Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Londoners’ chance to nurture nature
Spring sunshine on time for ‘happy’ outdoor events
Walkers stepping out for their health and wellbeing, as part of the Natural England Happier Outdoors Festival. Photo: Sally Oldfield
Groucho Marx said: “Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”
And with the warm spring sunshine greeted by so many like a long-lost friend, Londoners are being urged to get outside and connect with so-called green and blue spaces.
Over the next 2 weeks, the Happier Outdoors Festival highlights the chance to discover the London you might not know. The capital’s hidden nature nuggets rubbing shoulders with the hustle and bustle of city life.
With green land and waterways making up about half of Greater London, there is every reason to mark the return of longer, lighter days by feeling, embracing and being part of nature.
But one in 5 Londoners say they haven’t recently visited a green space, lower than any region in England [i]
More than 70 classes, groups and sessions make up the city celebration of the great outdoors – a mix of walks, clubs and events to relax or educate the mind and improve both your physical and mental state.
From Tai Chi classes in Harrow or counting bird numbers in Haringey, to taking a gentle stroll around woods and gardens in Lewisham or Croydon, building hotels for bugs in Barnet, and maybe putting your back into some organised gardening in Ealing.
Laura Brown, Natural England’s lead health adviser for London, said:
“The importance of open spaces cannot be underestimated. Nature can relax us, educate us, and help reduce anxiety and depression.
“We know there are countless benefits to connecting with nature – it makes us feel better, physically and mentally. The second Happier Outdoors Festival builds on last year, promoting the connection between people and urban nature.
“I’m excited for Londoners to discover natural spaces just minutes from their home or be inspired by a new outdoor hobby they had never considered before.”
Natural England founded the Happier Outdoors network, a group of more than 30 organisations running events to encourage people in London to connect with nature for improved health and wellbeing.
All events are free, and have either been arranged especially for the festival or continue throughout the year.
A full list of what’s on and how to get involved can be found at https://happieroutdoors.london/. The Happier Outdoors Festival runs between 7 and 16 April.
The clarion call to get outside comes as a wide-ranging survey opens into how exposure to natural spaces affects people’s health, behaviour and attitude to the environment over an extended period of time.
The three-year study will involve a sample of approximately 18,000 adults across the country, in a partnership between Natural England, the University of Exeter and the Natural Environment Research Council, and developed by organisations from a range of sectors.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The State University of Management invites you to take part in the All-Russian competition of youth author projects and projects in the field of education aimed at the socio-economic development of Russian territories, “My Country – My Russia”.
The new season of the “My Country – My Russia” competition offers participants 14 nominations covering key areas of territorial development: from ecology to digital technologies. Particular attention is paid to the special nomination “My Country. My History. My Victory”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Residents of all regions of Russia are invited to participate in the following categories:
the first category – from 14 to 17 years old (inclusive), the second category – from 18 to 35 years old (inclusive), the third category – no age restrictions within the nominations “My Pedagogical Initiative”, “My Family: Continuity, Values and Meaning”, the fourth category – up to 13 years old (inclusive) within the special children’s nomination “Threads of My Family Tree”.
Applications are accepted until May 11 on the official website of the competition. By May 26, the expert jury will select no more than 300 best works, the remote defense of which will take place from May 27 to June 15. Based on the results, the three best projects in each nomination, with the exception of the children’s category, will be published on the website.
In 2025, the finalists of the My Country – My Russia project of the Russia – Country of Opportunities presidential platform will have a special opportunity to apply for the Rosmolodezh grant competition. This means that the authors of the best initiatives selected by experts will be able to apply for additional support to implement their ideas.
The winners of the competition will receive comprehensive support, including grants for project implementation, additional points for admission to universities, internships and employment in partner companies, travel around Russia from the More Than Travel program, as well as educational programs and mentoring.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04.04.2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
Representatives of the State University of Management spoke at the international expert session “Business and Continuous Education: Strategy for Growth and Sustainable Development in the Kyrgyz Republic”, which was held at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin, located in Bishkek.
The event was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kyrgyz Republic Sergey Vakunov, Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Kyrgyz Republic Albert Zulkharneev, Director of the Center for Public-Private Partnership at the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurbek Anarbek, as well as representatives of the Office of the President of the Russian Federation for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and industrial partners of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin.
The State University of Management was represented at the event by Vice-Rector Dmitry Bryukhanov and Director of the Center for Eurasian Cooperation of the International Cooperation Department Dinara Sadieva.
The session included several blocks, including a plenary discussion “Business and Continuous Education: New Opportunities in the Context of Sustainable Development” and organizational issues of network cooperation.
Dmitry Bryukhanov presented the activities of the scientific and educational consortium “Eurasian Network University” (ENU) and made a report on the topic “Experience of the Eurasian Network University in implementing programs of additional professional education in the EAEU space”, dedicated to joint educational programs of the State University of Management within the framework of the ENU activities. During the report, it was emphasized that the implementation of such projects will allow the formation of a new generation of managers in the EAEU space, operating on the basis of specially formed competencies and practical skills in building international economic cooperation.
It was noted that in 2024, the State University of Management implemented 18 programs of additional professional education for citizens of the EAEU countries in the field of management, marketing and management of specific sectors of the economy. The total number of graduates in these areas of the programs was 324 students.
The participants of the plenary discussion discussed issues related to the growing role of continuous education and the demands of the labor market for additional education, presented current directions of state policy in the field of additional professional education in the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic, and also identified trends in the development of business education, corporate and online training.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04.04.2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 9, the State University of Management will host a presentation of the “Moscow Government Named Scholarship” program.
The event will tell you how to become part of the project team, gain practical experience, determine your career path, and open doors to all the opportunities in the capital.
The Moscow Government’s personal scholarship is a platform of opportunities for the best students of Moscow, which helps them realize themselves not only within the walls of the university, but also in large-scale projects of the capital.
Key areas of the program:
City department. We develop your skills and competencies in the field of politics and city administration using the playing of famous board games and television shows. Here you can become part of our game universe and a cool team of Moscow.
A healthy lifestyle, sports, the ecology of the city. We talk about a healthy lifestyle, training, alternative sports methods, explain the principles of proper nutrition and organize various festivals and events.
Medicine. We talk about medicine in simple words and popularize the idea of donation among Moscow universities and youth of Moscow. You have the opportunity to become speakers and participants in the project #medical sciences, blood donors or volunteers of city medical actions.
Creation. We reveal creative potential and develop talents. Here you can show the world your emotions and feelings with the help of creativity and creativity.
Meetings with VIP faces of the city. We give a chance to get acquainted with celebrities and statesmen through unique tasks, games and live communication.
We are waiting for everyone who is ready not only to study, but also to be at the center of cool projects and change the capital for the better, at the presentation on April 9 at 14:45 in PA-203.
Let us recall that in March, a student of the State University of Management became a resident of the Moscow Government Personal Scholarship.
Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 04/04/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
On April 24 at 3 p.m. EDT, the Law Library of Congress and the American Bar Association will cohost our annual Law Day celebration with a Zoom-based panel discussion.
Please register here.
This year, the American Bar Association’s 2025 Law Day theme is “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.” As the American Bar Association explains:
The Constitution enshrines our collective responsibility to one another, and the 2025 Law Day theme urges us to take pride in a Constitution that bridges our differences to bring us together as a united nation. Our civic lives tie us together as one “We,” whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through military service, or by working together, every day, to fulfill the promise of E pluribus unum, or “out of many, one.”
This panel discussion will explore how law, specifically constitutionalism, has been used to promote unity in nations around the world, exploring this theme from a comparative constitutional law framework, where we will explore the intricacies of constitutional design, focusing on how different nations create, revise, and enforce their constitutions. This program will examine the processes by which constitutions are drafted, highlighting the roles of founding documents, legal frameworks, and the negotiation processes that reflect a nation’s values and aspirations. The panel will discuss how constitutions evolve over time, whether through formal amendments, judicial interpretation, or societal shifts, and how these changes impact governance. The enforcement mechanisms that ensure constitutions remain a living document—through judicial review, political processes, and institutional checks—will also be critically analyzed, providing a deeper understanding of the balance between legal stability and necessary reform. Through this comparative lens, this program will shed light on the diverse approaches to constitutional governance across the globe.
A logo for the Law Library of Congress and the American Bar Association’s event to commemorate Law Day 2025.
The program will be introduced by the American Bar Association President William R. Bay and the Law Librarian of Congress, Aslihan Bulut.
Dr. Alejandro Ponce. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ponce.
The moderator is Dr. Alejandro Ponce. Dr. Ponce is the Executive Director of the World Justice Project (WJP), leading its global efforts to advance the rule of law through research, data-driven insights, and strategic initiatives.
Dr. Ponce, a trained economist, has been instrumental in shaping WJP’s research agenda since its early years. As Chief Research Officer (2012–2025), he played a key role in developing the WJP Rule of Law Index and led the creation of major data products, including country and thematic diagnostics, environmental rule of law indicators, legal needs surveys in over 100 countries, and the first study to quantify the global justice gap. He also led WJP’s expansion in Mexico and the European Union, launching subnational justice indicators, advancing criminal justice research, and overseeing documentary film productions.
Before joining the World Justice Project, Ponce worked as a researcher at Yale University and as an economist at the World Bank and the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission. He has conducted research in the areas of behavioral economics, financial inclusion, justice indicators, and the rule of law, and has been published in collected volumes as well as top academic journals such as the American Economic Review and the Journal of Law and Economics. Ponce is a frequent speaker on the rule of law at international conferences and policy forums and travels the world to help a wide variety of stakeholders turn rule of law data into action. He holds a B.A. in economics from ITAM in Mexico and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.
The panelists include:
Tariq Ahmad. Photo courtesy of Tariq Ahmad.
Law Library of Congress Senior Foreign Law Specialist Tariq Ahmad. Tariq’s work at the Law Library of Congress covers mostly South Asian common law jurisdictions, particularly India and Pakistan. He takes a particular research interest in religion and law issues in the South Asia region. Tariq holds an LL.M. degree in international law from American University Washington College of Law and an LL.B. from University College London.
Professor Zachary Elkins. Photo Courtesy of Professor Elkins.
Dr. Zachary Elkins. Professor Elkins’ research focuses on issues of democracy, institutional reform, research methods, and national identity, with an emphasis on cases in Latin America. He is currently completing a book manuscript, “Steal this Constitution: The Drift and Mastery of Constitutional Design,” which examines the design and diffusion of democratic institutions. Much of his research is on the origins and consequences of national constitutions. With Tom Ginsburg (University of Chicago), Professor Elkins co-directs both the Comparative Constitutions Project, an NSF-funded initiative to understand the causes and consequences of constitutional choices, and the website Constitute, which provides resources and analysis for constitutional drafters in new democracies. Elkins earned his B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Professor Mortimer Sellers. Photo courtesy of Mortimer Sellers.
