WORLD IN BRIEF: Starmer fights off Labour revolt, Netanyahu reveals secret UAE trip during Iran war, Ghana evacuates citizens from South Africa and other stories
Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister has warned Labour ministers and MPs that a challenge to his leadership could “plunge” the party into chaos, as he fights to contain a mounting rebellion within his government.
Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister has warned Labour ministers and MPs that a challenge to his leadership could “plunge” the party into chaos, as he fights to contain a mounting rebellion within his government.
Speaking during a series of meetings with ministers and lawmakers in Parliament, Starmer urged colleagues to unite behind what he described as a “radical” reform agenda covering healthcare, housing and immigration.
The prime minister is under intense pressure after four ministers resigned and dozens of Labour MPs called for him to step down following heavy local election losses. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely seen as a possible challenger, with reports suggesting his allies are preparing for a potential leadership bid.
Under Labour Party rules, a formal leadership contest would require the backing of 81 MPs.
A US court has sentenced a drug addiction counsellor involved in the overdose death of Matthew Perry to two years in prison.
Erik Fleming, one of five people charged in connection with the actor’s death, admitted conspiring to distribute ketamine after supplying the drug through a Los Angeles dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen”.
Perry, best known for his role in Friends, was found dead in a jacuzzi at his California home in October 2023. Authorities ruled that acute ketamine effects caused his death.
During sentencing, Fleming apologised for what he called the “biggest mistake” of his life, saying he was haunted by his actions and overwhelmed with guilt after learning of Perry’s death.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran, according to a statement from his office.
Netanyahu reportedly met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in the city of Al-Ain near the Oman border, with officials describing the talks as a “historic breakthrough” in bilateral relations.
The revelation comes after Mike Huckabee the US ambassador disclosed that Israeli Iron Dome air defence systems had been deployed to the UAE during the conflict to help defend against Iranian attacks.
Iran has repeatedly criticised the UAE over its deepening ties with Israel and the United States under the Abraham Accords framework.
Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon have killed at least 22 people, including eight children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies despite a ceasefire.
The strikes targeted vehicles and suspected Hezbollah positions in several towns south of Beirut, while the Israeli military said it was attacking weapons depots and rocket launch sites linked to the group.
Hezbollah said it responded with drone and rocket attacks against Israeli troops operating near the border.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon warned that escalating military activity near its bases, including increased drone operations, was putting peacekeepers at growing risk.
US Senate Republicans have again blocked a Democratic-led effort to restrict President Donald Trump from continuing military operations against Iran without congressional approval.
The Senate voted 50-49 against advancing the war powers resolution sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley, though support for the measure increased with three Republican senators backing it.
The vote came after the legal deadline requiring congressional consultation over extended military action expired earlier this month.
Trump has maintained that hostilities against Iran were effectively ended by a ceasefire announced in May, though tensions remain high across the region.
Ghana says it will evacuate 300 nationals from South Africa following renewed anti-immigrant protests and fears of xenophobic violence.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Minister said the Ghanaian government had approved the immediate evacuation of citizens who registered for assistance at the embassy in Pretoria.
The move follows weeks of demonstrations in South Africa against undocumented migration, with protesters blaming foreign nationals for rising crime, unemployment and housing pressures.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President has condemned attacks on foreigners, describing them as isolated criminal acts that do not reflect government policy.
Fikile Mbalula, a denior African National Congress official has publicly defended President Cyril Ramaphosa amid renewed scrutiny over the “Farmgate” cash theft scandal.
Mbalula dismissed calls for Ramaphosa to resign after South Africa’s Constitutional Court revived the possibility of impeachment proceedings linked to the theft of cash hidden at the president’s farm in 2022.
The ANC had previously blocked impeachment efforts, but the court ruled last week that Parliament acted improperly in dismissing the matter.
Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing and insists the money originated from a legitimate buffalo sale.
Egypt has signed a $1.5 billion financing agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation to strengthen food and energy security.
The deal allocates $700 million to Egypt’s grain procurement authority and $800 million to the state petroleum corporation to support imports and stabilise supplies.
Officials said the funding forms part of broader efforts to secure essential commodities amid ongoing economic pressures and foreign currency shortages.
The ITFC said it has provided Egypt with more than $24 billion in financing since 2008, including major support for wheat imports and energy purchases.
South Africa has secured a $150 million development policy loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development to support reforms targeting infrastructure bottlenecks.
The National Treasury said the financing would focus on improving the country’s struggling energy and freight transport sectors while helping diversify government funding sources.
Officials said the loan carries a six-year maturity period with a two-year grace period and is intended to reduce pressure from rising debt-servicing costs.
The agreement marks South Africa’s first financing arrangement with the OPEC Fund.
