Secure and affordable housing is a fundamental human right for all Australians.
Therefore, it is unsurprising the election campaign is being played out against a backdrop of heightened voter anxiety about rental stress and housing affordability. A growing number of people are unable to access housing that meets their needs.
And it’s not just low-income earners who are affected by housing pressures. It is also the millions of people who make up middle Australia; the very group that will help determine the election outcome.
The solution to Australia’s housing problem is complex. We need to start thinking differently about what reform might look like.
No cheap rents
For most Australians, housing is their biggest and most unavoidable bill.
The average national weekly rent for a unit is A$566 a week. It is even higher in capital cities. To afford this comfortably, renters need an annual income of $130,000.
But for someone on the median income of $72,592 (or $58,575 after tax) half their pay packet is being swallowed by their weekly rent.
This significantly exceeds the 30% benchmark that is a useful measure of housing affordability stress.
Million-dollar homes
The raw numbers are just as eye-watering for home ownership.
The mean price of a residential dwelling in Australia is around $977,000. For house hunters in New South Wales, the figure is even higher at $1.2 million.
Rapidly rising house prices over the past few years have contributed to larger home loans and more people with a mortgage.
Only 13% of homes sold in 2022–23 were affordable for a median income household, with housing prices increasing more rapidly than wages.
The cascading price pressures mean first home buyers are finding it harder to save for a deposit.
Policy options
There is an urgent need for housing reform to overcome the affordability and accessibility challenges. There is no shortage of options available to policymakers.
For starters, planning rules and zoning regulations could be eased to facilitate more construction. Vacant commercial properties and office spaces could be repurposed as housing.
Another option includes removing barriers to constructing prefabricated homes, which are more efficient and affordable to build.
Time to be bold
Housing reform often involves debate around negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions for property investors. There are mixed results regarding how they would impact housing affordability and accessibility. The unpopularity of such policies at the 2016 and 2019 elections have since hindered any changes.
But more radical reforms could be considered. They include applying negative gearing to first home buyers, who would benefit by claiming the mortgage interest on their property against their income. The United States allows home-owner couples to claim mortgage interest on the first US$750,000 (A$1.19 million) of their loan to help them secure a home.
The US policy highlights how high housing costs are not exclusive to Australia.
We could learn from other initiatives adopted overseas. For example, a bylaw passed in Montreal, Canada, requires new developments to include 20% social housing, 20% affordable housing and 20% family units.
Further, Vienna is known for its progressive social housing policies, which include rental caps and housing security. The housing is high quality and often includes access to communal pools, child care, libraries and other facilities.
Here in Australia, the major political parties are mindful that the high cost of housing is political kryptonite. They are fighting the May election armed with policies aimed at improving affordability and availability. But will these policies go far enough?
Labor plans to increase housing supply by 1.2 million homes over five years by changing zoning and planning rules. This includes 20,000 social housing homes and 10,000 affordable rentals for front-line workers such as police and nurses. It will also increase tax incentives for the build-to-rent program to increase rental supply.
These policies are likely to improve affordability and accessibility for lower income earners. However, there will be a wait while homes are constructed. It is also expensive at around $10 billion.
To increase supply, Labor will invest in prefabricated and modular homes, including a national certification system to streamline approvals.
Labor will also expand the Help-to-Buy scheme so more Australians can purchase their first home, although this may push-up prices through increased demand.
The Liberal Party’s policy centrepiece is $5 billion to fast track essential housing infrastructure such as water and sewage, to unlock up to 500,000 homes.
The Coalition is also vowing to free up more housing by reducing immigration by 25% and capping the number of international students.
For first home buyers, the Liberals want to allow early access to superannuation of up to $50,000, but studies suggest this could backfire by increasing house prices and hurting retirement savings.
Dream turns to a nightmare
Voters may find merit in one or more of the proposed policies, but bipartisanship will be essential if we are to solve the housing crisis, regardless of the election outcome.
And genuine reform involves more than sugar-hit policies that might find favour during election campaigns. It requires bold, decisive action with investment in areas that benefit those most in need.
Without genuine reform, even more Australians will struggle to put a roof over their heads. The ramifications will be devastating to Australia’s social and economic future.
The Australian dream of owning a home will be at risk of becoming an even bigger nightmare.
This is the third article in our special series, Australia’s Policy Challenges. You can read the other articles here and here
Michelle Cull is a member of CPA Australia, the Financial Advice Association Australia and President Elect of the Academy of Financial Services in the United States. Michelle is an academic member of UniSuper’s Consultative Committee. Michelle Cull co-founded the Western Sydney University Tax Clinic which has received funding from the Australian Taxation Office as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. Michelle has previously volunteered as Chair of the Macarthur Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Australia.
The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families today concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Mexico, with Committee Experts congratulating the State on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, while raising questions on the treatment of unaccompanied minors and assistance provided to Mexicans abroad in the United States.
Fatimata Diallo, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, congratulated Mexico on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, including its key role in the Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration. The Committee appreciated that legislation and a support system were in place for migrants across all states of Mexico, and congratulated the State on the adoption of a law on enforced disappearances, and the enactment of specific measures to provide support to migrant children and adolescents.
Mohammed Charef, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked if the delegation could share statistical information following the reform of the migration act in 2022, including the number of children released from holding facilities and the number of children still in these facilities? What tools and measures had been put in place at the border level to ensure there could be a review on children and adolescents before any return was taken? How many cases of refoulment had been avoided due to the risk analysis which should be carried out on every child?
Pablo Ceriani Cernadas, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked what Mexico was doing at the foreign policy and foreign relations level to push for regularisation for people who had been working in the agricultural sector in the United States for years? With the closure of the CBP 1 by Trump, some people had their asylum process for the United States interrupted; what was happening to them?
Ms. Diallo said the “United States Remain in Mexico policy” required migrants to remain at the border while the United States Government processed their cases; what had the Mexican State done to provide for these migrants who were forced to remain in Mexico in the hazardous border areas?
Regarding unaccompanied children and adolescents, the delegation said there was a specific standalone procedure in place to ensure migrants were duly identified, so they could be protected by the child protection system. The National Institute of Migration could be advised to carry out an assisted return of the child or adolescent to their country of origin, if regular migration status was not possible. No deportation order would be given to a child or adolescent. There were more than 120 shelters and reception centres spread across the country for minor migrants. It was here that they would be held with their families until issues regarding their migration status were resolved; 84,927 minors were handled via this process in 2024.
The delegation said since the new United States administration took office on 20 January 2025, there had been a harshening of migration policies and Mexico had strengthened its consular assistance in response. Mexico had been mapping the detention of migrants by the United States’ authorities and was able to immediately respond to them. The 10 repatriation centres which had been set up on the southern border with the United States provided health care services, nutrition, food and education to those who had been repatriated. The Mexican Government had pursued meaningful efforts to promote the regularisation of Mexican migrants in the United States.
Presenting the report, Jennifer Feller, Director General of Human Rights and Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said Mexico’s geographical position and proximity made it a country of origin, transit, destination and return for migrants, which represented a challenge for authorities. Between January and May 2024 alone, the National Institute of Migration identified 1,393,683 foreigners in an irregular situation. In 2019, the Ministry of Health published the comprehensive health care plan for the migrant population to promote health care under a context of equality and non-discrimination. In compliance with the March 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation on the unconstitutionality of the detention of migrants, the necessary measures were adopted to ensure that the detention of migrants did not exceed 36 hours.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Ceriani Cernadas thanked Mexico for the constructive dialogue. The Committee was fully aware of the complexity of human movement in Mexico as a phenomenon, due to the location, the sheer number of migrants, and the voluntary or forced returns of Mexican compatriots, coupled with drug trafficking and the fact that Mexico was a neighbour of the world’s largest drug consumer. Mexico had taken some positive steps, and the Committee looked forward to working collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges.
Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, in concluding remarks, said Mexico continued to be committed to protecting the rights of migrants and upholding its international obligations. Mexico had made progress in protecting the rights of migrant children, adolescents, women and migrant workers, and would strengthen activities in areas where challenges remained, to ensure the full implementation of the Convention.
The delegation of Mexico was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Federal Judiciary Council; and the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office in Geneva.
The webcast of Committee meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Committee’s fortieth session can be found here.
The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 8 April to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Niger (CMW/C/NER/QPR/2).
Report
The Committee has before it the fourth periodic report of Mexico (CMW/C/MEX/4).
Presentation of Report
FRANCISCA E. MÉNDEZ ESCOBAR, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, said Mexico had always played a leading role at the international level to advance the agenda of the human rights of migrants. It was an active promoter of the Convention, presented periodic resolutions on migration in the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and served as a co-facilitator of the negotiation process of the Global Compact for Migration. While significant progress had been made, challenges remained. By appearing before the Committee, Mexico reaffirmed its openness to international scrutiny and constructive dialogue. Ms. Escobar then introduced the Mexican delegation.
JENNIFER FELLER, Director General of Human Rights and Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said Mexico’s geographical position and proximity made it a country of origin, transit, destination and return for migrants, which represented a challenge for authorities. In the last decade, migratory flows had grown exponentially and the transit of undocumented migrants through Mexico had grown significantly. It was estimated that 77 per cent of migratory flows through the country were carried out irregularly. Between January and May 2024 alone, the National Institute of Migration identified 1,393,683 foreigners in an irregular situation. The composition of migration flows had changed significantly, encompassing a diverse range of persons who were migrating for multiple reasons.
This scenario was aggravated by the impacts of increasingly restrictive United States immigration policies, which limited the right to seek refuge, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, among others. Faced with this context, Mexico facilitated the entry and stay of people in health security conditions, providing them with vaccines and other support. Voluntary return was also facilitated for those who decided to do so.
In 2019, the Ministry of Health published the comprehensive health care plan for the migrant population to promote health care under a context of equality and non-discrimination. In line with the recommendations of the Committee, the law on migration was amended to prohibit the accommodation of migrant children and adolescents in migrant holding centres. In compliance with the March 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, on the unconstitutionality of the detention of migrants, the necessary measures were adopted to ensure that the detention of migrants did not exceed 36 hours.
Mexico had strengthened legal frameworks by incorporating a comprehensive gender perspective, and designed programmes to combat gender-based violence, human trafficking, and discrimination against women and girls. This included the mechanism for monitoring cases of sexual torture committed against women and the comprehensive programme to prevent, address, punish and eradicate violence against women 2021-2024, which included actions focused on migrant women at risk, campaigns against sexual harassment and harassment, and strategies to encourage reporting.
FÁTIMA RÍOS, Director General of Human Mobility and Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Mexico continued to strengthen the capacities of the authorities to combat the smuggling of migrants, from a perspective of shared responsibility, international and regional cooperation, and respect for the human rights of migrants, with the involvement of migration authorities, prosecutors’ offices, victims’ commissions, international organizations, and civil society.
Although there was no specific law on the smuggling of migrants, Mexico was a party to the Palermo Protocols and had a solid regulatory base. In 2023, the national strategy to combat migrant smuggling with a gender perspective was presented to strengthen inter-institutional coordination to prevent, combat and address the crime with a comprehensive approach. The migration law established aggravated penalties when it involved children and adolescents, or the participation of public servants.
To coordinate migration policies and programmes among more than 20 agencies, the Inter-Ministerial Commission for Comprehensive Attention in Migration Matters was created in 2019. In March 2025, the multi-service centre for inclusion and development, designed in collaboration with international organizations, began operating in the city of Tapachula. This centre aimed to bring those international protection needs closer to the services provided by the Mexican State, including documentation, employment, and health services, among others. In the face of the tightening of migration policies and the criminalisation of irregular migration in the United States, the inter-institutional strategy for comprehensive care for repatriated and returning Mexican families was reinforced in January 2025, guaranteeing their social and economic reintegration in the country. Mexico had spearheaded numerous actions to address migration, including integrating civil society into the debate, and was committed to overcoming the challenges which remained.
Questions by Committee Experts
PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said the Committee was aware that Mexico was currently facing a complex situation in terms of human movement, which made this dialogue even more important. The fact that the national guard reported to the army gave rise to concern. Why had Mexico chosen to deploy the armed forces to play a role in monitoring and verifying migrants? Had the deployment of the national guard and army had any impact on the migration flow? Had this impact been assessed? Six migrants had been killed when the national guard opened fire, and there had been other similar cases. What had been the response of the Mexican Government to these cases? How were the perpetrators identified and punished and what was done to ensure non-repetition?
What had been done to promote regular migration in Mexico? What measures had been enacted to eradicate the automatic recourse to detention and migration? What non-custodial measures were being taken for asylum seekers in a vulnerable position, including pregnant women, to replace detention? There had been a fire in a holding centre at the Mexican border which killed over 30 migrants. Who had the political responsibility for this holding centre and the conditions it was in? What measures would be taken to ensure it did not happen again?
The Committee had received reports that people intercepted in different parts of the territory were sent to the southern border and left there. Could the delegation comment on these practices? Expulsions reportedly occurred from Mexico City and other airports. What remedies were available to these people in airports after a decision to expel them? There had been cases where many migrants were killed by organized crime syndicates. There was a high level of impunity with many cases being unresolved. What measures was the State taking to resolve these cases through investigations, trials and convictions?
What measures were being taken to address the complex matter of enforced disappearance in general and in the context of migration? Was the act on enforced disappearance being regulated? How had the guidelines for providing support to Mexicans abroad being strengthened? What relationship was there between the forensic authorities in Mexico and those in other countries, to identity Mexicans who had died and inform their family members? Was the Mexican consulate still receiving reports from El Salvador on citizens who had disappeared?
Was data still being collected on irregular migrants? Would the way in which data was collected be changed? Which authorities had a say when it came to separating families? Why were families separated? The Committee had received information that in October 2023, the humanitarian grounds permits were suspended. The documentation which replaced them did not have the same value as a resident permit and did not help with social, financial and employment services. Why had the humanitarian permit been suspended? What measures had Mexico taken in response to the suspension of CBP 1? What protective measures were being taken in this regard? Were there any initiatives towards signing a bilateral agreement? What was the latest situation regarding the relationship with the United States?
MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said Mexico always strove to ensure respect for the rights of migrants and had led the fight in the Group of 77 for the rights of migrants since the start of the 1970’s, which was appreciated. The State was also one of the champions of the implementation of the Marrakech Compact and had enacted a plethora of laws to improve protection for unaccompanied women and minors, which deserved credit. Nevertheless, according to information received by the Committee, despite international commitments and the legal arsenal, there were still violations of the rights of migrants, particularly those in an irregular situation. Mexico shared an emblematic border with the United States which was over 3,500 kilometres long. This was the deadliest land border, with around 10,000 deaths recorded per year.
According to information gathered, many migrants disappeared without a trace; they were abducted, killed, or robbed and thrown out of high-speed trains. Many of those blocked on routes to the United States were highly vulnerable. Were migrants subjected to a detention order by a judge? How long did they stay in centres on average? How did these detention centres function? Who managed them? How many people worked for the “Better Groups”? Were they present throughout the territory? Was their role to provide migrants with advice on their rights? According to information collected, there were huge needs in healthcare, particularly in mental health. Was anything being done for migrants’ mental health? Could information on the deadly fire be provided? The Committee would like more information about the trends and the places migrants went through? Did the State have reliable data on enforced disappearances? Was disaggregated data on nationality, age, sex and type of migration available? How did Mexico manage migration during the COVID-19 period?
FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, congratulated Mexico on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, including its key role in the Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration. The Committee appreciated that legislation and a support system were in place for migrants across all states of Mexico, and congratulated the State on the adoption of a law on enforced disappearances, and the enactment of specific measures to provide support to migrant children and adolescents.
Regarding the ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice on the unconstitutional nature of some of the provisions of the migration act, what steps had been taken to ensure this jurisprudence was present in national legislation? Could the delegation share statistical information following the reform of the migration act in 2022, including the number of children released from holding facilities and the number of children still in these facilities? A unique identification code was provided to migrant children; what was the purpose of this code? What tools and measures had been put in place at the border level to ensure there could be a review on children and adolescents before any return was taken? How many cases of refoulment had been avoided due to the risk analysis which should be carried out on every child? Why did so many children and adolescents abandon the administrative process halfway through it was meant to be an alternative to irregular migration?
How was it ensured that the bilateral agreements with Canada did not leave migrant workers vulnerable? Thirty per cent of women interviewed said they had been subjected to sexual harassment by the national migration guard in detention facilities. What measures had been enacted to prevent this? Had there been investigations and punishment of perpetrators? What concrete measures had been enacted for the protection of domestic workers, particularly migrant domestic workers? The Nicaraguan migration route enabled migrants in sub–Saharan Africa to try and access the United States and there had been several disappearances on this route. Did this also affect Mexico and how was the State dealing with this?