Professor Mortimer Sellers. M.N.S. Sellers is Regents Professor of the University System of Maryland, the highest honor in the Maryland Academic System. He is also Director of the University of Baltimore Center for International and Comparative Law (CICL), honorary President of the International Association for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (IVR), President-Elect of the American Society of Comparative Law, Director of Studies of the American Branch of the International Law Association and Counsellor to the American Society of International Law.
Professor Sellers has written and edited seventeen books and innumerable articles on international law, comparative law, constitutional law, the philosophy of law, and legal history. He is the general editor of several book series, including the Cambridge University Press series ASCL Studies in Comparative Law (with David Gerber) and the Cambridge University Press series ASIL Studies in International Legal Theory (with Michael Cooper). He is the editor with Stephan Kirste of The IVR Encyclopedia of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, and with Gary Bell of the second edition of the International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law.
Professor Sellers received his doctorate and civil law degrees from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar and T.H. Green Fellow. He received his bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) and law degree (cum laude) at Harvard University, where he was a Frank Knox Fellow and John Harvard Scholar and received the Edwards Whitaker and Detur prizes. He is an elected member of the International Academy of Comparative Law and of the International Association of Constitutional Law. Professor Sellers has been The H.L.A. Hart Fellow in Jurisprudence at University College, Oxford, Research Fellow of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, and a visiting professor at the
Communities across Sunderland are coming together for a shared moment of celebration for VE Day’s 80th anniversary.
Thursday 8 May marks 80 years since the end of World War 2 in Europe, with celebrations taking place throughout Sunderland in remembrance.
Schools, care homes and community groups have registered to join the celebrations during the day. There are also opportunities for residents to join the celebrations in Sunderland. There will be a special VE Day programme, organised by Sunderland City Council and the city’s veterans’ groups.
City Hall will proudly raise the VE Day flag at 9am and encourages residents to take part in celebrating.
Residents are invited to join the celebrations in Sunderland taking place throughout the day:
From 11am, food offerings at Keel Square will be available.
At 4pm, a Street Party will start at Keel Square. This includes music and performances from local organisations, with a display of World War 2 vehicles and sweet treats. More details will be confirmed soon.
From 7pm, residents can attend a special VE Day concert at The Fire Station. This will include performances from vintage singers, dancers, big band and choir. It will also be hosted by Alfie Joey, a former breakfast show host. Tickets for this event will cost £5 and go on sale at 12 noon on Friday 4 April.
From 9:30pm, the evening will close with Lighting a Lamplight of Peace on Keel Square.
Alongside the Lamplight of Peace, monuments across Sunderland will be lit in solidarity, to represent the ‘Light of Peace’ following the darkness of war.
Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see Sunderland coming together at this significant time, 80 years since the end of World War 2 in Europe. It is important that we take this opportunity to remember the sacrifices as well as the resilience of those who have gone before us.
“The theme of this year’s very special VE Day is ‘Light of Peace’ to represent the end of the darkness. And it’s been wonderful working with our veterans to create this programme. Seeing different areas of the community come together for a day of reflection on this very day is a testament to the spirit of our city.
“I know that for many this will be a normal working day I but hope residents will join in the VE Day celebrations where they can, whether that is at our organised events or at street parties and events in their own communities.”
Schools across Sunderland will be joining the celebrations by entering students into a writing competition. Students will be asked to write stories from the front line when news of the end of the war was announced. These stories will then be judged by members of Sunderland’s Veterans Forum with the best entries receiving prizes.
Schools, colleges, care homes and local community groups are also making VE Day bunting, and colouring poppies which will be used to decorate the city.
Nine care homes across Sunderland have already registered to be part of the VE Day celebrations and are hosting their own events. This includes arranging their own flag raisings, lamp lighting, and street parties.
If you have a local community event happening, please let us know so we can share – just get in touch with events@sunderland.gov.uk.
Sunderland City Council have worked with Veterans in Crisis to organise the programme. Veterans in Crisis works hard with other community based groups and veterans’ charities to support our city’s armed forces. They also provide support for the 11,000 veterans living in communities across the city, as well as their families.
Ger Fowler, Founder and Chief Executive of Veterans in Crisis, said: “This is a truly incredible effort from the council to bring all the veterans’ groups together to celebrate VE Day. Sunderland City Council has the best relationship with veterans in the country, and we are immensely proud to work alongside them in supporting our veterans and their families.
“This day of celebration is incredibly meaningful, and we are thrilled to be part of it. We cannot wait for the events to unfold, especially the evening concert, which promises to be a fantastic highlight of the day.”
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
At the Polytechnic, sports activity knows no decline, and students regularly demonstrate high results in various competitions.
At the St. Petersburg Student Sports Games in powerlifting, Valeria Shaga from IPMET distinguished herself, taking 3rd place with a result of 185 kg in the weight category up to 84 kg, and Margarita Zhornik from ISI, who also won bronze with a total result of 310 kg in the weight category up to 69 kg. It is especially pleasing that Margarita set a record for St. Petersburg among university students, lifting 117.5 kg in squats.
The jiu-jitsu team also did not leave without awards. Renat Gaibatov and Aglaya Stepanova won silver at the Street Jiu-Jitsu tournament, and Diana Ledovskikh showed the same result at the Just Jiu-Jitsu Champions League.
Ivan Sokolov took 1st place in the All-Russian competition “Stars of the Baltic” in hand-to-hand combat, dedicated to the memory of the honored coach of Russia A. V. Fakeev
At the St. Petersburg Rock Climbing Championship, Konstantin Pak took 2nd place and was selected for the city team.
At the Russian Student Ultimate Championship, held in St. Petersburg, the Polytechnic University men’s team confidently reached the semi-finals, where they defeated ITMO University (8:7), and then won gold, beating Moscow State University (10:9). The women’s team also performed well, winning bronze medals after three tense games and defeating Moscow State Pedagogical University (9:7).
From March 7 to 9, our athletes also showed high results at the orienteering competitions in Kaliningrad: Olga Shmaylova won silver in two disciplines and bronze in one, Polina Morozova and Ksenia Galkova also received silver and bronze, respectively. Sergey Dribas won bronze at the “Snowy Trail” competition.
The women’s handball team won the tournament in memory of Yu. N. Zakatova in Boksitogorsk, which confirms their high level of play.
From March 9 to 14, the St. Petersburg Boxing Championship was held, where our team won 13 medals, including three gold. Working at full capacity, the Polytechnicians once again demonstrated high athletic training.
At the University Dance Sport Championship in Nova Arena, our dance couples won prizes, captivating the hearts of the audience. In the St section, Arseniy Bauman and Anastasia Nazarova took first place, Arseniy Afonin and Sofya Gordeeva took second place, and Ivan Kobernyuk and Ekaterina Kucherova successfully performed in hobby classes. In the La section, the pair of Kobernyuk and Kucherova also became the winner in hobby-4, together with Gleb Gusev and Stefania Aldoshina, who took first place in hobby-6.
No less striking was the performance of our football team, which on March 17 won the XI tournament named after Anatoly Turchak. In a tense final game, our team defeated their opponents from Leningradets after a penalty shootout. Their persistence and determination brought the long-awaited gold medals!
The results of the completed championship and the cheerleading championship are also impressive: our girls became champions in mixed stunts and freestyle, and also won a silver medal in freestyle doubles.
The mini water polo team also deserves congratulations, having taken third place in the university championship among 12 teams. Our team performed brilliantly in the group stage, however, in the semi-final, it lost to ITMO, but coped with a difficult situation, winning the match for 3rd place against SC Gornyak.
The “Superfinal of the Eight” in phygital mini-golf of the National Student Sports Golf League was held in Moscow from March 20 to 21. St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was represented by two student teams that were part of the “Black Bears-Polytechnic” mini-golf team. As a result, Anastasia Kalashnikova and Anastasia Maksimova took first place, becoming two-time champions, while Alexander Prokhorov and Roman Ivasishin won second place.
The team of the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education became the bronze prize winner of the first league of the futsal tournament among professional educational organizations. Last year, the polytechnics lost very disappointingly in the match for third place, but now that gestalt was closed. Vladimir Slepov’s charges held an excellent tournament, and in the decisive match they took revenge for the defeat in the group.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
This year Russia will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Center for Religion and LawFaculty of Law HSE University held a round table “Connection of Times. Holy War – Special Military Operation. Contribution of Religious Associations to Achieving Victory.” Representatives of different faiths met to recall history and discuss how clergy can support Russians today.
“The topic that will be discussed today is very important for everyone, for each of us. Everyone is involved in what is happening now throughout the country,” said Dmitry Kuznetsov, Director of the Higher School of Law and Administration at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, opening the event. “But this topic is also deeply historical for us, so I am sure that today we will rely on our roots and talk about the present and, in many ways, predict the future that we need to build together in order to continue strengthening state sovereignty, so that the constitutional principles of interaction between religious associations are fully implemented.”
Svetlana Nuzhdina, Director of the Center for Religion and Law at the Faculty of Law at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, noted that representatives of the heirs of those religious communities that supported the Russian people and forged victory during difficult times for the country were invited to participate in the round table, and this experience must be remembered and understood today.
She also read out a greeting from HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov to those gathered.
“Our country is multi-confessional, and this is its strength. During the difficult wartime, all religious communities of our Motherland showed themselves to be true patriots. The spiritual support of the Red Army soldiers at the front and home front workers undoubtedly helped us resist the enemy and prevent us from being broken in difficult times. The interaction between the state and religious organizations in those years must be studied, including in light of the events associated with the special military operation. I am confident that the discussions that will unfold at this round table will allow us to comprehend the lessons of the past and apply them to the present,” the rector’s greeting reads.
Hegumen Serapion (August Mitko), Deputy Director Higher School of Law and Administration, the scientific director of the Center for Religion and Law of the Faculty of Law of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, noted that the last three years have become a test not only for the entire Russian people, but also for religious organizations. For the first time in a very long time, different sides in the conflict are justifying their case with religious arguments. “Many religious organizations have joined the anti-Russian campaign. What is happening is not only a challenge to security, not only a political one, but also a spiritual challenge. In addition to victory on the battlefield, there is also a spiritual victory and a spiritual defeat. Now we must understand that this Russophobia, hatred is not just a challenge to Russia, it is a challenge to our faith. We believe in truth, in goodness and in love, and we must preserve both true faith and love,” he emphasized.
Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus’ of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church Korniliy (Konstantin Titov) told the participants of the round table about the feats that believers accomplished during the Great Patriotic War, saving Moscow from the enemy army. “We constantly pray for help for our soldiers,” he said.
