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Songkhla to Phatthalung: New bridge a step closer to reality
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UK Businesses Urged to Prioritize Diversity and Net Zero to Secure Government Contracts
New procurement guidelines from the government have advised businesses to align with net zero and diversity objectives if they wish to secure public contracts. However, critics argue that these policies prioritize ideology over economic efficiency, calling them examples of "eco-zealotry" and "woke virtue signaling." The recently published guide encourages firms bidding for government work to demonstrate their contributions to Sir Keir Starmer’s “five missions” and their commitment to delivering “social value.” Companies are expected to outline how they will enhance “community cohesion,” eliminate barriers for underrepresented groups and young people, and support the transition to net zero when executing government projects. Additionally, businesses must show efforts toward “creating opportunities in areas of deprivation” and upholding the “highest standards” of “environmental sustainability.” The updated National Procurement Policy Statement replaces a previous guide developed under the Conservative government as part of the Procurement Act 2023. Unlike the new guidelines, the prior version did not reference net zero and discouraged excessive diversity reporting requirements for companies competing for public contracts. The new directive also encourages government departments to allocate more resources to charities and NGOs in an effort to enhance "social value." Critics argue that these changes undermine financial prudence. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, former business secretary, remarked, “The intention of the Procurement Act 2023 was to maximize value for money for taxpayers. When the public finances are under such strain, trying to use it for woke virtue signaling is especially foolish and potentially unlawful.” Echoing these concerns, Andrew Bowie, shadow Scottish secretary, criticized the move, stating, “It seems this government is more concerned with their eco-zealotry than delivering value for money for the taxpayer. By enforcing these mad targets on companies, the British public will face higher bills and worse services—just to fuel Ed Miliband’s own ego and ideology. After their disastrous Budget, the Government should be prioritizing value for money over eco-zealotry rather than taking another step in the wrong direction and lumbering costs on taxpayers.” Lord Kempsell, founder of the anti-waste organization UK DOGE, warned that the new procurement rules could lead to unnecessary red tape, potentially delaying essential projects. “It may be well-intentioned, but this kind of overly bureaucratic layering will slow down vital procurement and just backfire. It shows why we need UK DOGE right now—the crack team is ready to go, Labour should call us at once.” The Conservative government had reformed procurement in 2023 through the Procurement Act, aiming to simplify and increase transparency in the process. The introduction of these new guidelines, however, has reignited debate over whether government contracting should focus on broader social and environmental objectives or remain strictly centered on financial efficiency and value for taxpayers. Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-25 -
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Britain Leaves Possibility Open for Russia’s Return to G7 Amid Ukraine Talks
The British government has not ruled out the possibility of Russia rejoining the G7, as Security Minister Dan Jarvis praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for initiating negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jarvis also expressed doubts about Ukraine’s ability to win the war, signaling a shift in tone as Britain and its allies seek to influence U.S. policy on the conflict. As Britain intensifies its efforts to prevent the U.S. from withdrawing support for Ukraine, Jarvis aligned with Trump’s view that Russia’s global isolation could come to an end through peace negotiations. Britain is set to announce a new package of sanctions on Monday aimed at increasing pressure on Russia while discussions on ending the war continue. However, following Trump’s recent remarks that it had been a “mistake” to remove Russia from the G8 after its 2014 annexation of Crimea, Jarvis suggested that Putin’s return could be reconsidered in the future. When asked if Russia should be allowed back into the G7, Jarvis told *Times Radio*, “That will be a matter to be discussed with international allies. And that is a matter that no doubt will be considered at the point at which the conflict in Ukraine has been concluded.” He further stated that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would be addressing these issues during his upcoming meeting with Trump, as part of a strategic effort to encourage Russia to end the war. Pressed on whether Starmer would discuss re-admitting Russia into the G7, Jarvis responded, “There’ll be a range of conversations taking place with international allies. And the prime minister will be discussing, I’m sure, a range of matters relating to Russia and Ukraine.” Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to present a united front on Ukraine when they meet Trump separately this week, emphasizing what they see as a critical moment in global security. Starmer is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Thursday, following Macron’s own discussions with the former U.S. president on Monday. Diplomatic sources indicated that both leaders would attempt to dissuade Trump from pursuing unilateral peace talks with Moscow in exchange for stronger European security commitments to Ukraine. In marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the UK government is set to tighten its sanctions by banning senior Russian politicians, officials, and business leaders from entering Britain. The Home Office announced that all local and federal ministers, along with top executives of major Russian companies, would be barred from traveling to the UK in an effort to exert pressure on Russia’s elite. These measures build on existing sanctions that have already seen high-profile figures such as Roman Abramovich and Oleg Deripaska banned from the country. Starmer is also expected to discuss the situation with G7 leaders in an upcoming call. However, government sources have downplayed speculation that he will commit to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP before his meeting with Trump. UK military officials have warned the prime minister that defense spending must rise to at least 2.65% of GDP just to maintain current military capabilities, urging an even higher target of 3%. