WORLD IN BRIEF: Trump says Iran strikes honour fallen US troops, EU fines AliExpress €550m, Mali ambush kills over 50 and other stories

Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister, vows to tackle cost of living Andy Burnham has become Britain’s new prime minister after being elected Labour leader unopposed, replacing Keir Starmer, who resigned after two years in office despite leading Labour to a landslide election victory. King Charles formally invited Burnham to form a government after accepting Starmer’s resignation. In his first speech outside Downing Street, Burnham pledged to restore stability to British politics, introduce a new style of government and unveil measures to ease the cost of living crisis. He becomes Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, taking office at a time of mounting economic and political challenges. Trump says latest US strikes on Iran honour fallen American troops Donald Trump, US president has said the latest US air strikes on Iran were carried out “in honour” of three American soldiers killed in recent days as fighting between Washington and Tehran entered its ninth consecutive day. US Central Command said its forces struck Iranian military sites and communications infrastructure to weaken Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it retaliated by launching attacks on US positions in Syria and targeting aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba airport, while Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian drones. The latest escalation follows the deaths of two US soldiers in Jordan and another in Iraq, further deepening tensions across the region. JD Vance welcomes fourth child with wife Usha JD Vance, US Vice President has announced the birth of his fourth child, a baby boy named Alec Neel Vance. Vance said his wife, Usha, and the baby were healthy and thanked medical staff at Walter Reed Medical Center for their care. President Donald Trump congratulated the family, calling the newborn “a perfect baby boy.” According to the Associated Press, the birth is the first to a sitting US vice president in more than 150 years. Russian missile strike on Black Sea cargo ship kills 10 The death toll from a Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel off Ukraine’s Black Sea coast has risen to 10 after rescuers recovered more bodies from the damaged cargo ship. The Guinea-Bissau flagged vessel, carrying grain through Ukraine’s remaining maritime export corridor, was hit by cruise missiles near Odesa. Among those killed were four Indian nationals, according to India’s foreign ministry, which condemned attacks on civilian shipping. The strike marks one of the deadliest attacks on commercial maritime traffic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and raises fresh concerns over the safety of Black Sea export routes. EU fines AliExpress record €550 million over illegal products The European Union has imposed a record €550 million fine on Chinese online retailer AliExpress for failing to stop the sale of illegal and unsafe products on its platform. The European Commission said the company breached its obligations under the Digital Services Act by allowing counterfeit goods, unsafe toys and dangerous cosmetics to remain available despite identifying many of them. AliExpress, owned by Alibaba, said it would appeal the decision, describing the penalty as disproportionate. The fine is the largest issued under the EU’s landmark digital rules. AFRICA ECOWAS approves $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline West African leaders have formally approved the long planned Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, clearing the way for one of Africa’s biggest energy infrastructure projects. The 6,000 kilometre pipeline will transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco before linking with Europe’s gas network via Spain. Construction is expected to begin in 2028 at an estimated cost of $25 billion. Supporters say the project will strengthen regional energy security, boost industrialisation and improve Africa’s position in global energy markets. Eight worshippers killed in stampede at Burundi prayer gathering Eight people have died and nine others were injured after a stampede broke out at a packed evangelical gathering in Burundi’s largest city, Bujumbura. The crush occurred as thousands of worshippers tried to leave a school where popular preacher Chris Ndikumana had been leading a religious event. Police said a wall near the exit collapsed, causing panic that left several people trampled or suffocated. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while organisers are yet to comment. More than 50 killed in militant ambush on Mali army convoy More than 50 Malian soldiers and allied Russian fighters were killed after militants ambushed a military convoy in northern Mali, according to a source close to the rebels. The attack, claimed by Tuareg separatists and fighters linked to al Qaeda, targeted troops travelling between Anefis and Gao. Mali’s military confirmed the ambush but said it responded with air strikes that killed at least 20 insurgents. The assault is the latest in a series of coordinated attacks that have intensified insecurity across the Sahel. Sao Tome President Vila Nova wins second term President Carlos Vila Nova has secured a second five year term after winning more than 55 percent of the vote in Sao Tome and Principe’s presidential election. Preliminary results released by the election commission showed Vila Nova defeated his closest challenger, Nito Abreu, by avoiding the need for a runoff. The result extends his leadership as the island nation continues efforts to strengthen its economy and attract investment. Portugal and Morocco seek EU backing for power interconnector Portugal and Morocco have agreed to jointly seek European Union funding and private investment for a proposed electricity interconnector linking the two countries. The project has gained renewed momentum after the major power outage that affected Spain and Portugal in 2025 exposed weaknesses in the Iberian Peninsula’s electricity connections. Officials say the interconnector would improve energy security, diversify electricity supplies and help the region meet the EU’s long term energy integration targets. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date Open In Whatsapp