All posts tagged: offices

Executive Orders, Offices, and Laws: Democratic Conundrums in Ancient Greece and Modern America

Executive Orders, Offices, and Laws: Democratic Conundrums in Ancient Greece and Modern America

Published by skeptic

An executive order is issued by the new ruler of a country. A woman defies the order in the name of higher laws. How should we as democrats think about their actions? I wrote that opening paragraph with reference to Antigone, as presented in Sophocles’s play of that name. Sophocles wrote that play as a citizen of ancient democratic Athens, to be produced with civic funding as part of its cycle of annual festivals. Although Antigone as a character lived in ancient royally governed Thebes, the play was born in the context of Athenian democratic politics and participated linguistically and thematically in its debates. Readers of this blog may also see the opening paragraph of this blog as applying to an exchange in the White House between President Donald J. Trump and Governor Janet Mills of Maine on February 5 (2025), when Governor Mills was addressed by President Trump about an executive order that he had issued that day with the title “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” According to the New York Times report …

Following Layoffs, Pictures and Posters Removed from USAID Offices

Following Layoffs, Pictures and Posters Removed from USAID Offices

Published by skeptic

Artworks and pictures have been removed from the offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) across the globe, according to an X post from NBC’s Washington reporter Vaughn Hillyard. Vaughn, quoting a source, said that employees have been told that artworks have been removed as part of the Trump administration’s “America First” positioning.  The post featured a picture of dozens of works of art, including a map what appeared to be southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa, and an image of a concert in Kenya. These pictures appeared to have been haphazardly stacked on a utility cart.  Related Articles According to the Congressional Research Service, USAID is the main international humanitarian aid and development arm of the federal government. In the 2023 fiscal year it managed more than $40 billion in appropriations. USAID has missions in more than 60 countries and in 2023 delivered aid and funds to more than 130.  Exactly how much art has been removed, and from where, is unclear. USAID has not responded to a request for comment about who will …

Smithsonian Institution Falls in Line, Closes DEI Offices

Smithsonian Institution Falls in Line, Closes DEI Offices

Published by skeptic

Just days after the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. said it would cancel its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the Smithsonian Institution, a consortium that includes 21 national museums, announced its diversity office will also close. According to the New York Times, the Smithsonian will also freeze hiring for all federal positions and employees will have to return to in-person work full-time. This move follows an executive order signed earlier this month by President Donald J. Trump, which labels the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs.” The Smithsonian, which includes the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is heavily funded by the federal government, is now taking steps to align itself with the new policies, following similar changes at other federally supported cultural institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art. (The federal hiring freeze and return-to-office policy are part of separate executive orders by Trump.) Related Articles While the Smithsonian’s diversity office will close, the organization will maintain its …

Interior design firm secures first offices in Redditch

Interior design firm secures first offices in Redditch

Published by skeptic

A specialist interior design firm has been launched in Redditch, by a longstanding local team. Chapter 9 Design are now open on the Moons Moat industrial estate. Sarah Clements, interior designer at Chapter 9 Design, said the team had all worked at Redditch interior design firm Claude Hooper until it closed down in 2024 due to retirement.  “After the retirement of Claude Hooper, we decided that we wanted to use our experienced team and bring fresh ideas and creativity to our clients. “Our stylish and attractive designs can play a big role in highlighting the strengths of a new home. “We took our proposal to a leading local businessman, Stephen Lomas, and he agreed to back us and come on board as the MD. “With his support and our experience, we are now securing work all over the country, so being based in Redditch at the heart of the UK motorway system is hugely useful and gives us national reach.” James Haynes, apprentice surveyor at John Truslove, helped the new firm secure a six-year lease …

Oxford legal firm Howes Percival makes key hire and expands offices

Oxford legal firm Howes Percival makes key hire and expands offices

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Law firm Howes Percival has appointed commercial law and technology specialist Max Windich to its Oxford office. The firm also announced it is moving to larger offices within its existing building to accommodate a growing team. Max joins Howes Percival from Witney-based Bartington Instruments Ltd, where he was Legal Director, and is part of the firm’s plan to develop a broader legal offering in the city. Previously Max, who lives in Oxford, ran his own legal practice, Windich Legal, which served a wide range of clients, including Government organisations, Universities, SMEs, national and multinational businesses. He has particular expertise advising on procurement and outsourcing transactions, IT and technology contracts, complex supply chain and licensing arrangements. Max has also supported key clients as an extension of their in-house function, priding himself on his close relationships with in-house counsel and his tailored approach to individual client needs. Howes Percival’s newest regional office was created in January 2024, following the acquisition of Oxford based specialist commercial, IP & media law firm Maier Blackburn. Maier Blackburn was founded in …

