Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
British Ambassador visits Peten to strengthen conservation of the Mayan Forest
UK assistance continues advancing forests protection and sustainable livelihoods of communities in Peten, as the British Ambassador endorses a conservation agreement during her visit.
Ambassador Juliana Correa visited Petén on 26-28 March to learn about the progress of projects supported by DEFRA’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF). She met with local authorities, implementing partners and communities.
On 26 March Ambassador Correa had discussions with representatives of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) about the achievements and challenges in natural resource management in the region. She also met with implementing partners of the Guatemalan Mayan Forest sub-landscape, who presented progress in ecosystem restoration, fire prevention, and sustainable forest management.
Representatives of the communities of Cruce a La Colorada, La Pasadita, Paso Caballos, San Miguel, and San Miguel Poptún, explained to the Ambassador how their Climate-Smart Community Development Plans were helping them to better adapt to the effects of climate change and improve their environmental resilience.
During a visit to Uaxactun on 27 March, the Ambassador participated as witness in the signing of a Conservation Agreement between the BLF’s leading implementing organization Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), CONAP, and other partners, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to protecting forests and strengthening community governance models. As part of the focus on sustainability, she visited a forest nursery and a community sawmill, where she learned about the impact of responsible forest management and its contribution to the local economy.
DEFRA’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund seeks to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and communities in regions of high ecological value, such as the Mayan Rainforest. The UK is investing in precious areas covering Guatemala and Belize, which compose the largest tropical forest in Mesoamerica and is a refuge for endangered species. The BLF’s activities in Peten are carried out by WCS, and other implementing partners.
Billy Frank Jr., left, a Nisqually tribal elder, was arrested dozens of times while trying to assert his native fishing rights during the ‘Fish Wars’ of the 1960s and 1970s. In this 2014 photo, he stands with Ed Johnstone of the Quinault tribe.AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Long before the large-scale Earth Day protests on April 22, 1970 – often credited with spurring significant environmental protection legislation – Native Americans stewarded the environment. As sovereign nations, Native Americans have been able to protect land, water and air, including well beyond their own boundaries.
Their actions laid the groundwork for modern federal law and policy, including national legislation aimed at reducing pollution. Now the Trump administration is seeking to weaken some of those limits and eliminate programs aimed at improving the environments in which marginalized people live and work.
As an environmental historian, I study how Native Americans have shaped environmental management. Tribal nations are the longest stewards of the lands today known as the United States. My work indicates not only that tribal nations contributed to the origins and evolution of modern environmental management on tribal and nontribal lands, but also that they are well poised to continue environmental management and scientific research regardless of U.S. government actions.
Environmental sovereignty
Native peoples stewarded and studied their environments for millennia before European colonization. Today, Native nations continue to use science, technology and Indigenous knowledge to benefit their own people and the broader population.
Their stewardship continues despite repeated and ongoing efforts to dispossess Native peoples. In 1953, Congress reversed centuries of federally recognizing tribal authority, passing a law that terminated tribal nations’ legal and political status and federal obligations under treaties and legal precedents, including requirements to provide education and health care.
A groundswell of Native American resistance captured national attention, including protests and tactics such as “fish-ins,” which involved fishing at traditional grounds guaranteed by treaties but not honored by land use at the time. Their efforts led federal courts to affirm the very rights termination had sought to expunge.
Native nations regained federally recognized rights and political power at the same time as the national environmental awakening. In fact, tribal nations exercised environmental sovereignty in ways that restored federal recognition and influenced broader U.S. environmental law and policy.
As early as 1974, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in southeastern Montana began monitoring its own air quality. Finding that its air was substantially cleaner than other areas of the country, the tribe used a new approach to push the Environmental Protection Agency to approve enhanced protections beyond the minimum federal standards. The Northern Cheyenne wanted to prevent polluting industries from moving into locations with cleaner air that could be polluted without exceeding the federal limits. That protection was codified in the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments, which established legal protections and a process for communities to claim greater pollution protections nationwide.
In 1978, the Northern Cheyenne used their higher standards to limit pollution sources on private land upwind of tribal lands, temporarily blocking the construction of two additional coal-fired power plants.
Within a decade, the Assiniboine and Sioux nations at Fort Peck and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes also claimed enhanced air protection and developed air quality monitoring programs even before most state governments did. Dozens of tribal nations have taken control of their air quality in the years since.
Native nations also exercise sovereignty over waterways. In the Pacific Northwest, people whose ancestors have lived in the area for at least 16,000 years have moved to protect themselves and their lands from the effects of massive hydropower projects.
When four dams were built on the lower Snake River in Idaho in the 1960s, they inundated ancestral lands and fishing grounds of Columbia River Native Americans, including the Nez Perce Tribe. The dams decimated fish populations many tribes have long relied upon for both sustenance and cultural practices and destroyed ancient and culturally significant fishing sites, including Celilo Falls near The Dalles, Oregon, which had been fished for at least 10,000 years.
Nez Perce scientists and environmental managers, working alongside other Northwest tribes, have documented the near extinction of numerous species of salmon and steelhead fish, despite federal, state and tribal agencies investing billions of dollars in hatchery programs to boost fish populations. The Nez Perce Department of Fisheries Resources Management protects and restores aquatic ecosystems. In collaboration with nearby communities, the tribe also restores significant areas of habitat on nontribal lands. That includes decommissioning many miles of logging roads, removing mine tailings and sowing tens of thousands of native plants.
As part of a collaboration between federal agencies and Native tribes, juvenile coho salmon are released into the Columbia River Basin. AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus
Taking a long view
Native Americans and tribal nations see environmental sovereignty as essential to their past, present and future.
Over the decades, Native nations have partnered with federal agencies and used federal laws and funds to manage their environments. They have also built connections between tribes and nations across the continent.
For instance, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission coordinates and assists Columbia Basin tribes with environmental management and fishing rights. In northern New Mexico, the Indigenous women of Tewa Women United work against the legacy and ongoing effects of nuclear research affecting their homelands and communities from Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Across the U.S., the Indian Land Tenure Foundation works with Native peoples to secure control of their homelands through land return and legal reforms, while Honor the Earth organizes Indigenous peoples in North America and globally to advance social change rooted in Indigenous sovereignty through treaty organizing and advocacy.
Tribal governments have been hit hard by the shifts in federal priorities, including Trump administration funding cuts that have slowed scientific research, such as environmental monitoring and management on tribal lands.
I have conducted research for the National Park Service as an employee of the University of New Mexico’s School for Architecture and Planning. My research at the University of Idaho has been partially supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
Pope Francis delivers the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, on Nov. 10, 2024.AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia
In January 2025, while doing research at the Vatican archives, I heard Pope Francis’ Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square. The pope reflected on the ceasefire that had just gone into effect in Gaza, highlighting the role of mediators, the need for humanitarian aid, and his hope for a two-state solution.
“Let us pray always for tormented Ukraine, for Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and all the populations who are suffering because of war,” he concluded. “I wish you all a good Sunday, and please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch, and arrivederci!”
A few weeks later, Francis was admitted to the hospital, where he remained for more than a month, receiving treatment for double pneumonia.
In those weeks of uncertainty, I thought back to the pope’s words that Sunday afternoon. They encapsulate Francis’ image: a spiritual leader using his influence to try to bring peace. He is also a down-to-earth man who wishes you “buon appetito.”
Francis does not fear addressing contemporary politics, unlike many of his predecessors. And some popes have closed their eyes to not just current events but past ones: learning and history that threatened their vision of the church.
As a medievalist, I appreciate Francis’ contrasting approach: a religious leader who embraces history and scholarship, and encourages others to do the same – even as book bans and threats to academic freedom mount.
People in St. Peter’s Square watch a broadcast as Pope Francis makes his first appearance since entering the hospital. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia
Even before the index, church leaders permitted little flexibility of thought. In the decades leading up to it, however, the church doubled down in response to new challenges: the rapid spreading of the printing press and the Protestant Reformation.
The Catholic Counter-Reformation, which took shape at the Council of Trent from 1545-1563, reinforced dogmatism in its effort to rebuke reformers. The council decided that the Vulgate, a Latin translation of the Bible, was enough to understand scripture, and there was little need to investigate its original Greek and Hebrew version.
Bishops and the Vatican began producing lists of titles that were forbidden to print and read. Between 1571-1917, the Sacred Congregation of the Index, a special unit of the Vatican, investigated writings and compiled the lists of banned readings approved by the pope. Catholics who read titles on the Index of Forbidden Books risked excommunication.
Historian J.M de Bujanda has completed the most comprehensive list of books forbidden across the ages by the Catholic Church. Its authors include astronomer Johannes Kepler and Galileo, as well as philosophers across centuries, from Erasmus and René Descartes to feminist Simone de Beauvoir and existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre. Then there are the writers: Michel de Montaigne, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, David Hume, historian Edward Gibbon and Gustave Flaubert. In sum, the index is a who’s who of science, literature and history.
Love of humanities
Compare that with a letter Francis published on Nov. 21, 2024, emphasizing the importance of studying church history – particularly for priests, to better understand the world they live in. For the pope, history research “helps to keep ‘the flame of collective conscience’ alive.”
The pope advocated for studying church history in a way that is unfiltered and authentic, flaws included. He emphasized primary sources and urged students to ask questions. Francis criticized the view that history is mere chronology – rote memorization that fails to analyze events.
In 2019, Francis changed the name of the Vatican Secret Archives to the Vatican Apostolic Archives. Though the archives themselves had already been open to scholars since 1881, “secret” connotes something “revealed and reserved for a few,” Francis wrote. Under Francis, the Vatican opened the archives on Pope Pius XII, allowing research on his papacy during World War II, his knowledge of the Holocaust and his general response toward Nazi Germany.
In addition to showing respect for history, the pope has emphasized his own love of reading. “Each new work we read will renew and expand our worldview,” he wrote in a letter to future priests, published July 17, 2024.
Today, he continued, “veneration” of screens, with their “toxic, superficial and violent fake news” has diverted us from literature. The pope shared his experience as a young Jesuit literature instructor in Santa Fe, then added a sentence that would have stupefied “index popes.”
“Naturally, I am not asking you to read the same things that I did,” he stated. “Everyone will find books that speak to their own lives and become authentic companions for their journey.”
Citing his compatriot, the novelist Jorge Luis Borges, Francis reminded Catholics that to read is to “listen to another person’s voice. … We must never forget how dangerous it is to stop listening to the voice of other people when they challenge us!”
When Francis dies or resigns, the Vatican will remain deeply divided between progressives and conservatives. So are modern democracies – and in many places, the modern trend leans toward nationalism, fascismand censorship.
But Francis will leave a phenomenal rebuttal. One of the pope’s greatest achievements, in my view, will have been his engagement with the humanities and humanity – with a deep understanding of the challenges it faces.
