Time for Change: Campaign for an Independent Green Thanet MP and Ramsgate Mayor

Suriname has just made history as the first Amazonian country to be certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). This milestone follows decades of targeted interventions—from DDT spraying in the 1950s to community-led diagnosis and treatment in remote mining zones. With the final P. vivax case in 2021. Who’s Next? Several countries are on the cusp of joining the malaria-free club: Georgia was also certified malaria-free in 2025 alongside Suriname. Belize , Tajikistan , and Azerbaijan were certified in 2023. Egypt and Cabo Verde achieved certification in 2024. The E-2025 initiative includes 25 countries targeted for elimination by 2025, such as Thailand , South Africa , Dominican Republic , and Botswana . The Gap: Who’s Falling Behind? Despite progress, Asia-Pacific is off track for its 2030 elimination goal. Malaria cases surged to 4.8 million in 2024 , up 170% from 2021. Key setbacks include: Commw Pakistan : Floods in 2022 triggered a spike to 2.7 million ca...

In a world fraying at the seams—from the gang-controlled streets of Port-au-Prince to the scorched villages of Darfur—one school in the Democratic Republic of Congo is stitching together a different future. Malaika , founded by Congolese-Cypriot model and activist Noëlla Coursaris Musunka , is more than a school. It’s a movement. Kalebuka’s Classroom Revolution In the dusty village of Kalebuka, where electricity is rare and tarred roads nonexistent, Malaika educates over 430 girls for free. The curriculum spans STEM, arts, languages, and leadership. Students receive two nutritious meals daily, and the school is powered entirely by solar energy. But Malaika’s impact goes beyond the classroom: it has built 31 clean water wells , a huge  community centre , and a technical training hub for future electricians and mechanics. This year’s graduation was a celebration of resilience. Dressed in vibrant Congolese prints, the Class of 2025 performed science demos, recited poetry, and walked...

In Thailand’s northeast, the Isaan Creative Festival 2025 is doing more than spotlighting traditional music and fermented delicacies—it’s redrawing the map of Thai identity and foreign policy. With over 200 programs spanning Khon Kaen, the festival pulses with the rhythm of morlam , the scent of pla ra , and a vision that stretches from village to global village. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s strategy that can align Thai soft power with UK. Soft Power in a Borderland Era The festival lands amid rising tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border , where territorial disputes flare intermittently. Yet instead of sabre-rattling, Thailand is investing in cultural cohesion, with Isaan’s multilingual, multi-ethnic identity at the forefront. Here, Lao and Northern Khmer identities are no longer divides—they’re increasingly seen as diplomatic assets in the once alien corridors of BKK power and retail. This aligns with the UK’s soft power in its Celtic peripheries. From BBC Alba ’s Gaelic dramas to Sc...

While Thailand and Cambodia dominate headlines, plus ca change,  Laos has quietly become a pivotal player in the Mekong’s unfolding drama. Along its border with Thailand—largely defined by the Mekong River and similar 1893-1907 French gunboat treaties—Laos has ramped up joint patrols and intelligence-sharing to combat drug trafficking and transnational crime that plague Scambodia and Myanmar.  A recent summit between Lao and Thai military officials in Savannakhet yielded new agreements on coordinated water patrols and rapid-response protocols, especially near the volatile Bokeo and Xayabouly provinces. These efforts, along with ugly but functional Oz Friendship Bridges, aim to transform the border from a smuggling corridor and casino money-laundering hub into a zone of peace and economic opportunity. Meanwhile, Laos’s “10,000 Islands” tourism push—centered on the Si Phan Don archipelago—is gaining traction. Once a backpacker’s secret, the islands of Don Det, Don Khon, and Don ...

The ghosts of the 1940–41 Franco-Thai War are stirring again—not in the jungles of Indochina, but in the diplomatic corridors of Paris, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok. As Thailand and Cambodia edge toward renewed friction over their shared border. And the symbolism of the Victory Monument in Bangkok—erected to commemorate Thailand’s gains in that brief colonial-era conflict—has taken on a new, volatile relevance. On June 28, thousands of elderly Yellowshirt protesters gathered at the Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid hints of the usual default coup demands. The rally, organized by the “Uniting the Power of the Land for the Defence of Thai Sovereignty” group, was sparked by a leaked audio clip allegedly involving Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. Protesters accused the Thai government of compromising national sovereignty - despite shooting dead a Khmer soldier and locking down the border - and called for a return to ...

  Over 1,200 companies have been publicly named and shamed by HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade. These firms collectively underpaid more than £25 million to workers between 2015 and 2023 2 . More than 230,000 workers were affected across sectors like retail, hospitality, logistics, and care work. Fines of up to 200% of the underpayment (capped at £20,000 per worker) were imposed. Notable Companies Named Some high-profile firms include: Amazon Greggs JD Wetherspoon Lidl Pizza Express Southern Co-op (owed £126,739 to 2,300 workers due to uniform and salary sacrifice deductions) Boots , Harrods , EasyJet , and Hamleys were also cited in earlier rounds Common Violations Deducting pay for uniforms or expenses Failing to pay for all hours worked (e.g. overtime or training) Misclassifying apprentices or interns Payroll errors that drop wages below legal thresholds As of June 2025, the UK government has named 518 companies for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage (N...