A Committee Expert congratulated Mexico on its ratification of the core International Labour Organization Conventions. Why had Mexico not ratified International Labour Organization Conventions 197 and 143? How many staff were working in the labour inspectorate in Mexico? Did they cover the entirety of Mexico? Did they have the human and financial resources they needed to carry out their duties? Did they have a status which ensured their independence was upheld?
Another Committee Expert said the bilateral agreements, for example between Mexico and Canada, should be examined.
A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated Mexico’s efforts and its delicate position with the United States and other countries. What type of capacity did Mexico need to bolster its stance on migration?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the National Institute of Migration was charged with implementing the Government’s migration policy. It had overviews of migration checks at land and air border crossings. The institute implemented the protocol for checking migration status. Staff were required to be properly identified as a result of the Supreme Court ruling. Once a person had been identified in a migration check, migration staff could instigate the administrative procedure. It would not be a court which decided, but rather the migration entity, which conducted the migration proceedings.
Migrants were taken to a holding centre and provided all the necessary information to authorities. Due to the ruling of the 36-hour time limit for holding migrants in these centres, the National Institute of Migration completed the administrative procedures within the timeframe. If the individual in question had a genuine immigration status, they would be released quickly; however, if they did not, they would either be provided with a regular migration status if they met the conditions of the law, otherwise they would be returned or deported. This was clearly provided for in the migration act.
Regarding unaccompanied children and adolescents, there was a specific standalone procedure in place to ensure migrants were duly identified, so they could be protected by the child protection system. The National Institute of Migration could be advised to carry out an assisted return of the child or adolescent to their country of origin, if regular migration status was not possible. No deportation order would be given to a child or adolescent. There were more than 120 shelters and reception centres spread across the country for minor migrants. It was here that they would be held with their families until issues regarding their migration status were resolved; 84,927 minors were handled via this process in 2024. It was hoped that up to date data for decision making would be available in April.
Migrants’ caravans, which entered the country via the southern border, had been met by groups providing humanitarian assistance. This was one of the functions played by the “Better Groups”, whose main role was to provide humanitarian support and advice to migrant workers.
The centre for assistance and information for migrant workers had been strengthened to provide assistance to all Mexican residents in the United States. The consular staff had been ordered to make more visits to migration centres and prisons to review cases of Mexican migrants, and to ensure their rights were being upheld and the necessary processes were being followed. A unit monitored how executive orders were impacting the migrant community.
In Mexico, all persons had access to free health care, regardless of their social status. A plan was in place to guarantee that migrants had access to high quality medical health care. Mexico was one of the few countries which chose not to close its borders during the pandemic, which meant that individuals living abroad who could not return to their home countries had remained in Mexico, and benefited from healthcare services and coverage. A system was in place for alternative care models for unaccompanied migrants and adolescents. A handbook on the alternative care options intended to raise awareness on these options. Work was being done to renovate shelters in key hotspots along the migration route.
In 2024, around 439,000 requests for asylum or refugee status were granted, with the vast majority being women. To improve coordination between the authorities at different levels, capacity building workshops had been made available, and work had been carried out with counterparts in Ecuador and in Brazil, among other countries. The Domestic Labour and Social Security Code had been strengthened to uphold the rights of domestic workers. International Labour Organization Convention 189 was ratified in 2020.
The act on enforced disappearance had a system in place which provided relatives of migrant persons with the possibility of submitting requests for action on disappeared persons who could not be found in Mexico. The Mexican consulates abroad were responsible for the implementation of this system.
The intervention of the national guard in public security had not been adopted alone, but in conjunction with other entities. The Constitution was reformed so the national guard would fall under the Ministry of National Defence. The armed forces were involved because Mexico was trying to strengthen the national guard as a security force.
Mexico did not have a systematic practice of enforced disappearance by the State. There was a palpable commitment to tackling the challenges being faced by the country. Regarding the tragic events of the first of October, where a pickup travelling at highspeed was fired on by members of the armed forces, nationals from many countries had been the victims. The majority of the victims decided to return to their countries of origin, but had been informed of compensation processes. Around 32 victims had been affected by the incident.
If a person was deprived of liberty, this was considered detention. The right of all migrants to have a public defender was recognised. This had led to 43 people becoming specialised to allow the federal judiciary to enter the migration centres. Public defenders’ coverage was now better, and there had been Amparo proceedings in cases where the 36-hour holding deadline was exceeded. A humanitarian grounds permit needed to be issued until Amparo proceedings were completed.
Questions by Committee Experts
PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked about the rulings from the Supreme Court; they had not mentioned anything about the Committee. Each year it seemed there was no solution being found to regularise migration; how effective was the State’s response? What happened to persons with disabilities travelling through Mexico? Were resident permits automatically provided to parents of children in Mexico? Migrant children often worked selling sweets or in coffee production; what progress had been made in this regard? What was being done to ensure that the women’s justice centre was aware of women’s vulnerabilities throughout the migration process? How was sexual and reproductive health ensured for women on the move?
MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked how many rulings there had been regarding families who provided shelter to migrants? How had the Supreme Court ruling been implemented in this regard?
FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chairand Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked for statistical data on children who had left migration holding centres and those who still remained, but who should have been released? How many temporary permits had been issued on humanitarian grounds between 2018 and 2023? Could statistics on the family reunification of migrant workers be provided? What measures had been taken by Mexico to guarantee access to civil registration documents, particularly for unaccompanied minors? What was being done to facilitate access to education for unaccompanied minors? What measures had been taken to combat racism and xenophobia against migrants?
Over 65 per cent of Haitian migrants felt they had been impacted by racial discrimination; what was being done to eradicate this? What measures had been taken to eradicate discrimination in the labour market and combat economic exclusion of migrants? What were the views of migrants on the national guard and on migration policy?
A Committee Expert asked about the Mexican authorities’ plan to deal with the repatriation of Mexican migrants from the United States? How would it be ensured that they would be returned with full respect to their rights? What measures were being taken to prevent the disappearance of migrants on routes of migration to America? What was being done to reduce the smuggling and trafficking of migrants? What steps were being taken to reduce bureaucratic procedures and ensure better access to financial resources for migrants? Approximately how long were migrants detained during the asylum procedure? How could this time period be reduced? Why were the number of claims for asylum in Mexico increasing? Could more information about the conditions in detention centres be provided?
Another Expert asked about reports of abuse of migrants in bilateral agreements with Canada; what was the State doing to combat this?
A Committee Expert said many people from Latin American countries were travelling to the United States, using Mexico as a transit country. Could information about accidents with regard to the national guard be provided? What was being done to improve this situation?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there were two Amparo rulings from 2022, regarding Haitian migrants who had had their migration status checked and revised when trying to board buses. The ruling found the actions of the bus company and the government migration body were unconstitutional. The Convention had been cited in various court rulings, although not many. Mexico would ensure there was judicial training on the provisions of the Convention to ensure it could be cited more frequently moving forward. The State was aiming to adopt a different approach to human trafficking to focus on those who facilitated the human trafficking, rather than those carrying out the trafficking. There had been 95 cases involving enforced disappearances where a search order was enacted. Data gathering efforts in this regard had been improved, thanks to a ruling from the courts.
The State had spent the last three years working on a project to ensure that all international recommendations related to enforced disappearance could be implemented and crafted into policies at the State and federal levels. A decision had been taken in 2011 to ensure decisions on mass graves could be shared with the relatives. The Victims’ Commission sat alongside the court and had dealt with various cases, including the mass grave case, where the remains of 72 persons were found.
Regarding the fire in the migration holding centre, the Federal Public Prosecutor had intervened in real time, offering services to the victims. This fire took place a few weeks after the Supreme Court’s ruling that migration detention could not exceed 36 hours. Those who were in need of medical care had been sent to hospitals and the Victims’ Commission was supporting those seeking compensation. Close work had been done with consular officials to identify those who had died in the event.
The National Institute of Migration had begun to introduce a range of infrastructure improvements to migration centres, including medical clinic facilities, real-time simultaneous interpretation services, enhancements to the physical environment, and the additions of rescue and first aid kits and smoke detectors. Around 2,935 staff had been trained in migration holding centres on civil protection. There were three multiservice centres in the border areas with the United States. Mexico had added 10 centres to provide support for Mexicans who had been repatriated from the United States, which could accommodate 2,500 people each.
The State had seen a fall in the number of humanitarian permits being issued; there should be more mechanisms which were an alternative to requesting asylum or a stay on humanitarian grounds. This would enable more migrants to regularise their situation. A programme was being designed for regularising the situation of migrants, which would help to reduce delays in the asylum system. Mexico was also seeking other channels with third countries to ensure those who reached Mexico did so with a regularised status.
Mexico had been working with third countries, who recognised it was Mexico’s prerogative to admit foreign nationals onto their territory. Mexico had ratified certain procedures in airports and tried to improve the facilities of holding centres. The majority of refusals for entry into the country were due to inconsistency in entry interviews.
Since January this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could issue identity documents to refugees, stateless persons and those who did not have a consular office in Mexico. This would allow more documents to be provided to migrants. A memorandum had been signed in 2023 to try and foster family reunification, which was currently being revised, to see if it could be continued with the current United States administration. There was permanent communication between Mexico and the Canadian Government and there was an annual review of the bilateral agreements to bring about improvements. Mexico would review the information provided by civil society to raise any problems.
Mexico had not and would never enter into an agreement about the refoulment of third-party nationals. These expulsions were unilateral, and Mexico would respect the Supreme Court’s rulings on guidelines for receiving and supporting these people. A dialogue had been held with civil society organizations in the United States to step up the support provided by Mexico through its consular network. Since 2010, justice centres had been vital to providing services to women victims of violence transiting through Mexico. Between 2019 and 2023, a budget of 400 million pesos was provided to these centres to improve the facilities and training.
Last year, the Ministry of Labour established a platform which provided services for job seekers in Mexico who were from other countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had been working with the Mexican Government to implement local integration programmes, which had provided 50,000 jobs for refugees so far in Mexico. All programmes supported the issuance of necessary documents, such as banking services. The Government had been working with the banking association to ensure they would provide services to refugees and migrants.
Mexico recognised that education was a vital pillar for development, and there were programmes allowing the continuation of studies, including for those who had been repatriated back to Mexico. Vocational courses were provided for returnee and repatriated Mexicans. A raft of educational material had been designed, including handbooks which focused on the needs of migrant children and looked at ways to encourage them to pursue education. The process for granting refugee status to Haitian migrants had been accelerated.
Questions by Committee Experts
PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico,asked what mechanisms and tools existed to ensure the recommendations of the treaty bodies were implemented? What authorities were involved in migration checks and verifications? Had the recommendation to create a register of detained migrants been followed up on? What was being done to follow up on the Amparo court ruling regarding the maximum detention period of 36 hours?
The Committee had heard that in some cases people were held for up to 15 days before their migration cases were reviewed. What resources were made available to detainees during the 36-hour time frame? How were the cases of children heard and deferred? How was the child protection office in Mexico coordinating with its counterparts abroad in Honduras, Haiti and the United States to better serve children and make a decision on their case?
What was being done to promote the registration of the births of Mexicans abroad? Did they automatically have the right to Mexican nationality? What consular support services were in place for Mexicans who had been detained on migration grounds? What was Mexico doing at the foreign policy and foreign relations level to push for regularisation for people who had been working in the agricultural sector in the United States for years? With the closure of the CBP 1 by Trump, some people had their asylum process for the United States interrupted; what was happening to them? Were the centres for comprehensive support and advice intended to replace the holding facilities, or would they sit alongside them?
MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked what resources were made available to the national human rights institution and the Better Group? What was being done to plug gaps with regard to data and statistics? The number of seasonal workers in Canada was constantly increasing; these workers had to pay their own tickets to Canada and their own rent. Were the long-term health impacts of the work on these workers taken into account, due to the handling of pesticides etc?
FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chairand Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, noted that the “United States Remain in Mexico policy”, required migrants to remain at the border while the United States Governments processed their cases; what had the Mexican State done to provide for these migrants who were forced to remain in Mexico in the hazardous border areas?
A Committee Expert said Mexico was at the very heart of migration and was a migration champion, which was honourable. The country’s geographic location placed it at the heart of migration to the United States, which was not a State party to the Convention. What would Mexico do to encourage the United States to regularise Mexican migrants in the United States?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said a register had been established for children and adolescents who were being processed by the migration authorities. There was a register for adults held in migration holding centres. The Ministry of Home Affairs was working on migration regularisation on family reunification grounds. The migration holding centres were established and improved to address the needs of those people who had been identified by the National Migration Institute as being in an irregular status. They had been taken there to be processed within 36 hours. The multiservice centres, on the other hand, had been designed for people who were on the move and had international protection needs. People on the move were provided with shelter, health services, and the opportunity to take up job offers.
Since the new United States administration took office on 20 January 2025 and there had been a harshening of migration policies, Mexico had strengthened its consular assistance in response. More than 5,000 legal advice meetings had been held under this programme, bolstered through the services of legal aid officers and partnerships with civil society organizations, who could provide services to Mexicans abroad. All the consular offices in the United States were linked to the electronic case management system; more than 1,600 cases were still active and were being followed through to their conclusion. An app was available which had direct interaction, as well as the Mexican Assistance and Support Office, which operated 24/7.
Consular visits to places of deprivation of liberty had also been bolstered under the new strategy, and in the first quarter of the year there had been an average of 30 visits per day. Mexico had been mapping the detention of migrants by the United States authorities and was able to immediately respond to them. Advice was being given to Mexican compatriots abroad, so they could stay informed and ensure they had the proper legal protections. The 10 repatriation centres which had been set up on the southern border with the United States provided health care services, nutrition, food and education to those who had been repatriated.
Mexico had pursued actions to simplify the number of hoops which had to be jumped through to ensure that the birth of a Mexican abroad could be registered. Mexico had amended the national civil status code to ensure statelessness could be avoided. There had been an investigation into the fire at the migration centre and various State institutions had been held responsible for failings. There had been a 70 per cent increase in the number of Americans migrating to Mexico in recent years, partially due to the lower cost of living.
The Mexican Government had pursued meaningful efforts to promote the regularisation of Mexican migrants in the United States. This included contributing to the Dreamers Programme, and forging partnerships and alliances with members of Congress and State officials to promote recognition of the positive impact of migrants.
The recommendations of human rights treaty bodies were channelled by a variety of thematic working groups. Mexico had played a key role in championing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Mexico had learned that tolerance and inclusion could be an effective response to a crisis like COVID-19.
Closing Remarks
PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico,thanked Mexico for the constructive dialogue. The Committee was fully aware of the complexity of human movement in Mexico as a phenomenon, due to the location, the sheer number of migrants, and the voluntary or forced returns of Mexican compatriots, coupled with drug trafficking and the fact that Mexico was a neighbour of the world’s largest drug consumer. Mexico had taken some positive steps, and the Committee looked forward to working collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges.
MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said Mexico was one of the champions of migration around the world. The State was in a challenging situation due to being an origin, transit and destination country. It was hoped that Mexico would be a key promoter of general comment no. 6 and that it would continue to champion the Convention. Mr. Charef wished the State every success in delivering on migrants’ rights.
FRANCISCA E. MÉNDEZ ESCOBAR, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, said Mexico continued to be committed to protecting the rights of migrants and upholding its international obligations. Mobility involved challenges, and the State should have a responsible attitude based on rights which adapted to a changing context. Mexico had made progress in protecting the rights of migrant children, adolescents, women and migrant workers, and would strengthen activities in areas where challenges remained to ensure the full implementation of the Convention. There were several ways in which the Committee could assist Mexico, including for the Committee to keep note of a compendium of best practices within the recommendations provided.
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Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
London, UK, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a market saturated with promises but short on performance, one platform is quickly becoming the talk of Germany’s crypto scene. Bitex Wealth, a leading AI-powered trading platform, has officially ranked among the Top 3 auto-trading solutions used by German investors, according to data compiled by multiple FinTech analytics sources in Q1 2025.
With its cutting-edge automation tools, instant withdrawal capability, and client-focused features, Bitex Wealth is being recognized not only for its technology, but also for its results. German users have responded in record numbers, with thousands of traders — from beginners to professionals — citing Bitex Wealth as their go-to platform for daily passive profits and seamless crypto investing.
The platform’s dramatic rise has also led to a surge in Bitex Wealth Bewertungen across the German crypto community, reflecting a broad wave of trust and satisfaction from active users.
Proven Performance for the German Market
Germany has long been seen as a cautious, regulation-oriented investment market. Yet Bitex Wealth has defied expectations by building massive traction among German crypto investors. The company’s success lies in its balance between innovation and control — offering institutional-grade automation without compromising user flexibility or security.
The company’s AI engine now executes over 70,000 trades per day, powered by real-time market scanning, predictive analysis, and adaptive learning based on user preferences. Whether users are trading BTC, ETH, or altcoin pairs, the system ensures that every trade is data-driven, risk-adjusted, and optimized for the best entry and exit.
