China is accelerating its plan to remove older versions of Microsoft Windows from government agencies, aiming to reduce its reliance on foreign technology.

Ghana’s Extractive Sector Multi-Stakeholder Group has called on Parliament to summon State agencies regarding persistent delays in disbursing mineral royalties to mining host communities.

Property agencies in Singapore have welcomed the Council for Estate Agencies' (CEA) study into new measures, including a minimum transaction rule and consumer ratings for property agents. These initiatives aim to enhance transparency and consumer choice in the real estate market.

All board members in 65 Kenyan State agencies have been retired, with new rules set to remove politicians from these lucrative parastatal boards.

Kenyan government agencies spent an average of Sh9 billion annually on rent over five years, totaling Sh76 billion, despite numerous public buildings remaining vacant.

Following an eco-disaster involving fish kills in Cork, a new protocol has been established for Irish state agencies to ensure immediate responses to similar future incidents.

A recent storm in Bercham, Malaysia, has affected approximately 460 families, resulting in losses estimated at over RM1.2 million, prompting state agencies to provide aid.

Hungarian state bodies signed multi-billion forint contracts with the Fauszt company, which develops the mandatory Poszeidon document management system, just six months before elections. The system, initially offered for free, became compulsory by decree, leading to significant state expenditure and criticism from ministry employees.

An investigation by the National Audit Office reveals that many Norwegian state agencies lack the motivation to propose budget cuts and savings, posing a problem for government efficiency.

State agencies in Kenya are collaborating to eliminate tender cartels, with the CAK boss asserting that the commission possesses sufficient powers to investigate anti-competitive conduct.

Kazakhstan's AI-powered Crime Threat Forecasting Center has issued 192 risk assessments to state agencies and helped block 38 fraudulent websites as authorities deploy artificial intelligence to predict crime and assist investigations.

A Serbian commissioner's probe found that various state agencies had unlimited and unregulated access to video surveillance cameras at the airport. The investigation was prompted by the publication of photographs of a Serbian activist taken at the airport.

The Albanian parliament is reviewing three draft laws aimed at altering the legal functioning of several state agencies, transferring them from direct dependence on the Prime Minister while retaining control over the MIA.

Kenyan Members of Parliament have summoned Cabinet Secretary Mbadi to explain the unauthorized transfer and reclassification of State agencies to the National Investment Fund, an action that has sparked significant resistance.

A panel report alleges a "culture of fraud" within Minnesota state agencies, leading to the misuse of over $9 billion in taxpayer funds.

A scandal involving political figures in Bosnia and Herzegovina has emerged, detailing how powerful individuals allegedly accredited universities and obtained fake diplomas while serving in state agencies. The issue highlights deep-seated corruption and a lack of political will for change.

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has announced the appointment of Managing Directors for three key state agencies. This move aims to bolster the leadership and operations of the respective bodies.

French LR senators, led by Mathieu Darnaud, have proposed a bill to reform and streamline around 2000 state agencies, including Anru and ARS, to improve efficiency.

The return of multiple state agencies to the Mombasa port has raised concerns among stakeholders about potential cargo clearance delays due to overlapping responsibilities.

Tennessee's 'Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act' has advanced to the governor, aiming to prohibit state agencies from using the term 'West Bank' in official documents.

Thailand is undergoing a series of reviews and adjustments to its visa policies, with various state agencies making announcements that have led to some convolution regarding the changes.

The family of a two-year-old girl, who died from blunt force trauma inflicted by her mother's boyfriend, was awarded $130 million after it was determined that state agencies and her daycare missed critical warning signs.

President Ruto and Cabinet Secretaries have made new appointments in various universities and state agencies across Kenya.

Activist Okiya Omtatah previously filed a suit to halt a proposed takeover of Nairobi Hospital, and now a court has further blocked state agencies from interfering with the hospital's directorship or membership.

The real estate portal Otodom has introduced a new billing model for agencies, based on the value of their property listing portfolio, which has sparked concern among brokers who fear costs will spiral out of control.

