around the traps
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COVIDSafe has been downloaded by millions, but yet to identify contacts (and authorities say that's a good thing) - ABC News:
While more than 6 million Australians have downloaded it, this is still short of the 40 per cent of the population target first discussed as part of the Government's plans to ease lockdown restrictions. That goal has since fallen by the wayside. Acting Secretary for Health Caroline Edwards told a Senate committee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic response in May that there was no download target at all.
Adding "lied about the download target" to the list of things the government lied about regarding the app. Edit - since this one was published, the app was used to locate two contacts. Manual tracing found several hundred in the same incident, but hey at least it wasn't zero for the app. - No timeline for when $25k HomeBuilder scheme will be up and running - ABC News:
The Federal Government launched the HomeBuilder scheme on June 4, but just over three weeks later it is still not operational and there is no start date in sight. Each state and territory is responsible for administering the scheme and, according to Treasury, a national partnership agreement is still being negotiated.
Yep, they announced a scheme that can't go ahead yet. - Portland Mayor demands US President Trump withdraws troops after officers accused of 'kidnapping' protesters - ABC News:
Portland's Mayor has demanded US President Donald Trump remove militarised federal agents from the city after reports some anti-racism protesters were dragged off the streets into unmarked cars.
- This is why golf courses are important to military installations - Americas Military Entertainment Brand:
When the golf course is not in use, they are, essentially, large plots of land that are free from trees. They're secure, defendable locations that can used for any purpose at the drop of a hat.
Discovered this after noticing the Trump/Obama comparison on Trump Golf Count - Obama visited quite a few military golf courses... first time I'd heard of that being a thing. - How Many Hot Dogs Can Someone Eat In 10 Minutes? - The New York Times:
Despite using the same hot dogs and buns for 40 years, the Nathan's contest has seen performance among elite competitors rise by about 700 percent. “No other sport comes close to that when records are measured in a 100-plus year span,” Dr. Smoliga said.
- Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election - BBC News:
Mr Trump appears to be doing everything in his power to undermine the credibility of November's vote, in which a record number of Americans are predicted to rely on mail-in voting to avoid the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. He's repeatedly made false and misleading claims about the reliability of the mail balloting and suggested broad conspiracy theories. Critics warn that he could be laying the groundwork for contesting the results - although the purpose may be simply to give him a scapegoat if he loses. His tweet could also be an attempt to divert attention away from the truly dismal second-quarter economic numbers just released.
- James Murdoch's resignation is the result of News Corp's increasing shift to the right – not just on climate:
James left London for New York and his promised promotion in the company. But his reputation was in tatters, even with other members of the family. His public persona at this time consisted of neo-liberal politics and corporate ruthlessness, with his actions untroubled by ethical considerations. Yet, now, this corporate and family loyalist has resigned from his last official position with the company. James has long seen the urgency of combating global warming. As early as 2006, largely at his urging, Rupert also embraced the issue. Rupert soon retreated from the cause, but James's commitment continued. Rupert's conversion had surprisingly little impact on the company's journalism.
- An exercise in #auspol - watch as the Liberals politicise the pandemic to attack Labor, while actively blocking investigation into their own failures: Treasurer ramps up attack on Victorian hotel quarantine amid 'social inclusion' revelations and Ruby Princess: Gladys Berejiklian refuses calls to extend inquiry to hear from official who refused to appear | Ruby Princess | The Guardian
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People were pretty sure we'd have computers in our daily lives, but nobody really predicted TikTok.