More importantly, the system is fully automated, enabling users to generate consistent profits without spending hours studying charts or tracking news cycles. According to recent Bitex Wealth Bewertungen, most German users activate the system within minutes and start seeing daily returns within the first week.
What German Users Are Saying
Bitex Wealth’s rise in Germany is not a marketing success — it’s a performance story. The platform’s rapid growth is backed by a wave of satisfied users who are eager to share how it has changed the way they invest.
Here are three verified testimonials from German clients:
Lena B. – Hamburg, Germany “I joined Bitex Wealth in January after reading positive Bitex Wealth Bewertungen. I was skeptical at first, but after 45 days, my portfolio had grown by 64%. I don’t need to babysit the market anymore — the AI does it better than I ever could.”
Jonas H. – Berlin, Germany “I’ve used several platforms before, but Bitex Wealth is the first one that actually delivered consistent results. Withdrawals are instant, the interface is clean, and I get daily updates on my performance. German efficiency in crypto form!”
Monika F. – Frankfurt, Germany “As someone who works full-time, I never had time for active trading. Bitex Wealth’s auto-trading changed everything. I make money while I sleep, and the platform is fully compliant and easy to use. Best decision I’ve made in 2025.”
These sentiments are echoed in hundreds of Bitex Wealth Bewertungen shared across social media, forums, and financial news sites — with many users highlighting profitability, simplicity, and trust as the platform’s core strengths.
Instant Withdrawals and Total Transparency
One of Bitex Wealth’s standout features — and a reason it ranked so highly among German users — is its instant withdrawal infrastructure. Unlike traditional platforms that impose long waiting periods or minimum limits, Bitex Wealth allows users to withdraw profits instantly, 24/7, with no delays or hidden fees.
Users can transfer their funds in crypto or fiat, directly to their wallet or bank account, with real-time transaction tracking and full reporting available inside the dashboard. This level of liquidity has earned praise in numerous Bitex Wealth Bewertungen, especially among German clients used to stringent banking protocols.
Additionally, the platform provides transparent reporting, including:
Real-time trade logs
Weekly and monthly PnL summaries
Risk exposure dashboards
Full tax export functions compatible with German regulations
AI Trading Without the Guesswork
The success of Bitex Wealth in Germany is deeply connected to its streamlined user experience. Unlike overly complex exchanges or bot frameworks, Bitex Wealth is designed so that anyone can trade like a pro, without writing code, tweaking strategies, or understanding technical indicators.
Features include:
One-click activation of AI trading
Customizable risk modes (Low, Medium, High)
Access to live performance statistics
Multi-asset trading (BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, and more)
Mobile and desktop accessibility
The AI adapts automatically to market volatility and adjusts position size and entry points dynamically. According to current Bitex Wealth Bewertungen, users across all experience levels report stable and growing portfolios, even during turbulent market phases.
Designed for Security and Compliance
Security is a critical concern for German users — and Bitex Wealth has built its infrastructure accordingly. The platform uses:
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Cold wallet storage for client funds
GDPR-compliant data processing
Encrypted trade logs and secure user dashboards
Partnered AML/KYC providers approved in the EU
This focus on compliance and transparency further boosts the platform’s credibility, making it an attractive solution for both casual investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Bitex Wealth Is Just Getting Started
As 2025 unfolds, Bitex Wealth continues to gain momentum — not just in Germany, but across the EU. Its entry into the Top 3 auto-trading platforms for German crypto users marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of retail investing.
With its powerful AI engine, real-time payouts, proven profitability, and unmatched user satisfaction reflected in countless Bitex Wealth Bewertungen, Bitex Wealth isn’t just another trading platform — it’s setting a new standard for what crypto trading should look like.
Priority question for written answer P-001378/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)
Given the recent wave of deaths at work in Sicily, five of which occurred in a single day[1], and of national statistics showing there to have been 1 090 deaths at work in Italy in 2024, urgent consideration needs to be given to measures to ensure safety at the workplace.
EU legislation, with Framework Directive 89/391/EEC, requires employers to ensure the health and safety of workers in all aspects of work. The European Strategy 2021-2027 takes a ‘Zero Vision’ approach aimed at completely eliminating accidents at work by strengthening the protection of workers in the EU.
The European Union can play a crucial role in this context by stepping up prevention measures, especially in regions such as Sicily, where statistics show the situation to be particularly alarming, with an accident rate 125 % higher than the national average[2].
Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions:
1.Is it aware of the serious incidence of fatal accidents at work in Sicily, and what action might it take to investigate the causes of this?
2.What plans are there to bolster support for Member States to help them achieve the ‘Zero Vision’[3] of accidents at work, as part of the European Strategy 2021-2027[4]?
Border Regions’ instrument for development and growth (BRIDGEforEU) Sandro Gozi
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
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Amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 as regards the scope of the rules for benchmarks, the use in the Union of benchmarks provided by an administrator located in a third country, and certain reporting requirements Jonás Fernández
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
82
European Union labour market statistics on businesses Irene Tinagli
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
60
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: application EGF/2024/003 BE/Van Hool – Belgium Janusz Lewandowski
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(possibly) Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
20
A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world Siegfried Mureşan, Carla Tavares
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Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least; Alternative motions for resolutions
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
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Joint alternative motions for resolutions
Friday, 2 May 2025, 10:00
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2023 discharge: EU general budget – Commission, executive agencies and European Development Funds Niclas Herbst
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
68
2023 discharge: EU general budget – European Council and Council Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0052/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
69
2023 discharge: EU general budget – Court of Justice of the European Union Cristian Terheş (A10-0050/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
70
2023 discharge: EU general budget – Court of Auditors Dick Erixon (A10-0047/2025)
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
71
2023 discharge: EU general budget – European Economic and Social Committee Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0054/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
72
2023 discharge: EU general budget – Committee of the Regions Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0046/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
73
2023 discharge: EU general budget – European Ombudsman Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0055/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
74
2023 discharge: EU general budget – European Data Protection Supervisor Joachim Stanisław Brudziński (A10-0053/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
76
2023 discharge: EU general budget – European Public Prosecutor’s Office Tomáš Zdechovský (A10-0051/2025)
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Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
77
2023 discharge: EU general budget – Agencies Erik Marquardt
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
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2023 discharge: EU general budget – Joint Undertakings Michal Wiezik (A10-0056/2025)
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Amendments
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 13:00
Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes
Texts put to the vote on Tuesday
Friday, 2 May 2025, 12:00
Texts put to the vote on Wednesday
Monday, 5 May 2025, 19:00
Texts put to the vote on Thursday
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 19:00
Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150)
AI is the New Industrial Revolution, Says Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw; Urges Stakeholders to Share Ideas on Integrating AI with Digital Public Infrastructure Aadhaar is the ‘Aadhaar’ of Many Initiatives and the Core of DPIs: Union Minister
UIDAI Hosts Third Aadhaar Samvaad in Delhi; Brings Together Over 750 Officials and Experts Innovation, Inclusion, and Integration for Smarter Governance and Secure Identities
UIDAI Unveils New Aadhaar App for Secure Digital Verification and QR-Based Data Sharing; Enhances User Privacy and Reduces Dependence on Physical Copies
Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) concluded a day long stakeholders meet with ecosystem partners including from central government departments and states to deliberate and share ideas to further enhance service delivery by using Aadhaar.
Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Railways and lnformation and Broadcasting Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the conference.
Nearly 750 senior policy makers, experts, technocrats, sectoral leaders and professionals came together for the ‘Aadhaar Samvaad’ in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Aadhaar serves as the foundation of multiple initiatives
In his inaugural address, the honourable minister Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw underlined how AI is like a new industrial revolution. He said Aadhaar is the ‘aadhaar’ of many initiatives and is the core of DPIs. He asked the stakeholders to share ideas on how we to integrate AI with DPIs to drive the growth further. All this, while preserving the privacy, he added.
Union Minister stated that the Central Government has a primary focus on improving ease of living further. He gave the example of Aadhaar face authentication in this context and how it is an enabler.
Addressing the stakeholders, Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said Aadhaar is allowing speed up inclusion and aiding economic growth. He said Aadhaar is a sophisticated system that preserves privacy and authenticates identity.
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), appreciated UIDAI for enabling the expansion of Aadhaar usage, and underlined the rapid growth of Aadhaar authentications. Garg touched upon how data is for development.
Shri Neelkanth Mishra , Chairman UIDAI spoke about Aadhaar’s role in the expansion of DPIs. UIDAI and Aadhaar have achieved a lot and there is a lot to do, he added. He said Face authentication is very helpful and it’s becoming more and more robust.
CEO UIDAI Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar said Aadhaar Face authentication is becoming the hallmark of the authentication landscape. He said Aadhaar ecosystem has grown big and UIDAI is prepared for future be it technology adoption or service delivery. He also mentioned a humane side of Aadhaar and how it is uniting hundreds of missing children with their families.
About Aadhaar Samvaad series
This is the third episode of the Aadhaar Samvaad series. At Bengaluru in November 2024, UIDAI focused around industries and technologies involved in digital identity space, the second edition, in January 2025 at Mumbai, focused on FinTech sector bringing together BFSI, fintech and and Telecom sectors. In this edition here in Delhi, the focus theme was Innovation, Inclusion and Integration, and how Aadhaar can be of more help in strengthening governance and bring more benefits to people.
After the inaugural session, the meet had focused discussions covering areas and themes like — Adoption of new technologies and processes in Aadhaar enrolment and authentication; Expanding Aadhaar usage for good governance; Strengthening Aadhaar enrolment and update ecosystem, data privacy.
UIDAI also showcased demos of some new products including the Sandbox and an upcoming new mobile app that will allow people to have more control on how much information they will to share while availing services.
UIDAI’s technology centre showcased the new Aadhaar app that will empower Aadhaar number holders to share only the necessary data while availing services of their choice. It will give Aadhaar number holders complete control over their personal information. The app allows digital verification and exchange via a requesting application or by scanning a QR code, eliminating the need for physical photocopies while ensuring privacy.
A major innovation in the app is the integration of Aadhaar Face Authentication, which is witnessing rapid adoption across sectors and have clocked over 15 crore transactions per month.
This app is an early adopters’ release for a small group of users including all the registered participants of this Aadhaar Samvaad event. Based on the feedback received from users and ecosystem partners, UIDAI will soon make it accessible to all.
UIDAI is hopeful that the outcome of this event will bring actionable insights which will enhance the Aadhaar usage and authentication services, and will also lay the foundation for implementation in new use cases further benefiting people.
Source: US National Agricultural Statistics Service
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting on April 29, 2025, starting at 12 p.m. ET. This virtual meeting is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required to attend this event.
The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share updates to USDA data and statistical products with the public and to solicit input on agency programs important to agriculture. The event is organized by NASS in cooperation with USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board, Farm Service Agency, Economic Research Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The Data Users’ Meeting is an invaluable resource for our data users, data producers, and all stakeholders involved in U.S. Agriculture,” said Lance Honig, Chair of the Agricultural Statistics Board. “This event fosters an open dialogue and invites feedback that is essential for driving progress and ensuring that NASS can continue to provide timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. Agriculture.”
This spring, the Data Users’ Meeting agenda includes agency updates and an open question forum for attendees. A detailed agenda and registration information are on the NASS website. The link to attend the meeting will be emailed to participants after registration. For more information, contact Marisa Reuber at Marisa.Reuber@usda.gov or 202-923-9416.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) sent a letter with 40 of her colleagues to the Department of Education expressing deep concern for the disbursement of Impact Aid. The letter addresses the impact on school districts and how the program fills funding gaps.
“We demand the immediate reversal of any Executive Orders that would halt the disbursement of Impact Aid funds through the Department of Education,” said the lawmakers.
In the letter, the lawmakers added, ” Students are our nation’s future leaders. It is the federal government’s job to ensure the needs of all students are met so that public education can remain a stable and accessible foundation for everyone to succeed, no matter their background or where they live.”
House members who signed onto the bipartisan letter are: Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07), Rep. Donald Davis (NC-01), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03), Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08), Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32), Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), Rep. Sarah McBride (DE At-Large), Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep. Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Rep. Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27).
You can read the full letter here or below:
The Honorable Linda McMahon Secretary United States Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202
April 8, 2025
Dear Secretary McMahon,
We write to you with deep concern about how the President’s recent Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education will affect the disbursement of Impact Aid. As you know, public schools are funded through state and local property taxes. However, in school districts where there is a significant amount of federal land, schools lose funding because federal lands are exempt from paying state and local property taxes.
Recognizing the importance of public education as the foundation of our society and to ensure that all students receive a fair education, the Impact Aid program was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1950. It is the nation’s oldest K-12 federal education program.
As established by law, funds are appropriated by Congress and administered by the Department of Education. Impact Aid is one of the only major federal education programs that is not forward funded, meaning that funds are used in real time to pay staff and keep schools operating.
Impact Aid is disbursed to over 1,000 school districts across the country, and it reaches nearly 8 million students. School districts that have military installations, Indian Trust and Treaty lands, federal low-rent housing facilities, Veterans Affairs facilities, national parks, and other U.S. government-owned properties located within their bounds miss out on thousands of taxpayer revenue every year, and Impact Aid helps to fill these gaps.
We are seeking clarification on how this program will be affected by the recent mass Reduction in Force (RIF) at the U.S. Department of Education, signed by the President on March 20, 2025. The reality is that the President has no right to eliminate the Department of Education as he is attempting to do without Congressional approval. These major staffing changes and potential disruption in program funding will adversely impact the educational outcomes of all students.
Impact Aid dollars are especially necessary for our nation’s military families. The U.S. maintains at least one military installation in all 50 states. While supplemental Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Impact Aid is distributed separately, DoDEA relies on data provided by the Federal Impact Aid Program at the Department of Education. For these military-connected school districts, class sizes will rapidly increase, and low-income students and students with disabilities will be stripped of the resources they need to learn if funding is no longer distributed in a timely manner.
As stated in the President’s Executive Order, the intention of dismantling the Department of Education is to “return education authority to the States.” Impact Aid is a prime example of a federal program that skips bureaucratic tape as money is sent directly to school districts for their discretion to target funds wherever needs are the greatest. Ending this program or preventing its implementation directly contradicts the President’s intentions to give local communities and states more flexibility and freedom.
We are also concerned that the Department’s recent RIF saw a near total elimination of staff at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which the Impact Aid office relies upon to generate annual Local Contribution Rates (LCR). Without this data, recent progress in paying out final payments in a timely manner could be erased, with final payments possibly delayed by several fiscal years.
We demand the immediate reversal of any Executive Orders that would halt the disbursement of Impact Aid funds through the Department of Education.
Additionally, we request your answer to the following questions:
Have Impact Aid staff through the Department of Education been let go? If so, who plans to oversee the Impact Aid program in their absence?
Once the Department of Education is no longer operational, will Impact Aid be moved to the jurisdiction of another federal department?
School districts currently have to apply for Impact Aid through the Department of Education. If the Department is closed, where will districts send their applications?
Where will DoDEA get their data from for the Supplemental Impact Aid Program to eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs) since they’ve previously relied on the Department of Education for this information?
When will FY 2025 funds be made available to the Impact Aid Program Office to disburse directly to eligible school districts?
FY 2026 grant applications were submitted with a deadline of January 31, 2025. How will the International Activities Program (IAP) receive the LCR data that NCES provides to determine how much funding school districts will receive?
Students are the future leaders of our nation. It is the federal government’s job to ensure the needs of all students are met so that public education can remain a stable and accessible foundation for everyone to succeed, no matter their background or where they live. We look forward to your prompt response and explanation of how Impact Aid will continue to serve its important mission for students across the country.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at food additives type 2 diabetes incidence.
Dr Nerys Astbury, Associate Professor of Diet & Obesity, Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, said:
“This prospective study conducted in France explores the association between the amount of common mixtures of food additives and the risk of future development of type 2 diabetes.
“The study reports that there was no association between the consumption of three of the mixtures studies and type 2 diabetes. There were positive associations between the consumption of two of the mixtures investigated including a mixture including emulsifiers/gelling agents including modified starches, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan and xantham gum which the authors show were linked with the consumption of dairy desserts and fats and sauces; as well as a mixture including artificial sweeteners and acidity regulators which were linked with consumption of low-energy/diet soft drink consumption.
“Previous studies have reported associations between some of these individual food additives and risk of type 2 diabetes, but additives are commonly included in foods in mixtures where they may have interactive effects. Indeed the authors showed in their exploratory analysis that there were both synergistic and antagonist interactions between several food additives.
“One limitation of this study is that the mixtures of additives investigated include a range of different additives with different functional properties, with some additives included in more than one mixture group, meaning it is not possible to ascertain whether the effects observed can be attributed to groups of additives with similar functional properties.
“The authors controlled for typical type 2 diabetes risk factors including age, sex, body mass index, physical activity level, smoking status, educational level and profession. But it is possible that other factors that were not controlled for may have influenced the relationship.
