Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Foreign Affairs Committee will hold an evidence session on the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at 1.30pm, on Tuesday 8 July.
Members are likely to question the Foreign Secretary on the UK Government’s current position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee questions Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on the Spending Review 2025 and the Government’s announcement of £39 billion investment for affordable homes.
The cross-party group of MPs are expected to explore questions around the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, the Spending Review settlement, and local council finances.
Witnesses:
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Sarah Healey CB CVO, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Civil 20 (C20) South Africa briefs the media on the road to the G20 summit.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Minister in the Presidency for WYPD, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga conducting a wrap upinterview with GCIS Media at the conclusion of her engagements today.
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Minister in the Presidency for WYPD, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga in a bilateral meeting with Women Entrepreneurs of the Program.
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.
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
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
🌍 The G20 Presidency in South Africa is driving efforts to improve cross-border payments — making them faster, cheaper, inclusive & transparent.
These reforms support families and businesses across Africa.
🔗 Learn more: https://zurl.co/Ugqxz
#GovZAUpdates #G20SouthAfrica #ReKaofela #AfricaFirst
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
