Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)
Baltimore, Maryland – David Godin, 34, aka “James St Patrick,” aka “David Wetty,” aka “Vic Pro,” of Miami, Florida, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a scheme to defraud the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) and California Employment Development Department (CA-EDD). Godin attempted to defraud MD-DOL and CA-EDD of more than $2.3 million in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office.
According to the plea agreement, from June 2020 through November 2023, Godin engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud the MD-DOL and CA-EDD by using the personal identifiable information of identity theft victims, anonymous email addresses, virtual private networks, and proxy servers. This enabled Godin to file numerous fraudulent UI claims with multiple states from a single location; aggregate UI information in discrete accounts; and avoid fraud safeguards put in place by state insurance programs.
Godin submitted and caused the submission of at least 140 fraudulent UI claims to MD-DOL, CA-EDD, and other state workforce agencies, resulting in approximately $2,364,226 in UI benefits. He obtained $1,087,345.66 through the fraud scheme. As part of the plea agreement, Godin is required to pay restitution of $1,087,345.66. Additionally, Godin must forfeit money, property, and/or assets that he obtained through the scheme, including a money judgment of at least $1,087,345.66.
Godin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud scheme and a consecutive mandatory minimum sentence of two years in federal prison for using the personal identifiable information of identity theft victims during and in relation to the fraudulent activities. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox has scheduled sentencing for June 30, at 10 a.m.
This case is part of the District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force, a Strike Force that is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
For more information about the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DOL-OIG and IRS-CI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bijon A. Mostoufi and Jared M. Beim, who are prosecuting the federal case, and Joanna N. Huber, who is supporting the case.
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.
One surprise in the early days of the pandemic was people’s increased willingness to trust political authorities. According to the British Social Attitudes survey (BSA), the proportion of people trusting government ministers rose from 15% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. Data from Ipsos MORI showed a similar bounce for trust in government ministers and politicians in 2021. Trust in government was also a significant factor in whether people complied with lockdown rules and other restrictions.
Since then, however, people’s trust in government has plummeted. The latest BSA survey finds that, in 2023, just 14% of the population said they trust government “always” or “most of the time”. Fully 45% of the population trust government “almost never”. These are the most negative set of figures since the BSA began asking questions on trust almost four decades ago.
This collapse in trust is perhaps unsurprising given the various government shenanigans over the past few years, notably Boris Johnson’s Downing Street lockdown parties and Liz Truss’s disastrous prime ministerial tenure. However, there is also evidence that Britons have become less trusting as a result of dashed expectations over the benefits of Brexit, negative views of government performance in areas like health, and cost of living pressures.
Yet while Britons are less trusting of those with political authority, they appear to be more trusting in each other. Back in 1999, 29% of the population believed that “most people [in Britain] can be trusted”. Four decades on, that proportion has increased to 46%, topping the previous high of 43% in 1981. This might partly reflect the sense of collective endeavour and neighbourliness that was instilled during the pandemic, when we were encouraged to look out for, and help, other people. There is also evidence that, while people see the country as a whole as becoming more divided, at the local level perceptions of unity outweigh perceptions of division.
This is a welcome shift, particularly since trust in other people is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including support for international cooperation and international organisations. In an uncertain and dangerous world, social trust may be an important factor shaping the willingness of states to work together.
Wellbeing of politicians
The decline of popular trust in government and politicians is concerning. Low trust is associated with support for populist politicians such as Donald Trump and upheavals like Brexit. Low trust could also significantly compromise public acceptance of, and compliance with, official messages and rules in a future pandemic.
Distrust can also cause direct harm to public figures. As one of us (James) has shown, politicians are generally poor estimators of public trust in themselves. But where they do perceive widespread distrust, often because of repeated experiences of physical or online abuse and intimidation, this has a significant negative effect on their mental health and wellbeing.
Increased security around MPs – the cost of which jumped from £77,234.67 to £4,381,733.40 between 2014 and 2022 – is likely to protect them from the worst excesses of public distrust where it trickles over into extreme behaviour. Yet given the importance of contact for people’s trust, it could also inadvertently fuel more cynicism by increasing the physical distance between politicians and the public.
The public’s declining regard for politicians and government should be a source of concern. We are hardly likely to recruit the calibre of politician we expect (and need), or indeed encourage a more diverse population of aspiring representatives, if the personal costs of holding elected office are so high.
At the same time, a look at the bigger picture offers some reassurance. As one of us (Ben) has recently shown, there is little evidence that low trust induces popular scepticism towards democracy itself, or that it weakens public support for state spending or government programmes in key areas like healthcare.
Trust on the frontline
The nature and strength of Britain’s civic ties are revealed not only in our trust of politicians and institutions, but also in how we treat the people who provide public services, such as police officers and health workers.
On the face of it, the picture is not pretty. Over the past few years, rates of public abuse towards frontline service providers have increased. In 2021, 18% of teachers reported having experienced verbal abuse from a parent or carer in the past year. In 2023, that figure had risen to 30%.
A survey of police officers in 2022 found that 37% had experienced verbal insults at least once a week over the past year. This was an increase from the 29% of officers who reported a similar level of insults in 2020, although the figure dropped slightly in 2023 to 34%.
Rates of physical abuse of London ambulance staff have more than doubled in four years, with 346 incidents recorded in 2019, increasing to 728 incidents in 2023. A similar picture of public abuse is found for frontline workers in the health service. Polling in 2023 found that 85% of GPs across the UK had received verbal abuse from members of the public during the past year. A 2021 survey by the British Medical Association found more than half of GPs, and one in five hospital doctors, had experienced verbal abuse in the past month.
While majorities of the British public express trust in many frontline workers such as nurses and doctors (who currently attract 94% and 88% trust ratings), others appear to take a more negative view, extending even to abusive behaviour.
Given the range of service providers facing such rising antipathy, it seems unlikely that the trigger for this was the pandemic. A better clue is provided by longer-term data on public treatment of doctors.
Responses are to a survey question reading ‘In the last 12 months, have you personally experienced harassment, bullying or abuse at work from patients, their relatives or members of the public?’. Author provided, data from NHS Staff Survey
NHS survey figures show that rates of abuse towards doctors declined between 2003 and 2011. (The wording of the relevant survey question changed in 2012, which restricts our ability to compare the more recent data). This was precisely the period when resources were pumped into the health service and public satisfaction with the NHS increased. This suggests that public interactions with frontline service workers like doctors are strongly shaped by the quality of the service they face.
Indeed, GPs themselves ascribe the verbal abuse they and their staff experience to people’s dissatisfaction with the service, including discontent with access to health services. One underappreciated effect of austerity might thus be an increased public frustration with healthcare workers, which on occasion appears to extend to outright abuse.
More accessible (read: better funded) public services might reduce some negativity towards frontline service workers. However, the important task of rebuilding people’s trust in politicians is – particularly given the negative coverage by much of Britain’s media – likely to be a trickier task.
James Weinberg receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
Ben Seyd 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.
A University of Aberdeen geology student has reached the final of the UK Career Change Awards after embarking on a degree following service as a Royal Marine Commando and rope access technician on offshore installations.
Andy Rycroft, who lives in Turriff, had written off his chances of succeeding in education with a succession of school reports citing that he was ‘easily distracted, doesn’t listen to instructions, presentation is poor’.
With no qualifications he enlisted in the Royal Marines and after 32 weeks of the most arduous basic military training in the world, became a Royal Marines Commando serving in Afghanistan and on operations in Canada and the UK.
The military gave him his first taste of formal training and he gained and NVQ and apprenticeship in engineering.
But when he left in 2012 he again turned to his practical skills training as a Rope Access Inspection Technician and later worked in the Oil and Gas industry as a project planner.
It was not until Covid slowed down the pace of the world that he asked what really inspired him and decided to follow his passion for earth and planetary science, signing up to a part-time distance learning course with the University of London Birkbeck.
During the enrolment process he took a learning differences screening and was diagnosed with dyslexia, making sense of the negative school reports.
Andy said: “With correct allowances in place and modern technology like recording lectures, Grammarly, reading back aloud and extra reading time in exams, I unlocked the cheat code in my mind.
“After achieving a distinction in the planetary science certificate, I was eager to complete the degree but decided to come closer to home and accelerate it to full-time learning.
“So, after 11 years in the Oil industry, I left and the University of Aberdeen accepted me to year two of BSc Geology, where I achieved my proudest grade to date. A 3500 report on the history of earth life with an A1 grade, has given me a huge confidence boost going into my honours years.
“I am currently in year 3 and getting ready to undertake my mapping project dissertation in the summer of 2025. After I complete my degree in 2026, I will become the first in my family to have a university degree.”
This remarkable career change has secured him a place as one of only 10 finalists the targetjobs UK Career Change Award Grand Final to be held in London April 25.
And Andy has plans to put his academic passion for earth sciences to practical use once he has completed his degree.
“I want to be part of something that makes a tangible impact on people’s lives,” he added. “The current energy crisis in the UK, where some people have to choose between heating and eating, is not something we can sit by and do nothing about. This can only be achieved by investing in wind, battery storage, and electric car charging infrastructure using clean energy sources. I am keen to transition into an industry where I can apply these passions.
“I’m honoured to be selected for the final out of hundreds of nationwide applications. I had the privilege of meeting representatives from Clifford Chance, the award sponsor and seeing first-hand how seriously they value career changers.
“Being invited to their stunning HQ in Canary Wharf along with 20 other shortlisted candidates was an incredible and humbling experience. I had the opportunity to pitch my career change journey and present an innovation that breaks down barriers for career changers, showcasing its benefits for both individuals and organisations.”
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
WASHINGTON — Recently, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Senator Scott and Dr. Oz discussed a range of topics, including drug pricing, CRISPR technology, and telemedicine.
Excerpts from Senator Scott’s questioning can be found below:
Watch the full video here.
On prescription drug pricing…
“We need to have a long conversation about how expensive drugs are these days, but at the same time, we should have a similar conversation about how when drugs hit that generic market, they dropped precipitously in price … I would hate to, for the lack of a better way of saying, shortchange the American people by focusing on the original sticker price without having the value proposition long-term over the ultimate cost of a drug, when it’s in the generic forms.”
On CRISPR technology and innovation…
“I do think that CRISPR technology as we know it today, is going to transform medicine as we know it tomorrow … I hope that you have a commitment, in your new position, to move forward with some of the cell and gene therapy access models that we’re talking about, making it affordable for people … on Medicare and Medicaid.”
On telemedicine…
“There’s a silver lining in Covid … It was the development and the acceleration of telemedicine. And I think it’s going to save millions, if not trillions of dollars over time. I hope that you are committed to doing as much investigation as necessary to make sure that telemedicine is not just here to stay, but that it is embraced, adopted throughout our country, wherever it is practical to be used.”
In an address on Wednesday to Caribbean leaders meeting in Barbados, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a potential plan to support an “effective force” in Haiti as armed gangs continue to terrorize the population.
Mr. Guterres was speaking during the opening of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting in the capital Bridgetown, where he called for unity to achieve progress in peace and security, climate and sustainable development.
“A unified Caribbean is an unstoppable force,” he said. “I urge you to keep using that power to push the world to deliver on its promises.”
‘Trouble in paradise’
The Secretary-General noted that the region’s “exquisite beauty is famed the world over, but there is trouble in paradise.”