Joëlle Rollo-Koster 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.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reiterated that the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to withdraw the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) should not be interpreted as a sign of defeat or abandonment of peace efforts.
“However, it should be seen as a confidence-building measure to ensure peace and stability in the eastern DRC,” the Deputy President told the Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town on Thursday.
Two weeks ago, SADC announced its decision to withdraw the SAMIDRC force from eastern DRC, opting for a phased withdrawal.
Reports indicate that leaders from the 16-nation SADC have lost at least a dozen soldiers in the eastern DRC since January of this year.
Locally, 14 members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries as fighting in the Goma region intensified between 23 and 27 January.
These soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile told Members of the NCOP that South Africa remains committed and supportive to ongoing peacekeeping efforts on the continent in line with the country’s foreign policy vision of a “prosperous and peaceful continent”.
“South Africa’s contribution to peace and support operations should not be measured in isolation. As the country participates through missions, mandated and authorised by multilateral institutions such as United Nations and SADC,” he explained.
However, he acknowledged that the recent death of 14 “brave” SANDF soldiers in the DRC is a clear indication of these challenges.
Deputy President Mashatile sent his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased SANDF soldiers and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The second commander-in-chief stated that South Africa welcomes the appointment of former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who will join a panel of former presidents tasked with mediating peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
This decision to include Motlanthe was made during a virtual joint summit of the SADC and the EAC on Monday.
“We welcome the recent progress and commitments made by EAC-SADC, and we also welcome the government of DRC and Rwanda’s commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
“The President and I will also continue interventions in South Sudan, to try and avert the return to full-scale war and holding of peaceful elections.”
The questions presented before him covered issues related to government’s plans to deliver quality water services to communities across all provinces and the progress achieved in facilitating the settlement of outstanding land claims.
Water
On ensuring quality and reliable water delivery to communities, he stated that water is a fundamental human right as specified in Chapter 2 of the country’s Constitution.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a Water Task Team, which I am chairing, working with Ministers and Water Authorities to provide clean water and sanitation services to all communities.
“In executing its task, the Water Task Team has been conducting outreach programmes, inspections, and oversight visits to assess challenges in communities affected by water supply challenges.”
Land claims
He also addressed the issue of land claims, stating that the government’s commitment to finalising outstanding land claims remains a key priority.
“Over successive years, we have made good progress regarding the settlement of land claims and returning the land to those who were previously dispossessed. However, much more still needs to be done.”
To expedite land access and reform, he announced that the government is focused on concluding restitution cases.
This includes prioritising old-order claims, which will lead to the transfer of secure and legally registered tenure to claimants along with settlement packages.
Meanwhile, he said R11.6 billion will be allocated over the medium term to settle about 844 land restitution claims, with R3 billion earmarked to allocate 138 000 hectares of land. – SAnews.gov.za
Human Settlements disaster relief teams from all spheres of government have arrived Amatole District Municipality, in Eastern Cape, to assess damage and give immediate help to communities affected by heavy storms.
The storms ripped through several municipalities on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction, including electricity infrastructure and properties.
The department said that after receiving notification on Tuesday, Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, immediately deployed three teams from the Emergency Housing Unit to assess the situation and determine the kind of help necessary in relation to the provision of much needed shelter during these difficult times.
“The teams will do a verification process in the three affected municipalities in the Amatole District, which include Great Kei, Raymond Mhlaba and Amahlathi Local Municipalities. However, people in need of immediate accommodation have been temporarily housed in mass care centres available in the area,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Minister has also tasked officials to work around the clock to relocate other victims to the Temporary Emergency Housing units, with the assistance of the local municipalities.
Based on the preliminary report from the deployed teams, the department said there is a need to relocate families whose mud houses collapsed during storms to Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) and provide building materials for the communities to rebuild their destroyed structures.
“The team will have a clear magnitude of the of disaster once the verification process has been completed,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
Sarah Wambui Chege monitors a patient in active labour and listens to the baby’s activity at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, a government county referral hospital serving the residents of Nairobi’s populous Eastlands area. Photo credit: WHO/Khadija Farah
Globally each year 287,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth. Most maternal deaths are caused by severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions that can be aggravated by pregnancy (such as HIV/AIDS and malaria).
Most maternal deaths are preventable with access to high quality healthcare. Ending preventable maternal death must remain at the top of the global agenda.
WHO works with a range of partners and national health authorities across its six Regions to strengthen maternal health services for all pregnant women. Read below powerful stories about a wide range of WHO activities, with many women’s lives being saved, thanks to donors’ support.
Driving down maternal mortality in Mozambique
In Mozambique, a protracted civil war had a devastating impact on public health services and infrastructure. In 2000, Mozambique had one of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, with roughly 1 in 160 women dying from pregnancy or childbirth complications.
The country has since made significant strides by making maternal health one of its top priorities. In 2023, Mozambique’s maternal mortality ratio was 223 deaths per 100 000 live births; a 53% drop in maternal mortality since 2000.
Several critical interventions have contributed to this. Between 2017 and 2021, 106 new health facilities opened across the country, increasing access to health services, and the number of human resources for health and health technicians increased by around 15%.
WHO supported the country to establish a maternal death surveillance and response system, provided technical and financial support to the Ministry of Health to update the training package on Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, and trained 40 national trainers across all 11 of Mozambique’s provinces. In 2021, WHO collaborated with health authorities to shape a comprehensive community health strategy.
Cambodia’s sustained progress in improving maternal, newborn and child health
A nurse is assisting a mother breastfeeding in a referral provincial hospital in Cambodia. WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
In early 2000’s, Cambodia faced alarming maternal, newborn and child health indicators. The maternal mortality ratio stood at 437 per 100 000 live births, while newborn and child mortality rate accounted for 37 and 124 per 1000 live births respectively.
Today, skilled birth attendance is near universal, with 98.7% of births attended by trained health professionals and 97.5% of women giving birth in a health facility. Between 2014 and 2021-2022, neonatal and under-five mortality rates declined by 54%, from 18 to 8 and from 35 to 16 per 1000 live births respectively. Cambodia achieved its SDG targets for reducing neonatal and under-five mortality eight years ahead of schedule.
The strong leadership of the Ministry of Health provided clear strategies for advancing maternal and newborn health. Two coordination platforms were established and convened regularly to align efforts within the Ministry and with health partners. With technical dsupport from WHO and funding from the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare, the Early Essential Newborn Care Coordination Committee plays a crucial role in harmonizing national and sub-national efforts, monitoring progress through regular reviews, mobilizing resources to scale up practices, and ensure consistency in care delivery.
Working with traditional birth attendants in Latin America
Mercedes Panamantamba, traditional birth attendant from Otavalo, Ecuador, receives training provided by PAHO on the use of biomedical tools to complement ancestral practices. Photo credit: PAHO/WHO
In rural and remote communities of Latin America, ancestral practices such as traditional midwifery have been passed down from generation to generation. In these areas, where geographical barriers and cultural differences can hinder access to healthcare centres, the practical and spiritual support of traditional birth attendants can make the difference between life and death.
The WHO Region for the Americas (Pan American Health Organization – PAHO), with support from the Government of Canada, has been working with over a thousand traditional birth attendants in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru since 2021 to provide them with knowledge of warning signs to help prevent maternal and neonatal deaths.
PAHO conducted training sessions and knowledge dialogues on topics such as family planning, prenatal care, identification of warning signs, and childbirth care. Meetings have yielded results that can benefit the entire region, such as the development of the tool for promoting culturally safe childbirth.
These activities are part of ‘Improved health of women and adolescent girls in situations of vulnerability’, a joint project between PAHO and Global Affairs Canada.
Dorcas Simon, an informal trader in Kigoma region, Tanzania, who said it took the timely transportation of her newborn child and her to the hospital to save their lives. Photo credit: WHO/Clemence Eliah
In Kigoma region, Tanzania, maternal mortality was on the rise due to difficult access to health facilities and other factors. The region had limited capacity in terms of a referral system and diagnostic capacity.
“Looking at the year 2020, we had 119 maternal deaths. In 2021, they dropped to 75 but in 2022 there were 102 deaths.” Dr Jesca Leba, Regional Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Kigoma Region, Tanzania.
The Government of Tanzania with support from WHO and partners set out to address this problem. With funding from the Norwegian Embassy, WHO procured ambulances for easy transportation of pregnant women. The ambulances have so far served over 2000 women from various districts across the region. Additionally, 15 ultrasound machines were provided for health facilities and 300 health workers were trained how to use them.
The Chief Medical Officer in Buhigwe District Health Centre appreciates the donor support with ultrasound equipment that expanded the centre’s capacity to provide services. Photo credit: WHO/Clemence Eliah
Today, the Kigoma region has since witnessed a sharp decline in maternal mortality from 119 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 2020 to just 26 in 2024.
Birth plan helps reduce maternal deaths in Cote d’Ivoire
Ms Konaté followed the entire process of the birth plan. Her baby was born in good conditions at the urban health center in the Belleville district, in Bouaké. She is congratulated by the midwife who gives her the baby. Photo credit: WHO Côte d’Ivoire
In Cote d’Ivoire, in 2017, the maternal mortality rate was 614 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, (Demographic Health Survey 2012) far from the target of 140 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births expected by 2030. In 2021, WHO, with support from the Swedish Government and the French MUSKOKA fund, targeted the Gbeke region, which has one of the highest mortality rates in the country, through the “Gbeke Là-Haut Là” initiative.
The initiative included implementation of a childbirth preparation or delivery plan, starting with first prenatal consultations, an emergency trolley in the delivery room and capacity-building for midwives in the management of risk factors during pregnancy and childbirth.
By 2022, 46% of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics benefited from a childbirth preparation plan, compared to none previously. 181 midwives from 18 health facilities were trained in key life-saving clinical skills.
Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of maternal deaths at Bouake University Hospital from the 3 urban health districts of Gbeke fell from 93% to 36%, a reduction of 57%. The proportion of maternal deaths due to post-partum haemorrhage fell by 27%, from 56% to 29%.
Close patient monitoring by nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. As one of the SMART recommendations for mortality review. Photo credit: WHO/IndoXplore
WHO and European Union supported the Ministry of Health and partners to conduct crucial research on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and newborn health and to better understand disruptions to essential health services, with the aim of building a stronger, more resilient health system.
Researchers analyzed the medical records of 4 945 pregnant women and their newborns and interviewed programme managers and health workers from eight selected hospitals in four provinces of Java Island.
WHO and the Ministry of Health will use the findings to inform the development of national guidelines aimed at strengthening the health system’s capacity to better respond to acute public health events and minimize disruptions to essential services, including for maternal and newborn health.
