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‘Homework’ for the sector: And so the longer you can have a 0.5% budget, the better prepared you are for 0.3%, and the less painful cuts you have to make.”
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

*‘Homework’ for the sector* Unlike in the U.S., where Trump’s aid cuts came down like a hammer, planned cuts in the U.K. are slated to be implemented between now and 2027 — which could provide enough time, some experts say, to cushion the blow. “The U.K.’s commitments to multilaterals and everywhere has been predicated on having a 0.5% budget,” said Ian Mitchell of the Center for Global Development <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09r6AsV78-YGUoxhCCjYKknpk9eABsicV…> at a recent Devex Pro event <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POt41tdyMbNGeqR-DGng5pDvqikfPSFqd…>. “And so *the longer you can have a 0.5% budget, the better prepared you are for 0.3%*, and the less painful cuts you have to make.” <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POt41tdyMbNGeqR-DGng5pDvqikfPSFqd…> Mitchell also pointed out that the United Kingdom spends an unusually large portion of its aid budget <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POg0jpby__zw7tZ9Bq4FXW7v_CrEBr_oo…> housing refugees inside the country. *Reducing spending on in-donor refugee costs* — or simply taking the money from somewhere other than the aid budgets — *could go a long way* toward boosting overseas spending, Devex Business Editor David Ainsworth writes. Romilly Greenhill of Bond <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09rz-QFh0UDHzHQTuKPT9Y_AD5ysDh0mi…> said the development community should also use this time to better sell itself. “If you talk to the public about, do you want to spend on aid, they generally say no,” Greenhill said. “But if you ask, do you want children to be vaccinated, women to have family planning, kids to go to school, conflict to be prevented, nature and climate to be protected? More of them say yes.” “That’s something for us to think about: *Are we talking to the public in the right ways?*” she added. “It’s a bit of homework for us in the sector to be honest.” *Watch the full event recording:* UK aid cuts — 6 things left to fight for <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POt41tdyMbNGeqR-DGng5pDvqikfPSFqd…>

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Second guessing: Last year, Germany was quite the generous giver, with nearly $38 billion in aid. But the winds are changing, and over €3 billion might get slashed from future budgets.
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Second guessing The world’s second-biggest aid donor, Germany, could take the lead after some hefty cuts in the United States. *But post-election vibes suggest that Germany might tighten its purse strings too*, with whispers of cuts and a shift toward “national interest.” Last year, Germany was quite the generous giver, with *nearly $38 billion in aid*. But the winds are changing, and *over €3 billion might get slashed* from future budgets. The recent shift to the right in elections might bring a mix of the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democrats to the table <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POjqaE1OeEFWxM7mfkEDZpzTZnlTziBWR…>, but with CDU calling the shots. They’re eyeing areas such as migration management and international trade for their aid focus, Devex contributor Jessica Abrahams writes. Friedrich Merz, likely the chancellor, isn’t playing around. He’s hinting at *cutting off aid to countries that don’t cooperate on migration* and wants to ensure every aid penny serves German interests. Furthermore, the far-right Alternative for Germany party, now a big player in Parliament, is shaking things up, pushing to slash funds on what they label as “woke” initiatives. Despite not being in the government, its ideas are making waves, influencing policies such as migration. If Germany does become the world’s top aid donor, it’ll be the first time it’s held the top spot since 1960. Keep your eyes on a couple of key players, the BMZ <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09r7y6xlpn_tRaw54kCfUjnX_9Qpj6-LG…> and the AA <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09r05_OCXGfJJWTXIR5m4lV_vwkPWPuW0…>, which together* disbursed nearly 58% of the country’s total aid in 2022*. The BMZ oversees the lion’s share, including two major implementing bodies: the GIZ and KfW. Despite some cutbacks, BMZ’s 2024 budget still clocked in at a chunky €11.2 billion, with a strong focus on bilateral cooperation and significant contributions to multilateral efforts such as the World Bank <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09r5lUdiAizG0dlipB0-Nh4F25VzdxTJ3…> and United Nations <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09r_1-WOfjGSn5evkunplCQmXa9RrceF_…>. Devex analyst Miguel Antonio Tamonan takes a look at exactly where that money went <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgJqRxV1u0-osGFxrLP7yZis5fIqmt1x…>, giving clues as to who might have a chance of winning some of it in the future. *Read:* Funding cuts and culture wars — what the German election means for aid <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POjqaE1OeEFWxM7mfkEDZpzTZnlTziBWR…> <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09rycm-rD__OUetcjnToKvx_q4uqdkH5m…> *Read more:* Is Germany the next leader in ODA, and how will it spend its money? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgJqRxV1u0-osGFxrLP7yZis5fIqmt1x…> <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZTQ09rycm-rD__OUetcjnToKvx_q4uqdkH5m…>

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Botanic Shield
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

And make himself a shield to keep him safe from fury that can never be abated, and vengeance that can never be satisfied.

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Weathering Policy Zig-Zags In Gov't Contracting Under Trump
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Weathering Policy Zig-Zags In Gov't Contracting Under Trump <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311138?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> To succeed amid the massive shift in federal contracting policies heralded by President Donald Trump's return to office, contractors should be prepared for increased costs and enhanced False Claims Act enforcement, and to act swiftly to avail themselves of contractual remedies, says Jacob Scott at Smith Currie. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311138?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311138?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…>

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Bar Examinee Defends $2M ExamSoft Software Crash Suit
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Bar Examinee Defends $2M ExamSoft Software Crash Suit <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311845?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> By Matt Perez A former paralegal and would-be attorney has asked a federal judge to keep alive her software crash suit against ExamSoft, arguing that both the popular software company and the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not giving her extra time under an approved accommodation when her computer crashed during a remote COVID-era test. Memorandum attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311845?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2311845?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…>

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Novel Argument Can't Excuse Late $409M Army Deal Protest
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Novel Argument Can't Excuse Late $409M Army Deal Protest <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2312305?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> By Daniel Wilson A Court of Federal Claims judge has denied a protest over a $408.7 million Army training contract, saying the protester waived its chance to dispute the Army's failure to conduct discussions with bidders by not filing that argument earlier. Opinion attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2312305?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2312305?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…>

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Ben & Jerry's Says Unilever Is Forcing Out CEO Over Politics
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Ben & Jerry's Says Unilever Is Forcing Out CEO Over Politics <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312584?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> By Hailey Konnath Ben & Jerry's parent company Unilever is illegally trying to force out the ice cream company's CEO as punishment for him standing his ground and defending its "social mission" as Unilever attempts to block certain political statements, particularly those that could offend Donald Trump, according to a proposed amended complaint filed Tuesday. Motion attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312584?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312584?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…>

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Feds Say On-Leave Staffers Don't 'Skirt' Alsup's Rehire Order
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

Feds Say On-Leave Staffers Don't 'Skirt' Alsup's Rehire Order <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312283?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> By Bonnie Eslinger The Trump administration Tuesday told Judge William Alsup that fired federal probationary employees are being put on administrative leave as part of the reinstatement process he ordered and not to "skirt" the preliminary injunction, after the judge said Monday putting the workers on leave isn't permissible under his order. 5 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312283?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2312283?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…>

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How Trump's Crypto Embrace Is Spurring Enforcement Reset
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

How Trump's Crypto Embrace Is Spurring Enforcement Reset <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2311853?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recent willingness to step away from ongoing enforcement investigations and actions underscores the changing regulatory landscape for crypto under the new administration, which now appears committed to working with stakeholders to develop a clearer regulatory framework, say attorneys at Sheppard Mullin. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2311853?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2311853?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…>

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OCC's Hood Says He Won't Tolerate 'Odious' Debanking
by Gunnar Larson 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

OCC's Hood Says He Won't Tolerate 'Odious' Debanking <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2312476?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> By Jon Hill The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's acting chief, Rodney Hood, told bankers on Tuesday that his agency won't tolerate so-called debanking, saying "lawful" businesses — including crypto firms — should be eligible for bank accounts and other services. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2312476?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2312476?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…>

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