He told leaders that “wave after wave of crisis is pounding your people and your islands – with no time to catch your breath before the next disaster strikes.”
Caribbean countries are experiencing uncertainty fuelled by geopolitical tensions, along with the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring debt and interest rates, and a surge in the cost of living.
Global solutions exist
These are all happening “amidst a deadly swell of climate disasters – ripping development gains to shreds, and blowing holes through your national budgets,” and as countries “remain locked-out of many international institutions – one of the many legacies of colonialism today.”
The UN chief insisted that “the cure for these ills is global,” and the world needs to deliver on hard-won global commitments to address the immense challenges the international community is facing.
He listed three key areas “where, together, we must drive progress.”
Peace in Haiti
Mr. Guterres called for unity for peace and security, “particularly to address the appalling situation in Haiti – where gangs are inflicting intolerable suffering on a desperate and frightened people.”
He said CARICOM and its Eminent Persons Group have provided invaluable support in this regard.
“We must keep working for a political process – owned and led by the Haitians – that restores democratic institutions through elections,” he said.
Security and stability
A Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support Mission is currently on the ground to assist the Haitian National Police.
The Secretary-General said he will soon report to the Council on the situation in the country, including proposals on the role the UN can play to both support stability and security, and address the root causes of the crisis.
He intends to present a proposal similar to the one for Somalia, in which the UN assumes responsibility for the structural and logistical expenditures necessary to put the force in place. Salaries are paid through a trust fund that already exists.
“If the Security Council will accept this proposal, we will have the conditions to finally have an effective force to defeat the gangs in Haiti and create the conditions for democracy to thrive,” he said, drawing applause.
Hurricane Beryl last July caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Climate crisis opportunity
His second point – unity on the climate crisis – underlined “a deplorable injustice” as Caribbean countries “have done next to nothing” to create it. Moreover, they have “fought tooth and nail for the global commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”
Mr. Guterres said countries must deliver new national climate plans ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference later this year. The plans must align with the 1.5 goal, with the G20 group of industrial nations leading the way.
“This is a chance for the world to get a grip on emissions,” he said. “And it’s a chance for the Caribbean to seize the benefits of clean power, to tap your vast renewables potential, and to turn your back on costly fossil fuel imports.”
As finance is required, he underscored the need for confidence that the $1.3 trillion agreed at the previous COP will be mobilized. Developed countries also must honour their promises on adaptation finance and make meaningful contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund.
“When the Fund was created, the pledges made were equivalent to the new contract for just one baseball player in New York City,” he remarked.
Finance for sustainable development
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “are starved of adequate finance, as debt servicing soaks-up funds, and international financial institutions remain underpowered.”
The Secretary-General said Caribbean countries have been at the forefront of the fight for change, pioneering bold and creative solutions. He said the Pact for the Future, together with the Bridgetown Initiative, marks significant progress.
Mr. Guterres thanked Caribbean leaders for supporting the Pact, which UN Member States adopted last year.
Key deliverables include support for an SDG Stimulus of $500 billion annually and commitment to reform international financial institutions to allow greater participation by developing countries.
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.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Megan Gerhardt, Professor of Management, Farmer School of Business, Miami University
The potential for friendships and mentorships between colleagues in different stages of life are often overlooked.OwenPrice/E+ via Getty Images
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the United States finds itself in the midst of another public health crisis. This particular pandemic is a psychological one: widespread loneliness and isolation.
About half of adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely – what former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has characterized as an epidemic. The increase in social isolation has extensive costs for “schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished,” he wrote in 2023.
As a business school professor who studies intergenerational relationships, I believe that our workplaces hold untapped potential for alleviating isolation. When colleagues do form friendships at work, they often gravitate toward people their own age. But fostering meaningful connections across generational lines can benefit not just organizations, but workers’ own sense of purpose and mental health.
The problem, I’d argue, is how organizations’ early questions about working through the pandemic centered on efficiency. Was it possible do our jobs remotely? Would we be as productive? Was remote work viable long term? For many jobs, the answer was yes, resulting in persistent work-from-home options even after it became physically safe to return to offices.
Yet companies overlooked crucial elements that contribute to employees’ commitment and well-being, particularly strong relationships between colleagues. These factors are especially vital during early career years as young workers establish networks, learn their roles and develop professional identities – all considerably more challenging in remote or hybrid environments.
Just 31% of U.S. employees feel engaged on the job, according to January 2025 data from Gallup – a 10-year low. Only 39% of employees strongly feel that someone at work cares about them as a person, and only 30% strongly agree that someone cares about their development.
Workers under 35, especially members of Gen Z, experienced a more significant decline in engagement than other age groups, dropping 5 points compared with the previous year.
5 generations
Since hybrid and remote work appear to be here to stay, we need innovative solutions to combat disconnectedness. One overlooked opportunity might lie in a demographic reality that many organizations view as a challenge.
In 2024, 18% of the U.S. workforce belonged to Gen Z. They’ve surpassed the baby boomers, born 1946-1964, who make up 15%. Gen X, meanwhile – the generation born 1965-1980 – comprise 31%. The largest group are millennials, born 1981-1996, who represent 36% of workers. Finally, 1% of the workforce belong to the Silent Generation, born 1928-1945.
However, these friendships rarely cross generational lines. A phenomenon known as “age similarity preference” often causes us to gravitate toward people similar in age, including among our co-workers. This broader tendency to connect with people we deem most similar to ourselves is well documented, and age can be a particularly visible sign of surface-level difference – one that leads people to assume, often incorrectly, that they hold similar views.
For example, relationships with colleagues from different generations tend to have fewer feelings of competition and pressure, as they likely occupy different life and career stages. An older colleague who has navigated office politics or balanced raising young children with career demands can provide valuable advice and support to co-workers facing these challenges for the first time.
Forming intergenerational friendships can help break down negative stereotypes about people who are older or younger by revealing areas of common interest.
Beyond Gen Z
The benefits of these relationships extend beyond younger generations, especially given how widespread post-pandemic loneliness is.
Cross-generational relationships don’t just magically happen – companies can help foster them. Tempura/E+ via Getty Images
Adults in mid-to-late career stages – Gen Xers and baby boomers – are in their prime years for “generativity”: the life stage when people are most likely to be motivated to share knowledge and expertise, preparing the next generation for success. Generativity leads to benefits for the mentors too, such as higher self-esteem.
People of all ages benefit from meaningful intergenerational relationships, but it takes an effort to create them. Employers can help by setting up opportunities to connect. For example, a mutual mentoring program can be a fantastic way to encourage not only learning, but unexpected friendships as well.
Jonna, a Gen Xer I met through my generational consulting work, sought out a Gen Z mentor at her office and was grateful for her insight, as well as the chance to give advice. “I like to believe I am someone with a growth mindset and in touch with current realities, but I quickly learned that Hannah had perspectives on many things that stretched me and my thinking,” she said. “Our partnership has helped me approach every situation with curiosity instead of judgment.”
Hannah, her mentor-mentee, found the partnership just as beneficial. The experience was “a reminder that regardless of age, we all have something to contribute, and bridging generational gaps can lead to innovative solutions and a richer understanding of the world.”
Reaching out to colleagues who are significantly older or younger might seem unexpected. But it may also build a more connected, resilient workforce, where wisdom and innovation flow freely across generational divides.
Megan Gerhardt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Centre safeguards consumer rights via various provisions under Consumer Protection Act, 2019 Central Consumer Protection Authority imposes penalty of ₹ 77 lakh 60 thousand on 24 coaching institutes for misleading advertisements
Department of Consumer Affairs secures refunds of ₹1.56 crores for over 600 aspirants and students in education sector through National Consumer Helpline
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 3:44PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Consumer Affairs is continuously working for consumer protection and empowerment of consumers by enactment of progressive legislations. With a view to modernize the framework governing the consumer protection in the new era of globalization, technologies, e-commerce markets etc. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was repealed and Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted.
Salient features of the new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 are establishment of a Central Consumer Protection Authority(CCPA); simplification of the adjudication process in the Consumer Commissions such as enhancing pecuniary jurisdiction of the Consumer Commissions, online filing of complaint from the Consumer Commission having jurisdiction over the place of work/residence of the consumer irrespective of the place of transaction, videoconferencing for hearing, deemed admissibility of complaints if admissibility is not decided within 21 days of filing; provision of product liability; penal provisions for manufacture/sale of adulterated products/spurious goods; provision for making rules for prevention of unfair trade practice in e-commerce and direct selling.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for a three tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State and Central levels commonly known as “Consumer Commissions” for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes including those related with unfair trade practices. The Consumer Commissions are empowered to give relief of a specific nature and award compensation to consumers, wherever appropriate.
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs has emerged as a single point of access to consumers across the country for their grievance redressal at a pre-litigation stage. Consumers can register their grievances from all over the country in 17 languages including Hindi, English, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Nepali, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Maithili, Santhali, Bengali, Odia, Assamese and Manipuri through a toll-free number 1915. These grievances can be registered on Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM), an omni-channel IT enabled central portal, through various channels- WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS (8800001915), email (nch-ca[at]gov[dot]in), the NCH app, the web portal (consumerhelpline.gov.in) and the Umang app, as per their convenience. 1049 companies, who have voluntarily partnered with NCH, as part of the ‘Convergence’ programme directly respond to these grievances according to their redressal process and revert by providing feedback to the complainant on the portal. Complaints against those companies, who have not partnered with National Consumer Helpline, are forwarded to the company for redressal.
To safeguard the interests of consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These rules, inter-alia, outline the responsibilities of e-commerce entities and specify the liabilities of marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including provisions for consumer grievance redressal.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, in consultation with all the stakeholders, has finalized a “safety Pledge” which is a voluntary public commitment of e-Commerce platforms to ensure the safety of goods sold online and respect the consumer rights. Aligned with global best practices, this initiative strengthens consumer protection in the e-Commerce. On the National Consumer Day 2024, 13 major e-Commerce companies including Reliance Retail group, Tata sons group, Zomato, Ola, Swiggy etc. signed the Safety Pledge for ensuring consumer safety. The support and agreement of major e-Commerce companies to abide by the safety pledge will go a long way in ensuring protection of consumer rights.
Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), an executive agency, came into existence on 24.07.2020. It is designed to intervene, to prevent consumer detriment arising from unfair trade practices and to initiate class action(s), including the enforcement of recalls, refunds and return of products. Its core mandate is to prevent and regulate false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the public interest.
Dark patterns involve using design and choice architecture to deceive, coerce, or influence consumers into making choices that are not in their best interest. Dark patterns encompass a wide range of manipulative practices such as drip pricing, disguised advertisement, bait and switch, false urgency etc. Such practices fall under the category of “unfair trade practices” as defined in the Sub-section 47 under Section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The CCPA, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, has issued “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023” on 30th November, 2023 for prevention and regulation of dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns identified in e-Commerce sector. These dark patterns include false urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm shaming, forced action, Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements, Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malwares.
The CCPA has also notified the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022 on 9th June, 2022. These guidelines inter-alia provide for; (a) conditions for an advertisement to be non-misleading and valid; (b) certain stipulations in respect of bait advertisements and free claim advertisements; and, (c) duties of manufacturer, service provider, advertiser and advertising agency. These guidelines states that due diligence is required for endorsement of advertisements such that any endorsement in an advertisement must reflect the genuine, reasonably current opinion of the individual, group or organisation making such representation and must be based on adequate information about, or experience with, the identified goods, product or service and must not otherwise be deceptive.
