WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
One of the nation’s more controversial public officials, who has been criticized by the likes of fellow officials and everyday citizens, has left the building.
On March 24, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stepped down from his post. DeJoy had faced criticism over his handling of staff, fleet vehicles, and a 10 year plan than apparent has only delivered on higher postage costs.
“After nearly five years as America’s 75th Postmaster General, and after informing the Governors in February of my intention to retire, I have informed the Postal Service Board of Governors that today will be my last day in this role. I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization, and I have been working closely with the Deputy Postmaster General to prepare for this transition,” DeJoy said upon his exit.
“While our management team and the men and women of the Postal Service have established the path toward financial sustainability and high operating performance – and we have instituted enormous beneficial change to what had been an adrift and moribund organization – much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory.
“I am confident that Doug will continue our positive momentum during the period when the Governors undertake the important work of identifying and selecting the next Postmaster General. I also have no doubt that the entirety of the Postal Service will aggressively shape its future and become more efficient, capable, and competitive as it continuously changes and improves to best serve the American public.
“It is with great pride that I pass the baton to Deputy Postmaster General, Doug Tulino, until the Governors name my permanent successor. The Governors have hired a search firm in support of those efforts, which are well underway. I shall cheer on America’s 76th Postmaster General and the 640,000 men and women of the United States Postal Service who I have called my colleagues and friends for close to five years. It has been one of the pleasures of my life and a crowning achievement of my career to have been associated with this cherished institution, the United States Postal Service.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors announced that it has retained global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder to lead the executive search for the 76th Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer. Egon Zehnder is one of the world’s preeminent executive search firms. The firm will work closely with the Governors to identify, evaluate, and select a forward-looking and effective leader to guide the Postal Service into its next chapter.
As established by federal law, the selection of the Postmaster General rests with the Presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed members of the Board, who oversee the Postal Service as an independent establishment of the executive branch. In conducting this search, the Governors are mindful that the size and complexity of the Postal Service requires a careful, deliberative process that will enable us to select a leader who can drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen the Postal Service’s role as a trusted part of American life and the nation’s critical infrastructure.
“The Postal Service plays an essential role in American life and, as we navigate a critical period of transformation and modernization, the Governors of the Postal Service are committed to ensuring strong and visionary leadership for the organization,” said Amber McReynolds, Chairwoman of the USPS Board of Governors. “We are confident that Egon Zehnder’s expertise will help us identify a leader who understands the Postal Service’s unique mandate and is prepared to advance our progress in service, innovation, and long-term sustainability.”
There is no established timeline for the announcement of the next Postmaster General. The Board will continue to provide updates as appropriate.
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 3-25-2025
2025 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2025)
- Total Mass Shootings: 76
- Total Dead: 99
- Total Wounded: 295
- Shootings Per Day: 0.90
- Days Reached in Year 2025 as of March 25: 84
ASIA
MIGRANTS FACING DANGER
The year 2024 marked the deadliest on record for migrants in Asia, with at least 2,514 lives lost along the region’s perilous migration routes, according to new data from the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This represents a staggering 59 percent increase from the 1,584 deaths recorded in 2023, highlighting the worsening dangers faced by people on the move.
“No one should lose their life in pursuit of safety or a better future,” said Iori Kato, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
“Every life lost on migration routes in Asia, or anywhere else, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and regular migration pathways – these are preventable tragedies.”
The spike in migrant deaths was primarily linked to two of the region’s most vulnerable populations: the minority Muslim Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Afghans escaping conflict and instability.
“The increase in deaths across Asia of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the region is of grave concern,” Mr. Kato said.
In 2024, at least 1,517 Afghan migrants lost their lives while in transit – up 39 percent from 2023. Deaths among Rohingya migrants more than doubled, reaching 889 compared to 436 the previous year.
On August 5, 2024 alone, over 150 people were reportedly killed by artillery fire while attempting to cross the Naf River from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
IOM also highlighted that the risks facing migrants extended beyond conflict-related violence. Many are vulnerable to perilous conditions en route, including overcrowded and unsafe boats, abuse by smugglers and extreme weather conditions.
Lack of identification of migrants was also a major concern, with over 1,000 of those who died in 2024 unidentified. Among the documented deaths, 1,086 were men, 205 were women, and 217 children.
“A lack of official reporting of data on missing migrants means we know our data do not fully capture the true number of lives lost during migration in Asia,” Mr. Kato said.
“And even within the records we have, so few identifying details are known, meaning there are immeasurable effects on families searching for lost relatives,” he added.
Migration in Asia is complex, driven by economic inequality, conflict and environmental factors, worsened by climate change. However, limited legal pathways have forced many to rely on irregular and highly dangerous routes.
One of the deadliest corridors remains the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, where stateless Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants embark on treacherous sea journeys in search of refuge. Many pay smugglers for passage, only to find themselves trapped on overcrowded boats with insufficient food and water, facing violence from crew members and the risk of being turned away at their destination.
Meanwhile, overland migration routes across South and Southeast Asia – such as those from Nepal to India, or from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Iran and Turkey – also pose serious risks. Migrants frequently endure extreme environmental conditions, exploitation by traffickers, and border violence.
Sea crossings to Australia, once a significant migration route, have sharply declined in recent years due to strict border controls, according to IOM.
WORLD
HEALTH EXPERTS WARY OF AIDS SURGE
Amid continuing uncertainty about the impact of deep U.S. funding cuts to humanitarian work worldwide, the head of the UN agency coordinating the fight against HIV-AIDS warned that an additional 6.3 million people will die in the next four years, unless support is reinstated.
“We will see a…real surge in this disease – (we) will see it come back, and we see people dying the way we saw them in the 90s and in 2000s,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima who noted a “tenfold increase” from the 600,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded globally in 2023.
“We also expect an additional 8.7 million new infections. At the last count, there were 1.3 million new infections globally (in) 2023.”
Speaking in Geneva, Ms. Byanyima noted that the funding freeze announced by the White House on 20 January was due to end next month, after a 90-day review.
“We have not heard of other governments pledging to fill the gap,” she told journalists.
Already, drop-in centers where HIV patients can pick up the anti-retroviral medicines they need are not reopening, “for fear that this might not be consistent with the new guidelines”, she maintained.
“This sudden withdrawal of US funding has led (to the closure) of many clinics, laying off of thousands of health workers. These are nurses, doctors, lab technicians, pharmacy workers…it’s a lot.”
Focusing on Africa – where the eastern and southern regions bear 53 percent of the global HIV burden – Ms. Byanyima warned that closing drop-in centers for girls and young women without notice would be disastrous. She emphasized that more than 60 percent of new infections on the continent are among girls and young women.
Speaking to UN News earlier this month, Susan Kasedde, head of the UNAIDS office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), highlighted major uncertainties regarding the extent and scope of cuts to PEPFAR-led programs. This initiative, launched over two decades ago by former US President George W. Bush to prevent and contain HIV infections, is estimated to have saved around 26 million lives.
There are currently around 520,000 people living with HIV in the DRC, including 300,000 women and 50,000 children. The epidemic continues to grow, as the number of new infections is almost double the number of deaths linked to the disease.
PEPFAR’s expected contribution for the 2025 fiscal year was due to be $105 million, and it aims to provide treatment to half of the population living with HIV in the DRC – some 209,000 people.
“This means that we currently have 440,000 people living with HIV who are on treatment. Thanks to this treatment, they are alive,” said Ms. Kasedde.
Several other UN agencies that are heavily reliant on US funding have also warned that the cut in support – in addition to chronic under-investment in humanitarian work globally – is already having a serious impact on the communities they serve.
On March 21, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said that thousands have been left without lifesaving aid in the war-torn eastern DRC.
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) also announced that funding cuts have severe repercussions for vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining essential support systems for displaced populations.
Together with IOM, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that that the liquidity crunch has jeopardized lifesaving work, including progress in reducing child mortality, which has fallen by 60 percent since 1990.
“It is reasonable for the United States to want to reduce its funding – over time. But the sudden withdrawal of lifesaving support is having a devastating impact across countries, particularly Africa, but even in Asia and Latin America,” said UNAIDS’ Ms. Byanyima.
“We urge for a reconsideration and an urgent restoration of services – life-saving services.”
UNITED KINGDOM
MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES
On March 25, the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister announced up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes will be built with a £2 billion injection of investment to deliver the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
The announcement hails a significant milestone on the government’s promise to build 1.5 million new homes whilst driving economic growth by getting Britain building again. It follows the government’s plan to inspire the next generation of British engineers, brickies and chippies, by training 60,000 construction workers to tackle skills shortages and get more young people into jobs.
The £2 billion investment boost comes as a down payment from the Treasury ahead of more long term investment in social and affordable housing planned later this year, which will provide additional funding for 2026-27 and well as for future years. This forms part of the government’s plan for tackling the housing crisis that has held working families back from the stability and security that comes with a safe roof over your head.
Thousands of new affordable homes will start construction by March 2027 and will complete by the end of this Parliament. The government is encouraging providers to come forwards as soon as possible with projects and bids to ramp up the delivery of new housing supply, in turn making the dream of home ownership a reality for more people across the country.
This investment will also unlock development and opportunity on sites that are ready and waiting for spades in the ground in places such as Manchester or Liverpool.
The Chancellor announced plans on a visit to an affordable housing site in Stoke-On-Trent with the Deputy Prime Minister, working hand in hand to deliver the biggest boost to affordable and social housing in a generation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said, “Everyone deserves to have a safe and secure roof over their heads and a place to call their own, but the reality is that far too many people have been frozen out of homeownership or denied the chance to rent a home they can afford thanks to the housing crisis we’ve inherited.
“This investment will help us to build thousands more affordable homes to buy and rent and get working people and families into secure homes and onto the housing ladder. This is just the latest in delivering our Plan for Change mission to build 1.5 million homes, and the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said, “We are fixing the housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Today’s announcement will help drive growth through our Plan for Change by delivering up to 18,000 new homes, as well as jobs and opportunities, getting more money into working people’s pockets.
“At the conclusion of the current Spending Review process on June 11, 2025, the government will announce further long-term investment into the sector in England, delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.”
