Wed, December 4, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

Trump Appointees Kash Patel and Massad Boulos Are Not Neocons (opinion)

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon, was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and reports of intoxicated behavior, The New Yorker reported on Sunday. The incidents — relayed in a trail of documents and corroborated to…

by: Brian Stokes

The British state is blind

If statistics enable the state to see, then the British government is increasingly short-sighted. Fundamental questions, such as how many people arrive each year, are now tricky to answer. How many people are in work?

by: Brian Stokes

Scottish Budget 2024 LIVE as SNP Government confirms it will lift two-child cap

The Scottish Government faces tough spending decisions to fix struggling public services despite an increase in funding from Westminster.

by: Brian Stokes

EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should 'clear the slate' and pardon Trump

President Joe Biden's 180-degree flip on Sunday from his promise not to pardon his son Hunter Biden prompted fierce backlash from politicians and pundits, calling the move a "tremendous strategic blunder that will haunt Democrats,

by: Brian Stokes

Rise above politics, help landslide-hit Wayanad people: Priyanka to Shah

by: Brian Stokes

Should U.S. Strip Presidents of Pardon Power?

In light of President Joe Biden's controversial pardon of his son, Hunter, Newsweek put the question to experts.

by: Brian Stokes

Bangladesh needs comprehensive reforms in economy, governance, bureaucracy, judiciary: CA

by: Brian Stokes

Patience, loyalty to party leadership and strategic acumen pay off for Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis, the political stalwart who rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in Maharashtra politics, is set to become chief minister -- a position he has held twice before

by: Brian Stokes

A terrible set of numbers for a treasurer and Reserve Bank governor

No matter how much Jim Chalmers tries to find a golden thread in these bleak economic numbers, there's no getting away from the fact consumers are scarred.

by: Brian Stokes

Shock martial law edict in South Korea follows chaotic recent history: A look at the crucial context

It may seem that the wild predawn scenes in Seoul, with hundreds of armed troops and frantic lawmakers storming South Korea's parliament building after the president suddenly declared martial law, came out of nowhere.

by: Brian Stokes

Jackson Ole Sapit orders Bungoma bishop to return Ruto's KSh 5m offertory: "It's unfortunate"

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of ACK has urged the return of KSh 5 million donated by President William Ruto, citing concerns over unclear sources of funds.

by: Brian Stokes

Keep politics out of city markets, minister tells Kampala leaders

The minister threatened to arrest leaders who request for funds from vendors in order to register them to benefit from the new market

by: Brian Stokes

North Korea, Russia and China watch on as crisis unfolds in key US ally South Korea

A night of political upheaval in South Korea has upended stability in a key democratic US ally - sending shock waves through the region and Washington at a moment of acute global tension.

by: Brian Stokes

Akal Takht moves to reset itself and Akali Dal. But will it succeed?

Akal Takht, the seat of the highest temporal power for Sikhs, has ordered former Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and a host of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders to perform sewa for atonement. It has also formed a committee to revamp the SAD.

by: Brian Stokes

I'm Not Hindi Bhashi Either: Nirmala Sitharaman Responds To Gaurav Gogoi

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday (December 3) night in a move that stunned South Koreans and triggered a short-lived attempt by troops to enter parliament, as lawmakers and protesters quickly voiced opposition to the most serious challenge to the country's democracy since the 1980s.

by: Brian Stokes

Philippines and China in South China Sea confrontation

China has alleged that Philippine vessels attempted to enter China's territorial waters near the contested Scarborough Shoal while the Philippine coast guard said Chinese vessels took "aggressive actions.

by: Brian Stokes

Election 2024: So who are the Independent TDs and what price their support?

The ex-Green Party TD's priorities included "faster, fairer climate action" and stopping the waste of public money. He believes it is "incumbent" on TDs to discuss government formation but predicts the talks will involve "largely parish pump-oriented" rural Independents.

by: Brian Stokes

It's not just Kash Patel. Many Trump picks have suggested retribution.

