Farage’s Reform sets sights on Scotland and Wales in battle for Britain

Insurgent party set to make major gains in elections to parliaments in Edinburgh and Cardiff. James Buchan, a former fisherman in the Scottish port of Peterhead, has swallowed his hostility towards Nigel Farage. The 38-year-old’s longstanding distrust of the populist Reform UK leader and Brexit campaigner has been eclipsed by his fears for the local…

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Local Elections Loom as Major Test of Starmer’s Leadership

The United Kingdom’s upcoming local and devolved elections are shaping into a defining political moment for Keir Starmer, with mounting pressure on the Labour government to retain public confidence amid growing dissatisfaction over economic conditions and strained public services. What would ordinarily be routine mid-cycle elections have taken on the weight of a national referendum….

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Asahi Bets on Brewing Byproducts as New Global Growth EngineBeer yeast finds new life in agriculture, nutrition, and alternative foods

Asahi Group Holdings is expanding far beyond its core beer business, placing a strategic global bet on the untapped potential of brewing byproducts—particularly yeast—as a new driver of growth in food, agriculture, and health-related industries. Traditionally viewed as waste or low-value residue, beer yeast is being reimagined as a high-value ingredient with diverse commercial applications….

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Malaysia Boosts Palm Oil Blend to B15 to Rein in Fuel CostsGovernment calls biodiesel expansion a practical, ready-to-deploy solution

Malaysia has announced an increase in the palm oil content of its biodiesel programme, moving to a B15 blend as part of a broader effort to cushion consumers from rising fuel prices and stabilise the domestic energy market. The policy shift—raising the biodiesel mix from 10% to 15% palm oil—comes at a time of heightened…

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Thailand Approves $12bn Borrowing Plan as Iran War Fallout DeepensRising public debt raises concerns over sovereign credit outlook

Thailand’s cabinet has approved a sweeping $12.2 billion emergency borrowing plan aimed at cushioning the economic shockwaves from the ongoing Middle East conflict, as policymakers grapple with slowing growth, rising inflation, and mounting fiscal pressures. The package—equivalent to roughly 400 billion baht—marks one of the country’s most significant borrowing initiatives in decades. Authorities say the…

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Asian Markets Rally as Trump Signals Optimism for Iran Deal

Asian stock markets surged to fresh highs on Wednesday, buoyed by renewed geopolitical optimism and a powerful rally in semiconductor stocks, as investors reacted to signals of a potential breakthrough in U.S.–Iran negotiations. Sentiment turned sharply positive after former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that “great progress” had been made toward a comprehensive deal with…

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Selective Outrage: When Terror Strikes, Do All Victims Count Equally?

The recent attack targeting members of London’s Jewish community has understandably prompted fear, anger, and urgent calls for reassurance. For many British Jews, the incident is not isolated—it sits within a longer pattern of rising antisemitism that has made everyday life feel less secure. That reality deserves to be acknowledged clearly and without hesitation. When…

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