Rabbi Aaron Gurevich, head of the Department of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia for interaction with the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation, said that since the beginning of the Second World War, the Jewish community, which is on the side of the Russians, has found itself under double pressure. In his opinion, European politicians, who are now setting the agenda, instead of dealing with the internal problems of their countries, stubbornly oppose Russia, trying to take quasi-revenge for the defeat of their fathers and grandfathers in the Great Patriotic War.
A person who helps gets much more than the one who receives help, reminded the mufti of the Moscow Region of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia Denis Mukhutdinov. “When you immerse yourself in the process of providing help, when you begin to live this process, such a concept as someone else’s grief is erased for you. Each story that you learn becomes your own, and you learn to feel and empathize and, as a religious figure, begin to convey this to your flock,” he said.
The head of the Department of Education and Science of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Ilgizar Davletshin, raised the issue of organizing and developing an institute for training military clergymen under special programs. This issue is very important for all faiths, he noted.
Archpriest Yevgeny Lishchenyuk, head of the Service for Spiritual and Psychological Assistance to Participants in Combat Operations and Their Families at the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, director of the St. Anthony Smirnitsky Charitable Foundation, said that more than 20,000 clergy have already been to the front. Just like their flock, they find themselves on the front lines, many have been injured, and some have died.
Vice-Rector for Social and Missionary Work at the Orthodox St. Tikhon’s Humanitarian University, Philipp Ilyashenko, spoke about the tasks of religious education. This is not only helping soldiers and those who returned from the front, but also educating students.
The head of the public relations department of the Western Russian Union of Seventh-day Adventist Christians, Evgeny Ekimov, noted the importance of the contribution of home front workers to the victory and the need to highly value their work.
Maria Mchedlova, head of the Department of Comparative Political Science at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at RUDN University and chief research fellow at the Institute of Sociology at the Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, discussed how social service is changing today. She noted that compassion and consolation are needed not only by direct participants in the SVO, but also by their relatives who remain in the rear, and especially by those who have lost loved ones. “True believers pray not to destroy the enemy, but for the human to triumph,” she emphasized.
Crises lead to spiritual revival, noted the head of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society Problems of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Research Roman Lunkin. According to him, each of the difficult events for the country was experienced hand in hand by the spiritual and secular authorities, and this led to a fairly large-scale rethinking and restructuring of public consciousness.
The war has moved from the historical to the value plane, emphasized the adviser to the head of the Federal Agency for Nationalities Aikaz Mikaelyan. “This is the most key value factor, because the memory of the Great Patriotic War is part of the family identity of each person. Every family in our country has such a memory. This is a large set of family values that unites us, the entire post-Soviet space. It is precisely this value understanding, work with young people – only this can guarantee victory,” he emphasized.
Also speaking at the round table were the Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists Geshe Yonten Lodoy (Sergey Kirishov), the Chairman of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Petr Mitskevich, the head of the apparatus, the responsible secretary of the Spiritual Council of the Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) Dmitry Taranov, a teacher at the Zaoksky Adventist University Dmitry Fokin, and the representative of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, priest Gevorg Vardanyan.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Anthony Albanese has announced that the government will ensure the Port of Darwin, currently leased by the Chinese company Landbridge, is returned to Australian hands.
“Australia needs to own the Port of Darwin,” the prime minister declared late Friday.
Albanese rang a Darwin radio station after Labor got wind of the fact that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton would on Saturday announce a Coalition government would return the port back to local control.
Both the government and opposition are promising that, if necessary, they would bring the port’s lease into public ownership.
Albanese said the government had been seeking a local buyer, but was prepared to acquire the port’s lease if that was the only solution.
“We prefer that it be through superannuation funds or some other vehicle that doesn’t mean direct taxpayer’s funds, but we’re prepared to go down the road of taxpayer direct involvement, as well.”
Asked to clarify whether the options were that the port remain privately owned or that it be returned to be a government asset, Albanese said, “yes, they are.”
The Northern Territory government leased the port to Landbridge in 2015 for about $500 million. The lease was for 99 years.
The federal government at the time was not directly involved in the deal, but the Northern Territory government sought advice from the Defence Department and security agencies, which didn’t raise objections. Later, US President Barack Obama chided then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for not giving the Americans a heads-up.
The Chinese deal has caused serious controversy in the years since.
When Dutton was defence minister in the Morrison government, his department did a review of the lease.
A statement on Friday from Dutton and shadow ministers said a Coalition government would seek a private operator to take over the lease, but if one could not be found within six months, the government would acquire it “as a last resort”.
It would use the Commonwealth’s “compulsory acquisition powers”, and the government would then compensate the Landbridge Group.
“In the current geopolitical environment, it is vital that this piece of critical infrastructure, which is directly opposite to the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, is operated by a trusted, Commonwealth approved entity.
“We will appoint a specialist commercial adviser to work with the Northern Territory Government and officials from the Departments of Treasury, Finance, Defence and Infrastructure to provide advice and engage with potential new operators of the port.”
Dutton said that a Coalition government would not allow the port to be leased by any entity that is “directly or indirectly controlled by a foreign government, including any state-owned enterprise or sovereign wealth fund.”
Michelle Grattan 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.
Two months into US President Donald Trump’s second term, the liberal international order is on life support.
Alliances and multilateral institutions are now seen by the United States as burdens. Europe and NATO are framed as bad business, “ripping off” the US. On his so-called “Liberation Day”, Trump also imposed 20% tariffs on all European Union imports.
The Trump administration has been far less critical of the US’ alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. On a visit to Tokyo this week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described Japan as America’s “indispensable partner” in deterring Chinese aggression.
Yet, Japan and South Korea fared even worse than the EU with Trump’s new tariffs. Trump slapped Japan with 24% tariffs and South Korea 25%. (Both countries enjoy a trade surplus with the US.)
So, how are the US’ two main allies in the Indo-Pacific dealing with the mercurial US leader? Will they follow Europe’s lead in reassessing their own security relationships with the US?
Japan: a positive summit but concerns remain
America’s post-war security strategy in Asia differs from Europe. While NATO was built on the premise of collective defence among its members, the US adopted a “hub-and-spokes” model in Asia, relying on bilateral alliances to contain the spread of communism.
Japan and South Korea have long sheltered under the US nuclear umbrella and hosted major US military bases. Both are also highly sensitive to changes in the US’ Indo-Pacific policies.
Japan, in particular, has a long history of careful alliance management with the US, epitomised by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s courting of Trump.
During Trump’s first term in office, Abe’s policy goals aligned closely with the US: transforming Japan’s security posture to make it a serious military and diplomatic power. Japan increased military spending, lifted arms export restrictions and deepened ties with India and Australia.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida continued to raise Japan’s security profile from 2021-24, again increasing military spending and taking a tough line on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He emphasised “Europe today could be Asia tomorrow”.
His successor, Shigeru Ishiba, had a successful summit with Trump in February, immediately after his inauguration. The joint statement reaffirmed US security guarantees to Japan, including over the Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by China.
Japan also agreed to import American liquefied natural gas, and later committed to working with South Korea to develop a US$44 billion (A$70 billion) plan to export LNG from Alaska.
However, these positive developments do not mean the relationship is on firm ground.
In early March, Trump complained the US-Japan security agreement signed in 1960 was “one-sided” and a top administration official again called for Japan to increase its defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) – a huge increase for a country facing serious demographic and fiscal pressures.
Reports also emerged the US was considering cancelling a new joint headquarters in Japan aimed at deeper integration between US and Japanese forces.
South Korea: extremely vulnerable on trade
South Korea faces similar pressures. Ties between the two countries were strained during Trump’s first term over his demand South Korea increase the amount it pays to host US forces by
nearly 400%. A 2021 agreement restored some stability, but left Seoul deeply worried about the future of the alliance.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has expressed a desire to strengthen ties with the US, though Trump has reportedly been cool to his advances.
With a US$66 billion (A$105 billion) trade surplus with the US, South Korea is considered the country most vulnerable to trade risk with the Trump administration, according to a Swiss research group.
Trump’s past suggestions that both South Korea and Japan develop nuclear weapons or pay for US nuclear protection has also rattled some nerves. As confidence in the US alliance erodes, both countries are engaging in an urgent public debate about the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons.
Tensions moving forward
Potential for conflict is on the horizon. For example, Tokyo and Washington are set to renegotiate the deal that dictates how much Japan pays to host US troops next year.
A trade war could also prompt a reassessment of the costs of US efforts to decouple from China, potentially leading to closer economic ties between Japan, South Korea and China. The three countries have agreed to accelerate talks on a trilateral free trade agreement, which had been on hold since 2019.
Another challenge is semiconductors. Japan’s new semiconductor revitalisation strategy is prioritising domestic investment, raising questions about whether Trump will tolerate “friendshoring” if Japan diverts investments from the US.
In 2024, Japan outspent the US in semiconductor subsidies (as a share of GDP), while Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, expanded its production capacity in Japan.
Seoul remains an important partner to Washington on semiconductors. Samsung and SK Hynix are both boosting their investments on new semiconductor plants in the US. However, there is now uncertainty over the subsidies promised to both companies to invest in America under the CHIPS Act.
Ultimately, the strength of these alliances depends on whether the Trump administration views them as long-term bulwarks against China’s rise in the region, or merely vassals that can be extorted for financial gain.
If the US is serious about countering China, its regional alliances are key. This would give Japan and South Korea some degree of leverage – or, in Trump terms, they’ll hold valuable cards. Whether they get to play them, however, depends on what Trump’s China policy turns out to be.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As he looks to solidify his territorial gains in Ukraine in a potential ceasefire deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has one eye trained on Russia’s southern border – and boosting Russian influence in Central Asia.
Following his 2024 re-election, Putin made Uzbekistan his third foreign visit after China and Belarus. The visit signalled the region’s continued importance to Moscow.
In response to Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war, trade and investment between Russia and Central Asian countries have grown significantly.
But as Russia tries to reaffirm its role in the region, China has also been quietly expanding its influence.
Could this growing competition over Central Asia affect Beijing and Moscow’s broader relationship?
Central Asia drifting apart from Moscow
The Central Asian region is home to approximately 79 million people spread across five nations. It was part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991. Its strategic location between Russia and China, on the doorstep of the Middle East, has long made it a “grand chessboard” for great power politics.
While Russia has traditionally dominated the region, Central Asian leaders have made efforts to somewhat distance themselves from Moscow recently.
At the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in October 2022, for example, Tajikistan’s president publicly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin. He demanded respect for smaller states like his.
Similarly, during Putin’s 2023 visit to Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a symbolic statement at the press conference by delivering his speech in Kazakh rather than Russian. This was a rare move that seemed to catch Putin’s delegation off guard.
In another striking moment, Tokayev declared at an economic forum in Russia in 2022 that Kazakhstan does not recognise Russia’s “quasi-states”, referring to its occupied territories of Ukraine.
Yet, all Central Asian states remain part of at least one Russia-led organisation, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or the Eurasian Economic Union.