Maternal care services strengthened in Port au Prince, Haiti
The maternity ward at the Eliazar Germain Hospital. Photo credit: PAHO/WHO
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and PAHO/WHO are jointly supporting 3 hospitals in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area to provide maternal health services. This is to support the emergency response of the Ministry of Health and Population and improve access to health care, made increasingly difficult by the current security situation.
Support includes the supply of essential medical equipment and products, and the installation of a reliable power supply system, ensuring constant availability of electricity. Support beyond maternity services responds to urgent needs in sexual and reproductive health. Kits for the management of abortion complications and kits for the management of sexual violence have been distributed for this purpose.
Saving lives in flood- and drought-affected areas in Somalia
WHO Representative to Somalia Dr Reinhilde Van de Weerdt (left) met with H.E. Mr OKANIWA Ken, Ambassador of Japan to Somalia, to express appreciation for Japan’s support. Photo credit: WHO Somalia/M. Saydahmat
A 12-month project led by the WHO Country Office in Somalia over the course of 2023 reached over 3 million people affected by drought or flood. The Government of Japan supported the project with a grant of over US$ 700 000. Working with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, WHO aims to mitigate the health impacts of recurrent climate shocks, food insecurity and disease outbreaks, especially cholera, while strengthening health system resilience.
Thanks to Japan’s funding, WHO was able to deploy 369 community health workers and 121 mobile outreach teams in drought-affected areas. These provided essential health and immunization services to local population with a special focus on children and pregnant and lactating women. The project aims to provide help to about 900 000 flood- and drought-affected people in Somalia.
Meeting the health needs of Malians displaced by security crisis
Meeting the health needs of Malians displaced by security crisis. Photo credit:WHO AFRO
In 2023, more than 72 500 people were displaced in Mali because of clashes between rival armed groups, inter-community conflicts and military operations by the Malian armed forces against non-state armed groups.
To help Mali maintain delivery of quality health services in areas impacted by insecurity, WHO, supported by UN CERF is providing medicines and other consumables to the Health Ministry, and helping to upskill health workers on the ground. WHO is also supporting mobile clinics to reach isolated populations in the centre of Menaka and the two districts worst impacted by the insecurity, Tidermane and Anderamboukane.
Thanks to the mobile clinics, Aissata, a displaced person in Ménaka city centre, was able to receive the care she needed. She was monitored throughout her pregnancy, which saved her life and that of her baby. “If it wasn’t for the free consultation that day, I don’t know what I would have done,” the young mother says.
WHO urges expansion of lifesaving midwifery care for women and babies
Shakila, midwife, measuring height of the fundus on a pregnant woman at the mobile clinic organized by WHO at the Garm Abak of Waras district in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. Photo credit: WHO/Rada Akbar
Strengthening midwives’ role in maternity and newborn care services would save millions of lives each year while significantly enhancing women’s overall experience of care, according to a new publication released by WHO and partners.
The publication, transitioning to midwifery models of care: A global position paper, outlines the benefits and key components of midwifery care models, where midwives serve, within broader teams, as the main healthcare provider for women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
Recent modelling shows that universal access to midwifery care could avert more than 60% of all maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths – amounting to 4.3 million lives saved annually by 2035.
The position paper on midwifery models of care was prepared by WHO together with a coalition of leading health professional associations, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and women’s group, including the Burnet Institute, Collectif interassociatif autour de la naissance, the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Pediatric Association, Jhpiego, the UNFPA, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with financial assistance from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Listen to WHO Director-General’s message on Linkedin thanking everyone who contributed for the development of the position paper.
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WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.
This feature reveals support of partners and donors from Burnet Institute (Collectif intersasociatif autour de la naissance), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, CERF, the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, the European Union, International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Pediatric Association, Japan, Jhpiego, French MUSKOKA, Norway, Sweden, the UNFPA, and UNICEF.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) was created to help build climate resiliency in the state of Connecticut. This past October saw CIRCA’s 10th anniversary, which was marked by an event that drew researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the state.
CIRCA works closely with communities and decision-makers to develop resilience in many ways, from crafting policy, assessing climate vulnerability, supporting clean energy projects, mapping community and environmental justice communities across the state, and many more. Though much has been accomplished, more work is ahead as the climate crisis grows more pressing.
CIRCA Executive Director and Professor in the Department of Marine Sciences James O’Donnell reflects on last year, a year where overall, while Connecticut was spared hurricanes, areas of the state like Western Connecticut and Norwich experienced major flooding disasters.
“We were relatively lucky in 2024 since we didn’t have a hurricane, but floods like those in Monroe, Oxford, and Norwich could occur almost anywhere in Connecticut, we’re pretty exposed,” says O’Donnell.
Addressing the issue of exposure is not an easy undertaking, but CIRCA has made significant progress in building relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers both at the state and local levels. Carrying policies and resilience-building planning efforts from idea to finished product takes a lot of time, coordination, and outreach, and all of this takes expertise, and that is what CIRCA’s team of experts offers – help in building climate resilience.
O’Donnell draws on the example of how he is currently serving on a legislative committee that was established to make recommendations on how to best support and expand tourism in southeastern Connecticut, an area that is also vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and more frequent flood events.
“They’re concerned about flooding in Mystic, and they realize all of the tourism center, businesses, and the attractions of Mystic Seaport and downtown are largely in the flood zone,” O’Donnell says.
In the winter of 2023, the area in question was underwater several times, says O’Donnell, and those cases were not the result of storms. With rising sea levels and changes in variations in the circulation of the North Atlantic, this trend of flooding will continue to increase, and in the case of Mystic, O’Donnell says we can expect up to 20 inches of sea level rise by 2050.
“Sea level increase in the Northwest Atlantic is increasing faster than everywhere else in the world, and it’s a consequence of the patterns of ocean circulation and changes in ocean circulation that a result from warming of the ocean and atmosphere.”
But for stakeholders and policymakers, having experts to consult and who can provide support and information for making decisions that will ultimately save lives is valuable. O’Donnell says that in his role working with politicians and decision-makers, his role as a physicist is to help answer questions and provide insights.
“The question of what will happen is not hard to project. The question is, what do you do, and who pays for it? That’s the hard part.”
Seeing a project through requires many factors to coalesce, from idea to finished project. O’Donnell says a significant step starts with ensuring all stakeholders are on board with a plan. He draws on an example of a project in Bridgeport that CIRCA started working on in 2017. The plan is to build a berm to protect a neighborhood from sea level rise, and all property owners need to agree before the project can proceed. If anyone objects, the plans need to be modified. After everyone approves the project, the permitting process can begin, followed by getting bids from contractors, and if bids come in higher than expected, either more funding needs to be secured, or the project needs to be redesigned to lower costs, which starts the whole process over.
“It has been eight years, and there’s no construction yet. We’ve got an inventory of around 150 projects that have been identified through a process we call the Resilient Connecticut Planning Process, and those projects are all over the state. We’ve advanced about 15 in a substantial way, and we’ve helped in some other ones. The project pipeline starts, and it ends, and there are steps along the way, and the goal is to advance things up the pipeline, but it takes years.”
O’Donnell says in the case of Mystic, in planning ways to sustain tourism, some people are more interested in short-term questions such as where a parking structure should be built, but even a seemingly simple project like this one benefits from climate resilience expertise,
“My role there is to help them appreciate what areas might be vulnerable in the future. Many of the attractions at Mystic Seaport and some of their infrastructure is in the flood zone. They need to think about how to protect it and ensure that they can sustain visitor interest and make it convenient for people to visit.”
The value of CIRCA’s expertise was appreciated at the 10th-anniversary celebration of CIRCA, says O’Donnell,
“One of the things that was really rewarding from our meeting in October is realizing how climate is considered now, compared to 10 years ago. We had a bi-partisan panel of three Republicans and three Democrats from across the state and they were all very, very supportive and interested in being informed. The other thing that’s happened is several state agencies have created climate planning offices, so they’ve hired people to provide climate-informed perspectives on the work that the agency is doing, including former employees of CIRCA. They poach people from our program, which is a good thing!”
CIRCA is not just focused on flooding, says O’Donnell, more recently, they have started to work on the serious problem of heat stress across the state, especially in urban areas like Hartford and Stamford. Researchers are working to measure and understand current and historical data to track the trends to better predict conditions in the future.
“We currently get two or three days a year when it is above 90 oF at night, and we can expect an increase in the future. When that happens, people feel uncomfortable, and people who are vulnerable suffer, so we’re going to be we have to anticipate that as well. It’s also a significant impact for people who work outside. There are other climate-related impacts that we should plan for.”
As the climate crisis worsens, besides pushing resilience projects ahead, O’Donnell stresses that it is essential that we reduce our emissions as soon as possible.
“If we don’t reduce our emissions, things will get worse late in this century. We’re committed to warming and we’re committed to sea level rise, but what we do now will affect what it’s going to be like in 2100 and it’s a huge difference to what it will be like in 2200. If we don’t rapidly shut down emissions now, we’re talking about building much higher flood walls. It is important to make people aware that we can adapt to small changes, but it will be a different world if we don’t reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
Dozens of emergency battery packs which will ensure power during storms have been handed over to community resilience groups and vulnerable people across Aberdeen.
Aberdeen City Council gave the potentially life-saving equipment to Peterculter Community Resilience Group, Cults, Milltimber and Bieldside Commnuity Resilience Group, Bridge of Don and Danestone Community Resilience Group, and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP).
Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing, and Public Protection Committee vice convener Councillor Del Henrickson said: “We are very pleased to hand over the emergency power packs to these community organisations and ACHSCP.
“They will make a big difference to how communities can help themselves during storms or other incidents and could potentially be life-saving. We want to thank Scottish and Southern Energy’s Community Fund for their contribution, too.”
The resilience groups will use the packs to power equipment needed at rest centres during storms or other emergency incidents. They can use them to charge phones, use heaters, boil kettles and be more safe during power outages.
Neil Chalmers, a member of the Peterculter Resilience Group, said: “The members of our resilience team wish to extend their thanks to SSEN for funding this very useful piece of kit and to Aberdeen City Council for facilitating the donation. We are sure it will be a valuable asset for our community.
“Although we all hope to avoid power outages, knowing that we should be able to maintain operations in such circumstances is reassuring. We are looking forward to working out the best way to deploy it.”
ACHSCP is delivering the packs to vulnerable clients who reply on powered medical equipment.
Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership business, resilience and communications lead Martin Allan said: “Storms with power loss are difficult enough for most people but are particularly difficult for vulnerable people.
“The power packs being distributed to vulnerable people will make a huge difference to them staying connected with emergency services and keeping warm.”
Aberdeen City Council applied for funding for the scheme from Scottish and Southern Energy’s Community Fund where councils could apply for funds to help their local areas, in the wake of Storm Arwen in 2021/2022.
