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The Government Will Ban the Sale of High-Caffeine Energy Drinks to Under-16s in England from April 2027

Welsh Secretary today announces a new skills initiative in Port Talbot designed to help local young people into careers in well-paid local job opportunities

Rebecca Weston CB FREng leaves the NDA group at the end of July for a new chapter

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall's speech to London Tech Week on Tuesday 9 June Liz Kendall I want to talk about a great British success story. It’s a story of British talent, British ingenuity, British enterprise, and ambition. A story with one central theme: that this country is uniquely placed to thrive and prosper in the age of AI, to seize the incredible opportunities, and face the challenges that this powerful technology brings. And today,...

Sanctions on Cuban Actors Responsible for Subversive Anti-American Activities Fact Sheet Today, the Department of State is designating five entities and five individuals as part of the Trump Administration’s comprehensive push to end the Cuban regime’s decades-long campaign of political, ideological, and institutional warfare against the United States and to hold accountable those who sustain its operations and profit from the Cuban people’s oppression. The Cuban regime continues to...

The Bet HaMikdash Below and the Bet HaMikdash Above - Harnessing our energy and composing ourselves when fulfilling the mitzvot (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series The Parashah states, “Speak to Aharon and say to him, when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the Menorah”...

Bureau of African Affairs Thank you Ambassador Gaspar for organizing today’s forum. As you all know, this will be my last engagement as Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs. As I conclude my tenure, I want to begin with appreciation for the professionalism and partnership of this diplomatic corps. Over this period, we have worked through a necessary shift away from inherited frameworks that too often viewed Africa through a development only lens, and toward a clearer, more...

Mayors in England to be given more power to fuel innovation and boost jobs in their region through Local Innovation Partnerships Fund Mayors in England to be given more power to fuel innovation and boost jobs in their region through Local Innovation Partnerships Fund The Fund helps local leaders target R&D investments to support opportunities for growth and support innovations which improve people’s lives, from new medical technology to cleaner energy This comes alongside the announcement...

Assistant Secretary Yeaw Travels to Buenos Aires for Civil Nuclear Energy Conference and Bilateral Meetings Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher Yeaw will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 29 – June 5, 2026, to participate in the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Regional Workshop and conduct a series of bilateral meetings with regional counterparts. During his visit, Assistant...

Croatia Statehood Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Croatia as you celebrate your Statehood Day. The United States values our strong partnership with Croatia. We commend Croatia’s leadership in hosting a successful Three Seas Initiative Summit and Business Forum in April, which demonstrated a commitment to advancing regional connectivity and prosperity. Croatia’s contributions to regional energy security and defense cooperation remain essential to...

U.S. Continues Maximum Pressure with Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Shadow Oil Economy The United States is taking coordinated action to sever the Iranian regime’s access to the revenue streams that fuel its regional aggression and global terrorism. The Department of State is sanctioning numerous entities, individuals, and vessels that form the backbone of Iran’s illicit oil economy, directly targeting the financial lifelines of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s military...

Quad Statement on Indo-Pacific Energy Security The text of the following statement was released by the governments of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States of America on the occasion of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India. Begin Text The United States, Australia, India, and Japan are united by a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, underpinned by robust economic and energy systems. Recognizing shifts in the global energy landscape and escalating...

Guyana Republic National Day On behalf of the Government of the United States, I extend best wishes to the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on your 60th Independence Day. The United States values our strong partnership with Guyana, a founding member of the Shield of the Americas. We appreciate our close cooperation to advance regional security, support territorial integrity, and counter transnational crime. We also recognize Guyana’s growing role as an economic leader in the...

Conclusion of the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference The United States regrets that the States Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) failed to reach consensus on a final document at the conclusion of the 2026 Review Conference. The inability of some NPT States Parties to take Iran’s threat to global nonproliferation seriously will be addressed by the United States in our continuing engagements. The United States remains firmly committed to the NPT and its...

United States Sanctions Iranian Financial and Shipping Networks Today, the United States sanctioned several Iranian regime currency exchange houses, associated personnel, and front companies, as well as 19 vessels that collectively enable Iran’s regime to evade international sanctions and fund its destabilizing activities across the Middle East. As part of the Economic Fury campaign, this action targets the shadow financial system and illicit shipping operations that allow Iran to move...

United States Completes Accelerated Mission to Remove Highly Enriched Uranium from Venezuela The United States, in partnership with Venezuela and the United Kingdom and with technical support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), successfully removed excess highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Venezuela’s shuttered RV-1 research reactor. The RV-1 was the country’s first and only nuclear reactor, originally built for peaceful scientific research and later repurposed for gamma-ray...