Three states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) rely on Russian security guarantees through the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
And the region’s economic dependency on Russia remains significant. Of the 6.1 million migrants in Russia, the largest groups come from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. These countries depend heavily on remittances from these migrant workers.
China’s growing influence
With Russia preoccupied with Ukraine and constrained by Western sanctions, China has seized the opportunity to deepen its engagement in the region.
Beijing’s involvement in Central Asia has long been economic. In 2013, for instance, China unveiled its ambitious, global Belt and Road Initiative in Kazakhstan. And by 2024, it was China, not Russia, that was the largest trading partner of every Central Asian country except Tajikistan.
But in recent years, China has expanded its influence beyond economic ties, establishing itself as a key player in regional politics.
At the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit in 2023, for example, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged support for the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the region. This is traditionally a role played by Russia.
Xi has also been making high-profile visits to Central Asian states, signalling Beijing’s growing strategic interests here.
Many Chinese-funded projects bring their own workers, limiting job opportunities for locals and fuelling resentment. There is also anxiety about potential “debt trap” diplomacy. Civil society groups have called for economic diversification to avoid over-reliance on Beijing.
Further complicating matters is Beijing’s treatment of the Muslim minority Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region of western China. This has reinforced suspicions in Muslim-majority Central Asia about China’s long-term intentions in the region.
Growing competition
The increasing competition raises questions about the potential impact on the broader, “no limits” relationship between Moscow and Beijing.
At a recent forum, Putin acknowledged Beijing’s growing economic role in the region. However, he insisted Russia still has “special ties” with Central Asian states, rooted in history. And he notably dismissed concerns about China’s expansionist aims, saying:
There is nothing about domination in the Chinese philosophy. They do not strive for domination.
On the ground, however, things aren’t so simple. So far, China and Russia have managed to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. How long that balance remains, however, is an open question.
Central Asian countries, meanwhile, are courting both sides – and diversifying their ties beyond the two powers.
Many of the region’s educated elite are increasingly looking toward Turkey – and pan-Turkic solidarity – as an alternative to both Russian and Chinese dominance.
Russia’s historical influence in the region remains strong. But the days of its unquestioned dominance appear to be over.
Russia may try to reassert its preeminent position, but China’s deepening economic presence is not going anywhere.
With both countries pushing their own regional agendas, it’s hard to ignore the overlap – and the potential for a future clash over competing interests.
Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva 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.
Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, called for elections on March 27, 2025 – a day before an earthquake devastated the country.STR/AFP via Getty Images
The first to heed the call was the opposition National Unity Government, which unilaterally announced a two-week pause on attacks by its armed wing, the People’s Defense Force, on March 29. The Three Brotherhood Alliance – a coalition of three ethnic resistance groups: the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army – likewise agreed to a temporary truce.
Myanmar’s ruling junta has tried this tactic before. In 2008, a week after the deadly cyclone Nargis killed more than 100,000 people in Myanmar, the military proceeded to hold a constitutional referendum that would guarantee the military’s control of government by reserving 25% of all parliamentary seats for officers while requiring 75% of votes for any future constitutional reform. It also allowed for the military to take over the country “in the event of an emergency.”
The referendum took place while much of Myanmar was still reeling from disaster, yet the junta announced a 98.12% turnout, of which 92.48% voted in favor of the new pro-military constitution.
It paved the way to elections in 2010, which the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party won. Though that vote was boycotted by the opposition National League for Democracy, or NLD, Washington had by then signaled a shift in policy toward “pragmatic engagement” with the then-ruling junta. This U.S. shift forced the recalcitrant NLD to cooperate in subsequent elections, giving legitimacy to a process that was stacked in favor of the generals.
But the proposed election in Myanmar is widely seen as a face-saving strategy for both the Myanmar military and, I would argue, an international community that has done little of any significance to end the civil war. In this context, elections would allow the generals to cover their 2021 power grab with a fig leaf of legitimacy.
The entrenched civil war that was sparked by that military takeover – a coup that ended a 10-year experiment with limited democracy – derailed the military’s initial plan to return to full control of the country.
Four years of fighting a broad-based opposition that includes ethnic minority groups like the Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, People’s Defense Force and Bamar People’s Liberation Army has taken its toll on the military.
It has lost territorial control in many regions to the myriad resistance groups. Internationally, it has become more isolated through sanctions, and its largest trading partner, China, concerned over instability on its border, has slowed investments as it tries to play all sides of the conflict.
In desperation, the generals have resorted to forced conscription for foot soldiers, while looking to Russia for arms and investment.
The failure of the generals
What the military desperately needs now is a lifeline and a civil war exit plan. The earthquake could provide both, with a ceasefire – no matter how badly observed – providing a cover for allowing for a national vote.
But as has been evident in the days surrounding the announcement of a truce, the military is likely to exploit the disaster to weaken the resistance along the way. It has said that it will take “necessary” measures against any resistance group found to be regrouping or attacking the state during the ceasefire. Yet it has reportedly continued its own offensive.
The earthquake has revealed the failures and brutalities of the military in other ways, too. In the aftermath of the disaster, the military shut down private clinics and hospitals in badly hit Mandalay for allegedly employing rebel doctors and nurses who were treating members of the resistance. As it was, many health care workers have been in hiding since the coup, and young people who could have been on the front lines of relief efforts have either joined the resistance groups or fled the country.
The earthquake will also further hurt a Myanmar business community already suffering from the pullout of international businesses after the 2021 coup.
On unsecure foundations
Yet, the military may be hoping that it can use the disaster to rebuild its brand overseas. The surprise announcement of a ceasefire by the generals is part of that process. So, too, is the decision to allow in international rescue teams, after initially blocking relief workers from entering the country. It is the military’s way of showing willingness to cooperate with the wider world.
In short, disaster diplomacy has kicked in for Myanmar’s military, as it did after 2008’s Cyclone Nagris. That earlier cyclone provided an opportunity for the junta to present a different face to the international community. Elections were held, not once, but twice – encouraged by the U.S. and others – and investments rushed into Myanmar as the country was touted as “Asia’s next Tiger.”
But the foundations of military-backed reform in Myanmar were built on fault lines that cracked and crumbled amid the 2021 coup. The military’s exploitation of the 2025 earthquake will, I fear, result in similar ends.
Tharaphi Than 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.
Rachel Reeves could use her latest budget to match the Scottish Child Payment UK-wide, after research from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) found that child poverty rates in Scotland have fallen compared to the rest of the UK.
The question is, will she? And will Scotland’s Labour MPs also challenge her to do so?
According to the CPAG, child poverty fell in Scotland, with the three-year average poverty rate falling in Scotland from 24% to 23% – with the latest one-year data showing a fall from 26% to 22%.
Meanwhile in England it has risen from 30% to 31%, from 23% to 24% in Northern Ireland, and from 29% to 31% in Wales
The CPAG states that “the key reason for this divergence is the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment” and that “this shows the impact investment in social security has on child poverty”.
It also warns the Westminster government that child poverty is set to rise even higher in the absence of any poverty-reducing reforms, reaching 4.8 million by the end of this parliament in 2029.
The report by the CPAG was soon followed by another, published by the Changing Realities study of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), which concluded that Labour could lift 700,000 children out of poverty if it adopted the SNP policy.
These warnings come after the Westminster government’s own impact assessment revealed that the latest benefit cuts announced by Rachel Reeves will push 50,000 more children into poverty.
The SNP has consistently called for the UK government to match the Scottish Government’s action on child poverty by matching the Scottish Child Payment.
Instead of scapegoating struggling families on benefits for the UK’s ills the Chancellor should be using her spring budget to deliver the real and long-overdue action needed to tackle the increasing levels of child poverty in the rest of the UK.
It is a mark of shame on a Westminster Labour government that child poverty is rising and expected to hit record highs by the end of this parliament.
Westminster Labour government policies are now actively pushing children into poverty and holding Scotland back.
Rachel Reeves could deliver emergency action now by matching the Scottish Child Payment UK-wide. As the Child Poverty Action Group and LSE have revealed it has made a difference by reducing child poverty in Scotland.
As a result of the SNP government’s leadership, Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is expected to fall – it’s time the Westminster Labour government matched this action.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that Matthew Campbell has joined the agency as its new General Counsel. Campbell is an experienced litigator and most recently served in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In that role, he represented the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a number of administrative law challenges under the Administrative Procedures Act. Prior to his government service, Campbell was a partner at the law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP where he co-chaired the firm’s product liability and mass tort practice. There, he focused on products liability and other complex commercial litigation matters and developed deep knowledge of various legal and regulatory issues affecting product safety. “Matt brings more than two decades of experience in complex commercial litigation to CPSC,” said CPSC’s Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “The agency, and the American consumers we are charged to protect, will benefit greatly from Matt’s leadership. I thank him for his willingness to serve.” Campbell holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Release Number 25-185
About the U.S. CPSCThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products. Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. For lifesaving information:
Report an unsafe product
The link you selected is for a destination outside of the Federal Government. CPSC does not control this external site or its privacy policy and cannot attest to the accuracy of the information it contains. You may wish to review the privacy policy of the external site as its information collection practices may differ from ours. Linking to this external site does not constitute an endorsement of the site or the information it contains by CPSC or any of its employees. Click Ok if you wish to continue to the website; otherwise, click Cancel to return to our site.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced that Brien Lorenze has joined the agency as its new Executive Director. In this role, Lorenze serves as the chief operating officer of the agency and is responsible for its programmatic, operational, and administrative functions. He also manages the agency’s regulatory portfolio and supervises CPSC’s efforts to identify and reduce hazards to consumers. Lorenze has more than two decades of experience leading start-ups and established organizations focusing on strategy, collaboration and addressing complex technical challenges. He most recently served as a senior advisor in the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Prior to that, he was Chief Data Officer for the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, which was created by Congress in 2020 to provide oversight of pandemic relief spending. Prior to entering public service, Lorenze served as a principal at Deloitte, where he held several roles, including leading the Global Public Sector advisory business and founding a cloud-based solution that used advanced data analytics to detect waste, fraud, and abuse. He also held leadership positions at BearingPoint and IBM Global Services. “Brien is an extremely accomplished executive with experience in the public and private sectors. He understands how large organizations work and how to make them work better,” said CPSC’s Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. “The future for agencies like CPSC will require us to leverage technology to make our work more effective and more efficient. We are lucky to have Brien join CPSC to help lead our efforts at such an important moment.” Lorenze received a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Release Number 25-175
About the U.S. CPSCThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products. Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. For lifesaving information:
Report an unsafe product
The link you selected is for a destination outside of the Federal Government. CPSC does not control this external site or its privacy policy and cannot attest to the accuracy of the information it contains. You may wish to review the privacy policy of the external site as its information collection practices may differ from ours. Linking to this external site does not constitute an endorsement of the site or the information it contains by CPSC or any of its employees. Click Ok if you wish to continue to the website; otherwise, click Cancel to return to our site.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that Commissioner Peter A. Feldman has been named Acting Chairman of the agency effective immediately. The Commission elected Feldman to serve as Vice Chairman on January 13, 2025, and in accordance with CPSC’s statute he assumed the role of Acting Chairman when Alex Hoehn-Saric stepped down as Chair on January 21. “I am excited to take on this new role at the Commission, and I am grateful for the support of my fellow Commissioners,” said Feldman. “American families should have confidence that CPSC is hard at work for them. Those who violate the law or import dangerous goods from abroad should be on notice: this Commission is focused and resolved to enforce our statutes.” Feldman has served on the Commission since October 5, 2018, after being nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to complete the remainder of a term expiring in October 2019. He was re-nominated and confirmed to a subsequent seven-year term that will expire in October 2026. During his tenure, Feldman has focused attention on the flood of Chinese consumer goods that violate federal law and has worked to strengthen the agency’s ability to address the challenges of the modern marketplace. Prior to joining the Commission, Feldman was Senior Counsel to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He served as a key advisor to the Committee Chairman, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), and was instrumental in drafting and negotiating bipartisan legislation and conducting oversight and investigations of CPSC, and the Federal Trade Commission. As a staffer for former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH), Feldman worked directly on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), a landmark safety bill that addresses regulations to protect young children. The VGBA advances one of CPSC’s core safety initiatives, Pool Safely, which includes a public education campaign and grant program to support drowning prevention initiatives at the state, local, and tribal level. Feldman attended Colgate University and graduated with a B.A., cum laude. He received his J.D., cum laude, from American University’s Washington College of Law and is a member of the Maryland Bar. LINK TO FULL BIO
About the U.S. CPSCThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products. Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC. For lifesaving information:
News Release-DOH Expands Efforts to Prevent a Measles Outbreak in Hawai’i
Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OFHAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA OHAWAIʻI
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH
KA ʻOIHANAOLAKINO
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
KE KIA‘ĀINA
KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA,MPH DIRECTOR
KA LUNAHO‘OKELE
DOH EXPANDS EFFORTS TO PREVENT A MEASLES OUTBREAK
IN HAWAIʻI
FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE
April 3, 2025 25-031
HONOLULU — The risk of a measles outbreak in Hawaiʻi continues to rise, as measles cases continue to spread across the mainland and globally, even as Hawaiʻi’s measles vaccination rate declines. In response, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is taking proactive measures to prevent an outbreak in Hawaiʻi.
