Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
When will the government ban the sale of energy drinks to under-16s? Baroness Walmsley asked in this question on Tuesday 10 February.
📺 Watch the question in full and hear from other members
https://orlo.uk/61dIc
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
What assessment has the government made of the jobs market, and of the implications for the wider economy? Members press in this highlight from Lords questions. Catch up.
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Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
George Ioannou outlines how Cyprus’s banks rebuilt resilience after the 2013 crisis. He touches on recent cross border M&A and shares key lessons from a decade within European banking supervision.
Source: European Commission (video statements)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of 112, a milestone that highlights how Europe works together to protect you every day, everywhere. Before, every European country had its own emergency number. Today, one single number works everywhere: 112.
Whether you need the police, fire brigade or medical assistance, 112 connects you to local emergency services anywhere in the European Union. The call is free of charge, works 24/7, can be made without a SIM card, and assistance is available in your own language. Location information can also be shared to help emergency services reach you faster. One number: 112. Fast. Free. Europe-wide.
Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee question several witnesses, including The Rt Hon. Dame Diana Johnson MP – Minister for Employment at Department for Work and Pensions, for their inquiry; Employment support for disabled people.
Witnesses:
David Lillicrap – Assistant Director Health and Employment Programmes at West London Alliance
Rooth Cooper – Economic Development Manager at Renfrewshire Council
The Rt Hon. Dame Diana Johnson MP – Minister for Employment at Department for Work and Pensions
Dr Simon Marlow – Deputy Director, Joint Work and Health Directorate at Department for Work and Pensions
Lorraine Jackson – Director, Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) at Department of Health and Social Care
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26400
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Health and Social Care Committee examines the effectiveness of the Government’s vaccinations strategy, and to what extent the rollout of flu jabs last year helped reduce demand on hospitals.
Witnesses:
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush – Assistant Professor of Global Health and Development at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dr Amit Aggarwal – Executive Director at Medical Affairs and Strategic Partnerships
Greg Fell – President at Association of Directors of Public Health
Fin McCaul – Chair at Community Pharmacy England’s Service Development Subcommittee
Annie Traynor – Head of Immunisation and Screening at Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB
David Lamberti – Director for Health Protection and Public Health Systems at Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
Dr Mary Ramsay – Director of Public Health Programmes at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Michelle Kane – Director of Vaccination, Screening Delivery and Transformation at NHS England
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26483/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
2026 SONA State of Readiness Media Briefing
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
President Cyril Ramaphosa opens Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy
Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated, “The trends we are currently observing are clear: the presence of UNMISS continues to matter a lot.”
Addressing the Security Council about South Sudan, Lacroix said, “Political deadlock among the main signatories to the Revitalized Peace Agreement continues to drive heightened tensions, manifesting in armed confrontations in many parts of the country. In recent weeks, we have witnessed a sharp escalation of violence, particularly in Jonglei, with clashes between Government and opposition forces. Both sides claim to be acting in self-defense, while at the same time preparing for the possibility of large-scale hostilities.”
He continued, “The reports of aerial bombardments, inflammatory rhetoric, mass displacements and severe restrictions on humanitarian access observed in Jonglei are of great concern. Communities that remember all too well the violence of 2013 and 2016 are again on the move – over 280.000 people displaced from fighting in Jonglei alone as per government sources.”
He highlighted, “South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers. In 2025, 350 attacks on humanitarian staff and facilities were recorded, up from 255 the previous year. Despite government assurances, partners report persistent access constraints, particularly to opposition-held areas. These constraints are unfolding amid the country’s worst cholera outbreak, with over 98,000 reported cases since the outbreak began in September 2024.”
He said, “Amid these rising needs, the cost reduction measures have already resulted in significant operational capacity constraints to deliver fully on mandated tasks. For example, protection patrols have been reduced by up to 40 per cent where Force deployment is decreasing and by up to 70 per cent in areas where bases have closed. Long-duration ground patrols have dropped from three or four per month to one or two. Around 40 human rights monitoring missions have been cancelled. Areas where bases have closed are seeing increased tensions and clashes.”
He stressed, “Today, the situation in Akobo shows the difficult balance we face. Although the base is scheduled for closure by March under the reduction plan, escalating fighting in Jonglei required the Mission to send reinforcements instead.”
He concluded, “The trends we are currently observing are clear: the presence of UNMISS continues to matter a lot. It matters to the people that we protect, it matters to our humanitarian partners that we assist, and it matters to the peace process that we actively support and engage in.”