The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill will take its first step through Parliament today with its First Reading British Steel Nationalisation Bill Passes First Step in Parliament A Bill to grant the Government powers to nationalise steel companies such as British Steel, subject to a public interest being met, will be introduced to Parliament today (14 May), marking an important step towards safeguarding the long‑term future of the UK steel industry. The Bill will have its First Reading –...

Joint Statement on the United States – Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Papua New Guinea on the occasion of the second United States – Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Port Moresby. Begin Text United States Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre and Independent State of Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso met in Port...

U.S. Sanctions Target Cuba’s Military Regime, Elites The Trump Administration is taking decisive action to protect U.S. national security and deprive Cuba’s communist regime and military of access to illicit assets. Today, I designated the following actors under President Trump’s Executive Order 14404 of May 1, 2026, “Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy”: GRUPO DE ADMINISTRACION EMPRESARIAL...

U.S. Sanctions Tighten Grip on Iran-China Oil Trade The United States is taking decisive action to disrupt Iran’s oil trade, the primary revenue stream for the Iranian regime to fund terrorism and regional destabilization. Today, the Department of State sanctioned several entities, an individual, and a vessel involved in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. This action targeted Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., Ltd., a China-based petroleum terminal...

U.S. Coalition Fractures Support for the IMO Global Carbon Tax, Protecting American Economic Interests U.S. diplomats at the 84th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) successfully delivered on President Trump’s America First foreign policy by forcing the organization to negotiate on alternative proposals that will not harm American consumers and businesses. By leading discussions at the IMO, the U.S. coalition forced the body...

Poland National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Poland on your Constitution Day. Poland’s 1791 constitution, the first modern constitution in Europe, stands as a testament to your nation’s enduring commitment to democracy, liberty, and national sovereignty. Polish defenders of liberty have been a part of America’s story from the beginning, and we continue to be united by our shared commitment to freedom and prosperity. The United States deeply...

Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue Between the United States and Poland The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Poland on the occasion of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue. Begin Text The United States of America and the Republic of Poland held the 16th round of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue April 30 in Warsaw. U.S. Department of State Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Polish...

New Era of Strategic Partnership: U.S. Advances Investment and Cooperation at Three Seas Summit Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw accompanied U.S. Head of Delegation Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit and Business Forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia, April 28-29, 2026. The Three Seas Initiative is a vital forum for accelerating infrastructure development, energy security, and digital...

The Netherlands National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the occasion of Koningsdag. The partnership between the United States and the Netherlands took root in Henry Hudson’s early voyages to North America in 1609 on behalf of the Dutch East India Company and grew with the Netherlands’ recognition of American independence in 1782. These historic milestones reflect a foundation...

On the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Disaster Forty years ago, the Chornobyl disaster changed forever how the world thinks about nuclear safety. We remember the lives lost and honor the incredible courage of the first responders and innocent people in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and other countries who faced this tragedy head-on and continue to deal with its effects today. The United States responded to the crisis, assisting with the cleanup of the disaster and containment of the site. We...

Spiritual growth and holiness are not automatic and there is no quick-fix for them, rather they are achieved through tenacity and prayer (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Painting by Raphael Perez (Flickr)—not connected to the dvar Torah, but a beautiful work nonetheless It states in Parashat Kedoshim, “You shall be holy, since I am Hashem...

The SFO launches public appeal and searches six sites across the UK as it announces new investigation into three companies delivering ECO4 contracts SFO Launch Appeal into Suspected Home Heating & Insulation Fraud The SFO is investigating allegations of fraud by three UK companies in relation to Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4), a UK government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. At the heart of the investigation are allegations that...

Billpayers set to benefit from a stronger energy regulator to ensure they are treated fairly Ofgem Transformed to Strengthen Protections for Energy Consumers Energy regulator Ofgem reformed to introduce stronger protections for consumers Households supported with faster redress if they are let down by their supplier Energy executives incentivised to act in consumers’ best interests Billpayers are set to benefit from a stronger energy regulator, under reforms of its remit set out by the...

Joint Statement on Libya Unified Budget Agreement The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Begin Text Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America welcome the signing on April 11 of a unified 2026 budget for Libya, the first Libyan...

Development consent approved by Secretary of State Development Consent Granted for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm GTR4 Limited – a joint venture between Corio and its affiliates, TotalEnergies and Gulf Energy Development – has secured development consent for the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm. Approval was granted by the Secretary of State on 10 February 2026. The project, located approximately 54 kilometres off the Lincolnshire coast, will comprise of up to 100 wind turbine generators,...

