A total eclipse of the Moon will occur on Friday 27 July 2018. This lunar eclipse exhibits the longest duration of totality at 103.6 minutes in the 21st century. It will be visible in its entirety from the Indian Ocean region, westernmost China, India, the Middle East, central Asia, Turkey and the eastern half of Africa. Most of Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, most of China, western Africa and most of Europe will see the total phase of the eclipse.

Some of the total phase of the eclipse is visible from the United Kingdom as the Moon rises during the umbral (the Moon’s dark inner shadow) part of the eclipse. The Moon will rise in a totally-eclipsed state and we will see about three quarters of the total phase of the eclipse.

The Moon will rise at different times across the United Kingdom. For example, the Moon rises at 20:42 BST in Dover and at 21:43 BST in Portree on the Isle of Skye. This should help identify the approximate times of Moon rise in the UK for Friday 27 July 2018. Also, specific moon rise times for your location can be calculated using our dynamical astronomical data service, Websurf 2.0 or using our beta Android app, Sky High.

Further details of the eclipse can be found on HMNAO’s Eclipses Online web pages

A man who killed 2 young boys due to driving while intoxicated has today had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

Robert Anthony Brown, 54, was driving at twice the speed limit while under the influence of cocaine when he collided with the Platt-May family who were crossing the road. Two young brothers, aged 6 and 2, were killed by the impact.

Brown has an extensive history of previous motoring-related offences, and at the time of this offence was disqualified from driving, unlicensed, and uninsured.

Brown was originally sentenced at Warwick Crown Court in April to 9 years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 15 years. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 10 years 6 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

This was an atrocious offence, which Corey and Casper’s family will likely never recover from. Brown had an overwhelming history of similar offences, and he deserved to be jailed for longer. This is such a tragic case, and I hope the increased sentence sends a clear message that anyone who commits such a crime will be met with the full force of the law.

Foreign Office spokesperson said:

The UK echoes the United States’ firm statement of opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. The UK position is clear: we condemn Russia’s continued breach of international law; Crimea is Ukrainian territory. We remain fully committed to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The UK also remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Crimea, where we have seen the systematic persecution of minority groups and of those who voice their opposition to Russia’s illegal annexation of the territory. We call again for Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners held in Crimea and in Russia, and to allow unrestrained access for international human rights monitoring bodies to the peninsula.

Further information

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Providers will have a new online tool available to them when the Digital Case System (DCS) multi-hander solution is rolled out over the summer months.

How does it work?

Certain parts of case files within DCS are given restricted status. When defence, prosecution or court users upload a document to a restricted section they can choose who sees the document.

For example, the defence could choose to upload a client application and make it available to another defence team or keep it private between the court and themselves. Permissions can be amended at any time.

Does this affect legal aid claims?

There are no changes to the existing processes. Providers should continue to download and submit the LAA Report with their claim.

Where can I find out more?

See the guidance page on GOV.UK for detailed information about the changes. Your local court can confirm specific rollout dates.

Further information

Crown Court Digital Case System training guides and videos

Thank you Mr President and thank you to Special Coordinator Mladenov for your briefing and for your recent work with Egypt to secure a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It is essential that the ceasefire is respected and maintained by all sides. The people of Israel and Gaza deserve peace and security.

The escalation seen at the Gaza perimeter last Friday, including the killing of an Israel Defense Force soldier, is deeply concerning. Hamas must cease all acts of violence and terror and decide whether it is prepared to demonstrate its commitment to achieving peace and ending this conflict.

The most recent escalation and exchange of rockets into southern Israel, and the economic and kinetic response by the Israelis, are also both concerning.

We urge the parties to take immediate steps to reverse the current negative trends on the ground, and to commence renewed and meaningful peace negotiations.

Mr President, now more than ever, we urgently need a political process that delivers a two-state solution. As Council Members, we must seize the opportunity presented by the prospect of a US plan. The UK stands ready to support and contribute to all credible efforts to restart the peace process; we urge others to do the same.

The UK position on the peace process is unchanged; we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a shared capital.

Mr President, every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. No one wants to see a return to conflict, which will inevitably have devastating consequences. We call on the parties to take the following urgent action to avoid escalating the conflict:

First, Hamas must bring an immediate and permanent end to rocket fire and the sending of incendiary devices into Israel.

Second, Israel must reverse its punitive measures and work with the international community to ease conditions in Gaza, including opening movement and access and reducing economic restrictions.

Third, the Palestinian Authority must resume salary payments and work to restore its presence in Gaza.

The international community also has responsibilities, including the need to rally around Special Coordinator Mladenov’s plans to improve the situation in Gaza and in supporting Egyptian efforts on political reconciliation and longer-term arrangements for calm in Gaza.

The risk of tensions boiling over into a full-blown conflict are very real and very dangerous. Every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties.

Nobody around this table wants to see another Gaza conflict. At such a highly sensitive time, we urge calm and restraint.

We appreciate Egyptian efforts in calming tensions and we urge Egypt to do more by improving movement and access through Rafah crossing.

Mr President, we are also deeply concerned by continued demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities. Due to severe planning restrictions, many Palestinians have no option but to build without permission. This needs to change. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and, in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

The village of Khan al-Ahmar is a case in point, and this is an example that has also been raised this morning by the French and Dutch Ambassadors. We continue to urge Israel to abandon demolition plans entirely, and instead provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. Not only could demolition constitute forcible transfer, it would also pave the way for settlement building in E1. In accordance with our longstanding policy, we would have to condemn such a move. Such action would strike a major blow to the prospects for a two-state solution and make it difficult to believe that Israel wants progress towards peace.

Finally, Mr President, I want to reiterate that the UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. The UK welcomes the important contributions that Member States are providing to UNRWA.

However, UNRWA’s deficit remains at $217 million, meaning it will shortly have to make a decision about whether to open schools in September. The increased demand for UNRWA’s services and growing instability across the region make UNRWA’s support even more important. It is clear that UNRWA needs a broader pool of financial support from donors to achieve sufficient, assured and predictable financing. It is also clear that UNRWA needs to continue to promote realistic and technical cost-saving reforms.

The UK continues to support UNRWA and remains one of the top five donors. We have delivered our pledge of $37.5 million and have brought forward $13.5 million to help meet the urgent needs of Palestinian refugees. We encourage members of this Council to consider what more they can do to support Palestinian refugees and alleviate the current financial pressure facing UNRWA.

Thank you.