Further to strengthen consumer protection, the CCPA enacted the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024 (effective 15th October 2024), mandating transparency in environmental claims and the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements in the Coaching Sector, 2024 (effective 13th November 2024), addressing false claims, exaggerated success rates and unfair practices in coaching institutes.
The CCPA has imposed a penalty of ₹ 77 lakhs 60 thousands on 24 coaching institutes for misleading advertisements. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has successfully secured refunds amounting to ₹1.56 crores for over 600 aspirants and students in the education sector through National Consumer Helpline (NCH). These students, enrolled in coaching centres for Civil Services, Engineering Course and other programmes, were previously denied rightful refunds despite following the terms and conditions set forth by the coaching institutes. The action by the Department has helped students receive compensation for unfulfilled services, late classes, or cancelled courses, ensuring they do not bear the financial burden of unfair business practices.
Action has already been taken by the CCPA against various entities including e-commerce platforms for affecting consumers, as a class,for violation of consumer rights, false and misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Action has also been taken against the sale of domestic pressure cookers that do not meet compulsory BIS standards on e-commerce platforms. Additionally, as per CCPA’s directions, travel companies have refunded Rs. 1,454 Crores as of 20.03.2024 to consumers for cancelled flights due to the Covid-19 lockdown. CCPA has also mandated that these companies update their websites with clear instructions and status updates on refund claims related to cancelled tickets. Further, 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from major e-commerce platforms based on the Orders passed by CCPA to delist all such products which violates consumer rights and are unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019as the sale or marketing of said productcompromise with the life and safety of consumer by stopping alarm beep when not wearing seat belts.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified framework on ‘Online Consumer Reviews — Principles and Requirements for their Collection, Moderation and Publication’ on 23.11.2022 for safeguarding and protecting consumer interest from fake and deceptive reviews in e-commerce. The standards are voluntary and are applicable to every online platform which publishes consumer reviews. The guiding principles of the standard are integrity, accuracy, privacy, security, transparency, accessibility and responsiveness.
Under CONFONET scheme, VC equipment for conducting hearing through video conferencing mode has been installed and made functional at 10 benches of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and 35 benches of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRCs).
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri B.L. Verma in a written reply today in the Rajya Sabha.
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
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
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: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UKHSA highlights pathogens of greatest risk to public health
A new Priority Pathogens reference tool aims to support national funders of research and development into diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today published its view on the pathogen families that could pose the greatest risk to public health, in a bid to focus and guide preparedness efforts against these threats.
The list of 24 pathogen families, a reference tool to help guide research and development investment in England, is the first specifically designed to consider both global public health threats as well as those most relevant to a UK population.
It provides information on pathogen families where UKHSA believes further research would be most beneficial to boost preparedness against future biosecurity risks, particularly around diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. Research and development across a range of other pathogen families not on this list also remains vital.
For each viral family included in the tool, an indicative rating of high, moderate, or low pandemic and epidemic potential is suggested. These ratings are the opinions of scientific experts within UKHSA, who have considered routes of transmission and severity of disease arising from pathogens in each family to inform the ratings.
This rating does not indicate which pathogen UKHSA considers most likely to cause the next pandemic, but rather those pathogens requiring increased scientific investment and study.
This includes those pathogens where we need increased vaccine or diagnostics development, or those which may be exacerbated by a changing climate or antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer for UKHSA, said:
This tool is a vital guide for industry and academia, highlighting where scientific research can be targeted to boost UK preparedness against health threats.
We are using the tool as part of our conversations with the scientific community, to help ensure that investment is focused to where it can have the biggest impact.
We hope this will help to speed up vaccine and diagnostics development where it is most needed, to ensure we are fully prepared in our fight against potentially deadly pathogens.
Among the pathogen families where UKHSA is keen to see greater scientific strides made are the coronaviridae family, which includes Covid-19; the paramyxoviridae family which includes Nipah virus; and the orthomyxoviridae family which includes avian influenza. However, the reference tool is not a detailed threat assessment and the list of families included in this tool is not exhaustive and the families are not ranked.
Priorities and risks will change with updates in epidemiology and progress will be made with the development of diagnostics and countermeasures. Therefore, the tool, which is intended to be updated annually, must be used with other information as appropriate, and represents a snapshot at one point in time.
The tool, which aims to support all aspects of the UK Biological Security Strategy, is just one of a number of UKHSA is using to secure and protect the public’s health. Both UKHSA’s Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre and Diagnostic Accelerator are working closely with academia and industry to identify and prepare for pathogenic threats to UK health and the Priority Pathogens tool will help guide this work.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
March 24, 2025
Keith Bass would be responsible for military health care system that provides care for over nine million active and retired servicemembers and their families
“Given your checkered past involving the disbursement of controlled substances within the [White House], and your failures in managing the CIA’s health care program, I am concerned that if you are confirmed, you will not be able to effectively manage the military health care system, placing care at risk for millions.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Mr. Keith Bass, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]), demanding an explanation for the problems that occurred under his watch at the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) and the Central Intelligence Agency’s health care program.
Mr. Bass is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination hearing on Thursday, March 27, 2025. If confirmed, Mr. Bass would be in charge of the Military Health System, which provides health care to approximately 9.5 million active and retired service members and their families, would become a top advisor at DoD on “force health protection policies, programs, and activities,” and oversee budgeting across the military health program. But his record raises serious concerns about his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.
From 2013 to 2019, Mr. Bass oversaw the WHMU, overseeing care to the President, other senior officials, and their families. During his tenure, several complaints were filed against him for overseeing “an operation that widely dispensed sedatives and stimulants, among other concerns.” An independent investigation by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Inspector General found that, under Bass’ tenure, the WHMU pharmacy operations had “severe and systemic problems” and was found to have violated federal law by handing out “sedatives such as Ambien and stimulants such as Provigil without proper prescriptions” to ineligible staff while “us[ing] aliases in electronic health records to disguise the patients’ identities and deliver free care in cases where the recipients wouldn’t be eligible.”
“At best, you were oblivious to the wide distribution of sedatives and stimulants by WHMU’s pharmacy operations and, in the worst case, you were complicit. Either scenario should disqualify you from serving as the ASD(HA),” said Senator Warren.
After leaving the WHMU, Mr. Bass served as Director of the Office of Medical Services (OMS) at the CIA, where he was reportedly “pushed out” because of his “messy” management, poor communication, “badly handl[ing] the surge of Covid-19 cases,” and “fumbling the agency’s handling of Havana Syndrome.”
“Your poor performance in this position casts doubt on your ability to serve in a position requiring broader management skills,” said Senator Warren.
“Given your checkered past involving the disbursement of controlled substances within the WHMU, and your failures in managing the CIA’s health care program, I am concerned that if you are confirmed, you will not be able to effectively manage the military health care system, placing care at risk for millions,” concluded Senator Warren.
Senator Warren asked Mr. Bass to explain his involvement in the illegal distribution of controlled substances at the White House, his knowledge of the “severe and systemic” problems at the WHMU, the issues during his tenure at the CIA, and asked him to commit to not lobby DoD after his service.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on the UK Health Security Agency’s new Priority Pathogens reference tool for R&D funders.
Prof Martin Hibberd,Professor of Emerging Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:
“I am pleased to see a guidance description for pathogens in a UK context being released, and that it will be up-dated yearly. As mentioned in the report, these lists cannot be comprehensive and different perspectives are likely to lead to different conclusions, but it’s release is likely to lead to more widespread consultations and honing of the findings for next year. While all the pathogen families are important, the three identified as priorities (Covid-19; Nipah virus; and avian influenza) are not surprising and I expect perhaps a more detailed, UK specific, priority list next year.”
Darius Hughes, UK General Manager at Moderna, said:
“This important work directly supports Moderna’s strategic partnership with the UK Government to strengthen national pandemic preparedness. By aligning our scientific innovation with the UKHSA’s priority pathogen list, we can help accelerate the development of vaccines where they are most urgently needed. This ensures our joint efforts are focused, forward-looking, and capable of responding rapidly to emerging biological threats—ultimately supporting the UK’s ambition to lead in global health security and protect public health through sustained innovation and collaboration.”
Prof Miles Carroll, Professor of Emerging Viruses, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, said:
“This new Priority Pathogen Families R&D Tool from UK Health Security Agency is aligned with similar prioritisation from the UK Vaccines Network and the World Health Organization, but with a UK focus for obvious reasons.
“The new R&D Tool is consistent with existing evidence, which is helping guide funders, policymakers and scientists on the most urgent research gaps in epidemic and pandemic pathogen threats. Tools like this are important if we are to develop effective diagnostics, vaccines and treatments to support the UK Biological Security strategy.”
Prof Robert Read, Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Southampton, and Editor in Chief, Journal of Infection, said:
“Lists like this have been made for many years, and they represent an effort to prioritise infections for advisory and funding purposes, ostensibly to align research funding as closely as possible to public health need. Unfortunately, pathogens emerge or change constantly, and it is difficult to predict big infectious disease problems coming down the line. For this reason, I think this list is at best pointless, and at worst potentially harmful to the public health.
“Pointless because the list of viruses is so long that its tricky to name a significant viral pathogen that has not been included. Potentially harmful because a prescriptive list like this could misdirect funding towards certain infections, and away from problems that need urgently to be solved. For example, the list of bacteria of concern includes Yersinia pestis (the cause of plague, a massive problem in 14th-18th Century Europe) for which there is now good available treatment and potential vaccine candidates, but does not include Bordetella pertussis (the cause of Whooping Cough) which caused serious problems for the public during 2024 because vaccines remain sub-optimal and antibiotic treatment only works during the early phase.”
Prof Mark Woolhouse, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Director of the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh, said:
“A key recommendation of the UK Covid Inquiry’s Interim Report for Module 1 (Preparedness) was that prior to 2020 the UK was overly focussed on the risk of an influenza pandemic. When Covid arrived, it took too long to adjust our response to a different threat, which was part of the reason we ended up in lockdown.
“Since the pandemic, there have been many initiatives to better understand the diversity of pandemic threats that the UK and the world may face in the coming years. The UKHSA’s pathogen prioritization exercise is a welcome contribution to this global effort.
“Of the highest priority pathogens identified by the UKHSA, no one could argue with the inclusion of coronaviruses and influenza viruses (the latter being members of the Orthomyxoviridae family).
“The UKHSA are also right to be concerned about another family of viruses, the Paramyxoviridae. This is a group that includes the measles virus, itself a continuing cause for concern with large outbreaks regularly reported from around the world.
“A novel measles-like virus would pose a threat far worse than Covid. Such a virus would have a much higher R number than the original variants of Covid – making it impossible to control by even the strictest lockdown. It would also be considerably more deadly, and (unlike Covid) it would be a threat to children. This is the kind of pandemic that public health agencies around the world are most concerned about.
“That said, there are many potential kinds of novel pandemic threats – so-called Disease X – and the UKHSA report is a timely reminder that we should not put all our eggs in one basket. The possibility of different kinds of threat – different transmission routes, different types of disease, different populations at risk – means that our response needs to be scalable, adaptable and quick. Knowledge, information and data collected in the first few weeks of the next pandemic will be crucial to tailoring our response appropriately. We need the systems to gather that data in place in advance and ready to be activated, possibly at very short notice.”