A four‑week seabed mapping survey will bring together scientists from 11 organisations to improve understanding of the marine environment UK Scientists Unite for Seabed Survey off the South‑West Coast The UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM), a group of over 30 public sector organisations with a shared commitment to collect and share high-quality marine data, will undertake a seabed mapping survey – CSM2026 – to explore and map the seabed along the UK’s south-west coastline. Throughout the...

Great British Energy – Nuclear signs a contract with Rolls‑Royce SMR to deliver the UK’s first SMRs Great British Energy - Nuclear and Rolls-Royce SMR Sign Contract Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE‑N) has signed a contract with Rolls‑Royce SMR, formally commencing technology design activities that will enable the delivery of the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of the Government’s clean energy mission. The UK’s first SMR project is estimated to support around 3,000 jobs at...

New Commercial Diplomacy Approach To Bolster Support for American Companies Today, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr met with U.S. private sector leaders in New York City to discuss the State Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S. commercial diplomacy. At an event hosted by the Manhattan Institute, Assistant Secretary Orr championed the recent launch of the Commercial Diplomacy Enterprise (CDE) as the latest example of the...

The First U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership Interagency Working Group Meeting On March 26, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Investment Mohamed Al Suwaidi chaired the first interagency meeting of the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership Working Group. The meeting brought together senior representatives from the Departments of State, Commerce, Energy, War, and Treasury, as well as the White House Office of Science and...

Over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pension rise by up to £575 from Monday (6 April), as both the basic and new State Pensions increase by 4.8% under the Triple Lock guarantee Over 12 Million Pensioners to Receive £575 State Pension Boost Millions of pensioners to receive up to an additional taxpayer funded £575 in their State Pension this year. The Government’s Triple Lock commitment means pensioners’ incomes will rise by up to £2,100 over this parliament. This year’s uprating of...

Joint Statement of the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation The United States hosted the Republic of Italy in Washington, D.C., on April 1-2 for the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation. The State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs, Brendan Hanrahan, co-chaired the meeting with Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria...

The Midrash states (Midrash Rabba, Parashat Beshalach) that Pharaoh regretted having freed the Jewish people. Why was this so? From a Sermon of Maran zt”l for the Holiday of Pesach The Vines in Blossom Give off Fragrance We can use a parable to illustrate this point: Once, a man owned a field that, after a long period of time of not being maintained, fell into a state of disrepair and was no more than a mere pile of dirt and rubble. This man sold the field to another. The buyer invested time,...

The Westminster Africa Business Association and South Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was in Kampala to explore opportunities UK Strengthens Trade Partnership with Uganda  Ugandan businesses and workers stand to benefit from new partnerships as a major UK business delegation arrives in Kampala this week. Invited by the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, during her visit to the UK in October 2025, the Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA) and the South Asian...

Greece National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the Greek people as they celebrate their Independence Day. We honor Greece as the birthplace of democracy and recognize its role in shaping the ideals that inspired Western Civilization and our nation’s founders. Greece is a valued NATO Ally, and our close defense and law enforcement cooperation strengthens stability in the Mediterranean. Together, we work to combat organized crime, illegal...

389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers Hundreds of Employers Handed Penalties for Illegally Underpaying Workers Employers told to repay over £7.3 million in wages owed to workers to aid the cost of living for some of the lowest earners. Nearly 400 employers, including well-known brands, face consequences for failing to pay the minimum wage through £12.6 million in penalties. Around 60,000 workers found to have been...

Farmers, schools and manufacturers could soon cut their energy bills by installing small onshore wind turbines without needing planning permission Lower Bills for Farmers, Schools and Factories Farmers, factories and schools as well as public sector organisations could soon be able to install small onshore wind turbines in England without needing to apply for planning permission Proposals would enable farmers, businesses and schools to reduce their bills, while protecting them against...

1.4MW mission-focused supercomputer named ‘Sunrise’, primed to be the world's most powerful AI supercomputer dedicated to fusion energy The UK taxpayers are investing £45 million for a 1.4MW mission-focused supercomputer named ‘Sunrise’, a key first step in establishing the country’s first AI Growth Zone at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Campus in Oxfordshire. As announced in the Fusion Strategy , Sunrise is targeted for operation in June this year and is primed to be the...

Families to benefit  from over £50 million in taxpayer funding to help people pay for the rising cost of heating oil Over £50 Million in Taxpayer Funding to Help Families Struggling with Soaring Heating Oil Costs Chancellor confirms over £50 million in taxpayer funding for low income families who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices.  The price of kerosene – the fuel used for heating oil - has been especially affected by the conflict in the Middle East and has risen faster...

