The United Kingdom has announced 70 new sanctions against Russia, escalating efforts to pressure Moscow into ending its prolonged war against Ukraine.

The measures were unveiled on Tuesday by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a special session of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where leaders of the world’s leading economies gathered to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to increase pressure on the Kremlin.

The latest sanctions target Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, military procurement networks, and financial channels allegedly used to bypass existing international restrictions.

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Announcing the move, Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to working with its allies to weaken Russia’s war capabilities.

“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent,” Starmer said.

According to a joint statement issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Office, the sanctions are aimed at Russia’s “decrepit shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks used to circumvent sanctions.”

The statement added that the measures “will choke Russia’s war effort across multiple fronts” by targeting key sectors supporting Moscow’s military operations.

Among those affected are more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of vessels reportedly used to transport energy products and other assets under different national flags in an attempt to evade sanctions.

The UK government also revealed that Britain has become the first G7 member nation to sanction several Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia to support its already-sanctioned Arctic LNG project.

The announcement comes shortly after fresh Russian missile and drone attacks struck several locations across Ukraine on Monday, killing at least 11 people and triggering a fire at one of Kyiv’s most significant Orthodox monasteries.

Starmer is expected to urge fellow G7 leaders to take stronger collective action in support of Ukraine.

According to his office, the British leader will tell the summit that “the G7 should collectively go further to ensure Ukraine secures the just and lasting peace it deserves.”

In addition to the sanctions package, the UK government announced a new agreement to provide enriched uranium for Ukraine’s nuclear power stations.

The deal, backed by £210 million ($282 million) in export finance, will allow UK-based nuclear fuel supplier Urenco to deliver enriched uranium to Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom.

British officials said the arrangement is expected to help power Ukraine’s nuclear facilities for the next two years as the country continues to grapple with the impact of the ongoing conflict.

A devastating fire has swept through a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya, leaving at least 16 students dead and dozens more injured in one of the country’s worst school tragedies in recent years.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Utumishi Girls Academy, located in Nakuru County, roughly 120 kilometres north of Nairobi. Authorities said the fire broke out around 1:00 a.m. while about 220 students were asleep inside the dormitory.

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Emergency responders, including the Kenyan Red Cross and local security agencies, rushed to the scene and evacuated survivors.

At least 73 students have been hospitalised with varying degrees of burns and smoke inhalation, while rescue operations and search efforts continued into the morning.

Police sources said the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations have been launched to determine what triggered the deadly blaze.

The affected dormitory has since been cordoned off as forensic teams examine the scene.

Parents gathered anxiously outside the school as authorities worked to account for all students. Officials have urged calm, assuring that full details will be released once investigations are completed.

The tragedy adds to a troubling history of school dormitory fires in Kenya, where boarding schools remain common.

In previous years, similar incidents have raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency preparedness in educational institutions.

Government officials are expected to revisit school safety regulations following the latest disaster.

Global oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday following reports of a new United States military strike on Iran, raising fresh concerns over stability in the Middle East and possible disruptions to global energy supplies.

Brent crude rose significantly in early trading, while West Texas Intermediate also recorded gains as investors reacted to renewed hostilities and uncertainty around the fragile ceasefire in the region.

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According to reports, the latest US action included targeted strikes on Iranian positions following a series of drone and maritime incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military described its operations as “measured and defensive,” aimed at preventing further escalation and protecting strategic interests in the region.

The developments triggered immediate reactions across global financial markets, with Asian stocks mostly declining amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for nearly a fifth of global crude supply.

Market analysts warn that sustained instability could push energy prices even higher, fueling inflationary pressures worldwide and potentially forcing central banks to maintain tighter monetary policies.

In Asia, major indices recorded losses, while tech-driven gains in select markets were overshadowed by broader investor caution. Safe-haven assets strengthened slightly as traders moved away from riskier positions.

Economists say the situation remains highly volatile, with conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran adding to uncertainty.

Any further escalation, they caution, could send oil prices even higher and deepen global economic pressure.

For now, investors are closely watching diplomatic developments and military activity in the region, as the world braces for possible further shocks to energy markets.