LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, June 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The advertising industry has always pushed boundaries. From airbrushed magazine covers to CGI-enhanced product shots, we have a long history of bending reality to sell things. Deepfakes are a different conversation entirely.
AI-generated video and image technology has advanced at a pace few of us were prepared
Weather whiplash continues as climate change brings increasingly volatile weather
Just three months after the last drought officially ended, the parched conditions this spring have increased the risk of drought this summer.
The National Drought Group met yesterday (Thurs 18th June) and heard that while water resources remain in a relatively healthy position following an exceptionally wet winter,
Baroness Chapman announced a new £13m UK humanitarian package to Lebanon to help deliver vital assistance to people affected by the crisis.
Minister Chapman at a collective shelter for displaced families in Beirut
On a joint visit to Lebanon with her French and Qatari counterparts, Development Minister Jenny Chapman, concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon, her first as a Minister.
The visit underscored the urgent need for de‑escalation and showed the UK, France and
The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded a £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet.
The National Armaments Director Group has awarded an initial £27 million contract to Leonardo (UK) Ltd to supply critical consumable spares for the UK Armed Forces’ entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet, including aircraft on live operations in the Middle East.
The Aircraft Consumables Commodities contract covers approximately 11,000 NATO-approved “stock numbers” and will run for up to seven years, providing long-term resilience in the supply of essential aircraft spares.
Leonardo will take responsibility for spares forecasting, stock procurement and
There is an increasing awareness and public concern about potential asbestos contamination in sand-containing consumer products. There are a number of products subject to a recall because they have been found to contain small amounts of asbestos. Recalled products
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invites applications for the appointment of a new Commissioner to the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invites applications for the appointment of a new Commissioner to the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland.
Further details for the position of Commissioner and the application pack are available for
Consultation launched on the framework for future planning decisions for Heathrow’s third runway.
third runway at Heathrow moves a step closer as government launches public consultation on the framework for future planning decisions.
an expanded Heathrow could support over 60,000 of new local jobs, improve connectivity across the UK, and strengthen international passenger and freight links
British businesses, communities and the public invited to play an active role in shaping the future of one of the world’s most successful hub airports – with consultation to run for over 10 weeks, until 1 September 2026
The government has today (18 June 2026) launched a public consultation on the framework
An amber heat-health alert is now in place for East of England, South East, South West and London regions.
Latest
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an updated heat-health alert (HHA) for parts of England, warning that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
An amber heat-health alert is now in place for the East of England, South East, South West
UK to provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan.
The UK will provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of the year as part of a £752 million funding package to help Ukraine defend their freedom and sovereignty.
Funded by the UK’s £2.26 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan to Ukraine, the package provides equipment Ukraine urgently needs against Russia’s war of
Joint Statement on Escalating Atrocity Risks in El Obeid, Sudan. Delivered by Norway, a member of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan.
Location:
Geneva
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Mr President,
This statement is on behalf of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan and 21 other states. We support the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and welcome his latest report.
We are gravely alarmed by the urgent risks of atrocities and deliberate killings in Sudan.
Mr President, ten consecutive days of drone strikes have killed at least 50 civilians across El
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on Women, Peace, and Security.
Location:
United Nations, New York
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
26 years on from the Security Council Resolution 1325, this Council’s message remains clear: sustainable peace requires women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation.
And yet, we’ve heard from our briefers, women continue to be excluded from peace negotiations and political transitions.
According to the Secretary-General’s annual report, in 2024, nearly 90% of negotiation
Joint statement from the United Kingdom, France, Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden.
Following the Leaders’ Level Summit co-chaired by the UK and France on 17 April, the UK, France, and partners affirm their commitment to using collective diplomatic, economic, and military capabilities to support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
A landmark regeneration project in West Cumbria is celebrating 5 years of success.
The Bus Station in Whitehaven, West Cumbria
The Bus Station in Whitehaven, West Cumbria opened in May 2021. It transformed a derelict site into a modern business and hospitality space. Since then, it has become a busy hub for entrepreneurs, start-ups and creatives.
The project was led by BEC and supported by a £5.4 million investment from Sellafield Ltd,
The UK is expanding funding for programmes which helps countries across North Africa deal with the impacts of migration from regional conflict.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visits an International Organisation for Migration (IOM) facility in Egypt.
programme expanded to help migrants who have fled regional conflicts rebuild their lives much closer to home across North Africa
£9 million will support people into local jobs in the region and benefit host communities
while visiting Egypt the Foreign Secretary will meet migrants from Sudan who have been supported by the programme
The UK is expanding funding for programmes which helps countries across North Africa deal with the impacts of migration from regional conflict – helping people into local work,
Cooperation with our NATO partners on the development of enhanced strike capabilities within the Alliance is crucial to maintaining our collective security. The UK would highlight the valuable work completed within those clusters it has led and jointly led, notably on Air Launched long range strike, Ground-Launched Long Range Strike and Low-Cost Long-Range Strike.