Gary Bartlett, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution’s head of region, said: “It’s great to see the financial support we’ve provided to further improve the resilience of people and communities in the north-east coming to fruition in this way.
“The provision of safe and reliable battery packs will mean that more vulnerable people will now be able to stay in their familiar surroundings in the rare event their power goes off.
“Our funding for the purchase of dozens of battery packs is just one of the many ways we’re delivering greater resilience for the customers and communities we serve. The £100million we’re investing every year to make supplies for people in the north of Scotland ever more resilient means the network has become stronger and even more reliable. The provision of these battery packs will give some of our most vulnerable customers further peace of mind.”
Pic caption: Councillor Del Henrickson, Martin Allan of ACHSCP, Natalie Henderson of SSEN, Neil Chalmers of Peterculter Community Resilience Group, Gus Glass and Colin Morsley of Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Resilience Group, and Pastor Iain Duthie of Bridge of Don and Danestone Community Resilience Group
Remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the International Day of Zero Waste 2025.
“Mr. President, Madame First Lady, Excellencies, Dear Friends,
The waste crisis is an issue that goes to the heart of how we produce, and how we consume.
And one that requires action at every level – local, national, and global.
This year’s International Day focuses on fashion and textiles.
And rightly so.
Unless we accelerate action, dressing to kill could kill the planet.
Textile production often uses thousands of chemicals – many of them harmful to people and the environment.
It devours resources like land and water – putting pressure on ecosystems.
And it belches out greenhouse gases – inflaming the climate crisis.
Clothes are being produced and discarded at a staggering rate – driven by business models that prioritize newness, speed, and disposability.
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
Fashion is just the tip of a toxic iceberg.
Waste is an issue in every sector.
Every year, humanity produces over two billion tonnes of garbage.
If you pack all that into shipping containers stacked end to end, they would stretch to the moon and back.
Here on Earth, toxin-filled waste is seeping into our soil, our water, and our air. And ultimately into us.
As usual, the poorest pay the highest price.
More than one billion people live in slums and informal urban settlements, where waste management is non-existent and disease runs rampant.
The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastic and more.
Many nations do not have the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores.
As a result, materials that could be recycled are burned or sent to landfill.
And waste pickers are exposed to toxic chemicals as they sift through potentially hazardous materials, including broken electronics, in appalling conditions.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
We need a different approach: one that delivers on the commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable production and consumption.
And there are signs of hope.
Change is possible. And it presents exciting opportunities.
In fashion, for example, designers are experimenting with recycled materials.
Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability.
In many countries, resale markets are booming.
And important initiatives are bringing together large and small businesses, industry associations, civil society and many others to drive sustainability across the sector.
They include the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and the Fashion Pact.
We must celebrate the power of these innovations to transform the industry.
But we need more.
And we need change in every sector.
I welcome the work of the Chair and the First Lady and members of the United Nations Advisory Board on Zero Waste to raise awareness, and help meet the SDGs.
The fight against waste requires us all.
Governments must act:
Through policies, regulations and subsidies:
That promote sustainability, and zero waste initiatives…
That encourage businesses to adopt positive practices…
That provide decent jobs…
And that empower everyone – not just the wealthy – to afford products that last.
The current negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution – due in August this year – are a key opportunity for governments to drive progress.
I urge them to take it…
And to translate any treaty into action to support consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, and into a clear roadmap across industries.
Addressing plastic pollution must be at the core of corporate responsibility.
There is no space for greenwashing.
Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction and resource efficiency across their supply chains.
We need accountability for corporate sustainability commitments.
We need transparency for customers.
And we need consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage change:
Reducing excessive consumption, valuing products that last, and embracing exchanges and resales.
And we need young people and civil society to keep using their voices and power to demand change through advocacy.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
We must build on progress, to end the waste practices wasting our planet.
On this International Day, let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
On March 13, an expansive upper-level trough moved into the U.S. High Plains, Upper Midwest, and Midwest and began colliding with warm, moist air over the Mississippi Valley. The interaction helped fuel a major storm system that spread severe thunderstorms across several states. Many of these were supercells, a type of long-lived storm with a powerful rotating updraft. These storms often generate destructive tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. Among the hardest-hit states was Mississippi, where 18 tornadoes touched down during the outbreak. These included one EF-4, one EF-3, seven EF-2, seven EF-1, and two EF-0 rated events. The onslaught damaged nearly 1,000 homes and dozens of businesses and farms, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. In some areas, damage was even visible to the Landsat 8 satellite. The images above, captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on March 22, 2025, show a lengthy damage track extending roughly 55 miles (90 kilometers), from near Progress in the southwestern part of the state toward Williamsburg. Assessments of the damage by the National Weather Service led them to assign the event an EF-4 rating, making this one of the strongest tornadoes of the outbreak. They estimated peak winds of 170 miles (274 kilometers) per hour in some areas.
Photographs taken from the ground show how fierce winds lopped off trees, flipped cars and trucks, and tore homes from their foundations. The photograph above, from NOAA’s Damage Assessment Toolkit, shows a grove of trees with their tops sheared off and damaged cabins near Paradise Ranch RV Resort, in one of several areas in Mississippi that experienced widespread destruction. Three other smaller tornado tracks are also visible in the Landsat images: an EF-3 track from Tylertown to Goss, an EF-2 track from Melba to Moscos, and an EF-2 track from Bassfield to Williamsburg. In a rare occurrence, the Bassfield tornado even crossed paths with the EF-4 track, about 41 minutes after the first tornado passed, leaving an X-shaped pattern of damage in a forested area in Covington County (see below).
One location in western Covington County just north of Spring Hill School Road was struck twice by tornadoes just 41 minutes apart this past Saturday afternoon.The first tornado was more narrow as it approached the end of its path. The next storm that followed was wider. pic.twitter.com/mzzaJZAzRw — NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) March 21, 2025
The severe weather brought destruction to other states as well. According to news reports, the weather system produced at least 112 tornadoes that touched down in 14 states between March 14 and 16, taking dozens of lives, flattening scores of homes, and disrupting power supplies. Of those, at least 44 were classified as “strong” tornadoes, meaning they produced at least EF-2 damage on the Enhanced Fujita scale. For comparison, the United States typically sees 95 tornadoes in all of March. In the wake of these storms, the NASA Disasters Program provided multiple types of satellite imagery to the Southern Region of the National Weather Service to support their damage assessment process. National Weather Service damage assessments serve as the official record of the path and strength of each tornado and are used to inform state and federal disaster declarations, help emergency responders prioritize aid, and validate and improve early warning systems. Identifying damaged areas and tornado tracks can be challenging in rural areas with limited road access, but satellite data helps provide a more complete picture. At NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC), researchers are also harnessing satellite data to identify atmospheric patterns that can indicate severe weather on the ground. The NASA team is developing an open-source machine learning model that uses geostationary satellite data to identify potential overshooting cloud tops and above-anvil cirrus plumes, features that often appear at the tops of storms roughly 10 minutes before the most severe weather hits. According to Kristopher Bedka, an atmospheric scientist at LaRC, tracking the features can provide valuable lead time that saves lives and property. NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Photograph from NOAA’s Damage Assessment Toolkit, taken by a member of a National Weather Service storm survey team. Story by Adam Voiland.
What you need to know: California has formally requested that the federal government add commercial structures and multi-family units to the ongoing fire debris removal efforts in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES – Working to expand the scope of the fast-moving wildfire clean up effort currently underway in Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom has asked the federal government to make more structures eligible for debris removal.
In a letter sent to FEMA, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Nancy Ward requested that commercial and multi-family residential properties be included in the US Army Corps of Engineers debris removal program, specifically the special inclusion of small businesses and residential apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes.
“Our state stands with Los Angeles residents and businesses. We are dedicated to restoring all parts of our communities swiftly and safely after these fires and are grateful to our federal partners for their continued support.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, California has expedited the cleanup process by cutting red tape and eliminating bureaucratic barriers, allowing highly trained crews to enter impacted communities sooner and help survivors rebuild their lives faster.
Debris removal from private commercial property is typically the responsibility of property owners and is usually not eligible for federal programs.
If this request is approved, it would expand the scope of cleanup to a number of facility types that are not currently eligible for debris removal including non-profits, houses of worship, businesses, and multi-family housing structures.
Deadline quickly approaching
The rapid pace of this cleanup makes it even more critical for survivors to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and to complete a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form for no-cost debris removal.
There are now just a handful of days left before the March 31 deadline.
If you are eligible and want to participate in the cost-free government cleanup service, you must complete the ROE form.
After submitting, you can track your submission through the county recovery and US Army Corps of Engineers pages. County staff may contact you if additional documentation is needed to process your form. Once approved, officials will begin the cleanup process.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has established a Debris Call Center to help answer questions regarding Private Property Debris Removal. Hours of operation are from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM; call 213-308-8305 for assistance.
Track LA’s recovery, including the latest air quality results, at CA.gov/LAfires.
Press Releases, Recent News
Recent news
Mar 27, 2025
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is taking additional steps to speed up the rebuilding process for Los Angeles by further suspending CEQA and the California Coastal Act to expedite the rebuilding of utility and telecommunication infrastructure, including…
Mar 26, 2025
News Highlights California’s economic investments in creative economy, LA’s recovery What you need to know: Governor Newsom today joined Anna Wintour to welcome the Vogue World event to Hollywood, promoting the state’s proposal to more than double California’s Film…
Mar 26, 2025
News What you need to know: Financial assistance for Los Angeles fire recovery has now surpassed $2 billion, survivors may apply until March 31st, 2025. LOS ANGELES – Building upon California’s ongoing support for disaster survivors and small businesses, Governor…
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) are responding to a structure fire in Alice Springs this morning.
NTFRS received a report of an industrial building on fire on George Crescent at approximately 6.10am.
Crews immediately attended the scene, finding the building fully engulfed in flames.
NTFRS crews worked quickly to contain the fire to the main structure, which has sustained extensive damage.
There have been no reported injuries at this stage.
The fire is still burning, and NTFRS crews will remain on scene to bring it under control.
NT Police and St John also attended the scene.
Due to the response, Larapinta Drive westbound from the Stuart Highway was closed, and drivers should follow local traffic directions.
NTFRS will investigate the cause of the fire.
Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Stephen Hunter, said members of the public should avoid the area.
“If you live or are working in the vicinity of the fire, please stay inside with your windows and doors closed where possible and avoid any outdoor activities.”
The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health has concluded with major commitments from over 50 countries, cities and organizations ready to tackle air pollution and safeguard health.
Jointly organized with the Government of Colombia, it brought together more than 700 participants from 100 countries, including government representatives, UN agencies, civil society, scientists, and health societies, to accelerate action on air pollution and public health.
A shared goal to reduce the health impacts by 50% by 2040 was agreed upon to save millions of lives every year. Furthermore, new funding pledges and policies were proposed as commitments.