“Some of the findings may subject to reverse causality, where the outcome (in this case type 2 diabetes diagnosis) precedes, and therefore influences the presumed cause (in this case the consumption of the food additive mixtures). For example, if a person knew they were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because they either had a family history of the condition, or that a doctor conducted tests to show they had pre-diabetes, they may decide to make lifestyle choices to reduce their risk of developing the condition. One thing they might decide to do is replace sugar sweetened beverages for low-energy or diet versions.
“It is important to note that by design this study can only demonstrate association, it cannot say whether the consumption of these additives (or the foods that contain then) caused or contributed to the development of type 2 diabetes. To determine causality large scale complex clinical trials are required.
“The growing interest in the effects of consuming ultra-processed foods, which contain additives to enhance taste, flavour, texture and improve shelf life of food products, means this study is important and timely and adds to the growing body of evidence of association between increased consumption of common food additives and adverse health outcomes. Further research is needed to ascertain a causal link and establish the mechanisms.”
Prof Nita Forouhi, Professor of Population Health and Nutrition, and Programme Leader of the Nutritional Epidemiology programme, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, said:
“The researchers in France once again tapped into the only existing research study that has the relevant data to investigate links between different types of food additives and risk of chronic diseases. They have extended their previous findings on the links of individual additive emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners with risk of type 2 diabetes to now identifying food additive mixtures that are frequently consumed together, reporting that the associations were not strongly driven by a unique additive alone and suggesting that interactions between types of food additives may play a role.
“The authors identified 269 food additives consumed by over 100,000 study participants, quantifying additive intakes from repeated 24h recalls over a long time using multiple sources and they hence provide probably the most comprehensive additives database to-date. Using 75 of these additives that were consumed by at least 5%of the study participants, they statistically derived five food additive mixture groups, of which two were associated modestly with the development of type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that these associations are present at population level intake doses of additives in their usual diets. However, it is unknown if additives consumed by a smaller proportion of the study population but in higher doses would have been related with the risk of type 2 diabetes. A sensitivity analysis testing this would have been informative.
“This research helps to an extent with understanding mechanisms through which ultra-processed foods (UPFs), that typically contain mixtures of additives, may be related with disease risk. This is an important research gap to fill because a lack of evidence on mechanisms by which UPFs may be related with health harms, over and above the links already established for foods high in (saturated) fat, sugar and salt, is part of the reason for withholding a specific government policy on UPF reduction in the UK.
“It is important to distinguish between additive mixtures by their food sources as we know from other research that not all UPFs are the same, with some being potentially harmful and others not. Moreover, their analysis has not accounted for the proportion of UPF in the diet. Also, the five food additive mixture groups the researchers identified were related with a limited set of food groups, largely cakes, biscuits, savoury snacks, broth, dairy desserts, fats and sauces and sugar sweetened or artificially sweetened drinks. Thus, it is unclear if additives from other food groups not identified in this study population may be relevant in other populations.
“Several of the current analyses were appropriate, such as adjusting for a comprehensive range of factors (including accounting for saturated fat, salt and added sugar), doing sensitivity analyses, checking the stability of food additive mixture intakes over time, and testing whether the additive mixtures found associated with type 2 diabetes contributed to mediating the associations between the food groups most associated with these mixtures and incidence of type 2 diabetes. But, there were also important limitations the authors did not or could not address.
“Exposure to food additives could not be validated against blood or urine biomarkers due to a lack of specific biomarkers. Many tests for interaction were performed but it is unclear if there was adequate statistical power. The data variables used in analysis, such as dietary intakes or health behaviours like physical activity or smoking and alcohol intake, are likely to vary over time but only baseline data, not time-varying data were used. The authors showed several participant characteristics in the cohort at the study baseline but did not show these characteristics by total food additive or food additive mixture types, which is relevant to understanding the appropriateness of their analytical strategy. This research included mostly women (80% of participants), so the findings in men remain under-studied. The authors acknowledge that they could not collect data on ethnicity so the generalisability of findings to different population sub-groups is unclear but there seems no strong reason to expect that findings would vary in different ethnic groups. Nonetheless, future studies in diverse populations should apply the current study methods to test the reported findings. The authors appropriately acknowledged the limitations of observational research, but such research remains an important part of the evidence base.
“More investment in research is needed to replicate the findings of this currently sole resource of the NutriNet-Sante’ study that has generated relevant data for the study of food additives. In the meantime, we should take these current findings seriously and build further upon them to help understand the mechanistic links between UPF-related additive mixtures and human health.”
Prof Tom Sanders, Professor emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said:
“This new report from a French prospective study (NutriNet-Santé) is an analysis of food additive intake based on estimates of dietary intake based on recall, and subsequent risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 79% of the participants were female and the average age was 42. After 7.7 years of follow up, they found 2 out of 5 mixtures of additives were associated with very small increases in risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The first mixture was associated with an 8% increase in risk – this consisted mainly of food additives used to thicken foods and drinks (guar gum, carrageenan xanthan gum), polyphosphates (that help retain water), curcumin (a naturally occurring yellow food colour used mainly in margarine) and potassium sorbate (a preservative). The second mixture was associated with a 13% increase in risk, this consisted of a diverse mixture of additives but included several that are used in soft drinks – citric acid, sodium citrates, phosphoric acid, sulphite ammonia caramel (used in cola drinks), acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, arabic gum, malic acid, carnauba wax (a glazing agent), paprika extract, anthocyanins (purple natural colours), guar gum, and pectin.
Limitations
“This was an observational study and not a controlled trial and can only suggest associations. A major limitation of this study is that the incidence of type 2 diabetes was low over the follow up period. Over the follow-period only 1% of the 108,643 participants developed type 2 diabetes. This may well be because the average body mass index (23 kg/m2) was close to the ideal level (22.5). A potential strength claimed is that multiple estimates of dietary intake were made over the follow-up period (on average 5 occasions). However, these estimates were based on what the participants remembered eating the previous day. A daily recall only provides data for one day and is not a good measure of usual dietary intake which needs a longer period of recording (preferable taking into seasonal variations in account). Dietary recalls also lack the granularity in terms of detail regarding portion size and brand which are important for estimating the intake of food additives.
“Dietary recalls are subject to reporting bias (over-reporting fruit and vegetable intake and under-reporting food and drink that regarded being less healthy, e.g. alcohol and confectionery). The reported dietary intake of sugar is extremely high (198g, equivalent about 50 cubes of sugar per day). This raises questions regarding the reliability of intake data.
“The statistical analyses involved creating mixtures of food additives by a form of statistical analysis by computer not by a prior hypothesis. Associations of mixtures of food additives are likely to be reflective of overall dietary patterns or components (e.g. fizzy drinks). While this type of exploratory statistical analyses can be used to create new hypotheses, the results should never be used as evidence of causality.
“There seems to be no scientific basis for relating the components of these mixtures of food additives to risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, citric acid probably accounts for the bulk of food additives consumed. The body makes enormous amounts in the citric acid cycle (the Krebs cycle) to generate metabolic energy. It is also present in quite high amounts in fruit and vegetables. Gums are used as thickeners in some foods like yogurt. There is no reason to suspect that gums would have an adverse effect on risk of diabetes especially as studies have shown that gums slow glucose absorption and can improve blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The association of artificial sweetener intake with risk of diabetes is well known but not thought to be causal, as recently discussed by SACN (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-statement-on-the-who-guideline-on-non-sugar-sweeteners/sacn-statement-on-the-who-guideline-on-non-sugar-sweeteners-summary).
Conclusion
“My concern is that a “toxic cocktail of food additives” narrative may detract from sensible dietary advice to maintain a healthy weight.”
Dr George Savva, Senior Research Scientist, Quadram Institute, said:
“This study adds to the evidence that people who consume more food additives associated with sugary and sweetened drinks have a higher risk of diabetes, after controlling for overall calories, sugar intake, saturated fats and other aspects of diet. A smaller association was seen for a second group associated with dairy desserts, broths, fats and sauces. Other major groups of additives, including those associated with cakes and biscuits, showed no association with incident diabetes.
“The study was large with a very detailed dietary assessment, but is limited by being non-randomised and being conducted in a volunteer cohort. The authors did try to control for demographic and lifestyle factors like exercise and smoking but this is difficult to do well. So, although the control for other aspects of diet was good, it is possible that other factors led to higher risk of diabetes in this group. Showing no association between diabetes and additives linked to cakes, biscuits and snacks may suggest that residual confounding isn’t a huge problem in this study (because if other aspects of diet and lifestyle were really causing this association we might also expect to see a positive association between diabetes and the group of additives associated with cakes and biscuits).
“Considering mixtures of additives is interesting because they are rarely consumed in isolation; as the study shows many difficult additives are often used together. The evidence was strong that consuming additives associated with sugary and sweetened drinks was particularly associated with getting diabetes later in life, but there was little evidence for any particular additive or combination of additives being the main driver of that risk.
“It is difficult to study the impact of food additives using randomised controlled trials, because they are highly prevalent in our diets and the effects are likely to take many years to manifest. So it is important to attempt to study their effects in studies like this, and to combine with evidence from other kinds of studies to understand whether and how additives might harm metabolic health.”
Prof Alan Boobis, Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, Imperial College London, said:
“My takeaway from this is that it is an observational study and as acknowledged by the authors, association does not necessarily mean causation. The findings are important in generating hypotheses, but further investigation would be necessary to inform advice to consumers. It is unclear whether the mixtures themselves or key components are involved, or whether, despite adjustments for other components of the diet, the mixtures are indicative of some other characteristics of the subjects.”
Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:
“I can see this paper leading to more scary headlines about food additives, but although the work is based on a large dataset, we need to be careful about what conclusions are drawn from it.
“As the authors themselves clearly state, the study does not prove that food additives cause diabetes. All that is reported are slight associations between certain mixtures of some additives and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, and there are some large caveats to this.
“Firstly, an association between two factors does not mean one caused the other; it just means there appears to be an association between them.
“Secondly, the authors didn’t measure food additive intake directly. They relied on self-reporting of food intake from study participants and then estimated the additive intake from this. This is a reasonable approach, but self-reported data is often inaccurate. This means great care must be taken in interpreting the results.
“It is also not clear from the main paper how the authors classified someone as having diabetes. Diagnosis does not seem to have been done by a medical professional but rather estimated by self-reported health data and medication use from a linked database. This is far from conclusive.
“So, whilst this is an interesting theoretical study, people should not worry. In the end, all that can really be said is that, based on self-reported data and estimations of possible food additive consumption and health conditions, there is a possible, small association between two specific mixtures of additives and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, and the error bars are pretty big on even this conclusion.”
Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:
“This is a complicated study in terms of the statistical and computational methods it uses. I think its results are pretty hard to interpret. The meaning of the word ‘mixtures’ in the findings is, I’d say, so different from the everyday meaning of the word as to be potentially pretty confusing. The researchers, rightly, warn that their study cannot establish whether consuming particular mixtures of food additives causes the associations with type 2 diabetes that they observed. The associations that they observed are, as the press release indicates, not very strong anyway. Also, there are questions, that might well be important, that just can’t be answered from this research.
“I take away two things from this study. First, there are some more indications that it may be important to consider potential associations between food additives and health by looking at several additives at once, rather than investigating them separately. Second, looking for such associations isn’t easy, and to do it convincingly would require other types of research than those used in this study.
“I’ll try to clarify what the researchers meant by a ‘food additive mixture’. You might expect that to mean that a participant in the study consumes a certain amount of a given set of additives, maybe two or three of them, and researchers would look at how their health is associated with consumption of this specific mixture.
“But what’s meant in this research is something wider and more complicated. The researchers collected data on how much each of the nearly 110,000 participants consumed of well over 200 different food additives. They then used a statistical method (called nonnegative matrix factorization) to summarize all this data into a score, for each participant, on five different scales that they called ‘mixtures’. And they then measured the statistical association between each of these five scores and the participants’ chance of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over time. They found associations between two of the scores and the risk of type 2 diabetes – the other three scores were not found to be associated with diabetes.
“The associations with diabetes risk were not particularly strong for either of these scores, though it’s difficult to explain in simple terms exactly how large they were, because of the difficulty of explaining what the actual scores are measuring.
“What makes this hard to link to an everyday idea of a ‘mixture’ is that each of the scores depends on the amounts of consumption of, potentially, a large number of different additives. Of the two ‘mixture’ scores that were found to be associated with diabetes risk, one mainly depends on the consumption of eight different additives, and the other on 14 additives, and in fact other additives than these 8 and 14 do come into the calculation as well.
“Also, two participants could get similar scores for one of these ‘mixtures’ by actually consuming different patterns of additives. So one participant could get a moderately high score on the first of these ‘mixtures’ by consuming food and drink containing a lot of modified starches but little or none of the other additives, while another participant could get the same score by consuming quite a lot of food containing other additives that contribute to this mixture, but very little or no modified starch. Others could also get the same score by a different pattern of consumption of additives that contribute to this ‘mixture’, possibly not overlapping much with the consumptions of the other two participants I’ve mentioned. In technical terms, this is an acceptable use of the term ‘mixture’, but it’s probably not what a non-scientist would think of.
“The researchers do emphasise that this study cannot establish causality. That is, although they found associations, that is, correlations, between the scores for two of their additive ‘mixtures’ and the risk of type 2 diabetes, they can’t say that it is the additive consumption that caused the differences in diabetes risk.
“That’s for several reasons. Mainly, it’s because the study is observational. The participants weren’t made to consume different patterns of additives by the researchers – they just ate what they would have eaten anyway, and the researchers recorded that as best they could (and there are always potential limitations on the accuracy of such recordings). So the observed associations could really be caused by some other factors that happen to be associated with food additive consumption, and also independently associated with diabetes risk. There’s just no way of telling what causes what, with any level of certainty, in this kind of study.
“In some circumstances, if a lot of different observational studies are all pointing in the same direction, one might be a little more confident about what’s causing what. But this is effectively the first study looking at data in this way on a major scale. As the researchers themselves say, in order to get good evidence on whether particular groups of food additives, when consumed alongside one another, do actually cause ill health, one would need to carry out studies of different kinds – so-called mechanistic studies, to learn more about what might actually be happening inside the body. This study might help a little in pointing to what further studies might be most useful, but it’s an observational study that did not itself measure anything going on inside the participants’ bodies or cells. I’m not a nutritional scientist so am not in a position to comment on how these mechanistic studies would best be done.
“The researchers did make statistical adjustments for several possibly factors that might have accounted for what they observed, and might be getting in the way of interpretations of cause and effect. But you can never adjust for everything potentially relevant, and data on some factors will simply not be available.
“In this study there’s an obvious question of whether the differences in diabetes risk could be due to the additives in people’s food and drink, or due to the non-additive parts of the food and drink that they consumed, or indeed due to other things entirely. After all, consuming a food additive generally involves consuming the food or drink that it’s been added to, and so will go along with consuming fats, sugars, proteins, fibre, and whatever else is in that food or drink.
“The researchers did investigate some aspects of this question, and did find limited evidence that the associations with diabetes risk depend on additives as well as other aspects of what’s in the food and drink, though I don’t feel that they really sorted this out very far. Anyway it would be very difficult to take account of all the possible food and drink components that are not classed as additives, as well as those that are, in a single statistical set of statistical analyses.
“Interestingly, among all the detailed results, the study found a limited amount of evidence that points to why it may be important to look at additives together rather than separately. In some cases, it appeared that consuming two additives, linked to diabetes risk, had a stronger association with the diabetes risk than you’d expect from looking at the additives separately; in other cases, it went the other way, with a lower risk from the combination of additives than you might expect from looking at them separately.”
Comments from our colleagues at the Australian SMC:
Professor Ian Rae is an expert on chemicals in the environment at the School of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne. He was also an advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme on chemicals in the environment and is former President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
“Type 2 diabetes arises when various parts of the body becoming resistant to the normal action of insulin, which is to pack sugar away in cells.
The result is elevated blood sugar levels that can cause damage to the eyes and to organs like the liver. The chance of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age, and it is associated with increased body weight, obesity and lack of physical activity, all of which track with age, too.
Exposure to chemical substances is not believed to be a cause of type 2 diabetes. The French researchers whose work is reported in this paper were testing not a single substance but instead they surveyed the effects of mixtures of additives that are commonly included in processed food, such as starch, pectin, vegetable gums, and citric acid which is also naturally present in some foods).
They identified two mixtures – of 8 and 15 constituents, respectively – that did correlate with slight effects. Only one of the mixtures included the kind of ‘chemical suspects’ that one expects to find in such studies, the two synthetic sweeteners, aspartame and sucralose. The associations between the mixtures and the condition were very weak, and similar mixtures that included many of the same constituents showed no association. Of course, association does not equal causation.