A new Virginia procurement bill requires state agencies to increase contracts with minority and women-owned businesses to 42%, drawing criticism from Republicans who deem it unconstitutional.

Crime Analyst Ransford Nana Addo Jnr has described the GHS 68.7 billion arrears and payables scandal as deliberate acts, not administrative oversights, urging Parliament, the Attorney-General, and state agencies to probe deeper into who truly benefited from government contracts.

The King of Jordan chaired a meeting at a crisis center to assess the readiness of state agencies to manage the potential impact of ongoing regional developments.

Thailand has mandated work-from-home for state agencies as a measure to save fuel amidst rising energy costs.

Bosnian Defense Minister Zukan Helez accused the RS Interior Ministry of deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear, stating that state agencies have not recorded any threats to Jewish community objects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Reports from several real estate agencies indicate that obtaining housing loans, particularly for properties requiring renovation, has become more challenging in large Finnish cities.

Following data leaks that exposed sensitive information from at least 20 state agencies, Thai government agencies are considering adopting multi-factor authentication and resetting passwords to strengthen cyber defenses.

Ghana's Extractive Sector Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) has called on Parliament to summon state agencies regarding persistent delays in disbursing mineral royalties to mining host communities.

New regulations are changing what real estate agencies in Croatia are permitted to charge, affecting buyers and sellers in property transactions.

Irish Times investigation finds software involved in handling of sensitive information with at least three agencies

Two state agencies responsible for converting the former American military base in Clark into economic zones have remitted approximately P3 billion in dividends to the national treasury.

Amendments to the Law on Real Estate Brokerage, effective July 7, will introduce higher standards of professionalism, accountability, and transparency for real estate agents in Croatia, while also clarifying relations between brokers and consumers.

The President of the Association of Real Estate Agencies, Stefan Mišković, warned that despite previous delays in law implementation, Montenegro's real estate market remains largely unregulated, with thousands interested in licenses.

The Romanian Union of Real Estate Agencies has expressed concerns that proposed fiscal policy changes for 2027 could significantly increase housing prices and hinder transactions, directly impacting buyers, sellers, and renters.

The Association of Real Estate Agencies of Montenegro, representing over 70 registered companies, has voiced serious concern regarding an initiative to postpone the implementation of the Law on Mediation in Real Estate Transactions and Leases.

Domusnova, one of Iceland's larger real estate agencies, has sold over 6,000 properties. The agency has its headquarters in Kópavogur and branches in Selfoss, Akranes, and Borgarnes.

Members of Parliament, including Mbadi, are clashing over the decision to transfer 55 billion shillings to the National Infrastructure Fund, questioning the lack of proper approvals for moving key state agencies.

Estonian state agencies and businesses have formed a task force to combat fraudsters who steal money from at least ten people daily, but the criminals continue to evade capture.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed all Thai state agencies to fully disclose public information and eliminate unnecessary secrecy as part of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign launched in collaboration with the private sector.

A newly released bribery-risk list has significantly shaken public confidence in various Thai state agencies, raising concerns about corruption.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reveals that almost one-third of key IT projects across Irish government departments and State agencies are running over budget, totaling €61 million.

A Dublin man wanted by the PSNI for the murder of hitman Robbie Lawlor has had his bail application delayed due to a disputed document outlining his interactions with state agencies over two decades.

Millicent Omanga was among those removed from their positions in the latest changes implemented by President Ruto and Cabinet Secretaries across various state agencies.

A leaked government analytical body report, cited by Kommersant, scored Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service at 94% in an evaluation of 62 ministries and agencies, ranking it among the top state agencies for quality of service.

The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs has sent letters to 541 real estate agencies, managing 50,000 rental properties, urging them to extend contracts if requested by tenants.

The Tennessee General Assembly has passed House Bill 1446, which will require state agencies to use the term "Judea and Samaria" in all official communications starting in July 2026.

The Thai Prime Minister has ordered strict work-from-home measures for state agencies in response to an ongoing energy crisis.