DOH is expanding its outreach to provide more information about the increasing risk of exposure to and complications from measles, as well as the safety and effectiveness of measles vaccination. DOH is also taking action to encourage more vaccinations.
A population vaccination rate of at least 95% is needed to prevent a measles outbreak. In Hawaiʻi, the measles vaccination rate is 90%. In Texas, whereameaslesoutbreakis spreading rapidly, the vaccination rate is 93%.Having apopulation vaccination ratehigh enough to prevent an outbreak, which is based on the contagiousness of the infection, isoften called ‘herd immunity.’
However, vaccination rates can vary locally and by school. The risk of an outbreak is higher in schools with low immunization rates (seefull listof Hawaiʻischools).
In addition to recommending vaccination against measles, DOH is working to reduce barriers to vaccination for those who choose to get vaccinated. DOH sent aletterto parents and guardians of K-12 students of public, private and charter schools on April 2 encouraging them to get their child vaccinated against measles if the child is not fully vaccinated.
The letter also announced that DOH will issueemergency rules toremove a barrier to vaccinationagainst the highly contagious measles virus.
The emergency rules will allow children with a religious exemption to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinewhile retainingthe exemptionto other vaccines and continuing to attend school. The rules can be effective only for and would expire in 120 days.
“Measles is a very serious, sometimes fatal disease for children,” said Dr. Sarah Kemble, a pediatrician and state epidemiologist. “At the rate it’s spreading, it could easily reach Hawaiʻi on the next plane. The MMR vaccine is our best defense against the measles virus. The emergency rules will remove a potential barrier for families choosing to protect their children with the MMR vaccine.”
Parents are asked to reportany updates totheir child’s vaccination record to their school to ensure that the school’s vaccination data is accurate and up to date. Should a measles outbreak occur in Hawaiʻi, students without a record of an MMR vaccine may be prohibited from attending school.
DOH will reach out to schools to assess interest in hosting on-site vaccination clinics. Schools and offices interested in hosting vaccination clinics can also call the DOH Immunization Branch at 808-586-8300.
To access vaccines, parents and school staff should contact:
The child’s preferred healthcare provider
A local community clinic
Vaccine locator:
https://www.vaccines.gov/en/
The best way to prevent a measles outbreak is to have a high community vaccination rate. A high vaccination rate additionally helps protect newborns who are too young to get vaccinated, children who are unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons, unvaccinated pregnant women, and others who may have a weakened immune system.
Children should receive two doses of MMR: one at 12–15 months of age and a second dose at 4–6 years of age before school entry. Adults not at high risk of exposure and who don’t have evidence of prior immunity are recommended to have at least one documented dose of MMR in their lifetime. Additional vaccine recommendations, including for travelers,, can be found on the CDC website:
Office of the Governor — News Release — Governor Green Appoints New Chief Judge for Intermediate Court of Appeals
Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases
STATE OF HAWAIʻI KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR KE KIAʻĀINA
GOVERNOR GREEN APPOINTS NEW CHIEF JUDGE FOR INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS Hawai‘i’s Female Judges will Outnumber Males by Summertime
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2025
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced the appointment of Karen T. Nakasone as the new Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Nakasone will fill the vacancy left by the elevation of Judge Lisa M. Ginoza to Associate Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.
“It is my pleasure to name Karen as Chief Judge of the ICA. Her hard work and stellar track record demonstrate that she has earned the appointment, and the comments of profound support submitted by her peers confirm that she is the right choice,” said Governor Green.
Nakasone has served on the ICA as an associate judge since she was sworn in on November 2, 2020. Initially appointed to the Circuit Court on O‘ahu by former Governor Neil Abercrombie on November 1, 2011, she served as a trial judge for nine years, in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.
Earlier in her career Nakasone served as law clerk to ICA Judge Simeon R. Acoba Jr., then worked for 15 years as a criminal trial and appellate lawyer for the State Office of the Public Defender.
Judge Nakasone is a Pacific Century Fellow, class of 2008, and was named among the Best Lawyers Under 40 by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association in 2009.
A graduate of the Boston University School of Law and Bryn Mawr College, Nakasone also attended the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and studied abroad at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, on an Okinawan Prefectural Government scholarship from the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association. Her high school alma mater is Hawai‘i Baptist Academy.
“Serving as Chief Judge on the second highest court of the state of Hawaiʻi is a tremendous honor, challenge and responsibility,” Nakasone said. “I am grateful for this opportunity to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi on a court that I care very deeply about. I thank Governor Green for this appointment and look forward to the Senate confirmation process.”
Based on the gender totals on the bench today, the Governor’s four newest appointments will have 41 women and 38 men seated in the Judiciary.
According to the American Bar Association, there is widespread disparity across state and federal courts. “It has always been my priority to achieve male and female balance on the bench — and to get there with great attention to each appointee’s qualifications and careful deliberation, much the same way a judge makes decisions,” the Governor said. “Hawai‘i can be proud that we have so many well-qualified female judges. Young women who aspire to legal careers can see clearly in our courts, the heights that can be attained.”
A photo of Judge Nakasone can be found here.
# # #
Media Contacts: Erika Engle Press Secretary Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i Office: 808-586-0120 Email: [email protected]
Makana McClellan Director of Communications Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi Cell: 808-265-0083 Email: [email protected]
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Trista H. Woessner-Gonzalez, of Granite Bay, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, where she has served in several roles including as Chief Deputy Director since 2021 and as Chief of the Tax Policy Bureau from 2016 to 2021. Woessner-Gonzalez held several positions at the California State Board of Equalization from 1992 to 2016, including CROS Business Project Manager, Procurement Manager, Audit and Information Section Supervisor, Tax Policy Division Technical Advisor, Audit Support Unit Supervisor, Audit Support Specialist, Audit Reviewer, and Sales and Use Tax Auditor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Chico. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $160,428. Woessner-Gonzalez is a Democrat.
James Hacker, of Sacramento, has been appointed Undersecretary of the California State Transportation Agency. Hacker has been a Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the Office of Governor Newsom since 2023. He was a Principal Consultant at the California State Senate Budget Committee from 2017 to 2023. Hacker was a Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance from 2015 to 2017. He was a Fiscal and Policy Analyst in the California Legislative Analyst’s Office from 2014 to 2015. He was a Consultant at Deloitte from 2009 to 2013. Hacker earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Energy and Environmental Policy from Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs and Economics from George Washington University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $218,388. Hacker is a Democrat.
Emily Desai, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Desai has been Senior Deputy Director for Strategic Program Planning and External Affairs at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2024, where she has held several roles since 2019, including Deputy Director of International Affairs and Trade, Trade and Investment Representative for Europe, Middle East, and India, and Special Advisor of International Affairs and Investment. She was Senior Project Manager of International Affairs and Trade for the Government Accountability Office from 2014 to 2019. Desai was a Senior Policy Analyst for the Pacific Institute and the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate in 2014. She was a Senior Associate at the Nonprofit Finance Fund from 2010 to 2012. Desai is a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the State International Development Organization, and a member of the United States Investment Advisory Council and the United States Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on International Trade. She earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and International Business from the University of Arizona. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $190,536. Desai is a Democrat.
Trisha Smith, of Antelope, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Administrative Services at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, where she has held multiple positions since 2015 including Assistant Deputy Secretary, Human Resources, Assistant Human Resources Director, and Staff Services Manager II. Smith held multiple roles at the California Department of Human Resources from 2009 to 2015, including Personnel Officer and Personnel Program Analyst. She held multiple positions at California Highway Patrol from 1994 to 2009, including Associate Personnel Analyst, Staff Services Analyst, Personnel Supervisor, Personnel Specialist and Office Assistant. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $160,048. Smith is a Democrat.
David Wesley, of San Diego, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Enforcement at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health at the Department of Industrial Relations. Wesley has been Assistant Deputy Chief at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health at the Department of Industrial Relations since 2022, where he has held several roles since 2017, including Senior Safety Engineer and Associate Safety Engineer. He was the Radiation Safety Officer at the University of Southern California from 2007 to 2017. Wesley was the Radiation Safety Officer at University of California, Riverside from 2004 to 2007. He held several roles at the California Department of Health Services from 1993 to 2003, including Chef of Radioactive Materials Licensing, Chief of the Licensing Projects Unit, and Associate Health Physicist. Wesley held multiple roles in the United States Air Force from 1987 to 1992, including Chief of Nuclear Quality Assurance and Aircraft Nuclear Safety Engineer. He earned a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $192,108. Wesley is a Republican.