But the Florida Republican was hardly the only Trump selection apparently girding to use political and legal power against perceived MAGA enemies. Trump made a Gaetz-esque pick fo

by: Brian Stokes

Trump considers replacing Hegseth with DeSantis to run Pentagon, WSJ reports

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering dropping his nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, and nominating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his place, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday,

by: Brian Stokes

Key US allies paralyzed awaiting Trump's return to world stage

I think the sad thing is that if Donald Trump had been president this year, the UN government would have had a lot of victories to brag about," Fleitz said.

by: Brian Stokes

'Prepare for real justice': MAGA senator issues threat to DOJ and FBI

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a threatening message to the Justice Department and the FBI, warning them to preserve all documents from the Biden administration — and warning them that "accountability is coming" under the second Trump administration.

by: Brian Stokes

Tokyo gov't employees to get 4-day workweek option from April 2025

Gov. Yuriko Koike on Dec. 3 announced plans to introduce a system that would give metropolitan government workers the option to take three da･･･

by: Brian Stokes

China stacked the deck against Augusta-made golf carts. Here's what America did about it

The world's top two golf cart manufacturers, both based in Augusta, are praising a government finding that China is unfairly subsidizing its low-speed vehicle industry. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced recently that China's government has engaged in antidumping

by: Brian Stokes

Vietnam government plans to reduce 5 ministries in streamlining effort

The Vietnamese government plans to reduce five ministries and the National Assembly will cut four committees as part of a major administrative overhaul, according to a Communist Party's top official.
Tue, December 3, 2024

by: Brian Stokes

'Cowardly fled the scene of his crime': Sen. Hawley blasted over scathing letter to DOJ and FBI

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) published a scathing letter addressed to to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday, warning them that "real justice" is on the way. "I'm putting DOJ & FBI on notice: Don't shred a single document,

by: Brian Stokes

Albanese government thumbs new digital asset laws to be released in 2025 as ASIC reveals regulatory plans for crypto

The Albanese government has been working with industry and regulators ahead of new digital asset laws expected to be released in 2025.

by: Brian Stokes

Daylight savings could actually come to an end if Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's new government efficiency board has its way

In a series of social media posts over the last week, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has strongly suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will end the semiannual clock changes.

by: Brian Stokes

Reducing Government spending needed to boost growth and tax system unfair on workers - new Treasury boss

by: Brian Stokes

10 highlights from the Ontario auditor general's searing report on the Ford government's performance

Auditor general flagged problems with the Ontario Place redevelopment and a massive backlog of school repairs, among other issues.

by: Brian Stokes

South Korean president lifts martial law order after backlash

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has lifted a martial law order, just hours after his decree plunged the country into political uncertainty. Follow for live updates.

by: Brian Stokes

State prosecutors will hinder potential Trump pardon: Michael Mukasey

Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey tells "CUOMO" that a pardon for President-elect Donald Trump from President Joe Biden isn't going to happen for three reasons: Alvin Bragg, Letitia James and Fani Willis,

by: Brian Stokes

Live Updates: South Korean President Backs Down From Martial Law

President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the extraordinary move amid a bitter fight with the political opposition, and protesters clashed with police outside the assembly.

by: Brian Stokes

Political rows, 'genuine fear' stoke Japan's distrust of China - and the feeling's mutual

by: Brian Stokes

Researchers linked to the state itself warn of New York's off-the-charts school spending

What was expected to be a mundane state-ordered study into how Albany doles out cash to local school districts turns out to be required reading for New York taxpayers — and state lawmakers. Frustrated with the state's archaic formula for dispensing $25 billion in "Foundation Aid,

by: Brian Stokes

US Senate Republicans eye two-step Trump legislative agenda

U.S. Senate Republicans are discussing a two-step plan to push ahead on President-elect Donald Trump's agenda when they take the majority next year, starting with border security and energy before turning to tax cuts.