 The OECD global minimum tax is a landmark international agreement designed to ensure that large multinational corporations pay at least 15% tax on their profits—no matter where they operate. Here’s how it works: What It Is Part of the OECD’s “Pillar Two” reforms under the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules Applies to multinational enterprise (MNE) groups with €750 million+ in annual revenue If a company pays less than 15% tax in a given country, it must pay a “top-up tax” to bring it up to that level Why It Matters Stops companies like Big Tech or oil majors from shifting profits to tax havens Creates a level playing field by setting a global floor on corporate tax rates Expected to raise $150 billion+ annually in new tax revenue worldwide How It’s Enforced Countries can choose to adopt the rules, but if they don’t, others can still apply the top-up tax to profits earned in low-tax jurisdictions The rules are coordinated to avoid double taxation and ensure consistency a...

  A model for transforming UK overseas basing into a force-multiplier for climate resilience, democratic legitimacy, and smart defence posture. 🔧 Guiding Principles Minimal Personnel, Maximal Effect : Scale permanent staffing to operational need (50–150 per site). Host-Nation Partnership : Shift facilities to joint UK–Germany and UK–Cyprus models under defined governance charters. Parliamentary & Ecological Accountability : Embed oversight through Commons select committees and environmental standards tied to land use. Germany – Rationalising the Residual Footprint 1. Sennelager (Main Site) Retain : As NATO-compatible training node and surge mobilization hub. Personnel : Cap at ~100, modularized for joint UK–German use. Governance : Invite German Bundestag liaison oversight under bilateral treaty amendment. 2. Mönchengladbach & Wulfen Convert to shared UK–German logistics nodes : Wulfen : UK maintains 25 personnel cap with Bundeswehr infrastructure support. NATO Support and...

Here’s a snapshot of the top 15 most polluted cities in the European Union as of 2024, based on PM2.5 concentrations (fine particulate matter), which is considered one of the most harmful air pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs: 🌫️ Top Polluted EU Cities by PM2.5 (µg/m³) (WHO safe limit: 5 µg/m³ annual average) Slavonski Brod, Croatia – 26.5 Nowy Sącz, Poland – 24.0 Cremona, Italy – 23.3 Vicenza, Italy – 23.0 Padova, Italy – 22.7 Venezia (Venice), Italy – 22.6 Piacenza, Italy – 22.2 Ioannina, Greece – 21.9 Częstochowa, Poland – 21.9 Żory, Poland – 21.8 Torino (Turin), Italy – 21.0 Bergamo, Italy – 20.9 Brescia, Italy – 20.7 Treviso, Italy – 20.7 Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland – 20.6 🧭 Observations Italy dominates the list with 9 of the top 15 cities, especially in the Po Valley , a region notorious for stagnant air and industrial emissions. Poland contributes 4 cities, reflecting persistent coal use and winter heating pollution. Croatia and...

 The most polluted areas of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake are concentrated in regions where urban runoff, plastic waste, and untreated sewage converge with fragile ecosystems and dense populations. Here's a breakdown: 🌊 Mekong River – Pollution Hotspots Vietnam’s Mekong Delta (e.g. Can Tho, Vinh Long) Heavy accumulation of plastic waste , agricultural runoff, and industrial discharge. Fishermen report nets clogged with trash; fish stocks are declining rapidly. Tonle Sap Confluence (Cambodia) Where the Mekong meets Tonle Sap, plastic and organic waste accumulate, especially during flood reversals. Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle (Thailand–Laos–Myanmar border) Pollution from unregulated dumping , mining runoff, and tourism-related waste. Luang Prabang & Vientiane (Laos) Urban wastewater and sedimentation from upstream dam construction. 🐟 Tonle Sap Lake – Critical Zones Floating Villages (e.g. Kompong Luong, Pursat Province) Direct discharge of human waste and greywater...

  Project Tangaroa , led by Lloyd’s Register Foundation in partnership with The Ocean Foundation and Waves Group , is a global initiative tackling the environmental threat posed by Potentially Polluting Wrecks (PPWs) —sunken ships that still contain oil, munitions, or hazardous chemicals, many dating back to the World Wars. 🌊 The Scale of the Problem Over 8,000 shipwrecks worldwide are considered PPWs. These wrecks may contain up to 20 million tonnes of oil —that’s 500× more than the Exxon Valdez spill. Many are deteriorating due to climate change , port development , and ocean industrialisation , increasing the risk of catastrophic leaks. 🛠 What Tangaroa Does Maps and assesses wrecks globally to prioritize risk. Develops technical standards and a technology roadmap for safe salvage. Builds a coalition of experts to influence international policy and funding. Balances environmental protection with cultural heritage , as some wrecks are war graves or artificial reefs. 🌐 ...