Press Releases, Recent News
Recent news
Apr 3, 2025
News SACRAMENTO – Ahead of a series of severe storms set to impact Kentucky, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of California firefighters to assist in staffing a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Incident Support Team, following FEMA’s…
Apr 3, 2025
News What you need to know: The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released a list of 25 key deliverables to build on the state’s ongoing efforts to protect Californians from increasing threats posed by catastrophic wildfire and a changing climate….
Apr 3, 2025
News What you need to know: Since March 2024, Governor Newsom’s joint Bay Area operation efforts have yielded 3,217 stolen vehicles recovered, 1,823 suspects arrested, and 170 illicit firearms seized. Sacramento, California – Continuing to provide collaborative public…
PRESS RELEASES FROM CABINET: JANUARY TO BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2025
1: MINISTRY OF CUSTOMS AND REVENUE SEPARATED
Cabinet has approved the separation of the Ministry of Customs and Revenue into two Ministries. This includes;
i. Ministry of Customs.
ii. Ministry of Revenue.
Border protection remains a significant component of national efforts to combat transnational organized crimes such as illicit drugs and arms smuggling and trafficking, and all other unlawful activities targeted to penetrate our national borders. This requires effective customs monitoring of all goods entering our borders.
At the same time, revenue collection through compliance with Samoa’s taxation laws is important. These functional responsibilities are currently undertaken by the Ministry for Customs and Revenue. However, the separation will enable demarcation of Customs functions from Revenue collection functions, with emphasis on effective compliance and border protection.
Relevant preparations are currently underway for implementation including legislative, staffing, and budgetary requirements. The separation will be effective from the next Financial Year 2025-2026.
2: MINISTRY OF POLICE, PRISONS AND CORRECTIONS SERVICE SEPARATED
Cabinet has approved the demarcation of the Ministry of Police from Prisons and Corrections Service. The two agencies were initially seceded in January 2015 as a result of government organisational reforms and departmental arrangements. The Samoa Prisons and Corrections Service operated for four years until 2020 when Parliament passed a legislative amendment to the Prisons and Corrections Service Act, signaling to re-merger of the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Service. This was in response to ongoing systemic and operational challenges which impacted the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Service.
The distinct functions of the Police and Prisons and Corrections Services are critical, but separate in priorities and legislative focus. This separation will enable the Police to focus on law enforcement and security, and the Prisons and Corrections Service to prioritize prisons and corrections rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for inmates, and improved prison and access services such as medical support.
Preparations are in progress to ensure the separation takes effect as scheduled for the 2025-2026 financial year.
3: MOU SIGNED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENTS IN INDIA
Cabinet has approved the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Samoa’s Ministry of Health and the Medican Services Company, to coordinate medical treatments for Samoan patients referred under the Samoa Medical Treatment Scheme for treatments in India. The two hospitals included in these MOU are the Artemis Medicare Services Limited and Fortis Hospital Limited, which are based in India. This expands the existing network of hospitals supporting Samoa’s Overseas Medical Treatment Scheme.
The inclusion of the two hospitals will provide more options for Samoa to effectively place Samoan patients in facilities that not only offer the required treatment, but also ensure cost-effectiveness.
4: TELECOMMUNICATION LICENSE FOR SPACEX TO OPERATE IN SAMOA
Approval has been granted to issue telecommunication license to an American Company ‘Space Exploration Technologies Corp’ or SpaceX to operate in Samoa, following thorough assessment conducted by the Office of the Regulator. This license allows Starlink Samoa Ltd, a subsidiary of SpaceX registered in Samoa, to provide Internet services and relevant equipment for Samoa. Starlink Samoa Limited is a new venture added to current Internet service providers in Samoa including the Computer Services Limited, Digicel, and Vodafone.
Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) is critical to improving telecommunication, online systemic support, timely and effective service delivery, boosting support for education and health, science and research, and business and innovation. Government is committed to bolstering ICT services for Samoa that are reliable, consistent and affordable.
Negotiation with Starlink led by the Office of the Regulator has completed, which now enables users in Samoa to purchase equipment and to pay monthly subscriptions in Samoan Tala. An alternative is also available to those who prefer to pay their subscriptions in cash, if they do not have the means to do online purchase.
5: EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) FRAMEWORK APPROVED
Cabinet has approved the Framework for Early Childhood Development. This framework, has been designed in a multi-sectoral approach, laying the groundwork for a coordinated effort to improve early childhood development throughout Samoa.
The ECD Framework provides for the creation of a National ECD Advisory Board, responsible for overseeing the ongoing implementation and evaluation of the framework. This board will include representatives from key ministries, such as the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Their collaborative efforts will ensure a unified strategy that integrates health, education, and social services for young children.
The ECD Framework establishes a transformative pathway forward, ensuring that the youngest members of Samoa’s society have access to the necessary resources and support to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
6: NATIONAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY APPROVED
The first National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy for Samoa was approved by Cabinet this week. The Policy aims to leverage science and technology through research and innovation.
It is designed to enhance students’ access to scientific equipment and technology to advance scientific research and innovation. It seeks to create more opportunities for Samoa through strong scientific methodologies, technology and innovation to support national development priorities.
The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) and the National University of Samoa (NUS) co-lead the implementation of this policy in partnership with other government, private and civil society organistions in Samoa.
7: NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION POLICY APPROVED
Cabinet at its meeting this week approved the National Crime Prevention Policy. The policy is being developed to strengthen strategic areas and measures, systems and programmes designed to prevent crimes. The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration is the lead agency working closely with government, private and non government organisations in the Law and Justice Sector.
The Policy requires review of current legislation in view of enforcement and statutory penalites. It also targets counseling and educational programmes customized for crime prevention, public awareness, assistance for victims, and repercussions for perpetrators.
The policy calls for national participation and commitment to address crime prevalence in Samoa. Partnerships among government, private, civil society, churhces and village councils is central to the successful implementation of this policy.
In accordance with section 3(b) of the Parliamentary Under Secretaries Act 1988, appointments as Associate Ministers for the Members of Parliament provided hereunder, have been terminated with immediate effect. This emanates from the issue of confidence in the Prime Minister to continue to work with the Associate Ministers, and the Associate Ministers’ expression of no confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.
These include;
i. Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa, Associate Minister Commerce, Industry and Labour.
ii. Fuiono Tenina Crichton, Associate Minister Communications and Information Technology.
iii. Maiava Fuimaono Tito Asafo, Associate Minister Agriculture and Fisheries.
iv. Seuamuli Fasi Toma, Associate Minister Women, Community and Social Development.
v. Hon. Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota, Associate Minister Police, Prisons and Corrections.
vi. Agaseata Valelilo Tanuvasa Peto, Associate Minister Education and Culture.
vii. Tea Tooala Peato, Associate Minister Health.
viii. Magele Sekati Fiaui, Associate Minister of Finance, initially appointed as Associate Minister of Communication and Information Technology.
ix. Fo’isala Lilo Tu’u Ioane, Associate Minister Health.
x. Fesola’i Apulu Tusiupu Tuigamala, Associate Minister Justice and Courts Administration.
xi. Ale Vena Ale, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
xii. Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Associate Minister Customs and Revenue.
xiii. Manuleleua Paletasala Tovale, Associate Minister Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The termination of Fepuleai Faasavalu Faimata Su’a’s appointment as Associate Minister for Police, Prisons and Corrections was issued and made effective from 24th November 2023.
The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Arm of Government continue under the leadership of the Prime Minister – Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, and Cabinet.
The issue of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership rests with Parliament. It is not a responsibility of a political party.
The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, organized the All India Workshop of Trainers (AIWOT) for the Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS) on Education, as part of the NSS 80th Round, at Marriott Hotel, Jaipur, on April 3, 2025. The NSO will conduct the CMS (Education) from April to June 2025.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, inaugurated the workshop and, in his address, underscored the significance of the education survey. He emphasized the crucial role of surveys in evidence- based policymaking and stressed the need for high-quality, timely data. Dr. Garg urged participants to uphold rigorous standards in data collection and processing and highlighted the importance of proactive engagement with state authorities to ensure smooth survey implementation and address other key issues under the Ministry’s purview.
The event was attended by Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General (NSS), along with Additional Director Generals and Deputy Director Generals from various NSS divisions. Field functionaries from all regional and sub-regional offices of the Field Operations Division (FOD) also participated, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Population Council Institute, and the State Directorates of Economics & Statistics from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.
Live demonstration on the art of canvassing the schedule and hands-on training on CAPI was imparted to the participants.
CMS (Education) aims to collect critical data on education-related indicators, with a special focus on household expenditure on education.
The survey will cover the entire Indian Union, except for remote villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that are difficult to access.
Measures taken by the Government for detection and prevention of Cancer 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units, 372 district day care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics have established at community health centres under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)
National Health Mission has launched comprehensive initiative for screening and management of common NCDs, including cancer, through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
Under ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Facilities Scheme’, 9 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary centres have been established; new facilities approved at all new 22 AIIMS
Under PM-JAY, over 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over ₹13,000 crore have been undertaken, with 75.81% treatments availed in rural areas; targeted therapies for cancer care have seen over 4.5 lakh treatments worth over ₹985 crore, with 76.32% treatment access by rural beneficiaries
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, offers both technical and financial support to States and Union Territories through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). Under this program, a total of 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units, 372 district day care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres have been established across the country.
In addition to these facilities, a population-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common NCDs including cancer have been rolled out as a part of comprehensive Primary Health Care in the country under National Health Mission (NHM) through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Screening of these common NCDs including oral, breast and cervical cancer is an integral part of 12 package of service delivery including rural and underserved area.
The Government has implemented the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Facilities Scheme, resulting in establishment of 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centers across various regions. Additionally, cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS, equipped with diagnostic, medical, and surgical capabilities. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar, featuring 1,460 patient care beds and advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, along with the second campus of the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, which has 460 beds, have been set up to provide super-specialty care.
Complementing these efforts, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) offers ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, corresponding to 12.37 crore families. Recently, the scheme extended health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. The latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP) under AB PM-JAY includes treatment for 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties, including cancer care.
Under PMJAY, more than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over ₹13,000 crore have been undertaken, with 75.81% of these treatments availed by beneficiaries from rural areas. Furthermore, targeted therapies for cancer care have seen over 4.5 lakh treatments worth over ₹985 crore, with 76.32% of these treatments accessed by rural beneficiaries under PM-JAY.
As per the announcement of Union Budget 2025-26, Government plans to set up Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in consultation with States/Union Territories in district hospitals in the next 3 years, out of which 200 centres are proposed to be set up in 2025-26.
