The crisis within a crisis: COVID-19 and corruption.

The Jakarta Post

Hendi Yogi Prabowo

28/12/2020

According to KPK chairman Firli Bahuri, the graft case implicating Juliari is allegedly associated with the procurement of food packages under the social assistance program for poor people hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The KPK had seized Rp 14.5 billion (US$1 million) in bribes the suspects took from the suppliers of food packages.

Several studies suggest that officials in some inspectorates in the regions are not equipped with sufficient skills in fraud prevention and detection. Several studies also suggest inspectorate officials are often controlled by the heads of the government agencies they oversee.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/12/28/the-crisis-within-a-crisis-covid-19-and-corruption.html

Just declassified UK memo on John Hume reveals interest of PM John Major’s top civil servants in “possible press stories regarding John Hume’s private life”.

by admin

27 December, 2020

A memo has just been released from Britain’s National Archives under its 20-year rule. It concerns discussions at the apex of the British government about salacious rumours relating to John Hume’s private life. It was sent to Sir Robin Butler, Cabinet Secretary to John Major’s government, and also to Major’s private secretary, Sir Alex Allan.

https://villagemagazine.ie/declassified-memo-reveals-the-interest-of-pm-john-majors-top-civil-servants-in-possible-press-stories-regarding-john-humes-private-life/

Yesterday's News Today

‘Deepfake’ Queen Elizabeth II will deliver alternative Christmas message warning about fake news.

By Lina Saigol

Dec. 24, 2020

A deepfake version of the Queen Elizabeth II is set to deliver an alternative Christmas day message this year in which she will issue a “stark warning” about the rapid spread of fake news and disinformation in a digital age.

“For nearly seventy years, I have kept a tradition of speaking to you at Christmas,” the digitally-created monarch, voiced by actress Debra Stephenson, says, according to the transcript pf the speech released by Channel 4.

“But on the BBC, I haven’t always been able speak plainly and from the heart. So, I am grateful to Channel 4 for giving me the opportunity to say whatever I like, without anyone putting words in my mouth.”

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/deepfake-queen-elizabeth-ii-will-deliver-alternative-christmas-message-warning-about-fake-news-11608809334

Interlude

Interlude encore

Validity of vehicle registration, driving license extended till March 31.

Edited by Ayshee Bhaduri

Updated: Dec 27, 2020

This is the fourth such extension for the validity of these documents. The last such extension was done in August, when the government had extended the validity till December 31, 2020. The latest extension is meant to cover documents that expire either by February 1 or by March 31 of 2021.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/validity-of-vehicle-registration-driving-license-extended-till-march-31/story-aaHC00v8MY8M9ODWfv1xsJ.html

Chinese team in Nepal makes a peace offering to PM Oli. He doesn’t bite.

Shishir Gupta

Updated: Dec 28, 2020

China wants the PM Oli-led government to rescind the presidential order dissolving parliament and has offered to use its influence with the rival faction led by Prachanda and Madhav Nepal to get them to back off.

Guo Yexhou, who flew into Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport in a scheduled Air China flight with three delegates, is learnt to have been told by President Xi to amp up Ambassador Hou Yanqi’s efforts to keep Nepal Communist Party in one piece. About 7-8 more communist party officials drove into Nepal from the land border.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/xi-jinping-s-china-is-playing-political-broker-in-nepal-it-is-not-working/story-9qnICuYr7MEDzhSqHietRM.html

*image not from article.

>>12206710

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