LONDON, July 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * UK Defence is developing use of uncrewed, high-altitude balloons to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, boosting national security and delivering on the government's Plan for Change. * Test flight balloons each travel over 2,000 nautical miles at an operating altitude between 60,000 and 80,000 feet, double that of a commercial aircraft. * The trial balloons operated as a conste...
LONDON, July 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached new depths. The Prime Minister has already announced plans to work with Jordan to get aid into Gaza and to evacuate children who need critical medical assistance to the UK for treatment. Today's announcement of a temporary pause by the IDF to allow humanitarian corridors to open and aid drops to resume is essential but long ov...
LONDON, July 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Government to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops. * New 'hospitality zones' will fast-track permissions for alfresco dining, pubs, bars and street parties. * Reforms will also protect long-standing venues from noise complaints by new developments. * Part of the Small Business Plan, which will show how the Pla...
LONDON, July 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Prime Minister spoke to President of France, Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz this morning. The three leaders talked about the situation in Gaza, which they agreed is appalling, and emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, for Israel to lift all restrictions on aid and urgently provide those suffering in Gaza with the food they so desperately need. The Prime Minister se...
LONDON, July 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: On 26 July 2025 in Geelong, Australia, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia and the Right Honourable John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom (UK) signed the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty (the Geelong Treaty) at the UK-Australia Defence Ministers' Meeting in Geelong, Victoria. The Geelong Treaty...
LONDON, July 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The MicroCarb mission, developed in partnership with France's space agency CNES, will become Europe's first dedicated carbon dioxide monitoring satellite, marking a major milestone in the global fight against climate change. Successfully launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Kourou, French Guiana this morning, MicroCarb will join the international greenhouse gas (GHG) virtual constellation of satellites, signific...
LONDON, July 26 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: Every town and city across the country will receive a major boost to their recycling services, with more than £1 billion funnelled into improving critical infrastructure and collections, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh announced today (Saturday 26 July 2025). Under an outdated regime, the bill for disposing of items like milk bottles, cereal boxes and soup tins is currently footed by local councils wi...
LONDON, July 25 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: * Development Minister Baroness Chapman will reset the UK's approach to international development at the G20 Development Meeting in South Africa today (Friday, 25 July). * Economic development underpins the UK's new approach, as the Minister visits a South African food producer supported by the FCDO's development arm BII. * The UK is supporting countries to transition from traditional aid to innovative financing ...
LONDON, July 25 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary said: "The Hong Kong Police Force's issuing of further arrest warrants and bounties on individuals living in the UK is another example of transnational repression. It encourages reckless behaviour on UK soil and damages Hong Kong's international reputation. "The UK strongly opposes the National Security Law, which has eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. We ca...
LONDON, July 25 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news: The time has come to end the war in Gaza. We urge all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages who have been held captive by Hamas since October 7, 2023. A negotiated ceasefire is the best chance to bring the hostages home, end the anguish of their families and finally bring relief to the civilian population in ...