At the high-level session, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, urged leaders to respond to a global call to action: “It is time to move from commitments to bold commitments. To achieve clean air, we need urgent actions on all fronts: financial investment in sustainable solutions, such as in clean energy and sustainable transport; technical enforcement of WHO global air quality guidelines; and social commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our most polluted regions.”
Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, attended the high-level day of the Conference, emphasizing Colombia’s determination in the fight against air pollution: “Air pollution claims more victims than violence itself. Poisoning our air costs lives in silence – this conference reinforces our determination to implement policies for both the environment and the health of our people.”
Among the pledges made during the Conference, countries, UN agencies and civil society organizations demonstrated commitment towards the right path.
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia,Lena Yanina Estrada Añokazi, committed to strengthening efforts across sectors to address air pollution through actions in surveillance and public health. The country will support initiatives that improve air quality, promote a clean energy transition by advancing clean technologies in industry and transportation, and develop early warning systems for wildfire prevention and mitigation.
Spain committed to achieve a carbon-neutral health-care system by 2050 through emission reduction, multi-sectoral collaboration and promoting innovation.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to tackling air pollution by chairing the Forum for International Cooperation on Air Pollution (FICAP), setting health-based PM2.5 (fine particulate matter 2.5) targets, and launching a comprehensive air quality strategy. This will include stricter standards, improved public access to air pollution data, and community engagement. The United Kingdom also committed to support Africa’s air quality efforts.
Brazil is committed to strengthening interministerial cooperation advancing key initiatives, the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy, the updating of air quality standards based on WHO guidelines as a Legal Framework, and the monitoring of the impact of these initiatives on reducing mortality that is due to exposure to air pollution.
China is committed to stronger air quality standards, smarter health protection systems, and enhanced international cooperation. The country will continue its efforts to achieve national environmental and climate goals for 2030, 2050, and 2060.
On behalf of the co-chairs of C40 cities, representing almost 100 of the world’s biggest cities, the Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, committed to reducing air pollution, and supporting WHO’s 2040 target and roadmap, and called on other national governments to expand investments in clean air solutions, strengthen air quality monitoring systems, and recognize cities as key partners in developing and implementing clean air strategies.
The Clean Air Fund (CAF) committed to continuing to support WHO in demonstrating the benefits of life-saving clean air actions. It also committed to allocate an additional US$ 90 million over the next two years for climate and health efforts.
Pledges from health associations and civil society organizations included support for the integration of air pollution and the health of the planet into medical education and equipping health-care professionals with the knowledge and tools to address its health impacts.
“The commitments made at this Conference demonstrate the global momentum to address air pollution as a critical public health issue,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization. “WHO remains dedicated to supporting countries in translating these commitments into concrete actions that protect lives and promote well-being.”
With a strong foundation of commitments and partnerships, the global community is now better positioned to drive meaningful change in the coming years.
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A special weather statement has been issued for parts of Alectra Utilities’ service territory due to forecasted freezing rain, ice and snow expected this afternoon and into the weekend.
Forecasts indicate there may be a substantial accumulation of freezing rain that could potentially cause power outages as well as damage to powerlines. Areas with trees located near wires should take extra precaution as fallen limbs that contact power lines could cause extended outages in affected areas.
In the event of downed powerlines, stay at least 10 metres away (the length of a school bus), and call 911 immediately. To report outages, Alectra Utilities’ customers should call 1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872) or use our web chat at AlectraUtilities.com/Report-Outage.
Alectra’s System Control Centre continuously monitors weather forecasts and storm models and mitigation strategies have been made to prepare line crews and additional field and communications staff to respond in the event the situation evolves.
If you experience a power outage, you can find frequent updates through our X (formerly Twitter) channel @AlectraNews or by visiting the outage map on our website: alectrautilities.com.
Alectra Utilities reminds all customers of the importance of having mobile devices charged and preparing an emergency kit in the event of a sustained power outage. It is recommended that emergency kits include medicine, first aid supplies, flashlights, new batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener, canned food, bottled water, blankets, food for pets and important telephone numbers for family doctors, schools, daycare and insurance companies.
Serving more than one million homes and businesses and approximately three million people in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.
On March 4, 2025, the commander in chief and leader of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Russia. It was his fourth official visit since a coup in 2021 saw the military seize power.
That coup ended a decade-long power-sharing arrangement between the army and the democratically elected government in Myanmar, sparking peaceful protests that soon developed into a nationwide armed resistance known as the Spring Revolution and an ensuing government crackdown.
The resulting civil war – now into its fourth year – has seen 6,000-plus people killed, 29,000 arrested and more than 3.3 million displaced, according to estimates from the human rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The conflict pits the country’s military, which has had a stranglehold on Myanmar’s politics for much of the past six decades, against 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.
With seemingly no immediate end to the fighting in sight, all sides are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign suppliers of weapons and fuel.
And this prompts an important question: Could the shifting policies and alignments of global powers – notably China, Russia and the U.S. – tip the balance of Myanmar’s civil war?
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Myanmar Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing on March 4, 2025, in Moscow, Russia. Getty Images
In his latest visit to Moscow, Min Aung Hlaing granted Russia rights to extract minerals in Myanmar’s conflict zones and build an oil refinery and a port in the coastal city Dawei.
This mutual arrangement also extends to defense and security matters. Myanmar and Russia engage in joint naval exercises, and Moscow is a top supplier of weapons to Myanmar’s generals and trains personnel for the military government.
But any diplomatic benefit from having Russia as a sponsor has been blunted due to Moscow’s loss of international support over the war in Ukraine. Should that change, as the new U.S. administration seems keen on, then it could benefit Myanmar’s military by giving the generals a stronger ally on the international stage.
As such, warming relations between Russia and the U.S. could be to the detriment of Myanmar’s myriad opposition groups. Already, the Trump administration’s policies mean that the resistance can no longer rely on the same level of support from Washington, and it’s no guarantee that European Union countries – already facing the prospect of withdrawn U.S. support for Ukraine – would step in to fill the gap.
US pivots away from Myanmar
Washington has nominally supported the Spring Revolution.
But that support has been largely symbolic. The U.S. still has not officially recognized the NUG as the legitimate government of Myanmar – a decision that prevents Washington from releasing US$1 billion held at the Federal Reserve to the democratic representatives. That money could be used both to bolster the resistance and deliver much-needed aid to the country’s people.
U.S. foreign policy as it evolves under the Trump administration is having further ripples in Myanmar.
The Trump White House has gutted the U.S. Agency for International Development, the department tasked with funding Myanmar through 2023’s Burma Act, which authorized sanctions on the military, support for those opposing the junta and assistance for Myanmar’s people.
Services such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia have been suspended amid the recent U.S. cutbacks. As a result, people in Myanmar have more-limited access to reliable information and, more importantly, fewer media to represent and amplify their voices.
U.S. President Barack Obama encouraged Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to take part in elections. Soe Than Win/AFP via Getty Images
Myanmar has witnessed such a U.S. reversal before.
For a long period, Washington supported the opposition’s boycott of elections that guaranteed the power to the military. But in 2009, the U.S. administration under Barack Obama sent a message to the National League for Democracy (NLD), which at the time was under the leadership of now-imprisoned Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, that Washington would recognize the military’s elections as part of a policy of “pragmatic engagement” with the then-ruling junta.
Although the NLD won a sweeping victory – and went on to win the 2015 national vote – it meant giving legitimacy to a system rigged in favor of the military, with a quarter of parliamentary seats reserved for officers. Given that 75% approval was needed for any constitutional reform, it meant that the NLD could form a government but could only make decisions with the consent of the still-powerful generals.
The political situation now is different from 2012. The yearslong resistance has weakened the military significantly. And even if the NUG, which consists of member of the NLD and other political parties, does feel compelled to participate in elections, the various other resistance groups and ethnic armies will likely choose otherwise. Regional autonomy has become a reality as a result of the decentralized nature of the resistance movement; elections will not satisfy the various demands for autonomy.
Chinese push for stability
The U.S. administration’s reduction in aid and, potentially, support for Myanmar’s opposition could lead the way to China taking a greater role in shaping the course of the civil war.
China’s main concern is spillover from the war. For that reason, Beijing became concerned when an alliance of armed ethnic groups launched a major anti-military push in October 2023, fearing the spread of instability across the China-Myanmar border.
Since the civil war broke out, Chinese investments in Myanmar have stalled. Meanwhile, lawlessness inside Myanmar has led to the growth of mostly Chinese-run online scam centers – victims of which include Chinese citizens who have been kidnapped, trafficked and forced to work as scammers.
What China wants most is a stable Myanmar. Yet its chosen strategy to try to bring this about – forcing warring parties to sign ceasefire agreements – hasn’t worked so far.
This could change. The reduction of U.S. aid in Myanmar places an additional burden on ethnic resistance groups – they now have to shoulder more of the burden of providing for the people while fighting for autonomy. As such, resistance groups might be under greater urgency to accept China’s role as a mediator. And with that changed calculus, the imperative to find a negotiated solution may increase.
But a rushed ceasefire born of necessity does not equate to a lasting solution. As such, the shifting geopolitics of Russia, the U.S. and China may impact Myanmar’s civil war – but it will do little to encourage democracy in the country, nor put it on a path to lasting peace.
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.
This photo taken on March 28, 2025 shows a damaged building after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. [Photo/Xinhua] Strong tremors were felt in some cities in southwest China’s Yunnan Province bordering Myanmar, after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 2:20 p.m. Friday. No casualties have been reported in Yunnan so far. Many residents in the provincial capital of Kunming came or stayed outdoors to escape danger, upon feeling the quake tremor. Li Zhihao, a resident in the city of Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture bordering Myanmar, said he felt a tremor lasting nearly one minute. The epicenter was monitored at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 30 km, said a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Center.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has hit central Myanmar.
Prof Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, University College London (UCL), said:
“Myanmar is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, so this quake is not a surprise. It looks to have occurred on the major Sagaing Fault, which marks the boundary between two tectonic plates, and which runs north – south close to a number of large population centres.
“This is probably the biggest earthquake on the Myanmar mainland in three quarters of a century, and a combination of size and very shallow depth will maximise the chances of damage. It is highly likely that build quality will generally not be high enough to survive this level of shaking, and casualty numbers will almost certainly climb significantly as more becomes known of the scale of the disaster.
“There has already been one sizeable aftershock and more can be expected. This will threaten the collapse of weakened buildings and make the jobs of rescue workers that much more challenging”
Prof Joanna Faure Walker, Professor of Earthquake Geology and Disaster Risk Reduction, University College London (UCL), said:
“Myanmar is no stranger to earthquakes. The plate boundary between the India Plate and Eurasia Plate runs approximately north-south, cutting through the middle of the country. These two plates move past each other as they are moving at different rates along a transform plate boundary (a bit like the San Andreas Fault in the south west of the United States). Although such strike slip earthquakes are of smaller magnitude than the largest earthquakes seen in subduction zones, like to the south in Sumatra, they can still reach magnitudes 7 to 8 and cause severe destruction, as we are seeing in the March 2025 earthquake.”
