Tag: News Story

STORY

The UK government has appointed seasoned diplomat Sarah Hulton OBE as His Majesty’s next Ambassador to the Philippines, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed today. She will also serve as non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, taking over from Laure Beaufils in September 2025.

Hulton is no stranger to the region, having previously served at the British Embassy in Manila between 2005 and 2008, where she held the post of Second Secretary for Political and Public Affairs. She also undertook full-time Tagalog language training — a rare asset among UK diplomats — making her well-placed to navigate both the political landscape and cultural sensitivities of the post.

Her appointment comes after a series of high-profile roles, most recently as Interim Director of the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate. She has also led the UK mission in Sri Lanka as High Commissioner from 2019 to 2023, and held key positions in departments focused on global security, conflict prevention, and human resources.

Hulton joined the Foreign Office in 2002 and has since developed a reputation for her expertise in diplomacy, geopolitics, and international security. Her previous postings include Zimbabwe, North Korea, and the Pacific. The change in diplomatic leadership is expected to reinforce the UK’s strategic partnership with the Philippines, amid growing cooperation on trade, regional security, and climate change resilience.

STORY

The remains of Private John Tame, a soldier from Windsor who perished during World War I, were laid to rest with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s New Irish Farm Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium. The burial, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives, took place nearly 108 years after his death.

Private Tame served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment. His remains were discovered in May 2018 during roadworks in Zonnebeke, near Ypres. Artefacts found alongside him, including a cap badge and shoulder title of his regiment, as well as evidence of a previous shoulder wound, led to DNA testing. The identification was confirmed with the assistance of his great-nephew, Keith Brooks, who provided a DNA sample.

“John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed,” said Mr. Brooks. “Now, after finding John’s remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real along with his story for future generations.”

Private Tame was the third-eldest of seven children. His elder brothers, Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame, also served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment. Both were killed on 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, having no known graves

STORY

Matthew Berry, 46, of Ivy House Farm, Blyborough, near Gainsborough, has been sentenced to a 36-week suspended prison term for operating an illegal waste site at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby, in East Lindsey. Berry, the sole director of SBR Foxhills Limited, took control of the site in April 2021 with the intention of purchasing it. Despite the absence of an environmental permit, he began a clearance operation, which included moving baled waste and waste vehicles. Instead of properly disposing of the waste, Berry dumped it on a porous concrete pad with inadequate drainage, leading to environmental degradation.

The Environment Agency attempted to work with Berry, advising him on proper waste disposal and requesting waste transfer notes. However, Berry failed to comply and continued to operate the site illegally. During one inspection, he also verbally abused an Environment Agency officer and added he hoped the official got cancer.

At Lincoln Crown Court on 7 May 2025, Her Honour Judge Sjolin Knight described Berry’s approach as “arrogant and bullish” noting his disregard for environmental laws. In addition to the suspended sentence, Berry was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and a £154 surcharge. His company, SBR Foxhills Limited, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £29,626.35 in costs and a £190 surcharge. A confiscation order of £45,000 was also imposed, representing the proceeds from the crime. Berry faces up to 12 months in prison if the sum remains unpaid after three months.

STORY

A recent study has revealed that Scotland’s £25 billion nuclear decommissioning programme could deliver significant long-term economic and social benefits at both national and local levels over the next 90 years and beyond. The research, conducted by the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) in collaboration with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), indicates that the decommissioning process could lead to substantial gains in employment, skills development, household income, and consumption. These findings offer a positive outlook for communities impacted by the decommissioning process.

Dounreay, one of the UK’s key nuclear decommissioning sites, plays a crucial role in the NDA’s long-term efforts to safely decommission early nuclear facilities. Established in the 1950s, Dounreay has been a stable employer; however, the decommissioning process brings uncertainty for the surrounding communities about the future.

Interviews with residents and stakeholders in Caithness and North Sutherland, areas directly impacted by decommissioning at Dounreay, revealed concerns compounded by under-investment in essential infrastructure, rural depopulation, and remoteness. Nevertheless, the presence of a skilled workforce and increased interest in the region’s renewable energy resources suggest that decommissioning can drive future skills development and economic diversification.