Testing a single substance for toxicity or the ability to damage our bodies in other ways is difficult enough. Only in a very few cases have pairs of substances or small groups of substances that are chemically closely related ever been tested. The results have been ambiguous, to say the least. Testing mixtures of 8 or 15 substances is just not good science. The authors themselves suggest that ‘the potential synergies and antagonisms may be of interest in future mechanistic investigations’ but that’s really just an admission that their own approach was overly optimistic in its search for a definite cause of type 2 diabetes.
Although it has involved a lot of work – not just by the 23 authors of this paper, but by the 100,000 people who were surveyed – the results are weak. I wondered why this was ever published.”
Ian has not declared any conflicts of interest.
Dr Alan Barclay is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney
“This French prospective cohort study identified small associations between certain mixtures of food additives and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The mixtures of additives were identified using computer algorithms. Study participants were predominantly female (79.2%), relatively young (average age 41 years), well-educated, and within the healthy weight range (average BMI 23.6 kg/m2). Ethnic background was not reported (ethical reasons cited).
Australia’s food supply is different from France’s, and it is not known how common the additive mixtures identified would be consumed in this country, and by whom.
In Australia, type 2 diabetes occurs most commonly after the age of 45 years, in overweight or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2) people (more frequently men than women), from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and incidence (new cases) has been decreasing over the past decade.
The observed associations are both less than 20%, so residual confounding is likely a significant problem within this study.
While novel, the generalisability of this French observational study to people at risk of type 2 diabetes living in Australia is unknown.
Our food supply is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the types and amounts of additives permitted to be added to foods and drinks is carefully assessed and reviewed on a regular basis.”
Potential conflict of interest: I consult to the National Retail Association.
Emeritus Professor Jennie Brand-Miller AM is from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, and Director of both the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service and Glycemic Index Foundation
“I find these results surprising because both mixtures contain substances that occur naturally in food and are recognised forms of dietary fibre (xanthan gums, guar gums and carrageenan). This means they provide fuel for our large bowel microbiome. Guar gum is a highly viscous fibre known to slow down the rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, more so than any other fibre. Citric acid is found in citrus fruits, and also slows down digestion and reduces glycaemia.
Both mechanisms would therefore be expected to REDUCE the risk of type 2 diabetes, not increase it. I suspect these findings are simply chance findings because the researchers looked at so many food additives.
At present, there is a bias towards finding fault with food additives and processed foods. In Australia, all food additives other than flavours are highly regulated with substantial data to back up their safety in the amounts used in food.”
Jennie’s conflict of interest declaration: I have no direct conflicts of interest. I receive royalties from popular books about nutrition, diabetes and health. I oversee a glycemic index testing company at the USYD. I consult to the China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries, the Novo Foundation and Zoe Global.
Dr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz is an epidemiologist and Senior Research Fellow from the University of Wollongong
“The authors here looked at whether diabetes risks were impacted by different mixtures of food additives. They found a very small increased risk of diabetes associated with two mixtures of additives, and no increase for the other three mixtures that they tested – these mixtures included a wide range of additives such as aspartame, guar gum, curcumin, and more.
The study is reasonably strong, but suffers from weaknesses in the underlying cohort. These results are entirely based on self-report, which is to say that the only information that the authors had on how many food additives people ate was how much they said they were eating. This form of self-report is notoriously unreliable and impossible to correct for in large epidemiological studies of this nature.
It’s also unclear what meaning these results have. The biggest risk increase in the study was seen for Mixture 5, which contained 14 different food additives including citric acid and paprika extract. But due to the complex methodology the authors used to create these mixtures, it’s not clear how you could implement these findings in your daily life. The closest the authors come is saying that it might be a good idea to reduce your soft drink intake, but we didn’t really need this study to know that. It’s an interesting piece of research, but it’s hard to see how the results could be used outside of a strictly research setting.”
Gideon has not declared any conflicts of interest.
Dr Evangeline Mantzioris is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and the Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia
“This study has looked at the impact of commonly used additives in ultra-processed foods in our food system and their association with Type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted on a large group of over 108,000 adults in France over a 7 ½ year time period. Dietary data was collected from dietary records every 6 months, and from this the intake of additives was calculated.
The researchers found that there were two groups of food additives that were linked with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In the statistical analyses the researchers took into account the participants’ weight, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle practice and their diet.
The first group of food additives included modified starches, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan, polyphosphates, potassium sorbates, curcumin, and xanthan gum. The other group included citric acid, sodium citrates, phosphoric acid, sulphite ammonia caramel, acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, arabic gum, malic acid, carnauba wax, paprika extract, anthocyanins, guar gum, and pectin.
However, it must be remembered that this is an observational study and not an experimental study, and hence a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be drawn from it. Additionally, the intake of food additives in the diet of the participants could not be verified by any blood or urine tests.
There is a growing evidence base of the impact of UPF [ultra-processed foods] on both physical, cognitive and mental health. As well as containing low levels of nutrients, high levels of saturated and trans fats, sugar and salt, UPF also contain food additives to improve taste and shelf life of foods. This study adds to this evidence base of the health risks associated with a high intake of UPFs.”
Evangeline has not declared any conflicts of interest.
‘Food additive mixtures and type 2 diabetes incidence: Results from the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort’ by Marie Payen de la Garanderie et al. was published in PLOS Medicine at 19:00 UK time on Tuesday 8 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004570
Declared interests
Dr Nerys Astbury: “No conflicts.”
Prof Nita Forouhi: “None.”
Prof Tom Sanders: “I have been retired for 10 years but during my career at King’s College London, I formerly acted as consultant for companies that made artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.
I am a member of the Programme Advisory Committee of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board which involves the review of research projects proposed by the Malaysia government.
I also used to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Dairy Platform up until 2015.
I did do some consultancy work on GRAS affirmation of high oleic palm oil for Archer Daniel Midland more than ten years ago.
My research group received oils and fats free of charge from Unilever and Archer Daniel Midland for our Food Standards Agency Research.
Tom was a member of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee that recommended that trans fatty acids be removed from the human food chain.
Member of the Science Committee British Nutrition Foundation. Honorary Nutritional Director HEART UK.
Before my retirement from King’s College London in 2014, I acted as a consultant to many companies and organisations involved in the manufacture of what are now designated ultraprocessed foods.
I used to be a consultant to the Breakfast Cereals Advisory Board of the Food and Drink Federation.
I used to be a consultant for aspartame more than a decade ago.
When I was doing research at King’ College London, the following applied: Tom does not hold any grants or have any consultancies with companies involved in the production or marketing of sugar-sweetened drinks. In reference to previous funding to Tom’s institution: £4.5 million was donated to King’s College London by Tate & Lyle in 2006; this funding finished in 2011. This money was given to the College and was in recognition of the discovery of the artificial sweetener sucralose by Prof Hough at the Queen Elizabeth College (QEC), which merged with King’s College London. The Tate & Lyle grant paid for the Clinical Research Centre at St Thomas’ that is run by the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust, it was not used to fund research on sugar. Tate & Lyle sold their sugar interests to American Sugar so the brand Tate & Lyle still exists but it is no longer linked to the company Tate & Lyle PLC, which gave the money to King’s College London in 2006.”
Dr George Savva: “I have no conflict of interest.”
Prof Alan Boobis: “My interests are: until recently, chair of the UK Committee on Toxicity (COT); member of the joint Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN)/COT working group on plant-based drinks; member of the External Advisory Committee, Michigan State University MSU Center for Research on Ingredient Safety (CRIS); member of the Board of Directors of ILSI (International Life Sciences Institute) Europe.”
Prof Oliver Jones: “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I don’t have any conflicts of interest to declare. However, many years ago, I worked on a project funded by the UK Food Standards Agency on the toxicity of pesticide mixtures.”
Prof Kevin McConway: “Previously a Trustee of the SMC and a member of its Advisory Committee.”
It’s clear: the world wants more Alberta. Alberta is world-renowned as a premier tourism destination, and it’s no secret why – from the majestic Rocky Mountains to the rolling golden prairies, from small-town charm to the province’s vibrant cities – there is something for everyone in Alberta.
Alberta’s government understands the importance of the province’s tourism sector, and with the creation of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, has been investing in its success. These investments are paying off. In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent. The province also experienced record international visitor expenditures, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
Data from the first three quarters of 2024 shows that Alberta’s tourism sector is continuing to boom. From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues have grown 10 per cent year over year, suggesting the province will once again break the record for annual visitor spending. Alberta is outperforming every other province in tourism sector growth, with data from the same period showing Alberta is advancing at a rate more than three times the national average.
“Alberta’s tourism economy is booming! It’s growing at an unprecedented rate, and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. Alberta’s government will continue working to unleash the potential of the province’s tourism industry, and the incredible tourism operators across the province will continue to show the world what we Albertans already know: Alberta is the best place in the world to live, play and visit.”
Alberta’s long-term provincial tourism strategy charts a path to growing Alberta’s visitor economy from $10 billion in annual visitor expenditures to $25 billion by 2035. The outstanding performance of Alberta’s tourism sector through 2023 and the first three quarters of 2024, coupled with Budget 2025’s continued investment in the sector and the responsible, sustainable tourism development that will occur thanks to the recently passed All-Season Resorts Act, Alberta is well on its way to achieving this goal.
“Tourism is a powerful economic driver and continues to have tangible benefits for communities and Albertans throughout our province. There has never been a better time to invest in tourism in Alberta, as the industry drives export revenues, fuels job creation, strengthens local businesses and showcases the province’s incredible natural and cultural assets to the world.”
National Tourism Week is celebrated April 7-11, highlighting the benefits of tourism for Alberta communities in supporting sustainable economic growth and jobs across the province.
Quick facts
As Alberta’s number one service export sector, tourism is a driving force in the provincial economy.
Alberta’s tourism sector employs more than 260,000 people in the province.
In 2023, Alberta broke records, with annual visitor expenditures soaring to $12.7 billion – surpassing the previous record by almost 20 per cent.
In 2023, a record-breaking approximately $3 billion was spent by international visitors to the province, solidifying Alberta’s position as a key destination on the world stage.
From January to September 2024, Alberta tourism revenues were $11.5 billion, compared with $10.5 billion for the same period in 2023 – a 10 per cent increase year over year.
In the first three quarters of 2024, Alberta’s tourism sector growth outpaced every other province, advancing at a rate more than double that of Ontario and British Columbia, and at more than three times the national average.
Statistics Canada determines spending through their Visitor Travel Survey. There is a lag of more than six months between data collection and publication of the data.
Related information
Higher ground: a tourism sector strategy
Related news
Alberta tourism soars to new heights (Sept. 25, 2024)
Alberta tourism shines on the national stage (Jan. 24, 2025)
Third Annual Summit Brings Together Business Leaders from Across Canada
Today, Premier Scott Moe delivered the keynote address to more than 300 business leaders and policymakers at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina.
“It has never been more clear how vital Saskatchewan is to ensuring food and energy security around the world,” Moe said. “The Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit emphasizes the province’s critical role in global trade and sustainable development, which is of utmost importance during this time of uncertainty. More and more countries are understanding the value that we bring to the table, realizing that choosing Saskatchewan is not just a good choice, but the right choice.”
The summit explored the global role the province plays, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, mining and energy. Through his keynote, Premier Moe discussed food, and energy security, cutting the carbon tax, the province’s tariff response plan and the importance of diversifying export markets.
“Saskatchewan’s approach to trade and investment has helped position our province as a reliable global partner in food, fuel and fertilizer,” Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO, Prabha Ramaswamy said. “With international engagement offices in 9 countries across the world, Saskatchewan is poised to diversify markets, expand market access for businesses, and supply these vital resources to the world. Events like the Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit showcase the leadership and resilience that make Saskatchewan a steady and trusted partner in uncertain times.”
In 2024, Saskatchewan’s exports reached over 160 countries, with eight markets that totaled over $1 billion. Last year the province saw international merchandise exports reach $45.4 billion, a top three record for Saskatchewan.
Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased last year by 17.3 per cent to $14.7 billion, ranking first among provinces for growth. Private capital investment is projected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 10.1 per cent over 2024. This is the second highest anticipated percentage increase among the provinces.
Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.8 billion, or 2.3 per cent. This ties Saskatchewan for second in the nation for real GDP growth and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.
All of this allows the Government of Saskatchewan to prioritize affordability, health care, education, and safer communities and deliver the services Saskatchewan people need and deserve.
No candidate has talked about a tax issue that is essential for life in free and democratic societies: tax literacy. If Canada is to maintain an informed, financially responsible and democratic society, tax literacy must become part of the national conversation.
A longstanding idea with modern relevance
The notion of tax literacy has been gaining traction in recent years, but it’s far from a new idea.
One of the earliest advocates for tax literacy and education was Charles Montesquieu, a French judge and political philosopher of the Enlightenment.
Portrait of Charles Montesquieu by an anonymous artist. (Wikimedia Commons)
First, he was convinced that knowledge about taxation was necessary to defend oneself against the corruption and abuse that characterized private tax collectors, known at the time as tax farmers.
Second, he believed education in democratic societies could enhance people’s sense of responsibility for public affairs and help hold authorities accountable for their actions. In his view, tax literacy and education were instrumental in how societies organized themselves for the common good.
More than 275 years later, Montesquieu’s argument remains just as relevant.
There are important reasons to treat tax literacy as a national priority. It helps people understand and navigate federal, provincial and municipal taxes, recognize the social importance of taxation and responsibly exercise their rights. It also allows people to manage their financial affairs according to the law.
Tax literacy is also instrumental in contesting economic populism, a political approach that claims to represent the interests of “ordinary people” against perceived elites, often by oversimplifying complex issues like taxation.
While Canada has done considerable work to further financial literacy since 2001, tax literacy has received far less attention from both authorities and scholars.
In fact, only two peer-reviewed studies have examined tax literacy in Canada. Published in 2016 and 2020, these studies analyze tax literacy within the context of financial literacy and mostly in relation to the income tax.
Similar to financial literacy, the authors of these studies define tax literacy as “having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible tax decisions.”
Taxes are far more than mandatory payments to government. Recognizing this enables citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes and hold governments accountable.
The fiscal dimension also broadens public understanding beyond the income tax. On one hand, it helps people interact with tax authorities beyond the CRA, including those administered by provinces, municipalities and First Nations.
On the other hand, it helps citizens better understand public budgets and recognize that while income tax is an important source of revenue, it is not the only one.
Tax literacy must become a national priority in Canada, and public institutions must lead this process. To move in this direction, Canada’s public institutions should:
1) Adopt a holistic approach to tax literacy that includes both the fiscal and financial dimensions.
4) Lead the production of education resources to ensure a holistic approach. Education resources produced or sponsored by the private sector tend to focus on individual responsibility and frame financial choices in moral terms without considering broader social contexts.
Now is the time for Canada to write a different chapter. By advancing tax literacy, both authorities and society as a whole can strengthen democracy and build a more informed public.
Esteban Vallejo Toledo receives funding from the Law Commission of Canada Emerging Scholars Program. He has previously received funding from SSHRC, LFBC, and UVic.
Samsung Electronics today announced an update to its global connected living platform, SmartThings — further enhancing the AI Home experience. SmartThings introduces new features and improvements each quarter to deliver a more convenient and seamlessly connected lifestyle for users.
The highlight of this update is the integration of SmartThings with Samsung Health, designed to improve users’ sleep environments while enabling more personalized automation experiences. The update also expands Calm Onboarding to support a wider range of devices and adds compatibility with the Matter 1.4 standard.
“SmartThings’ latest update represents our ongoing efforts to make the smart home more intuitive, connected and personalized,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings at Samsung Electronics. “We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of smart home innovation by empowering users though enhanced personalization and automation, including sleep wellness.”
Samsung Newsroom outlines some of the key changes below.
▲ (Left) A sleep environment summary card displayed in Galaxy Now Briefing, (Right) a detailed sleep environment report
▲ (Left) The automation routine setup screen with Samsung TV Plus actions, (Right) a broadcasting feature using SmartThings linked speakers
* The UI in the above image may differ from the actual app screen or may be subject to change.
Smarter Sleep Environments With Samsung Health Integration
Sleep environment reports1 from Samsung Health on Galaxy devices help users create optimal conditions for rest by providing detailed insights into key factors — such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels and light intensity — through connected devices and sensors. These reports summarize the previous night’s sleep conditions and offer personalized suggestions for improvement.
When paired with a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring, the latest update enables SmartThings to automatically adjust the environment based on the user’s actual sleep and wake times.2 For example, routines can be set to turn off lights and the TV at bedtime or to open curtains and play music in the morning.
Greater Flexibility With SmartThings Routines
With the latest update, SmartThings now supports automation routines based on recurring schedules — weekly, monthly or annual — offering added flexibility for a variety of scenarios. For instance, users can automatically change the color of smart lights to celebrate special occasions like family birthdays.