Dr Roger Musson, Honorary Research Fellow, British Geological Survey (BGS), said:
“Large earthquakes in this region are rare but not unknown, the last similar event being in 1956, more or less beyond living memory. This means that buildings are unlikely to be designed against seismic forces, and therefore are more vulnerable when an earthquake like this occurs, resulting in more damage and higher casualties. The ultimate cause of the earthquake is the northward movement of the Indian Plate, which produces a tearing effect along N-S trending vertical faults.”
Prof Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), University College London (UCL), said:
“Getting humanitarian relief into the worst-affected areas of Burma / Myanmar might not be politically easy. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis killed over 130,000 people in the country. The government took days to accept significant aid and then inhibited its delivery.
“For ‘disaster diplomacy’ to work – supporting disaster-affected people in areas with violent or political conflict – the world and the disaster-struck authorities must cooperate. Many governments running Burma / Myanmar have been highly controlling, including since the February 2021 military coup. Helping people in need without helping an oppressive government is a tricky situation for aid donors to navigate, not helped by the reported damage to transportation and communication systems.
“The usual mantra is that ‘Earthquakes don’t kill people; collapsing infrastructure does’. Governments are responsible for planning regulations and building codes. This disaster exposes what governments of Burma / Myanmar failed to do long before the earthquake which would have saved lives during the shaking.”
Declared interests
Prof Bill McGuire “No interests to declare”
Prof Joanna Faure Walker “None to declare”
Prof Ilan Kelman “Ilan has been researching disaster diplomacy since 1999.”
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Speech
Peter Kyle’s speech at the Space-Comm Expo 2025
A speech delivered by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, at the Space-Comm Expo 2025 on Tuesday 11 March.
The British Space programme began in the same year that our late queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to the throne.
Sixty-three years ago, the launch of Ariel One, the first British-American satellite, made Britain only the 3rd country to launch into orbit.
In little more than a decade, we went from a nation with space ambition to one of the few countries with a satellite operation.
Then, as I was enjoying my first birthday, Prospero became the first British satellite to be launched by a British rocket.
All those years ago, deciding to have a space programme, designing, building and launching a spacecraft, took decades of planning.
Fast-forward to today:
When, somewhere around the world, there is a rocket launching every 34 hours.
When the UK’s space economy is outpacing the growth of our economy as a whole.
And when, just this month, the second-ever private spacecraft touched down successfully on the surface of the moon. Powered by British engines, engineered in Buckinghamshire.
An international effort, with British expertise, contributing to a successful lunar mission.
There is no mistaking the increasing pace of change.
Or just how much the people in this room – and the businesses you lead – now contribute towards the growing the British economy.
So, to begin with, it’s my job to say thank you to all of you.
Britain’s space sector is not just safe in your hands. It is thriving under your stewardship.
And with the British economy, it’s felt increasingly, and it’s felt day by day.
This is a government that has economic growth as our number one mission.
And for us, growth isn’t just a soundbite.
It is our very purpose.
Growth rates are more than an indicator of the state of the economy…
…They are an indication of this government’s state of mind.
We are:
ambitious for Britain
determined to build the wealthier, fairer nation for everyone.
And we are impatient for the increased wealth and opportunities that economic growth brings to communities, businesses and to people alike.
With 16% of UK GDP depending on satellite services, there’s no doubt that the space sector is important to that.
Because Britain has never had a space flight with our own crew on board, it is too easy for some ‘armchair astronauts’ to dismiss the UK space programme.
I believe we are approaching a space tipping point. At which it becomes simply impossible for even the most determined science-cynic to ignore.
From how we message family and friends or check the weather, to how our country protects itself from climate change and national security threats that we increasingly face – space technologies simply underpin our lives.
From the everyday, right through to the extraordinary.
As heavy launches into low orbit become less costly – 95% cheaper than 40 years ago – and the barriers to entry are more easily overcome, the space tipping point now brings with it new risks that we have to face up to:
Hundreds of millions of pieces of space junk that threaten the satellites that support almost every part of our interconnected world.
As that figure rises, so does the chance of an accidental collision of catastrophic consequences.
And at the same time, space is becoming more and more accessible to hostile actors as well, eventually, possibly seeking to do Britain harm.
The severity of these risks cannot be overstated.
But neither should we be blind to the extraordinary opportunities that space technologies offer to our country and to us.
To embed innovation in every part of our economy…
…and open the doors to a new era of high productivity and growth.
To secure our nation for the century ahead…
…and make discoveries that will transform citizens’ lives.
We reach this tipping point, and we have a narrow window to secure our stake in space.
We sometimes talk about scientific progress as if it were inevitable.
But there is nothing inevitable about progress as every one of you knows well.
If we and our allies stand still, whilst our competitors stride ahead – or hostile actors get a foot in the door – we will find ourselves locked out of the opportunities space can bring.
And left exposed further to the risks.
That’s why space is a strategic priority for this Labour government as we deliver our Plan for Change.
That requires strategic partnerships with our allies in Europe and around the globe, and between the public and the private sectors.
And it also means being clear about the roles and responsibilities of each.
There are some activities – like national security – which only governments can and should do.
Others, where the creativity, the ingenuity and the enterprise of the private sector will suffice.
And then there is a third way, where the power of partnership of governments and enterprise is the route to discovery, prosperity and to greater growth as well.
Since we took office in July, I’ve met many of the players behind Britain’s burgeoning space economy.
Businesses like Astroscale and ClearSpace, designing new missions to remove dangerous space clutter from orbit.
And Space Forge, who are finding ways to manufacture semiconductors in microgravity.
The success of businesses like these depends on world-leading research and an ambitious, entrepreneurial mindset.
The UK is well placed to lead in both.
These businesses also need a government that understands and appreciates their potential, has their back, and gives them the foundations to keep pushing the frontiers forward.
Since 2015, the UK has attracted more private investment in space than any other country outside of the United States.
We cherish Britain as a beacon for innovation, investment, stability and the rule of law.
And we are determined to keep that beacon burning brightly in the increasingly competitive and uncertain international environment.
Space is one of the first 4 areas singled out for attention by the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO).
That Office will cut the burden of bureaucracy, freeing up your time and your resources to invest and innovate further and faster.
Government must, always must, continue to fulfil our side of the bargain, backing British space with the support the sector needs.
That means grant funding for innovation; direct investment into strategically significant projects; and procuring from the UK firms from government contracts.
Take our £20 million investment into Orbex, to fund the first British-made, British-launched rocket, set for orbit later this year.
Prime is designed to take small satellites into the polar orbits, to improve our understanding of a region right at the frontline of climate change.
The launch will transform the UK space industry.
It will bring highly-paid jobs to the Shetland Islands, whilst boosting Europe’s ability to access space from our own continent.
The UK space sector is further bolstered by Britain’s membership of the European Space Agency.
Indeed, Britain does better because of that key partnership.
From inspiring the nation with Tim Peake’s flight to the International Space Station, to our instrumental role in the James Webb Space Telescope, our partnership with the ESA means British firms winning in this unique global marketplace.
In the last quarter of 2024, UK businesses’ net revenues from the ESA were £80 million higher than our contribution.
That’s a record for any member state.
And this success is a direct result of public and private sectors working closer together to make sure the UK sees the great return on our collective investment.
The knock-on effects of these contract wins will add up to a £1 billion of boost across our economy.
They’ll create 3,800 highly skilled jobs, from Stevenage right up to the Shetland Isles.
And they will ensure that British businesses have the power and investment to continue making discoveries that will transform people’s lives:
Like Airbus, selected to build a spacecraft to help us weather violent solar storms.
Thales Alenia Space, which will propel crucial cargo and scientific instruments right up to the moon’s surface.
And Open Cosmos, granted contracts to study the magnetic field, and using what they learn to bolster our satellites and better fight climate change.
The immense contribution British businesses make to our island’s space story shows ambition, integrity, and leadership.
It is testament to these traits, alongside the determination and dedication of our people.
As we stand in this space tipping point, the government’s commitment to economic growth demands that we support science and we invest in innovation.
We also champion the critical technologies to maximise the power and potential of the British economy.
Your contribution and the commitment to our economic growth mission is profoundly important.
So, I want to finish exactly where I started:
By acknowledging your efforts and extending our appreciation for them, as you help to make Britain more productive, more prosperous, and more pioneering.
r. President, Madame First Lady, Excellencies, Dear Friends,
The waste crisis is an issue that goes to the heart of how we produce, and how we consume.
And one that requires action at every level – local, national, and global.
This year’s International Day focuses on fashion and textiles.
And rightly so.
Unless we accelerate action, dressing to kill could kill the planet.
Textile production often uses thousands of chemicals – many of them harmful to people and the environment.
It devours resources like land and water – putting pressure on ecosystems.
And it belches out greenhouse gases – inflaming the climate crisis.
Clothes are being produced and discarded at a staggering rate – driven by business models that prioritize newness, speed, and disposability.
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
Fashion is just the tip of a toxic iceberg.
Waste is an issue in every sector.
Every year, humanity produces over two billion tonnes of garbage.
If you pack all that into shipping containers stacked end to end, they would stretch to the moon and back.
Here on Earth, toxin-filled waste is seeping into our soil, our water, and our air. And ultimately into us.
As usual, the poorest pay the highest price.
More than one billion people live in slums and informal urban settlements, where waste management is non-existent and disease runs rampant.
The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastic and more.
Many nations do not have the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores.
As a result, materials that could be recycled are burned or sent to landfill.
And waste pickers are exposed to toxic chemicals as they sift through potentially hazardous materials, including broken electronics, in appalling conditions.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
We need a different approach: one that delivers on the commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable production and consumption.
And there are signs of hope.
Change is possible. And it presents exciting opportunities.
In fashion, for example, designers are experimenting with recycled materials.
Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability.
In many countries, resale markets are booming.
And important initiatives are bringing together large and small businesses, industry associations, civil society and many others to drive sustainability across the sector.
They include the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and the Fashion Pact.
We must celebrate the power of these innovations to transform the industry.
But we need more.
And we need change in every sector.
I welcome the work of the Chair and the First Lady and members of the United Nations Advisory Board on Zero Waste to raise awareness, and help meet the SDGs.
The fight against waste requires us all.
Governments must act:
Through policies, regulations and subsidies:
That promote sustainability, and zero waste initiatives…
That encourage businesses to adopt positive practices…
That provide decent jobs…
And that empower everyone – not just the wealthy – to afford products that last.
