Farewell FaceTime? That's in store if the UK's new snooper's charter becomes law | John Naughton
The Blair government introduced the regulation of investigatory powers bill in 2000, which put formidable surveillance powers on the statute book.
Most of the work to improve the bill was done by a handful of peers in the House of Lords, rather than elected representatives.
The new investigatory powers bill extended the bulk surveillance powers of the state, including the ability to log the URL of every website visited. [ more ]
Croatia's election offers voters little prospect of change DW 04/17/2024
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, a key player in national power politics, is challenging incumbent Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, shaking up the upcoming elections. [ more ]
Kay Firth-Butterfield On Harnessing AI's Power Responsibly
Responsible AI expert Kay Firth-Butterfield expresses caution about the over-reliance on current AI models in healthcare.
Firth-Butterfield has worked on creating frameworks and playbooks to ensure responsible development and use of AI, and advises governments and organizations on implementing AI responsibly. [ more ]
HS2 now offers 'very poor value for money', MPs warn
The cancellation of HS2's northern legs makes the project poor value for money, according to a report from the Public Accounts Committee.
The report raises questions about the government's decision to only complete Phase 1 of the project and states that it will not be value for money. [ more ]
Gabriel Attal's real challenge will be to break French parliament's political deadlock
France's new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, faces multiple challenges in boosting the government's popularity and addressing voters' growing distrust of politics.
Attal is expected to continue Macron's shift to the right in an effort to appeal to conservative voters and counter the far-right popularity of Marine Le Pen. [ more ]
Private school faux pas spells trouble for France's new education minister
France's Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera is facing calls to resign over allegations of lying about enrolling her children in a private school.
Oudea-Castera claimed she sent her son to a private school due to teacher absences and staffing shortfalls, but reports suggest this was not the case. [ more ]
Private school faux pas spells trouble for France's new education minister
France's Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera is facing calls to resign over allegations of lying about enrolling her children in a private school.
Oudea-Castera claimed she sent her son to a private school due to teacher absences and staffing shortfalls, but reports suggest this was not the case. [ more ]
Improving government capacity is key for AI deployment, experts tell Congress
Governments need to invest in AI capabilities to harness its potential in offering services and assisting employees.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is prioritizing federal procurement and AI, recognizing its impact on the economy and potential for AI regulation. [ more ]
Gabriel Attal's real challenge will be to break French parliament's political deadlock
France's new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, faces multiple challenges in boosting the government's popularity and addressing voters' growing distrust of politics.
Attal is expected to continue Macron's shift to the right in an effort to appeal to conservative voters and counter the far-right popularity of Marine Le Pen. [ more ]
Gabriel Attal's real challenge will be to break French parliament's political deadlock
France's new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, faces multiple challenges in boosting the government's popularity and addressing voters' growing distrust of politics.
Attal is expected to continue Macron's shift to the right in an effort to appeal to conservative voters and counter the far-right popularity of Marine Le Pen. [ more ]
Gov. Hochul's waterfront commission is a win for New Yorkers
Gov. Kathy Hochul succeeded in establishing a New York-only mob-busting waterfront commission after the Jersey Governor disbanded the previous bistate panel, aiming to keep organized crime out of the Port of New York. [ more ]
In pictures: French farmers maintain 'siege' of Paris in standoff with government
Protesting farmers in France are using barricades made of tractors and hay bales to block highways leading to Paris, in order to pressure the government over the future of their industry.
The farmers are demanding that producing food should be more lucrative, easier, and fairer. [ more ]
Italy's lower chamber of parliament approves deal with Albania to house migrants
Italy's lower chamber of parliament has approved a government deal with Albania to house migrants during the processing of their asylum requests.
Albania will shelter up to 36,000 migrants for a year in two centers while Italy fast-tracks their asylum requests.
Human rights groups have expressed concern that Italy is outsourcing its international obligations and depriving migrants of crucial human rights safeguards. [ more ]
Private school faux pas spells trouble for France's new education minister
France's Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera is facing calls to resign over allegations of lying about enrolling her children in a private school.