In addition, SmartThings routines now integrate with Samsung TV Plus on 2025 Samsung TV models. This allows users to include entertainment preferences in their smart home routines — whether it’s setting the TV to turn on the news in the morning or switching to a favorite channel at a preset time to ensure they don’t miss a show.
Broadcasting via SmartThings-Connected Speakers
A new broadcasting feature allows users to send voice messages across SmartThings-connected speakers, making in-home communication more convenient. For example, if a parent is away and sends a voice message through the SmartThings app — “I’ll be home soon, but have a snack from the fridge if you’re hungry” — it will automatically play on the designated home speaker. With real-time message delivery, families can stay connected no matter where they are.
Expanding Calm Onboarding to More Devices
Samsung has offered the Calm Onboarding3 feature since late 2023, streamlining setup for Samsung home appliances purchased through Samsung.com or official Samsung stores by linking the entire product journey — from order and delivery to connection with the SmartThings app.
In the latest SmartThings update, Samsung is expanding Calm Onboarding beyond its own products to include compatible third-party smart home devices for a more seamless and intuitive connectivity experience. Users who purchase SmartThings-compatible smart home devices directly from Samsung.com will now receive purchase and delivery updates within the SmartThings app. Additionally, users will receive step-by-step onboarding instructions to simplify product setup. The rollout will begin in Korea, with plans to expand to other countries.4
Matter 1.4 Support
SmartThings continues to advance the IoT landscape by expanding its support for Matter 1.4. The latest version of the standard includes a wide range of energy management devices — such as water heater, heat pump, solar power device, battery storage device, mounted on/off control switch and mounted dimmable load control device. These newly supported device categories build on existing popular device types like lights, thermostats, switches, air conditioners, air purifiers, fans, door locks and more.
By integrating AI-powered routines, broadening device compatibility and adopting the latest Matter standard, SmartThings reinforces its ongoing commitment to innovation — making the connected home more intelligent, energy-efficient and seamless for users and their families.
1 The Sleep environment report feature is available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones running One UI 7.0 or later and Samsung Health version 6.29 or later. Availability may expand in the future. For more information on compatible devices that can measure sleep environments, refer to the Sleep condition report under the “How to Use” section in the SmartThings app.2 Setting routines based on sleep conditions may not be supported in certain countries. This feature is available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones with One UI 7.0 or Samsung Health version 6.29 or later, with plans for future expansion. A connected device capable of detecting sleep and wakefulness — such as Galaxy Watch4/5/6/7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Fit3 and Galaxy Ring — is required. For more information, refer to the “Accessories” section in the sleep tab of the Samsung Health app.3 As of April 2025, the Calm Onboarding feature for Samsung products is available in 14 countries including Korea, the United States, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Further expansion is planned throughout the year.4 This support is planned for countries where the IoT Marketplace, which sells SmartThings compatible smart home devices on Samsung.com, is available. It will be first applied in Korea and gradually expanded to other countries.
A multi-day severe weather outbreak in the middle of March caused significant damage across several states from Texas to Tennessee, resulting in multiple fatalities. Two EF-4 tornadoes hit Arkansas on the same day.
Wildfires spread across parts of southern Appalachia—burning more than 30,000 acres—driven by strong winds and dry conditions, and exacerbated by the additional fuel available from downed trees following Hurricane Helene.
March was the sixth-warmest March on record for the contiguous U.S.
Map of the U.S. selected significant climate anomalies and events in March 2025.
Other Highlights:
Temperature
The average temperature of the contiguous U.S. in March was 46.9°F, 5.4°F above average. Generally, March temperatures were above average to much above average across most of the Lower 48, except for parts of California and the Southeast. Kansas had its fourth-warmest March on record (tied with 1946), with Nebraska and Texas recording their fifth warmest.
The Alaska statewide March temperature was 16.7°F, 5.9°F above the long-term average, ranking in the warmest third of the 101-year period of record. Southcentral Alaska and the North Slope experienced much-above-average temperatures during March.
For March, Hawai’i had an average temperature of 64.8°F, 1.3°F above the 1991–2020 average, ranking in the warmest third of the 35-year record. Kaua’i had its warmest March on record (for the 1991–2025 period of record).
For January–March, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 37.0°F, 1.8°F above average, ranking in the warmest third of the record for this period. Temperatures were near- to above-average across most of the contiguous U.S.
The Alaska January–March average temperature was 14.5°F, 8.6°F above the long-term average, ranking fourth warmest for the first three months of the year.
Hawai’i had its third-warmest (tied with 2004) January–March average temperature of 64.5°F, 1.2°F above the 1991–2020 average for this period.
Precipitation
March precipitation for the contiguous U.S. was 2.38 inches, 0.13 inch below average, ranking in the middle third of the historical record. Precipitation was below average over much of the northern Plains and parts of the central and southern Plains, the central to southern Rockies, the middle Mississippi Valley and from the Carolinas to the eastern Great Lakes, with some areas being much below average. Western regions experienced near- to above-average precipitation while the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the upper Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes regions had areas of much-above-average precipitation. West Virginia had its fifth-driest March, while Michigan and Wisconsin had their second- and fifth-wettest March on record, respectively.
Alaska’s average monthly precipitation in March ranked in the driest third on record.
Precipitation across Hawai’i in March averaged 4.23 inches, 2.62 inches below average, ranking in the middle third of the 1991–2025 record.
The January–March precipitation total for the contiguous U.S. was 5.92 inches, 1.04 inches below average, ranking in the driest third of the record for this period.
The January–March precipitation total for Alaska was 7.84 inches, 0.55 inch below average, ranking in the wettest third on record for the period.
Precipitation across Hawai’i from January–March was 11.54 inches, 5.52 inches below average, ranking in the middle third of the 1991–2025 record.
Drought
According to the April 1 U.S. Drought Monitor report, about 43.4% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, down about 1.0% from the beginning of March. Drought conditions expanded or intensified across parts of the Southwest and the southern and central Plains, while contracting or reducing in intensity across parts of the northern Rockies, Great Lakes and along portions of the middle and northern Atlantic coast.
Monthly Outlook
Above-average temperatures are likely across the Southwest, extending through the South and Gulf Coast to the Southeast. Drier-than-average conditions are favored in the Southwest and Florida Peninsula, while above-average rainfall is likely from the south-central Plains to the Ohio Valley.
Drought is expected to persist across much of the Southwest, northern Plains and parts of the central and southern Plains, while some drought improvement is expected in the Great Lakes region and along the northern Atlantic coast. Visit the Climate Prediction Center’s Official 30-Day Forecasts and U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook website for more details.
Significant wildland fire potential for April is above normal across parts of the Southwest, extending through the southern and central Plains, portions of the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley, the southern to Mid-Atlantic coastal regions and southern Alaska. For additional information on wildland fire potential, visit the National Interagency Fire Center’s One-Month Wildland Fire Outlook.
For more detailed climate information, check out our comprehensive March 2025U.S. Climate Reportscheduled for release on April 11, 2025. For additional information on the statistics provided here, visit theClimate at a GlanceandNational Mapswebpages.
As a specialty registrar in paediatric dentistry, I’ve seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health. Tooth decay happens when teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria breaking down sugar from foods and drinks – and although it’s largely preventable – it’s the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between five and nine in England.
Tooth decay in children is also linked to obesity. Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing other diseases throughout childhood and into adulthood, including diabetes, high blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
My research, conducted with colleagues at Loughborough University, explores how acceptable and feasible it is for dental teams to offer weight checks and support, such as referral to weight loss programmes, to patients during routine appointments. In my job as a paediatric dentist, I discuss weight and health with families and offer referral to local healthy lifestyle services.
The World Health Organization estimates that 43% of children have decay worldwide and 20% of children aged 5-19 years are overweight or living with obesity.
In England, 29.3% of five-year-olds have tooth decay and 21.3% of four and five year olds are overweight or living with obesity. A diet high in sugary foods and drinks increases the risk of developing both conditions. and evidence suggests that children who are overweight or living with obesity are more likely to have tooth decay.
Mouth disease is also linked with disease in other parts of the body. Gum disease, for example, is an infection of the tissues that support teeth, which has links with type 2 diabetes. When one disease is poorly controlled, it can make the other worse. The number of children with type 2 diabetes is increasing, with excess weight increasing the risk of developing this condition.
Given the links between diet, tooth decay, obesity, type 2 diabetes, as well as other diseases that can develop when living with obesity, dental teams may be ideal professionals to tackle both tooth decay and obesity. It can be difficult to see an NHS dentist in the UK but NHS dental teams do see millions of children every year and already advise families on reducing sugary foods and drinks in the diet to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Dental teams taking body measurements is not new. Height and weight measurements to calculate body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, are already collected by some dental teams. These measurements are helpful when prescribing medication and for planning dental treatment for children who need a general anaesthetic or sedation.
Some hospital dental teams, such as in Edinburgh and Dundee in Scotland, also offer weight and height checks for children and young people as part of routine appointments. The child’s weight is discussed with the child’s parent or carer in a sensitive way and families are offered referral to a local service to support healthy lifestyle changes.
This opportunity to support a child with their oral health as well as weight aligns with the NHS initiative, Making Every Contact Count. Making Every Contact Count calls on all health care professionals to take every opportunity within their appointments with patients to help improve patient health.
Children living in more deprived areas of the UK are at least twice as likely to be living with overweight and obesity. They’re also three times as likely to have tooth decay. The NHS aims to reduce these inequalities among children and has chosen oral health and diabetes as two key areas to improve care for children and young people.
The public have shown support for dental teams to talk about weight at dental visits and offer guidance to lose weight and improve health when done in a supportive way. Research published in 2024, found that over 80% of the public supported weight measurements being taken by dental teams and a discussion of weight at dental appointments. Most of the studies in this review came from the USA.
A UK based survey asked parents and carers if they would feel comfortable with their child(ren)’s weight and height being taken at a dental appointment in a dental practice. The survey found 58% of parents and carers would feel comfortable and a further 12% might feel comfortable with this approach.
This was very similar to how adults completing the survey felt about having their own height and weight measured at a dental appointment with 60% reporting they would feel comfortable and a further 10% saying they may feel comfortable.
Discussing weight can feel uneasy and dental teams say they worry they will upset patients if they talk about weight. Some studies have found dental teams are also concerned they do not have enough time to talk about weight and that they have not had training on how to do this.
However, studies have found when weight checks and support are offered to families by trained dental teams, help is well received and lack of time rarely a problem.
Dental decay and obesity are preventable in many cases. Both conditions can continue into adulthood with the risk of developing other health problems.
Research shows that dental teams are willing to provide support and that children and their families are open to receiving help for obesity. Dental teams do have an important role to play, as well as GPs and allied healthcare professionals, in tackling obesity in children as well as tooth decay.
Jessica Large does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The “liberation day” tariffs announced by US president Donald Trump have one thing in common – they are being applied to goods only. Trade in services between the US and its partners is not affected. This is the perfect example of Trump’s peculiar focus on trade in goods and, by extension, his nostalgic but outdated obsession with manufacturing.
The fallout from liberation day continues, with markets down around the world. The decision to apply tariffs on a country-by-country basis means that rules about where a product is deemed to come from are now of central importance.
The stakes for getting it wrong could be high. Trump has threatened that anyone seeking to avoid tariffs by shifting the supposed origin of a product to a country with lower rates could face a ten-year jail term.
The White House initially refused to specify how it came up with the tariff levels. But it appears that each country’s rate was arrived at by taking the US goods trade deficit with that country, dividing it by the value of that country’s goods exports to the US and then halving it, with 10% set as the minimum.
It has been noted that this is effectively the approach suggested by AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Grok when asked how to create “an even playing field”.
Economically, Trump’s fixation on goods makes no sense. This view is not unique to the president (though he feels it unusually strongly). There is a broader fetishisation of manufacturing in many countries. One theory is that it is potentially ingrained in human thinking by pre-historic experiences of finding food, fuel and shelter dominating all other activities.
But for Trump, the thinking is likely related to a combination of nostalgia for a bygone (somewhat imagined) age of manufacturing, and concern over the loss of quality jobs that provide a solid standard of living for blue collar workers – a core part of his political base.
Nostalgia is not a sensible basis for forming economic policy. But the role emotions play in international affairs has been receiving more attention. It has been identified as an “emotional turn” (where the importance of emotion is recognised) in the discipline of international relations.
Of course, that’s not to say that the concern over jobs and the unequal effects of globalisation is misplaced. It is clear that blue-collar workers have suffered in the US (and elsewhere) for the last 40 to 50 years, with governments paying little attention to the decline.
Many blue-collar workers, like these GM car plant employees in Missouri, have paid a high price for globalisation. Jon Rehg/Shutterstock
Data on weekly earnings in the US split by educational level show that wages for those without a degree have declined or stagnated since around 1973, particularly among men. This is the cohort that disproportionately voted for Trump. Globalisation has created many benefits, not least to the United States, but these tend to be concentrated among the better educated.
All too often the service-sector jobs that have filled the gap left by declining manufacturing have been precarious. That means low wages, low security, lack of union representation and few opportunities for moving up the ladder. It is unsurprising that there has been a backlash.
Can’t turn back the clock
So will Trump’s tariffs plan address this? The great tragedy is that there is little reason to think that they will.
The loss of manufacturing jobs is partly about globalisation, which Trump is seeking to reverse. But research shows that trade and globalisation are often more of a scapegoat than a driving force, responsible for only a small chunk of job losses (typically said to be about 10%).
The main cause of manufacturing’s decline is rising productivity. Today it simply requires fewer people to make goods due to the relentless increase in automation and the associated rise in how much each worker produces.
If the whole US trade deficit were rebalanced through expanding domestic industries, this would increase the share of manufacturing employment within the US by about one percentage point, from about 8% today to 9% according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. This is not going to be transformative.
The effects of tariffs are also doubled-edged. They will probably shift some manufacturing back to the US – but this could be self-defeating. More US steel production is good for workers, but the higher cost of US steel feeds through to higher prices for the products manufactured with it.
This includes the cars Trump obsesses about. Less competitive prices means lower exports and a loss of jobs. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
The 1950s were a unique time. By the end of the second world war, the US was a manufacturing powerhouse, accounting for one third of the world’s exports while taking only around a tenth of its imports.
There were few other industrialised countries at the time, and these had been flattened by the war. The US alone had avoided this, creating a world of massive demand for US exports since nowhere else had a significant manufacturing base. That was never going to last forever.
The other point about that time in history is that the economic system had been shaped by colonialism. European powers had used their position of power to prevent the rest of the world from industrialising. As those empires were dismantled and the shackles came off, those newly independent countries began their own processes of industrialisation.
As for the US today, President Trump is mistaken if he really believes that tariffs will bring a new golden age of manufacturing. The world has changed.
James Scott does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
To attract business investment, American cities and states offer companies billions of dollars in incentives, such as tax credits. As the theory goes, when governments create a business-friendly environment, it encourages investment, leading to job creation and economic growth.
While this theory may seem logical on its face, it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Business investment follows employees, not just the other way around. In fact, our research suggests workers care less about whether a city has business-friendly policies and more about how safe they feel living in it. And interestingly, we found that politics influence people’s risk perceptions more than hard data such as crime statistics.
Our findings have major implications for cities and businesses. If people choose where to live and work based on perceived safety rather than economic incentives, then entrepreneurs and city leaders may need to rethink how they approach growth and investment.
The many faces of risk
We are managementprofessors who surveyed more than 500 employees and entrepreneurs from across the country to better understand how they rate 25 large U.S. cities on various dimensions of risk.
We asked about three different types of risk: risk related to crime, government function and social issues. Risk related to government function includes corruption and instability, while risk related to social issues includes potential infringements on individual rights.
We found that people’s views of risk weren’t driven primarily by objective statistics, such as FBI crime data. Instead, they were shaped by factors such as media representations, word of mouth and geographic stereotypes.
For example, studies suggest that crime in Denver has been rising, and U.S. News and World Report recently ranked it as the 10th most dangerous city based on FBI crime reports. However, the employees and entrepreneurs we surveyed ranked Denver as the safest city in the country.
It’s all politics
We found that political perspectives were the main factor biasing the rankings. For example, conservative-leaning employees and entrepreneurs believed that Portland, Oregon, is dangerous, ranking it as America’s ninth-riskiest city. In contrast, those who are liberal-leaning ranked it as the second-safest city in the country.
Both of these beliefs can’t be accurate. Instead, when basing the ranking on objective crime data from the FBI, U.S. News ranked Portland the 15th most dangerous city in the country.
When assessing risk related to how the government functions, conservatives praised politicians in Nashville, Charlotte and Dallas, while the liberals praised those in Denver, Minneapolis and Portland. Similarly, when considering risk related to social issues, conservatives said New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco were “risky,” while the liberals said Tampa, Miami and Houston should be avoided.
Our findings also suggest that political perspectives influence the types of risk that employers and employees care about. For example, conservatives tend to care more about crime-related risk than liberals, and liberals care more about risk related to social issues.