Digital not-for-profit Jisc takes offices at Milton Park

Digital not-for-profit Jisc takes offices at Milton Park

Published by skeptic

Milton Park business campus in Oxfordshire has welcomed Jisc, a digital, data and technology agency focused on higher education, research and innovation. Formerly the Joint Information Systems Committee, Jisc supports education providers with cloud connectivity and cybersecurity, data analytics and tools to enrich learning and employability. Its vision is to help make the UK a world leader in technology for education, research and innovation. Funded by a combination of the UK further and higher education funding bodies, plus higher education institutions, an estimated two thirds of the UK’s further education sector uses Jisc’s digital elevation tool.   The Bristol-based organisation has now moved into a recently refurbished office at 85 Park Drive, joining other occupiers in the education sector including RM plc and Taylor & Francis. Alison Jolly, Facilities Manager at Jisc, commented: “We were drawn to Milton Park because its modern workspaces suited Jisc’s estate strategy, which ensures our employees have access to easily accessible facilities that are flexible, functional, practical and inviting.  “The team was attracted to Milton Park because of its connectivity and proximity to …

Single-sex toilets mandatory in new bars, restaurants and offices under proposed laws | UK News

Single-sex toilets mandatory in new bars, restaurants and offices under proposed laws | UK News

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Single-sex toilets are set to become a legal requirement for all new bars, restaurants, offices and shopping centres under new laws proposed by the government. Self-contained toilets for both sexes may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, or if there isn’t enough space. Care homes, hotels, schools, cells in custodial facilities, and buildings used for early years provision are all exempt from the proposed legislation. The law would affect England only and applies to new buildings as well as existing premises that undergo a material change of use. The government said that in a consultation on the proposals, 81% of respondents agreed “with the intention for separate single-sex toilet facilities” while 82% “agreed with the intention to provide universal toilets where space allows”. It said that women, the elderly and disabled people said they felt “unfairly disadvantaged” by gender-neutral toilets “where users share cubicle and hand-washing facilities”.  “This leads to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and less privacy and dignity,” the government said. Minister for women and equalities Kemi Badenoch claimed the …

Single-sex toilet becoming compulsory in offices, bars and restaurants | Politics | News

Single-sex toilet becoming compulsory in offices, bars and restaurants | Politics | News

Published by skeptic

Single-sex toilets will become compulsory in all restaurants and offices across England, it was reported last night. The Government has announced the move will be rolled out in new offices, restaurants, bars and shopping centres following a rise in the number of gender neutral facilities being used. Existing firms could end up being caught up in the new rules. Lee Rowley, the housing minister, said the Government wants to ensure “that single-sex toilets, providing privacy, decency and space for both sexes, are not abandoned for alternatives which might offer none of that – and make the whole process of using the loos even more inefficient.” The new policy would also encourage buildings to consider a self-contained universal toilet as opposed to male or female toilet blocks. These would contain a toilet, washbasin and hand-drying facilities for individual use. Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch said: “These regulations will guide organisations to design unisex and single-sex toilets, ending the rise of so-called “gender-neutral” mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men …

Israel takes Al Jazeera off the air, raids its offices – POLITICO

Israel takes Al Jazeera off the air, raids its offices – POLITICO

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Al Jazeera said the move was part of Israel’s “ongoing suppression of the free press.” It added: “Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover” the war. Netanyahu’s government has been highly critical of Al Jazeera for years, and even more so since its war with the Hamas militant group began on Oct. 7 after the group’s atrocity in Israel. The images of human suffering in Gaza that Al Jazeera broadcasts have undermined Israel’s campaign against Hamas by eroding international support for its war. Israel also strongly objects to the editorial approaches that Al Jazeera takes toward the conflict as well as its use of statements by Hamas. Al Jazeera objects to Israel’s targeting of journalists, and claims that more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the start of the war. During a previous bombardment of Gaza in 2021, Israel flattened an office block where several media outlets had their operations, including Al Jazeera and AP. Nobody was hurt. In …

Netanyahu’s government votes to close Al Jazeera offices in Israel

Netanyahu’s government votes to close Al Jazeera offices in Israel

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FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023. Abir Sultan/AP hide caption toggle caption Abir Sultan/AP FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023. Abir Sultan/AP TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s cabinet has voted to shut down the offices of the Al Jazeera network operating in the country with immediate effect. Writing on X – formally known as Twitter – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government had decided “unanimously” to close Al Jazeera in Israel. He accused the Doha-headquartered network as an “incitement channel” against Israel. Al Jazeera, which broadcasts in both English and Arabic, has previously vehemently denied such an allegation and said the Israeli leader had made a “false accusation in a disgraceful manner.” Despite having operated on the ground in Gaza throughout the war, Al Jazeera has long had a difficult relationship with Israel. In April, the Israeli parliament …