Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Religious Liberty Commission 7th Hearing – Healthcare
UK Lords urgent question on the Strait of Hormuz mine clearance
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
The Lord Speaker has accepted an urgent question from Lord West of Spithead on the UK’s plans to provide assistance with mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Watch live from 3.15pm on Monday 13 April.
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€22 billion in 44 Days: How the Middle East Crisis Impacts Europe
Source: European Commission (video statements)
"The only lasting way out of the fossil dependency is shifting electricity generation to renewables and nuclear." – President Ursula von der Leyen
On 13 April 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave a press statement on the impact of the situation in the Middle East on Europe.
In her statement, President von der Leyen warned that the Middle East crisis has cost the EU €22 billion extra in fossil fuel imports in just 44 days, with no added supply. She called for urgent EU coordination on energy reserves, targeted aid for households, and temporary State aid rules by April. Long-term, she pushed for faster expansion of renewables and nuclear (now 70% of EU electricity) and electrification, backed by public funds and private investment. Concrete proposals will be finalised ahead of the informal European Council meeting in Cyprus next week.
The core message was clear: Europe must transition faster to homegrown, affordable energy to escape the volatility of fossil fuels.
For the full transcript of the statement, see here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_800
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-287383
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South Africa Government: Deputy President Mashatile attends the launch of the 4IR laboratory and centre of specialisation
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Deputy President Mashatile attends the launch of the 4IR laboratory and centre of specialisation
Read-out by EC President von der LEYEN on the impact of the situation in the Middle East
Source: European Commission (video statements)
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The EU-Mercosur Agreement: Everything You Need to Know
Source: European Commission (video statements)
Everybody is talking about Mercosur. But what is it, and how does it impact the European economy, our industries, and our farmers?
In this explainer, we break down the landmark EU-Mercosur Agreement—a partnership that creates one of the world’s largest free markets, connecting 720 million consumers across the EU, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
In this video, we answer:
– What is the Mercosur alliance?
– How will reducing tariffs save EU exporters over €4 billion?
– Why this deal is crucial for access to raw materials like lithium and graphite.
– The Truth About Farming: Specifics on how the deal boosts agri-food exports while strictly protecting EU health standards and sensitive sectors.
– This agreement isn’t just about the economy; it’s about strengthening our economic security and building trusted partnerships in a changing world.
00:00 Intro:
00:18 What is Mercosur?
00:29 What will the EU-Mercosur partnership do?
00:50 How are EU farmers protected?
01:00 Tariffs reduction
01:16 Agri-food imports limitations
01:31 Stricter health controls
01:45 Financial protection for EU farmers
01:56 One of the biggest markets in the world
02:06 Words from EU companies
03:04 EU in the world
03:11 Stable access to raw materials
03:20 Summary
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-287632
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South Africa: BMA Commissioner provides a report back on the 2026 Easter period.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Border Management Authority
Commissioner, Dr Micheal Masiapato provides a report back on the 2026
Easter period.
"Total number of travellers during the Easter period"
Small Island Developing States: Leaders for Ocean Action – SDG Media Zone | 2025 UN Ocean Conference
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Conversation on how Small Island Developing States can use the ocean to support food security, climate action and more.
This panel will explore how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can use the ocean to support food security, climate action, disaster risk reduction, justice, and sustainable growth. Speakers will discuss key ways to scale up ocean-friendly solutions and help SIDS achieve SDG14. The session will also introduce UNDP’s new SIDS Strategy, aligned with the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda, and highlight the GEF-funded, UNDP-led Blue and Green Islands Programme.
Speakers:
Francine Pickup, UNDP Deputy Assistant Administrator, Deputy Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, and Head of UNDP Delegation for UNOC3
Tania Serafim Yvonne Romualdo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to the UN
Rebecca Fabrizi, UK SIDS Envoy
Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa’olelei Luteru, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN
Moderator:
Kate Brown, Executive Director, Global Islands Partnerships (GLISPA)
—-
The UN Ocean Conference was from June 9-13 and focused on the transformation and solutions needed to accelerate action on the SDGs.
The Conference aimed to drive urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Ocean science, pollution, fishing, maritime transport, biodiversity, financing, and cooperation were among the issues to be tackled.
Organized by the UN Department of Global Communications, the SDG Media Zone takes the conversation out of the policy sphere and into the public discourse through impactful in-depth interviews and conversations on global issues that matter to people everywhere.
Here’s what astronauts can teach us about teamwork
Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)
"The #astronaut world is hyper-focused on cooperation. And I think this comes from lessons learned from the past.’
Astronauts used to be selected for missions based largely on their individual skills and performance, says European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti – but that didn’t always translate into solid team performances on missions.
Today, she explains, the emphasis has shifted. Teamwork and leadership – in particular the ability to lead and be led – are factored into selection and training. There are important lessons here for leaders around the globe, she says, especially in today’s fragmented and uncertain world.
Samantha Cristoforetti a guest on #MeetTheLeader, a World Economic Forum podcast. #HumanSpaceFlightDay
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South Africa: The BMA commissioner provides a report back on the 2026 easter border.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
The BMA commissioner provides a report back on the 2026 easter border.