Plan to overhaul nuclear system will speed up building, strengthen national and energy security, and cut costs Overhaul of Nuclear System to Speed Up Building and Cut Costs Government overhauls nuclear planning and regulation to deliver golden age of nuclear and boost UK energy sovereignty streamlining regulation to simplify the building of new nuclear projects whilst ensuring better environmental outcomes drive for clean power essential to get the UK off dependence on volatile fossil fuel...

Reforms will strengthen conditions for joining and remaining in the queue for demand connections, and prioritise projects that deliver growth and jobs Government to Tackle Speculative Demand Grid Connection Requests New reforms to tackle speculative grid connection applications which have seen the queue for demand connections to the transmission network grow by 460% in just six months Government will prioritise strategically important projects including AI data centres and industrial sites...

Bulgaria National Day On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Bulgaria on your National Day. Today, we join you in celebrating 148 years since Bulgaria’s liberation. As trusted Allies, the United States and Bulgaria share a deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity. Our close defense cooperation is enhancing capabilities to defend Bulgaria and NATO’s Eastern Flank. Bilateral collaboration in the energy sector is bolstering the energy security of the...

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru Paul Turner highlighted the need for a new independent energy regulator in Solomon Islands at a National Stakeholder Workshop on energy reform UK Highlights Need for Independent Energy Regulator in Solomon Islands In his keynote speech, High Commission Paul Turner welcomed the government’s vision for a more accessible and affordable electricity sector, saying the establishment of a new Regulator will enable more Independent Power...

A new campaign to provide practical ways for organisations to protect themselves from common online threats Businesses Urged to “Lock the Door” on Cyber Criminals as New Government Campaign Launches New campaign supports business owners to protect themselves against cyber threats to safeguard jobs and growth Cyber threats cost UK businesses £14.7 billion a year, with half of small firms experiencing one in the last 12 months More large firms are taking action, but government wants to...

Joint Statement on the Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue On 16 February 2026, senior officials of the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America met in Manila for the 12th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD). First convened in 2011, the BSD serves as the annual platform to discuss the full range of political, security, and economic cooperation between the United States and the Philippines; exchange views on current challenges...

Actions to Implement President Trump’s Vision for Venezuelan Oil The Trump Administration is rapidly implementing President Trump’s vision to reopen and develop Venezuela’s oil industry for the shared benefit of the American and Venezuelan people. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the United States has already issued several general licenses at record speed for oil and gas companies to make unprecedented investments in Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. On January 29, Treasury’s Office...

The Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind (Generating Station) DCO application has been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind (Generating Station) Development Consent Decision Announced The scheme comprises an offshore wind farm and associated offshore and onshore infrastructure including offshore and onshore high voltage electricity cables, onshore and offshore electricity substation(s), connection(s) to the National Grid and...

Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine - ReadyWise Supply Emergency Food to KOLO Nordic Winter Escalates Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine as ReadyWise Expands Emergency Food Support with KOLO Nordic

2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial Today the United States, together with our partners and allies, has set out to reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, hosted representatives of 54 countries and the European Commission, including 43 foreign and...

Government publishes Advanced Nuclear Framework to get pioneering nuclear technology off the ground Government to Unlock Advanced Nuclear to Grow Economy Plans to speed up building of pioneering nuclear technology to power AI boom and grow economy with clean energy Government to recognise most credible advanced nuclear projects to help unlock private investment and get projects off the ground New nuclear projects could create thousands of jobs across the country as part of nuclear “golden...

New partnerships across life sciences, quantum and advanced connectivity UK and Japan Strengthen Science and Technology Ties Multi-million pound investment into UK life sciences’ gene therapy industry, and a partnership to deliver a national rare disease genomics pilot for Japan Millions in joint funding for quantum technologies to speed up drug discovery, secure data and improve navigation New £6 million UK-Japan research and innovation programme for seamless mobile coverage and stronger...

Joint Statement on the Eleventh U.S.-UAE Economic Policy Dialogue The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates on the occasion of the Economic Policy Dialogue. Begin Text: The United States and the United Arab Emirates held their eleventh Economic Policy Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on January 15, 2026. His Excellency Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State, in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Under...

Roundtable held at historic New Lanark venue to hear experiences from co-operative and mutuals sector so government can support businesses to grow and thrive Scottish Co-Operatives Take Centre Stage in Drive to Grow Sector Maximising economic growth by growing Scotland’s co-operative and mutuals sector was the focus of a roundtable hosted by UK Government Ministers today [January 22]. A co-operative is a business owned and run by its members and such is their success the UK Government is...