Almost 1,000 children and young people across Aotearoa New Zealand have had their say on online safety in a new survey conducted by Save the Children and Netsafe – and the results send a clear message: children want to be heard and informed, as well as protected.
The survey, launched in the lead-up to New Zealand Children’s Day in March, asked tamariki and rangatahi aged 6 to 18 about their experiences in the online world, what makes them feel safe, and what they want adults – including parents, teachers, decision-makers, and tech companies – to know.
The survey findings were launched at Parliament this morning at an event in association with Netsafe, TikTok and Save the Children, with youth and online safety experts, industry representatives, and Members of Parliament in attendance.
Key findings show that:
– 64% of children feel safe online, but many say that safety depends on guidance from parents and knowing how to avoid harm.
– Advertising and harmful content are top concerns, with more than 750 children calling for greater control over ads and stronger protection from harmful material.
– Children want tech companies to step up – from limiting live chat in games, improving reporting systems, and taking faster action to remove harmful content.
– Age-appropriate design matters – children across all age groups called for better age restrictions to keep younger users safe, and to prevent adult users from accessing children’s games.
– Education, not just restriction is key – many young people said they want to be taught how to recognise and respond to online risks, rather than just having content blocked or being excluded as users.
Save the Children New Zealand’s Director of Advocacy and Research, Jacqui Southey, says the findings show the value of listening directly to children’s experiences.
“Children are not just passive users of the internet – they are legitimate digital citizens with real insights. Their voices highlight both the joys and risks of the online world, and their advice must be taken seriously,” she says.
“This survey clearly shows that while many children feel safe online, they’re also navigating a world full of challenges – from harmful content to adult strangers in online games and unwanted advertising. They’re asking for more support, more tools, and more respect for their ability to understand and shape their digital experiences.”
Netsafe CEO Brent Carey says the insights will help guide online safety strategies going forward.
“We often talk about making the internet safer for kids, but we don’t ask them what that actually means. These findings shift the conversation. Tamariki and rangatahi are telling us exactly what they need – and it’s time we listened.”
The survey responses came from a wide range of age groups and locations, with strong participation from girls (67% of respondents) and young people living in urban areas (81%). Social media use increased with age, while younger children were more engaged with online games and streaming platforms.
One young person (aged 15-17) put it simply: “Please filter out content that is likely to harm the well-being of children and teenagers. A lot of stuff online – once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”
Save the Children and Netsafe are encouraging decision-makers to use the findings to inform safer online environments that uphold children’s rights to participation, protection, and provision.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has successfully concluded its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan. This landmark Assembly gathered nearly 1400 delegates, including some 740 members of parliament from approximately 130 countries.
The presence of over 100 Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament underscored the increasing recognition of parliamentary diplomacy as a vital complement to traditional international relations, especially at a time of significant geopolitical tensions.
Highlighting the importance of the event, the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, addressed the Assembly in a special plenary session.
Women MPs comprised over 37% of the parliamentarians at the Assembly, their highest representation at an IPU Assembly since 2022.
The Tashkent Declaration: A call for social development and justice
The global parliamentary community adopted the Tashkent Declaration on Parliamentary action for social development and justice, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts on social development to address ongoing and emerging challenges.
The declaration highlights that the global social development agenda, initiated 30 years ago, has only been partially realized. It calls for a policy reset to balance market demands with the needs of the people, focusing on three key areas:
investing in people to lift them from poverty to prosperity; democratizing the economy to benefit those who historically have been deprived of their fair share, particularly women and youth; and strengthening institutions, including through broad participation in the regulation of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Parliaments are urged to develop national plans for social development and engage in debates ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar in November 2025.
Gender equality takes centre stage
The IPU celebrated 40 years of its Forum for Women Parliamentarians, a unique platform driving significant advancements in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Against the backdrop of challenges to women’s rights and the stagnation of female parliamentary representation at 27.2%, the IPU launched its new gender campaign for 2025, Achieving gender equality: Action by action.
The campaign aims to mobilize the global parliamentary community to accelerate progress in achieving gender equality in politics and society.
Other outcomes and meetings
The Assembly adopted two critical resolutions:
The role of parliaments in advancing a two-State solution in Palestine: This resolution emphasizes the role of parliaments in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international law. It calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the lifting of blockades, and the release of hostages, as well as urging support for humanitarian efforts and compliance with international law. It also urges parliaments to use their legislative powers to reinforce support for a two-State solution, ensuring the recognition of both Israel and Palestine as independent sovereign States.
Parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-lasting impact of conflicts, including armed conflicts, on sustainable development: This resolution addresses how conflicts hinder progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the role of parliaments in mitigating the negative effects of conflicts, promoting peace, and ensuring the protection of infrastructure and humanitarian principles. The resolution stresses the importance of human rights, environmental considerations, and inclusive governance in post-conflict reconstruction.
The Assembly also featured sessions on various topics, including the role of the BRICS in international relations, tackling weapons of mass destruction, preventing illegal adoptions, addressing the effects of armed conflict on children, advocating for climate action and reducing methane emissions.
Elections
Several new nominations and elections were also announced, including Ms. Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka (Poland) as IPU Vice-President, Ms. Noor Abugoush (Jordan) as President of the Bureau of Young Parliamentarians, and a second term for Ms. Cynthia López Castro (Mexico) as President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians.
Quotes
President of the 150th IPU Assembly and Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, said: “This Assembly underscores Uzbekistan’s parliamentary leadership on the international stage and reflects confidence in the country’s reform agenda. The Tashkent Declaration will serve as a roadmap for global social progress and justice.”
IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson, said: “From the get-go, this Assembly has carried a sense of significance with the commemoration of the 150 occasions where the world’s parliamentarians have come together. This Organization has stood the test of time. But I would also like to say that our mission remains of profound importance, perhaps more so today than ever before. The world needs parliamentary diplomacy. We look forward to the next 150 IPU Assemblies, and to the generations they will serve.”
IPU Secretary General, Mr. Martin Chungong, said: “Many delegates have pointed out that they come to IPU Assemblies not just to hear views that chime with their own, but to hear all sides of the argument. To be challenged, to break free of their echo chambers, to look at the world through different eyes. And although parliamentarians may not always agree, they are still enriched by what they have learned along the way thanks to the IPU.”
The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 182 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 09, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and other Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately reinstate Title X family planning funding in 23 states after the agency began withholding grants that support basic health care for approximately one million people.
“We are alarmed at the Trump administration’s attacks against providers that enable access to health care for low-income and uninsured people,” the Senators wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We urge you to swiftly reinstate funding to avoid extended gaps in service for vulnerable communities who rely on Title X funded health centers and programs.”
Title X is the nation’s only dedicated source of federal funding for family planning. In 2023, the program supported health care services for 2.8 million people at nearly 4,000 clinics across all 50 states and U.S. territories. These clinics provide cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment, contraception and pregnancy-related care—regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. On April 1, the Trump Administration began withholding all, most, or a substantial portion of Title X funds across 23 states, including Illinois. The move threatens 23 percent of the entire Title X network.
“These interruptions will be widely felt in our communities and exacerbate the country’s maternal health crisis,” the Senators wrote. “By withholding critical appropriated funds, you are impeding access to essential health care services in rural and underserved areas, risking providers closing their doors, and jeopardizing working families’ lives and livelihoods.”
The Senators demanded the administration reverse course before more irreparable harm is done.
California, Hawai‘i, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana and Utah are currently receiving no family planning dollars. Meanwhile, Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia are experiencing reduced access to Title X-funded services.
Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Schatz, Smith, Schiff and Hirono, the letter was also co-signed by U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy:
We write with great concern regarding the withholding of Title X family planning funding, impacting approximately one million patients in 23 states. We are alarmed at the Trump administration’s attacks against providers that enable access to health care for low-income and uninsured people. We urge you to swiftly reinstate funding to avoid extended gaps in service for vulnerable communities who rely on Title X funded health centers and programs.
For the past 55 years, Title X has served as the nation’s only dedicated, federally-funded family planning program. It provides lifelines to essential health care, including cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive services and supplies, pregnancy testing, and more. Importantly, Title X providers offer care to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. In fact, 60 percent of patients seeking care at Title X funded health centers have incomes below 101 percent of the federal poverty level and receive care at no cost. Altogether, in 2023, Title X supported health care services for 2.8 million patients at 3,853 health centers across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Freezing Title X funds puts millions at risk of losing basic health services and screenings. A 2024 report from the HHS Office of Population Affairs determined that there “remains a significant need for publicly funded programs to provide free or subsidized sexual and reproductive health [SRH] services.”
Despite its vast impact, on April 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began withholding all, most, or a substantial portion of Title X funding in 23 states, and all other grantees received partial awards. These states span from coast to coast and the non-contiguous states, covering nearly a quarter of the nation’s Title X network. You have entirely cut access to Title X family planning services for California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Utah; and your agency is making significant cuts to Title-X funded services in Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. All other grantees have received partial funding which significantly constrains planned staffing and service delivery this performance year.
The notifications were premised on specious arguments and contain unreasonable deadlines given the hundreds of health centers that must be surveyed in order to respond to this politically motivated inquiry. Though the administration has explicitly targeted specific providers like Planned Parenthood affiliates, it also included a varied group of nonprofit state and regional grantees.
These interruptions will be widely felt in our communities and exacerbate the country’s maternal health crisis, particularly in the context of health center closures and restrictive state policies that impact access to reproductive care. By withholding critical appropriated funds, you are impeding access to essential health care services in rural and underserved areas, risking providers closing their doors, and jeopardizing working families’ lives and livelihoods. We request that you expeditiously release funding to Title X grantees in the 23 impacted states before you cause irreparable harm.
Sincerely,
-30-
Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), along with U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), led a group of 29 senators urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately reinstate Title X family planning funding in 23 states, including Hawai‘i, after the agency began withholding grants that support basic health care for approximately one million people.
“We are alarmed at the Trump administration’s attacks against providers that enable access to health care for low-income and uninsured people,” the senators wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We urge you to swiftly reinstate funding to avoid extended gaps in service for vulnerable communities who rely on Title X funded health centers and programs.”
Title X is the nation’s only dedicated source of federal funding for family planning. In 2023, the program supported health care services for 2.8 million people at nearly 4,000 clinics across all 50 states and U.S. territories. These clinics provide cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment, contraception, and pregnancy-related care—regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
On April 1, the Trump administration began withholding all, most, or a substantial portion of Title X funds across 23 states, including all funds to Hawai‘i. The move threatens 23 percent of the entire Title X network.
“These interruptions will be widely felt in our communities and exacerbate the country’s maternal health crisis,” the senators wrote. “By withholding critical appropriated funds, you are impeding access to essential health care services in rural and underserved areas, risking providers closing their doors, and jeopardizing working families’ lives and livelihoods.”
California, Hawai‘i, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Utah are currently receiving no family planning dollars; while Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia are experiencing reduced access to Title X-funded services.
In protest of this lawless Trump administration policy and many more like it, Schatz has placed a hold on the confirmation of more than 300 Trump nominees, including the nominee for HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, Brian Christine, who would oversee Title X.
In addition to Schatz, Smith, Schiff, and Hirono the letter was also signed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).
The full text of the letter can be found below and is available here.
Dear Secretary Kennedy:
We write with great concern regarding the withholding of Title X family planning funding, impacting approximately one million patients in 23 states. We are alarmed at the Trump administration’s attacks against providers that enable access to health care for low-income and uninsured people. We urge you to swiftly reinstate funding to avoid extended gaps in service for vulnerable communities who rely on Title X funded health centers and programs.
For the past 55 years, Title X has served as the nation’s only dedicated, federally-funded family planning program. It provides lifelines to essential health care, including cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive services and supplies, pregnancy testing, and more. Importantly, Title X providers offer care to all people, regardless of their ability to pay. In fact, 60 percent of patients seeking care at Title X funded health centers have incomes below 101 percent of the federal poverty level and receive care at no cost. Altogether, in 2023, Title X supported health care services for 2.8 million patients at 3,853 health centers across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Freezing Title X funds puts millions at risk of losing basic health services and screenings. A 2024 report from the HHS Office of Population Affairs determined that there “remains a significant need for publicly funded programs to provide free or subsidized sexual and reproductive health [SRH] services.”
