Source: United Nations (video statements)
Source: European Commission (video statements)
Marius Gilbert is a prominent epidemiologist at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), where he leads the Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory (SpELL). As a Senior Research Associate at the FNRS, his expertise extends across epidemiology, agronomy, geography, and livestock mapping.
Throughout his career, Marius Gilbert has consistently demonstrated the vital importance of international collaboration, the strength of European scientific networks, and the critical role of academic freedom in advancing knowledge and protecting public health.
In addition to his academic work, Marius Gilbert played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a national expert group responsible for advising on strategies to manage Belgium’s exit from lockdown.
00:16 Building European Scientific Networks
00:30 Responding in Times of Crisis
01:17 Europe: A Hub of Research Freedom
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-274998
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Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Professor Firoz Cachalia takes affirmation as Minister during the swearing-in ceremony at the Union Buildings, Pretoria.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Clean Power by 2030 – that’s the ambition set out by the Prime Minister as one of his five central missions.
The Government says that means a secure and affordable energy supply, the creation of essential new energy industries and the need to limit our contribution to climate change. Chair of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and host of Committee Corridor, Toby Perkins MP, speaks to three guests who remain to be convinced.
As energy minister, Chris Skidmore signed the UK’s net zero pledge into law in 2019. He later resigned in protest at plans to guarantee annual oil and gas licensing, and now chairs the Climate Action Coalition launched by former US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Initially sceptical about the 2030 deadline for clean power, he’s encouraged by the pace of change and says the UK might even deliver faster. It should prioritise investment in new energy industries while keeping an eye on potential hurdles presented by forthcoming changes to English devolution.
The House of Commons’ Energy Security and Net Zero Committee recently reported on the ‘energy planning chaos’ in a report titled Gridlock or Growth? Committee Member and Liberal Democrat MP, Claire Young, recommends the Government provide much clearer guidance to planners and developers on how strategic plans related to decisions on delivering grid connections.
More diverse energy sources will bring down the UK’s electricity prices will address energy security, she says. “If you compare us to countries like France and Germany, we ‘ve got a less diverse and more volatile collection of energy sources than those countries,” Claire says, pointing to Germany’s combination of hydro, coal and gas, while France uses a high amount of nuclear power. The UK is more reliant on oil and gas, which is more exposed to price spikes.
Harriet Cross is a Conservative MP and member of the Scottish Affairs Committee. She emphasises the importance of ensuring a just transition to a net zero future, an issue the Scottish Affairs Committee is currently exploring in its inquiry into GB Energy. The constituency Harriet represents – Gordon and Buchan in Aberdeenshire – is “the absolute heart” of the oil and gas sector, she says. “Ensuring that the transition is properly just, whatever just means, is absolutely vital.”
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Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
The Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7680/enabling-sustainable-electrification-of-the-uk-economy/
Read the Energy, Security and Net Zero Committee’s report – Gridlock or growth? :https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/664/energy-security-and-net-zero-committee/news/208202/gridlock-or-growth-esnz-committee-sets-out-measures-to-end-energy-planning-chaos-and-unlock-cleaner-cheaper-power-across-the-uk/
The Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry on GB energy and the net zero transition: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8672/gb-energy-and-the-net-zero-transition/
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:01:26 – Chris Skidmore
00:18:37 – Claire Young MP and Harriet Cross MP
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries opens an opportunity to explore meaningful partnerships to unlock the potential of landlocked developing countries.
– Opening Ceremony
– Plenary Session, General Debate
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), lacking direct sea access, face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development. Without coastal ports, they rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays. Despite challenges, LLDCs host vibrant communities with untapped potential.
The Third UN Conference on LLDCs offers a chance to explore solutions and forge partnerships, addressing challenges and unlocking their full potential for a more equitable and prosperous future.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)
FBI Director Kash Patel delivers remarks at the opening on July 31, 2025, of the Bureau’s newest legal attaché office in Wellington, New Zealand.
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Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Secretary – General / Travel
Occupied Palestinian Territory
UNIFIL
Syria
Yemen
Sudan
Uganda
New Resident Coordinators
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
In response to questions about the videos of the Israeli hostages shown by Hamas, the Deputy Spokesperson said the Secretary-General was very shocked by this unacceptable violation of human dignity.
Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that many people reportedly continue to be killed and injured, including people seeking food along the UN convoy routes and militarized distribution points. Some 1,500 people have been reportedly killed since May.
Meanwhile, our colleagues continue to risk their lives to provide life-saving assistance. On Sunday, Israeli air strikes killed a health worker from the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Khan Younis.
Furthermore, yesterday, the Israeli military issued yet another displacement order in Gaza City, covering the neighborhood of Tufah. OCHA says that these orders continue to push people into overcrowded, unsafe areas with no shelters and essential supplies. OCHA reminds us that only 12 per cent of Gaza is outside the Israeli-militarized zone or areas affected by displacement orders. Our partners are still unable to respond to shelter needs due to zero stock, with no shelter supplies having entered Gaza since early March.
In the past few days, the UN and our partners have managed to collect wheat flour, ready-to-eat rations and hot meal commodities from the crossings; however, most of the cargo was offloaded by the hungry crowds before reaching its destinations.
While nutrition supplies have entered during the past week, including high-energy biscuits for pregnant and breastfeeding women and infant formula, and hygiene kits, UNICEF emphasized yesterday that this is still a fraction of what is needed and reminded that malnutrition among children in Gaza is reaching catastrophic levels.
The UN and our partners reiterate that a ceasefire is critically needed to reach all those in need and urge for the continued facilitation of a sustained, uninterrupted and scaled-up flow of aid, including commercial goods.
Regarding fuel, yesterday, the UN was able to collect about 200,000 litres from Kerem Shalom crossing; however, the limited quantities that have been entering Gaza since last week do not suffice to remedy the shortages.
For example, water, sanitation and hygiene operations continue to be affected by the lack of fuel. While some 70,000 litres of fuel are needed every day for emergency operations, only 29,000 litres have been received, which is far below the minimum quantity needed.
In a welcome development, Israeli authorities have approved an increase in the number of fuel tankers that are allowed to enter per week. We will update you once we have clarity.
As we enter the second week since the Israeli announcement of the tactical pause to allow safe passages for our convoys, colleagues tell us that realities on the ground remain largely the same. Aid that has entered remains by far insufficient for the starving population and our convoys continue to face impediments on their way to delivering aid.
Some missions inside Gaza take more than 18 hours to be completed. The teams are compelled to wait for more than 10 hours at a stretch on the roads, which are often dangerous, congested or impassable.
Yesterday, while seven out of 11 missions requiring coordination with Israeli authorities were facilitated, OCHA tells us that two others were impeded; one to collect health items was not fully accomplished; one was cancelled by the organizers.
Turning to the West Bank, OCHA tells us that violence by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinian communities continues unabated. Settler violence incidents are on the rise. Last week, OCHA documented at least 24 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians that resulted in casualties, property damage, or both. OCHA reiterates its call for the protection of civilians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=04%20August%202025
Source: European Commission (video statements)
The EU’s proposed €175 billion budget for Horizon Europe — the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation — will fuel deep tech, accelerate funding, and support world-class research. Backing innovation from idea to real-world impact, it will turn research into solutions that benefit people, industry, and the planet.
You want to know more, check out our website: https://europa.eu/!ydttbgnj
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Bishop Robert Barron discusses "Religious Liberty Today" during the first hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission.
Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)
Bishop Robert Barron discusses "An Outrageous Violation of Free Exercise" during the first hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission.