Over a thousand science professors and graduate students protested outside UC San Diego's Geisel Library on Friday against potential federal funding cuts of $150 million, which could impact ongoing research and future scientific discoveries. The demonstration, called "Stand Up for Science", drew parallels with historical challenges to scientific freedom, with professors expressing concerns about the broader implications of the cuts on scientific careers and infrastructure.
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/scientists-rally-uc-san-diego-protest-federal-funding-cuts/509-231ea60d-8021-4e5a-8646-c7e7da3d4b18The sickness and disability benefits bill in the UK is expected to reach £100 billion by 2029/30, with a 40% increase in real terms since 2013. This would mean that one quarter of income tax intake will be spent on health and disability benefits, equivalent to almost £1,500 per person annually across the UK. The Policy Exchange think-tank has called for major reforms, including ensuring medical evidence is required for claims and making Personal Independence Payments conditional for those aged 18-30 to combat joblessness. The Government's plans to slash welfare spending are expected to save around £5 billion, with most of the savings coming from cuts to Personal Independence Payments, which will also be frozen next year.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14475395/sickness-disability-benefits-bill-income-tax-2030.htmlA conference at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana has brought together religious leaders, scholars, artists, and diplomats for a three-day event focused on "Revolutions of Hope" in Ukraine. The theme was chosen before Washington-Kyiv relations deteriorated, but participants emphasized that hope is needed now more than ever to energize resistance against Russia's military assaults. This sentiment was echoed by Taras Dobko, rector of Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, who stated that maintaining hope is crucial for Ukraine and its supporters, particularly after a recent Oval Office meeting where US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leading to the US pausing military aid and intelligence-sharing.
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-supporters-hope-notre-dame-conference-70dd34b46c911b19a6dfbb616e655d0dA delegation of Ukrainian artists and public health workers visited Philadelphia to learn about the city's approach to addressing mental health issues in underserved communities. The visit was organized by the European Institute of Public Health Policy, which brought them to the Health Federation of Philadelphia and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services. The group learned from the city's partnership with Mural Arts, specifically its Porch Light program, which uses public art to engage people in mental health services.
https://whyy.org/articles/ukrainian-artists-kensington-philadelphia-mural-arts/Companies such as Unilever, Danone, Citi, Microsoft, Salesforce, IKEA, and Patagonia are making significant strides in promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace. For example, Unilever leads in breaking down gender stereotypes in marketing, while Danone has committed to achieving global gender balance by 2030 and closing its pay gap by 2025. Citi was the first major US bank to release detailed gender pay gap analyses and take action to close them. Microsoft and Salesforce have embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion into their core operations, incorporating pay equity audits and mentorship programs to advance women in leadership roles. Additionally, IKEA and Patagonia offer robust parental leave and flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance for both men and women, with IKEA being the first company in Singapore to increase its paternity leave from two to four weeks in 2017.
https://channelnewsasia.com/commentary/international-womens-day-gender-parity-women-equity-business-leadership-4984281A group of labor unions, represented by the legal services group Democracy Forward, have asked a federal court for an emergency order to stop Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. The motion was filed in Maryland against the Social Security Administration and its acting commissioner, Leland Dudek.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/politics/unions-ask-court/EQFKU3OLQJHPFNKLZHQVD3MCEM/People with dementia can benefit from reminiscing, a therapy that stimulates long-term memories and improves relationships between them and their carers. This activity helps individuals with dementia tap into their past experiences, sharing and discussing memories to improve mental activity, well-being, mood, self-esteem, and social interactions. Reminiscence also allows family members and carers to connect meaningfully with those with dementia, reducing isolation and creating opportunities for valued conversations on topics such as hobbies.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/03/08/how-to-tap-into-their-long-term-memories-in-order-to-connect-with-loved-ones-suffering-from-dementia/167747Middle Eastern cuisine is being touted as a secret to a long and healthy life due to its focus on whole foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and antioxidant-rich spices. This ancient diet offers a natural way to boost overall health and well-being by providing nutrient-rich ingredients and heart-healthy fats.
https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/food/why-middle-eastern-food-is-the-secret-to-a-long-healthy-life-9253649.htmlThe US funding cuts to foreign aid have had a significant impact on global health services, with over 200 health facilities closing in Afghanistan and depriving 1.8 million people of essential healthcare. In South Africa, a large portion of PEPFAR-funded staff working on HIV response will be affected due to the termination of dozens of USAID implementing partners. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has released $110 million from its emergency response fund to address underfunded crises in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but the US funding cuts have been described as a "body blow" to humanitarian work by Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief.
https://thestar.com/news/world/from-staff-cuts-to-aid-reductions-un-humanitarian-agencies-scramble-in-wake-of-us-funding/article_4c16ae86-3d6c-569f-b216-5dca49b4bd9c.html