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, speaking on foreign policy, was careful not to criticize Trump for his negotiations with Putin. She acknowledged that engaging with Russia is necessary for peace but stressed that any settlement must include Ukraine. “It will require negotiation with the Russians through part of the settlement, so I do think that is the right approach,” she said. She added, “President Trump has brought the Russians to the table, but any lasting settlement when it comes to peace does require Ukrainian voices, President Zelensky’s voice, to be a part of that. There can be no settlement unless we have a negotiation involving both Russia and Ukraine.” Based on a report by The Times 2025-02-25 -
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Rising Concerns Over Weight-Loss Jabs as Dozens of Deaths Reported in UK
The number of deaths linked to weight-loss and diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro has risen to 82 in the UK, according to newly released figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This growing toll has sparked fresh concerns regarding the safety of these increasingly popular injections. According to the data, 22 individuals died after using these drugs for weight loss, while 60 fatalities were associated with their use in treating type 2 diabetes. Alison Cave, the chief safety officer at the MHRA, emphasized the importance of careful medical oversight, stating, “The decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on full consideration of benefits and risks.” The popularity of these medications has surged, with approximately 500,000 Britons currently using them. Many individuals have reported significant weight loss, with some shedding up to 22.5% of their body weight within 18 months. In response to this trend, the NHS is preparing to offer Mounjaro to severely obese patients. Wegovy, a higher-dose version of Ozempic initially designed to treat diabetes, was introduced to the NHS in September last year. However, access remains restricted to specialist weight-loss clinics in certain parts of England. Around 4.1 million people qualify for Wegovy under NHS guidelines, which require a body mass index (BMI) over 35 along with associated health conditions. Meanwhile, the private sector allows access to those with a BMI of 30 or above, making the treatment available to approximately 15 million adults. The latest MHRA figures indicate that 18 deaths were directly linked to Mounjaro, while 29 were associated with the use of Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy, all of which contain the active ingredient semaglutide. An additional 35 fatalities were linked to Saxenda and Victoza, which contain liraglutide. Among the reported cases is Susan McGowan, a 58-year-old Scottish nurse who passed away last year after taking two low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a two-week period. Investigations have also uncovered nearly 400 hospital admissions related to the use of weight-loss drugs. The NHS has issued a warning on its website, advising against taking anti-obesity medications unless they have been prescribed by a medical professional. “Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects,” the advisory states. Despite safety concerns, semaglutide has been widely regarded as a breakthrough drug. Studies suggest it may not only aid weight loss but also reduce alcohol cravings and slow markers of aging. Research involving two million participants has linked the medication to improved heart health, a reduced risk of infections, lower rates of drug abuse, and fewer cases of dementia. Lilly UK, the company behind Mounjaro, reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety, stating, “Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data.” The manufacturer emphasized that ensuring the well-being of patients remains its “top priority.” Based on a report by The Times 2025-02-24 -
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Watch: Teen Girl Rescued After Parents’ Alleged Attempted Honor Killing in Washington
A horrifying incident in Lacey, Washington, when a 17-year-old girl was attacked by her parents in an attempted honor killing. The shocking event, captured on police bodycam footage, occurred outside Timberline High School, where the girl had sought refuge after fleeing home. After Ihsan’s arrest, Zahraa and Haneen continued to argue with police, demanding to speak with him. Haneen insisted, "He (Ihsan) didn’t do..." before being cut off. As tensions escalated, officers warned her to calm down or risk arrest. Eventually, Zahraa was allowed to speak to Ihsan through the police car window. The details of their conversation were not recorded. In the days following the attack, police learned that Zahraa had also allegedly tried to strangle her daughter. She remained free for four days before being detained by customs officers while attempting to cross into Canada on October 22. Zahraa was arrested on a domestic assault warrant and taken into custody at the Whatcom County Jail before being transferred to Lacey Police. According to Victor Barnes, the father of the girl’s boyfriend, Zahraa fled after prosecutors moved to charge her alongside Ihsan. She reportedly took her two youngest children, ages five and three, into