Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Protecting the Rule of Law Across the EU

Source: European Commission (video statements)

Today, the European Commission publishes the 2025 Rule of Law Report. This report is a key instrument to protect and strengthen democracy across the EU.

It highlights both progress and challenges in four essential areas: the justice system, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism, and institutional checks and balances. By shining a spotlight on these areas, the EU aims to foster transparency, accountability, and resilience within its democratic systems.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K9SvlbJGI-M

Posted on

Focus Session – Advancing TARGET Services with DLT transactions in central bank money

Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

Focus Session – Advancing TARGET Services with DLT transactions in central bank money
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/intro/events/html/fs_20250715.en.html

10:10
Welcome address
The Eurosystem launched a strategy to settle transactions recorded on distributed ledger technology (DLT) using central bank money. The initiative follows a two-track approach – Pontes and Appia – and will be built on the exploratory work on new technologies for wholesale central bank money settlement done with market participants in 2024. Learn more about how this strategy supports the wider EU policies and contributes to a harmonised and integrated European financial ecosystem.
Dimitri Pattyn, Deputy Director General, ECB

10:20
Findings from the exploratory work
The Eurosystem tested three interoperability-type solutions in 2024 together with 64 participants which conducted 50 trials and experiments, with the aim of exploring the potential use of DLT to settle wholesale financial transactions. Learn more about the results of the exploratory work and the lessons learnt.
Holger Neuhaus, Head of Division, ECB

10:40
Short-term track: Pontes
Deep dive into one of the tracks – Pontes which will provide a short-term offering to the market – including a pilot phase. It will offer euro central bank money settlement, linking market DLT platforms and TARGET Services to settle financial transactions. Learn more about the project roadmap and how you can be involved.
George Kalogeropoulos, Deputy Head of Division, ECB

11:10
Long-term track: Appia
The ECB will provide insights on its work on the long-term integrated ecosystem using DLT, the collaboration with public and private stakeholders, and the international dimension.
Holger Neuhaus, Head of Division, ECB

11:25
Closing remark
Dimitri Pattyn, Deputy Director General, ECB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-EPSgBv4I8

Posted on

President on Mkhwanazi.mp4

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

📽️ WATCH | President Cyril Ramaphosa:

“This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed."

🔗 Read the full statement here: https://zurl.co/qJ0hl

#GovZAUpdates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ6tBmhjz5M

Posted on

UK UK Economic security – Business and Trade Sub-Committee on Economic Security, Arms & Export Controls

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

The Business and Trade sub-Committee questions Marks and Spencer Chairman Archie Norman on the devastating cyber-attack that has disrupted the iconic British retailer’s operations for months.

After acknowledging the attack in April, the company was forced to suspend all online sales for weeks and its website operations are not expected to be fully restored for another month or so. It is believed some customer data was also breached. Marks and Spencer has estimated the attack will hit this year’s profits by £300 million.

At around the same time in April, the Co-op Group disclosed “unauthorised access attempts” that disrupted customer and back-office services.

What happened in these two cases and what does it tell us about UK’s approach, across the public and private sectors, to countering a commercial and economic risk that may be growing to the point where it becomes “uninsurable”?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEKD0HSNAm0