Despite its vast impact, on April 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began withholding all, most, or a substantial portion of Title X funding in 23 states, and all other grantees received partial awards. These states span from coast to coast and the non-contiguous states, covering nearly a quarter of the nation’s Title X network. You have entirely cut access to Title X family planning services for California, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Utah; and your agency is making significant cuts to Title-X funded services in Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. All other grantees have received partial funding which significantly constrains planned staffing and service delivery this performance year.
The notifications were premised on specious arguments and contain unreasonable deadlines given the hundreds of health centers that must be surveyed in order to respond to this politically motivated inquiry. Though the administration has explicitly targeted specific providers like Planned Parenthood affiliates, it also included a varied group of nonprofit state and regional grantees.
These interruptions will be widely felt in our communities and exacerbate the country’s maternal health crisis, particularly in the context of health center closures and restrictive state policies that impact access to reproductive care. By withholding critical appropriated funds, you are impeding access to essential health care services in rural and underserved areas, risking providers closing their doors, and jeopardizing working families’ lives and livelihoods. We request that you expeditiously release funding to Title X grantees in the 23 impacted states before you cause irreparable harm.
Question for written answer E-001350/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE)
According to the Commission, the presence of European companies ensures development and creates jobs, all the while respecting human rights, including environmental rights. According to a report submitted by PBI and Oidhaco on Buenaventura (Department of Valle del Cauca), this does not really seem to be the case. Rather, the situation in Buenaventura seems to be defined by discrimination, violence and racism. It is one of the most violent cities in the country and the level of extortion by illegal armed groups is widespread, affecting all businesses. Multidimensional poverty indices are twice as high as the national average. That said, there are many undertakings operating there (ports, logistics, road construction).
1.What concrete actions is the Commission taking to ensure that companies operating there do not directly or indirectly, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, benefit from this context of systematic violence – or have done so in the past?
2.To what extent have the communities affected by the social and environmental impacts of these businesses been involved in the Commissions monitoring activities regarding the actions of European undertakings?
3.How can the European Commission, in the face of situations such as this, propose a directive that weakens the directives we have in terms of due diligence, corporate responsibility and taxonomy?
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a bold, coordinated, and community-driven approach to crime-fighting, describing policing in South Africa as being at a crossroads that demands urgent reform and collaboration from across all sectors of society.
The President was delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Policing Summit held in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday.
President Ramaphosa applauded the Ministry of Police for convening what he termed a “critical” gathering, which brings together government, civil society, business, interfaith groups, labour, and communities to reshape the country’s safety and security strategy.
“Safeguarding our nation’s safety and security requires that we are proactive, innovative and solution-oriented in our approach… Just as crime is an all-of-society problem, overcoming crime must be an all-of-society effort.
“In doing so, we must marshall our full support behind the hardworking men and women of the South African Police Service,” the President said.
The President said crime has a direct impact on the economy, as it discourages investment, disrupts business activity and leads to increased security costs for companies.
He noted that social ills such as poverty and inequality, unemployment, lack of opportunity, patriarchy and misogyny, and broken family structures are just some of the issues that contribute to crime and criminality.
“Addressing crime without understanding its root causes is like a doctor treating a patient for a fever without diagnosing the underlying illness.
“It is therefore encouraging that this summit has as one of its key objectives adopting a more holistic approach to law-enforcement, encompassing not just the police but the entire policing system,” the President said.
The President emphasised that policing must be grounded in the Batho Pele principles of service delivery, which include respect, empathy, accessibility, and accountability.
He said that the policing terrain of today is complex and multi-faceted and the police strive to fulfil their mandate in the context of emerging threats.
These threats, he said, include transnational organised crime, illegal mining, extortion syndicates, the theft of economic infrastructure, money laundering and terror financing.
“And yet, even in this extremely challenging environment, the South African Police Service continues to register successes in fighting crime in its various operations,” the president said.
Restoring public trust
The Presidentwarned that restoring public trust in the police is critical to winning the fight against crime.
“We need to improve the relationships between the police and the communities they serve. We need to work to improve the morale of SAPS members, many of whom are battling heavy workloads, insufficient resources and outdated systems.
“Even as the SAPS budget has increased over the past ten years, the reality is that the number of police personnel has been declining while the country’s population has been growing,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa stressed that policing cannot succeed without the active involvement of communities.
He called for a stronger role for Community Policing Forums (CPFs), citizen empowerment, and partnerships with the private sector, which has already played a crucial role in equipping victim support centres and bolstering frontline capacity.
“We know that communities are the most potent resource for fighting crime. Crimes happen in communities and criminals are often known to communities.
“From this summit we need a clear plan on how to better involve communities in crime prevention and detection, and on harnessing the potential of CPFs in line with relevant legislation and regulations,” he said.
The role of technology and data
The President welcomed and backed the focus of the summit on exploring the role of technology in modern policing, investigation and intelligence.
“We need to harness modern technologies to support crime-fighting. Technology is particularly crucial when analysing crime trends and patterns. It is also valuable in empowering citizens,” President Ramaphosa said.
He further advocated for applying a socio-economic lens to crime data to better tailor responses for example, by examining links between substance abuse and robbery, or alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.
“Data plays a pivotal role in policing and law-enforcement. And we need to apply a socio-economic lens when analysing such data. The data may tell us, for example, about a community with a high prevalence of housebreaking and robbery, in which substance abuse is also rife.
“Understanding the connections revealed by this data should inform the approach to policing in that community. There is ample data on the linkages between alcohol abuse and the prevalence of gender-based violence,” the President said.
He added that a holistic policing approach would, for example, need to involve working with local authorities to enforce municipal by-laws for establishments selling alcohol.
As part of facilitating access to SAPS services, the President said it is encouraging that discussions are planned for how to leverage innovative digital platforms such as mobile apps, online reporting systems and virtual communication channels to improve the public’s interaction with the police.
“To turn the tide against crime, we need better collaboration among the different agencies in the law-enforcement space,” he said.
The President further highlighted that there is a proliferation of organised crime in South Africa, including the manufacture of illicit drugs, kidnapping for ransom and money laundering.
He said this is taking place alongside a growth in illegal mining, extortion in the construction sector, and the theft of public infrastructure.
Addressing corruption
The President urged police to stay away from corrupt activities, stressing that corruption has infiltrated every part of society, including the SAPS.
He said while prosecuting corrupt officers is important, it is equally crucial to instil a culture of honesty and integrity within the police service.
The President emphasised the need to strengthen the fundamentals of policing through ethics, accountability, and professionalism.
He expressed hope that the summit would focus on promoting ethical conduct, restoring public trust in law enforcement, and upholding the rule of law.
Key initiatives include protecting whistleblowers, implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and improving recruitment and training to attract the right calibre of candidates to the SAPS.
“If the SAPS is to fulfil its crucial mandate, we have to emerge from these few days with a clear plan on how to address the systemic deficiencies that are negatively impacting policing.
“As a country we owe the SAPS our full support. As government we remain committed to turning the tide against crime and to making our communities safer.
“It is our hope that the recommendations emerging from this summit translate into deeper collaboration, more effective methods and a promising future for policing in South Africa,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has called on G20 member states to urgently address growing inequality and the erosion of labour income share, warning that these trends threaten global economic stability and social cohesion.
The Minister was delivering the keynote address at the second G20 Employment Working Group meeting in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
“The growing erosion of labour’s share of national income poses a significant threat to broader economic resilience and inclusivity goals by widening wealth disparities, weakening the social fabric, and limiting upward mobility. Addressing this trend is crucial for global progress,” the Minister said.
Meth emphasised that economic progress must not be measured solely by GDP or trade metrics, but by the ability to uplift vulnerable communities through decent work, fair wages, and inclusive opportunities.
She underscored the need to close gender gaps in employment and pay, describing it as both a moral imperative and a driver of innovation and prosperity.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture, where the global landscape is marked by increasing disparities threatening the fundamental principles upon which just and dignified societies are built.
“Millions of workers worldwide remain mired in precarious employment conditions, receiving stagnant wages and experiencing shrinking opportunities for social mobility. Policies and initiatives that aim to alleviate poverty and economic despair encounter resistance from those who prioritise narrow economic interests over workers’ inherent dignity and rights,” she said.
However, Meth said it must be clear that economic growth must not be evaluated solely through GDP metrics, trade balances or other numerical indicators. While such measures are important, she said, they cannot be the only barometers of success.
“Genuine progress must be evident in our collective commitment to uplift the most vulnerable of our society. The real test of our achievements is ensuring that economic expansion leads to substantive social justice, employment figures correspond to quality jobs with decent pay, and that work provides financial stability, dignity, fulfilment and security,” the Minister said.
She emphasised that at the core of the discussions was the principle that labour is not a commodity, workers are human beings with rights, not disposable economic inputs.
Meth stressed that an international system prioritising profit over people is unsustainable and unethical, calling for the rejection of transactional approaches that compromise fairness, equity, and dignity.
As the G20 President, South Africa remains steadfast in upholding the values of solidarity, equality and sustainability.
“These are not abstract ideals or rhetorical flourishes; they serve as the foundation upon which our policies, governance structures and international engagements are built. We categorically reject any notion that human suffering can be reduced to a mere footnote in pursuing political expediency or economic dominance,” she said.
Youth jobs and gender equality top of the labour agenda
The Minister said that the Employment Working Group was prioritising youth employment and women’s economic empowerment, with bold targets such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Goal to reduce global youth unemployment by 5% by 2030.
“This is not merely an employment target; it represents an investment in the future of our societies. We must actively create quality jobs, foster skills development and champion youth-led innovation to ensure young people have a place in the evolving labour market,” she said.
The group is also pushing to renew and expand commitments like the Brisbane-eThekwini Target to close gender gaps in labour force participation.
Minister Meth emphasised that workplace equality and youth inclusion are essential for sustainable growth, warning that the cost of inaction would be far greater than intervention.
Call for resilient labour policies amid global trade shifts
Minister Meth raised concern over disruptive global trade developments, warning they risk driving economic stagnation and widespread job losses, especially in developing countries.
She urged G20 like-minded G20 countries to rise to the occasion and forge resilient labour market policies that protect jobs, safeguard economic stability, and ensure that economies remain viable despite mounting global uncertainties.
“South Africa stands firm and shall not waver in pursuing fairness, inclusion and social justice. We will continue to advocate for decent work, robust labour protections and equitable economic opportunities for all.
“We will resist any effort, whether domestic or international, that seeks to undermine our sovereignty, our people’s dignity and the fundamental rights of workers,” she said.
The Minister told delegates to remain mindful that deliberations have profound real-world implications.
“The decisions we make today will shape the future of work for millions of people across the globe. Our efforts must not be confined to policy frameworks alone, but must translate into tangible, measurable improvements in people’s lives,” Meth said. – SAnews.gov.za
Government has officially opened applications for the highly anticipated R500 million support fund aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned Spaza Shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector.
Addressing the launch of the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF), Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said the fund will transform the spaza shop landscape by creating jobs, alleviating poverty, promoting economic inclusion and empowerment as well as stimulating local economic growth.
The fund provides for funding of up to R300 000 per shop through a combination of grants and low-interest loans.
It allocates funding specifically for initial stock purchases, infrastructure improvements, business development tools, and Point of Sale (POS) system adoption.
Through the fund, shop owners will be provided with assistance in meeting hygiene and regulatory standards to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality products.
“We are committed to ensuring that every spaza shop that benefits from this fund also gains access to the necessary health and safety training and resources. This holistic approach will help create workplaces that are not only economically vibrant but also secure and sustainable for the future,” the Minister said on Tuesday in Soweto.
He indicated that studies show that small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation in South Africa.
“By equipping spaza shop owners with financial support, infrastructure upgrades, and essential business training, we are setting the stage for sustainable job creation. This means more opportunities for local talent and a reduction in poverty levels, as spaza shops expand their roles as community hubs.
“Every spaza shop supported by this fund is an engine for local growth. When these businesses thrive, they create ripple effects that boost surrounding sectors—be it suppliers, service providers, or local artisans.
“This fund is a catalyst for economic dynamism, injecting energy and resources where they are most needed. It is an investment in our people, our neighbourhoods, and ultimately, the entire South African economy,” he explained.
The fund will be jointly administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA).
“We want a South Africa where economic opportunities are available to all, where the informal becomes formal, and where the entrepreneurial spirit of our townships becomes a driving force for national transformation.