A comprehensive gap analysis has been undertaken to assess the availability of cancer care infrastructure, medical personnels, and essential equipment in district hospitals. Based on the findings, Union Health Ministry, in consultation with State Governments, plans to establish DCCCs in districts with a high cancer burden and limited access to cancer care services. The selection of these districts will ensure robust referral linkages with State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and Tertiary Cancer Care Centers (TCCCs) to provide a seamless continuum of care.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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HFW/Steps taken by the govt for detection & prevention of Cancer/04 April, 2025/3
In a move to strengthen collaboration between science and education sectors, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande and Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have held a high-level meeting to align their departments’ efforts in research, technology, and skills development.
The talks focused on enhancing coordination in infrastructure, human resource development, and shared projects within universities and TVET colleges, ensuring that science and innovation play a central role in shaping South Africa’s future.
“The meeting with Minister Nkabane focused on several critical issues in the science, technology, and innovation, and post-school education and training landscape.
“There was a strong emphasis on the need for the DSTI [Department of Science, Technology and Innovation] and DHET [Department of Higher Education & Training] to ensure greater coordination in such areas as research and infrastructure, technology, and human resources development and the common projects undertaken by both departments within universities and TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] colleges,” the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said in a statement.
Wednesday’s meeting was part of Minister Nzimande’s ongoing programme to engage with departments focused on science.
The department’s main objective for this engagement was to ensure that the mandate of the DSTI is fulfilled. This will be achieved by securing support from key State departments for the critical focus areas outlined in the DSTI’s Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (2022-2032).
Nzimande’s programme to engage science-intensive State departments is also informed by the DSTI’s recently adopted mantra, which is: “Placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Industry and Society.”
Through this mantra, the DSTI seeks to significantly raise the profile and impact of science, technology, and innovation within government and across key sectors of society.
The Ministers also stressed the importance of facilitating access for both departments to strategic national and international platforms and networks, strategic partnerships, and opportunities.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and the exchange of critical information between the two departments.
“The Ministers further agreed to set up an inter-departmental committee that will coordinate key joint projects and the overall cooperation between the two departments.
“The Ministers further agreed to a follow-up meeting, which will be held soon to assess progress on some of the commitments made in the meeting. The meeting was very cordial and productive,” the Ministry said on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za
Imagine a world where bacteria, typically feared for causing disease, are turned into powerful weapons against cancer. That’s exactly what some scientists are working on. And they are beginning to unravel the mechanisms for doing so, using genetically engineered bacteria to target and destroy cancer cells.
Using bacteria to fight cancer dates back to the 1860s when William B. Coley, often called the father of immunotherapy, injected bacteria called streptococci into a young patient with inoperable bone cancer. Surprisingly, this unconventional approach led to the tumour shrinking, marking one of the first examples of immunotherapy.
Over the next few decades, as head of the Bone Tumour Service at Memorial Hospital in New York, Coley injected over 1,000 cancer patients with bacteria or bacterial products. These products became known as Coley’s toxins.
Despite this early promise, progress in bacteria-based cancer therapies has been slow. The development of radiation therapy and chemotherapy overshadowed Coley’s work, and his approach faced scepticism from the medical community.
However, modern immunology has vindicated many of Coley’s principles, showing that some cancers are indeed very sensitive to an enhanced immune system, an approach we can often capture to treatpatients.
How bacteria-based cancer therapies work
These therapies take advantage of the unique ability of certain bacteria to proliferate inside tumours. The low oxygen, acidic and dead tissue in the area around the cancer – the tumour “microenvironment” (an area I am especially interested in) – create an ideal niche for some bacteria to thrive. Once there, bacteria can, in theory, directly kill tumour cells or activate the body’s immune responses against the cancer. However, several difficulties have hindered the widespread adoption of this approach.
Safety concerns are paramount because introducing live bacteria into a patient’s body can cause harm. Researchers have had to carefully attenuate (weaken) bacterial strains to ensure they don’t damage healthy tissue. Additionally, controlling the bacteria’s behaviour within the tumour and preventing them from spreading to other parts of the body has been difficult.
Bacteria live inside us, known as the microbiome, and treatments, disease and, of course, new bacteria that are introduced can interfere with this natural environment. Another significant hurdle has been our incomplete understanding of how bacteria interact with the complex tumour microenvironment and the immune system.
Questions remain about how to optimise bacterial strains for maximum anti-tumour effects while minimising side-effects. We’re also not sure of the dose – and some approaches give one bacteria and others entire colonies and multiple bug species together.
Recent advances
Despite these challenges, recent advances in scientific fields, such as synthetic biology and genetic engineering, have breathed new life into the field. Scientists can now program bacteria with sophisticated functions, such as producing and delivering specific anti-cancer agents directly within tumours.
This targeted approach could overcome some limitations of traditional cancer treatments, including side-effects and the inability to reach deeper tumour tissues.
Emerging research suggests that bacteria-based therapies could be particularly promising for certain types of cancer. Solid tumours, especially those that have a poor blood supply and are resistant to conventional therapies, might benefit most from this approach.
Colon cancer, ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer are among the high-mortality cancers that researchers are targeting with these innovative therapies. One area we have the best evidence for is that “bug drugs” may help the body fight cancer by interacting with routinely usedimmunotherapydrugs.
Recent studies have shown encouraging results. For instance, researchers have engineered strains of E coli bacteria to deliver small tumour protein fragments to immune cells, effectively training them to recognise and attack cancer cells. In lab animals, this approach has led to tumour shrinkage and, sometimes, complete elimination.
By exploiting these mechanisms, bacterial therapies can selectively colonise tumours while largely sparing healthy tissues, potentially overcoming limitations of conventional cancer treatments.
Ultimately, we need human trials to give us the answer about whether this works, by controlling or eradicating cancer and, of course, if there are side-effects, its toxicity.
In one study I worked on, we showed that part of a bacterial cell wall, when injected into patients, could safely help control melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer.
While we’re still in the early stages, the potential of bacteria-based cancer therapies is becoming increasingly clear. As our understanding of tumour biology and bacterial engineering improves, we may be on the cusp of a new era in cancer treatment.
Bacterial-based cancer therapies take advantage of several unique mechanisms to specifically target tumour cells. As a result, these therapies could offer a powerful new tool in our arsenal against cancer, working in synergy with existing treatments like immunotherapy and chemotherapy. And, as we look to the future, bacteria-based cancer therapies represent a fascinating convergence of historical insight and groundbreaking science.
While challenges remain, the progress in this field offers hope for more effective, targeted treatments that could significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University
The Isle of Wight Council’s Adult Community Learning team has unveiled its new summer programme, featuring a diverse range of workshops and courses.
From ICT to arts, crafts, and health and wellbeing activities, the programme promises something for everyone. Additionally, free online short courses are available, ensuring accessible learning opportunities for all.
Alternatively, email acl@iow.gov.uk or speak to a member of staff by calling (01983) 817280.
For those looking to develop their skills further, perhaps to retrain or return to work, careers appointments with our information, advice, and guidance professional Claire Rixon, are available.
Claire can assist with CV writing, cover letters, and application forms, and provide support with career changes, redundancy, education, and training. To book an appointment, call (01983) 817280.
Drop-in sessions are also available at The Learning Centre, Westridge for those needing help with learning and employment. These take place on Fridays, 9.30am to 11.30am on 25 April, 9 May, 23 May, 13 June and 25 July. No booking is necessary, just turn up.
If you need help with accessing computers or ICT learning, drop-in sessions are available Fridays, 9.30am to 12.30pm on 2 May, 16 May, 6 June, 20 June, 4 July and 18 July. No booking is necessary.
If you would like to join our waiting list for NOCN functional skills classes in English and maths starting September, please contact us.
Experts from around the world met in Sendai, Japan, on 8 March 2025 to explore how emerging and disruptive technologies can reshape disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience-building, particularly in the Global South.
The ‘Leveraging Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Bridging Science, Technology, Academia, and Private Sector Nexus’ workshop, on the sidelines of the World Bosai Forum, brought together national and local governments, academia, the private sector, and financial institutions to overcome barriers and identify opportunities in integrating innovations such as AI, satellite systems, IoT, blockchain, and advanced analytics into DRR strategies.
The workshop emerged from to the Sendai Framework’s midterm review, which called on the DRR community to address persistent gaps in applying scientific and technological advances in disaster resilience efforts.
As disasters grow more complex, there’s a pressing need to ensure that countries, especially those most vulnerable, can access and use emerging technologies effectively, Sujit Mohanty, Chief of Intergovernmental, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships at UNDRR, remarked during his opening remarks.
Mr Mohanty emphasised that while new tools are being rapidly developed, countries face challenges related to affordability, infrastructure, expertise, and cross-sector collaboration. Overreliance on untested technologies, he warned, may introduce new risks if not managed with care.
Real-world barriers and solutions
A highlight of the event was the roundtable discussion featuring speakers from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Mexico City, Sendai City, Japan’s private sector and academia.
Bangladesh’s representative, Mr Mohammad Nazmul Abedin, noted how the country has drastically reduced disaster-related deaths—from over 100,000 in 1991 to near zero in 2024—yet struggles to scale satellite-based flood monitoring and data-sharing mechanisms. He said the Bangladesh needs a national technology policy that integrates AI and blockchain, along with more investment and public-private partnerships.
Echoing similar constraints, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV of the Philippines outlined his country’s efforts, such as the GeoRisk platform and IoT-enabled early warning systems. Technology is part of the solution, but it must be paired with good governance, inclusive policies and international collaboration, he noted.
Sendai City showcased successful collaboration through initiatives like BOSAI-TECH—a public-private-academic platform fostering DRR innovation and technology commercialisation. Ms. Satoko Shibuya, Director at Sendai’s Disaster-Resilient and Environmentally Friendly City Promotion Office, explained that local partnerships have yielded practical tools like evacuation guidance drones and voice-enhanced disaster alerts.
Financing innovation and building trust
Speakers representing private sector participants discussed the financial and regulatory environments needed to bring DRR technologies to scale. Mr. Yoshiki Hiruma of the Development Bank of Japan shared insights into DRR-linked financing that rewards clients with reduced loan rates for resilience-building initiatives. He noted that risk financing must embrace a challenge mindset to support DRR innovation.
Mr. Shoichi Tateno, of Weathernews Inc., stressed the importance of mutual understanding and trust between governments and private weather service providers – particularly in countries where state meteorological services dominate the sector. He offered the inclusive platform approach of Japan’s Meteorological Service Act as a model of such trust.
Academia can offer reliable innovation and policy integration
Participants from academia stressed the need for adaptive governance and robust dialogue.
Professor Rajib Shaw of Keio University called for more systematic evaluation of successful DRR tech collaborations and piloting through initiatives like the upcoming Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) DRR Innovation Hub. He pointed out that governments and technology developers operate at different speeds, and that it requires structure, trust, and experimentation in order to bridge that divide.