  A Multilateral Framework for Cleanup, Justice, and Memory in the Asia–Pacific Nuclear Arc I. Key Affected Regions & Legacy 1. Central Asia & Mainland Asia Semipalatinsk (Kazakhstan) – 456 Soviet tests; persistent rural contamination. Lop Nur (Xinjiang, China) – 45 Chinese tests; fallout affecting Uyghur communities. Pokhran (Rajasthan, India) – 6 Indian tests; long-term local health effects under-researched. Chagai Hills (Balochistan, Pakistan) – 6 Pakistani tests; restricted access and poor health monitoring. Punggye-ri (North Korea) – 6 tests; villagers reportedly exposed; nearby river contamination from Pyongsan. 2. Pacific Islands Christmas Island (Kiribati) – 33+ UK/US tests; limited cleanup, ongoing health claims. Marshall Islands – 67 US tests; Runit Dome leaking; intergenerational trauma and cancers. French Polynesia – 193 French tests; atmospheric fallout, declassified data shows widespread thyroid illness. 3. Extended Contamination & Memory Sites Hir...

🇻🇳 Vietnam (Primary Impact Zone) Da Nang Airbase – Major storage and spray hub; still undergoing cleanup. Bien Hoa Airbase – One of the most contaminated sites; dioxin levels remain dangerously high. Phu Cat Airbase – Known for buried barrels and residual soil contamination. A Luoi Valley (A Shau Base) – Remote mountainous region with high dioxin in soil, fish, and breast milk. Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Thua Thien–Hue Provinces – Heavily sprayed zones along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 🌏 Other Countries with Documented or Alleged Use/Storage 🇱🇦 Laos Border regions near the Ho Chi Minh Trail were sprayed during covert operations. Soil and water contamination suspected but under-researched. 🇰🇭 Cambodia Eastern provinces (e.g. Ratanakiri) were sprayed during U.S. incursions. Limited environmental testing has been done. 🇺🇸 Johnston Atoll (Pacific) Storage and incineration site for Agent Orange stockpiles. Barrels leaked; dioxin detected in soil and coral. 🇬🇺 Guam Veterans allege...

  Towering over one of Bangkok’s busiest roundabouts where key road arteries intersect and hub for travel to Myanmar and across Bangkok is the Victory Monument. The roads Phahonyothin (Route 1 to Burma via the old capital at Ayutthaya), Phaya Thai (Chula university), and Ratchawithi (Dusit palaces), plus key BTS Skytrain stations, highlight the central importance of the Victory Monument. Unveiled in June 1941 the 50 metre tall monument (designed by Italian Corrado Feroci, some say the father of modern Thai art) depicts an obelisk of 5 bayonet-shaped panels of heroic figures of soldiers, civilians, air force, police and sailors. With some 656 Thai killed with c.500 French casualties in the war, the memento is one of the few lasting mementos of the Franco-Thai War of 1940-41. Forgotten as the Thai intervention in WW1? Or even the Kwai bridge salvaged from history by the book and movie? While Feroci clearly doing something right as far as PM Phibun was concerned, also created...

 Alongside the Poincaré Conjecture, which has been solved, there are six other Millennium Prize Problems —each carrying a $1 million reward from the Clay Mathematics Institute for a correct solution: Riemann Hypothesis Predicts a deep pattern in the distribution of prime numbers, tied to the zeros of the Riemann zeta function. P vs NP Problem Asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified can also be quickly solved—central to computer science and cryptography. Navier–Stokes Existence and Smoothness Concerns whether solutions to the equations governing fluid motion always exist and behave nicely in three dimensions. Yang–Mills Existence and Mass Gap Seeks a rigorous mathematical foundation for quantum field theories that describe fundamental forces, particularly the existence of a mass gap. Hodge Conjecture A question in algebraic geometry about which types of shapes (Hodge classes) arise from geometric objects. Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture ...

  End the BBC Licence Fee Transition to a fairer income tax funding model post-2027, ensuring public broadcasting remains accessible and ending criminalised non-payment 2 . Ban Standing Charges on Utilities Scrap daily standing orders on electricity and telecoms (e.g. BT), making bills reflect actual usage and empowering low-income households 4 . Tiered Pet Licensing Introduce a scaled licence system for multiple dogs and exotic pets, with proceeds funding animal welfare and enforcement of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 6 . £1 Flat Bus Fare Nationwide Cap single bus fares at £1 to boost public transport use, reduce emissions, and support rural mobility 8 . 24/7 Rural Drone Bus Network  Pilot autonomous drone-bus services in underserved rural areas, drawing on the UK’s  Future of Transport: Rural Strategy  and EU drone integration frameworks 4 . These low-emission, on-demand vehicles would operate 24/7/365 continuously, improving access to healthcare, educ...