Iraq faces a severe financial crisis as the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz halts oil exports, causing massive delays in state employee salaries, budget shortfalls, and widespread anxiety among citizens dependent on public sector pay.
Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, has been elected as the next head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, succeeding Sally McManus.
Software group Palantir paid £2m in UK corporation tax in 2024 despite holding hundreds of millions in public sector contracts, according to a report by Cictar, due to tax breaks and revenue shifting.
UK ministers are scrapping requirements for companies to prove green values to win £90bn in government contracts, doubling the weight given to job creation and youth employment instead.
Infighting between France's Socialist Party (PS) and further-left La France Insoumise (LFI) over a halal chicken shop, Master Poulet, in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, near Paris, raises concerns about unity against the far-right ahead of presidential elections.
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) spent Rs 48,757 crore in ESY 2023-24, Rs 73,996 crore in ESY 2024-25, and Rs 49,577 crore up to June in ESY 2025-26 on ethanol procurement for the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, sourcing from sugarcane and grain feedstocks. 501 units are registered for supply, with Uttar Pradesh leading sales.
The UK government borrowed less than expected in June, reporting £16bn, £7.9bn less than forecast. This comes as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to cut VAT on household electricity bills, funded by cancelling the digital ID program, signaling a new economic direction.
Paul, a public-sector employee, faces job cuts due to AI integration, exacerbating his personal distress and career uncertainty. The article explores "Fobo" (fear of becoming obsolete) as a growing workplace anxiety and offers strategies like cultivating human skills, networking, and seeking supportive organizations to navigate AI's impact on the workforce.
Indian public sector banks are accelerating ATM modernization by replacing traditional cash dispensers with cash recyclers. Over 15,000 units are expected for RFP, with PSBs accounting for 77%. This move aims to address cash shortages and reduce operational costs.
South Korea's Prime Minister's Office held an AI lecture emphasizing its use in government policy. Tech expert PM Han Seong-sook highlighted AI as a fundamental capability for public servants and a workplace partner to drive administrative innovations.
South Korea's government will accelerate AI transformation in the public sector, expanding an AI-driven work system to all central agencies by year-end and disclosing 100 types of public data for AI use. The goal is a "people-centered AI government" offering tailored welfare services.
South Korea's government plans to accelerate AI adoption in the public sector, expanding an AI-driven work system to all central agencies by year-end and disclosing 100 types of core public data for AI-based applications. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook emphasized the goal of an "AI democratic government" that is capable and kind.
Private banks saw stronger deposit growth (14.3%) than public sector lenders (10.7%) in the June quarter. However, public sector banks achieved faster credit expansion (16.4% vs 15.9%), raising concerns about their funding sustainability.
State-run Indian oil companies absorbed over Rs 75,000 crore in losses in Q1 FY24. While petrol and diesel sales may reach break-even in 7-10 days if crude prices stabilize around $75/barrel, LPG sales continue to incur losses. OPEC+ production hikes aim to ease global prices.
India's Comptroller and Auditor General and Israel's Supreme Audit Institution signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in public sector auditing, facilitating knowledge exchange, technical expertise, and training. The agreement aims to promote transparency and good governance, with Israel's State Comptroller also lecturing on AI's role in modern auditing.
UK public sector net borrowing hit £23.3bn in May, significantly higher than the £18.5bn forecast by economists. This surge, attributed partly to the economic impact of the Iran war and increased interest costs, presents fiscal challenges for potential Labour leader Andy Burnham.
France will invest €655 million in AI and launch a unified chatbot across public services to lead technological change and ensure independence from foreign tools. The initiative aims to expand AI use in government operations.
Sweden's parliament has approved new laws allowing residency permits to be revoked for "bad behaviour" and requiring public sector workers to report undocumented individuals. Critics decry the measures as arbitrary and harmful to human rights.
UK minister Kemi Badenoch plans to abolish the public sector equality duty, a law requiring public bodies to consider equality impacts. Critics argue this will legalize discrimination, while experts say the duty is misunderstood and not the cause of controversial diversity policies.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch will pledge to scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), arguing it promotes divisive identity politics. The move aims to position the Tories as a responsible alternative to both Labour’s approach to equality and Reform UK’s more radical stance.
The Conservative Party proposes to repeal the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), citing its inefficacy and claims it promotes inequality by favoring certain groups over others. The move contrasts with Labour's focus on increasing working-class representation in the civil service and differs from Reform UK's push to scrap the Equality Act entirely.
France's public sector workforce is increasingly reliant on contract employees, who grew by 2.6% in 2024, while civil servant numbers remained stable. A Cour des comptes report warns this trend, driven by recruitment challenges, could see contract staff form one-third of public agents by 2033.
The Orenburg Region government signed agreements with Beeline and MegaFon at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to integrate AI technologies into the region's public sector and healthcare. The deals also cover cloud infrastructure development, domestic software adoption, and enhanced communication resilience for emergency services.
A UK parliamentary committee report names Palantir Technologies as a prime example of the UK public sector's over-reliance on US firms, calling it an "unacceptable weakness." The report specifically highlights Palantir's £330 million contract with the NHS, warning of "vendor lock-in" risks and urging the government to consider early termination.