‘Priority pathogen families research and development (R&D) tool: A reference tool to help guide England-based funders of research and development’ was published by the UK Health Security Agency at 00:01 UK time on Tuesday 25 March 2025.
Declared interests
Prof Mark Woolhouse: “I am a consultant for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) and a member of the Scottish Committee for Pandemic Preparedness (SCoPP).”
Prof Martin Hibberd: “I have no conflicts with this topic, but I do work on some of the pathogens listed and have been funded by Industry (most recently J&J) – amongst other government support, to work on them.”
Prof Miles Carroll: “I consult for PicturaBio diagnostics. I am a member of the WHO R&D BluePrint Pathogen Prioritisation Committee, UKVN, APHA SAB and MRC/UVRI SAB.”
Darius Hughes: In December 2023, Moderna entered a 10-year strategic partnership with the UK government to establish an mRNA research development and manufacturing facility in the UK. The strategic partnership is managed by the UK Health Security Agency on behalf of the UK government.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Directive 2009/120/EC[1], amending Directive 2001/83/EC[2], excludes vaccines against infectious diseases from the definition of gene therapy medicinal products.
mRNA vaccines authorised in the EU against COVID-19 are not genetically modified organisms and do not contain genes as their active substance. They are not used with the aim to restore, correct, or modify human genes.
mRNA vaccines are biological medicines regulated under the EU pharmaceutical legislation to ensure their quality, safety, and efficacy.
Under the legislation, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) may also recommend additional measures, such as long-term monitoring, based on specific risks following a case-by-case assessment[3].
The safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines authorised in the EU against COVID-19 have been rigorously assessed through clinical trials and post-authorisation monitoring.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Member States continuously monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure any possible risks are detected and managed as early as possible[4]. All data confirm that COVID-19 vaccines have a favourable safety profile.
Regarding safety concerns in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine trials in infants, these are not linked to the mRNA technology[5] but rather to challenges previously observed with other RSV vaccines in this age group.
Currently, RSV vaccines are only authorised for use in adults[6], with trials ongoing to assess their safety and efficacy in infants and toddlers.
The Commission remains committed to ensuring that all medicines, including vaccines, authorised in the EU meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and quality, in full compliance with the EU pharmaceutical legislation.
[2] Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use (OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p. 67, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2001/83/oj
Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda Inaugurates World TB Day 2025 Summit Our TB elimination strategy is based on ‘whole of the society’ and ‘whole of the government’ approach: Shri JP Nadda
“Over 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps were organised in the districts bringing essential TB services directly to the doorsteps of crores of people”
Under the 100-day TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, 12.97 crore people were screened for TB with over 7.19 lakh TB patients notified across India
Approximately 2.85 lakh of the notified patients were asymptomatic, who might have otherwise gone undetected without the stratified screening strategy of the campaign
With a proven blueprint derived from the campaign’s success, Union Health Minister announces nationwide expansion of the campaign, highlighting its efficient case finding, leveraging of technology and ensuring timely treatment initiation
State/UTs awarded for exemplary performance during the 100 Days intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and in the TB Mukt Gram Panchyat Initiative
A digital Coffee Table Book and Guidance document on ‘differentiated TB care’ launched at the event
Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 7:26PM by PIB Delhi
“Our TB elimination strategy is based on ‘whole of the society’ and ‘whole of the government’ approach”. This was stated by Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare during his address to the World TB Day 2025 summit, here today. The theme for this year’s World TB Day summit is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”.
The Union Minister reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to achieving a TB-Mukt Bharat in his address. While presiding over the Summit, he lauded the 100 Days Intensified TB Elimination campaign’s strategy to deploy cutting-edge technologies, including handheld X-ray units and upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) some of which were deployed using mobile vans (Nikshay Vahans). This helped the campaign shatter geographical barriers and brought vital screening and diagnostic services to remote and underserved areas. He mentioned that over 13.46 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps were organised in the districts bringing essential TB services directly to the doorsteps of crores of people.
The Union Minister noted that TB treatment coverage in India has increased from 59% to 85%. He informed that 12.97 crore people were screened for TB with 7.19 lakh new cases detected. Among the notified TB cases, approximately 2.85 lakh were asymptomatic cases who might have otherwise gone undetected without the stratified screening strategy of the campaign. More than 5,000 MLAs and 10,000 Gram Panchayats participated in the campaign. Citing these successes, he announced the Ministry’s plans to scale the campaign nationwide. Stating that TB is not over yet, he announced further scaling up of the TB elimination campaign to cover all districts in India.
Shri Nadda highlighted that 22 line ministries supported the 100-days campaign and more than 30,000 elected representatives were mobilized for the common cause, demonstrating that the fight against TB is a collective mission. He informed that in just 100 days, over 1,05,181 new Ni-kshay Mitras have registered and distributed over 3,06,368 food baskets among TB patients and their family members.
He noted that during the recently concluded 100-Day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign, modern technology was leveraged to improve case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and ensure timely treatment initiation, particularly for vulnerable populations. “The campaign strategically screened vulnerable populations, including asymptomatic individuals, household contacts of TB patients, those with a history of TB, undernourished individuals, and those with chronic comorbidities such as diabetes and HIV”.
Shri Nadda stated that India is one of the top global funders on TB research and congratulated ICMR for their significant research on TB. He highlighted some innovations like RT-PCR machines used during the Covid pandemic which is adapted for use in TB screening. Similarly, indigenous diagnostic kits developed by ICMR not only reduce the cost for TB detection but also improve efficiency by conducting 32 tests in one go. “Hand held x-ray machines with AI support have also played a huge role in detecting asymptomatic TB”, he added.
He concluded his address by thanking the invaluable support and involvement of elected representatives and community leaders, MPs, MLAs, Gram Pradhans and local leaders which was instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing communities against this disease. “Their dedication has fostered a sense of ownership and accountability in the community, one of the many unique strategies India has adopted to fight TB”, he stated.
Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary said, “World TB Day is a day where we remind ourselves that this disease still exists while we can eliminate it”. She further stated that this is a day to chart out our task ahead. “All our stakeholders have put in a lot of effort towards the goal of eliminating TB and this should continue until we achieve the goal of TB Mukt Bharat”, she added.
A digital Coffee Table Book on TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, capturing and showcasing the implementation of the Abhiyaan through photos from the field, was unveiled on the occasion. The Union Health Minister also launched a ‘Guidance Document on Differentiated TB Care’ to ensure timely and effective care for high-risk patients. This document provides guidelines for triaging high-risk patients (for instance, those suffering from severe undernutrition or respiratory insufficiency) at diagnosis and refers to a comprehensive treatment plan for them.
State/UTs were awarded for the exemplary performance during the 100 Days intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and also for their performance in the TB Mukt Gram Panchyat Initiative.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR; Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS); Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission; and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion. The event also witnessed participation from NTEP Staff from State and Districts, TB Champions, District Magistrates, District Collectors, MD NHMs, Medical Institutions, Civil society, WHO Consultants and development partners.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Matthew S Miller, Executive Director, Global Nexus and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University
If the H5N1 avian flu virus learns to spread efficiently from person to person, it could pose an imminent threat to humanity.(CDC and NIAID), CC BY
Infectious disease outbreaks have a bad habit of piling on at the worst possible times.
The 1918 flu pandemic, also known as the Spanish flu, caught the world by surprise just as the First World War was coming to an end. It was responsible for killing three to five per cent of the world’s population (50-100 million people, equivalent to about 400 million today).
Now, as we reflect on five years since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and face economic uncertainty imposed by the United States administration — as well as lingering conflicts in places such as the Middle East and Ukraine — it’s the steady march of avian influenza, or “bird flu,” that poses an imminent threat to humanity.
Walter Reed hospital flu ward in Washington, D.C. during the flu epidemic of 1918-19, which killed three to five per cent of the world’s population. (Shutterstock)
Bird flu has been causing a flurry of human infections, especially in U.S. cattle workers. If the virus learns to spread effectively from human to human, it could change the course of history. Even though our weary world already feels maxed out, we have to make room to avert yet another crisis.
The question is whether we will act in time to head off a bird flu pandemic. The Spanish Flu was the first of five influenza pandemics since the end of the First World War.
A sixth is inevitable without co-ordinated global action. Otherwise, the only questions are when it will it come and how bad it will be.
Infectious diseases constitute a permanent threat to society, especially as vaccine hesitancy and misinformation grow. Fighting pandemics needs to be a full-time, ongoing priority for governments everywhere.
Canada needs to establish permanent capacity to prevent and respond to health emergencies. Government agencies specifically dedicated to supporting the development of medical countermeasures for pathogens that pose a pandemic risk, like the recently established Health Emergencies Readiness Canada (HERC), are a step in the right direction.
However, we must also re-prioritize investments in the fundamental research that is the birthplace of new medical and non-medical solutions to pandemic preparedness — where we currently lag far behind essentially all of our G7 counterparts. This has never been more important than in the current global political context.
The world needs to adopt a collective mentality that we are “all in” on prevention if we want to maximize our chances of avoiding the next pandemic. We cannot sit on our hands and hope we get lucky. That strategy has failed us in the past and will doom us in the future.
But the effort to stop or at least slow avian influenza needs to include all countries and to engage everyday people, especially those who work directly with birds, cattle and other wild and domestic animals.
Targeted interventions
The best tactics to stave off a pandemic, at least at this point, are relatively unintrusive, targeted interventions. It’s critical that farm workers, veterinarians and others who work with animals follow careful protocols such as wearing masks and goggles, sanitizing equipment and continuing to cull poultry flocks where exposure is identified.
We also need to educate hunters about protective measures to lower their risk of exposure.
Most mitigation measures are entirely non-medical — though offering vaccines to those at high risk of exposure, as Finland has done, would be prudent. It’s much easier to target vaccination programs to high-risk groups than to organize a global vaccine campaign after a pandemic has begun.
We need to encourage these groups to take every possible action to protect themselves — and therefore the world — and to provide financial supports that enable them to comply without cost.
If avian flu becomes established among humans, which could happen rapidly and with very little warning, COVID-19 has shown that only a swift, decisive and truly global approach can fend off disaster.
A significant lesson from COVID-19 is that we have to support pandemic prevention and response efforts for people in every corner of the world, however remote they may be, and that we must reach vulnerable populations within wealthy countries, such as elderly, frail and marginalized people, and those affected by poverty. These are the people always impacted most by infectious diseases.
A selective distribution of resources among the planet’s wealthiest populations will not provide the protection the world needs and will only enlarge and extend the reach of a new pandemic.
We must remember what it was like to close down schools, workplaces and public gatherings and to have hospitals overflowing with patients as clinicians risked their lives to care for them.
We could have saved so many people and so much money by taking the threat more seriously from the outset, including providing better public education about evidence-based measures such as masking and vaccines.
It’s past time we made pandemic prevention and response a permanent priority, no matter what else is happening in the world.
Matthew S Miller is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of AeroImmune Inc. He has received compensation from Seqirus, Sanofi, GSK, Roche, Grifols, and Aramis Biotechnologies for participating on advisory boards and for supporting educational activities. He has received research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Research Chairs Program, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Ontario Centre of Innovation, Bay Area Health Trust, Providence Therapeutics, JN Nova Pharma, Lactiga, and Zentek. He is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization COVID-19 Working Group and H5N1 Influenza Working Group. He is also a member of the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee and the Public Health Agency of Canada Expert Panel on Avian Influenza A(H5Nx).
