Despite the roughly billions of dollars spent on more than 30 homeless and housing programs during the 2018-2023 fiscal years, California doesn't have reliable data needed to fully understand why the problem didn't improve in many cities, according to state auditor's report. "This report concludes that the state must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs," State Auditor Grant Parks wrote in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers. read more
The Xiaomi SU7 made a big splash in China late last week. It's the first-ever car made by a company known worldwide for its consumer electronics. read more
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) " Hundreds of high-tech surveillance cameras are being installed in the city of Oakland and surrounding freeways to battle crime, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday. Newsom, a Democrat, said in a news release that the California Highway Patrol has contracted with Flock Safety to install 480 cameras that can identify and track vehicles by license plate, type, color and even decals and bumper stickers. The cameras will provide authorities with real-time alerts of suspect vehicles. read more
On the 21st of December 2023, as we were frantically preparing for the festive season, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final ruling to amend a provision of the 21st Century Cures Act. This allowed ... an exception from the requirement to obtain informed consent when a clinical investigation poses no more than a minimal risk to the human subject ... This ruling went into effect on January 22nd, 2024, which means it's already standard practice across America. read more
Fast food workers are losing their jobs in California as more restaurant chains prepare to meet a new $20 minimum wage set to go into effect next week. read more
US would target Israel's Netzah Yehuda battalion over alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
What about the US wiping out all those children and a waterboy?
Are there also going to be sanctions?
I have no issue so long as the US is fair about looking at its self.
In 2014, a year after I wrote my essay, a top-secret U.S. strike cell made up of special operations forces was created to go after Islamic State (also known as ISIS) targets in Syria. Over the course of five years, it struck many enemy positions. But a recent New York Times investigation revealed that it also killed an untold number of civilians"deaths that were never officially counted and have only recently been acknowledged by the Defense Department after intense media pressure. Military officials who worked with the task force told the Times that the group would often claim its actions were taken in self-defense to circumvent the rules meant to minimize civilian casualties.
www.hrw.org
Say it isn't so .... sounds like the US had its own "Netzah Yehuda battalion".