The current negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution – due in August this year – are a key opportunity for governments to drive progress.
I urge them to take it…
And to translate any treaty into action to support consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, and into a clear roadmap across industries.
Addressing plastic pollution must be at the core of corporate responsibility.
There is no space for greenwashing.
Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction and resource efficiency across their supply chains.
We need accountability for corporate sustainability commitments.
We need transparency for customers.
And we need consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage change:
Reducing excessive consumption, valuing products that last, and embracing exchanges and resales.
And we need young people and civil society to keep using their voices and power to demand change through advocacy.
Excellencies, Dear Friends,
We must build on progress, to end the waste practices wasting our planet.
On this International Day, let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
Police investigating structure fire in New Norfolk
Friday, 28 March 2025 – 5:06 pm.
Police are investigating a deliberately lit fire which damaged a residence in New Norfolk last night. Emergency Services were called to a home in Back River Road about 9.58pm on Thursday evening (27 March), where a residence was on fire. All residents had safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. Tasmania Fire Service crews extinguished the fire and determined it was deliberately lit. Anyone with information in relation to the fire or suspicious activity in the area around the time, is asked to contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 or provide information through Crime Stoppers Tasmania (this can be done anonymously) at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR770687.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Session of Congress, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.
“Chief Gardner has shown unwavering dedication in protecting Ventura County during some of the most devastating wildfires and emergencies we’ve faced,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “His leadership has been crucial not only in Ventura County, but also in coordinating firefighting efforts across Los Angeles County and throughout California.
“Chief Gardner’s expertise, steady leadership, and calm under pressure embody the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. As President Trump addresses Congress tonight, I am honored to have Chief Gardner as my guest to remind us that protecting communities from wildfires and natural disasters must remain a national priority. Federal support for our firefighters and emergency responders is essential – and disaster assistance should never be politicized. When disaster strikes, our communities deserve timely and effective federal support, regardless of politics.
“As wildfires continue to devastate our state and communities face unprecedented disasters, the bravery and commitment of firefighters like Chief Gardner are more important than ever,” Brownley continued. “Ensuring that our first responders, emergency personnel, and disaster recovery teams have the resources and support they need is essential to improving crisis response and safeguarding our communities.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Congresswoman Brownley at the Joint Session,” said Dustin Gardner, Ventura County Fire Chief. “The fires that destroyed thousands of homes in Southern California recently demonstrate the need for wildfire prevention efforts, coordinated responses and effective recovery measures. The federal government’s involvement and support in such efforts across the country is important, because no single agency is equipped to deal with disaster-level events alone.”
Congresswoman Brownley is pleased to welcome Chief Gardner as her guest as an important way to recognize him and the heroic first responders across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.
###
Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief, Local Issues
“The procurement of 307 ATAGS and 327 towing vehicles signed with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems for Rs. 6,900 crore ($820 million) will significantly expand India’s fleet of indirect firepower delivery platforms. Capable of delivering precise long-range strikes at a rate of 5 rounds per minute, these indigenous 155mm howitzers will substantially enhance the Indian Army’s firepower, while bolstering the country’s autonomy in defense manufacturing. The towing vehicles, which are part of the current procurement program, will enable swift deployment of the ATAGS units.
“The escalating tensions along India’s northern borders, particularly with China which deployed advanced artillery like the PCL-181 in the high-altitude regions, highlight the need for India to strengthen its land-based firepower. China’s rapid military modernization, particularly its emphasis on mobile and long-range artillery systems, has heightened the urgency for India to address threats of potential conflicts in regions such as Ladakh, which has already witnessed deadly skirmishes in the past. Similarly, along the Pakistan border, where sporadic fire exchanges between the two sides are not uncommon, ATAGS offers a decisive edge. Its long-range capability ensures deeper strikes into enemy territory, enhancing the Indian Army’s operational reach.
“The ATAGS will be complementing the in-service airlift capable M777s and the self-propelled K9 Vajras. This mix of artillery deployment enhances the Indian Army’s flexibility in a dynamic mission environment along the borders. With ATAGS already exported to Armenia, India will also continue to look to for export opportunities for this potent platform in international markets in order to keep the production cost down through economies of scale.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
San Diego, CA – On March 21, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and local leaders highlighted the importance of Medicaid and the harm that Republicans’ healthcare cuts and inflationary budget will have on our communities. One in five CA50 residents relies on Medicaid – cutting $880 billion in Medicaid funding would take away theirs and millions of Americans’ health care coverage and increase costs for tens of millions more.
“In every congressional district in the country, Medicaid supports critical health care for children, Americans with disabilities, and working people who are already struggling to keep up in this economy.” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Cutting health coverage will not make America healthier, it will make us sicker. I’ve now voted twice to stop Republican efforts to slash Medicaid, and I promise to continue doing everything in my power to halt their schemes.”
Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff, patients, long term care facility providers, labor union members, and local elected officials to emphasize how proposals to cut Medicaid funding would devastate health care in San Diego and across the country.
“As a public safety net provider, UC San Diego Health delivers comprehensive care to all members of our community regardless of demographics, insurance coverage, or income status,” stated UC San Diego Health CEO, Patty Maysent. “Investing in Medicaid is an investment in the greatest asset we have in this nation, our people, and their health. UC San Diego’s clinicians, researchers, students and patients thank Congressman Peters for his commitment to sustaining this critical federal resource.”
“I was diagnosed with a rare brain aneurysm and needed complex surgery. Thanks to Medi-Cal, I received life-saving neurosurgical care at UC San Diego Health,” said Karla Zimmerman, a patient at UC San Diego Health. “I still have two aneurysms that need continuous monitoring. As a mother of two, my biggest fear is not being there for my daughters. No one should have to worry about losing their health care.”
“Don’t Cut Medicaid, you never know when you or your family member will need it,” said Sabrina Bishop, a United Domestic Worker (UDW) in-home care provider.
“No family should have to choose between paying for a doctor’s visit or putting food on the table. No senior should worry about whether they can afford their medications. No child should go without the healthcare they need to grow up healthy and strong,” stated City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “We will not stand idly by while the health and well-being of our families, seniors, and children are threatened. Together, with Congressman Peters, we will defend Medicaid and ensure that every person has access to the care they deserve.”
“San Diegans are struggling to make ends meet, and federal cuts to healthcare is the last thing we need. As a parent, I can’t imagine telling one of my kids that we can’t afford to take them to a doctor when they’re sick,” said City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee. “But if Congress slashes these programs, one out of three people in San Diego County, including hundreds of thousands of kids, are going to have their health coverage impacted. Anyone who wants to lower the cost of living, support working families, and decrease homelessness should be against these cuts.”
Rep. Peters has been a longtime advocate to make to protect Medicaid funding and make it easier – not harder – for Americans to access the tests, treatments, and cures they need. He has urged his Republican colleagues not to enact a budget that would increase inflation and balloon our deficit, while cutting vital healthcare, firefighters, and airline safety just to pay for tax cuts for people and corporations who don’t need them. Democrats will continue fighting to save Medicaid and protect Americans.
A livestreamed recording of the press conference can be found here
Additional photos from the event are available courtesy of Rep. Peters’ office here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s troubling self-dealing:
“While President Trump and Elon Musk get richer, Americans will suffer from their cuts to health care, food assistance, national parks, and so much more,” said Rep. Peters. “I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for any attempt to enrich themselves or give special treatment to allies not available to ordinary Americans.”
See below for how President Trump is using the Presidency to benefit himself and his allies at the expense of the American people.
Last week, you saw President Trump shoot a car commercial at the White House to benefit Elon Musk, his top donor and a current government employee. “Coincidentally,” Elon donated $100M to the President on the same day.
Trump touts Musk’s cars from the White House, Musk promises $100 million contribution to Trump – on the very same day.
President Trump continues to send the message to politicians that he will forgive corruption as serious as fraud and bribery in exchange for loyalty.
It Pays to Be a Friend of Donald Trump
While Americans are concerned about high prices from tariffs, loss of government services, and attacks on veterans, the people who have the President’s ear are paying $5 million for a dinner.
People Are Paying Millions to Dine With Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago
$TRUMP coin is a perfect vessel for this corruption. You can get away with committing fraud if you have tens of millions to invest in the President’s meme coin. Remember when Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm before taking office…
A crypto mogul who invested millions into Trump coins is getting a reprieve on civil fraud charges
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is learning from Justin Sun’s example. If he is willing and able to enrich the president’s family, he may be in line for a pardon from Trump.
Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance
President Trump is sending a clear message that he is more than willing to fire any government official who tries to prevent his corruption.
Justice Dept. Official Says She Was Fired After Opposing Restoring Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50) and Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) invited newly confirmed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBITWP) to see firsthand the ongoing environmental and public health harm the cross-border sewage crisis has on our communities.
In a letter to Administrator Zeldin, members wrote, “As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego… EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.”
Days after receiving a letter from Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre about the cross-border sewage San Diego has suffered, Administrator Zeldin posted about a briefing he received on the crisis. Rep. Peters wants to ensure new EPA leadership fully understands the scope of this environmental catastrophe and their role in addressing the public health and environmental harm.
They go on to state, “Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.”
Rep. Peters and his colleagues look forward to working with Administrator Zeldin to support the ongoing repairs at SBIWTP and recovery of our region. In 2021, prior EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured the Tijuana River Valley at the request of Reps. Peters and Vargas.
Full text of the letter can be found here and below:
Dear Administrator Zeldin,
We would like to invite you to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in the Tijuana River Valley and appreciate your interest in addressing the crossborder sewage crisis.
As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego. Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and negatively impacting the local economy, environment, and health of U.S. military and Homeland Security personnel. EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.
While this wastewater pollution crisis is not new, it has intensified over the past two years. Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.
We look forward to working with you on this important issue, and we hope to host you at SBIWTP so you can see first-hand the challenges confronting our region. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting against the Republican continuing resolution:
“This is far from a clean funding bill, no matter how much Republicans try to spin it.
“It slashes vital programs like health care, nutritional assistance, and cuts $23 billion from veterans’ benefits. And it offers no new aid for Los Angeles’ wildfire victims.
“Even worse, it disregards the Constitution, failing to guarantee that President Trump will honor Congress’ funding decisions and exposes Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to egregious cuts by unelected billionaire Elon Musk.
“The Senate should reject this partisan, reckless bill and force Speaker Johnson back to the table to negotiate a clean, bipartisan bill that protects the programs Americans rely on.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)
WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and 13 of her committee Democratic colleagues today called on Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemerto and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade.
The members also called on the administration to block any attempts by Elon Musk and DOGE to cut the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer.
“American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains,” the members wrote. “By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.
In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives John B. Larson (D-Conn.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).
