We call on the transitional government of South Sudan to cooperate fully with UNMISS: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on South Sudan.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

6 August 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

As we have heard today, ongoing violence continues to displace civilians and to deepen an already acute humanitarian crisis.

Women and girls continue to bear the brunt, including through conflict-related sexual violence.

First, the United Kingdom reiterates the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the political process.

We urge all parties to use this immediate period to engage in genuine and inclusive

EMY Africa Strengthens UK–Africa Relations Through Landmark London Activations at the UK Parliament and Exclusive Soirée

Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson, Daniel Kojo Soboh and Michelle McKinney Hammond dazzle at the EMY Africa London Soirée

EMY Africa steps in London amplifying African success stories, shaping the next chapter of leadership, culture, and impact across the continent & its diaspora

Through the Africa Rising Symposium and the EMY Africa London Soirée, we are creating spaces where meaningful partnerships are formed, ideas are exchanged and lasting impact begins.”

— Daniel Kojo Soboh

LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, August 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- EMY Africa, the pan-African platform celebrating leadership, achievement and cultural impact, has successfully delivered two landmark events in

Government orders that public spending must back British jobs and skills in every postcode

Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts.

• Government backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts.
• Organisations will now be assessed on how they help local people develop new skills and support young people into apprenticeships or work placements.
• Other areas businesses had to prove they were acting on will be scrapped, making it easier for smaller firms to bid for contracts.

Businesses bidding for government contracts - a market worth £90bn per year - will be

Martyn's Law: keeping up the momentum

Laura Gibb, the SIA's Executive Director for Martyn's Law, shares an update on progress, and new guidance on the notification requirement.

As our preparations for Martyn’s Law continue, I wanted to share some important updates, express thanks to those who have already stepped forward to support our work, and highlight some new guidance that will be of interest to those in scope of Martyn’s Law.

Thank you to our volunteers

We are grateful to everyone who has volunteered to help us develop our notification portal

UK support helps Costa Rica strengthen its fight against human trafficking

A UK-funded project with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) helps Costa Rica tackle human trafficking.

At a school in Los Chiles, close to Costa Rica’s northern border, children, teachers and community leaders came together to talk about how trafficking can be recognised, prevented and reported.

For many, the session turned a difficult and often hidden issue into something practical –

The United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to working with partners to combat terrorism in all its forms: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

5 August 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The United Kingdom welcomes the Secretary-General’s latest report, which outlines progress in countering global terrorist threats and underscores the importance of multilateral efforts. 

We continue our commitment to working with international partners to identify and disrupt

Patients with motor neurone disease set for fast-tracked care

Health and Social Care Secretary announces faster access to care and support for motor neurone disease patients during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre.

Patients with motor neurone disease (MND) will get faster access to care and support, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, has set out today during a visit to the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds (Wednesday 5 August 2026). The announcement comes as the government launches action to tackle delays and

Major expansion of community mental health support across England

£343m plan will open 159 NHS mental health centres in England, giving people earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside A&E.

• Up to 159 new NHS mental health centres will open across England from this autumn, bringing crucial support directly into neighbourhoods.
• New centres in communities are designed to catch problems early, so fewer people reach crisis point in the first place.
• People in crisis will get dedicated mental health emergency care rather than a long wait in a busy A&E.

People struggling with their mental health will get help earlier and closer to home, with 159

Gatwick to open second runway as government wins legal challenge

From 2030, Gatwick Airport's expansion is expected to enable up to 100,000 additional flights a year, increasing passenger choice and boosting airline competition.

• Gatwick Airport’s second runway can now be brought into full use after the Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge against the expansion project, bringing years of uncertainty to an end
• expansion will create 14,000 new jobs across the region and deliver an additional £1 billion in economic benefits every year (PDF), helping to drive growth across the South East and beyond through Gatwick’s national supply chain
• first flights to take off from the extended Northern Runway from 2030, which

First phase of new homes delivered for military families in Cyprus

Families are expected to move into the 46 new homes at Dhekelia Station soon.

The first phase of a 138-home programme has been delivered at Dhekelia Station. MOD Crown Copyright.

The first of 138 new homes for armed forces personnel and their families have been completed and handed over at Dhekelia Station in Cyprus.  

The first phase of the project is now complete, with the delivery of 46 new Service Family

Recycling operator’s fleet halved after widespread tachograph and driver management failures

A West Midlands recycling operator has had its HGV fleet authorisation cut by 50% after a Traffic Commissioner found serious failings in driver management, tachograph compliance and operational oversight.

Deputy Traffic Commissioner Dr Paul Stookes curtailed the operator’s licence held by

G7 Cyber Expert Group 2026 Cross Border Coordination Exercise (CBCE)

The G7 Cyber Expert Group has successfully concluded its 2026 Cross-border-coordination exercise.

The G7 Cyber Expert Group (CEG) successfully concluded its 2026 Cross-border-coordination exercise (CBCE) on May 18 2026. This exercise demonstrates the Group’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cyber resilience across the G7 financial sector. A