Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Massive cuts put more than 200 jobs at WA State Department of Health and other health partners at risk
Trump admin revoking funding will severely curtail WA & other states’ ability to respond to the measles outbreak, avian flu, and other infectious diseases in real time and threaten local work to combat mental health and opioid crises
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s sudden decision to cancel billions of dollars in already-awarded funding for states, Tribes, and localities to address public health threats, tackle the mental health crisis, connect people to substance abuse treatment, and more. Revoking this funding puts at least 200 jobs in Washington state immediately at risk.
“Senselessly ripping away this funding Congress provided will undermine our state’s ability to protect families from infectious diseases like measles and bird flu and to help people get the mental health care and substance use treatment they need—causing immediate harm for millions of real people and communities across America.
“The loss of more than $160 million in funding that has already been awarded to Washington state’s health department, Tribes, and other organizations could mean cuts to essential health services and layoffs of staff on the frontlines working to keep communities healthy, address public health threats and outbreaks, tackle the opioid epidemic and mental health crisis, and so much else.
“This is another destructive move by an administration intent on breaking government with no discernible strategy or plan—making our communities less safe in the process—and it should be immediately reversed.”
This week, the Trump administration cancelled over $11 billion in funding awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and roughly $1 billion in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding. The CDC cuts will severely harm Washington state and other states’ ability to respond to the measles outbreak, avian flu, and other infectious diseases in real time due to rescissions of funding for the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Program in particular.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received notices from the Trump administration immediately terminating—effective March 24th —more than $130 million in funding that supports critical public health systems including disease monitoring, reporting, and vaccine efforts for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. The funding also supports critical DOH IT systems for public health (e.g. disease surveillance, lab reporting), and key capabilities that prevent and address outbreaks of respiratory illnesses and vaccine preventable disease. In addition, the Trump administration is terminating approximately $34 million in SAMHSA funding for the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) which funds local efforts to combat the mental health and opioid crises. These funds mainly support grants directly to hundreds of small community organizations throughout the state.
The immediate cuts hurt work carried out by more than 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff at the Washington state Department of Health and additional partners, which include local health jurisdictions, Tribal health clinics and organizations, and community-based organizations. Now, the jobs of these employees—who were, up until the recissions notices were received this week, hard at work on critical public health projects funded by these grants—are at risk.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Senator Murray: “There are patients today in clinical trials that are praying for a breakthrough… and they’re seeing the best hope for a cure cut off by the richest two people in the world.
ICYMI: Murray Presses NIH Nominee on Mass Firings, Trump Attempts to Cut Billions from Biomedical Research, Unprecedented Halt on NIH Advisory Council Meetings
*** VIDEO of Senator Murray’s Q&A with former NIH DirectorHERE***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chairof the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined a Senate forum hosted by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Peter Welch (D-VT), calling out how President Trump and Elon Musk’s attacks on the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—from gutting critical funding and freezing grants, to halting advisory committee meetings and clinical trials, to senselessly mass firing thousands of staff, and other attempts to hobble biomedical research—will have generational impacts on finding cures and treatments for serious illnesses that affect millions of Americans each year.
At the forum today, Senator Murray and her colleagues heard from Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., former Director of the NIH; Dr. Sterling Johnson, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor and Associate Director of Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center; Dr. Whitney Wharton, PhD, Emory University Associate Professor and Alzheimer’s Disease researcher; Mr. Jessy Ybarra, a veteran living with ALS and Board of Trustees member for the ALS Association; and Dr. Larry Saltzman, M.D., a retired physician living with leukemia and former Executive Research Director for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Senator Murray began by emphasizing how the NIH is currently in a state of crisis, with Trump and Elon Musk’s wide-ranging attacks on biomedical research and NIH’s mission: “We have DOGE freezing research grants mid-study. There is mass firing of researchers who are on the cutting edge of discovery. They’re slashing funds for our world-class institutions, and they’re setting back work—work on childhood cancers, on Alzheimer’s disease, on improving women’s health. There are patients today in clinical trials that are praying for a breakthrough… and they’re seeing the best hope for a cure cut off by the richest two people in the world. This is just crazy,” Murray said at the forum today.
“I have four NIH grants in my home state of Washington that have been canceled so far, including one that was focused on improving vaccine delivery for hospitalized children. There’s countless other awards that are being held up. They’re threatening the lifesaving research work that every single one of us either depend on today, or may depend on, or know somebody who depends on. I just can’t express how outrageous this is.”
“We know that in the first four weeks of this administration, NIH funding to research institutions was an astonishing 1 billion—that is a ‘b’—less than the same period last year. That is outrageous,” Murray continued. “From your time as NIH Director, is it normal at this point in this year—we’re almost the end of March—for so little grant funding to have gone out the door at NIH? And what is the impact on researchers, universities, and people?
“It’s not at all normal,” Dr. Bertagnolli, who served as the 17th Director of the NIH from November 9th, 2023 to January 17th, 2025, replied. “The fundamental research that we all need, the understanding the biology that our drug companies need to make drugs, or that our device makers need to be able to diagnose better diagnosis—that’s funded by the NIH, overwhelmingly. That’s not funded by any other sector. So, without NIH, we don’t have any of these kinds of progress. That’s what’s not getting out the door.”
“The confusion is rampant,” Dr. Bertagnolli continued. “At this time, we would have had fully a third of the total budget out the door, already funding very high-level research… and I believe we are so far behind that right now.”
“We are far behind,” Murray echoed. “And my understanding is, 14 NIH grants focused on cancer have been terminated so far this year, and at least six of those focused on cancers impacting women. Dr. Bertagnolli, you’re a surgical oncologist—how is this going to impact women?”
Dr. Bertagnolli responded, “We identified that women’s health was a high priority area for us at NIH over the last year, and so, launched many new programs to really begin to address the deficiencies that we’ve had in women’s health.”
“So… now the direction from the Trump administration is, we don’t take care of women?” Murray asked.
Dr. Bertagnolli said, “Well, nothing new is going forward that I can see. Nothing new… University of Utah, my alma mater, just had a Clinical and Translational Research Award canceled in its second of seven years—just terminated, CTSA Award. This award, the aims are: genetic testing to improve treatment and diagnosis of critically ill newborns, skin cancer reduction programs throughout rural communities, support young adults with heart disease to be able to live lives and be better connected to their doctors if they live in rural locations, and to identify genetic causes of bipolar disorder—canceled in its second year. So that’s what we’re seeing.”
Murray concluded by emphasizing, “I mean, this is outrageous. I would just have a word for Elon Musk and President Trump: women are a part of your life too, and without them, you won’t be where you are. So, you better focus on their health and get this research funding back in place.”
Senator Murray was a leading voice opposing Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s nomination to lead NIH, and at his nomination hearing earlier this month, Murray pressed him on Elon Musk’s unprecedented influence at the agency and the massive, indiscriminate firings of skilled scientists and researchers. The Trump administration recently attempted to illegally cap indirect cost rates at 15 percent—a move Senator Murray immediately and forcefully condemned, led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter decrying the proposed change, and introduced amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution to reverse it, which Republicans blocked.
As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has long fought to boost biomedical research, strengthen public health infrastructure, and make health care more affordable and accessible. Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee, she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: OSCE Presence in Albania strengthens environmental governance at municipal level
Training session on enhancing environmental inspection and control at the municipal level, Elbasan, 11 March 2025. (OSCE) Photo details
The OSCE Presence in Albania has completed a series of thematic training sessions aimed at enhancing environmental inspection and control at the municipal level. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental governance and security across the country.
Held in Tirana (4 March), Elbasan (11 March), Lezha (18 March), and Gjirokastra (25 March), the training sessions gathered around 120 municipal representatives, fostering dialogue with key national institutions, including the National Environmental Agency, National Forestry Agency, the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Governance, the Central Inspectorate and the National Inspectorate for Territorial Protection.
The discussions focused on legal frameworks, inspection procedures, inter-institutional coordination and best practices in environmental monitoring, forestry inspections and pollution control. “The training series reaffirms the OSCE Presence’s commitment to enhancing municipal capacities and strengthening collaboration between central and local institutions to safeguard Albania’s natural resources,” said Elton Qendro, the project manager.
The training series was organized under the OSCE Presence’s project “Enhancing environmental governance and security in Albania” funded by Norway, France and Italy. The project provides national and local authorities with the necessary knowledge and tools to improve environmental protection and enforcement efforts.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Imported dengue cases reach record high
In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, up from 631 in 2023.
New data from UK Health Security Agency show imported dengue cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009. All cases are linked to travel abroad.
In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across EWNI, up from 631 in 2023. Most cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia. UKHSA is developing enhanced surveillance of dengue cases to better understand where people are acquiring infections and what mosquito bite precautions they were using, in order to help inform public health interventions in future.
Dengue cases have been increasing globally since 2010 with historic highs reported in 2019. In 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a post-pandemic global increase in both dengue cases and deaths, including in regions previously considered dengue-free, with significant increases particularly noted in Asia and the Americas. A range of factors, including climate change, changing distributions of the mosquito vector, and periodic weather events leading to rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity are driving this increase globally.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recently recommended dengue vaccination for some travellers.
Imported cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne infection, have also risen in EWNI. In 2024, 112 cases were reported, more than double the 45 cases in 2023, with most linked to travel in Southern Asia. These changing patterns may reflect several factors including differences in testing practices, disease burden, global epidemiology, clinician awareness and travel trends.
Zika virus disease cases increased to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2024, compared to 8 cases in 2023, with most travellers returning from South-Eastern Asia. Although Zika virus cases are rarely reported and don’t often cause serious illness, the infection poses a significant risk to pregnant women, as it can be passed to the foetus. There is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, and the most effective way of preventing infection is minimising mosquito bites.
Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya and Zika can cause symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. These are not always present, and some people will experience no symptoms.
Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as dengue while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination, including any recommended vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk.
The Travel Health Pro website, supported by the UK Health Security Agency, has information on health risks in countries across the world and is a one-stop-shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad. Ideally travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination.
In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika, travellers can protect themselves by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under a treated bed net where air conditioning is not available.
It is also important for travellers to:
ensure your routine childhood vaccines are up to date
have any recommended travel related vaccines
Follow the ABCD of malaria prevention- ‘Awareness of risk, Bite prevention, Chemoprophylaxis and Diagnose promptly and treat without delay’
Carry sufficient medications to cover the whole trip
get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities
As well as mosquito borne infections, UKHSA is reminding travellers that there is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in some countries in Africa. Currently, the risk to most travellers is low and vaccination against mpox infection is not recommended for the majority of people.
Those travelling to areas affected by the ongoing outbreak should take sensible precautions to protect themselves from the risk of infection by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on news that the Trump administration are intending to stop funding for Gavi (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation).
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, said:
“The funding cuts in the first 3 months of this year affecting USAID, ODA, WHO and now Gavi are suffocating global health. With this scale of withdrawal of funding some estimates indicate that millions could die from hunger and vaccine-preventable infections. Institutions are reluctant to speak out in case they are targeted and individuals are self-censoring to protect themselves. We must wake up to the moral case for supporting the remarkable global health efforts that help the poor of the world, but also remember that it is in our own interest to defend global health. As the Covid19 pandemic reminds us, infectious diseases cross borders and put all of us at risk. “
Dr David Elliman, Honorary Senior Associate Professor in Child Health at University College London, said:
“GAVI has enabled many low income countries to deliver vaccinations to children where they would not otherwise be affordable. This is an important contribution to the prevention of millions of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases around the world. It is estimated that vaccine programmes save something like 6 lives every minute. The withdrawal of funding from GAVI would inevitably lead to a loss of lives, that could otherwise have been saved. This is not only cruel, but is not in the interests of anyone. If diseases such as measles and TB increase anywhere in the world, it is a hazard to us all. Measles is already on the increase in many parts of the world, including Europe and USA. This could easily happen to other diseases. Ensuring that children “the other side of the world” are protected, contributes substantially to the protection of our own children in high income countries.