People at highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can book a second vaccine dose – if it’s been at least three months since their last dose or known infection – starting today, March 24.
The spring dose will be available from March 31 to June 30. The children’s COVID-19 vaccine for those aged six months to 11 years is available until June 17.
Nova Scotia is following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to provide people at highest risk a spring dose. This includes:
people 65 years of age or older
people aged 18 and older living in long-term care, nursing homes, senior congregate living settings or residential care facilities
people six months and older who meet the criteria for being moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment
people aged 50 years and older who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian or First Nations.
“It is recommended that those with the highest risk of infection get a second dose to prevent severe illness,” said Dr. Jesse Kancir, Nova Scotia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health. “People who aren’t in that high-risk category and are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines are still well protected.”
People who did not receive a dose in the fall or winter can continue to get the vaccine, even if they are not in the high-risk category. Anyone who has never had a COVID-19 vaccine can also do so.
COVID-19 and influenza symptoms can include a sudden high fever, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, a runny, stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat.
Appointments can be booked online at https://novascotia.ca/vaccination . Those who are unable to book online can schedule an appointment by calling 1-833-797-7772, seven days a week.
Quick Facts:
the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are updated annually to protect against the latest strains of influenza and COVID-19
children younger than nine years old who have never had an influenza vaccine should receive two doses four weeks apart
Nova Scotians can access their vaccine records via the YourHealthNS app and online at https://vaxrecordns.nshealth.ca
Additional Resources:
More information on vaccines and bookings for both influenza and COVID-19 is available at: https://www.nshealth.ca/seasonal-vaccines
More information on influenza: https://novascotia.ca/flu
More information on COVID-19 and testing: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirusvaccine
Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way
Mobile money offers huge potential to improve lives by enabling low-cost, fast, safe, and easy transactions. It addresses access barriers by eliminating the need to go to physical bank branches. In 2022, Pakistan had only 10.8 commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults—one of the lowest ratios in the region.
Pakistan’s evolving financial landscape
Over the past 15 years, financial services in Pakistan have evolved rapidly. Financial institution accounts grew by about 127% between FY19 and FY24. Of Pakistan’s 241 million people, 60% are adults. With 91 million unique financial institution accounts, two-fifths of the adult population still lack access to formal financial services. Deregulation in the sector led to new branchless banking regulations. This enabled kiryana convenience stores across the country to offer financial services. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shifted consumer behavior and further accelerated mobile and cashless banking adoption. Mobile and online transactions rose from 17% in early 2020 to 75% by September 2024, per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Raast, the country’s first instant payment system launched in 2021, has also simplified person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions. This system offers instant, reliable, and free digital payments for individuals and businesses within Pakistan. Users can send or receive money using their mobile numbers and bank accounts. This has extended financial services to the poor and the unbanked. Adoption has surged, with Raast processing over 102 million P2P payments in 2023, up from 7.9 million in 2022. By the end of September, daily transactions had reached 3 million, and there were 39.5 million registered Raast IDs, according to public data from the State Bank of Pakistan.
Raast also revolutionized businesses, especially small and medium enterprises and the retail sector, with P2M transactions introduced in February 2022. This reduced fees and settlement times, enhancing efficiency and boosting economic activity.
Lessons from India and PRC
Lessons from regional giants like India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) highlight the transformative potential of digital payment systems. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), introduced in 2016, processed 117.6 billion transactions in 2023, making it the world’s most popular alternative payment method. While P2P transactions initially drove its adoption, the widespread acceptance of P2M payments accelerated its growth. Similarly, PRC’s tech giant Alipay began with P2P transfers in 2004, followed by WeChat Pay in 2013. Exponential growth and near-universal adoption came after the introduction of P2M capabilities.
The retail sector’s untapped potential
Pakistan’s robust retail sector, which makes up almost 18% of GDP and is spread across a network of an estimated 2.5 million retail and wholesale outlets, offers an immense opportunity for growth. Traditionally, this sector has remained largely untaxed, contributing an estimated 4% of tax revenue. But recent pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has renewed the government’s drive to get the retail sector to pay more through taxation. To that end, several measures have already been taken, including the implementation of point-of-sale registers and the Tajir Dost scheme, where retailers are subject to a fixed monthly tax. The tax assessment is based on the market value and regular turnover of the enterprise. In 2024, the scheme was extended to 42 cities in Pakistan from the original six. Under the scheme, businesses can declare their assets and income and potentially receive benefits like reduced tax rates and simplified tax compliance procedures.
Rory McClaren: In a time of growing global uncertainty, my next guest is currently charged with trying to navigate Australia’s international trade relationships. Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism and South Australian Senator Don Farrell. Good morning to you.
Trade Minister: Good morning, Rory.
Rory McClaren: Minister, ABC News is reporting today that a lobby group representing the big tech sector in the US Is encouraging the Trump administration to try and put pressure on Australia to change its policies. And the group has attacked the way that social media, streaming services, and artificial intelligence is being regulated. How do you respond to that criticism?
Trade Minister: Well, every day, Rory, you get reports of things happening in the United States. I don’t panic about them and try and work through all of these issues, in a calm and consistent way. On this particular topic, of course, we are not singling out United States companies. We treat all companies from all countries equally, and that’s how it should be, and that’s how we’ll proceed to deal with these issues. We have been working to try and improve online safety for all Australians and of course, ensure that we’ve got a diverse and sustainable news media sector. So, that’s our objective out of all of this. And we’ll keep working in the interest of Australians on that online safety and that diversification of the media sector.
Rory McClaren: But is this intervention from this lobby group just another example of how volatile this trade relationship is becoming with the United States?
Trade Minister: Look, again, I don’t think we should be overreacting to everything that comes out from the United States. We’ve had a very long standing and good relationship with the United States. Sure, things have started to change in the last few weeks and the last few months. But the goodwill that we have towards the Americans and that they have towards us is still on display. I spoke with my counterpart, the United States Trade Representative, on Tuesday morning. We had a very good discussion. He got to explain what their objectives are. And I explained to them just how important we think we are to the American economy. We have an interesting trade relationship with America. We roughly have $100 billion worth of trade. We buy $70 billion worth of product off them and we sell them $30 billion worth of product. So, we say to them, look, why would you impose a tariff on a country where you have a trade surplus? He pointed out to me that there are only a few other countries in the world where the United States has a trade surplus. One is Hong Kong and the other one is the Netherlands. So, as best we can, we are trying to explain to the highest levels of the United States government just how our trading relationship works. And we’ll continue to do that over the days and the weeks ahead. Obviously, there’s going to be some developments next week. The American government is going to announce what it’s going to do across the board on tariffs on that.
Rory McClaren: Have you received any reassurances from the Trump administration about Australia and how Australia will be impacted?
Trade Minister: We’re continuing to talk with them, Rory. I think that’s the most appropriate thing I can say at this stage. We want to engage with the Americans. We want to understand what it is that they want out there, out of the relationship. We’ve had 20 years of our free trade agreement. We think it’s been beneficial to both countries. We want that relationship to continue. Obviously, we have a very important relationship, particularly in South Australia with the AUKUS arrangement. We continue to talk to them about that and we have good, strong, friendly relationships with the United States and we want to keep it that way.
Rory McClaren: Just on that, we’ve had a text with a question for you, Senator Don Farrell. Do we have a free trade agreement with the U.S. and if so, have they broken it? Do these free trade agreements really mean anything?
Trade Minister: Well, answering that final question, yes, yes, they are important. You might recall three years ago when I first came into this job, we had $20 billion worth of tariffs and impediments imposed on us by the Chinese government. Despite the fact that we had a free trade agreement with the Chinese. Over that three year period, we – one by one – managed to remove all of those tariffs and all of those trade impediments. The last of them, interestingly, was crayfish just before Christmas last year. And already in that first month we’ve sold $33 million worth of crayfish back into the Chinese market. A record amount. But what did we use? We used our free trade agreement to take issues to, for instance, the World Trade Organization. And we were able to, by combination of diplomacy and other remedies, we were able to resolve each and every one of those issues. So, yes, we do have a free trade agreement with the United States and yes, we are able to use those free trade agreements to progress issues if there is a dispute. Now, obviously first point is we’re trying to resolve issues with the United States by discussion. That’s the first starting point. What we might do subsequently to that. Well, let’s, let’s see what happens. But my ambition is to do what we did in the China situation, that is sit down, open the dialogue, start talking, try and understand what their issues are, but also explain to the Americans what our issues are.
Rory McClaren: Minister, could that also see you travel to the United States ahead of that decision?
Trade Minister: Well, I’ve been taking video conferences in the post Covid world. That’s a pretty good way to talk to people and to communicate with people. I don’t want to predict just how we’ll conduct those negotiations, but the listeners should be, should rest assured that we’re open to dialogue and we are having dialogue with the Americans as we speak. And we’ll continue to do that because I think that’s the way you resolve issues. That’s how you resolve issues. Between other people. And that’s how you resolve issues between countries. And that’s what I’d like to do.
Rory McClaren: Don Farrell, Federal Trade Tourism Minister, thank you for your time.
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Promoting further trade, tourism and economic development with our largest trading partner, across a range of sectors, including tourism, aviation, education and investment will be the focus of this week’s trade mission to China.
The week-long mission features activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Beijing-Canberra sister city relationship and a meeting with the Mayor of Beijing and Beijing Municipal Government representatives.
Returning to Canberra’s largest export market for the first time since the Covid pandemic, the mission will focus on delivering outcomes outlined in our International Engagement Strategy and T2030 Tourism Strategy.
Under the T2030 strategy, the Government aims to reach $5 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2030. China is Canberra’s largest international market and has considerable capacity to grow over this decade. Recent data shows 15 per cent of all international visitors to the ACT came from China, contributing 52 per cent of the total international visitor spend.
Tourism and investment opportunities will be pursued through meetings with airlines including Air China and Cathay Pacific, hotel operators and key tourism distribution partners.
Education partnerships will also be strengthened including an official visit to the Cunzhi Senior High School in Shanghai – who deliver the ACT Year 12 certificate through the BSSS (Board of Senior Studies).
Supported by Tourism Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and AusTrade, participants in the mission include Visit Canberra and the Commissioner for International Engagement.
The estimated cost of the Chief Minister’s component of the trade mission is under $15,000, met from the ACT Executive 2024-25 Budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular quarterly travel reports.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kevin Quigley, Scholarly Director of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, Dalhousie University
After a busy two weeks as prime minister, Mark Carney has called an election for April 28.
When it comes to economics, Carney is among the most knowledgeable in the country. After obtaining a PhD at the University of Oxford, Carney has had a distinguished public service career in the Canadian Department of Finance, the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
With such a high level of economic uncertainty today in the face of repeated threats from United States President Donald Trump, his supporters say he’s the right person to lead Canada. His chief rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, was first elected to the House of Commons at the age of 25 and has quite a different CV.
Is Carney empathetic?
Carney, however, might struggle more with the other characteristics of trustworthiness — seeming open and showing concern.
On the surface, this is about transparency, but in fact it’s just as much about empathy and whether Carney can relate to working-class voters. By alluding to Carney’s wealth and connections, the Conservatives are implying that Carney is an out-of-touch elite who doesn’t share the concerns of average Canadians.
Some of the early visuals of Carney can cut both ways.
