Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the recognition of two separatist republics in eastern Ukraine - Donetsk and Lugansk - as independent through a televised address.
The United Kingdom has closed the UK's Tier 1 investor visa, also known as the golden visa to all new applicants from all nationalities with immediate effect over security concerns.
In Burkina Faso, the military junta has appointed lieutenant colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba as the interim President of the country following the military coup.