Heather Barton, Cross Industry Learning Manager at the NDA, commented:

“It has been great to engage with another area of the University of Aberdeen, the Just Transition Lab, through our partnership with the NDC. A real strength of working with the NDC is that there are numerous areas where we can collaborate to achieve our goals of decommissioning the UK’s nuclear sites safely, securely, sustainably, and cost-effectively. This study will help inform politicians and policymakers on key economic development opportunities and enable discussions around support for communities, including skills and training.”

The study has also contributed to the formation of a cross-party committee on nuclear decommissioning in the Scottish Parliament, aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the decommissioning process.

STORY

The Right Reverend Rob Saner-Haigh has been nominated by His Majesty The King to become the next Bishop of Carlisle, succeeding the Right Reverend James Newcome following his retirement. Bishop Saner-Haigh, currently serving as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, has been acting as Bishop of Carlisle since Bishop Newcome’s retirement in August 2023. His formal election to the diocesan role marks a significant step in his longstanding ministry within the Church of England.

Educated at Birmingham University and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Bishop Saner-Haigh was ordained as a priest in 2006. His early ministry included serving at St. Lawrence, Appleby, and holding roles such as Diocesan Initial Ministerial Education Officer and Diocesan Director of Ordinands. He later became Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Kendal and, in 2020, took on the position of Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Newcastle, alongside serving as a Residentiary Canon at Newcastle Cathedral.

In 2022, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Penrith, the sole suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Carlisle. Since then, he has been instrumental in supporting the diocese through a period of transition.

STORY

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced the appointment of Bilal Zahid as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. Mr Zahid will succeed Nigel Baker OBE MVO, who is set to take on another diplomatic role. Mr Zahid is expected to assume his new position in September 2025.

Mr Zahid brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held several senior positions within the UK government. Most recently, he served as Minister Counsellor at the British Embassy in Kyiv from 2023 to 2024. Prior to that, he was Joint Head of the Ukraine Campaign Unit at the FCDO between 2022 and 2023. His earlier roles include Additional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the FCO/FCDO (2020–2022), Deputy Director and Head of Political Section at the Northern Ireland Office (2015–2020) and Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (2013–2015).

Mr Zahid is currently undertaking full-time language training in preparation for his posting to Slovakia. His appointment comes at a time of continued UK-Slovakia cooperation on European security, economic development and regional diplomacy.

STORY

A series of prosecutions have been brought against egg packers across England for illegally altering ‘best before’ dates on eggs, following investigations by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Between January and March 2025, multiple offences under the Egg Marketing Regulations were identified, including unlawful re-packing of eggs with extended ‘best before’ dates and breaches of required labelling standards.

Key Cases:

Phillip Hoyland, of Summerley Top Farm, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to fraud charges on 31 March 2025. He received a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.

Barradale Eggs Ltd, based in Ashford, Kent, was found guilty on 24 March 2025 of re-packing eggs with extended ‘best before’ dates. The company was fined £466 and ordered to pay £85 in costs.

Field Farm Eggs, from South Newbald, East Yorkshire, was prosecuted on 24 February 2025 for similar offences. The company was fined £1,000, with a £400 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Holyfield Farm Fresh Eggs Ltd, located in north London, pleaded guilty to three charges on 20 January 2025. The court imposed a £2,000 fine (reduced from £3,000 due to an early guilty plea) and awarded £200 for prosecution costs.

Aled Edwards, Head of England Field Delivery at APHA, stated:

“It’s essential that consumers can trust the eggs they purchase are fresh, safe to eat, and clearly and accurately labelled. These cases demonstrate our robust enforcement procedures; across the country we have 35 EMIs who work in our field delivery teams and have the important role of ensuring regulations in the egg industry are adhered to. I welcome these sentences from the courts and hope they will act as a deterrent to others.”