“Similar to the reduction in other forms of aid, this would add to the misery of millions of children. It is an utterly misguided measure, whether considered on ethical grounds or out self interest. Let us hope that this rumour is just that and does not become action.”
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard: “Professor Pollard is chair of JCVI which provides independent scientific advice on vaccines to DHSC. The comment above is given in a personal capacity.”
Seoul, South Korea, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, announced that Gravity Game Tech Co., Ltd., Gravity’s wholly-owned subsidiary, officially launched Ragnarok V: Returns, a 3D MMORPG Mobile and PC game, in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines on March 27, 2025.
Ragnarok V: Returns was first launched in Southeast Asia, excluding Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in December 2024 and has since maintained stable service. During the CBT conducted in March 2024 for Southeast Asia and Korea, the game attracted over 20,000 users on the first day alone, with sustained participation and strong engagement until the test concluded, demonstrating its popularity. Ragnarok V: Returns is available for download in Google Play and Apple App Store in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines and by installing PC version from official website. It is also available for download in Huawei App Gallery in entire Southeast Asia.
Gravity stated, “We are delighted to officially launch Ragnarok V: Returns to all regions in Southeast Asia with this launch in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Building on the support from local users during the CBT in 2024, we have prepared a variety of events and look forward to your continued interest and participation”.
Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.
Contact:
Mr. Heung Gon Kim Chief Financial Officer Gravity Co., Ltd. Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr
Ms. Jin Lee Ms. Yujin Oh IR Unit Gravity Co., Ltd. Email: ir@gravity.co.kr Telephone: +82-2-2132-7801
South Africa’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 signalled not only the end of the brutal system of apartheid, but also a change in the country’s international image.
The country’s struggle for liberation and reconciliation has shaped its identity and global standing. South Africa has positioned itself as a champion of international solidarity.
South Africa’s unique approach to global issues has found expression in the concept of Ubuntu. These concepts inform our approach to diplomacy and shape our vision of a better world for all.
This philosophy translates into an approach to international relations that respects all nations, peoples, and cultures. It recognises that it is in our national interest to promote and support the positive development of others.
As we celebrate our over 30 years of freedom and democracy, South Africa’s global repositioning can be seen with the strong strategic partnership with the European Union that is premised on values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Immediately after his release from prison thirty-five years ago, President Nelson Mandela, our first democratic President, travelled to the European Parliament to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. This honorary award is the highest tribute given by the European Union (EU) to individuals who contributed to the fight for human rights.
During this visit, the former president, who is affectionately known as Madiba addressed the European Parliament and thanked the European countries for their contribution towards our fight for freedom. He also called on them to support us as we set about rebuilding the country and reversing the legacy of apartheid, which continues to be felt up to this day.
This visit marked the beginning of official relations between South Africa and the EU in pursuit of our national interests, especially to tackle pressing challenges we inherited under apartheid. In 1999 for instance, we became the first African country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU known as the South Africa-European Union (EU) Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).
In 2007 we further deepened our relations through the adoption of the South Africa – EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan. The plan is essentially a roadmap for cooperation in various key areas such as trade, climate change, science and technology as well as regional and global issues.
The TDCA agreement has helped our country to integrate into the global economy and it established a Political Dialogue between South Africa and the EU at the Ministerial level. This high-level dialogue advances the EU-South Africa strategic partnership across key areas such as trade, energy, peace and security and multilateralism.
We are pleased that as we celebrate 30 years of democracy and thirty-five years since Madiba’s release and visit to the EU Parliament, our relationship with the EU continues to flourish and is mutually beneficial. South Africa remains the EU’s key trade partner on the African Continent, and the EU as a bloc is South Africa’s largest trading partner.
Total trade between South Africa and EU has increased by 44 percent over the past five years; recording an increase from R586 billion in 2019 to R846 billion in 2023. The EU accounts for 41 percent of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country and over 2,000 EU companies operate in South Africa, supporting more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.
To further discuss shared priorities and foster stronger ties between South Africa and EU, in February this year, we successfully hosted the 16th Ministerial Political Dialogue. The Dialogue was co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
During this dialogue, both parties reiterated their commitment to multilateralism, rules-based international order, and the centrality of the United Nations Charter. They agreed on the need to make the UN Security Council more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable. They further discussed issues of trade and investment, along with greater mutual cooperation and reinforced bilateral relations between South Africa and the EU.
The dialogue also served as preparatory meeting for the EU-South Africa Summit which was held in South Africa on 13 March 2025. Our national priorities of reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality underpin our work at the SA-EU Summit. In line with commitments in the National Development Plan we engage with our EU counterparts to further grow our economy and develop our society.
The summit was also an opportunity to set new priorities for the Strategic Partnership, including in trade and investment, and to reinforce the shared values underpinning the partnership. During the summit, the EU announced a 4.7-billion-euro investment package to support mutually beneficial investment projects. The investment package covers areas such as critical raw mineral processing, green hydrogen, renewable energy, transport and digital infrastructure, local vaccine and pharmaceutical production, and resources for skills development.
The two parties further agreed to launch negotiations towards a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership to support the development of cleaner value chains for raw materials and local beneficiation, renewable and low carbon energy, and clean technology. Both parties committed to work together to address existing challenges in trade in animal and plant products. South Africa committed to find a solution to facilitate the imports of poultry from disease-free areas in the European Union into South Africa.
The Summit was also an opportunity for South Africa to influence international policies that could have an impact on our own economy. Both parties agreed to support a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace on conflicts around the globe including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Palestine. This includes a need to reform the UN Security Council.
Furthermore, the European Union expressed support for South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, and our hosting of the G20 Summit at the end of the year. The EU also pledged to strengthen the G20 Compact with Africa.
Government welcomes the visit by the EU leaders to the country and we are confident that the agreements signed will not only accelerate economic growth but will help South Africa eradicate the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
*Nomonde Mnukwa is the Acting Director General of the GCIS
Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has adopted a heavy-handed approach to cutting any perceived wasteful spending in the US government.
One of the more recent institutions targeted by Trump’s team, Voice of America, holds a potentially staggering implication: the end of American soft power.
Soft power earned the US government a significant amount of goodwill over the course of the 20th century, with Voice of America one of the most effective conduits. Taking VOA off the airwaves could signify a new era in geopolitics.
A short history of Voice of America
The Voice of America (VOA) has been in operation for over 80 years and was one of the first major campaigns conducted by the American government to promote positive sentiments towards the US as a leader of the free world.
The government-funded radio station began as a method of keeping US troops informed during the Second World War and was administered by the Office of War Information.
After WWII, Congress passed the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948, which aimed to promote a “better understanding” of the US around the world and to “strengthen cooperative international relations”.
This act put the VOA under the domain of the United States Information Agency (USIA). It became one of the US government’s many assets in combating Soviet propaganda during the Cold War.
The VOA was essentially a method of generating soft power, an invaluable tool in international diplomacy made famous by the American political scientist, Joesph Nye.
As Nye believed, a nation can use military intervention (“hard power”) to achieve its foreign policy aims, or it can create familiarity with other nations by promoting its culture, educational institutions and ideology (“soft power”).
During the Cold War, VOA broadcasts were an invaluable method of cultivating soft power. People all over the world relied on them as a source of news and commentary, especially in countries where the media was state-controlled.
Additionally, Voice of America effectively became an advertisement for the American way of life. The Music USA program, for instance, took Western popular culture to a global audience. This was especially effective in the Eastern Bloc, where jazz, in particular, became incredibly popular.
Voice of America and the other US-funded radio stations operating during the Cold War, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, had their share of critics. The majority came from the Eastern Bloc. Some, however, were American.
In the 1970s, Senator William J. Fulbright, for instance, maintained that radio broadcasts such as VOA hindered diplomacy with the Soviet Union by disseminating American propaganda. He called them “Cold War relics”.
They were not mere propaganda mouthpieces, though. Although these stations and many of the other radio outlets under the control of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) were funded by the American government, they demonstrated a reliance on journalistic integrity.
The VOA has also not shied away from reporting on negative aspects of American society. This is likely one reason why Trump has been so critical of its mandate.
The end of US soft power?
The short-term implications of Voice of America’s potential demise are worrying. Many journalists are out of work and a respected institution promoting international diplomacy hangs in the balance.
The long-term geopolitical implications, however, could be far greater. First, Voice of America and other stations managed by USAGM have long provided an alternative to state-run media in countries such as Russia and China.
Outlets like Russia’s Sputnik news organisation, which was recently removed from the airwaves in Washington for promoting antisemitic content and misinformation about the war in Ukraine, will now face fewer challenges reaching a global audience.
Taking VOA off the air also signals the Trump administration is done with soft power as a diplomatic tool and has little regard for the harm this will cause America’s reputation on the global stage.
If the US abandons the principles of appealing to other governments through soft power, it could resort to other means to achieve its geopolitical aims. This includes hard power.
One soft power advocate, General James Mattis, told Congress in 2013 when he was overseeing US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, “If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately.”
The Trump administration’s rejection of soft power as a diplomatic tool could also allow China, in particular, to take its place.
As Nye himself pointed out in a recent Washington Post essay, polling in 24 countries in 2023 found the US was viewed much more positively than China. Another survey showed the US had the advantage over China in 81 of 133 countries surveyed.
Nye concluded: “If Trump thinks he will easily beat China by completely forgoing soft power, he is likely to be disappointed. And so will we.”
Ben Hammond has received funding from the Harry S. Truman Foundation and the Dwight D. Eisenhower foundation.
Vilnius, Lithuania, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
The special closed-end real estate investment company AB Tewox (hereinafter referred to as the Investment Company) and UAB Lidl Lietuva have completed a transaction for the acquisition of two Lidl store buildings. The Investment Company acquired the stores in Jurbarkas, Dariaus ir Girėno st. 83, and in Panevėžys, Klaipėdos st. 109, each with an area of approximately 2,000 sq. m. The buildings have long-term lease agreements with UAB Lidl Lietuva, which will use the proceeds to continue the company’s expansion strategy in Lithuania.
Luminor bank has provided financing of 6.7 mEUR for the acquisition. The Investment Company was advised by the law firm TGS Baltic and Lidl Lietuva was represented by the law firm Sorainen.
Restoring ceasefire deal vital as death toll hits 50,000 and continues to rise amid Israeli airstrikes, aid and power blockades, and renewed mass forced displacements.
Oxfam and partners’ operations have been severely hampered as Israel’s renewed military assault and ground offensive on Gaza continues into its 7th day.
Oxfam is calling for a renewed ceasefire and for Israel to lift its 23-day siege which is again blocking aid supplies and increasing famine risks for desperate civilians. Israel imposed a complete blockade 23 days ago and cut off electricity to Gaza a few days later.
Israeli authorities are denying entry to trucks loaded with 63,000 metric tons of food for 1.1 million people. Operations have been forced to stop in vital areas such as food security and livelihood, as well as hygiene promotion, and essential repair work to damaged water infrastructure.
Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s OPT Policy Lead, said: “During the 42-day ceasefire families in Gaza could finally fall asleep knowing their loved ones would still be beside them when they woke up. Even though aid that entered was not enough-far from enough-it was something. The price of food stabilised. Supermarkets reopened. Bakeries began running again. Many people even went to their homes or what was left of it, and tried to repair and rebuild, however little they could.”
Humanitarian agencies were able to mount operations that saw an average of more than 4,000 trucks per week entering Gaza despite Israeli authorities initially only partially opening the crossings and denying much of the urgently needed reconstruction materials. Oxfam reached almost 200,000 people with essential relief.
The Israeli government’s renewed bombardment of residential areas, including Jabalia and Khan Younis, has killed almost 700 people, including at least 200 children since March 18. Israeli authorities have issued new mass forced displacement orders, forcing around 120,000 Palestinians to flee. These orders are causing panic and chaos in the absence of anywhere safe in Gaza.
Oxfam says humanitarian operations have been gravely hindered by the absence of guarantees of safety for aid workers moving around Gaza.
Oxfam and its partners say their storage facilities containing food parcels are severely depleted. Israeli authorities have denied access to Oxfam shipments of six desalination units and seven trucks of water and sanitation infrastructure, up to 85% of which has been destroyed by Israel’s bombing campaign.
“Oxfam, through its partners has been able to initiate emergency water trucking across the Gaza Strip, and are maintaining some other aid programs, such as multi-purpose cash transfers, despite the severe challenges that all humanitarian workers now face around lack of protection,” said Khalidi.
“For the past 535 days, Israel has been systematically weaponising life-saving aid, inflicting collective punishment upon the population of Gaza. The denial of food, water, fuel and electricity is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Many within the international community are enabling this by their silence, inaction and complicity,” said Khalidi.
Oxfam’s health partner in Gaza, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, had its center in Jabalia destroyed in an airstrike on March 18. It had been serving over 1,000 patients daily. Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, said: “Every airstrike that hits, threatens the lives and safety of our dedicated staff and the patients they serve. This center is not just a building; it’s the heartbeat of healthcare for countless families here. Without it, many will lose access to crucial medical care.”
In another attack yesterday (March 23), three sewage operators from the Abasan Al Kabira municipality working with Oxfam’s partner Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) were killed while performing their duties when their clearly- marked truck was destroyed in an attack by Israeli military.
A renewed ceasefire must be permanent and accompanied by the safe return of Israeli hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners. Israel must provide unfettered aid at scale. Oxfam said governments must stop transferring arms, while the international community must enforce international law. We reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.
Notes:
Oxfam works with 19 partner organizations in the Gaza Strip. Between 20 January and 28 February 2025, Oxfam reached a total of 181,622 people across the Gaza Strip with water and sanitation services, including repair and reconstruction, protection, multipurpose cash assistance, distribution of food parcels and essential agricultural inputs for recovery, protection, health care and case management.
Since Israel’s breach of the ceasefire and airstrikes on Gaza on 18 March, Oxfam staff movements have been severely restricted in the absence of a notification system. This week, Oxfam’s progammes in Gaza, including those of many partners, have been severely impacted. Oxfam is still able to undertake some water trucking and multipurpose cash distribution, but under high-risk conditions
The fatality rate in Gaza is based on the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting on 24 March (11AM) and the fatality rate of children is reported by UNICEF on 21 March
Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have re-imposed a total siege, blockading the entire Gaza Strip. It is banning the entry of any humanitarian basic supplies, including water, food, medical supplies and fuel, as well as banning any commercial supplies to enter Gaza.
On 10 March, Israeli authorities cut off electricity supply to the only operational large-scale desalination plant for drinking water. With the exception of that last remaining, intermittent electricity feed to the desalination plant, Gaza has been under an electricity blackout since 11 October 2023.
The current siege is one week longer than in 2023, when the Israeli authorities imposed a total siege that lasted from 7-21 October 2023.
According to theIPC Special Snapshot – September 2024 – April 2025, the risk of Famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted
According to the Palestinian Water Authority, 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign.
TheUNreported that during the 42-day ceasefire period, a total of 4,000 trucks per week travelled into Gaza, 600,000 people received polio vaccinations and maternity care was provided for 5,000 births.
Satellite images of the Gaza displacement orders, on 18 March, covers an area amounting to 37% of Gaza’s land and double the size of the original buffer zone. This has been reported bySky Newsand the figures have been confirmed by the UN. The UN reported on 21 March that more than 120,000 people had fled since the evacuation orders were issued on 18 March.
Denial of Aid–breaches Customary IHL Rule 55; 1977 Additional Protocol II Arts 69-71 and 81; Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, Arts 23,55-63 and 108-111; Rome Statute ICC, Crime Against Humanity of Extermination, Art 7 1(b) “Extermination” includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population.OCHA / WFP food insecurity data, released every tuesday (18 Mar 2025): Most recent OCHA sitrep(18 Mar 2025):
Between 10 and 20 per cent of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, a recent analysis by the Nutrition Cluster reveals.
To cope with shortages, the Food Security Sector (FSS) partners are drastically reducing food assistance to families, suspending flour distribution to families to prioritize supplies for bakeries, pausing the distribution of fresh produce, and scaling down hot meal preparations at some community kitchens.
FSS warns that over one million people risk being left without food parcels in March, and at least 80 of the 170 community kitchens may be forced to close in one to two weeks, if supplies, including cooking fuel, are not allowed into Gaza. The FSS estimates that more than 50,000 metric tons (MT) of food supplies are required monthly to assist everyone with full rations, in addition to 9,700 MT of flour needed monthly to keep the subsidized bakeries running.
Since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, and as of 15 March, 4,646 children have enrolled in malnutrition treatment programmes, 672 of whom were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.
The Nutrition Cluster notes a decrease in monthly enrolments in such programmes from about 5,000 in the month prior to the ceasefire to a monthly average of 2,500 in Phase One of the ceasefire.
Nutrition Cluster partners observed a rising number of pregnant and breastfeeding women becoming malnourished – between 10 and 20 per cent,
11 March inter-agency mission to eastern Khan Younis found that agricultural facilities had been largely destroyed, including 1,400 dunums of open land,150 greenhouses, 90 poultry farms, and dozens of livestock and dairy cattle farms. The remaining cultivated land did not exceed 70-80 dunums.
WFP currently has sufficient food stocks to support active kitchens and bakeries for up to one month, as well as ready-to-eat food parcels to support 550,000 people for two weeks.
WFP has approximately 63,000 metric tons of food destined for Gaza, stored or in transit in the region. This is equivalent to two to three months of distributions for 1.1 million people, pending authorization to enter Gaza.
Traders have begun withholding goods due to uncertainty over when new supplies will arrive.
In January, the Trump administration ordered a broad pause on all US funding for foreign aid.
Among other issues, this has significant effects on US funding for HIV. The United States has been the world’s biggest donor to international HIV assistance, providing 73% of funding in 2023.
What’s more, recent funding cuts for international HIV assistance go beyond the US. Five countries that provide the largest amount of foreign aid for HIV – the US, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands – have announced cuts of between 8% and 70% to international aid in 2025 and 2026.
Together, this may mean a 24% reduction in international HIV spending, in addition to the US foreign aid pause.
We wanted to know how these cuts might affect HIV infections and deaths in the years to come. In a new study, we found the worst-case scenario could see more than 10 million extra infections than what we’d otherwise anticipate in the next five years, and almost 3 million additional deaths.
What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can be transmitted at birth, during unprotected sex or thorough blood-to-blood contact such as shared needles.
If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition in which the immune system is severely damaged, and which can be fatal.
HIV was the world’s deadliest infectious disease in the early 1990s. There’s still no cure for HIV, but modern treatments allow the virus to be suppressed with a daily pill. People with HIV who continue treatment can live without symptoms and don’t risk infecting others.
A sustained global effort towards awareness, prevention, testing and treatment has reduced annual new HIV infections by 39% (from 2.1 million in 2010 to 1.3 million in 2023), and annual deaths by 51% (from 1.3 million to 630,000).
Most of that drop happened in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic was worst. Today, nearly two-thirds of people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, and nearly all live in low- and middle-income countries.
We wanted to estimate the impact of recent funding cuts from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands on HIV infections and deaths. To do this, we used our mathematical model for 26 low- and middle-income countries. The model includes data on international HIV spending as well as data on HIV cases and deaths.
These 26 countries represent roughly half of all people living with HIV in low- and middle income countries, and half of international HIV spending. We set up each country model in collaboration with national HIV/AIDS teams, so the data sources reflected the best available local knowledge. We then extrapolated our findings from the 26 countries we modelled to all low- and middle-income countries.
For each country, we first projected the number of new HIV infections and deaths that would occur if HIV spending stayed the same.
Second, we modelled scenarios for anticipated cuts based on a 24% reduction in international HIV funding for each country.
Finally, we modelled scenarios for the possible immediate discontinuation of PEPFAR in addition to other anticipated cuts.
With the 24% cuts and PEPFAR discontinued, we estimated there could be 4.43 million to 10.75 million additional HIV infections between 2025 and 2030, and 770,000 to 2.93 million extra HIV-related deaths. Most of these would be because of cuts to treatment. For children, there could be up to an additional 882,400 infections and 119,000 deaths.
In the more optimistic scenario in which PEPFAR continues but 24% is still cut from international HIV funding, we estimated there could be 70,000 to 1.73 million extra new HIV infections and 5,000 to 61,000 additional deaths between 2025 and 2030. This would still be 50% higher than if current spending were to continue.
The wide range in our estimates reflects low- and middle-income countries committing to far more domestic funding for HIV in the best case, or broader health system dysfunction and a sustained gap in funding for HIV treatment in the worst case.
Some funding for HIV treatment may be saved by taking that money from HIV prevention efforts, but this would have other consequences.
The range also reflects limitations in the available data, and uncertainty within our analysis. But most of our assumptions were cautious, so these results likely underestimate the true impacts of funding cuts to HIV programs globally.
Sending progress backwards
If funding cuts continue, the world could face higher rates of annual new HIV infections by 2030 (up to 3.4 million) than at the peak of the global epidemic in 1995 (3.3 million).
Sub-Saharan Africa will experience by far the greatest effects due to the high proportion of HIV treatment that has relied on international funding.
In other regions, we estimate vulnerable groups such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and trans and gender diverse people may experience increases in new HIV infections that are 1.3 to 6 times greater than the general population.
The Asia-Pacific received US$591 million in international funding for HIV in 2023, which is the second highest after sub-Saharan Africa. So this region would likely experience a substantial rise in HIV as a result of anticipated funding cuts.
Notably, more than 10% of new HIV infections among people born in Australia are estimated to have been acquired overseas. More HIV in the region is likely to mean more HIV in Australia.
But concern is greatest for countries that are most acutely affected by HIV and AIDS, many of which will be most affected by international funding cuts.
Rowan Martin-Hughes receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.
Debra ten Brink has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.
Nick Scott receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – As the Trump Administration announces that it will claw back $11.4 billion in previously awarded federal funding to state and local health departments, the Rhode Island congressional delegation is teaming up to say that the Trump Administration’s short-sighted approach to public health is leaving local communities more susceptible to preventable outbreaks of dangerous diseases, like measles.
The federal funding being targeting for recoupment by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include investments that have significantly strengthened local preparedness for public health emergencies, made it easier for people to get safe and effective vaccinations, and supported community health workers on the frontlines of keeping their neighbors safe and healthy. Additionally, portions of the $11.4 billion being pulled back across the nation were being used to address health disparities in high-risk and vulnerable populations, like seniors and low-income families who were most affected by the pandemic.