Now what?
We’re not advocating that city leaders drop financial incentives altogether, or that employers ignore them. Evidence suggests that financialincentives and other business-friendly policiesmay be effective at attracting businesses and strengthening local economies.
However, our research suggests that when individuals are making important life decisions about where to live, work and invest, a city’s level of risk matters. Importantly, beliefs about risk are subjective and are biased by political perspectives.
In our view, city leaders must recognize and address concerns about crime, governance and social issues while actively working to improve public perceptions of their cities. Likewise, businesses may want to consider investing in cities that are less politically polarized when making investment decisions.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Newly found subatomic phenomenon known as fractional excitons have unique properties predicted by earlier theoretical work
Supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, physicists have revealed the presence of a previously unobserved type of subatomic phenomenon called a fractional exciton. Their findings confirm theoretical predictions of a quasiparticle with unique quantum properties that behaves as though it is made of equal fractions of opposite electric charges bound together by mutual attraction.
The discovery was supported by NSF through multiple grants and laboratory work performed at the NSF National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. The results are published in Nature and show potential for developing new ways to improve how information is stored and manipulated at the quantum level, which could lead to faster and more reliable quantum computers.
“Our findings point toward an entirely new class of quantum particles that carry no overall charge but follow unique quantum statistics,” says Jia Li, leader of the research team and associate professor of physics at Brown University. “The most exciting part is that this discovery unlocks a range of novel quantum phases of matter, presenting a new frontier for future research, deepening our understanding of fundamental physics and even opening up new possibilities in quantum computation.”
Li and his team were able to observe fractional excitons by using a phenomenon known as the fractional quantum Hall effect, which occurs when a strong magnetic field is applied to layers of atomically thin materials at very low temperatures. Under these conditions, the electrons flowing through the layers behave as though they have broken up into fractions of a single electron, containing only a portion of a single electron’s negative charge. Identical but opposite fractional amounts of positive charge, called “holes,” were also observed in adjacent layers within the material.
The researchers found that the attraction between the two oppositely charged fractional particles creates the predicted fractional exciton.
“We’ve essentially unlocked a new dimension for exploring and manipulating this phenomenon, and we’re only beginning to scratch the surface,” says Li. “This is the first time we’ve shown that these types of particles exist experimentally, and now we are delving deeper into what might come from them.”
The team’s next steps will involve studying how fractional excitons interact and whether their behavior can be controlled.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Lowrey, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain and Health Sciences, Northeastern University
Farmworkers at Del Bosque Farms pick and pack melons on a mobile platform in Firebaugh, Calif., in July 2021.AP Photo/Terry Chea
Agricultural employers who provide farmworkers with health insurance earn higher profits, even after accounting for the cost of that coverage. In addition, farmworkers who get health insurance through their employers are more productive and earn more money than those who do not.
These are the key findings from our study published in the March 2025 issue of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics.
To conduct this research, we crunched over three decades of data from the Labor Department’s National Agricultural Workers Survey. We focused on California, the nation’s largest producer of fruits, nuts and other labor-intensive agricultural products in the U.S., from 1989 to 2022.
We determined that if 20% more farmworkers got health insurance coverage, they would have earned $23,063 a year in 2022, up from $22,482 if they did not. Their employers, meanwhile, would earn $7,303 in net profits per worker annually in this same scenario, versus $6,598.
Despite labor shortages, agricultural employers may be reluctant to increase total compensation for farmworkers. They may also be wary of providing additional benefits such as health insurance for two main reasons.
First, seasonal workers are, by definition, transient, meaning that the employer who provides coverage may not necessarily be the same one who benefits from a healthier worker. Second, it costs an employer money but doesn’t necessarily benefit them in the future if the worker moves on.
As the share of farmworkers who are unauthorized immigrants has declined, the share who are U.S. citizens – including those born here – has grown and now stands at about 39%.
The low wages farmworkers earn offer little incentive for more U.S. citizens and permanent residents to take these jobs. These jobs might become more attractive if employers offered health care coverage to protect the health of the worker and their household.
Farmworkers who lack legal authorization to be in the U.S. are not eligible for private health insurance policies, and many can’t enroll in Medicaid, a government-run health insurance program that’s primarily for low-income Americans and people with disabilities. Regardless, some employers do take steps to help them gain access to health care services. As of 2025, a large share of farmworkers remain uninsured, including many citizens and immigrants with legal status.
Limited access to health care is an unfortunate reality for farmworkers, whose jobs are physically demanding and dangerous. In addition, farmworkers are paid at or near the minimum wage and are constantly searching for their next employment opportunity. This uncertainty causes high levels of stress, which can contribute to chronic health issues such as hypertension.
What still isn’t known
It is hard to estimate the effect of employer-provided health insurance on workers and employers, since labor market outcomes are a result of highly complex interactions.
For example, wages, productivity and how long someone keeps their job are highly interdependent variables determined by the interaction between what workers seek and what employers offer. And wages do not always reflect a worker’s skills and abilities, as some people are more willing to accept a job with low pay if their compensation includes good benefits such as health insurance.
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
To attract business investment, American cities and states offer companies billions of dollars in incentives, such as tax credits. As the theory goes, when governments create a business-friendly environment, it encourages investment, leading to job creation and economic growth.
While this theory may seem logical on its face, it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Business investment follows employees, not just the other way around. In fact, our research suggests workers care less about whether a city has business-friendly policies and more about how safe they feel living in it. And interestingly, we found that politics influence people’s risk perceptions more than hard data such as crime statistics.
Our findings have major implications for cities and businesses. If people choose where to live and work based on perceived safety rather than economic incentives, then entrepreneurs and city leaders may need to rethink how they approach growth and investment.
The many faces of risk
We are managementprofessors who surveyed more than 500 employees and entrepreneurs from across the country to better understand how they rate 25 large U.S. cities on various dimensions of risk.
We asked about three different types of risk: risk related to crime, government function and social issues. Risk related to government function includes corruption and instability, while risk related to social issues includes potential infringements on individual rights.
We found that people’s views of risk weren’t driven primarily by objective statistics, such as FBI crime data. Instead, they were shaped by factors such as media representations, word of mouth and geographic stereotypes.
For example, studies suggest that crime in Denver has been rising, and U.S. News and World Report recently ranked it as the 10th most dangerous city based on FBI crime reports. However, the employees and entrepreneurs we surveyed ranked Denver as the safest city in the country.
It’s all politics
We found that political perspectives were the main factor biasing the rankings. For example, conservative-leaning employees and entrepreneurs believed that Portland, Oregon, is dangerous, ranking it as America’s ninth-riskiest city. In contrast, those who are liberal-leaning ranked it as the second-safest city in the country.
Both of these beliefs can’t be accurate. Instead, when basing the ranking on objective crime data from the FBI, U.S. News ranked Portland the 15th most dangerous city in the country.
When assessing risk related to how the government functions, conservatives praised politicians in Nashville, Charlotte and Dallas, while the liberals praised those in Denver, Minneapolis and Portland. Similarly, when considering risk related to social issues, conservatives said New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco were “risky,” while the liberals said Tampa, Miami and Houston should be avoided.
Our findings also suggest that political perspectives influence the types of risk that employers and employees care about. For example, conservatives tend to care more about crime-related risk than liberals, and liberals care more about risk related to social issues.
Now what?
We’re not advocating that city leaders drop financial incentives altogether, or that employers ignore them. Evidence suggests that financialincentives and other business-friendly policiesmay be effective at attracting businesses and strengthening local economies.
However, our research suggests that when individuals are making important life decisions about where to live, work and invest, a city’s level of risk matters. Importantly, beliefs about risk are subjective and are biased by political perspectives.
In our view, city leaders must recognize and address concerns about crime, governance and social issues while actively working to improve public perceptions of their cities. Likewise, businesses may want to consider investing in cities that are less politically polarized when making investment decisions.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Six years ago, UConn Field Hockey head coach Paul Caddy reached out to the head of the Department of Statistics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He wanted to find an informal way for students learning statistical methods to work with his team, integrating data analytics to gain a competitive edge.
After a pandemic and various other obstacles, the collaboration never came to fruition.
Then, in Fall 2023, Alyssa O’Keefe, an academic advisor in the Department of Statistics and Applied Data Analysis, launched a formalized sports analytics internship program and Caddy saw a new opportunity to bring that vision to life.
For the past two years, the Sports Statistics Experiential Learning Program has provided UConn Athletics with statistical information to improve their performance while allowing students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in data.
O’Keefe says she got the idea for the program after the parent of an incoming student asked if it would be okay for her to leverage her connection with a coach to get her son experience with a team. O’Keefe says she saw an opportunity to expand that access to other students who may not have those personal connections.
“I’ve had so many students sit across my desk telling me that their dream job would be sports analytics,” O’Keefe says. “We have 18 teams. How could we not have a way to make this connection for them?”
In the Fall 2024, the program paired Caddy with Julia Mazzola ’25 (CLAS), a statistical data science and economics double major, who analyzed attacking penalty corners, a crucial scoring opportunity that happens when a foul is made in the area around the goal. The data provided real-time insights that Caddy says he’ll use as part of his coaching throughout the seasons.
“In the couple of seasons leading up to this one, our performance has not been what it needs to be offensively or defensively on corners,” Caddy says. “So, we need to get some data to see what works and what doesn’t.”
Julia Mazzola ’25 (CLAS), a statistical data science and economics double major, worked as a sports analytics intern with UConn Field Hockey in the Fall of 2024. (Contributed by Julia Mazzola)
Having previously met Joe Ferriss, former director of Men’s Hockey Operations, O’Keefe reached out with her idea of partnering statistics students with athletic teams. Ferriss was impressed with the concept and became the first to agree to join the program.
As word spread around the Athletics teams of O’Keefe’s initiative, more teams began to show interest. The program began with just three teams— baseball, men’s hockey and football—but has since expanded to 11 teams including the women’s basketball team which won the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
The internship program will be adding the Department of Sports Performance to its list of participating athletics programs in the fall and O’Keefe says she hopes more teams will sign on.
Unlike traditional coursework, this internship places students in dynamic sports environments where they work on various analytical projects tailored to the needs of the teams they’re paired with. Projects include tracking player positioning and movement through game footage, assessing player performance during various points of the game to refine strategy, providing statistical insights during competitions, and analyzing recruitment data.
Many interns work directly with coaching staff, integrating data into team meetings and game planning, O’Keefe says.
Students can earn credits for the internship and can intern for a semester or a full year. The time commitment varies from one placement to another, and O’Keefe says students selected for the program must agree to the conditions before they begin.
Mazzola interned with Caddy’s team for one semester, and Caddy says she felt like a member of the team.
“It is a unique experience,” Caddy says. “She’s on the sidelines during games. She’s going to get a championship ring because we won the Big East Championship. We think she’s part of the field hockey family.”
He says he hopes to continue working with student interns and that Mazzola’s project is something the team “can lean on a little bit, moving through the seasons.”
For Mazzola, the program is a career stepping stone. She plans to start her career in underwriting at the Cigna Group after she graduates in May and credits the internship with reinforcing her passion for analytics and problem-solving.
“One thing about underwriting is there’s a lot of moving pieces, and there’s a lot to learn,” she says. “You have to take in many aspects when you make a decision, and the field hockey internship was very helpful in learning how to piece things together, like solving a puzzle.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the deadline to file taxes only 7 days away, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), the company that pioneered the tax prep category 70 years ago, is providing crucial last-minute tips to help taxpayers navigate the final stretch of tax season while ensuring no dollar is left behind. According to IRS data, 2025 filings are slightly lower compared to last year1, which means millions of taxpayers will be scrambling to meet the April 15th deadline.
“Each year, millions of taxpayers leave billions of dollars behind because they miss valuable deductions and credits they’re entitled to,” said Andy Phillips, Vice President of The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “Filing taxes can be stressful, especially when you’re facing a fast-approaching deadline, but it is important to be thorough and thoughtful when gathering documents and preparing a return because it could be the difference between owing or getting money back.”
H&R Block’s The Tax Institute is a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents who constantly monitor and analyze federal and state tax code changes to enable the company’s vast network of 60,000 tax professionals and DIY products to address each taxpayer’s unique situation, from life changes to changing tax laws.
Tax Codes That Maximize Your Refund
H&R Block helps over 20 million clients each year get back or keep every dollar they’ve earned. Here are the top recommendations to reduce tax liability and maximize refunds.
File Even If You Can’t Pay: Many people think if they can’t pay, they shouldn’t file—but that’s a big mistake. The penalty for failing to file on time is ten times the penalty for failing to pay on time. Even if you can’t pay by the due date, you will save money by filing on time.
Double-Check Your Dependents: Those who support an elderly parent, an adult child, or even a non-relative living in the home, might be able to claim them as a dependent and get extra credits or deductions. Many people assume only young children qualify, but taxpayers should account for all other dependents for possible tax benefits. The child and dependent care credit is another benefit that can help cover a percentage of expenses such as daycare, childcare and summer camp, for a child under 13 years old. This credit can also be available for the costs of caring for a spouse or parent if they cannot care for themselves.
Don’t Leave Money Behind: The most common missed credits and deductions are:
Education Credits: Students and parents often overlook education credits such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).
Child Tax Credit (CTC): The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000 per child under the age of 17, with up to $1,700 being fully refundable even if no taxes are owed.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): This credit is designed to benefit low to moderate-income workers. Many eligible taxpayers miss out on this credit because they don’t realize they qualify.
Consider filing even if you aren’t required to file: Individuals who don’t meet the minimum income threshold often don’t file because they aren’t required to, but they may qualify for certain credits that result in a refund.
Retirement Plan/IRA Early Withdrawal Penalty: There are now two new exceptions to the 10% penalty on early withdrawals from retirement plans or IRAs for emergency personal expenses and for victims of domestic abuse.
Natural Disasters: Legislation passed in December allows tax filers to claim losses not reimbursed by insurance without itemizing, meaning they can deduct that loss while still claiming the standard deduction.
Include All Sources of Income: Everyone—and especially gig workers, side hustlers and online sellers—should pay attention to the new 1099-K rules. Many will receive a 1099-K for the first time, as the reporting threshold for online sales and third-party payment apps has lowered significantly from $20,000 to $5,000.
Because these credits and deductions often go unclaimed, H&R Block offers a free Second Look® tax review to double-check up to three years of tax returns for missed credits or deductions. No other company offers this extensive of a review for free2.
Expert Help No Matter How You File
The American tax code contains nearly 10,000 sections with up to 174 pages for each, making filing taxes daunting without professional help. Filers with complex tax situations may benefit from expert assistance. H&R Block offers a range of resources and flexible filing options to help last-minute taxpayers file with confidence and get their maximum refund, guaranteed3.
Assisted: File in as little as one hour with options to drop off your documents, meet virtually or in-person with one of the 60,000 company tax professionals at one of 9,000 offices. H&R Block has locations in every state and within 5 miles of most Americans many of which have same-day appointments available.
DIY Online: File on your own with H&R Block’s DIY online filing tools, supported by AI Tax Assist and Live Tax Pro Support. Clients can ask unlimited questions through AI Tax Assist and receive live support, free of charge in all DIY paid editions.
Tax Pro Review: Filers using H&R Block’s intuitive DIY tax prep service, can add Tax Pro Review any time during the online filing process to have a tax pro review your tax return for any errors or missed opportunities. Once complete the tax pro will sign and file the return on the client’s behalf. This provides extra peace of mind for filers who want the flexibility of preparing their own return and the confidence of an experienced tax pro reviewing their return to ensure accuracy.
DIY Software: Download our award-winning desktop software trusted by millions of Americans for over twenty years.
“Whether completing your own taxes online or getting expert assistance from one of our tax pros, we are here to help our customers file accurately, confidently and get their maximum refund guaranteed,” said Phillips.
What To Do If You Are Unable to File On Time?
If you are unable to file your taxes by the April 15th deadline, requesting an extension may be a good option. This will give filers until October 15th, 2025, to file a return, but it’s important to remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay.
Filers will still need to estimate their tax liability and pay any amount due by April 15th to avoid penalties. Remember that the IRS may have already granted extensions to those affected by natural disasters. Check the IRS website to see if you qualify for automatic relief before requesting an extension.
To learn more about H&R Block’s tax preparation services, many ways to file, and year-round financial support, visit hrblock.com. For media assets, visit hrblock.com/tax-center/newsroom and for helpful tips and information, follow H&R Block on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
1According to theIRS filing season statisticsas of3/28/2025. 2At participating offices. Fees applyto file anamended return.The IRS allows taxpayers to amend returns from the previous three tax years to claim additional refundsto which they are entitled. 3All tax situations are different. Not everyone gets a refund. See hrblock.com/guarantees for complete details.