Not everything can be taught at school. Political instinct is also crucial. It requires reconciling the knowledge of experts with the concerns of everyday citizens. There is no formula for this balance sheet.
It was interesting that at the recent Liberal convention confirming Carney as leader, delegates gushed over former prime minister Jean Chretien, far from an elitist. A winner of three consecutive majorities, Chretien delivered a speech that went over at least as well with delegates as Carney’s.
The fact that Carney dropped the carbon tax and capital gains tax was an early sign that he’s not an economist anymore, he’s a politician.
The challenge for Carney — and for any politician in the heat of an election campaign battle — will be to find the sweet spot that reconciles expert opinion with public concerns and to articulate policies in a manner that voters will understand and support.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, pursuant to EO 14210, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its plans for an agency-wide reorganization. To return to its founding mission of empowering small businesses, and to restore accountability to taxpayers, the agency will reduce its workforce by 43% – ending the expansive social policy agenda of the prior Administration, eliminating non-essential roles, and returning to pre-pandemic staffing levels.
The strategic reorganization will begin a turnaround for the agency by restoring the efficiency of the first Trump Administration, as well as its focus on promoting small businesses. Core services to the public, including the agency’s loan guarantee and disaster assistance programs, as well as its field and veteran operations, will not be impacted.
The SBA’s reorganization will enable the agency to become a dynamic and efficient force for small businesses, manufacturing, and job creation in support of President Trump’s economic agenda. SBA will refocus its resources on the core missions of supplying capital, fostering innovation, supporting veteran small business owners, providing field support, and delivering timely disaster relief.
Key features of SBA’s reorganization include:
Promoting business formation and growth by shifting resources to expand capital formation functions and personnel, removing the emphasis from partisan programs of the past.
Prioritizing risk management and fraud prevention by centralizing these functions within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, in the effort to restore integrity to agency programs, audits, and financial statements.
Expanding disaster response support by transferring disaster loan servicing functions and additional personnel into the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. Additionally, the agency will cross-train field office personnel to support disaster recovery efforts.
Eliminating redundant pandemic-era positions associated exclusively with processing pandemic-era loans within the Office of Capital Access.
Ensuring that 30% of the agency is located in the field, by decentralizing services and working to better serve Main Streets across America.
Promoting veteran businesses and American manufacturing by preserving existing staffing levels within the Office of Veterans Business Development and the Office of Manufacturing and Trade.
Exempting key accountability offices from reductions at this timeincluding the Office of Advocacy and the Office of the Inspector General.
Much of the reorganization is targeted to reverse the broad and costly expansion of the SBA under the Biden Administration. Since the pandemic, the agency has nearly doubled in size, in part to support a suite of new progressive programs like the Green Lender Initiative, the Community Navigator Pilot Program, and DEI activities. This partisan agenda, promoted at the expense of America’s small businesses, predictably led to the deterioration of SBA’s services and financial performance. An estimated $200 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Covid Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fraud was ignored for four years. Meanwhile, irresponsible Biden-era changes to the 7(a) loan program generated rising defaults and delinquencies, as well as negative cash flow for the first time in over a decade – which will have future, multi-year consequences for the program.
“The SBA was created to be a launchpad for America’s small businesses by offering access to capital, which in turn drives job creation, innovation, and a thriving Main Street. But in the last four years, the agency has veered off track – doubling in size and turning into a sprawling leviathan plagued by mission creep, financial mismanagement, and waste. Instead of serving small businesses, the SBA served a partisan political agenda – expanding in size, scope, and spending,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
“Just like the small business owners we support, we must do more with less. We have therefore submitted plans to pursue a strategic restructuring that will realign the agency and its resources with our founding mission. By eliminating non-mission-critical positions and consolidating functions, we will revert to the staffing levels of the last Trump Administration, which supported a historic economic boom. We will return our focus to driving private sector growth and delivering disaster relief with accountability, efficiency, and results.”
Under the reorganization plan, the agency will eliminate approximately 2,700 active positions out of a total active workforce of nearly 6,500 through voluntary resignations, the expiration of COVID-era and other term appointments, and a limited number of reductions in force (RIFs).
The average salary of an SBA employee is over $132,000 – more than double the national average wage. The reduction in workforce will save taxpayers more than $435 million annually by FY26.
SBA’s reorganization plan will provide for the preservation of public services through a strategic transfer of duties. It will be actioned in the coming weeks.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
The Prime Minister has appointed 6 new Trustees to the V&A
The Prime Minister has appointed Mariella Frostrup, Andrew Keith, Akshata Murty, Nigel Newton, Vick Hope and Pedro Pina as trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum; their four year terms started on 10 March 2025.
Mariella Frostrup
Mariella is a journalist, broadcaster, author, and cultural commentator; in particular covering the worlds of arts, culture and societal issues. She promotes the intrinsic value of arts and culture to wider society and the importance that they connect with and are accessible to all. Mariella has presented the UK’s leading book programmes, cultural shows and judged its literary and arts awards, such as the Booker Prize, BAFTA Awards, RIBA and Turner Prize.
She was the first non-elected member of the Royal Academy’s Council, and more recently she became a Trustee of the British Council. She was awarded a Doctor of Arts from Nottingham University in 2009 for her work and achievement in arts and culture. She’s a Royal Society of Literature fellow and a BAFTA member.
Mariella co-founded the annual Women in Work Summit. She is the Government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador, Chairs the advocacy group Menopause Mandate, and is a Save the Children Ambassador.
Andrew Keith
Andrew is a luxury retail executive with over three decades of experience leading prominent international brands.
Andrew spent 19 years with Lane Crawford Joyce Group, holding a number of key positions including President of Joyce and Lane Crawford. Under his leadership, the group greatly expanded its footprint, introducing innovative retail formats and establishing a significant presence in Greater China. He oversaw the opening of flagship stores and launched the group’s online platform. He then spent three years with Selfridges as Managing Director and later CEO, Andrew led Selfridges through the complexities of reopening post-COVID-19, implementing strategies to adapt to the new retail landscape. In early 2025, he took on the role of leading the transformation of Edinburgh’s historic Jenners building. This multi-million-pound project aims to revitalise the iconic site into a premier destination, blending retail and hospitality elements.
Andrew has served as a co-opted Member of the V&A’s Commerce Committee, contributing his commercial expertise to enhance the museum’s engagement strategies.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Scottish parents, Andrew studied Fashion Design at Kingston University and maintains a deep connection to his Scottish heritage, often spending time at his home in the Highlands, reflecting his appreciation for nature and the environment.
Akshata Murty
Akshata is passionate about education and the power of creativity to have positive effects on young people. During her time living in Downing Street, she launched ‘Lessons at 10’. This initiative provided children from across the United Kingdom with a unique opportunity to go behind the famous black door of Number 10 to be inspired and discover their passions.
With her husband, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Akshata is a co-founder of The Richmond Project, a charity focused on enabling social mobility by breaking down barriers to numeracy. She is also a keen supporter of the UK’s veteran community.
Akshata spent over a decade investing in early-stage consumer-focused British companies, providing funding and strategic advice. Previously, Akshata founded a fashion line that was inspired by Indian craftsmanship.
Originally from Bangalore, Akshata obtained a B.A in Economics and French from Claremont McKenna College, an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business as well as an Associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles. She is on the board of Claremont McKenna College. Akshata is also a Trustee of the Murty Trust in India and a supporter of the Murty Classical Library of India.
Nigel Newton CBE
Nigel is the founder and Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing. He was born and raised in San Francisco. He read English at Selwyn College, Cambridge and after working at Macmillan Publishers, he joined Sidgwick & Jackson. He left Sidgwick in 1986 to start Bloomsbury Publishing. He was appointed as President of the Publishers Association in April 2022.
He serves as a Member of the Advisory Committee of Cambridge University Library and President of Book Aid International. In 2020, he was awarded The London Book Fair (LBF) Lifetime Achievement Award and became an Honorary Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge. He has previously served as a member of the Booker Prize Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Charleston Trust, Chair of World Book Day, Board member of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, member of the Publishers Association Council, Trustee of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Chair of the British Library Trust.
In 2021 he was awarded a CBE for his services to the publishing industry.
Vick Hope
Vick is an award-winning TV and radio presenter, journalist and author. She hosts BBC Radio One’s show Going Home, and was recently named the newest presenter of Countryfile. She also presents The One Show, Channel 4’s Paralympic Games coverage, CBBC’s Britain’s Best Young Artist, Glastonbury, and ITV’s Vick Hope’s Breakfast Show.
Vick served on the Women’s Prize for Fiction (WPFF) judging panel in 2021 and curates their Young Adults’ Reading List. She hosts the WPFF podcast, Bookshelfie, interviewing female artists, writers, politicians, musicians, actors and sportspeople about the books by women that have shaped them. She is also the author of two children’s books which promote creativity in young children.
In 2020, Vick became an official Ambassador for Amnesty International. She volunteers at local charities Literacy Pirates and Just For Girls, which support children from disadvantaged backgrounds in her community. With the Duke Of Edinburgh Award, she mentors young people and delivers annual speeches at Buckingham Palace. Vick leads The Brit Awards’ campaign to tackle accessibility issues in the creative industries, and is Marks and Spencer’s Plan A Fashion Sustainability Ambassador. Vick was a judge on the ArtFund Museum Of The Year panel in 2024, which was awarded to Young V&A.
Vick graduated from Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge in 2011, having read Modern Languages (French, Spanish and Portuguese).
Pedro Pina
Pedro is a senior executive with over three decades of experience in media, brand management, advertising, and all areas of the digital space. Pina has been at Google for over 12 years and currently serves as Head of YouTube, overseeing the platform’s business and strategic development within Europe, Middle East and Africa. His career includes roles at Google, McCann Worldgroup, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble having lived in the US, Brazil, Spain and Portugal. London has been home for Pedro and his family for more than 15 years.
Pina holds an MBA from INSEAD, Paris and previously served on the V&A Corporate Advisory Committee. His expertise includes digital transformation, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships. He serves on the Board of OutRight International and is an Ambassador of Stonewall as well as other organisations that advocate for LGBTQ+ human rights globally and in the UK.
Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Mariella Frostrup, Andrew Keith, Nigel Newton CBE, Victoria Nwosu-Hope and Pedro Pina have not declared any significant political activity. Akshata Murty has declared she has spoken on behalf of the Conservative Party, and their candidates and canvassed on behalf of the Conservative Party and helped at elections.
DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply to be a Trustee of a National Museum or Gallery visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.
PM remarks at St Patrick’s Day reception: 19 March 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks at the first St Patrick’s Day reception hosted in 10 Downing Street.
It’s really fantastic to see you all here.
What a buzz. What an occasion it is to have you here in Downing Street where I work and where I live. So, I really hope you enjoy being here this evening for our very own St. Patrick’s Day event.
Now I didn’t realise this, but this is the first time we have had one of these celebrations in No10. I can hardly believe it.
Our manifesto says change on the front. There are many bits we are going to change but this is among them now.
You’ll have seen the Innova Irish dance company on your way in – weren’t they fantastic?
I was in a busy in a meeting downstairs when they were rehearsing up here earlier on, and we could hear the rhythms of what they were going to do, it was really fantastic.
And I think I can see some of them. They were absolutely brilliant.
And we’ve got Tara Viscardi on the harp, it’s very nice to see you.
We’ve got the Belfast Coffee Company, Burren Balsamics, and who would have thought, that tonight Downing Street is the best place in London to grab a pint of Guinness.
