases as death toll rises to 2,642
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 5,515 confirmed cases and killed 2,642 people, according to the latest government figures.
Fifty-one new cases were recorded in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where health authorities are struggling to contain the rapidly expanding epidemic.
The outbreak, declared in May, is the deadliest in the DRC’s history and has prompted calls for greater international assistance.
Pope Leo has urged the international community to step up efforts to contain the disease and prevent further loss of life.
The case fatality rate has risen to almost 48 percent, meaning nearly one in two confirmed patients has died.
Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.
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