“With this fund, we are taking a concrete step to formalise and empower the informal sector. By supporting spaza shops, we are enabling entrepreneurs, often women and young people, to participate fully in the economic process. “These small businesses generate employment, drive local commerce, and channel much-needed income into communities that have long been underserved,” Tau said.
In order to access the funding, applicants need to apply to the NEF and SEDFA through the prescribed application process outlined on the relevant institution’s website.
The following website can be used to apply for funding:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a “South African success story” as the institution marks 80 years since its establishment.
The President was delivering remarks at the institution’s headquarters following a tour of the facility on Tuesday afternoon.
“Over many decades, the CSIR has been [at the forefront]… of developing groundbreaking technologies and solutions that have profoundly shaped our country’s scientific and industrial progress.
“With the advent of democracy in 1994, the CSIR embarked on a trajectory of aligning itself with the values of our Constitution. The CSIR is a true treasure for our nation,” he said.
The President told the gathering that as the country – and the world – dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSIR stepped in to assist the country in fighting the virus.
During the pandemic, CSIR engineers produced some 18 000 ventilators, which were vital for the care of patients across the country.
It also developed a platform to track the impact of the pandemic, which assisted government to direct its response.
“At a moment of great crisis and danger, it was Minister [Blade] Nzimande who said let’s go to the CSIR, and indeed, we came rushing because you had already developed certain capabilities to help us deal with the crisis not only our country was facing.
“We came in a rush, and you distinguished yourselves as a truly capable facility and centre, and today you have displayed to me and us precisely what you true capabilities are. They range from… having the capability to develop missiles and aeroplanes, and cyber security systems,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President called on government to make more use of the CSIR’s capabilities to deliver on South Africa’s developmental mandate.
“In government, we don’t use… the CSIR enough. You are a government owned entity, and you do a great deal of work for others in other countries. We have used you, and you have demonstrated that you are more than capable.
“We are going to have a special Cabinet session where [the CSIR] comes and outlines… precisely what you do and also give us insights on how we can use you. I can’t think of a better way of State capability [building] other than through science, technology and innovation,” he said.
The President further emphasised the institution’s critical role in building State capacity.
“We are one of those countries where, at the advent of democracy, we deindustrialised. The manufacturing base in our country started receding and it is this that we now need to build back.
“[The CSIR] being the centre for industrial research, and who are so adept in a number of areas, can help us to address the challenges in relation to job creation, reducing poverty and also ensuring that there is inclusive growth,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
We cannot achieve sustainable development by leaving young people out of conversations: UK National Statement at the 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development
Statement by the UK Youth Delegate, at CPD 58.
Thank you Chair, Excellencies.
The United Kingdom remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and to working towards a world where every pregnancy is safe, where every child lives a healthy life, and where all people are empowered to make decisions about their bodies and their futures.
I celebrate that we are here today.
And I am proud to be here as a young woman from the UK, as part of the many youth delegates working alongside with their governments to create solutions and push for change.
I am encouraged by the participation of the young people here because we are making our voices and our needs heard.
We cannot achieve sustainable development by leaving young people out of conversations and decision-making that directly impacts us.
Today, I want to talk directly to you about the key issues young people are met with around the world.
Sadly, on every continent, including in Europe, groups that are hell-bent on rolling back rights and denying women and adolescents’ choices are sowing the seeds of division.
Women and girls are being met with barriers that keep them out of school, trapped in poverty cycles and in harmful relationships.
Adolescence is a critical time for young people’s health and development.
However, instead of getting the support they need, they are particularly at risk with girls being exposed to harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Adolescent mothers and their children bear increased risk of poor health outcomes but often face additional barriers to accessing quality support and services.
Restrictive laws and policies, parental or partner control, limited knowledge, distance and cost, all stop adolescents from getting the care they need to grow and develop in good health.
I’d like to also recognise the women and girls that are being left behind in humanitarian crises, dying unnecessarily in pregnancy, left unprotected and at a high risk of violence, and suffering the indignity of being unable to manage their period.
But what I’d like to say is that it does not have to be this way.
By strengthening health systems and improving the provision of quality and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to safe abortion and comprehensive sexuality education even in times of crisis, girls will have greater opportunities to access and thrive in their education.
Both boys and girls should learn about their rights, respectful relationships, safe sex, and how to stop violence before it begins.
Young people can take control over their bodies and their futures and make informed choices in all aspects of their lives.
Girls around the globe are already leading the way as changemakers, advocates and leaders.
The evidence is clear that when women, girls and other marginalised groups are empowered, they lift up whole families, communities and economies.
As recently said by the UN Secretary-General, when all girls can rise, we all thrive.
It is vital that we all work together, including with men and boys, to break the stigma and attitudes that hold women and girls back.
Each and every one of us here has our own powerful part to play, and together, we can really make a difference.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Delia Grace, Professor Food Safety Systems at the Natural Resources Institute (UK) and contributing scientist ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute
One of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions and puts billions at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income for some of the poorest and most remote communities in Africa and Asia, yet over-exploitation makes ecosystems unstable and threatens the destruction of endangered species.
In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven mostly by protein and meat scarcity (“the poor man’s meat”). In some regions, like east and south-east Asia, it can be found in restaurants, offered as high-priced exotic delicacies (“the rich man’s status”).
But consuming wild meat also poses great dangers and challenges. The global wild meat trade can drive biodiversity loss, fuel illegal markets and spread diseases. The wildlife trade and so-called wet markets, where wild animals and wild meat are often sold, are conducive to the emergence of diseases, such as Ebola and HIV, which can be transmitted from animals to people.
These issues are the focus of a recently released landmark study. It takes a new approach to analysing wild animal exploitation: it focuses on consumption and consumers rather than wild animals or hunting communities.
Most previous studies on wild meat have been by people who want to stop it, with a handful on its livelihood and nutrition benefits to poor people. Our study, with its focus on consumption, allows us to balance conservation, community development, animal welfare and plague prevention.
We are specialists in livestock and sustainable development and authors of the report. We worked for over a year to analyse and synthesise wild meat trade with a focus on hotspots in Africa and Asia.
We argue that, because the wild meat trade is here for the foreseeable future, policymakers and implementers should be looking at: better management of the global wild meat trade, reducing and managing the farming of wild animals, and providing alternatives to consumption of wild meat by poor people.
We must find a way to balance the benefits and risks of wild meat consumption in a way that protects human health, wildlife welfare, and our environment.
Importance of wild meat trade
Drawing on previous studies and a systematic literature review, our report found that the global trade in wild meat is extensive. Annual revenues range from US$1 billion in Africa to US$8-11 billion from illegal trade in south-east Asia to US$74 billion from wildlife farming in China.
The volume of wild meat consumed is also significant – and often much higher than that of livestock meat. On average, African foragers consume 38kg of wild meat and farmers 16kg per year. The average annual livestock meat consumption per person in Africa is about 16.7kg.
We found that in at least 60 countries wildlife and wild-caught fish contribute at least 20% of the animal protein in rural household diets. Where poverty is high, wildlife abundant, and affordable domesticated meat and access to markets scarce, many households turn to hunting wild animals.
Not being harvested sustainably
Unlike domesticated meat, which comes from just 20 or so animal species, the wild meat trade involves hundreds of species. In Africa about 500 species are hunted, in south-east Asia about 300.
Current rates of extraction of wild meat are unsustainable, except for some small and fast-reproducing species such as rodents. Ungulates (hoofed animals) generally tend to be the most frequently hunted, followed by large rodents and primates. Near human settlements, larger bodied animals have over time tended to be hunted out and replaced by smaller species (such as duikers and large rodents), which reproduce at faster rates and thus are more sustainably hunted.
The illegal trade in wild meat is increasingly moving online, with Asia as both a major supplier and consumer. Smuggling intensifies hunting pressure, as wildlife is harvested not only for local needs but also for global markets. There is some evidence of declining extraction rates due to over-hunting, resulting in “empty forests”. While bans can reduce hunting, they may also drive the trade underground.
Climate change is already driving an increase wild meat extraction by making it harder to grow plants and farm animals. Studies show that in some critical ecosystems, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, there are rapid declines in wildlife linked to climate change and land-use change.
Addressing the wild meat challenge
Moving away from wild meat practices in poorer countries presents a complex challenge.
Replacing wild protein sources with commercially raised livestock can be prohibitively expensive for low-income households and governments alike. Moreover, it’s estimated that increased livestock production to replace the loss of wild meat could increase deforestation and require some 124,000km² of additional agricultural land.
Some solutions do exist – but these depend on the context.
Where wild animal hunting is prevalent, such as the forest margins in Africa and Asia, alternative protein sources could reduce the demand for wild meat by providing sustainable and culturally accepted protein sources. Examples are cane rats, Nile tilapia and African catfish in west and central Africa, cavies (guinea pigs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bamboo rats in south-east Asia. High-reproducing “mini livestock”, such as rabbits, cane rats, cavies, capybara and giant African snails, can provide household meat in a relatively short period. However, attempts to promote alternative animals have met with little success. We suggest paying people not to hunt or subsidising alternative meat may be more effective and feasible.
Hundreds of thousands rely on hunting wild animals. Rather than criminalising hunters or trying to turn them into farmers in unsuitable lands, it may make more sense to pay them not to hunt by giving them free or subsidised livestock meat, which they may prefer.
Promoting disgust triggered by wild meat can be a promising channel, too, for changing consumption behaviours. Societies often, and sometimes quickly, shift from finding “different” meats appealing to finding them appalling. In the UK, for example, offal was eaten by the poor before becoming a fashion-food for the English gentry during the early modern period. Behavioural science can be harnessed to nudge these mind shifts in the right direction.
This study provides new insights into the wild meat trade. Deeply embedded in human culture, hunting wild animals is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, sustainable practices can balance human and ecosystem health and wildlife conservation, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.
– Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade – https://theconversation.com/wild-meat-is-eaten-by-millions-but-puts-billions-at-risk-how-to-manage-the-trade-252226
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Delia Grace, Professor Food Safety Systems at the Natural Resources Institute (UK) and contributing scientist ILRI, International Livestock Research Institute
One of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions and puts billions at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income for some of the poorest and most remote communities in Africa and Asia, yet over-exploitation makes ecosystems unstable and threatens the destruction of endangered species.
In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven mostly by protein and meat scarcity (“the poor man’s meat”). In some regions, like east and south-east Asia, it can be found in restaurants, offered as high-priced exotic delicacies (“the rich man’s status”).
But consuming wild meat also poses great dangers and challenges. The global wild meat trade can drive biodiversity loss, fuel illegal markets and spread diseases. The wildlife trade and so-called wet markets, where wild animals and wild meat are often sold, are conducive to the emergence of diseases, such as Ebola and HIV, which can be transmitted from animals to people.
These issues are the focus of a recently released landmark study. It takes a new approach to analysing wild animal exploitation: it focuses on consumption and consumers rather than wild animals or hunting communities.
Most previous studies on wild meat have been by people who want to stop it, with a handful on its livelihood and nutrition benefits to poor people. Our study, with its focus on consumption, allows us to balance conservation, community development, animal welfare and plague prevention.
We are specialists in livestock and sustainable development and authors of the report. We worked for over a year to analyse and synthesise wild meat trade with a focus on hotspots in Africa and Asia.
We argue that, because the wild meat trade is here for the foreseeable future, policymakers and implementers should be looking at: better management of the global wild meat trade, reducing and managing the farming of wild animals, and providing alternatives to consumption of wild meat by poor people.
We must find a way to balance the benefits and risks of wild meat consumption in a way that protects human health, wildlife welfare, and our environment.
Importance of wild meat trade
Drawing on previous studies and a systematic literature review, our report found that the global trade in wild meat is extensive. Annual revenues range from US$1 billion in Africa to US$8-11 billion from illegal trade in south-east Asia to US$74 billion from wildlife farming in China.
The volume of wild meat consumed is also significant – and often much higher than that of livestock meat. On average, African foragers consume 38kg of wild meat and farmers 16kg per year. The average annual livestock meat consumption per person in Africa is about 16.7kg.
We found that in at least 60 countries wildlife and wild-caught fish contribute at least 20% of the animal protein in rural household diets. Where poverty is high, wildlife abundant, and affordable domesticated meat and access to markets scarce, many households turn to hunting wild animals.