by: Brian Stokes

Live Updates: Fury in South Korea After President Imposes Martial Law

South Korea's National Assembly voted to lift an emergency declaration of martial law just hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced it on Tuesday, in a swift rebuke of the president's response to the political deadlock that has hobbled his tenure.

by: Brian Stokes

Trump and Republican senators plan agenda for first 30 days

by: Brian Stokes

Judge weighs whether to order Fani Willis to comply with lawmakers' subpoenas over Trump case

A judge is weighing whether a Georgia state Senate committee has the right to subpoena testimony and documents from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as it looks into whether she has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump.

by: Brian Stokes

Live Updates: Top Aides to South Korea's President Offer Resignations After Martial Law Failure

South Korea's National Assembly voted to lift an emergency declaration of martial law just hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced it on Tuesday, in a swift rebuke of the president's response to the political deadlock that has hobbled his tenure.

by: Brian Stokes

ANU report on voter satisfaction reveals 'troubling' results for Albanese Government

A new survey reveals trust in the Government has plummeted to levels not seen since the final months of the Morrison administration.

by: Brian Stokes

'Brave and bold': Labor slammed on $275 power bill reduction promise anniversary

Sky News host Paul Murray discusses the "brave and bold" Labor Party for promising three years ago today to lower power bills for Australians.

by: Brian Stokes

Live Updates: South Korea's President Faces Fury After Imposing Martial Law

South Korea's National Assembly voted to lift an emergency declaration of martial law just hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced it on Tuesday, in a swift rebuke of the president's response to the political deadlock that has hobbled his tenure.

by: Brian Stokes

Current and former Fox News employees say Hegseth's drinking raised concerns

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's reported pick for defense secretary, exhibited drinking behaviors that raised concerns among his colleagues at Fox News, according to statements from 10 current and former Fox employees interviewed by NBC News.

by: Brian Stokes

Democrats blast Republicans for 'fueling a political agenda' with Covid report and push back on lab leak claim

Democrats blast Republicans for 'fueling a political agenda' with Covid report and push back on lab leak claim - Republicans and Democrats on the House subcommittee to evaluate the pandemic response,

by: Brian Stokes

Martial law reversed in South Korea after president's surprise decree sent shockwaves

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol backtracked on his shortlived decree in the early hours of Wednesday local time and withdrew the troops deployed to carry out the order. South Korean lawmakers are now calling for resignations.

by: Brian Stokes

Public sector cuts: What government agencies are spending on staff Christmas parties, if anything

As the Government continues its drive to cut costs, many public servants are going without a Christmas do this year or are dipping into their own pocket to fund one - minus alcohol. Their replies made it clear spending is front of mind when it comes to festive celebrations,

by: Brian Stokes

Economy stuck in first gear as government spending prevents downturn

Despite tax cuts and government energy handouts, the economy grew by just 0.3 per cent in the September quarter.

by: Brian Stokes

Citing Hunter Biden pardon, Trump asks judge to dismiss his criminal hush money case

Donald Trump's criminal hush money case should be dismissed because it "threatens the functioning" of the U.S. government, Trump's attorneys argue in a new filing.

The British state is blind

If statistics enable the state to see, then the British government is increasingly short-sighted. Fundamental questions, such as how many people arrive each year, are now tricky to answer. How many people are in work?

The article from *The Economist* titled "The British state is blind" discusses the pervasive issue of data fragmentation within the UK's public sector. It highlights how the lack of integrated data systems across various government departments leads to inefficiencies, misinformed policy-making, and a failure to deliver services effectively. Despite the UK's advanced technological capabilities, the government's inability to share and analyze data cohesively results in a disjointed approach to governance. The piece points out specific examples where data silos have led to poor outcomes, such as in healthcare, where patient records are not universally accessible, leading to repeated tests and delayed treatments. It also touches on the broader implications for policy, where the absence of comprehensive data hampers the ability to address complex social issues like poverty, education, and crime. The article calls for a more unified data strategy to enhance transparency, accountability, and the overall effectiveness of public services.

Read the Full The Economist Article at:
https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/12/04/the-british-state-is-blind