Communiqué proposal to be endorsed by the Defence Ministers of ELSA Nations:
Two years ago, the Defence Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom decided to launch the European Long-range Strike Approach.
By launching this approach, the Ministers recognized that the ability to conduct
University students benefit from a collaborative partnership enabling them to apply their academic learning to a live sustainability case study.
Nottingham Trent University students present their findings to a panel of judges from the Mining Remediation Authority
The Mining Remediation Authority has continued its successful partnership with Nottingham Trent University, giving students the opportunity to apply their learning to a real-world sustainability challenge.
Over the past twelve months, undergraduate and postgraduate building surveying students
Development Minister Jenny Chapman visits Lebanon with counterparts from France and Qatar as the UK announces new humanitarian support and calls for stability and protection of civilians.
Development Minister Jenny Chapman visits Lebanon with ministers from France and Qatar.
UK pledges a new package to address the dire humanitarian crisis
joint visit steps up humanitarian support and underscores close partnership between the UK, France and Qatar
UK Development Minister calls on all sides to use the opportunity presented by the recent agreement to restore stability, uphold the ceasefire, protect civilians, and comply with international humanitarian law
UK funding will deliver vital humanitarian support including food, healthcare and education
Minister Seema Malhotra met HE Mr Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Thailand's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, on 25 May 2026 for the Sixth UK–Thailand Strategic Dialogue
The UK welcomed the opportunity to mark the conclusion of the year commemorating the 170th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Minister Malhotra reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to further strengthening the partnership in the years ahead, grounded in friendship, mutual respect, and common interests.
The UK reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Thailand–United Kingdom Strategic
Five training videos are now available, with a further five to be released covering additional key areas of immigration advice and practice.
As part of our continued commitment to supporting immigration advisers, the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) is pleased to launch a new series of commissioned training videos.
The series has been developed in direct response to feedback from our adviser survey, which
Rare butterflies, birds, and wildflowers benefit from 1,200 acres of new, species-rich grassland, equivalent to around 680 football pitches
The dingy skipper butterfly one of many species thriving again on Norfolk's Massingham Estate after years of hard work to restore habitats. Photo: Allan Drewitt/Natural England
Rare species, some not recorded locally for more than 15 years, are returning to west Norfolk following a decade-long partnership between Natural England and local farmer Olly Birkbeck.
Massingham Heath, on the Little Massingham Estate, was once intensively-farmed arable
Communities in former coalfield areas of Britain will benefit from new jobs and business opportunities, as the Chancellor confirms investment in projects that support local talent and boost growth.
Former coalfield areas in England, Scotland and Wales are set to get a share of £13.5 million to construct new industrial developments for businesses.
Projects will create hundreds of new jobs and support thousands more, bringing opportunity to areas that have suffered decline overseen by previous governments for decades.
Investment is part of this Government’s plan to build a stronger and fairer economy by creating the conditions for growth through local investment.
Cowdenbeath in West Fife, St Helens in Merseyside and Seven Sisters in Neath Port Talbot
The UK Government has today announced a £4 million financial intervention in response to last week’s public disorder.
The UK Government has today announced a £4 million financial intervention to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the recent wave of public disorder and racially motivated violence.
Last week’s serious public disorder, which followed the heinous attack in North Belfast, has
The government has published new guidance to provide a route for bringing key services back in-house and get the absolute best results for taxpayers.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new Public Interest Test to be applied before renewing expiring government contracts to prioritise long-term value.
New approach to procurement signals ambition to end the era of outsourcing by default, as government looks to bring cleaners and security staff in-house.
The move follows action taken previously by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones to establish the National School of Government and Public Services to move away from outsourced training contracts.
The government has published new guidance to provide a route for bringing key services
The permit variation will change the types of waste allowed to be incinerated on site.
The Environment Agency is minded to issue a permit variation for Powerfuel Portland Limited to change the permitted waste types that can be incinerated at their Portland facility.
A consultation on the permit application took place between 5th November 2025 and 18th
The Environment Agency has completed a £1 million coastal flood defence project at Minehead seafront.
4,000 tonnes of rock armour added to Minehead beach
The Environment Agency has successfully completed coastal flood defence works at Minehead seafront, delivering greater protection for 355 properties and businesses in the town.
The project, costing just under £1 million, extended existing rock armour to the east of the
BII and JICA partner to boost investment in Africa and emerging Asia
The UK and Japan’s development finance institutions (DFIs), British International Investment (BII), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), have agreed a new partnership to deepen collaboration in mobilising investment into developing
A blog by Phil Bowen, Interim Chair of the Youth Justice Board
Phil Bowen, Interim Chair, Youth Justice Board
For many years, youth justice services (YJSs) and their partners have been quietly reshaping how we respond to children who get into trouble - not by drawing them deeper into the justice system, but by working with them earlier, more constructively, and in ways that reduce future offending.
This new data gives us, for the first time, a national picture of that work. Published on 28
New rules introduced to simplify homebuying and selling making the process easier and simpler.