Professor Kimio Takeya of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Tohoku University said that while proven technologies remain essential for national governments, they must be extended with emerging tools that offer new ways to improve operations. He cited JICA’s Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) programme – which funds international research on disaster risk reduction – as a model for innovation grounded in collaboration.
A global partnership and a dedicated knowledge resource
In closing, Mr Mohanty said that UNDRR will facilitate Global Partnership on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Disaster Resilience which will foster long-term collaboration and ensure that the next wave of DRR innovation is inclusive, actionable, and globally accessible.
He remarked that the workshop had spotlighted the urgent need for a dedicated knowledge resource – one that captures good practices and deepens understanding of how emerging technologies are shaping the current DRR landscape.
Such a tool could bridge persistent gaps and drive more effective, widespread integration of innovation into disaster risk reduction efforts.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 was introduced to fix problems in the management and governance of Waqf properties. The aim is to make rules clearer, include more people in decision-making, and improve how Waqf assets are used.
On August 8, 2024, two bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha; Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024. These bills aim to make Waqf Boards work more smoothly and ensure Waqf properties are managed well.
The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923, which was created during British rule and is now outdated. Removing this old law will help create a more consistent, transparent, and accountable system under the Waqf Act, 1995, removing confusion caused by the old law.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025aims to update the Waqf Act, 1995, to solve problems in managing Waqf properties. It proposes several improvements, such as:
Overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act
Updating the definitions of Waqf
Improving the registration process
Increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records.
Distinctive aspects of this Bill:
On August 9, 2024, both Houses of Parliament agreed through separate motions to send the Bill to a Joint Committee for review and a report. This Joint Committee included 21 Members from the Lok Sabha and 10 Members from the Rajya Sabha.
Since the Bill is important and has a broad impact, the Committee decided to gather opinions from the public, experts, stakeholders, and other relevant organizations on its provisions.
The first sitting took place on August 22, 2024 and the key organizations/ stakeholders consulted during the sittings were:
All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai;
Indian Muslims of Civil Rights (IMCR), New Delhi
Muttaheda Majlis-e- Ulema, J&K (Mirwaiz Umar Farooq)
Zakat Foundation of India
Anjuman E Shiteali Dawoodi Bohra Community
Chanakya National Law University, Patna
All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz, Delhi
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Delhi
All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC), Ajmer
Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi
Muslim Women Intellectual Group – Dr. Shalini Ali, National Convener
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Delhi
Shia Muslim Dharamguru and Intellectual Group
Darul Uloom Deoband
The Joint Parliamentary Committee held 36 meetings, where they listened to the opinions and suggestions of representatives from different Ministries, Departments, State Governments, State Waqf Boards, and experts/stakeholders. In total, they received 97,27,772 memoranda through both physical and digital modes.
To thoroughly review the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, the Committee conducted detailed study visits across multiple cities in India. The details of the study visits in 10 cities are as under:
26.09.2024 to 010.2024: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru
09.11.2024 to 11.11.2024: Guwahati, Bhubaneshwar
18.01.2025 to 21.01.2025: Patna, Kolkata and Lucknow
The Committee had in-depth discussions, interacting with 284 stakeholders, 25 State Waqf Boards, 15 State Governments, 5 Minorities Commissions, and 20 Ministers/MPs/MLAs/MLCs. These visits helped Committee members understand the situation on the ground and collect region-specific insights.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has 44 Clauses and the Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill (JCWAB) has recommended changes in 19 Clauses.
The Joint Committee submitted its report to the Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha on 31 January 2025, and the report was laid before both Houses of Parliament on 13 February 2025.
An example of recommendations submitted:
The All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz, an organization working for their upliftment, presented its suggestions before the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Introduction of an Appellate System
Better Management of Waqf Records
Stricter Penalties for Encroachment and Misuse
Disqualification of Board Members Involved in Irregularities
Proper Utilization of Waqf Property Revenue
Empowering Senior Revenue Officials for Fair Inquiry
Conclusion
The Joint Parliamentary Committee Report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 highlights the effort to make Waqf property management fair, transparent, and efficient. The Committee listened to different viewpoints, conducted study visits, and had detailed discussions to address the concerns of stakeholders. The proposed changes in the Bill aim to create a more inclusive and responsible system that meets the changing needs of society.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Peter Vale, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria., University of Pretoria
In a rare move, the Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, in mid-March 2025. In a post on X, US secretary of state Marco Rubio accused Rasool of hating the US and President Donald Trump, and said the ambassador was “no longer welcome in our great country”. The expulsion came after comments Rasool had made during a webinar organised by a South African think-tank, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Studies. Rasool had said he thought that Trump was “mobilising a supremacism” and trying to “project white victimhood as a dog whistle” as the white population faced becoming a minority in the US.
Relations between the two countries had reached a new low in the first weeks of the Trump administration. Trump had lashed out at South Africa for taking Israel to the International Court of Justice on accusations of genocide in Gaza; frozen all funding to South Africa; and offered asylum to white Afrikaners from South Africa, emboldening fringe far-right groups in the country. Peter Vale, regarded as an authority on South Africa’s place in the world, answers questions about the ambassador’s expulsion.
What was your initial reaction to the Rasool appointment?
I know and respect Ebrahim Rasool – we worked together at the University of the Western Cape 30 years ago – and I also thought he had done a fine job as ambassador to the US during the Obama years.
Remember, his appointment under the Trump administration was announced a week after the November poll. Preparations for this would have been months in the making. So, one question was, did the South African government think Joe Biden would win? If so, they were not following the polls very closely. South Africa’s relations with the US under Biden, although at times testy, were managable and Rasool was familiar with the individuals responsible for their making.
Never step into the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man.
Politics in the US has changed in paradigmatic proportions since Obama.
Then there was the fact that Rasool’s politics are rooted at the sharpest edge of the African National Congress: the United Democratic Front faction. Speaking plainly in the language of the country’s streets was the gift the United Democratic Front gave national politics. It was the most important internal anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s, bringing together youth, student and civic organisations.
Nevertheless, this, the language of the heart (as we might call it), has been eclipsed by the rise of techno-speak of the 2020s – a language that consists of buzzwords, esoteric language, or technical jargon and has become a kind of diplo-speak: diplomatic language in which the careful use of euphemism and noncontroversial language obscures points that might cause contention. Both bedevil South Africa’s domestic politics and mute the country’s foreign policy because racial justice, gender equality and compensation for colonialism seemingly have no place in everyday political discourse.
What happened at the Mapungubwe seminar?
The fracas arose during a virtual seminar organised by a leading South African think-tank which discussed the deepening tension in the relations between Pretoria and Washington.
I think that Rasool was confounded by the audience to which he spoke – was it local or was it local and foreign?
If there was deceit in the gathering itself, this was not to Rasool’s account. This points instead to a journalist looking to trip up any position South Africa took in the matter seemingly to advance his career. This is said to be the Breitbart journalist Joel Pollack, who made no secret of his desire to be the US ambassador in South Africa. He was registered as “Anonymous” on the webinar call. He did not disclose his name, or profession, when he asked Rasool a question.
In my opinion, disclosure is a professional responsibility.
Interestingly, there is no indication that the meeting was operating under the well-known Chatham House Rule by which
participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor any other participant, may be revealed.
Although not without its critics, myself included, this rule binds participants to non-disclosure by creating a safe space for candid and honest discussion.
Where does the responsibility of an ambassador lie?
The consensus among observers and commentators that’s emerged since the expulsion is that it was Rasool’s responsibility to hold his tongue – a kind of golden rule in diplomacy.
There is another way of thinking about this.
There have been many cases where the professional responsibility of diplomatic representation should follow a higher standard than that set by the incumbent government.
This choice faced diplomats in the country during apartheid. So, for instance, in 1986, the apartheid government expelled the Swedish ambassador following that country’s strong opposition to apartheid. There were other expulsions, too. These moves were part of the broader international pressure surrounding apartheid, where responsibility of the diplomats shifted from the minority incumbent government to the country’s people.
However, most famously, this understanding emerged in the writing of Thomas Paine, the American pamphleteer, that Benjamin Franklin (then the ambassador of the fledgling United States to Paris) was “not the diplomat of a Court, but (that the Ambassador) represented MAN (KIND)”.
This intervention is regarded as the first recognition that human – as opposed to state – rights enjoyed currency in international relations.
The age of turbulence through which we live has further muddied this water.
What do you make of the reaction to Rasool’s explusion?
A cacophony of voices, both within and without the country, have debated the pros and cons of the American decision.
Of concern to those with an ethical interest in international relations was that the trope “the national interest” appeared again and again and that, as it did so, the form it took was economic. So, it is in the national interest that South Africa “grow the economy”, “create jobs” and “fight HIV” with American money.
Nevertheless, le affaire Rasool has reminded South Africans that the country also has other “national interests” like fighting climate change and defending human rights worldwide.
– Why was South Africa’s ambassador to the US expelled? A view of the Ebrahim Rasool affair – https://theconversation.com/why-was-south-africas-ambassador-to-the-us-expelled-a-view-of-the-ebrahim-rasool-affair-253640
* Organization of BIMSTEC Business Summit every year.
* Feasibility study on the possibilities of trade in local currency in the BIMSTEC region.
IT
* Pilot study to understand the needs of BIMSTEC countries to share the experience of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
* Connectivity between UPI and payment systems in the BIMSTEC region.
Mitigation and Disaster Management
* Establishing the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to cooperate in disaster management, relief and rehabilitation.
* Fourth joint exercises between BIMSTEC Disaster Management Authorities to be held in India this year.
Security
* Holding the first meeting of the Home Ministers’ Mechanism in India
Space
* Setting up ground stations for manpower training for BIMSTEC countries, manufacturing and launching of Nano Satellites, and use of remote sensing data.
Capacity Building and Training
* “BODHI”, i.e., “BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human resource Infrastructure” initiative. Under this, 300 youth from BIMSTEC countries will be trained in India every year.
* Scholarships to BIMSTEC students in the Forestry Research Institute of India and expansion of the scholarship scheme at Nalanda University.
* Taining programme every year for young diplomats from BIMSTEC countries.
* Tata Memorial Centre to support training and capacity building in cancer care in BIMSTEC countries.
* Establishment of Centre of Excellence for research and dissemination in traditional medicine
* Centre of Excellence in India for exchange of knowledge and best practices, research and capacity building for the benefit of farmers.
Energy
* BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru has started working.
* Faster work on electric grid interconnection.
Youth engagement
* BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit to be held this year.
* The BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors programme will be launched.
Sports
* Holding ‘BIMSTEC Athletics Meet’ in India this year.
* Hosting the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027
Culture
* BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival to be held in India this year
Connectivity
* Establishment of Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India to work to enhance coordination in capacity building, research, innovation and maritime policies.