Thailand's Prime Minister has mandated strict work-from-home policies for government agencies in response to an ongoing energy crisis.

Slovenian intelligence agency Sova and the police have rejected claims made by Zoran Stevanović, who alleged that his emails were hacked, phones tracked, and he was under constant surveillance, implying these actions could only be carried out by state agencies.

An opinion piece highlights that immigrants in Portugal are frequently rejected by real estate agencies and landlords when seeking housing, often being told that properties are not rented to foreigners.

Six members of the Nairobi Hospital board have filed a lawsuit against State agencies, accusing them of illegal interference and abuse of authority.

Cyprus will establish a dedicated coast guard service, consolidating six state agencies that currently handle maritime affairs across separate ministries, following cabinet approval.

MP Kibagendi claims that state agencies are targeting him and has vowed not to be intimidated by their actions.

Security agencies in Ogun State, Nigeria, are collaborating to ensure seamless Hajj operations at the Gateway International Airport in Iperu-Remo.

Luxembourg's Housing Minister Claude Meisch is aware of cases where real estate agencies charge unauthorized 'membership fees' or 'service fees'. The government plans to investigate if complaints about these practices increase.

Co-determination negotiations are underway in two Finnish state agencies, Elinvoimakeskukset and Keha-keskus, potentially affecting nearly 300 jobs out of over 2,000 employees.

Waste Of The Day: Secret Settlements Get Taxpayer Money Authored by Jeremy Portnoy via RealClearInvestigations, Topline: Eight Massachusetts state agencies and 13 colleges spent $6.8 million to settle grievances, partly in secret, brought by their own employees from 2019 to 2024, according to a Jan. 16 report from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio.  At least 80 of the 263 settlements contain confidentiality language such as a nondisclosure agreement — to keep certain details confidential between the two parties — which the audit claims is banned by state guidelines.  Key facts: The Massachusetts Port Authority transit agency was responsible for 11 of the settlements, costing taxpayers $1.7 million. Most of the money came from a $1.4 million settlement in 2022 with an employee who alleged they were denied a promotion because of their gender. The details are sealed by an NDA. Six of the confidential settlements involved alleged sexual harassment, and two involved alleged racial discrimination. Most of the others were about violations of collective bargaining agreements and employees who were fired without cause. NDAs were seemingly used on an arbitrary basis. None of the colleges and state agencies included in the audit had a written policy explaining when confidentiality language should be used, except the inspector general’s office. “By not having a documented policy on the use of confidentiality language in state employee settlement agreements, there is a risk that confidentiality language may be abused to cover up harassment; discrimination; or other inappropriate, unlawful, or unethical behaviors, potentially allowing perpetrators to continue to remain in their positions and engage in further inappropriate, unlawful, or unethical behavior,” auditor DiZoglio wrote. All of the colleges and state agencies receive legal assistance from the state attorney general’s office. The office’s guidelines prohibit nondisclosure agreements, and the attorneys told auditors that all state agencies were made aware of the guidelines.  DiZoglio argued that the NDAs may not even be enforceable. In June 2013, Suffolk County Superior Court sided with the Boston Globe newspaper in ruling that settlements between state agencies and their employees are public records. Search all federal, state and local salaries and vendor spending with the world’s largest government spending database at OpenTheBooks.com.  Background: The audit is a follow-up to a 2025 report that found 75 state agencies had spent $41 million on more than 2,000 employee settlements from 2010 to 2022. Summary: Massachusetts’ NDAs hurt the public twice. They essentially use taxpayer funds to cover up potentially unethical behavior perpetrated using taxpayer funds. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com Tyler Durden Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:40

Kenya Railways has lost its attempt to halt an investigation into the Maai-Mahiu flood disaster, after a court ruled that the catastrophe resulted from preventable failures by state agencies.

An analysis questions the capacity of commissions and state agencies in Kenya to effectively address and curb political lawlessness.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order targeting 'birth tourism,' empowering state agencies to investigate hospitals and providers suspected of advertising packages for non-citizens to give birth in the US to gain citizenship.

