The US Department of Labor is threatening to withhold administrative funds from states for the first time in history if they fail to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in unemployment insurance programs. Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling sent letters to 53 states and territories, specifically highlighting California, New York, and Illinois.
A new report reveals that internal cost estimates for Donald Trump's White House ballroom project were significantly higher than publicly stated, with taxpayers expected to cover at least half of the projected $600 million cost, contradicting Trump's claims of full private funding.
The UK faces a debate over its military budget, with critics arguing that increased defence spending is prioritized over essential services like healthcare and welfare. This 'welfare vs. warfare' narrative is fueled by political rhetoric and think tank reports, despite the financial realities suggesting that welfare cuts alone won't fund defence goals.
Palantir Technologies has filed a legal protest against the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), alleging the agency is wasting taxpayer money on its internal MARS tech project. Palantir claims the DIA should consider commercial software instead of building its own system from scratch.
UK government departments wrote off £6.6bn last year due to cancelled projects like the Rwanda deportation scheme and Stonehenge tunnel, a parliamentary watchdog found. MPs cited 'complacency' and called for action to reduce waste and fraud.
Donald Trump's administration is reportedly creating a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate allies, following a lawsuit against the IRS. The fund, described as secretive and controlled by Trump, also requires the IRS to drop audits of Trump and his family. Critics decry it as bald self-dealing and corruption.
A Guardian investigation has found that more than £50m of UK taxpayer money from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has gone to 14 US tech companies and venture capital groups over the past two years. The agency, created by Dominic Cummings to fund "crazy" ideas and restore Britain's scientific superpower status, has faced criticism over its international spending. One recipient, Rain Neuromorphics (backed by Sam Altman's OpenAI), was reportedly near collapse last year after receiving ARIA funding. ARIA maintains over 80% of funding goes to UK-based teams, but critics including the Commons science and technology committee chair Chi Onwurah question how US venture capital investments meet the agency's legal requirement to benefit the UK.