Families and first-time buyers set to save time, money, and stress under major changes to the homebuying process – supporting the next generation and those locked out by a slow and unfair system
New sales packs to ensure buyers have the information they need upfront, earlier binding agreements, and digital tools will halve the number of sales that fall through saving millions
Reforms will cut buying times by around four weeks, save first-time buyers an average of £650, and get the housing market moving more quickly
Buying and selling a home is set to become faster, cheaper, and less stressful under major
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Location:
Geneva
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Thank you, Mr Vice President,
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her important work and today’s report. We commend her dedication throughout her mandate during which she has been a principled and authoritative voice for the protection of freedom of expression worldwide. We express our
The Government has announced up to £1 million is to be awarded to The Jewish Museum London, supporting its vital outreach and engagement programmes with schools and communities, and accelerating its search for a new permanent home.
The announcement was made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy during a visit to the launch of ‘Two Rooms’ a new interim space for the Jewish Museum London, while it searches for its permanent home. The space is located at JW3 in North London. The visit marked the
Two new French police units are now on the ground in Northern France, marking a significant step in joint UK-France efforts to stop dangerous illegal crossings.
Image: Getty Images
Illegal migrants and people smugglers looking to land on UK shores will face enhanced enforcement action as 2 new specialist units are now active on the French beaches.
Announced under the landmark UK-France deal and deployed in time for the summer months, the Compagnie de Marche and a brand-new dedicated riot unit are now operational in Northern France to track down illegal migrants and prevent small boat crossings.
This enhanced cooperation delivers 125 specialist officers and reservists to disperse migrant
Some of the UK’s most prominent leisure and hospitality businesses have committed to passing on summer savings to families as they met the Chancellor today – ahead of the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme going live.
Cinemas, LEGOLAND owner Merlin Entertainments, Greene King-managed pubs and Nando’s among businesses to commit to passing on temporary VAT cut to help reduce the cost of days out.
Great British Summer Savings scheme also supports businesses by increasing footfall this summer.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves thanks businesses for their support in passing on savings ahead of the money-saving scheme going live on 25 June.
Business leaders from Merlin Entertainments, Devon-based Crealy Theme Park, Camel Creek Family Adventure Park in Cornwall, Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, Haven, and
Fiona Cannon OBE has been confirmed as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has today confirmed Fiona Cannon OBE as the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Fiona brings extensive experience which will support the government’s objectives to bring
We, the Leaders of the G7, stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Ukrainian population suffering from attacks on their critical infrastructure and cultural
Speaking at the Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC), Director of Defence and International Security, Ben Fender, reconfirms support for Ukraine, condemnation for Russia’s war and looks ahead to the UK simultaneously chairing two key OSCE security forums later this year.
Location:
Vienna
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Thank you, Chair and Secretary-General, for your leadership in difficult times.
This meeting is our annual moment to take stock of security in the Euro-Atlantic area.
There have been moments of light. The year has seen voters in Armenia, Hungary and
The new defences (an investment of over £55m) are part of a scheme which, when complete, will reduce flood risk for thousands of local homes and businesses.
The new flood defence wall on Broadgate, Preston with the River Ribble behind. Environment Agency.
A major milestone has been reached by the Environment Agency’s Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme, with phase 1 now complete.
The final stage of works – along Riverside – are now finished with South Meadow Lane and
The Deputy Prime Minister's address to the World Gold Council and London Bullion Market Association Summit
Location:
World Gold Council and London Bullion Market Association Summit
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
London has stood at the heart of the world’s gold trade for centuries and remains one of its most important bullion centres. Holding around 20 percent of global financial gold.
But today’s subject matter actually carries more of a personal significance for me.
My grandfather was a gold miner in Guyana. It’s what Guyanese people called a “pork-
The United Kingdom has imposed its largest ever penalty for a breach of Russian financial sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
UK travel technology firm fined more than £1 million for breaching UK financial sanctions against Russia.
Sabre Global Technologies Limited made funds and economic resources available to a designated Russian airline for seven months in 2022, and tested alternative payment routes to get around UK sanctions.
Third penalty issued under OFSI’s new settlement policy, as the UK continues ironclad support of Ukraine.
The £1 million fine has been levied against a technology firm – Sabre Global Technologies
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is deploying public health specialists from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and across the region.
Developed following the 2014 to 2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, UK-PHRST works with low- and middle-income countries to respond and prepare for
The Government Office for Science has published a new Foresight report setting out an evidence-based approach to support government in strengthening the resilience of UK supply chains.
Global supply chains are critical to the UK’s prosperity and security, but recent disruptions have highlighted how vulnerable they can be to shocks such as conflict, pandemics and extreme weather. “Global Supply Chains: A Foresight report on risk and resilience” brings
Two new conduct requirements introduced today will ensure Google’s search rankings, including AI Overviews, are fair and that users can benefit from sharing their data.
Requirements are designed to improve trust and confidence in Google’s search services
Requirements will ensure fair ranking of search results for businesses and provide effective routes to raise concerns
Existing voluntary data porting tool now underpinned by a legal requirement in UK
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today introduced 2 new conduct