Families of new university students in Thessaloniki are already starting to search for student housing, making initial visits to real estate agencies and private residences in mid-July.

New, stricter regulations for real estate agencies are set to come into effect starting tomorrow in Croatia.

Greek tax authorities (AADE) are targeting real estate agencies, with their algorithms uncovering a case in the Cyclades, described as the 'tip of the iceberg' in their efforts to combat tax evasion.

The regulation of Montenegro's real estate market has been postponed once more, with discussions involving the Chamber of Economy and the Association of Real Estate Agencies.

Connecticut's Attorney General and several state agencies have formally requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to eliminate or significantly reduce the RTO adder charged by utility companies Eversource and Avangrid.

A report by the commission of investigation into Bill Kenneally is set to be published. The inquiry examined what state agencies and other entities knew about abuse allegations and how they responded.

The Finnish government has decided to allocate a special appropriation to create 500 new jobs for young people within state agencies, aiming to boost youth employment.

Ivan Hristanov has criticized the government led by Radev, alleging it is reinstating individuals associated with the Borisov and Peevski status quo into key positions within state agencies.

Konfindustria has raised concerns that foreign operators are being effectively excluded from public procurement tenders organized by Albanian state agencies and companies, violating EU standards.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed all state agencies to fully disclose public information and eliminate unnecessary secrecy as part of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign.

Several Thai state agencies have refuted allegations of corruption and initiated internal investigations following a business sector survey that identified high bribery risks, prompting the government to pledge anti-graft reforms.

Real estate agencies in Montenegro are raising concerns about a new legal provision that mandates all property transactions valued at €10,000 or more to be conducted exclusively through a transactional account opened with a credit institution in Montenegro.

Experts at TalTech warn that Estonia's plan to implement fixed-term employment contracts for mid-level managers in state agencies is an unprecedented move in developed democratic countries.

Real estate agencies in Portugal believe that a delay in home purchases will lead to a slowdown in the rise of house prices, which are currently at historic highs of 2,076 euros per square meter.

The Thai government is escalating its efforts against foreign nominee business holdings and money laundering by tightening laws, expanding investigations, and enhancing data sharing among state agencies.

Finland is planning to create a consolidated working environment for approximately 700 personnel from 11 state agencies within the Linnan Kasarmit buildings in Hämeenlinna.

Three Ray White real estate agencies in New Zealand have gone into liquidation, collectively owing $5.3 million, impacting the local property market.

Phishing emails, impersonating the head of a prominent think tank, have been sent to Estonian state agencies in an attempt to gain unauthorized access to civil servants' devices.

Real estate agencies are protesting changes to Otodom's payment model for property listings, leading many to remove their offers from the portal. Agents express frustration, stating they have supported the service for years and question who will be able to afford its new costs.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed state agencies to incorporate potential AI harms into their contract rules, aiming to mitigate risks associated with artificial intelligence in government operations.

Kenyan state agencies have been granted a six-month deadline to ensure full compliance with human resources guidelines, aiming to standardize practices across public offices.

Ireland's Minister plans to remove an 'outdated' rule, granting State agencies greater freedom to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the defence sector.

Ghana's latest Auditor-General’s report has revealed that government agencies overstated claims totaling GH¢161.98 million, as confirmed by the Deputy Minister for Finance.

The Chief Election Commissioner warned that strict action would be taken against officials if any lapses are found during the West Bengal assembly polls, following a series of review meetings with political parties and state agencies.

Finland’s housing market recorded fewer transactions in February 2026, yet price indicators in large cities showed signs of recovery after a prolonged decline. Data from the Finnish Association of Real Estate Agencies points to weak consumer confidence while wage growth and lower property values improved affordability for buyers. A total of 4,039 housing transactions took place across Finland in February. The figure marks a decline of 9.4 per cent from the same month in 2025. The data inclu...

The association of real estate agencies continues to criticize the tariff structure of the atHome real estate portal, while the Chamber of Real Estate has now entered into a dialogue with the platform, leading to the end of a boycott.