Michael Carty

Hiding in plain sight, just one of the masters of disguise that are the cows of the Ashdown Forest.

US court says Trump’s Doge team can access social security numbers and other sensitive data Court refuses to block ‘department of government efficiency’ from accessing data such as citizenship status

US court says Trump’s Doge team can access social security numbers and other sensitive data

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

UK weather: Water shortfall declared 'nationally significant' - as amber heat health alert comes into force Hot and dry conditions have returned this month, with the fourth heatwave of the year putting more pressure on already struggling public water supplies and navigational waterways.

UK weather: Water shortfall declared 'nationally significant' - as amber heat health alert comes into force

news.sky.com/story/uk-wea...

Colour photo of a sunrise over waves. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sunrise_at_the_Beach". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Wednesday waves, warmest well wishes!

What is good in your world today?

#EarlyShift

‘A literal gut punch’: Missouri workers devastated by Republican repeal of paid sick leave Voters approved sick leave mandate by 58%, but lawmakers are caving to lobbying by the state’s chamber of commerce

‘A literal gut punch’: Missouri workers devastated by Republican repeal of paid sick leave www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

At the risk of having posted a shudder-worthy response, may today prove one of those nicer days for you.

YouTube video by Vintage Music Experience Miles Davis - 1978-03-02, Columbia Studio B - Miss Last Summer

Miles Davis - 1978-03-02, Columbia Studio B - Miss Last Summer

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-xp...

Trump takes over DC police in extraordinary move, deploys National Guard in capital President Donald Trump said on Monday he was deploying 800 National Guard troops to Washington and putting the city's police department under federal control, an extraordinary assertion of presidential power in the nation's capital.

Trump takes over DC police, deploys National Guard

www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

In my 20+ years in HR, I’ve never seen change hit this fast. | Gautam Ghosh In my 20+ years in HR, I’ve never seen change hit this fast. HR Is at a Crossroads—Specialize or Become Obsolete A few days ago, I spoke to a regional HR manager in the beverage industry. He was fru...

New Linkedin post
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

AOL will stop offering dial-up internet service after more than 30 years in business | CNN Business AOL, an internet pioneer that brought millions of Americans online for the first time, is discontinuing its dial-up service next month.

Blimey!

AOL will stop offering dial-up internet service after more than 30 years in business

edition.cnn.com/2025/08/11/t...

Colour photo of a sunrise over water. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sunrise_surfing,_pre-Erika_(20789490989)". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Terrific Tuesday tidings, friends!

#EarlyShift

You can do anything Yesterday is gone, finished, done. From this point onward, you can do anything.

Blogged: You can do anything

mjcarty.com/2025/08/09/y...

Only 16% of UK firms are recruiting ex-offenders, research suggests A new report has claimed a lack of job opportunities for former prisoners is driving reoffending.

Only 16% of UK firms are recruiting ex-offenders, research suggests

#HR

www.standard.co.uk/business/bus...

UK employers report weaker hiring and pay growth in July Hiring intentions by British businesses fell to their weakest since the COVID-19 pandemic and recruiters said starting pay was rising at the slowest pace in over four years, according to surveys on Monday which add to signs of a weakening jobs market.

UK employers report weaker hiring and pay growth in July

"The @cipd.bsky.social said only 57% of private sector employers planned to recruit staff over the next three months, the lowest since the start of 2021..."

#HR

www.reuters.com/business/wor...

Colour photo of a sunrise over a city. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "640px-Templestowe_sunrise". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

A very good Monday and a very good new week to you, friends!

How are you feeling, right now?

#EarlyShift

You can do anything Yesterday is gone, finished, done. From this point onward, you can do anything.

Blogged: You can do anything

Yesterday is gone, finished, done. From this point onward, you can do anything.

mjcarty.com/2025/08/09/y...

Pink and purple tones sweep through the sky, a wee bit earlier this Saturday morning.

Trump's environment agency terminates contract with unionized employees The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved to end its contract with unionized employees, according to the union's president, the latest action in President Donald Trump’s push to weaken collective bargaining across the federal government.

Trump's environment agency terminates contract with unionized employees

www.reuters.com/business/wor...

A very good morning to you, Jenny!

Colour photo of a sunrise. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Sunrise_over_the_Tamar_06-12-08_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1100167". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Gentlest Saturday morning greetings, friends.

How are you feeling, in this moment?

Should you fancy a wee bit of #EarlyShift reading, my new bloggage is up at MJCarty.com!

This summer brought an abundance of butterflies and birds. Nature is ready to spring back – if we let it | Patrick Barkham The recent hopeful surge of some wildlife isn’t down to us. But in an era of climatic decline, it shows the resilience of our fellow species, says Guardian nature writer Patrick Barkham

An abundance of butterflies and birds arrived this summer: nature is ready to spring back – if we let it

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Why firms are merging HR and IT departments The emergence of AI is spurring some firms to make their HR and IT departments work closer together.

Why firms are merging #HR and IT departments

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Colour photo of a sunrise. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "640px-Daybreak_on_Bodmin_Moor,_Cornwall,_England,_30_Sept._2010_-_Flickr_-_PhillipC". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Friday begins - and the weekend is so very near.

How are you doing?

#EarlyShift

Colour photo of yellow flowers. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "Zygaena filipendulae Cornwall England". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Fragrantly floral #FridayJunior felicitations!

How is this early-August week treating you, so far?

#EarlyShift

The cost of the commute to work adds up Getting into the office each day is becoming increasingly expensive as workers who avoid the trek count their savings.

The cost of the commute to work adds up

#HR

www.smh.com.au/business/wor...

UK pay body expects minimum wage to rise 4.1% in 2026 Britain's main minimum wage rate will probably need to rise 4.1% next year to 12.71 pounds ($16.88) an hour to keep up with the government's goal for it to match two-thirds of median earnings, the body which effectively sets the rate said on Tuesday.

UK pay body expects minimum wage to rise 4.1% in 2026

#HR

www.reuters.com/business/wor...

Pre-dawn tones for Wednesday (pink edition).

Colour photo of a sunrise over rocks and waves. This image is on Wikimedia Commons, with the following title: "St_Michael_Mount_6692_6697". If you have taken the time to access this text, may today be nothing but kind to you and yours.

Warmest Wednesday waves, wonderful well wishes!

#EarlyShift

National living wage likely to rise to £12.71 next year, advisory body estimates At the moment, the national living wage for people aged 21 and above is £12.21 an hour.

National living wage likely to rise to £12.71 next year, advisory body estimates

uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nationa...

What kind of attention do you want? What kind of attention do you want? How much of that kind of attention do you want?

Blogged: What kind of attention do you want?

mjcarty.com/2025/08/02/w...