LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: I thank our esteemed hosts for bringing us together, and for your leadership of the Berlin Process this year. Last year, when the UK chaired, we were clear that the security, stability and prosperity of this region are inseparable from those of Europe as a whole. This goes to the heart of what the Berlin Process should be for: First, security. The region's - and Europe's - security is being tested. As my Prime...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP and the Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter MP were sworn in to their roles as Law Officers today at the Royal Courts of Justice. The ceremony followed their appointments in July earlier this year. The Rt Hon Alex Norris MP was also sworn in as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. The Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP said: It is an honour to be sworn in a...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: Thank you, Mr Chair. Thank you, Secretary General Sinirlioğlu, for presenting the first 2027 Unified Budget Proposal, and for the considerable work this has required from you and your teams. Mr Chair, the agreement of the 2026 Unified Budget was an important achievement. It restored financial certainty and placed the organisation on a more sustainable footing. It also required difficult choices. O...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: The United Kingdom regrets that Security Council resolution renewing the mandate for the Iran Panel of Experts was vetoed by two permanent members of that council. Panels of Experts play an important role in UN sanctions regimes: They provide expert, independent advice and recommendations to support the effectiveness of sanctions; They monitor and report on the implementation and evasion of sanctions;...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: Thank you, Mr Chair. Special Representative Frazier, welcome to the Permanent Council and thank you for your address. The United Kingdom strongly supports the United Nations Children and Armed Conflict mandate. Its independent monitoring draws international attention to children affected by war and supports protection, prevention and accountability. The Secretary-General's latest report makes for trou...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech: Thank you, Mr Chair. Mr Chair every now and then in this Council, we should step back and return to first principles and undeniable facts. That is what I intend to do today in my statement. In 1994, under the Budapest Memorandum, Russia committed to respect Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and existing borders. In 2014, Russian forces invaded Crimea. Russia seized the peninsula and attempted illega...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Changes to the way Natural England provides planning advice have been set out today (Thursday 1 October), helping to better focus its expertise to support a more efficient planning system while protecting nature. Under newly published reforms, Natural England will focus on planning proposals which present the greatest risks or opportunities for nature, allowing the regulator to prioritise complex and strategic ca...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Michael Seals has been reappointed as the chair of the Animal Sentience Committee for a second term. His four-year term was due to end on 2 September 2026. Following his appointment for a second term, Michael will continue to hold the post until 28 October 2028. Biography Michael Seals Michael Seals CBE is the former chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England and current chairman of the Animal Me...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Today marks a further expansion of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group's nationally important mission as Hinkley Point B nuclear power station in Somerset transferred from EDF to the NDA for decommissioning. The site will be managed by NDA subsidiary Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), which is also decommissioning the neighbouring Hinkley Point A site. This marks an historic new chapter for the si...
LONDON, Oct. 1 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * New package of sanctions against Russia announced as UK steps up economic pressure ahead of the winter. * 31 newmeasures include sanctioning LNG shadow fleet vessels, Kremlin disinformation networks and perpetrators of civilian torture and child indoctrination. * Action comes as Russia fired over 3,100 jet powered drones into Ukraine in September, outstripping its grim wartime record from August. The UK has an...