Oudea-Castera claimed she sent her son to a private school due to teacher absences and staffing shortfalls, but reports suggest this was not the case. [ more ]
The crown used on UK government websites just changed
The UK has updated its online symbol of state with a new crown icon for King Charles III, reflecting changes in the monarchy.
Government websites and official symbols are being updated to reflect King Charles' reign, with a focus on the Tudor Crown emblem rather than the previous St. Edward's Crown. [ more ]
The battle over prescription drug prices is heating up
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) shifts power from American drug companies to the government through Medicare price negotiations.
The IRA's drug price negotiations will be implemented in phases, with 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D targeted for the first round of negotiations. [ more ]
Her car was stolen 3 times in the past year. She says consumers shouldn't bear the brunt of the problem | CBC News
A Toronto woman has had her car stolen three times in the past year and had a rental car stolen as well.
The woman believes that nobody is taking the car theft problem seriously and that it won't be solved until it affects the bottom line of insurance companies and car manufacturers. [ more ]
More than 200 Afghans who applied for sanctuary in UK waiting two years for decision
Over 200 Afghan applicants for sanctuary in the UK have been waiting two years for a decision from British authorities.
The number of applicants waiting for a decision has increased despite the Ministry of Defence's promise to eliminate the backlog by the end of summer. [ more ]
Dorries pledges to hand back nearly 17,000 golden goodbye' given in error
Nadine Dorries pledges to pay back over £16,000 she was mistakenly given as an exit payout after being sacked as culture secretary.
Other politicians, including Peter Bone, Baroness Stedman-Scott, and Sir David Evennett, have also received incorrect severance pay due to age eligibility.
Labour has promised to reform ministerial severance pay rules if they win the next election. [ more ]
French farmers protest turns deadly as woman dies after car hits hay-bale
A woman was killed and her husband and daughter were seriously injured in a crash at a protest by French farmers.
The fatal crash represents a dramatic turn for the growing protest movement among French farmers for better remuneration and against excessive regulation and costs. [ more ]
Private school faux pas spells trouble for France's new education minister
France's Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera is facing calls to resign over allegations of lying about enrolling her children in a private school.
Oudea-Castera claimed she sent her son to a private school due to teacher absences and staffing shortfalls, but reports suggest this was not the case. [ more ]
Private school faux pas spells trouble for France's new education minister
France's Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera is facing calls to resign over allegations of lying about enrolling her children in a private school.
Oudea-Castera claimed she sent her son to a private school due to teacher absences and staffing shortfalls, but reports suggest this was not the case. [ more ]
The government plans to bring in legislation to address the Horizon scandal
Former sub-postmasters and postmistresses seeking exoneration and compensation will have to sign a statement confirming they did not commit crimes [ more ]
How will the new law to quash convictions of Post Office scandal victim work?
The UK government will introduce legislation to exonerate 700 victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal, following public outrage and calls for justice.
The government will also offer an upfront payment of £75,000 in compensation to affected victims, who must sign a statement affirming their innocence to claim the payment. [ more ]
How will the new law to quash convictions of Post Office scandal victim work?
The UK government will introduce legislation to exonerate 700 victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal, following public outrage and calls for justice.
The government will also offer an upfront payment of £75,000 in compensation to affected victims, who must sign a statement affirming their innocence to claim the payment. [ more ]
How will the new law to quash convictions of Post Office scandal victim work?
The UK government will introduce legislation to exonerate 700 victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal, following public outrage and calls for justice.
The government will also offer an upfront payment of £75,000 in compensation to affected victims, who must sign a statement affirming their innocence to claim the payment. [ more ]
Minister for Common Sense' to look at use of equality and diversity consultants
Government minister Esther McVey criticizes spending on equality and diversity consultants as wasteful and vows to target such expenditure.
McVey emphasizes the importance of representation beyond ethnic and gender diversity and calls for greater diversity in background, geography, thought, and belief. [ more ]