We have set up a Guinness bar in the back. I think there is probably a strong case for leaving it there till the next one of these events.
And if anyone wants to have a go at splitting the G, then please go ahead. So Sláinte everyone!
But of course, celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day is a chance to bring people together.
And it is really an honour to host you all here.
And as I think and hope you know, all of this matters deeply to me because I have personal connections to Northern Ireland.
It’s a place close to my heart.
I worked over there for five years, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on some of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement changes.
And that, as I’ve said on many occasions, was really impactful and formative for me on my journey through life. I learnt so much about politics, about change, about working with communities.
The importance of hope, and there was a lot of hope in the change that was going on, and about the people of Northern Ireland who are absolutely fantastic.
So I remember stepping off the plane for the first time. It’s London to Belfast, it’s only about 55 minutes.
But it was a big step, and it was really incredible to do that work and to feel the personal responsibility of upholding the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.
Because I love Northern Ireland so much, soon after my wife Vic and I got married we flew over to Belfast, hired a car and drove around the entire island of Ireland.
From Belfast, all the way around and then back out of Dublin for about three weeks. But we saw everything, but it was really, really fantastic to see, and a real big part of my life.
And for me the Belfast Good Friday Agreement is the greatest achievement of the Labour Party in my lifetime.
And I’m delighted that we have got in the room tonight, some of the people who were instrumental in bringing that around.
What an incredible piece of history. And I know that Hilary and Fleur who are here work closely with the Northern Ireland parties.
And it’s fantastic that we’ve got some of Mo Mowlam’s family here.
In 2023, I was very pleased to open the Mo Mowlam Studio for Cinematic Arts at Ulster University. And that’s a fantastic tribute to her legacy that will help provide new opportunities for young people.
And secondly, hosting these celebrations in No10 matters to me because it’s only two weeks ago that I was with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the inaugural UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool. There we were joined by the Irish Ambassador to the UK Martin Fraser who is also here tonight.
But that Summit was a real opportunity to make good on the reset of relations between the UK and Ireland with a real determination to take them forward with massive ambition.
We had a really good two-day Summit where we got through everything we had on our agenda, and we added further things to the agenda that we could agree on.
And really, it felt that partnership, historically a strong and very important partnership is really entering a new and very positive chapter of our history.
And we will continue to build that friendship. Doing more than ever before in business, trade and security, we have discussed energy at great length and taking the relationship as the closest neighbours and friends – to that next level.
And finally, tonight matters. Because it’s a chance to celebrate the incredible ties that bind us all together. The connections between families and friends across our islands.
The late Queen Elizabeth II spoke about this. I’ve got what she said because when you pull it out it’s a really poignant reminder. > She said “the ordinary people who yearned for the peace and understanding we now have between our two nations and between the communities” within them, and she went on to say is a reminder of everything we still need to do to build a better future for all of us.
And I think it’s worth remembering those words and what an incredible piece of history that we have been living through. So tonight, let us raise a glass to St. Patrick. To celebrating everything Irish.
And on which I’ve seen actually Pat there. I play football regularly as you may know, and I wear a top. Now and again the photographers turn up.
Then there is this quiz which is what’s the top that he’s wearing. It’s my Donegal top that I picked up on my honeymoon.
And then the Taoiseach gave me an upgraded version of that top which is now used on the occasions where I am playing football.
So let’s celebrate everything Irish. All of the huge contribution to Britain over many generations.
From all those who settled in all sorts of places across the United Kingdom, including my own constituency of Camden.
But also of course in Coventry, in Birmingham and Liverpool and who applied their skills in construction, the NHS and workplaces and businesses across the country.
Or who created the music and art that has shaped us for decades.
And I know we’ve got some fantastic people here this evening.
Dermot O’Leary is here. Lisa McGee – the writer of the brilliant Derry Girls. Daniel Wiffen – Olympic Champion.
People from business, politics, the media and from across the country
Including from the London Irish Centre in my own constituency – Seamus MacCormaic, you are very welcome this evening.
You’ll all be familiar with the London Irish Centre. A fantastic centre in Camden. An incredible place.
I’ve been there many times. For meetings, for events, we have held advice surgeries there.
There was a lot of work done there during Covid where it was a place where people could come for a socially distanced cup of coffee.
And that was really important for communities that were lonely and out of touch and of course, they have hampers going out there every Christmas for people who need it in the community.
I even did Desert Island Pics there which was a variation of Desert Island Discs. I once got challenged in a pub in Camden by someone who didn’t like the Desert Island Discs I had chosen.
Only in Camden could you get challenged about that!
And of course we had our CLP Christmas Social this year so the Camden Irish Centre is a great, great place!
So this is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to everyone for what you are doing.
Let’s keep talking. Tell us how we can do better, how we can work with you.
This is the centre of the work I do. But I did say the day after the election when I was on the steps of Downing Street, that we would be a government of service.
And that means it’s great to have you in here so you can help our thinking and shape what we are doing as we go about that task.
So thank you for your contributions, thank you for being here.
I wish you all very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. And as I say, the Guinness bar is winking at us just over there so if you haven’t got a pint of Guinness, please do enjoy one.
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dommonick T. Chatman, age 49, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted on twenty counts of bank fraud and one count of destroying records in a federal investigation.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Chatman either submitted or caused to be submitted false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications and supporting documentation in order to obtain funds for his clients and kickback payments to himself.
The PPP program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PPP program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
According to the indictment, Chatman operated a business located in York, PA, known as The Chatman Group, LLC, through which he offered tax-preparation services. It is alleged that Chatman discussed the PPP and funds available through the PPP with existing and prospective clients of his company. If the clients decided to move forward with PPP loan applications, Chatman prepared a PPP loan application for and on behalf of a client or directed an employee of The Chatman Group to prepare an application using information that he provided. Chatman then knowingly inserted false and fraudulent information into clients’ applications and supporting documentation. For example, several loan applications were supported by a Schedule C—an official IRS tax form for the reporting of business income by a sole proprietor—claiming over $100,000 in gross receipts when, in reality, the taxpayer either did not file a Schedule C for the corresponding tax year or filed a Schedule C reporting gross receipts of less than $15,000.
A financial institution, including at times an unnamed financial institution headquartered in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, then approved such loans in reliance on the documentation submitted to it.
The indictment contains twenty individual charges of bank fraud, each of which is based on an allegedly false and fraudulent PPP loan application filed during March and April 2021. Most of the applications were for a requested amount of approximately $20,833, which was the maximum possible amount for a sole proprietor with no employees.
The indictment also alleges that in November and December 2022, after being contacted and interviewed by members of federal law enforcement, Chatman knowingly destroyed records—including electronically stored PPP loan applications of clients and a hard copy list of PPP loan applications of clients—with the intent to obstruct a federal grand jury investigation.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for bank fraud is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for destruction of records in a federal investigation is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $55,000 in penalties from Lab Worq, LLC (Lab Worq) after the company misled New Yorkers seeking rapid COVID-19 tests in late 2021 and early 2022. Lab Worq falsely advertised 24-hour test results, despite widespread delays in delivering patients’ results. For example, in the two weeks leading up to Christmas in 2021, Lab Worq’s wait time for test results was more than three days, impacting over 90,000 patients who were counting on receiving their results quickly for holiday travel. Some consumers complained of waiting a week or more for results, and others reported never receiving results at all. While Lab Worq is not currently operational, the company and its owner have agreed to provide accurate information concerning test result timelines if Lab Worq offers tests in the future, in addition to paying $55,000 in penalties. Attorney General James has now secured over $580,000 to date from companies that failed to deliver COVID-19 test results as promised.
“In 2021, consumers were anxious to get COVID-19 tests so they could visit family and friends and return to work during the holiday season,” said Attorney General James. “Lab Worq misled consumers by repeatedly promising 24-hour test results that they could not deliver, and now they are paying the price. I will continue to take action against any company that misleads New Yorkers during a public health crisis.”
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) first launched its investigation into COVID-19 testing sites in December 2021, following numerous complaints from New Yorkers who were not receiving rapid COVID-19 test results as promised. For some patients, these delayed test results jeopardized their ability to work, as they needed negative test results to return to their jobs. For others, the delayed test results disrupted holiday plans. The OAG issued a warning letter in December 2021 to Lab Worq, along with several other COVID-19 testing companies, cautioning them not to misrepresent testing turnaround times during the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which corresponded with the busy holiday season.
With this settlement from Lab Worq, Attorney General James has secured more than $580,000 in penalties and refunds from companies that failed to provide COVID testing as promised, including $122,000 from Clear 19 Rapid Testing, $182,000 from ClearMD Health, and $230,000 from SameDay Health.
Attorney General James asks any New Yorker who believes a medical facility is making misleading statements to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Franklin Romeo and Mary Alestra, and Deputy Bureau Chief of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau Laura J. Levine, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia. The Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau is part of the Division of Economic Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo and is overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
Washington, DC:On March 18, 2025, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Belgium, and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.[1]
The Belgian economy was resilient to a series of shocks, but growth has been slowing, and core inflation remains persistent. Labor productivity growth remained sluggish, and labor-cost competitiveness has declined. Successive shocks have increased structural fiscal deficits and public debt. Risks arising from deepening geoeconomic fragmentation and intensification of regional conflicts affecting energy, trade and financial spillovers could worsen the outlook.
In concluding the 2025 Article IV consultation with Belgium, Executive Directors endorsed staff’s appraisal, as follows:
Notwithstanding its resilience, the Belgium economy faces significant challenges. In the short term, in an increasingly uncertain environment, policies need to see disinflation through while preserving growth and financial stability. From a longer perspective, policies need to rebuild buffers, reduce vulnerabilities associated with high and rising public debt, address spending pressures from aging and the green transition, foster higher growth, and improve the external position which, in 2024, was weaker than implied by medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies based on preliminary assessment. The policy agenda of the new government, which includes significant structural reforms and fiscal consolidation, is an opportunity to make headway. Steady and timely implementation of intended reforms will be key.
Sustained and significant fiscal consolidation is needed. Considering the magnitude of the needed adjustment to bring the deficit durably below 3 percent of GDP and put debt solidly on a downward path, staff supports the government’s intention to pursue a seven-year adjustment under the EGF, which should be accompanied by credible and front-loaded growth-enhancing reforms. An annual reduction in the structural primary balance of about 0.6 ppt of GDP until 2031 will be necessary. The forthcoming MTFSP should be built on sufficiently conservative assumptions to lower the risk of deviating from the intended path of deficit reduction.
The adjustment should rationalize current spending, make room for more public investment, and be supported by increased efficiency of spending. Rationalizing social benefits and the public wage bill is crucial to achieve savings. Public investment should be preserved, or ideally, increased to bolster potential growth and support green transition. Amid competing demands for resources and reduced fiscal space, improving the efficiency of spending, is critical, notably with respect to investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Fiscal reforms are crucial to support the adjustment. Staff welcomes the government’s intention to reduce the tax burden on labor while introducing capital gain taxation and reducing tax expenditure. Considering the needed overall fiscal adjustment, tax reforms should not result in lower revenue. Similarly, staff welcomes the planned reforms aimed at raising the effective retirement age and reviewing eligibility to specific pension regimes. This is necessary to preserve the sustainability of the pension system despite aging. Staff also encourages the authorities to strengthen the overall fiscal framework, through a revitalized fiscal council and greater accountability of the federal and all federated entities in sharing the burden of fiscal adjustment.