In Rhode Island, the CDC has cancelled four grants totaling over $30 million that support the state’s post-pandemic initiatives. Despite the CDC’s claim that these funds were being pulled back because the pandemic ended, the claw backs come at a time when lessons learned from the pandemic can be critical in helping states better respond to future public health emergencies.
Much of the funding being pulled back by the Trump Administration had to be expended within the next six months. In many cases, the undisbursed federal funding was being used to help communities address public health issues beyond COVID and strengthen successful programs that helped save lives and kept communities informed and healthy.
“Penny-wise and pound-foolish sums up this latest Trump move. Clearly the Trump Administration has learned no lessons from their botched COVID-19 response during President Trump’s first term nor their current mismanagement of measles outbreaks across the nation. The programs being targeted were critical in helping states respond to and recover from the pandemic and helped to create new public health infrastructure that will be critical to responding to future public health emergencies,” said Senator Reed. “By failing state and local public health departments and allowing us to lapse in our preparedness for future emergencies, the Trump Administration’s CDC claw back is a sure-fire way to ensure we get caught flat-footed for future pandemics.”
“Our delegation supports preparedness and response capacity to keep Rhode Islanders safe from public health threats. This claw back is not helpful to Rhode Island’s medical community,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“Federal public health funding helps keep Rhode Islanders safe, supports frontline health workers, and strengthens Rhode Island’s ability to respond to future health emergencies,” said Representative Seth Magaziner. “It’s outrageous that the Trump Administration is clawing back these vital resources. We should be expanding access to public health—not gutting programs like these to pay for tax breaks to benefit the wealthy.”
“As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By stealing funding dedicated to bolster Rhode Island’s public health infrastructure, the Trump administration is leaving our community less prepared and less safe for future emergencies,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I join my delegation colleagues in demanding the immediate restoration of critical funds. This decision leaves our state and local health departments without the tools and resources necessary to keep Rhode Islanders healthy and safe.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, the disease is still claiming hundreds of lives across the nation each week. The public health emergency declared for COVID ended on May 11, 2023. Additionally, researchers across the nation are still working to better understand and treat long COVID.
The delegation also emphasized that Trump’s CDC claw back of federal public health funding comes as over 300 cases of the dangerously contagious measles virus have been reported in 15 states, including Rhode Island. As the Trump Administration targets federal public health agencies for mass-firings and scientific censorship, disease surveillance is being weakened, research is being halted, irresponsible vaccine skepticism is being touted by top Trump public health officials, and preventable diseases are spreading across America.
Every day, decisions that affect our lives depend on knowing how many people live where. For example, how many vaccines are needed in a community, where polling stations should be placed for elections or who might be in danger as a hurricane approaches. The answers rely on population data.
But counting people is getting harder.
For centuries, census and household surveys have been the backbone of population knowledge. But we’ve just returned from the UN’s statistical commission meetings in New York, where experts reported that something alarming is happening to population data systems globally.
Census response rates are declining in many countries, resulting in large margins of error. The 2020 US census undercounted America’s Latino population by more than three times the rate of the 2010 census. In Paraguay, the latest census revealed a population one-fifth smaller than previously thought.
South Africa’s 2022 census post-enumeration survey revealed a likely undercount of more than 30%. According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, undercounts and census delays due to COVID-19, conflict or financial limitations have resulted in an estimated one in three Africans not being counted in the 2020 census round.
When people vanish from data, they vanish from policy. When certain groups are systematically undercounted – often minorities, rural communities or poorer people – they become invisible to policymakers. This translates directly into political underrepresentation and inadequate resource allocation.
As the Brookings Institution, a US research organisation, has highlighted, undercounts have “cost communities of colour political representation over the next decade”.
This is happening because several factors have converged. Trust in government institutions is eroding worldwide, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reporting that by late 2023, 44% of people across member countries had low or no trust in their national governments. Research shows a clear trend of declining trust specifically in representative institutions like parliaments and governments. This makes people less likely to respond to government-issued census requests.
International funding for population data is also disappearing. The US-funded Demographic and Health Surveys program, which provided vital survey data across 90 countries for four decades, was terminated in February 2025. Unicef’s Multi-Indicator Cluster program, which carries out household surveys, faces an uncertain future amid shrinking global aid budgets. US government cuts to support for UN agencies and development banks undertaking census support will likely have further impacts.
This is incredibly worrying to us as geography academics, because gathering accurate population data is fundamentally about making everyone visible. As population scientists Sabrina Juran and Arona Pistiner wrote, this information allows governments to plan for the future of a country and its people.
The US census directly impacts the allocation of more than US$1.5 trillion (£1.2 trillion) in public resources each year. How can governments distribute healthcare funding without knowing who lives where? How can disaster response be effective if vulnerable populations are invisible in official population counts?
Solutions that count
Countries are adapting. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to alternative census methodologies. Many countries turned to online questionnaires, telephone interviews and administrative data sources to reduce face-to-face interactions.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa recommends that countries move from using paper forms for census data collection and embrace new digital technologies that can be cheaper and more reliable. Turkey’s switch in 2011 reduced census costs from US$48.3 million to US$13.9 million while improving data quality and timeliness, and nearly 80% of countries used tablets or smartphones for data collection in the 2020 round of censuses.
At WorldPop, our research group at the University of Southampton, we’re also helping governments to develop solutions using new technologies. Buildings mapped from satellite imagery using AI, together with counts of populations from small areas, can help create detailed population estimates to support census implementation or provide estimates for undersurveyed areas.
As we face growing challenges, from climate change to economic inequality, having accurate, reliable and robust population data isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for a functioning society. National statistical offices, UN agencies, academics, the private sector and donors must urgently focus on how to build cost-effective solutions to provide reliable and robust population data, especially in resource-poor settings where recent cuts will be felt hardest.
When people disappear from the data, they risk disappearing from public policy too. Making everyone count starts with counting everyone.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Andrew J Tatem works for the University of Southampton, and is Director of WorldPop. His research on mapping populations has been funded by donors such as the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, GAVI.
Jessica Espey works for the University of Southampton. Her research on data, statistics and evidence use has previously been funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Gates Foundation and others.
As Canada moves toward stronger AI regulation with the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), its southern neighbour appears to be taking the opposite approach.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump’s is pushing for AI deregulation. In January, Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating any perceived regulatory barriers to “American AI innovation.” The executive order replaced former president Joe Biden’s prior executive order on AI.
Notably, the U.S. was also one of two countries — along with the U.K. — that didn’t sign a global declaration in February to ensure AI is “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy.”
Eliminating AI safeguards leaves financial institutions vulnerable. This vulnerability can increase uncertainty and, in a worst-case scenario, increase the risk of systemic collapse.
AI’s potential in financial markets is undeniable. It can improve operational efficiency, perform real-time risk assessments, generate higher income and forecast predictive economic change.
Our artificial neural networks models predicted financial distress among Toronto Stock Exchange-listed companies with a staggering 98 per cent accuracy. This suggests suggests AI’s immense potential in providing early warning signals that could help avert financial downturns before they start.
However, while AI can simplify manual processes and lower financial risks, it can also introduce vulnerabilities that, if left unchecked, could pose significant threats to economic stability.
The risks of deregulation
Trump’s push for deregulation could result in Wall Street and other major financial institutions gaining significant power over AI-driven decision-making tools with little to no oversight.
Furthermore, unregulated AI-driven risk models might overlook economic warning signals, resulting in substantial errors in monetary control and fiscal policy.
My research underscores the importance of integrating machine learning methods within strong regulatory systems to improve financial oversight, fraud detection and prevention.
Durable and reasonable regulatory frameworks are required to turn AI from a potential disruptor into a stabilizing force. By implementing policies that prioritize transparency and accountability, policymakers can maximize the advantages of AI while lowering the risks associated with it.
Financial institutions would be required to open the “black box” of AI-driven alternatives by mandating transparency through explainable AI standards — guidelines that are aimed at making AI systems’ outputs more understandable and transparent to humans.
However, this vision doesn’t end at national borders. Globally, the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Stability Board could establish AI ethical standards to curb cross-border financial misconduct.
Crisis prevention or catalyst?
Will AI still be the key to foresee and stop the next economic crisis, or will the lack of regulatory oversight cause a financial disaster? As financial institutions continue adopt AI-driven models, the absence of strong regulatory guardrails raises pressing concerns.
Without proper safeguards in place, AI is not just a tool for economic prediction — it could become an unpredictable force capable of accelerating the next financial crisis.
The stakes are high. Policymakers must act swiftly to regulate the increasing impact of AI before deregulation opens the path for an economic disaster.
Without decisive action, the rapid adoption of AI in finance could outpace regulatory efforts, leaving economies vulnerable to unforeseen risks and potentially setting the stage for another global financial crisis.
Sana Ramzan 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.
Eligible Islanders are encouraged to stay protected this spring and take up the offer of a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination. The vaccines are free of charge and will be available at GP surgeries from Tuesday 1 April and will be offered until the end of June.
Islanders who are eligible for the Spring Booster include:
those aged 75 and over
those aged 6 months and over who are Immunosuppressed
residents in care homes for older people.
Islanders will need to contact their GP surgeries to make an appointment. Delivery may vary practice to practice. Those who are residents in care homes will be vaccinated where they reside. Visit gov.je/SpringBooster for more information.
Primary Care Representative, Bryony Perchard, said: “While most people who get COVID will have a mild illness, those in older age groups and with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised. Vaccination not only reduces the chances of the getting ill but also makes any infection less unpleasant. I urge all those who are eligible to not let their defences against COVID-19 fade by booking an appointment with their doctor.”
Priority question for written answer P-001202/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Friedrich Pürner (NI)
On 19 March 2025, the Commission presented the White Paper on European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. A total of EUR 800 billion are to be invested in programmes such as ‘ReArm Europe’ and ‘Security Action for Europe’ (SAFE EU). The Commission President emphasised that the era of the peace dividend was over and that the EU would have to switch to a war economy. The aim is to make Europe fit for war by 2030 – a choice of words that could stir up fears among the population and make them receptive to the announced ‘turning point’.
Although Article 41(2) of the Treaty on European Union prohibits military and defence expenditure from the EU budget, the Commission is planning this massive increase in military hardware. Moreover, the plans are to be adopted in an expedited procedure, deliberately without the involvement of the European Parliament, which is responsible for budgetary approval and budget review.
1.On what legal basis does the Commission justify restricting the European Parliament’s co-decision powers, thereby weakening democratic scrutiny by elected Members?
2.How does the Commission reconcile the proposal to upgrade military hardware and the coordination thereof with the EU Treaty, particularly with regard to the principle of subsidiarity?
3.What specific measures, points of contact and control mechanisms will be put in place to avoid mistakes such as those made in the acquisition of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic – in particular under the responsibility of the Commission President – and how does the Commission ensure transparency and the enforcement of accountability in the use of funds under these programmes?
NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting locations at Sydney Airport and western NSW. The case recently returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. People who were on board the below flight or attended the following locations at the times stated should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk. Wednesday 19 March 2025
Jetstar Flight JQ62 departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10:30pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025, arriving in Sydney at 10:50am on Wednesday 19 March 2025 Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal and baggage claim from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Friday 21 March 2025
Ochre Medical Centre Parkes, 335 Clarinda St, Parkes from 10:15am to 11:15am
Monday 24 March 2025
Parkes Health Service Emergency Department, 2 Morrissey Way, Parkes 12:00pm midday to 7:00pm
Dr Victor Carey, Western NSW Local Health District Public Health Physician said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms. “Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Carey said. “Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.” “It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 11 April 2025. “It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients. “We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough. “This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious. “Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.” The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses. Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP. People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age). For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet. If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill Under Modi ji’s leadership, India became a global leader in disaster management
Modi government is managing disasters by adopting a proactive approach instead of a reactive one and by aiming for zero casualties instead of minimising casualties
Compared to the previous regime, Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central fund
In the previous regime, funds were given to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation from PMNRF
This bill will further increase the capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response
Earlier, thousands of people used to die in cyclones, but Modi government is moving towards zero casualty
The aim of this bill is to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in disaster management
India’s disaster management prowess has been established globally through CDRI
To deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods, systems and make institutions accountable as well as give them powers
India has had the most successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the entire world
Earlier, it used to take two generations for getting vaccines, but under the Modi government, India has made the COVID vaccine and also delivered it to every citizen
The Modi government has given more money than the prescribed amount to the states for disaster managementna
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024. After the discussion, with the passage of the bill from the upper house the amendment bill was passed by the Parliament.
Speaking in the upper house during the discussion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that through this amendment bill, the Narendra Modi government intends to connect Centre, State governments, Panchayat and all our citizens with the cause of disaster management and there is no question of centralization of power. He said that this disaster management amendment bill is an attempt to take the fight against disasters from a reactive approach to a proactive one and also beyond to an innovative and a participatory approach.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji presented a ten-point agenda to the world for disaster risk reduction which has been accepted by more than 40 countries of the world. He said that this bill envisages participation not only from state governments and local units but also from the society. He said that the amendment bill keeps scope of minute planning at local levels too along with the national level and gives clarity on the powers and duties of institutions involved. Shri Shah said that the fight against disasters cannot be accomplished without enabling the institutions and making them better and more accountable, and both of these things have been taken care of in the bill. He said that disasters are directly related to climate change and to mitigate them, we should take steps against global warming. He said that India has been moving in this direction for thousands of years and the Modi government is working to take this tradition forward.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Disaster Management Act was brought for the first time in the year 2005 and under this NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority) were formed. He said that in this bill, the biggest responsibility in the aftermath of disasters have been given to DDMAs which is under the state government, thus there is no question of any damage to our federal system. He said that for financial assistance, National Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Mitigation Fund were created. Shri Amit Shah said that the Finance Commission has made a scientific arrangement for disaster relief and the Modi government has not given a single penny less than the prescribed amount to any state, rather it has given more.
He said that due to global disasters like Covid-19, increasing urbanization, irregular rain-related disasters and climate change, both the size and scale of disasters have changed. Shri Shah said that to deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods and systems and also make the institutions accountable and give them powers. He said that with this objective, this bill has been brought for an effective and comprehensive solution to the disaster management problem. He said that suggestions have been incorporated from stakeholders, ministries and departments of the Central Government, all state governments, Union Territories, international organizations and national and international non-governmental organizations and this bill has been prepared comprehensively by accepting 89 percent of their suggestions.
Union Home Minister said that through this bill, Modi government wants to move from reactive response to proactive risk reduction, from manual monitoring to AI-based real-time monitoring, from radio warnings to social media, apps and mobile warnings, and from government-led response to a multi-dimensional response involving society and citizens. He said that this entire bill has been made to incorporate capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response. Shri Shah said that in the last 10 years, there has been a change in disaster management in our country due to which we have emerged as a regional and global power recognized by the world. He said that this bill is necessary to maintain this success story of India for a longer time in future.
Shri Amit Shah said that this Bill will make both NDMA and SDMA effective, disaster database will be created at national and state level. It envisages creation of Urban Disaster Management Authority which will be completely under the state governments. Apart from this, this Bill will also give statutory power to NDMA and SDMA in creating a blueprint for 100% implementation of the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. He said that transparency, trust, credibility and accountability have been given place in it. Shri Shah also said that well-defined roles have been fixed in it and moral responsibilities have also been given place. The Home Minister said that we have also fixed responsibility for the best use of resources. He said that through this Bill, an attempt has been made to fight against disaster with synergy, between preparation, good management and coordination. Many reforms have been made on these four pillars and not a single one of these reforms is for centralization of power.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the last ten years, on one hand, Prime Minister Modi Ji has done many things for environmental protection and on the other hand, he has also taken disaster management a long way forward. He said that on one hand Modi Ji talked about Mission Life in front of the world and on the other hand he also announced a ten-point disaster risk reduction agenda. He said that on one hand, a definite concrete program was given to become a pro-planet people and on the other hand, the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) was presented to the world, which has 43 countries as members. Shri Shah said that Modi Ji started the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance and also formed a task force on Disaster Risk Reduction by hosting the G20 conference in India. He said that on both these fronts, Prime Minister Modi and the government led by him have worked in a meticulous manner with great foresight. The Home Minister said that on the one hand efforts should be made to prevent disasters by protecting the environment and on the other hand, in case of a disaster, Modi ji has made complete arrangements to fight the disaster in a scientific manner from villages to Delhi.
Shri Amit Shah said that the devastating earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat in 2001 shook not only Gujarat but the entire country and the world. He said that at that time Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and he had established the Climate Change Department for the first time in India. He said that at that time Modi ji created the Climate Change Fund in Gujarat and in 2003 brought the State Disaster Management Act in Gujarat. Shri Shah said that in 2013, the country’s first city level action plan for heat wave was made in Ahmedabad and Modi ji also worked on making a detailed plan for reconstruction, community preparedness and rehabilitation after the earthquake.
Union Home Minister said that after Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, a holistic and integrated approach was introduced in the country instead of a relief-centric approach. He said that a proactive approach was adopted instead of a reactive one and disaster management was done by keeping the target of zero casualty instead of the usual target of minimum casualty of the previous regime. He said that today governments are not only focus on relief and rescue after a disaster but also make many preparations to tackle them. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has done a very good job in early warning system, prevention to the extent possible, mitigation, timely preparedness and disaster risk reduction. He said that when the Odisha Super Cyclone hit in 1999, 10 thousand people died, but when Cyclone Fani hit in 2019, only one person died, this was the result of our changed approach. He said that when Cyclone Biparjoy hit Gujarat in 2023, not a single person or animal died and we achieved the target of zero casualties in 2023. He said that there has been a 98 percent reduction in loss of life and property due to cyclones and we have also succeeded in reducing heat-related mortality significantly.
Shri Amit Shah said that the budget of SDRF was Rs 38 thousand crores during the year 2004 to 2014, which was increased to Rs 1 lakh 24 thousand crores by the Modi government during 2014 to 2024. Rs 28 thousand crores were given to NDRF during 2004 to 2014, while Rs 80 thousand crores were given during 2014 to 2024. Shri Shah said that the government has increased the total amount from Rs 66 thousand crores to more than Rs 2 lakh crores. He said that the Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central funds. Shri Shah said that apart from this, a National Disaster Response Reserve of 250 crores was created, the first National Disaster Management Plan was released in 2016 which is completely in line with the Sendai framework, the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award was established in 2018-19 and the first phase of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation was done in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in 2018. He said that in 2020-21, the Home Ministry decided that the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Team (IMCT) will first go and do an immediate review and the Modi government made a provision to provide immediate assistance by sending 97 IMCTs within 10 days in 5 years.
Union Home Minister said that currently 16 battalions of NDRF are operational and seeing the NDRF personnel, people feel assured that they are safe now. He said that apart from this, programs have also been made for landslide risk management, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and civil security and training capacity building.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, conducted ‘Operation Maitri’ during the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ in Indonesia in 2018, ‘Operation Dost’ in Turkey and Syria in 2023, ‘Operation Karuna’ in Myanmar and ‘Operation Sadbhav’ in Vietnam, due to which the governments and people of these countries praised NDRF and Modi ji. He said that NDRF has worked to get our disaster management system firmed up at a national level.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India has signed agreements with Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Uzbekistan to strengthen disaster management and disaster risk reduction. The geographical conditions of these countries make them prone to similar disasters which are possible in India. He said that we have tried to ensure that these countries benefit from our best practices and we benefit from their best practices. Apart from the MoUs, international seminars were also held in the years 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, in which disaster management experts from member countries of organizations like SAARC, BRICS, SCO also participated.
Union Home Minister said that the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an example of India’s global leadership in the field of disaster management. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi put forward this idea in the UN Climate Summit held in New York on 23 September 2019 and it was established in India itself. He said that so far 42 countries and 7 international organizations have become members of CDRI and through CDRI, work has been done to establish India’s leadership in this field at the global level.
Shri Amit Shah said that through the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, a force of one lakh community volunteers has been created in 350 disaster prone districts at a cost of Rs 370 crore and the volunteers have been registered on the India Disaster Resource Network portal. The District Collectors have their complete details. When a disaster strikes, these volunteers reach for the help on their own. The Home Minister said that 20 percent of the one lakh ‘Aapada Mitra’ volunteers are women. Our women power is working shoulder to shoulder in the work of disaster management. He said that as a result of the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, 78 thousand people were rescued from disasters and taken to safe places and 129 lives were saved by providing them timely treatment at the hospitals.
Union Home Minister said that the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme is being expanded. To involve the youth, more than 1300 trained ‘Aapada Mitras’ have been employed as master trainers with a budget of Rs 470 crore. In this, NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Bharat Scouts and Guides will train two lakh 37 thousand ‘Aapada Mitras’, which will increase the total number of community volunteers to three lakh 37 thousand.
Shri Amit Shah said that we have created many apps for weather related information. These include ‘Mausam’, ‘Meghdoot’, ‘Flood Watch’, ‘Damini’, ‘Pocket Bhuvan’, ‘Sachet’, ‘Van Agni’ and ‘Samudra’. Also, a nodal agency has been created for the study of landslides. India Quake app has been created for automated broadcasting of earthquake parameters. He said that due to the efforts of Modi ji, today all these apps have reached almost every citizen of the country. This has benefited farmers, fishermen, people living on the seashore and people living in landslide prone areas on time.
Union Home Minister said that the entire world has accepted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the world in the field of environment, therefore the United Nations has honoured him with the award of Champions of the Earth. Modi ji has almost completed the task of making India free from single-use plastic. Many countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) formed on his initiative. Modi ji has worked to popularise the ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’ project worldwide. The construction of Inter-Regional Energy Grid has begun for sharing solar energy across the world. Crores of people have planted trees with devotion in reverence of Mother Earth and their own mothers through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Shri Amit Shah said that India has set the target of Net Zero Carbon Emission by the year 2070. He said that we have already achieved the targets of International Solar Alliance, Global Bio-fuel Alliance and 20 percent Ethanol Blending by the year 2025. Today all our vehicles have 20 percent eco-friendly fuel. Shri Shah said that by providing 10 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, we have stopped the smoke of cow dung cakes and coal. We have increased the Swachhata Abhiyan from 39 percent to 100 percent sanitation coverage. Along with this, the Green Hydrogen Mission has started the implementation of a new type of scheme in the entire world.
Union Home Minister said that, if the best COVID management has happened anywhere in the world, it has happened in India. Every Indian should be proud of this and the whole world praises our efforts immensely. He said that as soon as Corona arrived, we started making the vaccine. He said that during the previous regime, it used to take two generations to administer vaccines but under Modi Government India not only got the vaccine made but also ensured that it reached every citizen of the country. Shri Shah said that there is no parallel to such a precise use of technology for public welfare anywhere in the world. Due to the use of technology, the certificate was made available on the mobile as soon as the vaccine was administered and a reminder message would also come up with the time for the second vaccine.