Not being harvested sustainably
Unlike domesticated meat, which comes from just 20 or so animal species, the wild meat trade involves hundreds of species. In Africa about 500 species are hunted, in south-east Asia about 300.
Current rates of extraction of wild meat are unsustainable, except for some small and fast-reproducing species such as rodents. Ungulates (hoofed animals) generally tend to be the most frequently hunted, followed by large rodents and primates. Near human settlements, larger bodied animals have over time tended to be hunted out and replaced by smaller species (such as duikers and large rodents), which reproduce at faster rates and thus are more sustainably hunted.
The illegal trade in wild meat is increasingly moving online, with Asia as both a major supplier and consumer. Smuggling intensifies hunting pressure, as wildlife is harvested not only for local needs but also for global markets. There is some evidence of declining extraction rates due to over-hunting, resulting in “empty forests”. While bans can reduce hunting, they may also drive the trade underground.
Climate change is already driving an increase wild meat extraction by making it harder to grow plants and farm animals. Studies show that in some critical ecosystems, such as the Serengeti in Tanzania, there are rapid declines in wildlife linked to climate change and land-use change.
Addressing the wild meat challenge
Moving away from wild meat practices in poorer countries presents a complex challenge.
Replacing wild protein sources with commercially raised livestock can be prohibitively expensive for low-income households and governments alike. Moreover, it’s estimated that increased livestock production to replace the loss of wild meat could increase deforestation and require some 124,000km² of additional agricultural land.
Some solutions do exist – but these depend on the context.
Where wild animal hunting is prevalent, such as the forest margins in Africa and Asia, alternative protein sources could reduce the demand for wild meat by providing sustainable and culturally accepted protein sources. Examples are cane rats, Nile tilapia and African catfish in west and central Africa, cavies (guinea pigs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bamboo rats in south-east Asia. High-reproducing “mini livestock”, such as rabbits, cane rats, cavies, capybara and giant African snails, can provide household meat in a relatively short period. However, attempts to promote alternative animals have met with little success. We suggest paying people not to hunt or subsidising alternative meat may be more effective and feasible.
Hundreds of thousands rely on hunting wild animals. Rather than criminalising hunters or trying to turn them into farmers in unsuitable lands, it may make more sense to pay them not to hunt by giving them free or subsidised livestock meat, which they may prefer.
Promoting disgust triggered by wild meat can be a promising channel, too, for changing consumption behaviours. Societies often, and sometimes quickly, shift from finding “different” meats appealing to finding them appalling. In the UK, for example, offal was eaten by the poor before becoming a fashion-food for the English gentry during the early modern period. Behavioural science can be harnessed to nudge these mind shifts in the right direction.
This study provides new insights into the wild meat trade. Deeply embedded in human culture, hunting wild animals is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. However, sustainable practices can balance human and ecosystem health and wildlife conservation, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ali Bilgic, Professor of International Relations and Middle East Politics, Loughborough University
The announcement of planned talks between the US and Iran in Oman signifies a crucial development – especially given the history of distrust and animosity that has characterised their interactions.
There remains a degree of confusion as to whether the negotiations over Iran’s development of a nuclear capacity will be direct or indirect. The US has said that its Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. Donald Trump has publicly stated that Iran will be in “great danger” if the negotiations fail.
Iran meanwhile has said that talks will be conducted through an intermediary. Araghchi commented that: “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.”
This seeming clash in messaging before the talks have even begun is not the greatest omen for their success, even with the threat of US or Israeli military action hovering over Iran. Representatives from Iran, China and Russia are reported to have met in Moscow on April 8.
China’s foreign ministry released a statement reminding the world that it was the US “which unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA [the 2015 nuclear deal or joint comprehensive plan of action] and caused the current situation”. It stressed the need for Washington to “show political sincerity, act in the spirit of mutual respect, engage in dialogue and consultation, and stop the threat of force and maximum pressure”.
This followed messaging from Washington which very much focused on the possibility of force and maximum pressure. Speaking to the press after meeting the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump struck a very aggressive note, saying: “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and if the talks aren’t successful, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran if that’s the case.”
The US president’s much discussed transactional approach to diplomacy – as represented at the talks by Witkoff, a former real-estate developer – is likely be pivotal to how negotiations proceed. Trump’s geopolitical ambitions in the Middle East focus on expanding the Abraham accords. These agreements focused on normalising relations between Israel and various Arab countries – including UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
The signing of the accords in 2020 were seen as a key foreign policy achievement of Trump’s first administration, particularly in terms of America’s desire to counter Iran in the region.
The US is now actively working to bring Saudi Arabia into the fold. In that respect, recognising that Riyadh’s participation would mark a transformative shift in regional geopolitics. Additionally, Trump aims to leverage trade agreements and major investment initiatives to create economic dependencies that encourage diplomatic normalisation.
Iran, meanwhile, faces severe economic difficulties. The country’s economy is in a state of crisis, with high inflation, a depreciating currency and widespread poverty. These conditions have been worsened by international sanctions and domestic policy failures. As a result, Iran is in dire need of economic concessions, which could be a significant point of leverage for the US.
Tehran’s geopolitical clout has weakened considerably over the past 18 months. Military setbacks in 2024 – including the loss of key allies and leaders in groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah – have diminished Iran’s ability to project power in its region.
This weakened position will affect Iran’s negotiating stance. It could make it more likely that Iran’s negotiators might seek economic relief and diplomatic solutions rather than pursuing aggressive policies. But pressure from hardliners within Iran could push the country towards a more radical approach if concessions are not forthcoming.
Rocky road ahead
A major issue affecting the talks is the low level of trust between the two parties. The US’s involvement in the Gaza conflict – including Trump’s controversial proposal to clear Gaza of Palestinians to make way for possible redevelopment – has further strained relations. So has the recent US campaign against the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Further threats of this kind are likely to be seen by Iran as aggressive and coercive – and Trump’s latest rhetoric won’t have helped. This will inevitably undermine the prospects for trust between the parties.
Iranian parliamentarians on the prospect of nuclear talks with the US.
Iran’s scepticism is rooted in past experiences where promises of economic relief were not fulfilled. Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 is a case in point. This perceived breach of trust has made Iran cautious about entering into new agreements without concrete assurances.
The regional context adds another layer of complexity to the talks. American support for Israel’s actions in Gaza is likely to complicate matters. The populations of most Gulf states are fully supportive of Palestinian self-determination and are scandalised at the way the US president has seemingly given the green light to Israel’s breach of the ceasefire and resumption of hostilities.
Iran’s internal politics are also likely to play an important role in shaping its approach to the negotiations. The country is experiencing significant political polarisation between the “hardliners”, spearheaded by the supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and the “reformists”, who are relatively more conciliatory towards the US and Europe. Following the surprise election of Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, last year, hopes that Iran would be open to negotiations with Washington quickly faltered when he realigned his position with Khamenei’s.
In March 2025, he lost two important reformists in the cabinet, the economy minister, Abdolnaser Hemmati, and vice-president, Mohammad Javad Zarif, forced out by the hardliner-dominated parliament. This factional politicking will complicate Iran’s ability to present a unified front in negotiations — and this could represent significant leverage for the US. But it also strengthens hardliners to make demands that are unacceptable to the US.
Ali Bilgic does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
We set out to better understand how to support workers who care for our youngest and most vulnerable children.
Workers who provide care for children under 5, such as teachers, administrative leaders and support staff, play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation. But research suggests they are underpaid, overburdened and have limited resources.
Research shows that chronic underfunding of early childhood education programs, coupled with the inherent stressors of the job, leads to burnout and turnover.
We are clinical associate and research assistant professors of public health at the Colorado School of Public Health. We have researched the early childhood education community in Colorado for more than 15 years. Our team is currently one of six federally funded national research teams investigating the well-being of this workforce and creating strategies to prevent burnout and turnover.
Researchers have found that early childhood educators in the U.S. experience higher rates of chronic health conditions as compared with national samples of workers with comparable income, education and other characteristics. These conditions include severe headaches, lower back pain, obesity and diabetes, as well as mental health conditions, including depression.
A higher percentage of our rural sample in southeast Colorado reported lower family incomes and lower levels of education. This would suggest that early childhood education staff in rural settings may experience higher levels of stress because of increased economic hardships.
However, on average, our rural sample had a lower level of emotional exhaustion, which is a key indicator of burnout, than our urban sample.
Rural settings tend to foster close-knit relationships, strong social support networks and a slower-paced work environment than urban settings. These social situations could be why workers in rural areas report lower levels of emotional exhaustion. Alternatively, in urban settings, educators may experience larger class sizes and more stringent licensing and training standards, which could translate to increased stress.
While workers in urban settings face higher rates of burnout, we also found that they had higher levels of hope, optimism, self-efficacy and resilience than those of rural child care workers. These positive feelings helped to decrease the effects of their high-stress work environments.
Our findings suggest a need to improve the work environment and provide caregivers with healthy coping strategies – especially urban Head Start staff.
The WELL program
To address the workplace needs we identified, we launched the Well-Being of the ECE Workforce in Low-Resourced Locations program, or WELL program. The program looks at workplace policies, culture and safety, plus a person’s health status, home life and community, to create a program that supports an individual’s well-being at work.
We partnered with five Head Start agencies to test Head Start well-being programs.
The Head Start staff we worked with across Colorado identified mindfulness, coping strategies and sleep as areas of need. We tailored WELL in response to their requests. WELL provides workplace training and supports related to these topics, texts weekly tips and strategies to promote well-being, and even helps sites design a relaxation lounge as a place for staff to unwind.
Our preliminary findings suggest that the majority of staff were satisfied with the WELL program, and participants reported increased confidence in practicing behaviors that promote their well-being, like mindfulness.
“[The WELL program] has helped me within the classroom, too,” said one study participant. “So when you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh! This child’s driving me crazy. I can’t deal with it!’ it’s like, ‘Just take a step back. It’s OK to take a break and ask somebody for help.’”
We also found that 77% felt that their early childhood education center supported participation in WELL. These findings, while preliminary, highlight the likelihood of this program to be successfully implemented in other early childhood education centers in Colorado.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following are the speaking notes of the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on welfare, poverty alleviation and children policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee today (April 9):
Chairman and Honourable Members,
In 2025-26, government recurrent spending on social welfare is estimated to be $130.4 billion, accounting for 22.2 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure of the year, first amongst all policy area groups. Compared with the revised estimate for 2024-25 of $118.7 billion, there is an increase of about $11.7 billion in recurrent spending on social welfare. The increase is about 9.8 per cent. Now, let me highlight how the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) will make use of these resources.
Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme)
The Financial Secretary has announced in the 2025-26 Budget the adjustments of the $2 Scheme. On the basis that the targeted beneficiaries remain unchanged, the Government will change the concessionary fare to “$2 flat rate cum 80 per cent discount”, which means that beneficiaries will continue to pay $2 for trips with full adult fare below or equal to $10. For trips with full adult fare above $10, the beneficiaries will have to pay the amount after 80 per cent discount of the full fare. Furthermore, the number of concessionary trips will also be limited to 240 per month. This fine-tuned proposal preserves our policy intent while striking a balance between enhancing the sustainability of the scheme and minimising the impacts to the beneficiaries. Our preliminary estimate at the time of the Budget announcement was that the “$2 flat rate cum 80 per cent discount” proposal would be implemented no later than September 2026. Upon liaison with the Octopus Cards Limited and public transport operators, the “$2 flat rate cum 80 per cent discount” proposal can be implemented in April 2026, which is around five months earlier than the original estimate. The amount of additional savings is about $260 million. As for the “concessionary trips limit” proposal, we expect that it will be implemented about one year after the implementation of the “$2 flat rate cum 80 per cent discount” proposal.
Elderly services
The recurrent government expenditure on elderly services this year is estimated to reach about $17 billion, representing an increase of about 50 per cent over about $11 billion five years ago (i.e. 2020-21).
The Government will continue to strengthen residential and community care services for the elderly. We will add 1 000 Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly (RCSV) and 1 000 Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly (CCSV) starting from the second quarter this year, so that the numbers of RCSV and CCSV will reach 6 000 and 12 000 respectively. The annual expenditure involved is about $1,710 million and $900 million respectively.