Overall systemic risks in the financial sector remain moderate and current capital buffer requirements and prudential limits on mortgage loans should be maintained. Recent progress in strengthening systemic risk assessment, supervision, the macroprudential framework, and crisis management and resolution preparedness is welcome. With a new government in place, pending measures that required legislative action should now proceed.
Labor market and education reforms are essential to foster higher labor participation and better adequation of skills. The government’s intended reforms to widen the income gap between work and nonwork, limit the duration of unemployment benefits, and reduce the cost of hiring and dismissal go in the right direction. Fostering a labor market more inclusive of low-skilled workers, older workers, women, and individuals with an immigration background, or disabilities, notably through lifelong learning and reskilling and active labor-market policies, will enhance overall economic performance. Education reforms are also necessary to upskill the labor force. They should focus on aligning curricula with the skills companies need, better leveraging teachers’ time, and strengthening support to students in difficulty.
Reforming the wage-setting mechanism will help increase labor-market efficiency and improve competitiveness. Automatic wage and social benefit indexation protected household purchasing power during the inflation shock but increased fiscal deficits and undermined competitiveness. Consideration should be given to abolishing automatic indexation and the 1996 wage law which, together, prevent an optimal allocation of labor and higher employment. At a minimum, the labor market would already benefit from technical reforms to the existing system.
Further product market reforms and efforts with EU partners to deepen the single market and advance the capital market union will support firms’ productivity. Reforms should focus on reducing regulatory and administrative barriers and improving the insolvency regime. Removing remaining barriers to trade within the EU and harmonizing regulations and bankruptcy frameworks would give Belgian firms’ access to a larger customer base, improve competition, and provide buffers against risks from geo-fragmentation. Developing venture capital at the EU level would help widen Belgian firms’ options to finance their growth.
Despite progress, much effort remains needed to achieve climate objectives. The planned expansion of the EU ETS should be complemented by carbon taxation and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, while ensuring support for vulnerable population. The consolidation of federal and regional climate efforts into a coherent and cohesive national strategy is essential.
Belgium: Selected Economic Indicators, 2022–30
Projections
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
(Percent change, unless otherwise indicated)
Real economy
Real GDP 1/
4.2
1.3
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
Domestic demand
4.2
1.8
1.0
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.5
Private consumption
3.6
0.6
1.8
1.2
1.2
1.5
1.3
1.2
1.1
Public consumption
3.3
3.2
3.2
1.4
1.9
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.7
Gross fixed investment
1.7
3.5
0.9
0.6
1.7
1.5
1.6
1.7
2.0
Stockbuilding 2/
1.1
-0.1
-1.0
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Foreign balance 2/
0.1
-0.5
0.1
-0.3
-0.4
-0.2
-0.2
-0.1
-0.1
Exports, goods and services
5.8
-7.1
-4.0
0.0
2.6
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.1
Imports, goods and services
5.8
-6.8
-4.2
0.4
3.3
3.6
3.5
3.3
3.3
Household saving ratio
12.7
14.1
13.6
13.7
13.7
13.7
13.8
14.0
14.3
Potential output growth
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
Potential output growth
1.3
1.2
1.0
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.3
per working age person
Output gap (in percent)
1.6
1.0
0.5
0.2
0.0
0.0
-0.1
0.0
0.0
Employment
Unemployment rate (in percent)
5.6
5.5
5.8
5.7
5.7
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
Employment growth
1.9
0.8
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.6
0.3
0.2
0.4
Prices
Consumer prices (HICP)
10.3
2.3
4.3
3.5
2.2
2.0
2.0
1.9
1.9
Core CPI (HICP)
4.0
6.0
3.4
3.0
2.6
2.2
2.1
1.9
1.9
GDP deflator
6.8
4.5
2.7
2.5
1.7
1.5
1.7
1.6
1.6
(Percent of GDP; unless otherwise indicated)
Public finance
Revenue
48.6
49.1
49.6
49.5
49.5
49.5
49.5
49.6
49.7
Expenditure
52.2
53.3
54.0
54.3
55.0
55.3
55.7
56.3
56.9
General government balance
-3.6
-4.2
-4.4
-4.8
-5.5
-5.8
-6.2
-6.7
-7.2
Structural balance
-4.3
-4.4
-4.5
-4.8
-5.5
-5.8
-6.1
-6.8
-7.2
Structural balance (excl. Covid measures)
-3.7
-4.3
-4.4
-4.8
-5.5
-5.8
-6.1
-6.8
-7.2
Structural primary balance
-2.7
-2.4
-2.2
-2.5
-3.0
-3.0
-3.2
-3.5
-3.7
Primary balance
-2.0
-2.2
-2.2
-2.4
-3.0
-3.0
-3.3
-3.4
-3.7
General government debt
102.6
103.1
104.1
105.4
108.6
111.9
115.2
118.9
123.0
External Sector
Goods and services balance
-1.5
-0.6
-0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.5
0.7
Current account
-1.3
-0.7
-0.3
-0.3
-0.3
-0.3
-0.1
0.1
0.2
Exchange rates
Euro per U.S. dollar, period average
0.9
0.9
0.9
…
…
…
…
…
…
NEER, ULC-styled (2005=100)
96.3
97.6
97.8
…
…
…
…
…
…
REER, ULC-based (2005=100)
99.7
103.8
105.5
…
…
…
…
…
…
Memorandum items
Gross national savings (in percent of GDP)
25.6
24.6
23.8
23.9
23.9
23.9
24.1
24.3
24.5
Gross national investment
26.9
25.3
24.1
24.2
24.3
24.3
24.2
24.2
24.3
(in percent of GDP)
Nominal GDP (in billions of euros)
563.5
596.3
618.6
640.9
658.7
677.3
697.8
718.4
739.8
Population (in millions)
11.6
11.7
11.8
11.8
11.9
11.9
11.9
12.0
12.0
Sources: Haver Analytics, Belgian authorities, and IMF staff projections.
1/ Based on national accounts data available as of January 29, 2025.
2/ Contribution to GDP growth.
[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.
[2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers struggled to grasp the rate of the virus’s spread and the number of related deaths. While hospitals tracked cases and deaths within their walls, the broader picture of mortality across communities remained frustratingly incomplete.
Policymakers and researchers quickly discovered a troubling pattern: Many deaths linked to the virus were never officially counted. A study analyzing data from over 3,000 U.S. counties between March 2020 and August 2022 found nearly 163,000 excess deaths from natural causes that were missing from official mortality records.
Excess deaths, meaning those that exceed the number expected based on historical trends, serve as a key indicator of underreported deaths during health crises. Many of these uncounted deaths were later tied to COVID-19 through reviews of medical records, death certificates and statistical modeling.
In addition, lack of real-time tracking for medical interventions during those early days slowed vaccine development by delaying insights into which treatments worked and how people were responding to newly circulating variants.
Five years since the beginning of COVID-19, new epidemics such as bird flu are emerging worldwide, and researchers are still finding it difficult to access the data about people’s deaths that they need to develop lifesaving interventions.
How can the U.S. mortality data system improve? I’m a technology infrastructure researcher, and my team and I design policy and technical systems to reduce inefficiency in health care and government organizations. By analyzing the flow of mortality data in the U.S., we found several areas of the system that could use updating.
Critical need for real-time data
A death record includes key details beyond just the fact of death, such as the cause, contributing conditions, demographics, place of death and sometimes medical history. This information is crucial for researchers to be able to analyze trends, identify disparities and drive medical advances.
Approximately 2.8 million death records are added to the U.S. mortality data system each year. But in 2022 – the most recent official count available – when the world was still in the throes of the pandemic, 3,279,857 deaths were recorded in the federal system. Still, this figure is widely considered to be a major undercount of true excess deaths from COVID-19.
In addition, real-time tracking of COVID-19 mortality data was severely lacking. This process involves the continuous collection, analysis and reporting of deaths from hospitals, health agencies and government databases by integrating electronic health records, lab reports and public health surveillance systems. Ideally, it provides up-to-date insights for decision-making, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, these tracking systems lagged and failed to generate comprehensive data.
Getting real-time COVID-19 data from hospitals and other agencies into the hands of researchers proved difficult. Gerald Herbert/AP Photo
Without comprehensive data on prior COVID-19 infections, antibody responses and adverse events, researchers faced challenges designing clinical trials to predict how long immunity would last and optimize booster schedules.
Such data is essential in vaccine development because it helps identify who is most at risk, which variants and treatments affect survival rates, and how vaccines should be designed and distributed. And as part of the broader U.S. vital records system, mortality data is essential for medical research, including evaluating public health programs, identifying health disparities and monitoring disease.
At the heart of the problem is the inefficiency of government policy, particularly outdated public health reporting systems and slow data modernization efforts that hinder timely decision-making. These long-standing policies, such as reliance on paper-based death certificates and disjointed state-level reporting, have failed to keep pace with real-time data needs during crises such as COVID-19.
These policy shortcomings lead to delays in reporting and lack of coordination between hospital organizations, state government vital records offices and federal government agencies in collecting, standardizing and sharing death records.
History of US mortality data
The U.S. mortality data system has been cobbled together through a disparate patchwork of state and local governments, federal agencies and public health organizations over the course of more than a century and a half. It has been shaped by advances in public health, medical record-keeping and technology. From its inception to the present day, the mortality data system has been plagued by inconsistencies, inefficiencies and tensions between medical professionals, state governments and the federal government.
The first national efforts to track information about deaths began in the 1850s when the U.S. Census Bureau started collecting mortality data as part of the decennial census. However, these early efforts were inconsistent, as death registration was largely voluntary and varied widely across states.
In the early 20th century, the establishment of the National Vital Statistics System brought greater standardization to mortality data. For example, the system required all U.S. states and territories to standardize their death certificate format. It also consolidated mortality data at the federal level, whereas mortality data was previously stored at the state level.
However, state and federal reporting remained fragmented. For example, states had no unifom timeline for submitting mortality data, resulting in some states taking months or even years to finalize and release death records. Local or state-level paperwork processing practices also remained varied and at times contradictory.
To begin to close gaps in reporting timelines to aid medical researchers, in 1981 the National Center for Health Statistics – a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – introduced the National Death Index. This is a centralized database of death records collected from state vital statistics offices, making it easier to access death data for health and medical research. The system was originally paper-based, with the aim of allowing researchers to track the deaths of study participants without navigating complex bureaucracies.
As time has passed, the National Death Index and state databases have become increasingly digital. The rise of electronic death registration systems in recent decades has improved processing speed when it comes to researchers accessing mortality data from the National Death Index. However, while the index has solved some issues related to gaps between state and federal data, other issues, such as high fees and inconsistency in state reporting times, still plague it.
Accessing the data that matters most
With the Trump administration’s increasing removal of CDC public health datasets, it is unclear whether policy reform for mortality data will be addressed anytime soon.
Experts fear that the removal of CDC datasets has now set precedent for the Trump administration to cross further lines in its attempts to influence the research and data published by the CDC. The longer-term impact of the current administration’s public health policy on mortality data and disease response are not yet clear.
What is clear is that five years since COVID-19, the U.S. mortality tracking system remains unequipped to meet emerging public health crises. Without addressing these challenges, the U.S. may not be able to respond quickly enough to public health crises threatening American lives.
Dylan Thomas Doyle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
