Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/JqZPg1kK3oM?feature=share
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Following the publication of the Independent Expert Panel’s report into the state of palliative and end of life care, the Health and Social Care Committee will question Minister Stephen Kinnock and senior NHS England officials on ways to improve services.
Witnesses:
Stephen Kinnock MP – Minster of State at Department of Health and Social Care
Dr Edward Scully – Director for Primary and Community Health Care at Department of Health and Social Care
Dr Amanda Doyle OBE – National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England
Dr Sarah Mitchell – National Clinical Director for Palliative and End-of Life Care at NHS England
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Venezuela
-Sudan
-Lebanon / Israel
-Syria
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Democratic Republic of the Congo
-Noon Briefing Guest
-Bernard Robinson
VENEZUELA
The UN Humanitarian Country Team, bringing together the UN and other humanitarian partners, is continuing to support people in need in Venezuela.
Teams from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) continue to monitor developments, together with our humanitarian partners. Psychosocial support hotlines are in place and mapping is being carried out to ensure essential services reach the most vulnerable people.
For their part, the World Food Programme (WFP) says that WFP activities, such as general food distribution and emergency response to people impacted by flooding in Venezuela continues. The World Food Programme’s school meal programme also continues to be on schedule and will resume after school break.
SUDAN
In Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that escalating violence, particularly across the Kordofan region, continues to put civilians at extreme risk and drive new waves of displacement. The UN humanitarian team on the ground notes that according to the Sudan Doctors Network, a drone attack today in the city of El Obeid, in North Kordofan State, allegedly claimed the lives of 13 civilians, including children.
In South Kordofan State, displacement has increased sharply in recent days. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that between December 31st and January 4th, violence drove nearly 1,000 people to flee in Quoz locality, Kadugli town and Berdab village.
Yesterday, another 2,000 people were uprooted from Um Dam Haj Ahmed locality, also in North Kordofan State.
In total, between October 25th and December 30th, some 65,000 individuals were displaced from multiple locations across the Kordofan region.
Once again, the UN reiterates its urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians. The UN also reiterates the need for rapid, safe, sustained humanitarian access, so aid can reach those in need.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-01-06
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/spokesperson
Former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is a new face at the United Nations. Sworn in as President of the General Assembly in September, she brings experience and energy at a time of challenges and new beginnings – including the selection of the next Secretary-General.
“We need this place where countries, big and small, rich and poor, are coming together and have an equal say and an equal vote.”
Shaped by her nation’s turbulent past and successful reunification Annalena Baerbock entered politics at a young age. In this episode, she reflects on the importance of female pioneers, the impact of online harassment and shares why the UN Charter can still move her to tears.
[00:00] Introduction
[00:52] Setting priorities for the UNGA80
[02:30] What the UN Charter means to her
[05:23] Inside the role of the PGA
[09:25] Listening as a form of leadership
[12:21] Can the UN still bridge global divides?
[15:26] What keeps Annalena awake at night
[16:58] Facing online hate as a woman leader
[20:56] Holding platforms accountable
[23:10] Choosing the next Secretary-General
[24:16] When humanitarian cuts cost lives
[26:43] Life in New York with her daughters
[27:22] Online noise vs. Real-world solidarity
[29:01] Finding her way into politics
[32:07] Lessons from growing up in 1980s West Germany
[36:51] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
#podcast #UnitedNations #awakeatnight #PGA80 #UNGA
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Home Affairs Committee will hear further evidence relating to decision making around the policing of the football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Senior officers from West Midlands Police and representatives of Birmingham City Council and the UK Football Policing Unit will face further questions on the intelligence gathering, cross-body liaison and community engagement relating to the fixture.
Witnesses:
Craig Guildford – Chief Constable at West Midlands Police
Mike O’Hara – Assistant Chief Constable at West Midlands Police
Mick Wilkinson – Chief Inspector at West Midlands Police
Chief Constable Mark Roberts – National Lead for Football Policing at UK Football Policing Unit
Councillor John Cotton – Leader at Birmingham City Council
Richard Brooks – Executive Director of City Operations at Birmingham City Council
Anthony Cox – Director of Law and Governance at Birmingham City Council