Cash assistance
This year’s Budget proposes to provide a one-off extra half-month allowance to eligible recipients of social security payments, which will incur an expenditure of about $2,988 million and is expected to benefit about 1.71 million persons. Similar arrangements will apply to recipients of the Working Family Allowance Scheme. It is expected that around 56 000 households will benefit from this initiative, incurring an expenditure of about $96 million.
Enhance support for persons with disabilities
Starting from the third quarter of this year, the Government will regularise the Pilot Project on Enhancing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to enhance services and training models in Sheltered Workshops and Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centres to build a better vocational rehabilitation and training ladder for persons with disabilities. This initiative involves an annual expenditure of about $100 million, and it is expected to benefit about 10 000 people.
The Government will set up 14 Integrated Community Rehabilitation Centres across the territory in phases to provide persons with disabilities who require medium to high-level care with flexible and integrated community support services through a case management approach. Moreover, 1 280 additional day community rehabilitation and home care service places will be provided for persons with severe disabilities. Additional annual expenditure involved is around $160 million.
In addition, in view of the remarkable effectiveness of peer support services for persons in mental recovery, the Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that peer support services will be expanded to other types of disabilities, with 90 additional peer supporter posts added in District Support Centres for Persons with Disabilities and Parents/Relatives Resource Centres. Annual expenditure involved is around $21 million.
Online youth emotional support platform
The Government will enhance the services of the five existing Cyber Youth Support Teams in the second quarter of 2025 by providing an online youth emotional support platform. Total additional expenditure involved is around $150 million.
District Services and Community Care Teams – Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers
The Government launched the District Services and Community Care Teams – Pilot Scheme on Supporting for Elderly and Carers in Tsuen Wan and Southern Districts in March last year. Care Teams were engaged to help identify households of singleton/doubleton elderly persons and carers of elderly persons/persons with disabilities in need, providing them with caring and support services. In light of the satisfactory results of the Pilot Scheme, the Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Scheme will be extended to across the territory in the second quarter of 2025, supporting elderly persons and carers in all 18 districts. This initiative involves an annual expenditure of about $111.9 million.
Rehabilitation services places
The Government is committed to building an inclusive society and supporting persons with disabilities in developing their physical, mental social capabilities to the fullest possible extent, and to promote their integration into the community. To this end, the Government is committed to increasing the number of rehabilitation (including day, residential and respite care) service places from about 37 300 in 2023-24 to about 39 900 by 2028-29 and providing about 1 040 additional day care, residential care and pre-school rehabilitation service places in 2025-26. These involve an annual expenditure of about $186 million.
Assist working families in childbearing
Over the three years starting from 2024, the Government is setting up 11 more aided standalone Child Care Centres (CCCs) in phases, increasing the number of CCCs from 15 to 26, and increasing the service places from about 1 000 to about 2 000. Four of the new CCCs have commenced service in 2024, providing a total of 344 service places. The Social Welfare Department (SWD) will also further enhance the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project by further increasing the number of service places from 2 000 to 2 500, with the estimated number of beneficiaries to be increased from 20 000 to 25 000.
Child protection
The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance will come into effect on January 20, 2026, creating a wider and more effective protection web for children. In this connection, the Government will provide an additional annual provision of $186 million to increase the number of emergency places for residential childcare service and strengthen professional support for child abuse victims and their families.
To strengthen the prevention of child abuse at its source, the Government will allocate an additional provision of $96.9 million from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for setting up four Community Parents and Children Centres on a pilot basis. The Centres will promote parent-child interaction through play-based services and instil positive parenting skills in parents, and render support for families with parenting needs. The four Community Parents and Children Centres will commence operation progressively starting from 2026.
Implementation of Productivity Enhancement Programme (PEP)
The Financial Secretary has announced in the 2025-26 Budget that the Government would step up the PEP. On the premise that the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and Social Security Allowance will not be affected, the rate of reduction of recurrent government expenditure will be increased from the original 1 per cent to 2 per cent in 2025-26. This arrangement will be extended for two more years to 2027-28. Taking into account the 1 per cent cut in 2024-25, the cumulative rate of reduction will be 7 per cent in total. After considering various factors and trying the best to redeploy internal resources, the LWB and the SWD rolled out four support measures to assist non-governmental organisations operating subvented welfare services (subvented NGOs) in implementing the PEP, including (i) shouldering part of the financial impact on subvented NGOs and exempting multiple items that are subject to reduction in expenditure; (ii) increasing subvented NGOs’ flexibility and certainty in utilising the reserves of Lump Sum Grant subvention; (iii) reducing the workload of handling cost apportionment; and (iv) enhancing Funding and Service Agreements.
I have met with heads of subvented NGOs immediately after the announcement of the Budget to explain the support measures. I would like to thank the senior management of the subvented NGOs for leading their staff to rise to the challenges, and for working with the Government in a concerted manner to make the best use of public resources to implement the PEP together and continue to provide quality services to the needy.
Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions.
Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English
At its meeting on 9 April 2025, the Federal Council approved a contribution of CHF 31.8 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CHF 2 million to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), thereby reaffirming Switzerland’s support for sustainable development, the fight against poverty and multilateralism. The UNDP and UNCDF play a key role in implementing the 2030 Agenda, supporting governments in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Home to over 2.2 billion city dwellers and many of the planet’s largest megacities, Asia and the Pacific is the world’s urban powerhouse. But the region also faces a number of challenges, with population growth slowing and key vulnerabilities, such as economic volatility, climate-related risks and social disparities, requiring integrated sustainable development strategies.
Ministers and other key stakeholders will gather this April at the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to underscore the critical role of regional cooperation in overcoming the challenges faced in cities and advocate shared approaches to realize the ambitions of the global development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.
Discussions at the session will also be guided by the theme study Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific which explores the future of urbanization, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, from megacities to smaller towns, and emphasizes the need for innovative governance models and sustainable development strategies to meet the region’s unique urban needs.
Various side events and an Urban Innovations Fair will also be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok throughout the week.
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has launched a new policy platform, Aotearoa Reimagined, which has been developed by engaging workers, community leaders and policy experts over the past year.
“Today we are announcing a transformative policy vision that reimagines our society and economy to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand works for the many, not just the few. We challenge political parties to make a strong commitment to working people by adopting these policies in the lead up to the next general election,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“Our country is heading in the wrong direction. We have a broken economy, rising inequality and poverty, soaring unemployment, and stagnating wages. The rich keep getting richer at the expense of ordinary people. We need to do things differently. It’s time for bold change.
“We’ve spent the last year listening to workers who have told us that they are angry at a system that doesn’t meet their needs or aspirations. They fear their children are facing a future of increasing hardship.
“Everyone deserves security, dignity, and to have enough to thrive. Changing the country’s trajectory is possible—we just need to make different choices. We have listened to working people and created a plan to build a society that works for everyone.
“Our plan would ensure everyone can have good, well-paid jobs underpinned by strong workers’ rights.
“It will deliver world-leading public health and education, a cradle-to-grave care and support system, modern infrastructure, warm dry, affordable homes, clean and publicly owned energy, and low-cost transport.
“The plan would ensure that Aotearoa meets its climate obligations and guarantees a just transition for the workers and communities who will bear the brunt of the climate crisis and technological change.
“We are also calling on politicians to reject the politics of division and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by implementing it in law and in our constitutional frameworks.
“We can fund the transformative change we desperately need by rebalancing the tax system, taxing capital gains and ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share.
“The union movement is challenging political parties to make this vision a reality and create an Aotearoa that works for the many, not just the few. It’s time for a new approach,” said Wagstaff.
A group of star-studded inspirational Kiwis, including rugby players, pop icons, and a climate activist are putting their names behind this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.
The stellar line up of ambassadors fronting the campaign this year includes singer Stan Walker; rugby legends Caleb Clarke and Wallace Sititi; Warriors rugby league star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak; singer/songwriter Paige Tapara; and climate advocate Brianna Fruean.
A rite of passage for young New Zealanders, the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge (13-15 June 2025), givesrangatahia platform to champion important causes, raise funds for those in need, and demonstrate the power their voice and actions can have around the world.
This year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is calling on youth togive up technology and go “offline for 40 Hours” to unplug, disconnect, and get together with their friends and whānau to raise funds to support children who are struggling to get enough food each day due to the impact of climate change in the Pacific.
Making a real difference for children in Solomon Islands
1 in 6 children in the Pacific region is living in severe child food poverty, leaving them at risk of hunger and malnutrition. As subsistence farmers, communities across the Pacific rely on fishing and farming for their food. However, in places like Solomon Islands, climate change means rising sea levels are flooding community gardens, killing crops and fishing is becoming harder.
The rising seas have forced nine-year-old Polyne’s family to move inland. The land they once called home is eroding and the soil is full of salt so their crops can’t grow. Every day is a struggle for her family to find enough food.
Our garden is important because this is where we get our food,” explains Polyne. “When the sea level rises, it destroys our food gardens. I’m so worried.”
The funds raised in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge will give communities like Polyne’s thetools and seeds to farm climate-smart crops; plant mangroves to protect land from rising seas andrestore fish populations; and provide sustainable food sources for future generations so that childrencan grow up healthy and strong in a changing climate.
Singer Stan Walker says he’s proud to be part of this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.
“As someone ofMāori, of Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Porou descent, this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge focus on the Pacific is close to my heart. I lived in the Cook Islands and served as their climate ambassador during my time there, andI have seen firsthand the effects of climate change. There is so much struggle happening in our own backyard. Our small Islands are at the frontline of this battle – fighting to protect their homes, their culture, and their traditional practices.”
Walker is calling on rangatahi to take part in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.
“Everybody has an opportunity to make their mark on this world. And what better way to make your mark than helping somebody else who is less fortunate than you. The more we come together, the better we can be. Join me and be a part of this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.”
Walker says, as a father of three, his own children have also spurred him to participate in the campaign.
“I couldn’t imagine my own children wanting or needing anything, which is why I want to use my voice and my platform for good to help to bring about tangible change so that all children in the Pacific and beyond can flourish in the world to live their full purpose. The decisions that we make don’t just affect us, they affect the children and their future.”
New to the campaign this year,World Vision 40 Hour Challenge ambassador, rising rugby star Wallace Sititi,is thrilled to be getting behind the campaign.
“It is such a privilege to be part of the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, which gets young New Zealanders on board to help other people around the world in need. Taking part in the challenge activities is a lot of fun – especially when you get your friends involved, too! I hope that everyone will be inspired to take part.”
Also new to the campaign this year,Warriors rugby league star Dallin Watene-Zelezniaksays:
‘I’m so honoured to be supporting the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, which will make a real, tangible difference to children in the Pacific who are struggling to get enough food to eat due to climate change. Giving up 40 hours of your time to go offline is small sacrifice that will have a powerful impact on the lives of children and the communities that they live in. I’d love to see as many rangatahi and their families as possible take part in this fun Challenge for a great cause.”
Grant Bayldon, National Director of World Vision New Zealand, says World Vision is honoured to have a team of inspirational and passionate ambassadors on board.
“We’re thrilled to have such an incredible line-up of ambassadors working with us to support children and families in Solomon Islands who are living in food poverty because rising seas are killing their crops.By working together, we can make an amazing and lifechanging impact on children and the communities they live in.”
Climate Ambassador Brianna Fruean says she’s passionate about any campaign that seeks to help children in the Pacific live better lives in the face of the climate crisis.
“One in six children in the region is living in severe food poverty due to the impact of climate change, leaving them at risk of hunger and malnutrition. Together, we can change that. Whether participating in the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge or giving a donation to those who are participating, every contribution counts.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Pair of Bills Would Address Pushout of Black Girls, Invest in Counselors and End Over-Policing of Public K-12 Schools
Ending PUSHOUT Act | Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act
WASHINGTON – Today, as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans attack public education, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) is leading her colleagues in reintroducing a pair of bills, the Ending PUSHOUT Act and Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would collectively end the discriminatory treatment of Black and brown students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities in schools, and invest in safe, nurturing learning environments for all students.
“Classrooms should be a place for students to learn, grow, and thrive – not be overpoliced and criminalized. With Republicans gutting public education and attacking vulnerable students, our bills would help protect our students by promoting trauma-informed policies and investing in counselors, nurses, social workers, and other trained professionals who actually make our schools safer,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m grateful to my House and Senate colleagues for their ongoing partnership and for the coalition of individuals and organizations from across the country who joined us in support of these bills. We must affirm the right for every student to learn in a setting free from fear.”