Canada and left them with an uncle before attempting to cross the border again. Barnes also recounted how Zahraa had allegedly tried to kidnap his son from Timberline High School weeks before the attack. He claimed CCTV footage showed her grabbing the teen and attempting to drag him away, but he managed to pull free. Following this incident, the school warned Zahraa that she would be trespassing if she returned. After learning about his daughter's relationship, Ihsan pulled her out of school, smashed her phone, and booked flights to Iraq. Barnes said, "They wanted to seclude her, and during this period of time, that's when he was threatening to kill her and was starving her." The girl told police about ongoing abuse, including mistreatment of her autistic brother. On the day of the attack, she sought help from her boyfriend’s teacher after arriving at school looking malnourished. Although officials found a safe place for her to go, she was left to find her own transportation. As she and her boyfriend walked to the bus stop, Ihsan confronted them, yelling in Arabic. A student who spoke Arabic responded, "She doesn't want to go back with you. Leave her alone." Ihsan allegedly lost control, punching the girl's boyfriend in the face and sending him "flying onto the concrete." The girl was then placed in a headlock by her father. "It's not right… you are not supposed to do this," she told police he said as he tried to strangle her. Her boyfriend and other students desperately intervened, with her boyfriend punching Ihsan in the head until he released her. Zahraa then allegedly joined the attack, also attempting to choke her daughter, but was overpowered by the students. The girl managed to flee inside, screaming, "My dad was trying to kill me!" The boyfriend suffered a boxer's fracture in his hand while trying to rescue her. The girl was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital, where doctors observed scratches on her neck and signs of strangulation. Court documents stated that she "believed she lost consciousness three to four times during the incident" and woke up with dirt pressed into her face. "She thought she was going to die." Initially, Ihsan was not charged with attempted murder and was released on October 24 on a $150,000 bond. Zahraa, however, was charged with attempted murder and held on a $500,000 bail. It wasn’t until November 5—nearly two weeks later—that attempted murder was added to Ihsan’s charges. He was re-arrested, and his bail was raised to $1 million, keeping him in jail. Barnes described the emotional toll on his son, who witnessed his girlfriend nearly being murdered. "He's just trying to keep it together... trying to not feel so tensed up all the time." The girl remains in hiding, fearing further harm from her family. Authorities continue to investigate the case while ensuring the girl's safety. Based on a report by Daily Mail 2025-02-25 -
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Germany’s Merz calls for ‘independence’ from US after election win
Germany’s, Friedrich Merz, has called for greater independence from the United States while casting doubt on the future of NATO. In his first speech following his party’s victory in the German elections, the conservative CDU leader also took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump, criticizing the administration's stance on Europe. Merz, who will begin coalition negotiations on Monday, spoke candidly about his vision for a more autonomous Europe, expressing frustration with Washington's involvement in the German election campaign. "For me, the absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that we can achieve real independence from the USA step by step," he declared on Sunday. He likened U.S. interference in German politics to external pressures from Russia, calling it "ultimately outrageous." His remarks come in response to statements made by Trump, whose "America First" policies have raised concerns across Europe about the stability of transatlantic relations. "I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television program. But after Donald Trump's statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe," Merz said. The conservative leader also questioned NATO’s long-term viability as Europe grapples with shifting geopolitical dynamics. “I am very curious to see how we are heading toward the NATO summit at the end of June. Whether we will still be talking about NATO in its current form or whether we will have to establish an independent European defense capability much more quickly," he stated. Merz’s rise to power comes at a challenging time for Germany, with its economy struggling, social tensions over migration intensifying, and security concerns growing amid increasing friction between the U.S., Russia, and China. The 69-year-old, who has never held public office, now faces the difficult task of forming a stable government in a fractured political landscape. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surged to a historic second-place finish with 20.8% of the vote, while Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc secured 28.6%, making them the largest party but without an outright majority. The election also saw the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition, leaving Germany’s political future uncertain. Despite the AfD’s strong showing, mainstream parties refuse to collaborate with the party, which is under surveillance by German security services due to suspected extremism. The AfD has, however, gained endorsements from figures such as U.S. billionaire Elon Musk. As a result, Merz is likely to seek an alliance with Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), though negotiations are expected to be prolonged and contentious. Unlike previous coalition-building efforts, Merz will not need support from the Greens to secure a majority. The newly formed BSW party, led by former Left Party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, fell just short of the 5% threshold required to enter the Bundestag, slightly simplifying the CDU leader’s path to forming a government. As Germany stands at a political crossroads, Merz's calls for European self-reliance signal a potential shift in Germany’s foreign policy. His stance on NATO and relations with Washington will likely shape the country's role on the global stage for years to come. Based on a report by The Independent 2025-02-25 -
