Latest news with #PublicService
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Learn how to drink like a Korean
Street of Youth in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to be turned into interactive exhibition space for exploring soju next month A shot of soju is not just about what is in the glass — there is culture involved. For those wishing to dive deeper into Korean drinking culture, head to Jongno in central Seoul next month for an immersive experience with soju, the ubiquitous alcoholic beverage of choice in Korea. Come June, Jonggak Street of Youth in Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, will turn into an interactive exhibition space about Korea's beloved alcoholic drink and the drinking culture. The monthlong event has been designed and styled by FunnyJoon, who refers to himself as a "soju artist." One of the key attractions will be "How to Drink Soju: 10 Steps" which walks visitors through the etiquette of drinking soju. Another highlight is a liquor-themed game board installed on the pavement to enjoy soju-themed games. Some 33 stores nearby will also offer soju-related games. A one-day class on "judo" — not the combat sport, but Korean drinking etiquette — will be offered every Sunday during the event period. Aspiring participants can register for the class, available in both Korean and English, through the Seoul Public Service Reservation System.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
AI Training To Boost Public Sector Productivity
Press Release – New Zealand Government Across the public sector, AI offers a real opportunity to improve decision-making and deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders, says Ms Collins. Minister for Digitising Government Minister for the Public Service New artificial intelligence (AI) training will increase the uptake of AI and boost productivity in the public service, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. 'Across the public sector, AI offers a real opportunity to improve decision-making and deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders,' says Ms Collins. 'I want public service leaders to embrace AI and support their teams to use it safely and effectively. 'That's why the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) and the Public Service Commission's Leadership Development Centre have partnered to develop two new AI training programmes. A three-part AI Masterclass series is now available to senior leaders to improve the understanding of and use of AI within agencies. These sessions will cover core AI concepts and key decision-making considerations. The all-of-government AI Foundational Development Programme starts this month for general public service users. Around 50 participants from 10 agencies will be upskilled in basic AI concepts and present their own ideas for the use of AI. This will create a pipeline of agency-specific AI applications to improve productivity, cost efficiency and customer experience. The five-week online course will be piloted from 26 May to 30 June and be repeated throughout the year. Material from these sessions will be published on the LDC: Public Service Core Learning Hub. 'This initiative will enable greater use of AI in the public service, enhancing both the speed and quality of service delivery for Kiwis,' Ms Collins says. 'Government agencies are already seeing promising results and this training will build on them to transform the way our government serves New Zealanders.'
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
AI Training To Boost Public Sector Productivity
Hon Judith Collins KC Minister for Digitising Government Minister for the Public Service New artificial intelligence (AI) training will increase the uptake of AI and boost productivity in the public service, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. 'Across the public sector, AI offers a real opportunity to improve decision-making and deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders,' says Ms Collins. 'I want public service leaders to embrace AI and support their teams to use it safely and effectively. 'That's why the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) and the Public Service Commission's Leadership Development Centre have partnered to develop two new AI training programmes. A three-part AI Masterclass series is now available to senior leaders to improve the understanding of and use of AI within agencies. These sessions will cover core AI concepts and key decision-making considerations. The all-of-government AI Foundational Development Programme starts this month for general public service users. Around 50 participants from 10 agencies will be upskilled in basic AI concepts and present their own ideas for the use of AI. This will create a pipeline of agency-specific AI applications to improve productivity, cost efficiency and customer experience. The five-week online course will be piloted from 26 May to 30 June and be repeated throughout the year. Material from these sessions will be published on the LDC: Public Service Core Learning Hub. 'This initiative will enable greater use of AI in the public service, enhancing both the speed and quality of service delivery for Kiwis,' Ms Collins says. 'Government agencies are already seeing promising results and this training will build on them to transform the way our government serves New Zealanders.'
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sir Keir Starmer is making a mistake if he plans to characterise his battle against Farage as some sort of moral crusade
PM must use ideas to fight Farage SIR KEIR Starmer has told Labour MPs they have a 'moral responsibility' to keep Nigel Farage out of Number Ten. You will be hearing much more of this sort of talk as Reform continue to surge ahead in polls. 2 2 But the Prime Minister is making a mistake if he plans to characterise his battle against a right-wing party as some sort of moral crusade. Firstly it is an insult to the concerns of voters, many of whom are themselves turning away from Labour to back Nigel Farage. Secondly it is not the right political approach to take with Reform. If Labour are to gain ground on this new party they must beat them in the battle of ideas and attack their inconsistent economic policies. Above all, Sir Keir must grasp exactly what the concerns are that drive his own supporters to back Reform. These voters are worried about spiralling migration, ruinous Net Zero policies and the crippling cost of living. They are fed up about winter fuel payments being cut while £17billion is given to public service workers. And there is nothing immoral about that, Prime Minister. Law system in chaos A NEW crackdown on drug smuggling sheds light on the creaking state of our justice system. Foreign crooks caught smuggling cannabis into Heathrow Airport will have their drugs seized and be immediately deported. I'll never give up booze, vows Nigel Farage as Reform tipped to make HUGE gains in local elections If successful the pilot scheme, which began last Monday, could be rolled out in every UK airport. Supporters will rightly point out that it keeps foreign crooks out of our justice system. They don't become a burden on the taxpayer and are sent back on the next available plane. Their home country is then expected to deal with them. The flipside of the argument is that foreign drug smugglers are effectively being decriminalised. They are breaking our laws and under any normal hardline justice system they would be looking at a potential jail term. But, as we've seen this week, these are not normal times. Our jails are packed to the brim. Violent and sexual offenders are being released early. Our courts are clogged with backlogs of cases. Rather than getting tough on drug smuggling, this new policy really reflects a system in crisis.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Ambassador to Ukraine who resigned under Trump administration may run for Congress in Michigan
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is considering a run for Congress in her home state of Michigan, CBS News has learned. Brink, who served for 28 years as a diplomat, is mulling a bid in Michigan's 7th congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Tom Barrett. The Lansing-area district is rated by the Cook Political Report as a tossup, and was represented by Democrat Elissa Slotkin until earlier this year, when she moved to the Senate. In a statement first given to the Detroit News, Brink said, "I've dedicated my life to public service — working under five Presidents, both Democratic and Republican, and am exploring my options and the best way to continue to serve my country and my great home state of Michigan." Brink resigned her post as envoy to Ukraine in April. In an op-ed last week in the Detroit Free Press, she said policy differences with the Trump administration prompted her to step down. President Trump has pressed Ukraine and Russia to strike a peace deal, sometimes lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the process. On CBS News' "Face the Nation" Sunday, she told moderator Margaret Brennan, "I resigned from Ukraine and also from the Foreign Service, because the policy since the beginning of the administration was to put pressure on the victim Ukraine, rather than on the aggressor, Russia. I fully agree that the war needs to end, but I believe that peace at any price is not peace at all. It's appeasement and as we know from history, appeasement only leads to more war. A career diplomat, Brink was confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to Kyiv shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, and stayed on during the early months of the Trump administration. In April, CBS reported that Brink intended to resign her post as ambassador due to an unusual mix of personal and policy concerns, including USAID layoffs. Brink had been serving in a war zone far from her family since Kyiv is designated as an unaccompanied post, where officers serve without bringing their families with them.