About H&R Block H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) provides help and inspires confidence in its clients and communities everywhere through global tax preparation services, financial products, and small-business solutions. The company blends digital innovation with human expertise and care as it helps people get the best outcome at tax time and also be better with money using its mobile banking app, Spruce. Through Block Advisors and Wave, the company helps small-business owners thrive with year-round bookkeeping, payroll, advisory, and payment processing solutions. For more information, visit H&R Block News.
– Leading Web3 Gaming Innovation through AI-based Esports Content
KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Miracle Play, a Web3 Esports tournament platform, officially launched the beta version of ‘AI GRANPRIX’, an AI agent racing simulation, on March 31.
‘AI GRANPRIX’ is designed as an autonomous simulation tournament system where AI agents learn racing strategies and compete based on user-created dNFT vehicles, offering an immersive experience distinct from traditional manual competition formats.
In this beta version, users mint dNFT vehicles based on custom basic stat distributions and directly observe how these stats influence simulated racing outcomes. Tournament results are presented as simulation replay videos derived from match data, providing immersive, spectator-focused Esports content for both participants and general users. A reinforcement learning mode for AI parameters will be gradually introduced starting early May. The official release will feature a fully operational technical framework in which AI’s strategic learning logic and match performance are interconnected in real-time.
Through this system, players assume a supervisory role, strategically influencing AI development and parameter optimization without direct manual operation. Achievements in reinforcement learning directly reflect in match performance, immediately linking match outcomes to the value of dNFT assets on-chain.
This creates a quantifiable cause-and-effect relationship between AI parameter optimization and match results, transforming players from mere consumers into designers and contributors who actively participate in asset value creation.
Such a structure establishes a clear feedback loop—”AI learning → Match results → On-chain asset appreciation”—highlighting Miracle Play’s realization of next-generation Esports architecture that organically connects AI technology with blockchain-based asset economies.
Additionally, Miracle Play’s tournament system introduces a novel GameFi model known as the “performance-based farming structure,” which transcends simple match participation. Players achieving above-average scores in tournaments receive gaming tokens as rewards, which can then be burned to secure reward shares. The more tokens a player burns, the higher their reward from the Burn Pool, thus incentivizing active participation and contributions simultaneously.
Within the community, this unique model has earned Miracle Play the nickname “Web3 Tournament Mining Machine,” creating a strategic mining meta. Because rewards depend not only on match outcomes but also on performance metrics and burn contributions, strategic data-driven participation and active contributions rather than mere luck become critical factors. This ecosystem is designed to seamlessly integrate play and farming, enhancing both on-chain economies and gameplay to deliver an active, reward-oriented Web3 gaming experience favored by MZ generation users.
Currently, Miracle Play boasts over 1.2 million cumulative tournament participants, total prize money of $350,000, and more than 2.8 million on-chain transactions, maintaining steady growth. Going forward, Miracle Play plans to open its proprietary technology ecosystem by introducing the ‘Miracle Agent SDK’ to external game developers. This initiative will facilitate easy integration of AI-based automated tournament systems across various game genres, accelerating the establishment of a universal Esports ecosystem combining AI technology and blockchain infrastructure.
A representative from Miracle Play stated, “AI GRANPRIX represents the first Esports model that integrates strategic AI learning, blockchain-based transparent competition structures, and digital asset mechanisms. We will continue refining the system based on user feedback and establish foundations for more games to implement AI-based tournaments through the Miracle Agent SDK.”
Disclaimer:This press release is provided byMiracle Play. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
This publication provides estimates of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis; that is emissions that are associated with the spending of Scottish residents on goods and services, wherever in the world these emissions arise, together with emissions directly generated by Scottish households.
Key points
Between 2020 and 2021, Scotland’s carbon footprint (emissions from all greenhouse gases) increased by 14.6 per cent from 51.6 to 59.2 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2021.
Between 1998 and 2021, Scotland’s carbon footprint fell by 19.9 per cent from 73.9 MtCO2e in 1998 to 59.2 MtCO2e in 2021
Scotland’s carbon footprint rose continuously from 2001 to a peak of 81.7 MtCO2e in 2007 before falling sharply after 2007 (coinciding with the recession) and, with the exception of 2012, 2018, and 2021, has fallen each subsequent year. However, the 2021 value is highest seen since 2015. The overall reduction between the 2007 peak and 2021 is 27.6 per cent.
The data cover the period up to 2021 and show increased emissions compared to 2020. Emissions in 2020 were supressed by the effect of the national lockdowns and travel restrictions associated with COVID-19 pandemic.
3. This statistical report meets the requirements under Section 37 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and the updated requirements under Section 21 of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Act 2019. The data contained within this report are also used to inform National Indicator 47: “Carbon Footprint”.
5. Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About
The vast majority of the 15 banks participating in Danmarks Nationalbank’s lending survey reported unchanged loan demand from their business customers in the first quarter of 2025. Several of the banks assessed that this is partly due to low investment appetite as a result of geopolitical uncertainty. The uncertainty also has an impact on the banks’ write-downs. Several of the larger banks, which proportionally have a greater exposure to global trade, state that they have already made write-downs based on management estimates. The banks’ responses to the lending survey for the first quarter were received before the new tariff plan from the USA was presented.
Change in loan demand from business customers
Note:
The net total is calculated based on the financial institutions’ responses to loan demand. The responses are based on a scale of 5 steps from -100 to 100. -100 means “decreased significantly”, -50 is “decreased slightly”, 0 is “unchanged”, 50 is “increased slightly”, and 100 is “increased significantly”. The institutions’ responses are weighted by their respective market shares, resulting in a net total for the response. Business customers in the loan survey cover ‘private non-financial companies’ and ‘individually owned businesses.’Find chart data in Statbank.
The total number of bankruptcy proceedings opened against businesses and individuals under the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (DEBA) rose for the fourth year in a row, reaching a record 17 036 cases in 2024. Closures of bankruptcy and debt collection proceedings also rose compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, there was a marked decrease in financial losses resulting from ordinary and summary bankruptcy proceedings compared with 2023 (‒26.5%). These are the latest findings from the Debt Collection and Bankruptcy Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
The Labor government has announced it would invest A$1 billion in mental health if re-elected to provide more Australians – particularly young people – with “free, public mental health care”.
$225 million to either build or upgrade 31 Medicare mental health centres
more than $200 million to build or upgrade 58 headspace services for young people
$500 million to establish 20 youth specialist centres for young people with complex needs
$90 million to support more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.
This is good news – but there are some important things that are left out.
A focus on youth
Some 75% of severe mental health problems develop before a person turns 25. We know intervening early improves clinical outcomes as well as prospects for completing education and maintaining employment in the future.
So this focus on youth mental health is really welcome and needed. If we can execute it properly, it represents an investment not just in young people and their families, but will also see longer-term benefits for communities and the economy.
Australia’s continued investment in a network of youth mental health services, headspace, is unique and positive. That said, multiple reviews have found there are often issues finding enough staff to provide appropriate care for the young people accessing these services.
It’s crucial to ensure existing and new headspace centres have properly trained staff to deliver the required services. The new training places are welcome in this regard but will of course will take time to come on stream.
The youth specialist centres would be new, and could fill an important gap.
At present, we have federally funded Medicare services for mental health, such as GPs and psychologists. At the other end of the spectrum there are state-funded hospital inpatient and outpatient services for people with more severe problems.
What has been missing is much in the middle, in the way of community mental health services. The new specialist centres for young people with complex needs may go some way to filling this gap, but we need more detail about how they’ll operate.
The importance of holistic care
This funding package has focused on new provisions for clinical and medical mental health care. While this is important, it neglects psychosocial care.
Psychosocial services help keep people in stable housing, in employment, at school and enjoying some quality of life. This is what really matters to most people.
The psychosocial workforce can be found in some of the non-government and charitable organisations providing mental health and community services. It includes people with a range of qualifications, with staff such as social workers, peer workers and others, who can help young people stay connected across these social determinants of health, while they receive treatment from clinical staff for their mental illness.
Of those needing help for their mental health, a large proportion of young people face multiple concerns, including drugs and alcohol, sexual health or other issues such as unstable housing. So rather than simply seeing one clinician, someone with an eating disorder, for example, may need a team including a psychologist, a GP, a social worker, a dietitian, a nurse and others.
It’s unclear whether the youth specialist centres would bring together multidisciplinary teams such as this, but it’s important they do, including professionals who can provide psychosocial care.
A young person with a mental illness may also need help with everyday issues. ultramansk/Shutterstock
Psychosocial support services have traditionally been very poorly funded in Australia. One option could be to set up new Medicare mental health centres to be managed by community sector organisations already using team-based service delivery models.
Ultimately, while having more services is great, we need to think imaginatively and flexibly about who has the skills to best respond to young people’s needs. A heavy reliance on clinical and medical care, without psychosocial care, is a bit like trying to fight with one arm behind our back.
A national analysis found that in 2022–23, 335,800 people aged 12–64 with severe mental illness would benefit from 21.9 million hours of psychosocial support services. A further 311,500 people with moderate mental illness would benefit from 3.3 million hours.
Other questions we need answered
Different groups face different levels of need and different barriers to accessing mental health care. So if we’re establishing new centres, we need to understand clearly things such as where the highest levels of psychological distress are, and what services will need to look like in areas where a high proportion of young people speak English as a second language.
What’s more, young women are more likely to seek mental health care than young men. We need to ask what’s making accessing services less appealing to young men and address these issues.
In a nutshell, we need to develop models of care tailored to local circumstances. This should involve working with local communities, rather than looking to impose centralised, one-size-fits-all solutions.
We also need to know how well new services will be linked to existing services, such as hospitals, GPs, and non-government organisations providing psychosocial care. If we don’t invest properly in coordination, these changes could risk perpetuating the fragmentation which often hampers our current mental health system.
Finally, we need a new level of accountability so we can tell whether what we’re doing is helping or not. We need regularly reported outcomes – such as hospital admissions among young people with mental illness – so we can understand system quality and performance, address any issues, and build our collective confidence that we’re meeting the needs of Australia’s young people.
Without this, we risk well-intentioned investments failing to deliver better support.
Sebastian Rosenberg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
OSLO, Norway (8 April 2025) – TGS ASA (“TGS”), a leading global provider of energy data and intelligence routinely publishes a quarterly operational update six working days after quarter-end.
1) The table shows the average number of crews in operation when assuming a normalized crew size.
The table below shows TGS’ allocation of active seismic streamer 3D vessel capacity2:
Q1 2025
Q1 2024
Contract
37%
36%
Multi-client
36%
30%
Steaming
11%
7%
Yard
3%
6%
Stacked/Standby
13%
21%
Number of vessels
6
7
2) The statistics include only active seismic 3D streamer vessels (capacity working on New Energy Solutions projects are excluded). The Ramform Vanguard was converted into a dual-purpose seismic and offshore wind vessel in Q2 2024. Cold -stacked vessels are excluded from the statistics.
Based on a preliminary financial review, TGS expects Q1 2025 multi-client investment to be approximately USD 130 million.
Kristian Johansen, CEO at TGS, commented: “We are pleased with the Q1 2025 asset utilization, showing significant year-on-year improvement. Additionally, we saw healthy multi-client activity levels, particularly in frontier areas, and higher-than-expected investments in new data this quarter. Despite short term uncertainty in geopolitics, TGS is well positioned to help our clients realize exploration ambitions from a combination of a strong balance sheet, leading assets and technologies and the world’s largest multi-client data library.”
TGS will release its Q1 2025 results at 07:00 a.m. CEST on 9 May 2025. CEO Kristian Johansen and CFO Sven Børre Larsen will present the results at 09:00 a.m. CEST during a live presentation and webcast. The presentation will take place at House of Oslo, Ruseløkkveien 34, 0251 Oslo and is open to the public.
The webcast can be followed live via this link: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20250509_2/
For more information, visit TGS.com (http://www.tgs.com) or contact:
Bård Stenberg, VP IR & Communication Tel.: +47 992 45 235 E-mail: investor@tgs.com
About TGS TGS provides advanced data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. With leading-edge technology and solutions spanning the entire energy value chain, TGS offers a comprehensive range of insights to help clients make better decisions. Our broad range of products and advanced data technologies, coupled with a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, make TGS a trusted partner in supporting the exploration and production of energy resources worldwide. For further information, please visit www.tgs.com (https://www.tgs.com/).
Forward Looking Statement All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include volatile market conditions, investment opportunities in new and existing markets, demand for licensing of data within the energy industry, operational challenges, and reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward- looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.
Australia has huge reserves of coal and gas – but very little oil. Before the 20th century, this didn’t matter – trains ran on local coal. But as cars and trucks have come to dominate, Australia has become more and more reliant on imported oil.
Imports now account for around 80% of total refined fuel consumption, the highest level on record.
If the flow of oil stopped due to war or economic instability, Australia would have about 54 days worth in storage before we ran out. That would be a huge problem.
But as more drivers switch from petrol and diesel to electric cars, this equation will change. We can already see this in China, where a rapid uptake of electric vehicles has seen oil demand begin to fall.
On one level, ending Australia’s dependence on foreign oil makes sense at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty. But on the other, going electric would lead to more reliance on China, now the world’s largest manufacturer of EVs.
Reducing reliance on oil makes clear sense for climate and national security reasons. But going electric has to be done carefully, to ensure Australia isn’t reliant on just one country.
The last two refineries rely on imported crude oil, as Australian oil from the North-West Shelf largely isn’t suitable for local refining.
As a result, Australia is more reliant than ever on importing fuels from large refineries in Asia such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. In 2023, around 45,000 megalitres of fuel were imported from these nations.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of these liquid fuels are used in transport, across road, rail, shipping and air transport. But road transport is the big one – our cars, trucks and other road vehicles use more than half (54%) of all liquid fuels.
In January, Australia had 30 days worth of petrol. Our stores of all types of oil are a bit higher, at 54 days worth. But that’s still well short of the 90 days the International Energy Agency (IEA) requires of member nations.
Electricity made locally
Shifting to electric vehicles promises cleaner air and far lower ongoing costs for drivers, as electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel and maintenance is far less.
But there’s another factor – the energy source. Australia’s electricity is all produced and consumed inside its borders, using local resources (sun, wind, water, coal and gas).
In this respect, electric vehicles offer much greater energy security. A war in the Middle East or a trade war over tariffs would not bring Australia to a halt. This is one reason why China has so aggressively gone electric – to end its soaring dependence on foreign oil.
Mainstreaming EVs in Australia will mean accelerating production of renewable electricity further so we can power not just homes and industry but charge cars, trucks and buses, too.
Doing this would boost our energy security, break our dependency on imported oil and drive down emissions.
Ending our dependence on oil will be slow. Australia Institute research estimates 8% of imported fuels could be replaced by local electricity once EVs make up 25% of the passenger car fleet. At 100% EVs, we would reduce oil demand by 33%.
The other two-thirds of demand is largely from trucks, planes and ships. Electric trucks are coming, but the sector isn’t as mature as electric cars. It’s a similar story for planes and cargo ships.
All electricity in Australia is produced locally. For transport, that’s a boon to energy security. Marian Weyo
Energy security and EVs
Australia doesn’t manufacture EVs at scale. As a result, we import EVs from the top manufacturing nations. China is far and away the leader, building 80% of Australia’s new EVs.
Australia is a major producer of critical minerals essential to the manufacture of EVs, as well as other green technologies such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. But China dominates much of the global supply chain for refining these minerals and manufacturing batteries.
There’s a risk in relying largely on one country for EVs, especially given the present geopolitical instability.
EVs unquestionably offer large benefits for Australia’s energy security by steadily reducing our reliance on imports from volatile global oil markets.
But this has to be balanced with other security concerns, such as a heightened reliance on China, as well as the privacy and security risks linked to data collection from digitally connected EVs.
A balanced approach would see authorities emphasise energy independence through renewables and strong support for vehicle electrification through legislative and regulatory frameworks.
This approach would reduce new security risks while unlocking the environmental and economic benefits of widespread EV adoption.
Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Selected price indexes − rental data for February and March 2025 –8 April 2025 –Selected price indexes: March 2025 will include the national-level stock measure for actual rentals for housing for February and March 2025.
Actual rentals for housing data were not included in the February 2025 selected price indexes (SPI) as the dataset used to compile this information was incomplete, and Stats NZ was not confident the measure would meet customer expectations.
Stats NZ has worked closely with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to provide some requirements and update processes for the dataset, and we are now confident that the data and stock measure for February and March meet expectations. We do not expect further disruptions.
The other series within the SPI remain unaffected, and the upcoming March 2025 quarter Consumers price index (CPI) will be produced using the full three months of actual rentals for housing data for the period
Note: The March 2025 SPI release will not include the flow of rental properties measures (national and regional) as we are still working to integrate this, following an update to MBIE’s tenancy bond-lodgement system. The flow measures, which do not affect the CPI, will be included when we are confident they meet customer expectations.