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The Forgotten Map: A Missed Chance for Middle East Peace
In 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert presented a proposal to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas that he believed could have been the foundation for lasting peace in the Middle East. Urging Abbas to sign the deal, Olmert stressed its significance. "In the next 50 years, you will not find one Israeli leader that will propose to you what I propose to you now. Sign it! Sign it and let's change history!" The proposal outlined a two-state solution, a vision that seems increasingly unattainable today. Under Olmert’s plan, a Palestinian state would have been established on more than 94% of the occupied West Bank. He had drawn up a map, which has since taken on near-mythical status, with various interpretations circulating over the years. Until now, Olmert had never shared this map with the media. In "Israel and the Palestinians: The Road to 7th October", a new documentary series by Norma Percy, Olmert finally reveals the map he claims he showed Abbas during their meeting in Jerusalem on September 16, 2008. "This is the first time that I expose this map to the media," Olmert says in the film. The map detailed the 4.9% of the West Bank that Olmert proposed to annex to Israel, which included major Jewish settlement blocs—similar to past proposals dating back to the late 1990s. In return, Israel would have ceded an equal amount of Israeli territory along the borders of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The two Palestinian territories would have been connected via a tunnel or highway, an idea that had been previously discussed. According to Olmert, Abbas took the proposal seriously. "He said: 'Prime minister, this is very serious. It is very, very, very serious.'" The plan also sought to address one of the most contentious issues of the conflict: Jerusalem. Under Olmert’s proposal, both Israelis and Palestinians could claim parts of the city as their capital. Administration of the "holy basin," including the Old City with its significant religious sites, would be entrusted to a committee comprising Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United States. The implications of Olmert’s plan for Jewish settlements were enormous. It would have required the evacuation of dozens of communities scattered throughout the West Bank and Jordan Valley. The Israeli right had already seen the 2005 forced evacuation of Jewish settlers from Gaza under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a traumatic event. Evacuating most of the West Bank would have been an even greater challenge, with the potential for violence. However, the plan was never tested. At the end of their meeting, Olmert refused to give Abbas a copy of the map unless he agreed to sign it on the spot. Abbas declined, explaining that he needed to consult his experts to fully understand what was being offered. Olmert and Abbas agreed to reconvene with their respective map experts the following day, with both men believing they were on the verge of a historic breakthrough. That meeting never took place. As Abbas and his team left Jerusalem that night, his chief of staff, Rafiq Husseini, recalled the mood in the car. "Of course, we laughed," he said in the documentary. The Palestinians believed the plan was doomed. Olmert, facing an unrelated corruption scandal, had already announced his resignation. "It is unfortunate that Olmert, regardless of how nice he was… was a lame duck," Husseini said, "and therefore, we will go nowhere with this." Complicating matters further, tensions in Gaza escalated. After months of rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled territory, Olmert ordered a large-scale Israeli offensive, Operation Cast Lead, in late December, leading to three weeks of intense fighting. Looking back, Olmert maintains that Abbas should have signed the deal. "It would have been very smart," he said. "Then, if a future Israeli prime minister tried to cancel it, he could have said to the world that the failure was Israel's fault." Just a few months later, Israeli elections brought Benjamin Netanyahu to power. A staunch opponent of Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu’s leadership marked the end of any discussion of Olmert’s plan. The map, along with the proposal, faded into obscurity. Olmert still waits for Abbas’s reply, but his plan is now just another in a long list of missed opportunities to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1973, Israeli diplomat Abba Eban remarked that Palestinians "never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity," a phrase that has been echoed by Israeli officials ever since. But the reality is more complex. Since the historic 1993 Oslo Accords, moments of hope have repeatedly been overshadowed by tragedy and political shifts. The pattern of near-agreements followed by failure is not unique to Olmert’s proposal. In January 2001, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators meeting in Taba, Egypt, believed they had outlined the foundation of a Palestinian state. A Palestinian delegate even sketched a rough map on a napkin, signaling the progress they had made. But violence on the ground, particularly the Second Intifada that erupted months earlier, rendered the talks meaningless. Political transition in Israel also played a role—Prime Minister Ehud Barak had already resigned, and Ariel Sharon won the upcoming election decisively. Just like Olmert’s map, the napkin from Taba became a symbol of what might have been. Based on a report by BBC 2025-02-25
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