Shri Amit Shah said that through video conference in the state’s civil hospitals and AIIMS, doctors treating minor diseases in small villages were guided about telemedicine, which saved the lives of lakhs of people. He said that the Prime Minister talked to the Chief Ministers of the states 40 times during COVID-19 and inquired about the situation. Not only the Prime Minister, the entire cabinet was involved in this work.
Union Home Minister said that due to our leadership we were able to fight the best battle against Corona in the whole world. Governments were fighting against Corona all over the world, but here the Central Government, State Government and 130 crore people were fighting together. He said that there is not a single example in independent India when an appeal by a leader has had the seriousness of a government order and the whole country followed the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Janta curfew with full seriousness. No leader’s appeal had ever received such a great respect.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was created during the previous regime. He said fund from PMNRF used to be given to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Shri Shah said that during Modi ji’s regime PM Cares fund was created. We spent its funds for tackling the corona epidemic, disaster relief, oxygen plants, ventilators, assistance to the poor and vaccination. Shri Shah said that under PM Cares, along with relief work, we have also provided many types of innovative assistance. There is no political interference in this.
Union Home Minister said that for Karnataka, an estimate of Rs 5,909 crore was given by a high-level committee, out of which Rs 5,800 crore was transferred. For Kerala, an estimate of Rs 3,743 crore was made, out of which Rs 2438 crore was given. For Tamil Nadu, Rs 4600 crore was given out of Rs 4817 crore. West Bengal was given Rs 5000 crore out of Rs 6837 crore. Himachal Pradesh was given Rs 1766 crore out of Rs 2339 crore. The committee has given more or less the same amount to Telangana as well.
Shri Amit Shah said that Rs 111 crore was given to Jharkhand, Rs 121 crore to Kerala, Rs 460 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 256 crore to Bihar and Rs 254 crore to Gujarat for fire-fighting measures, which was never given before. He said that other states will be given funds for fire-fighting measures next year. Shri Shah said that Rs 228 crore has been given to Tamil Nadu between the years 2019 to 2024 and a lot of assistance has been provided.
Union Home Minister said that we declared the disaster in Wayanad, Kerala as a disaster of severe nature. Rs 215 crore was immediately released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Rs 36 crore was sent for debris removal, which has not been spent yet. Apart from this, assistance of Rs 153 crore was given on the basis of the IMCT report. The state government has estimated the need for Rs 2219 crore for normalizing the situation and reconstruction, out of which Rs 530 crore has been given. Along with this, other measures have been suggested to get additional assistance from a special window.
Shri Amit Shah said that for the Central Government, citizens of all states including Kerala, Ladakh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh are equal and we do not discriminate against anyone. He said that in the Disaster Management Bill, we have paid attention to increasing human resources along with the provision of increasing technical capacity. Along with the government’s effort, provision has also been made for community effort and along with disaster-resistant construction, care has also been taken for the conservation of nature.
The negotiations on an international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response are currently ongoing[1]. The objective of Article 13[2] of the draft Agreement is to establish a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (hereafter the GSCL Network) to enhance equitable, timely and affordable access to pandemic-related health products.
Such products typically refer to health products that may be needed for prevention, preparedness and response to pandemic emergencies and may include medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, personal protective equipment.
The GSCL Network would be expected to be convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO), in full consultation with the Parties to the agreement, WHO Member States not Parties to the agreement and in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
The EU would have a role to play if it decides to become a Party to the agreement. Neither the EU nor the Commission would however be involved in the physical distribution of products under the GSCL Network.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK’s first RSV vaccination programme protects older people
New UKHSA study shows the RSV vaccination programme already achieving a 30% reduction in hospital admissions in older people in England as roll-out continues.
Early data from the roll out of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme in England shows it is making a significant reduction to hospital admission rates in older people. This analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) was published as a research letter in the Lancet.
The findings indicate 30% fewer hospital admissions in 75 to 79 year olds, who are eligible for the vaccine under the new programme, than would have occurred without vaccination. This was seen after around 40% of eligible older people took up the vaccine this winter, and the impact is expected to increase with further vaccine uptake.
The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the RSV vaccine in UK older people following the programme’s launch in September 2024. The UKHSA analysis used data from age groups either side of the vaccine programme to work out what the expected rate of admissions would be in 75 to 79 year olds, if there had not been a vaccine programme. UKHSA will also be evaluating infant RSV admissions prevented by the maternal vaccine programme.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:
Our analysis clearly demonstrates the excellent benefit of RSV vaccination for older people in avoiding severe illness, with a direct impact on reducing hospital admissions.
We are still in the early stages of the RSV programme roll out and the benefits will increase as more people take up their vaccine, including those newly turning 75. These positive initial findings highlight why it’s so important for eligible older people to come forward and protect themselves.
Pregnant women should also take up the RSV vaccine to give their baby vital early protection. We encourage pregnant women to contact their maternity service or GP surgery to book an appointment in week 28 or as soon afterwards as possible.
Since launching on 1 September, the RSV vaccination programme for older people has reached more than 50% of those eligible through the catch-up campaign. However, with more than 1 million yet to receive their vaccination, there is still significant opportunity to increase protection across the population.
Prof Wei Shen Lim, consultant respiratory physician Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Deputy Chair, said:
Older people admitted to hospital with respiratory infections due to RSV may become severely ill, to a similar extent as those admitted with flu.
The RSV vaccine provides a high level of protection against being hospitalised and this protection is expected to last more than 12 months.
I strongly encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer of the RSV vaccine ahead of next autumn, if they have not already done so.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton said:
These results from our RSV vaccination programmes are incredibly encouraging.
This safe, effective and free vaccine for pregnant women and older adults is already protecting more than a million people from this potentially deadly disease. With 50% of eligible older adults now protected, we’re making good progress – but I urge those who are eligible but haven’t yet come forward to get vaccinated.
The evidence is clear: this vaccine works and is helping protect vulnerable groups while reducing pressure on our NHS.
Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said:
These findings demonstrate the success of the NHS’s first ever RSV vaccine rollout and reinforce just how important it is for those eligible to get their jab, as it is preventing people getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital.
More than 1.5 million older people have been vaccinated so far since the rollout was launched in September, and we continue to work hard to reach anyone who has not yet had the jab, with around 1.3 million invites being sent out last month and tens of thousands of people coming forward each week.
If you have been invited but haven’t yet taken up the offer, please get vaccinated as soon as possible – for older people it can prevent you developing a severe illness like pneumonia and even save your life, while for pregnant women it is the best way to protect your baby from getting seriously ill with RSV.
Emerging evidence from other countries about a maternal RSV vaccination programme, similar to that launched last September in the UK which aims to protect infants from RSV, has also shown a clear benefit. A major 2024 study in Argentina, one of the first countries in the world to introduce a maternal vaccine, shows a 70% reduction in RSV hospital admissions in infants up to 6 months of age in mothers vaccinated during pregnancy. Data about the impact of the maternal programme in England will be published by UKHSA later this year.
Of women giving birth in England in October, UKHSA data from GP systems shows that 39% had received an RSV vaccine. The vaccine is offered from week 28 of pregnancy. Eligible women who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to contact their maternity service or GP practice to arrange an appointment.
The research consolidates similar observations from Scotland published in Lancet Infectious Disease earlier this year.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
UKHSA publishes first annual report summarising latest infectious disease trends
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) first annual report summarising the latest infectious disease trends, bringing together all the key data from 2023 to early 2025 and outlining steps the organisation is taking to tackle these threats.
The Infectious diseases impacting England: 2025 report shows a rise in both endemic disease and vaccine-preventable infections. Infectious diseases were the primary reason for over 20% of hospital bed usage, at an annual cost of almost £6bn in 2023 to 2024. Developing scientific capability and effective interventions are having positive impacts, but more action is needed.
The report shows the re-emergence, re-establishment and an unrelenting rise in a number of infectious diseases since 2022 to 2023, with particular increases in endemic diseases and vaccine-preventable infections. The agency acknowledges that the return of social mixing, international travel and migration following the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to these patterns.
The report also shows some really positive impact in some areas due to the introduction of new public health interventions.
An intense influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season was seen in 2024 to 2025, for the second consecutive year after the pandemic, with activity and hospital admissions at similar levels seen post-pandemic in 2022 to 2023. The introduction of the new RSV vaccine programmes for the elderly, and pregnant women are already helping to reduce winter pressures. Interim findings published today confirm a 30% reduction in the rate of RSV hospital admissions in the winter of 2024 to 2025 in 75 to 79 year olds; this cohort are eligible for vaccination under the new programme.
COVID-19 transmission has declined, with the virus circulating at baseline levels of activity for much of the current winter season. Incremental vaccine effectiveness was around 45% against hospitalisation, with vaccine uptake in older age groups at 60% to 70%. Vaccination of priority groups, in particular the elderly, remained an important intervention to protect against severe disease.
Tuberculosis (TB) cases have increased by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022, with provisional data for 2024 showing a further increase of 13%, which amounted to more than 600 additional notifications of people being diagnosed in 2024 compared to 2023. This trajectory would see the UK lose its World Health Organization (WHO) low incidence status if not reversed. UKHSA continues to work with NHSE and other partners on the TB action plan, which sets out steps to improve the prevention and detection of TB.
Continued progress in eliminating viral Hepatitis C (HCV) as a public health problem by 2030 has been made, with the number of people living with chronic HCV infection falling dramatically by 57% from 2015 to the end of 2023. England is also meeting and exceeding the WHO’s absolute targets on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related mortality, incidence, mother-to-child transmission and vaccine coverage.
There has been surge in cases of measles in children under the age of 10 and an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in 2024, with 433 cases in infants under 3 months of age, of whom 10 died. Both outbreaks highlight the critical importance of vaccination in eligible groups.
UKHSA analysis found that over 20% of secondary care bed days in 2023 to 2024 in NHS hospitals (admitted care) were primarily attributable to infectious disease, at a cost of £5.9bn. These infections are also distributed unevenly; in England, from 2023 to 2024, hospital admission rates due to infectious
Diseases and infections were nearly twice as high for people in the 20% most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. UKHSA is undertaking further work to better understand these disparities.
UKHSA continues to be at the forefront of the work being done to tackle the spread of TB, working closely with the NHS and local systems to ensure optimal prevention and control measures are implemented, for example. Also crucial is developing the evidence base for new interventions to support further policy development to help reduce transmission of the disease.
There are also novel interventions on the horizon for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), based on UKHSA evidence. A routine gonorrhoea programme using the 4CMenB vaccine for GBMSM (gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men) at high risk has been advised. UKHSA has also worked with the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV to develop their evidence-based clinical guideline for the use of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of syphilis, which is currently out for public consultation.
Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic and Emerging infections at UKHSA, said:
It is clear that a number of factors altered the rates and impact of endemic and epidemic infectious diseases in England over recent years, and the reductions in transmission related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been followed by a rise in a range of infections since 2022 to 2023 due to the return of social mixing, international travel and migration.
We have also seen vaccine uptake decrease for a number of infectious diseases, including measles, whooping cough and in certain groups eligible for the flu vaccine, such as under 65 at risk, pregnant women and health care workers.
This winter has demonstrated that rises in rates of infectious diseases can cause significant strain, not only on the individuals directly affected, but also on the NHS. It is vital that we are not complacent about infections where we can reduce the burden of disease via interventions such as our world-class vaccination programmes.
Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said:
Our scientific capability and the introduction of new interventions are all helping to keep people safe and well, but our report also highlights that we have plenty of work and opportunities ahead.
Along with our partners across the healthcare sector, we need to be bolder. Behind this data there are real people, people who are sick or at risk of becoming sick, and in some cases dying. This brings with it a cost to our economy too. Yet much of this harm and distress is preventable.
Our rich data sources provide us with a huge amount of knowledge, and we will continue to use it, carefully and confidentially, to reduce the burden of infectious disease across the country, ensuring our interventions reach the people who need them most.’
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, March 25 — Sufyan Shomokh Marwan Sufyan, a 1-year-old Yemeni girl, has received a digital vaccine record in the city of Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province.
She is the first foreigner to enjoy such a service provided by China.
Provision of the digital vaccine record for foreigners was made possible thanks to the efforts of the centers for disease control and prevention at the provincial and city levels. By overcoming technical difficulties in adaptation between transnational programs, multi-language services, recognition of non-Chinese identifications, as well as obtaining such records, China has broadened service coverage of the digital vaccine records to include not only Chinese people.
“It’s efficient and convenient to obtain the digital vaccine record, and it allows me to check it on my phone,” said Sufyan Marwan Sufyan Mohanmmed, the father, adding that the service made vaccine reservation and school enrollment processes much simpler.
Considering the differences between vaccines in China and other countries, the nation has made adaptive adjustments to the vaccine record system, so as to collect information effectively and avoid problems in vaccinations that can occur when kids start school, including those lacking several vaccinations or having received repeated vaccinations, said Lou Xiaoming, deputy director of the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of children around the world dying before their fifth birthday stands at a record low – but this achievement is under threat due to a chronic lack of investment in routine humanitarian work and interventions, the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said on Tuesday.
The death toll for under-fives was 4.8 million in 2023 – a significant decline – with stillbirths falling marginally to around 1.9 million, data released by the UN shows.
Despite this, decades of hard-won progress in child survival is under threat as a result of funding cuts, health system challenges and regional disparities, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are warning alongside members of the interagency network IGME.
“Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.
“Bringing preventable child deaths to a record low is a remarkable achievement. But without the right policy choices and adequate investment, we risk reversing these hard-earned gains, with millions more children dying from preventable causes. We cannot allow that to happen,” she emphasised.
Preventable causes of child deaths
The data – contained in two reports – also showed that almost half of under-five deaths occurred within the first month of life, predominantly due to premature birth and complications during labour.
For those who survived past infancy, infectious diseases – such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhoea – remained leading causes of preventable death.
In addition, almost half of late stillbirths occur during labour, often due to maternal infections, prolonged or obstructed labour and lack of timely medical intervention.
Experts stressed that improving access to high-quality maternal, newborn and child health care is critical to preventing these deaths.
Source: IGME
Under-five mortality rate.
Regional disparities
Where a child is born greatly influences their chances of survival. In low-income countries, essential services, vaccines and treatments are often inaccessible, contributing to disproportionately high mortality rates.
The risk of death before turning five is 80 times higher in the highest-mortality country than the lowest-mortality country, the reports found. Within countries, the poorest children, those living in rural areas and those with less-educated mothers faced higher risks.
Stillbirths followed similar patterns, with women in low-income countries eight times more likely to experience a stillbirth than those in high-income countries.
Funding cuts
Cuts in funding for lifesaving child survival programmes are worsening existing disparities.
Reduction in resources have led to healthcare worker shortages, clinic closures, disruptions in vaccination campaigns and shortages of essential supplies such as malaria treatments.
Countries affected by humanitarian crises, those with significant debt burdens or already facing high child mortality rates are particularly impacted.
Call to action
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, underscored the need to urgently scale up collaboration to protect children’s lives and their health.
“From tackling malaria to preventing stillbirths and ensuring evidence-based care for the tiniest babies, we can make a difference for millions of families,” he said.
India is ranked 1st in milk production since 1998, nowcontributing 25 percent of global milk production. Milk production has increased by 63.56% over the past 10 years from 146.3 million tonnes during 2014-15 to 239.2 million tonnes during 2023-24, with an annual growth rate of 5.7 % during the past 10 years and whereas, world milk production is growing at 2% per annum. Per capita availability of milk in the country has increased by 48% in the last decade with more than 471 gm/person/day during the year 2023-24 as against the per capita availability of 322 gram/ person/ day in the world.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the following schemes across the country to complement and supplement the efforts for milk production and milk processing infrastructure made by the State Government;
National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): NPDD is implemented with following 2 components:
Component ”A” of NPDD focuses on creating/strengthening of infrastructure for quality milk testing equipment as well as primary chilling facilities for State Cooperative Dairy Federations/ District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union/ Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Milk Producer Companies/ Farmer Producer Organizations.
Component ‘B’ of the NPDD scheme “Dairying through Cooperatives” aims to increase sale of milk and dairy products by increasing farmer’s access to organized market, upgrading dairy processing facilities and marketing infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of producer owned institutions.
Supporting Dairy Cooperatives & Farmer Producer Organisations engaged in dairy activities (SDCFPO): To assist the State Dairy Cooperative Federations by providing interest subvention with respect to working capital loan to tide over the crisis on account severely adverse market conditions or natural calamities.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): AHIDF is being implemented for funding of eligible projects set up by individual entrepreneurs, Dairy Cooperatives, Farmers Producer Organizations, Private Companies, MSMEs and Section 8 companies for their investment for processing and value addition in animal husbandry sector by scheduled banks. Under the scheme, credit facilities are to be made available for establishment of Dairy processing & value addition infrastructure, Animal feed manufacturing plant, Breed Improvement Technology and Breed Multiplication farm, Animal waste to wealth management (Agri Waste management) and Veterinary vaccine and drugs production facilities.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): To enhance milk production and productivity of bovines Government is implementing Rashtriya Gokul Mission for development and conservation of indigenous breeds and genetic upgradation of bovine population.
National Livestock Mission (NLM): to bring sharp focus on entrepreneurship development and breed improvement in poultry, sheep, goat and piggery by providing the incentivization to the individual, FPOs, SHGs, Section 8 companies for entrepreneurship development and also to the State Government for breed improvement infrastructure.
Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP): to provide for prophylactic vaccination against animal diseases, capacity building of veterinary services, disease surveillance, and strengthening veterinary infrastructure.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is continuously organizing social media campaigns through the official channels to make people aware about the nutritional benefits of milk. These campaigns include awareness posts, infographics, reels and engagement through hashtags and digital outreach.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
ICMR Pioneers Drone-Based Cornea Transport to Revolutionize Eye Care Successful Pilot Demonstrates the Potential of Aerial Medical Logistics for Timely and Efficient Cornea Transplants under ICMR’s i-DRONE Initiative
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:38PM by PIB Delhi
Aligning with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make India self-reliant and technologically empowered, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a pioneering study on the aerial transport of human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts.
ICMR in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital and with the support from Ministry of Civil Aviation has conducted a feasibility study to assess the potential of using drones to transport sensitive ophthalmic biomaterials such as human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts from peripheral collection centres to tertiary hospitals for transplantation procedures, in Sonipat and Jhajjar, Haryana. The drone successfully transported corneal tissue from Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (Sonipat centre) to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), AIIMS Jhajjar, and subsequently to AIIMS New Delhi. The distance between the two cities was covered in around 40 minutes via drones which usually takes around 2-2.5 hours to cover via road. The drone maintained optimal conditions for specimen integrity and upon arrival, the cornea was evaluated, leading to a successful transplant surgery.
Drones are emerging as game changers in healthcare logistics, offering rapid delivery of life-saving medical supplies to remote and hard-to-reach areas. The timely transportation of corneal tissues is critical, as the viability of donated corneas is time-sensitive. Delays in transportation can compromise tissue quality and reduce the chances of successful transplantation. Drone-based transport offers a swift, temperature-stable, and efficient alternative to traditional road networks, which are often slow or unpredictable—especially in semi-urban or rural areas. This can help bridge the gap between donor sites and recipients, ensuring that no viable tissue goes unused and that more patients regain sight in time.
Over the past few years, ICMR’s i-DRONE initiative has demonstrated the successful use of drones to deliver essential medical supplies in states such as North East India (Covid-19 and UIP vaccines, medications, and surgical), Himachal Pradesh (medications and samples in high altitude and sub-zero temperatures), Karnataka (intraoperative oncosurgical samples), Telangana (TB sputum samples) and the NCR (blood bags and its components). These efforts highlight the growing capability and promise of drones in bridging the last-mile healthcare gap.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General, ICMR, stated:
“The i-DRONE platform was originally conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver vaccines to remote regions. Since then, we’ve scaled our efforts to include low-temperature delivery of blood products and essential medicines to high-altitude and sub-zero locations. This cornea transport study marks another step forward—enhancing patient access, ensuring timely transplants, and reducing pressure on overburdened tertiary hospitals. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India powered by innovation. Drone-based healthcare logistics are the future, and India is taking the lead by applying this to areas where it matters most—saving lives and restoring sight.”
Shri Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary and Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation, added:
“This collaboration between health and aviation sectors is an inspiring example of tech-enabled social impact. The use of drones for cornea delivery showcases India’s growing capability to solve real-world healthcare challenges using homegrown solutions. Drones offer a scalable solution for timely medical delivery in geographically challenging areas. As India strengthens its drone ecosystem, such studies are critical to building resilient and responsive healthcare infrastructure.”
Prof. (Dr.) M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, remarked:
“Corneal blindness affects millions in India, and timely availability of donor tissue is often a limiting factor. This drone-based transport model could be a transformative step toward ensuring equitable access to vision-restoring surgeries, especially in underserved areas. The success of this pilot project opens the door to deploying precision drone logistics for a wide range of critical medical applications.”
Through this study, researchers aim to document operational workflows, identify technical bottlenecks, and generate evidence to support the integration of drone logistics in routine medical practice—especially for time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive biological materials like human corneas. The findings will help shape future protocols, policies, and best practices for aerial transport in healthcare. The event was attended by many dignitaries including Dr Anil Kumar, Director, National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, MoHFW.
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HFW/ ICMR – Drone Based Cornea Transport/25 March 2025/5
For disease surveillance, prevention and control along with efforts for responsible antibiotic use of the Government are as follows: –
Active disease surveillance on diseases such as Avian influenza, PPR, CSF, FMD etc. are taken up by various ICAR Animal Science institutes. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Institute on Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru provides disease risk forewarnings using Artificial Intelligence and machine learning models (AI &ML) for 15 economically important diseases on monthly basis to every state including displaying on ICAR-NIVEDI’s NADRES V2 portal as well as DAHD portal.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has a network of laboratories which includes diagnostic laboratories in the States, one Central Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (CDDL) at Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly and five Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) one each at Bengaluru, Pune, Jalandhar, Kolkata and Guwahati for disease surveillance, early detection and swift response to disease threats.
ICAR has strengthened the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by initiating All India Network Programme on AMR (AINP-AMR) involving 31 centres across different states of the country. Indian Network for Fishery and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR) is conducting AMR surveillance to track trends in food animals and aquaculture tounderstand AMR risk factors in animals and fisheries to devise control strategies.