STORY

In a significant move towards international justice, the United Kingdom and over 30 global partners have formally endorsed the establishment of a Special Tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The announcement came as UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Lviv to join European counterparts in reaffirming their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and pursuit of accountability. The proposed tribunal, to be created through an agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe, aims to hold Russia’s political and military leadership accountable for initiating an illegal war in violation of the UN Charter. The International Criminal Court (ICC) currently lacks jurisdiction over the crime of aggression in this context, prompting the need for a dedicated legal mechanism.

“We stand for a just and lasting peace, for a secure Europe, and for accountability and justice” said Lammy. “I have been supportive of a Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leaders for their war of aggression since March 2022, just weeks after Putin’s full-scale invasion.” The UK’s backing of the tribunal coincides with the announcement of a major sanctions package targeting 110 entities linked to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers. These vessels have been used to circumvent existing sanctions and finance the ongoing war effort. According to UK officials, sanctions have already impacted nearly half of Russia’s fleet, significantly disrupting its oil export capabilities. The Lviv summit gathered foreign ministers from at least 37 countries, including EU and NATO members, to discuss legal and diplomatic strategies for ensuring justice and long-term peace in Ukraine. The tribunal is expected to complement ongoing investigations by the ICC and Ukrainian prosecutors into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This diplomatic show of unity comes on the same day Russia held its annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, commemorating the end of World War II. The event was attended by international figures including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, drawing criticism from European leaders who view such participation as undermining efforts to hold Russia accountable. The UK has been a leading advocate for justice since the early days of the invasion, providing legal expertise, financial support, and training to Ukrainian prosecutors. In December 2023, the UK pledged an additional £3.7 million to support war crimes investigations, building on previous commitments to bolster Ukraine’s domestic accountability efforts.

STORY

Two men have been found guilty of criminal damage after cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree, a much-loved landmark along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Daniel Graham, 38, of Carlisle, and Adam Carruthers, 31, of Haltwhistle, were convicted today at Newcastle Crown Court following a week-long trial that gripped the nation. The pair were found to have felled the 300-year-old sycamore in the early hours of 28 September 2023, causing what prosecutors described as “an act of calculated and senseless vandalism”.

The tree, situated in a dramatic natural dip in the landscape near Crag Lough, had become one of the most photographed trees in the UK and was an emblem of the North East’s cultural and natural heritage. Its destruction sparked widespread outrage and sorrow, with tributes pouring in from around the world. During the trial, the court heard that Graham and Carruthers had used a chainsaw under the cover of darkness to cut down the tree in what was described by the prosecution as “a deliberate and premeditated act”. CCTV footage, forensic analysis of sawdust found on the suspects’ clothing, and mobile phone location data were key to securing the convictions.

Judge Margaret Ridley described the act as “environmental vandalism of the highest order”, adding that the loss of the tree was “a blow not just to the landscape but to the national psyche”.

Both men showed little emotion as the verdicts were read. Sentencing has been adjourned until next month, with the judge indicating that custodial sentences are being considered. Northumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Jane Dobson praised the public for their assistance during the investigation and stated, “This case struck a nerve across the UK. The Sycamore Gap tree was more than just a tree — it was a symbol, and we were determined to find those responsible.” In the wake of the verdict, the National Trust has confirmed that plans are underway to grow a new sycamore from seeds taken from the original tree, though it may take decades before the landscape regains its former shape.

STORY

The United Kingdom, alongside 13 other OSCE participating states, issued a joint statement today emphasising the critical importance of safeguarding media freedom across the OSCE region. Delivered by French Ambassador Fatène Benhabylès-Foeth on behalf of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists, the statement coincided with World Press Freedom Day commemorations.

The coalition highlighted escalating threats to journalists, including harassment, imprisonment, and even fatalities. They pointed to restrictive legislation and digital challenges—such as disinformation and AI misuse—as exacerbating factors undermining press freedom. The statement underscored the ongoing risks faced by journalists in conflict zones, notably citing the deaths and injuries of media personnel in Ukraine amid Russia’s continued aggression.

Reaffirming their commitment to human rights and media freedom, the participating states called for concrete actions to protect journalists and uphold democratic values throughout the OSCE area.