Rep. Pressley is joined by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in reintroducing the Ending PUSHOUT Act, which would end the punitive pushout of girls of color from schools.
“Over the last 25 years, more than $1 billion in federal funds have been used to put police officers in our nation’s schools without any evidence that this funding has improved school safety or student outcomes,” said Senator Booker. “Additionally, research shows that students of color, particularly girls, are often subjected to harsher and more frequent disciplinary action compared to their white counterparts. The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act and Ending PUSHOUT Act are critical bills that invest federal dollars in counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed personnel to support students so we can keep create safer academic environments for all students to thrive.”
“I want my granddaughter to learn, grow, and receive an education in an environment where she is loved and valued,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “But we know, both from the data and our own experience, that this is not always the case for Black girls. They are disproportionately likely to face severe punishment for similar behaviors compared to their white peers and we must take action to dismantle this systemic discrimination. The school-to-prison pipeline is real, and it has specifically harmed and targeted Black girls. I’m proud to support Rep. Pressley’s End PUSHOUT Act to put an end to this injustice, and foster a learning environment where every student, regardless of race, gender, or ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive.”
“It’s heartbreaking but not surprising that across the country, Black girls and Indigenous girls are still being pushed out of classrooms at staggering rates. Black students in Minnesota are eight times more likely to be suspended than white students. For Indigenous students, it’s ten times,” said Rep. Omar. “The Ending PUSHOUT Act is about creating school environments where girls of color feel safe, supported, and free to learn. I’m proud to stand with Congresswoman Pressley and Congresswoman Watson Coleman to say our girls deserve better and we’re going to fight for them.”
Rep. Pressley is joined by Congresswoman Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in introducing the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would invest in safe and nurturing school climates that support all students and end over-policing in our nation’s public K-12 schools.
“Every kid deserves to feel secure and supported in their classroom. But too often students, especially kids of color and students with disabilities, are arrested at school instead of getting the help that would actually address the root causes of their behavioral issues. While a number of school districts across the country have made progress by taking police out of classrooms and giving our kids the kind of support that we know leads to better results, other schools have gone back to old rules that just punish kids but don’t help them get back on track. This legislation would put more counselors and social workers in schools and make sure school districts have the resources they need to make classrooms safe for all students,” said Senator Murphy.
“Our children deserve to feel safe, supported, and seen in their schools, not criminalized for simply being kids. Schools have increasingly relied on policing to manage behavior in our classrooms, a practice that has disproportionately harmed Black, brown, LGBTQ+, and disabled students,” said Rep. Omar. “This bill moves us toward justice by directing resources toward counselors, social workers, and the support systems our students actually need to thrive. I’m proud to join my colleagues in fighting for a future where every child has the freedom to learn in an environment that uplifts their potential instead of policing their existence.”
“Schools should be a place our students feel safe and supported without fear of surveillance or punishment,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “Rather than increasing police presence in schools, the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would invest in trauma-informed counselors and social workers to create more positive learning environments. We should be bringing students in, not pushing them out—especially marginalized students disproportionately criminalized for normal childhood and adolescent behavior.”
Across the country, the education of Black and brown students is often disrupted as a result of discriminatory and punitive discipline policies that criminalize and push them out of school. In particular, Black girls are suspended, expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested on school campuses at disproportionately higher rates than white girls due to unfair dress code and hair policies and a lack of understanding of the historical, social, and economic inequities such as poverty, trauma, hunger, and violence that often impact student behavior. Overall, Black girls, girls of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities are disproportionately subjected to exclusionary school discipline policies such as suspension and expulsion, which can have long-term effects on the safety, wellbeing, and academic success of all students.
Additionally, research shows that the presence of mental and behavioral health personnel in schools, like counselors, social workers, and psychologists, improves educational outcomes for kids, specifically by improving attendance and graduation rates while lowering the rates of suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary incidents. Meanwhile, the presence of police in schools leads to an increase in arrests of students — disproportionately students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities — often for common misbehavior that a school could address without the involvement of law enforcement.
The Ending PUSHOUT Act will work to disrupt the school-to-confinement pathway by investing in safe and nurturing school environments for all students, especially girls of color. Specifically, the bill would:
Establish new federal grants to support states and schools that commit to ban unfair and discriminatory school discipline practices and improve school climate.
Protect Civil Rights Data Collection and strengthen the Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Establish a federal interagency taskforce to end school pushout and examine its disproportionate impact on girls of color.
The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would:
Prohibit the use of federal funds for maintaining police in schools: Since 1999, the federal government has spent more than $1 billion to increase the number of police in schools. However, evidence does not show this funding has improved student outcomes and school safety. This legislation would prohibit federal funds from being used to hire or maintain police in K-12 schools, diverting that funding toward other uses related to school safety within applicable grant programs.
Invest billions to help schools hire counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed support personnel necessary to create safe, supportive learning environments for all students: This legislation helps schools build safe and positive learning cultures by establishing a new $5 billion grant program to support the hiring of counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and other personnel. The grant would also help schools implement programs to improve school climate, such as school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports, as well as invest in trauma-informed services and professional development. As more schools move away from policies that criminalize students and push them out of school, this historic investment will ensure districts have the resources to provide students with the support they need to feel safe in school and thrive.
Last year, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro released a groundbreaking report they requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that across the United States, Black girls face disproportionately severe discipline compared to other girls and receive harsher punishments than their white peers for similar behaviors. These disparities are further exacerbated for Black girls with disabilities and Black girls that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Both bills are informed by Rep. Pressley’s People’s Justice Guarantee and is a continuation of her longstanding history of working to address issues of disparate school discipline and education inequities during her tenure on the Boston City Council.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – The last time the federal minimum wage was raised it was July of 2009 – Barack Obama had just been elected president, iPads hadn’t come out yet, and the world was experiencing a global recession. Since then, corporate profits have risen as has the costs of goods, but the federal minimum wage — which is supposed to ensure workers can afford the basic necessities — remains stuck at $7.25 an hour.
U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are looking to ensure American workers can earn a living wage, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality by raising the minimum wage to $17 by 2030 for all workers and gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.
Today, Reed and Whitehouse teamed up with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), to introduce the Raise the Wage Act. This bill would incrementally raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2030, benefiting an estimated 64,000 Rhode Islanders.
Rhode Island is among 30 states and the District of Columbia that have enacted higher wage floors. Currently, the minimum wage in Rhode Island is $15 an hour. Servers in the restaurant industry and other hospitality workers who derive a large portion of income from tips have had their hourly wages capped at $3.89 since 2017.
Last year, nearly one in four workers in the U.S. made less than $17 per hour. The Raise the Wage will raise the federal minimum wage to $17 over five years, eliminate the tipped subminimum wage over seven years, eliminate the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities over five years, and eliminate the subminimum wage for youth workers over seven years. According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), passing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would provide raises to over 22.2 million workers across the country by 2030.
If the federal minimum wage had increased with worker productivity over the last 57 years, it would be over $23 an hour today, not $7.25 an hour, which translates to a full-time salary of about $15,000 per year.
“The $7.25 an hour minimum wage is a starvation wage. It must be raised to a living wage – at least $17 an hour,” Senator Sanders said. “In the year 2025, a job should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it. At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we can no longer tolerate millions of workers trying to survive on just $10 or $12 an hour. Congress can no longer ignore the needs of the working class of this country. The time to act is now.”
“The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 for too long. No one in today’s economy can make ends meet working for such meager pay. Rhode Islanders deserve a raise and workers deserve to be fairly compensated. Right now, those making minimum wage can’t afford housing, food, and transportation so taxpayers end up subsidizing employers that pay so little. When all businesses have to operate on a level playing field with fair pay it helps prevent costly turnover and re-training of workers. The Raise the Wage Act would help strengthen families, businesses, and our economy,” said Senator Reed.
“As rising costs squeeze families across Rhode Island, it’s well past time to increase the federal minimum wage,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our legislation will help more Americans get a foothold in the middle class by paying them a livable wage.”
Today, the value of the current federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour – is the lowest it has been since 1956 and has declined by over 32 percent since it was last increased in 2009. While approximately four million tipped workers in the U.S. depend on tips for as much as half of their income or more, the tipped sub-minimum wage has remained stagnant at just $2.13 per hour since 1991. The current median wage for at least 37,000 workers with disabilities is just $3.50 per hour.
Meanwhile, across every state in the country, a living wage for a worker in a family with two working adults and one child is greater than $17 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator. Many of these low-wage workers face persistent economic insecurity, struggling to put food on the table and afford basic necessities, including housing, health care, and childcare. Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately feel the burden of these low wages as compared to their white counterparts, and that disparity is even worse for women of color. Nearly 40 percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Black women make less than $17 per hour.
Joining Sanders, Reed, and Whitehouse on this legislation are U.S. Senators: Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-A), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
More than 85 organizations endorsed the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, including: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Equal Pay Today, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Education Association (NEA), National Employment Law Project (NELP), The National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, UNITE HERE, United Autoworkers (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United for Respect, and United Steelworkers (USW).
Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In Windhoek (Namibia), Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District, Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation Yuri Trutnev discussed the development of bilateral trade and economic relations with the President of the Republic of Namibia Netumbo Nandi-Ndayitwa.
“We have worked well as a team within the intergovernmental commission. And we are also committed to continuing this work. We expect our friends to engage in the process of creating added value in Namibia, which will contribute to the development of the economy and the reduction of poverty in the country. The figures for trade and economic turnover, of course, do not correspond to the level of our political cooperation. We must achieve the equivalent of economic cooperation with political cooperation. We have a long history, and the ties between our countries are only getting stronger. I want to assure you that this direction will continue,” said Netumbo Nandi-Ndaytwa.
Yuri Trutnev congratulated Netumbo Nandi-Ndaytwa on his election as President of the Republic of Namibia, as well as as Chairman of the South West Africa People’s Organization party.
“We have worked together for many years in the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, created to strengthen the friendship between our peoples. I am sincerely grateful for our joint work. This work has produced results. The volume of bilateral trade and economic relations has doubled. But we have something to do next. Considering your attitude towards the Russian Federation, I very much hope that the friendship between the countries will develop. I want to assure you that I will do everything possible for this,” said Yuri Trutnev.
The prospects for implementing joint projects in the fields of industry, subsoil use and geological exploration, energy, agriculture, science and education were discussed.
“No matter what large Russian company Namibia works with, first and foremost it will work with the Government of the Russian Federation. This is a different level of responsibility. It is important for the Government of Russia to improve our relations and benefit both countries. Together with the state corporation Rosatom, one of the leading energy companies in the world, the Government of the Russian Federation is ready to continue negotiations on expanding the possibilities of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We are ready to consider other proposals for cooperation in the field of mining and processing of minerals, science and education. As a result of our work, the quota for the education of Namibian students in Russia has increased. The world is changing, and changing quickly. We are ready for these changes and are grateful to Namibia for maintaining a friendly attitude towards our country,” noted Yuri Trutnev.
The holding of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission, which is planned for Windhoek, was also discussed.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Addressing an audience of trade and investment professionals, DDG Ellard underscored the WTO’s importance in providing security and predictability for businesses worldwide. “The WTO has helped reduce the share of people living in extreme poverty from 40% in 1995 to under 11% in 2022,” she noted.
DDG Ellard highlighted that the WTO’s work extends well beyond tariffs. From streamlining customs procedures and promoting digital trade to enforcing intellectual property rights and ensuring food safety rules are based on science, the WTO provides a framework that underpins cross-border commerce for its 166 members.
DDG Ellard cautioned, however, that the system is under strain. The WTO Secretariat’s preliminary analysis suggests that recent tariff measures by the United States and others could lead to a contraction of global merchandise trade volumes of around 1% this year – a significant downward revision of nearly four percentage points from earlier projections.
At the same time, she stressed that the WTO remains relevant, noting that despite new trade measures, 74% of global trade still flows under WTO Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) terms. She emphasized that this demonstrates the multilateral system continues to function effectively and is worth preserving.
DDG Ellard called for a level-headed approach, underscoring the need for calm and cooperation in today’s turbulent environment. She urged members to use WTO tools, including its committees and the dispute settlement system, for addressing trade concerns.
“There is an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation to work through issues, including at the WTO,” DDG Ellard said, calling on businesses to advocate for the rules-based system.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)
April 08, 2025
New Data from Orlando HSN Reveals More than 40 Percent of Those Experiencing Homelessness Are Children and Seniors
ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement on Homeless Services Network’s (HSN) new report which has found that more than 40% of Central Florida’s homeless population are children and seniors, 55 years and older. The data comes from HSN’s annual point-in-time count, a census that takes place in communities across the country, which Congressman Frost participated in back in February.
This was the first Point-in-Time count to take place following Florida’s new state law banning public camping and public sleeping.
In a statement, Rep. Frost says:
“The latest report from Homeless Services Network revealing that 40% of our homeless population are children and seniors should alarm everyone. It’s unacceptable that in one of the richest countries in the world, thousands of children and seniors are sleeping on the street.
“This report comes at a time when Donald Trump and Elon Musk want to gut Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and food programs that our most vulnerable children and seniors count on to survive. For so many folks, these benefits are the difference between making rent and sleeping on the street. And while this Administration paves the way to make the rich richer, countless folks in Orlando and across the country have nowhere to sleep at night—and are even criminalized for it.
“We have to address the homelessness crisis in our region with the urgency it demands— and the answer isn’t criminalizing homelessness or taking away federal funds from organizations like the Homeless Services Network. It’s finding and investing in solutions that lift people out of poverty and ensuring everyone has the dignity of having a safe place to call home.”
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, April 8 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, alongside 32 colleagues in the Senate, 142 in the House of Representatives, and with the support of 85 organizations from across the country, today introduced the Raise the Wage Act. This bicameral legislation will ensure American workers make a living wage, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality by raising the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminating subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.
Early Saturday morning, Sanders forced a vote on an amendment to the Budget Resolution in the Senate calling for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $17 an hour over the next 5 years. Every Democrat voted for that amendment while every Republican but one opposed it.
Last year, nearly one in four workers in the U.S. made less than $17 per hour. The Raise the Wage will raise the federal minimum wage to $17 over five years, eliminate the tipped subminimum wage over seven years, eliminate the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities over five years, and eliminate the subminimum wage for youth workers over seven years. According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), passing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would provide raises to over 22 million workers across the country by 2030.
“The $7.25 an hour minimum wage is a starvation wage. It must be raised to a living wage – at least $17 an hour,” Sanders said. “In the year 2025, a job should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it. At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we can no longer tolerate millions of workers trying to survive on just $10 or $12 an hour. Congress can no longer ignore the needs of the working class of this country. The time to act is now.”
“No person working full-time in America should be living in poverty. The Raise the Wage Act will increase the pay and standard of living for nearly 22 million workers across this country. Raising the minimum wage is good for workers, good for business, and good for the economy. When we put money in the pockets of American workers, they will spend that money in their communities,” said Scott.
Raising the minimum wage to a living wage to a living wage is not a radical idea. In 2024, voters in Missouri and Alaska overwhelmingly voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In 2022, voters in Nebraska voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In 2020, Florida voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. As a result of inflation, $15 an hour a couple of years ago would be over $18 an hour today. Moreover, if the minimum wage had increased with worker productivity over the last 57 years, it would be over $23 an hour today, not $7.25 an hour.
Over the last 50 years, nearly $80 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90 percent of America to the top one percent. Today, the value of the current federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour – is the lowest it has been since 1956 and has declined by over 32 percent since it was last increased in 2009. While approximately four million tipped workers in the U.S. depend on tips for as much as half of their income or more, the tipped sub-minimum wage has remained stagnant at just $2.13 per hour since 1991. The current median wage for at least 37,000 workers with disabilities is just $3.50 per hour.
Meanwhile, across every state in the country, a living wage for a worker in a family with two working adults and one child is greater than $17 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator. Many of these low-wage workers face persistent economic insecurity, struggling to put food on the table and afford basic necessities, including housing, health care, and childcare.
Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately feel the burden of these low wages as compared to their white counterparts, and that disparity is even worse for women of color. Nearly 40 percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Black women make less than $17 per hour.
Joining Sanders on this legislation are Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
More than 85 organizations endorsed the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Equal Pay Today, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Education Association (NEA), National Employment Law Project (NELP), The National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, UNITE HERE, United Autoworkers (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United for Respect, and United Steelworkers (USW).
Sanders and Scott will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. today to introduce this legislation alongside workers from around the country. The press conference will be streamed on Sanders’ social media.
Standing with migrants, displaced peoples, and families
People move for many reasons. Some seek opportunity. Some chase dreams. But for many, leaving home isn’t a choice—it’s the only way to survive. When war, economic collapse, persecution, or disaster make staying impossible, people must go—because the alternative is not an option.
Migration isn’t new—and it most certainly isn’t political. It’s human. From the very beginning, movement has been an evolutionary survival instinct—our most fundamental response to crisis. When danger arises, when conditions collapse, when a place can no longer sustain life, we move. We always have.
Climate crises and disasters aren’t always the reason people move—but it can be a powerful force that pushes instability past the point of no return, taking existing crises—war, poverty, political collapse—and driving them to breaking points that no one can outrun. And despite the fear mongering, most displaced people don’t cross borders—they move internally, trying to rebuild in the only homeland they’ve ever known.
What happens next, how we choose to respond, defines who we are.
Do we embrace migration for what it is—not just an act of resilience and survival, but an unshakeable driving force behind our shared history, woven into the fabric of our humanity? Or do we meet it with walls, punishment, and division—turning away from the very instinct that has carried us forward and ensured our survival for centuries?
The crisis isn’t that people are moving—it’s that systems are failing
Movement in and of itself is not a crisis. The crisis is what forces people to leave. The crisis is unchecked corporate and political greed, governments and politicians that refuse to act, and policies that persecute and make it difficult for people to survive where they are.
The real emergency isn’t that people are seeking safety—it’s that all too often bad actors in power respond in turn with brute force, racism, and scapegoating—embracing militarized borders, mass criminalization, and willful abandonment over compassion, empathy, and humanity.
They view people and families seeking refuge as a tool to be leveraged—a talking point to exploit, a crisis to manufacture, a wedge to drive between us. And the only solutions they offer are those that best serve themselves.
While “strongmen” and authoritarians like to prop up false solutions like force and derence, we know those strategies don’t work and will never honor human dignity. They believe in division and control. We believe in humanity.
A future defined by who we choose to be
We at Greenpeace USA believe that we aren’t just facing a crisis of policy—we’re facing a crisis of humanity. This isn’t about numbers, borders, or economies. It’s about humanity—who we are, what we stand for, and how we choose to meet each other in times of need.
When people are forced from their homes, we have a choice: Do we turn away and pass our fellow brothers,sisters and siblings off as expendable? Or do we extend our arms, recognizing that their survival is tied to our own?
We believe fiercely in the latter. That means:
Making it possible for people to rebuild their lives after disaster, war, and economic collapse—wherever they are. Not just cleaning up after destruction, but ensuring people and families can stay, thrive, and build something new.
Defending the right to seek safety with dignity. Expanding pathways that reflect reality—because displacement isn’t just about climate change. It’s about collapsing economies, conflict, and persecution—worsened by a world in crisis. And whether we acknowledge it or not, these forces are already reshaping the very communities we live in.
Recognizing that welcoming people doesn’t just make us stronger—it makes us whole. Communities that open their doors don’t just offer refuge—they create belonging, rebuild what was lost, and prove that humanity is not bound by borders.
Holding accountable not just polluters, but every bad actor who fuels these intersecting crises and then turns around and profits from fear. The corporations, the politicians, the power players who weaponize and exploit the suffering of our fellow people to serve their own agendas.
Solidarity in action: We have spent a half century building a culture of solidarity, proactivity, and collective action, standing alongside our neighbors in the fight for justice and human rights. But we are not just bearing witness—we are catalyzing a counter-power, forging movements bold enough to challenge the corporations and institutions that put profit over people. Through deep relationships, courageous learning, and unwavering commitment, we are building something greater than resistance alone. We are creating organized, powerful movements that stand in solidarity—not just when crisis strikes, but every day, in every struggle.
People have always moved. We always will.
The only question is whether we will meet one another with scornfulness, walls, and punishment—or with compassion, courage, and humanity. History will remember the choices we make today.
Will we turn against our neighbors? Or will we build a future where all of us belong?
We know where we stand: with working people and our communities—not with the billionaires who exploit them. We are here to win justice, not just demand it. And together, we will.
Canadians are voting in a federal election on April 28, and questions about how to deal with the United States and make Canada’s economy more resilient are dominating public discourse.
The housing crisis, immigration policy and health-care system deficiencies are other top-of-mind concerns. But one issue we likely won’t hear much about from politicians is a trend that’s quietly shaping all of these issues: an aging population.
That means policymakers need to think more proactively about how they can transform Canada’s existing policies to address the needs of an aging population.
A new report we’ve published at the CSA Public Policy Centre outlines policy pathways for federal and provincial governments to consider as 2040 approaches.
It’s time for Canadians to reimagine where we live as we grow older, transform our understanding of health and health-care services and take a whole-of-society approach to advance cultural change around the experience of aging.
At the same time, significant investments will be needed for our already strained health-care system to meet the needs of older adults living with more chronic conditions. The average cost of delivering health care is about $12,000 per person per year for those over 65, compared to only $2,700 for those under 65.
Similarly, in the face of a years-long decline in the quality of Canada’s long-term care system and the preference of Canadians to age at home, a policy shift towards aging-in-place has become a priority.
However, this raises important questions about social isolation, accessibility of Canada’s built environment, suitability of housing options on the market as well as the availability and affordability of necessary services.
Recent polling shows that 95 per cent of Canadians over 45 believe that aging-in-place would maintain their independence, comfort and dignity. Yet only 12 per cent report having the funds available to receive adequate home care.
In the absence of thoughtful policy reform, there is potential for significant disparities in health outcomes, financial security and social inclusion among older adults in the years to come.
There is a perception that baby boomers are heading into a comfortable retirement with robust pensions and opportunities for leisure. While this may be the case for those who have accumulated or inherited wealth, others are facing the risk of poverty and homelessness.
Data indicates that around 30 per cent of people using shelters across Canada are aged 50 or older, with many others unsheltered, living outdoors or experiencing hidden homelessness.
With limited resources, governments will be challenged to meet the needs of older Canadians while ensuring younger Canadians can also thrive. Young Canadians are facing a housing market that feels out of reach and many are delaying the decision to start a family due to high costs of living.
Unlike the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which is targeted to low-income Canadians over the age of 65, households with an annual income more than $300,000 may still be eligible for OAS payments.
Similarly, vouchers could be made available to help Canadians pay for costs such as long-term care or home care services. Eligibility for programs like this should be tested against both income and wealth — access to home equity can be a significant factor in one’s ability to maintain their standard of living in retirement.
To ensure equitable outcomes, these decisions should also be guided by meaningful engagement with diverse voices around the table, including those from older and younger generations and different lived experiences. Intergenerational dialogue can help different age groups understand each other’s challenges, collaborate on solutions and ultimately work towards solidarity and a much-needed reimagination of what it means to grow older.
As Canadians prepare to head to the polls, we should all consider the future we want to see for ourselves and our communities as we age. Making strategic investments to improve the quality of life for older Canadians today will also lay the foundation for future generations.
Sunil Johal is the Vice-President, Public Policy with the CSA Group and leads the CSA Public Policy Centre.
Source: The White House
President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum imports are a big win for American workers and manufacturing — just like they were during President Trump’s first term.
“We’re in favor of the tariffs because we make everything in America. Our factories are in Baltimore, Indiana, and Michigan. We use American steel and American workers … Our challenge is that we’re competing against governments, like the Chinese government,” Drew Greenblatt, CEO of Baltimore-based Marlin Steel Wire Products, said on CBS Morning News. “If we have a fair and level playing field, our American factory workers will thrive and prosper. We can really pull people from poverty, bring them into the middle class.”
“Our goal is that we’re going to sell millions more dollars so we have to hire many more people. If we do that, we’re going to hire them at very good jobs with very good pay,” Greenblatt told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “There’s going to be an overwhelming surge of hiring in America as things level out, as American factories ramp up … This is a very exciting time for the American manufacturing worker.”