Department has formulated the National Action Plan on Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) in consultation with MoH&FW and other stake holders for judicious use, surveillance and monitoring of antibiotics in animal health sector. MoA&FW is also one of the stakeholder in respect to use of pesticides and antibiotics in agriculture sector keeping in view the One Health Initiative and provisions under NAP-AMR.Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has issued advisories to all State/UTs for judicious use of antibiotics in treatment of food producing animals, for stopping the use of antibiotics in animal feed and for general awareness.
Under Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) scheme, 100% central assistance is provided to States/UTs for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease, Black Quarter, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia etc including disease surveillance, monitoring and capacity building. Vaccination reduces the use of antibiotics, hence reduce the AMR.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying,Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants. Based on these evaluations, WHO advises vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities on the implications for future updates to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The next decision-making meeting of the TAG-CO-VAC is scheduled for May 2025, after which a statement on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and an accompanying data annex will be published on the WHO website. These meetings are timed to balance the availability of the latest epidemiological, immunological, and virological data, with the kinetics of vaccine-induced protection and the lead time manufacturers need to update the antigen composition of authorized COVID-19 vaccines.
The purpose of this statement is to guide the scientific community and vaccine manufacturers as to which data should be generated ahead of the May 2025 TAG-CO-VAC deliberations. It is an update to the previous statement on the types of data requested in October 2024.1
To inform decisions on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition,2-6 the TAG-CO-VAC reviews data (see Table) on the genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the antigenic characteristics of previously and currently circulating variants. This includes the analysis of animal antisera following primary infection or vaccination in one-way and two-way neutralization tests, as well as immunogenicity data that assess the breadth and durability of immune responses, including neutralizing antibody responses, using sera from sequentially immunized or infected animals and pre-and post-vaccination human sera. The TAG-CO-VAC also considers vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines, particularly those that control for time since vaccination and that provide variant-specific estimates across different vaccine platforms for protection against any infection, symptomatic disease, and severe disease. Further examples of published data reviewed by TAG-CO-VAC and used to inform decisions on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition can be found in the annexes accompanying each of the previous statements.2-6
In addition, the TAG-CO-VAC reviews available data from vaccine manufacturers, including animal and human studies demonstrating the breadth and durability of immune responses elicited by currently authorized vaccines, as well as any vaccine candidates in development. For vaccine candidates in development, the TAG-CO-VAC highlights the utility of clinical immunogenicity data for decision-making on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The TAG-CO-VAC also notes that comparable immunogenicity data (i.e. to the same variants) from previous vaccine compositions are especially useful. Vaccine manufacturers are also asked to provide observational epidemiological data that demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness of their authorized COVID-19 vaccines, as well as any vaccine candidates in development.
At this stage, the key antisera and antigens of interest for the May 2025 decision-making meeting for demonstrating breadth include antisera to: BA.2 (other historical reference viruses – e.g., index virus, Alpha, BA.1 – are also useful for determining antigenic relationships), XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antisera of interest are animal sera after single or sequential exposure and human sera after a boost with monovalent JN.1, KP.2 or XBB.1.5 vaccines. Both pre- and post-vaccination sera should be included and, for all antisera, neutralizing antibody titers should be analyzed against at least one variant that emerged after the vaccine antigen, where feasible. Analysis of these antisera against the same panel of virus antigens as well as other new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants will provide insight into antigenic characteristics of previous and emerging variants. Emerging variants include the list of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) maintained on the WHO website. Relative VE estimates should be calculated during periods of circulation of XBB, JN.1, KP.3.1.1, XEC or other emerging variant(s) in human populations across age groups, with separate VE estimates for each of the following vaccine antigen compositions: monovalent JN.1, monovalent KP.2 or monovalent XBB.1.5. Where available, the underlying rates of disease outcomes used to derive the relative VE estimates should also be provided.
In preparation for the May 2025 meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC encourages the scientific community and vaccine manufacturers to prioritize generating and sharing the data outlined in the Table below to ensure evidence-informed deliberations on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition; please contact the TAG-CO-VAC Secretariat: [tagcovac@who.int].
Type of data
Comments
SARS-CoV-2 genetic evolution
Key variants include the list of Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM). This list is maintained on the WHO website.+
Antigenic characterization of previous and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants
Animal sera following primary infection or vaccination against each of the following variants: BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants* analyzed in one-way and two-way neutralization tests (pseudotype and live virus neutralization assays).
Preliminary immunogenicity data on breadth and durability of immune responses following vaccination or infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant antigens.
Neutralization of various representative viruses by non-naïve animal sera (e.g., sequentially immunized or infected), for each of the following antigens: BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and emerging variants;* Neutralization of various representative viruses (BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants*) by both pre- and post-vaccination human sera. Vaccinee sera should be analyzed in priority order: JN.1, KP.2, XBB.1.5; Neutralization of variants (BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants*) by sera from cohorts that are representative of recent population immunity.
Vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates of currently approved vaccines
Relative VE estimates during periods of circulation of XBB, JN.1, KP.3.1.1, XEC or emerging variant(s) * in human populations. Studies need to estimate relative VE by time since vaccination or at least provide a measure of time since vaccination, such as the mean or median. They should also provide variant-specific estimates and distinct estimates for each of the following vaccine antigen compositions across different vaccine platforms: monovalent JN.1, monovalent KP.2, or monovalent XBB.1.5. Studies should also provide relative VE for a range of outcomes beyond severe disease, including any infection or symptomatic disease. Severe disease should not be defined using generic hospital admission data, but rather with specific criteria such as oxygen use, ventilation, or admission to intensive care due to respiratory symptoms. Where available, underlying rates of disease outcomes used to estimate the relative VE should also be provided.
Data from vaccine manufacturers
Animal and human data that demonstrate the breadth and durability in immune responses elicited by vaccines in current portfolio, as well as any vaccine candidates in development, against BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants;* Observational epidemiological data that demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness of any vaccines in current portfolio, as well as any vaccine candidates in development, against BA.2, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, LF.7.2 and potentially emerging variants.*
* Key emerging variants that evolve and considered relevant for demonstrating breadth include the list of Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants Under Monitoring (VUM). This list is maintained on the WHO website: https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants
A recent WHO-led study published in Vaccine provides updated estimates on the global production capacity of influenza vaccines, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in pandemic preparedness. As an activity tracked in the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Partnership Contribution High-Level Implementation Plan III (2024-2030) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, this analysis estimates that annual seasonal influenza vaccine production remains stable, however the lack of manufacturing facilities in the African region and in low- and middle-income countries could lead to unequal access and distribution in the event of a pandemic.
The study found that since the last survey in 2019, annual seasonal influenza vaccine production capacity has remained relatively stable at 1.53 billion doses. This could support a pandemic vaccine capacity of 4.13 billion doses in a moderate-case scenario and 8.26 billion doses in a best-case scenario. This estimate does not reflect potential mRNA production capacity as no seasonal or pandemic influenza mRNA vaccines are licensed at this time.
The analysis documents that over 80% of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines rely on egg-based production, with inactivated influenza virus vaccines comprising the majority of supply. Reliance on embryonated eggs presents supply chain vulnerabilities, and access to other critical supplies may limit rapid scale-up during a pandemic. Expanding cell-based vaccines, including recombinant protein vaccine technologies, and investment in next-generation vaccines, such as mRNA-based influenza vaccines, could improve production speed and increase vaccine supply.
The study also found that while vaccine manufacturing facilities exist in most WHO regions, the African Region remains without local production. Production capacity is concentrated in high income and upper-middle income countries. The authors recommend strengthening local vaccine manufacturing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to ensure equitable access.
Seasonal influenza vaccination is important to prevent influenza and make illness less severe. It is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications and their carers. Promoting seasonal influenza vaccination also supports global manufacturing capacity and bolsters pandemic readiness. This is because, in the event of a pandemic, manufacturers of the seasonal influenza vaccine leverage existing production processes and manufacturing facilities to create pandemic vaccines.
As the world prepares for future influenza pandemics, addressing these production and distribution challenges is critical. WHO continues to support efforts to expand access, innovate vaccine technologies, and strengthen global preparedness.
For more details, the full study is available in Vaccine (2025).
Global influenza surveillance has been conducted through GISRS for over 70 years, since 1952. GISRS is a key WHO initiative, serving as the world’s network for monitoring influenza viruses, providing recommendations on seasonal vaccine compositions in both the northern and southern hemispheres, strengthening laboratory surveillance, and acting as a global alert mechanism for the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential. It encompasses a network of 160 laboratories in 130 countries.
Over the past ten years GISRS capacities have been leveraged for the surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, GISRS quickly adapted to integrate the surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This guidance highlights practical considerations for the integration of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV surveillance into influenza surveillance system and at standards of GISRS surveillance for influenza. The implementation of the guidance helps countries move towards a broader respiratory disease surveillance strategy for better preparedness and response to future health emergencies.
The document highlights the primary objectives of sentinel surveillance to monitor the epidemiology and characteristics of acute respiratory illnesses and respiratory viruses, and outlines the minimum standards required, along with any adjustments needed to support additional, secondary objectives. Countries are recommended to adopt at least the minimum surveillance standards specific for each of the viruses to be integrated into the GISRS platform, based on national surveillance objectives. National level surveillance is very important as it provides an evidence base for regional and global public health actions. WHO will continue to support the strengthening of GISRS and making the system a robust asset for influenza and other respiratory viruses surveillance and response.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
An international group of researchers, including specialists from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, conducted a large-scale survey in 68 countries on the topic of trust in science. In most countries, people continue to highly value the work of scientists and want to see them become more active participants in public life. The results are published in Nature Human Behavior.
Howresearch showsAccording to Arthur Lupia and David Allison, the last five years have seen a decline in trust in science and scientists in particular. The crisis of trust has become especially noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic. To study this problem in more detail, the international multidisciplinary consortium TISP (Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism) conducted a survey to provide reliable data on attitudes towards science.
More than 71,000 people answered questions about their trust in scientists and rated their competence, honesty, and concern for the common good. The survey design also included assessments of respondents’ education, income, and political views.
The survey involved 68 countries, including those from the Global South, which are often overlooked in such studies. This allowed us to identify not only global trends in attitudes towards science, but also regional specifics.
The survey found that 78% of respondents worldwide believe that scientists are competent, 57% believe that they are honest, and 56% believe that they care about the well-being of people. Respondents also believe that research aimed at improving public health, solving energy problems, reducing poverty, and combating climate change should be given high priority.
Many people would like to see scientists involved in decision-making: 83% of respondents support open science, and 52% support researchers’ participation in public policy. However, less than half (42%) are confident that scientists themselves take public opinion into account.
The study shows that the credibility of science remains high in most countries, but trust in scientists varies widely across countries and among different social groups within a country. In places where people were more reliant on scientific data, crises such as the pandemic were easier to deal with, and citizens were more likely to follow recommendations for vaccination and safety measures. Tackling mistrust of scientific findings is especially important because societies that trust scientists more are better able to deal with climate and health challenges.
Among the main reasons for the weakening authority of science, researchers highlight misinformation, conspiracy theories, a crisis in the reproducibility of scientific data, and scientific populist sentiments, in which popular opinion is opposed to expert knowledge. These factors were especially evident during the pandemic, when, for example, opinion leaders called for the use of traditional medicine instead of vaccination.
“Our results show that most people in most countries have a relatively high level of trust in scientists and want them to play an active role in society and politics,” says Albina Galliamova, a junior research fellow Center for Sociocultural Research HSE University. — One of the reasons for the decline in trust is insufficiently active educational activities in the public space. It is obvious that in order to overcome current problems, it is necessary to actively and clearly tell the audience about the results of your research.”
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.