Full text of the letter is available hereand follows:
March 21, 2025
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Secretary Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210
The Honorable Jamieson Greer Ambassador United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20508
Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Ambassador Greer:
As Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, we urge you to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade, and to also protect the U.S. Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer from further cuts. ILAB and its programs work to ensure that U.S. trade policy does not result in the outsourcing of good-paying American jobs to countries with lax labor protections. Our committee has consistently supported funding ILAB to ensure U.S. trade agreements and policies are enforced because American workers and businesses should never have to compete with goods subsidized by unfair trade practices, including forced labor and child labor.
ILAB’s projects around the globe are key to achieving a level playing field for American workers and ensuring that American consumers are not complicit in buying products tainted by forced or child labor overseas. For example, a recently canceled ILAB project in Uzbekistan, supported by a broad coalition of American apparel companies, has been instrumental in eliminating the systemic use of forced and child labor in the Uzbek cotton sector. Just last year, in one of dozens of such findings, ILAB raised awareness of the use of forced labor in Indonesian nickel mines, which have flooded the global market, placing domestic producers at a significant disadvantage. ILAB also works to address China’s efforts to profit from slave labor, playing a leading role in the U.S. government’s Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force that works with Customs and Border Protection to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
As we begin the six-year review under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we do so with an acute awareness that ILAB provides essential support to USTR to enforce the rules of the USMCA, including through dozens of cases brought under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, ensuring that companies in Mexico can’t undercut American jobs and manufacturers by skirting the USMCA’s labor requirements. As the eyes and ears of the U.S. Department of Labor abroad, ILAB is the lynchpin in our efforts to ensure that Mexico and other trading partners are playing by the rules.
American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains. By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after Senate passage of H.R. 1968, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025:
“I voted against the continuing resolution because it’s a blatant power grab by the White House, giving unchecked control to Donald Trump and his billionaire allies, like Elon Musk, to dismantle the federal government. The CR makes cuts across the board, devastating critical programs that American families rely on.
“Trump and Republicans are using the threat of a shutdown to strip away benefits from seniors, veterans, and working families – all to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. They have made it harder for Americans to access Social Security. They are dismantling Medicaid and Medicare, and they have already fired over 130,000 federal employees, with plans to cut 80,000 more at the VA alone. They have laid off workers maintaining our nuclear arsenal and shut down critical medical research labs. Instead of holding Trump accountable, Republicans are ceding their power and oversight, allowing his unchecked executive overreach to continue. Worse, they are empowering him further by giving him a blank check to continue this dangerous agenda, at the expense of our democracy and the American people.
“House Democrats put forward a responsible alternative – a short-term spending bill that would have allowed time for real negotiations while safeguarding critical programs. But instead of working toward a bipartisan solution, Republicans rammed through this extreme measure, ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to serve. By passing this CR, Republicans weakened Congress’ power of the purse and handed greater control over taxpayer dollars to Trump and his wealthy backers – with no oversight or guardrails.
“No one wants a government shutdown, but we are headed into disastrous times. Republicans are determined to cede their power and oversight to Donald Trump, abandoning their duty to the American people and allowing these dangerous actions to go unchecked. I will continue fighting alongside House Democrats to push back against this egregious overreach of power.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
March 14, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), joined by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) as a cosponsor, introduced the Honey Integrity Act to establish a national standard for honey, enhance enforcement against fraudulent honey sales, and protect American beekeepers. The bill, led in the Senate by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), strengthens consumer confidence in honey products without expanding government bureaucracy. “I’m introducing the Honey Integrity Act in the House to crack down on the mislabeling and sale of fake products to American consumers. This bill establishes clear standards for honey and accountability for bad actors without adding more government red tape. Families have the right to know the honey they are buying is real. I thank Senator Tommy Tuberville for leading on this issue in the Senate and Rep. Jimmy Panetta for his support in the House. We must protect American honey producers and make sure consumers get the quality produce they pay for at the grocery store.” —Congressman Greg Steube “Fraudulent honey imports undercut American beekeepers and mislead consumers. The Honey Integrity Act will help protect the industry by cracking down on adulterated honey and ensuring transparency in the marketplace. Honey producers across the country, including those in California, work hard to ensure the integrity of their product and we need to give them a level playing field.” –Congressman Jimmy Panetta “Honey producers across America work hard to deliver a pure, natural product, but bad actors are undermining our efforts by flooding the market with adulterated honey. I am proud to co-lead this legislation that will ensure accountability by requiring reports on enforcement actions through the establishment of the Honey Integrity Program. As a beekeeper myself, I will always fight to protect consumers and our domestic honey industry. By strengthening testing and transparency, we can crack down on fraud and defend the integrity of American honey.” –Congressman Mike Ezell “Honey is one of nature’s greatest antioxidants, providing many wonderful health benefits. America’s beekeepers and honey producers work tirelessly to ensure that we have access to pure, quality honey. But sadly, the lack of uniform standards is creating loopholes that foreign honey producers are increasingly exploiting. Our honey producers deserve a level playing field, and Americans deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to secure our nation’s honey industry, support our domestic beekeepers and increase food transparency for Americans.” –Senator Tommy TubervilleKey Provisions of the Honey Integrity Act:
Creates a Federal Standard of Identity for Honey: Requires the FDA to establish a formal definition and standard for honey to prevent mislabeling and ensure product integrity. Enhances Federal Oversight: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress detailing enforcement actions against adulterated and misbranded honey. Mandates the Destruction of Adulterated Honey: Ensures that when fraudulent honey is identified, it is destroyed— protecting consumers and honest beekeepers. Strengthens Consumer Protection Without Expanding Government: Holds fraudulent sellers accountable while avoiding unnecessary government expansion, fees, or regulatory burdens. Accountability Without Government Overreach: The Honey Integrity Act creates the Honey Integrity Program, an enforcement mechanism to stop those who misrepresent or knowingly sells adulterated or misbranded honey. This program will be created without requiring additional federal employees or costly government programs.
The bill has received support from several organizations including the American Honey Producers Association and American Beekeeping Federation. “The American Honey Producers Association applauds Representative Steube, Senator Tuberville, and Representative Panetta for introducing the Honey Integrity Act. For years, America’s beekeepers have sought adequate protections against adulteration of the honey supply on behalf of consumers and beekeepers alike. This legislation takes critical steps forward in addressing adulteration so that consumers can be confident that their honey is natural, wholesome, and healthy. The legislation will also help level the playing field for honest American beekeepers who have had to compete against adulterated products for too many years. We look forward to working with Congress and FDA in implementing this common-sense legislation to restore fairness in the marketplace and certainty for the consumer.” —Steven Coy, President, American Honey Producers Association “As a commercial beekeeper from Montana and president of the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) a national organization representing beekeepers in all 50 states from hobbyists to commercial operations, on behalf of ABF we strongly support the Honey Integrity Act. ABF is grateful to Congressmen Stuebe and Panetta on their sponsorship of this critical legislation . We were pleased to work closely with Congressman Stuebe a beekeeper himself, on the need for this legislation to protect U.S beekeepers and U.S. consumers from economically adulterated honey from entering the country. ABF looks forward to working closely with the legislations sponsors to see this much needed legislation become law.” —Patty Sundberg, President of American Beekeeping Federation. Read the full bill text here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Andrew S. Clyde (R-GA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) reintroduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act to remove the unconstitutional taxation, registration, and regulation of short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and any other weapons (AOWs) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Senator Roger Marshall, M.D (R-KS) introduced the Senate companion bill.
“The Biden-Harris Administration dangerously weaponized the draconian National Firearms Act to further infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment liberties,” said Clyde. “Yet the American people overwhelmingly rejected the Left’s unconstitutional tactics and backdoor gun control in November. It’s now time for Congress to use this mandate to protect Americans’ unalienable, constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Deregulating SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs is the most effective way to ensure American gun owners are not subjected to unlawful and unnecessary restrictions, taxation, and registration of firearms or pistol braces. I’m proud to partner with Senator Marshall in the fight to defeat this Biden-era rule and safeguard Americans’ Second Amendment freedoms.”
“‘Shall not be infringed’ is crystal clear – and the Biden-era abuses of the Constitutionally protected rights of gun owners across the country need to be undone,” said Senator Marshall. “The SHORT Act takes a step toward rolling back nonsensical regulations that the National Firearms Act has placed upon gun owners. I challenge my colleagues in both chambers to pass this legislation and join me in fully restoring and protecting our God-given Second Amendment rights.”
Supporting organizations include Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Association of Gun Rights (NAGR).
“The Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act will repeal elements of the archaic National Firearms Act, which the Biden ATF abused to justify their unconstitutional pistol brace ban– a policy change that affects millions of law-abiding gun owners and does nothing to curb rising crime,” said Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for GOA. “GOA is proud to support the SHORT Act, which will repeal archaic short barrel restrictions from the National Firearms Act of 1934 and prevent them from ever being weaponized against the American people ever again.”
“The SHORT Act is a long overdue step toward restoring the rights of Americans, freeing gun owners from the burdensome and outdated regulations of the National Firearms Act,” said Hunter King, Director of Political Affairs for NAGR. “By removing short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and similar firearms from egregious federal regulations, gun owners would be able to exercise their Second Amendment freedoms without oppressive government interference. This isn’t a measly reform; it’s a declaration of Second Amendment supremacy and will take a sledgehammer to government overreach. The National Association for Gun Rights is pleased to support this bill to reclaim our right to keep and bear arms.”
Original cosponsors (45) include Representatives Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Brian Babin (TX-36), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Lauren Boebert (CO-04), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Ben Cline (VA-06), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Russell Fry (SC-07), Brandon Gill (TX-26), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Andy Harris (MD-01), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Addison McDowell (NC-06), Carol Miller (WV-01), Mary Miller (IL-15), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Barry Moore (AL-01), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), John Rose (TN-06), Austin Scott (GA-08), Keith Self (TX-03), Tim Walberg (MI-05), Randy Weber (TX-14), Daniel Webster (FL-11), and Tony Wied (WI-08).
Full text of the SHORT Act can be found HERE.
Background
The SHORT Act will remove the unconstitutional taxation, registration, and regulation in the draconian National Firearms Act (NFA) of firearms such as Short Barreled Rifles (SBR), Short Barreled Shotguns (SBS), and Any Other Weapons (AOW).
Using the NFA, the Biden-Harris Administration erroneously argued that Americans who own pistols with stabilizing braces are in possession of illegal short-barreled rifles. The ATF used that argument to facilitate a ban, forcing gun owners to violate its rule or participate in an unconstitutional registry titled “Amnesty Registration of Pistol Brace Weapons,” to keep their own firearms. Eliminating unconstitutional and unnecessary restrictions, taxation, and registration placed on NFA firearms will ensure that the ATF does not enact any future version of this ban.
Rep. Clyde previously introduced the SHORT Act in the 117th Congress and the 118th Congress.