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacts with MUDRA Yojana beneficiaries Mudra Yojana is not limited to any specific group but aims to empower the youth to stand on their own feet: PM
Mudra Yojana has a transformative impact in fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance: PM
Mudra Yojana has brought a silent revolution with shift in the societal attitude about entrepreneurship: PM
Women are among the highest beneficiaries of Mudra scheme: PM
52 crore loans have been disbursed under the scheme, a monumental achievement unparalleled globally: PM
Posted On: 08 APR 2025 12:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with MUDRA Yojana beneficiaries on the occasion of completion of 10 years of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi today. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, emphasizing the cultural significance of welcoming guests and the sanctity their presence brings to a home. He invited participants to share their experiences. Shri Modi, interacting with a beneficiary who has turned a pet supplies, medicines, and services entrepreneur, highlighted the importance of expressing gratitude to those who believed in one’s potential during challenging times. He asked the beneficiary to invite the bank officials who had approved loans and showcase the progress made due to the loan. Shri Modi emphasized that such actions would not only acknowledge their trust but also inspire confidence in their decision to support individuals who dared to dream big. He further noted that demonstrating the outcomes of their support would undoubtedly make them feel proud of their contribution to fostering growth and success.
Speaking to Shri Gopi Krishna, an entrepreneur from Kerala, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana which enabled him to transition into a successful entrepreneur, focusing on renewable energy solutions for households and offices while creating job opportunities. The Prime Minister noted the beneficiary’s journey, after deciding to resign from his company in Dubai upon learning about the Mudra Loan. He noted that the solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar initiative were completed within two days. He also heard about the reactions of beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar initiative, noting that households in Kerala now enjoy free electricity despite challenges such as heavy rainfall and dense tree cover. Shri Krishna remarked that electricity bills, previously around ₹3,000, have now reduced to ₹240-₹250, while his monthly earnings have reached ₹2.5 lakh and above.
The Prime Minister further interacted with a female entrepreneur and the founder of House of Puchka from Raipur, Chattishgarh, who shared her inspiring journey from cooking at home to establishing a successful café business. She said that research into profit margins and food cost management played a crucial role in this entrepreneurial success. She further added that there is fear in the minds of the youth, stating that many prefer settling into jobs rather than taking risks. The Prime Minister in response, highlighted the importance of risk-taking capacity and shared that the founder of House of Puchka, at the age of 23, leveraged her ability to take risks and her time effectively to build her business. The beneficiary remarked on the discussions among friends from Raipur, the corporate world, and students, noting their curiosity and questions about entrepreneurship. She further highlighted the lack of awareness among youth regarding government schemes that provide funding without requiring collateral. She expressed gratitude that schemes like Mudra Loan and PMEGP Loan offer significant opportunities for those with potential and encouraged the youth to research these schemes and take bold steps, stating that the sky has no limits for those willing to grow and succeed.
Another beneficiary, Shri Mudassir Naqshbandi, the owner of Bake My Cake in Baramulla, Kashmir, shared his journey of transitioning from being a job seeker to a job creator, adding that he has provided stable employment to 42 individuals from remote areas of Baramulla. The Prime Minister enquired about his earnings before receiving MUDRA loan, to which Mudassir replied that his earnings were in thousands, but his entrepreneurial journey has now elevated him to earning in lakhs and crores. The Prime Minister acknowledged the widespread use of UPI in Mudassir’s business operations. He noted Mudassir’s observation that 90% of transactions are conducted through UPI, leaving only 10% of cash in hand.
The Prime Minister then heard the inspiring journey of Shri Suresh, who transitioned from a job in Vapi to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Silvassa. Suresh said that in 2022, he realized that a job alone would not suffice and decided to start his own business. He added that with my success, some friends are now considering applying for Mudra Loans to start their own ventures. The Prime Minister emphasized the ripple effect of such success stories in motivating others to take bold steps toward entrepreneurship.
A woman entrepreneur from Raebareli, expressed her gratitude for the support extended to MSMEs under his leadership. She remarked on the ease of obtaining licenses and funding, which were previously challenging, and pledged to contribute to building a developed India. The Prime Minister acknowledged her emotional testimony and noted her success in running a bakery business with a monthly turnover of ₹2.5 to ₹3 lakh, providing employment to seven to eight individuals.
Shri Lavkush Mehra from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, started his pharmaceutical business in 2021 with an initial loan of ₹5 lakh. Despite initial apprehensions, he expanded his loan to ₹9.5 lakh and achieved a turnover of over ₹50 lakh, up from ₹12 lakh in the first year. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Mudra Yojana is not limited to any specific group but aims to empower the youth to stand on their own feet. He remarked on Lavkush’s recent achievements, including purchasing a house worth ₹34 lakh and earning over ₹1.5 lakh per month, a significant leap from his previous job earning ₹60,000 to ₹70,000. The Prime Minister congratulated him and acknowledged the role of hard work in achieving success. He also urged the beneficiaries to further spread the word to people about the MUDRA loan and its benefits.
The Prime Minister then heard the inspiring journey of a young entrepreneur from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, who founded Aditya Lab at the age of 21. The entrepreneur, a final-year Mechatronics student, successfully utilized a ₹2 lakh Mudra Loan under the Kishor category to start a business in 3D printing, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, and robotics. The Prime Minister noted the entrepreneur’s dedication, balancing college on weekdays and business operations on weekends, earning ₹30,000 to ₹35,000 monthly while working remotely with support from family.
A woman entrepreneur from Manali shared her story of working in a vegetable market to running a successful business. She said that she started with a ₹2.5 lakh Mudra Loan in 2015-16, which she repaid within two and a half years. With subsequent loans of ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh, and ₹15 lakh, she expanded her business from a vegetable shop to a ration shop, achieving an annual income of ₹10 to ₹15 lakh. The Prime Minister commended their determination and the positive impact of the Mudra Yojana in empowering entrepreneurs across the country.
The Prime Minister further heard the inspiring journey of a woman entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, who transitioned from being a housewife to running a successful business in jute bags. She remarked that after receiving training at the Rural Self Employment Training Institute in 2019, she secured a ₹2 lakh Mudra Loan from Canara Bank without any collateral. The Prime Minister noted her determination and the bank’s trust in her potential. He acknowledged her dual role as a jute faculty member and entrepreneur, commending her efforts in empowering rural women through employment and skill development. The Prime Minister remarked on the transformative impact of the Mudra Yojana in fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Prime Minister highlighted the transformative impact of the Mudra Yojana on empowering citizens, particularly women, and fostering entrepreneurship across India. He emphasized how the scheme has provided financial support to individuals from marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to start their own businesses without requiring guarantees or extensive paperwork. Shri Modi remarked on the silent revolution brought about by Mudra Yojana, noting the significant shift in societal attitudes towards entrepreneurship. He underlined that the scheme has empowered women by not only offering financial assistance but also creating opportunities for them to lead and grow their businesses. He pointed out that women are among the highest beneficiaries of the scheme, leading in loan applications, approvals, and swift repayments.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the discipline instilled in individuals through responsible utilization of Mudra loans. He remarked that the scheme provides an opportunity to build lives and careers, while discouraging misuse of funds or unproductive efforts. The Prime Minister pointed out that ₹33 lakh crore has been disbursed to the citizens of India under the Mudra Yojana without the need for guarantees. He emphasized that this amount is unprecedented and surpasses any financial support extended to wealthy individuals collectively. He expressed his trust in the nation’s talented youth who have utilized the funds effectively to generate employment and stimulate the economy.
Shri Modi remarked that job creation through Mudra Yojana has significantly contributed to economic growth. He observed that the earnings of common citizens have increased, enabling them to improve their living standards and invest in education for their children. He acknowledged the societal benefits brought by the scheme.
Reflecting on the government’s commitment, the Prime Minister noted that unlike traditional approaches, his administration is actively seeking feedback after 10 years of the scheme’s implementation. He stressed the importance of reviewing the scheme’s progress by consulting beneficiaries and groups nationwide, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing necessary reforms for further success.
Highlighting the remarkable confidence displayed by the government in expanding the scope of Mudra loans, which initially ranged from ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, to now reaching ₹20 lakh, Shri Modi noted that this expansion reflects the trust placed in the entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities of India’s citizens, which has strengthened through the successful implementation of the scheme.
Emphasising the importance of encouraging others to leverage the Mudra Yojana and start their own ventures, Shri Modi urged individuals to inspire and support at least five to ten others, fostering confidence and self-reliance among them. He highlighted that 52 crore loans have been disbursed under the scheme, a monumental achievement unparalleled globally.
Recalling his tenure in Gujarat, Shri Modi mentioned the “Garib Kalyan Mela,” where motivational street plays inspired people to overcome poverty. He shared an anecdote about individuals surrendering their government benefits after achieving financial independence, showcasing their transformation. He narrated an inspiring story of a tribal group in Gujarat who, with a small loan, transitioned from performing traditional music to forming a professional band. This initiative not only improved their financial status but also highlighted how small efforts can lead to significant changes. He remarked that such stories of transformation inspire him and reflect the potential of collective efforts in nation-building.
Shri Modi reiterated his belief in the Mudra Yojana as a tool to study and address people’s aspirations and circumstances. He expressed confidence in the scheme’s success and urged beneficiaries to give back to society, emphasizing the satisfaction derived from contributing to the community.
The Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary was present during the interaction.
Mudra Yojana has given opportunities to countless people to showcase their entrepreneurial skills. Interacted with some of the beneficiaries of the scheme. Their journey is inspiring. #10YearsOfMUDRAhttps://t.co/QcoIK1VTki
Heavy rains that struck Mandalay and Sagaing – the epicenter of the recent earthquake in Myanmar – over the weekend have further complicated the humanitarian situation. The existing lack of sanitation and clean water is now increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, said Oxfam today.
Rajan Khosla, Oxfam in Myanmar Country Director, said:
“The recent heavy rains have added to the challenges faced by the survivors of this earthquake, further affecting those who are already struggling. Hundreds of thousands of people are seeking shelter in temporary accommodations or in open areas, with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation.”
The destruction of roads and bridges, together with the disruption in telecommunications have already slowed rescue and relief operations over the past week. Millions of people in hardest-hit areas remain with limited access to electricity, clean water and sanitation, and essential services.
The 7.7-magnitude quake – the worst to hit Myanmar in decades – has left a trail of devastation, particularly in the regions of Mandalay, Sagaing, parts of Shan, and Nay Pyi Taw.
The UN has estimated that the earthquake has affected more than 17 million people across 57 of the country’s 330 townships. Over 3,400 people have been announced dead and thousands more injured, and the number is still rising.
Oxfam’s team was among the first to reach the hardest-hit areas, providing lifesaving supplies to prevent the outbreak of disease, particularly acute watery diarrhea. Together with our partners, Oxfam is providing people in shelters with lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene kits, blankets, mosquito nets and other essential supplies.
Oxfam’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene expert in Mandalay, said:
“Heavy rains flooded drains, polluting the environment and increasing public health risks including diarrhoea due to flies and insects. Many camps lack proper latrines, forcing people to dispose of human waste without adequate sanitation.” He added, “there are significant hygiene challenges for the camp population, as food is cooked outdoors, making it difficult to prepare meals after rain. This increases the risk of contamination and the spread of diseases.”
Myanmar was already reeling from a severe humanitarian crisis, with almost 20 million people – a third of the population -needing humanitarian assistance. The situation is now catastrophic. But despite the scale of need, the country remains one of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian crises. Less than 40 percent of the UN Humanitarian appeal for Myanmar was met last year.
Rajan said: “This tragedy underscores the need for a coordinated international response and significant support to help Myanmar recover and rebuild. The road to recovery is long, and every contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of those impacted by this devastating earthquake,”
Oxfam is scaling up its response to reach the most vulnerable groups in hardest hit areas, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities.
Notes:
Oxfam in Myanmar has been working to support communities in Myanmar since 2008, following the devastating Cyclone Nargis in the Delta region. Since then, we have expanded our programmes with the aim of reducing poverty and suffering in Myanmar, working closely with communities and local partners.
Immediately after the earthquake, Oxfam has mobilised to deliver urgent relief to the hardest hit areas. Together with our partners, our teams have reached thousands of people, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing, with hygiene and dignity kits, as well as, cooked food, water, mosquito nets and blankets.