Briefly

UNITED KINGDOM

Burnham named Labour leader, next PM

Andy Burnham was officially declared leader of Britain's governing Labour Party on Friday and will take office as prime minister next week. The center-left party announced the result of a leadership contest to replace departing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in which Burnham was the only contender. He secured nominations from 379 of the 403 Labour lawmakers in the House of Commons.

NICARAGUA

Italian ties severed over extradition

Nicaragua severed diplomatic ties with Italy on Thursday over Rome's long-running demand to extradite former Red Brigades member Alessio Casimirri. The decision was triggered by comments from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who criticized Nicaragua for sheltering him. Extradition efforts have stalled as Nicaragua bars the extradition of its nationals and has no extradition treaty with Italy.

UNITED STATES

Starship launch aborted before liftoff

SpaceX's Starship rocket came within a second of liftoff on a test flight Thursday before several engines failed to ignite, aborting the launch. It was the first last-second launch to be scrubbed involving a full-scale Starship. Musk said two engines would be replaced, and the next attempt could come as early as next week.

BRAZIL

Washington to impose new 25% tariffs

The United States will impose 25 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods starting July 22, launching a new levy strategy under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The final order maintains exemptions for Brazilian beef, coffee, aircraft and other goods while expanding the exemptions list. Brazil described the tariffs as unjust and politically motivated, saying it would invoke its Reciprocity Law and pursue the matter through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA