Being The New Princess Of Wales – A Look At Kate In Her New Role
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Kate Middleton, Wife Of The New Heir To The Throne Prince William, Has Grown From A Commoner Who Captivated The Future Monarch To The Beating Heart Of The British Royal Family, As It Faces A Future Without The Beloved Queen At Its Helm.
Born Catherine Middleton, the eldest of three children of middle-class, self-made entrepreneurs is now the Princess of Wales, a title last held by William’s late mother Diana whose celebrity power and charity work eclipsed the royals around her.
Kate, by contrast, has kept a lower profile, fulfilling an increasingly busy diary of royal engagements quietly and without controversy while also earning a reputation as a global fashion icon who regularly graces the front pages of glossy magazines.
Comparisons with Diana, whose oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring Kate now wears, will be inevitable, but commentators, aides and William himself say she will not try to emulate her famous predecessor.
“I think that now that Catherine has the same title that Diana had, Princess of Wales, there’ll be all kinds of comparisons. It’s a different age, a different time…I think Catherine will do her own thing,” said royal biographer, Andrew Morton.
“Both, of course, were beautiful and are beautiful, glamourous women. Both were and are women that are aware of their position and how they can use their position to affect change for the causes that they espouse. You’ve seen that with Catherine and early learning, saw it with Diana and AIDS and landmines,” he added.
Her combination of glamour and hard graft has contributed to the popularity of the 40-year-old, who, along with William, is now regarded by Britons as the modern face of the 1,000-year-old institution that thrived for decades under the late queen.
“I think Catherine is someone who has instinctively understood that becoming a member of the royal family is a long game, it doesn’t happen overnight, and she spent many years adapting herself to life inside the royal family. I think that when you compare her behaviour today with her behaviour in the past, she’s far more self-assured, far more articulate, and far more aware of her position than she was at the beginning when she was rather nervous, understandably, and rather shy. he’s someone who has, as it were, grown into the cloak of monarchy and grown into the cloak of being a princess, and now she will grow into the position of being Princess of Wales,” Morton said.
While comparisons with Diana abound, commentators say Kate does things her own way. Ironically, if she looks for a role model now, it may be Camilla, Charles’s second wife and now Queen Consort who Diana blamed for the break-up of their marriage.
Pope Says Supplying Weapons To Ukraine Is Morally Acceptable For Self-Defence
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Pope Francis On Thursday Said It Was Morally Legitimate For Nations To Supply Weapons To Ukraine To Help The Country Defend Itself From Russian Aggression.
Speaking to reporters aboard a plane returning from a three-day trip to Kazakhstan, Francis also urged Kyiv to be open to eventual dialogue, even though it may “stink,” because it would be difficult for the Ukrainian side.
The war in Ukraine, which Russia invaded on February 24, provided the backdrop to the pope’s visit to Kazakhstan, where he attended a congress of religious leaders from around the world.
In a 45-minute-long airborne news conference, a reporter asked if it was morally right for countries to send weapons to Ukraine.
He expounded on the Roman Catholic Church’s “Just War” principles, which allow for the proportional use of deadly weapons for self-defence against an aggressor nation.
Explaining the difference between when it is moral or immoral to supply weapons to another country, Francis said:
“It can be immoral if the intention is provoking more war, or to sell arms or dump arms that (a country) no longer needs… Defending yourself is not only something licit, but it is also an expression of love for your country,” he said.
The pope, who for the second time on an international trip sat through the news conference instead of standing because of a lingering knee ailment, was asked whether Ukraine should negotiate with the country that invaded it and if there was a “red line” Ukraine should draw, depending on Russian activities, after which it could refuse to negotiate.
“I don’t exclude dialogue with any power that is in war, even if it’s the aggressor. It stinks, but you have to do it” he said.
The pope used the Italian word “puzza” (smell or stink), colloquially equivalent to the English “holding your nose” to describe doing something one would prefer not to do.
“It (dialogue) is always a step forward, with an outstretched hand, always,” Francis said.
World Bank Predicts Rising Risk Of Global Recession In 2023 Amid Simultaneous Rate Hikes
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
THE NATION
The World Bank On Thursday Said The World May Be Edging Toward A Global Recession In 2023 And A String Of Financial Crises In Emerging Market And Developing Economies That Would Do Them Lasting Harm, As Central Banks Across The World Simultaneously Hike Interest Rates In Response To Inflation.
The bank cited its latest study that highlights need for policies to curb inflation without exacerbating recession risk.
Central banks around the world have been raising interest rates this year with a degree of synchronicity not seen over the past five decades—a trend that is likely to continue well into next year, according to the report. Yet the currently expected trajectory of interest-rate increases and other policy actions may not be sufficient to bring global inflation back down to levels seen before the pandemic. Investors expect central banks to raise global monetary-policy rates to almost 4 percent through 2023—an increase of more than 2 percentage points over their 2021 average.
Unless supply disruptions and labor-market pressures subside, those interest-rate increases could leave the global core inflation rate (excluding energy) at about 5 percent in 2023—nearly double the five-year average before the pandemic, the study finds. To cut global inflation to a rate consistent with their targets, central banks may need to raise interest rates by an additional 2 percentage points, according to the report’s model. If this were accompanied by financial-market stress, global GDP growth would slow to 0.5 percent in 2023—a 0.4 percent contraction in per–capita terms that would meet the technical definition of a global recession.
“Global growth is slowing sharply, with further slowing likely as more countries fall into recession. My deep concern is that these trends will persist, with long-lasting consequences that are devastating for people in emerging market and developing economies,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “To achieve low inflation rates, currency stability and faster growth, policymakers could shift their focus from reducing consumption to boosting production. Policies should seek to generate additional investment and improve productivity and capital allocation, which are critical for growth and poverty reduction.”
The study highlights the unusually fraught circumstances under which central banks are fighting inflation today. Several historical indicators of global recessions are already flashing warnings. The global economy is now in its steepest slowdown following a post-recession recovery since 1970. Global consumer confidence has already suffered a much sharper decline than in the run-up to previous global recessions. The world’s three largest economies—the United States, China, and the euro area—have been slowing sharply. Under the circumstances, even a moderate hit to the global economy over the next year could tip it into recession.
The study relies on insights from previous global recessions to analyze the recent evolution of economic activity and presents scenarios for 2022–24. A slowdown—such that the one now underway—typically calls for countercyclical policy to support activity. However, the threat of inflation and limited fiscal space are spurring policymakers in many countries to withdraw policy support even as the global economy slows sharply.
The experience of the 1970s, the policy responses to the 1975 global recession, the subsequent period of stagflation, and the global recession of 1982 illustrate the risk of allowing inflation to remain elevated for long while growth is weak. The 1982 global recession coincided with the second-lowest growth rate in developing economies over the past five decades, second only to 2020. It triggered more than 40 debt crises] and was followed by a decade of lost growth in many developing economies.
“Recent tightening of monetary and fiscal policies will likely prove helpful in reducing inflation,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Acting Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions. “But because they are highly synchronous across countries, they could be mutually compounding in tightening financial conditions and steepening the global growth slowdown. Policymakers in emerging market and developing economies need to stand ready to manage the potential spillovers from globally synchronous tightening of policies.”
Central banks should persist in their efforts to control inflation—and it can be done without touching off a global recession, the study finds. But it will require concerted action by a variety of policymakers:
– Central banks must communicate policy decisions clearly while safeguarding their independence. This could help anchor inflation expectations and reduce the degree of tightening needed. In advanced economies, central banks should keep in mind the cross-border spillover effects of monetary tightening. In emerging market and developing economies, they should strengthen macroprudential regulations and build foreign-exchange reserves.
– Fiscal authorities will need to carefully calibrate the withdrawal of fiscal support measures while ensuring consistency with monetary-policy objectives. The fraction of countries tightening fiscal policies next year is expected to reach its highest level since the early 1990s. This could amplify the effects of monetary policy on growth. Policymakers should also put in place credible medium-term fiscal plans and provide targeted relief to vulnerable households.
– Other economic policymakers will need to join in the fight against inflation—particularly by taking strong steps to boost global supply. These include:
o Easing labor-market constraints. Policy measures need to help increase labor-force participation and reduce price pressures. Labor-market policies can facilitate the reallocation of displaced workers.
o Boosting the global supply of commodities. Global coordination can go a long way in increasing food and energy supply. For energy commodities, policymakers should accelerate the transition to low–carbon energy sources and introduce measures to reduce energy consumption.
o Strengthening global trade networks. Policymakers should cooperate to alleviate global supply bottlenecks. They should support a rules-based international economic order, one that guards against the threat of protectionism and fragmentation that could further disrupt trade networks.
Move To Snuff Out Cannabis Bill Not Politically Motivated, Say Democrats
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
The Coalition Democrat Party On Friday Denied Its Decision To Vote Against The Cannabis Bill Was Politically Motivated.
Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit said his party supports marijuana for medical uses but is opposed to recreational use.
Disagreement over the proposed legislation is threatening to destabilise the coalition government.
The Bhumjaithai Party is upset after fellow coalition partners, including the Democrats and ruling Palang Pracharath, on Wednesday joined the opposition in voting to withdraw the bill from ongoing House deliberation.
The Cannabis and Hemp Bill was proposed by the Public Health Ministry, which is headed by Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul.
Anutin suggested on Thursday that the issue is being politicised ahead of the next election, due to be called in March at the latest.
The Democrats earlier voiced opposition to allowing the public to grow marijuana, arguing that this encouraged recreational use of the herb. The party said loopholes in the bill must be fixed to prevent recreational use of marijuana.
Jurin, who serves as deputy prime minister and commerce minister, said on Friday that his party was focusing on protecting people from being harmed by casual use of cannabis.
He said the Democrats had never blamed coalition partners when draft laws proposed by the party were rejected in the House of Representatives.
US National Falls To His Death In Muang Thong Thani
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
THE NATION
Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret Police Station Was Alerted Of A Foreigner Falling To His Death In The Muang Thong Thani Complex At Around 2pm On Friday.
At the scene, police found the body of US national Campi William Joseph, 43, on the pavement with a split head and broken arms and legs.
A witness reportedly told police that he saw the man smoking a cigarette on the balcony of the 9th floor before he heard a loud thud.
Building staff reportedly told police that the man was renting storage space on the eighth floor of the building.
Police are questioning more witnesses to find out if the man jumped and why.
Officials also said they would contact related agencies to find the relatives of the deceased. The body, meanwhile, has been transported to Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani for autopsy.
Student Behind Nonthaburi Killing Out On Bail With Conditions
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
THE NATION
The Secondary School Student Who Allegedly Accidentally Killed A Classmate When His Homemade Gun Went Off Was Granted Bail On A 10,000 Baht Guarantee On Friday.
The Central Juvenile and Family Court also ordered that the boy, identified only by his nickname “Tar”, report to the court every month for four months.
The incident took place on Thursday during computer class at Wat Lat Pla Duk School in Nonthaburi’s Bang Bua Thong district, with 15-year-old Noppasil Ngamsud sustaining fatal injuries from a homemade firearm brought to school by Tar, also 15.
Police on Thursday found the .38 calibre gun in a canal about 1.5 km. away from the school. Tar reportedly said he had asked an older friend, identified only as Sent, to help him get rid of the gun.
On Friday Tar’s mother, Phatcharee, 42, told the press that she was glad to see her son being released on bail so he can go back to school. She also said she was deeply sorry to the family of Noppasil.
Phatcharee added that she would have to borrow the 10,000 baht to cover the bail bond and reiterated that Tar would strictly follow the conditions set by the court.
She said Tar’s father will drive him to school every day and the boy will be barred from riding his motorbike or leaving the house at night.
Nonthaburi police chief Pol Maj-General Paisarn Wongwacharamongkol said on Friday that Tar faced charges of recklessness causing death and illegally possessing and carrying a gun.
He said the incident was not murder because the bullet trajectory shows that Noppasil was killed by a bullet that entered from behind his head and pierced his eye. This is consistent with Tar’s confession that the gun, which was in his jacket, went off as he was standing up. Officials also found a bullet hole in his jacket.
Paisarn said investigation revealed that Tar and Noppasil were close friends and there were no quarrels between them. Apparently, Tar had brought the gun to intimidate another student he had problems with. The gun reportedly belonged to an older friend from a vocational school.
Police have the gun owner in custody for questioning along with four other persons involved in getting rid of the gun.
Paisarn added that officials are also looking to see how a computer keyboard also blew up, which had caused initial speculation that Noppasil was killed by a computer explosion.
Thailand To Ban Chemical Harmful To Ozone Layer From Use In Spray Foam
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thailand Plans To Ban The Use Of Dichlorofluoroethane (HCFC-141b) In Spray Foam Production By 2024 In An Effort To Save The Ozone Layer And Mitigate The Severe Effects Of Global Warming.
The director-general of the Department of Industrial Works (DIW), Wanchai Phanomchai, told a press conference on Friday in Bangkok that the chemical would be banned from January 1, 2024.
“During this phase-out period, the department has collaborated with the World Bank, the Government Savings Bank, and the Polyurethanes Industry Group under the Federation of Thai Industries, to assist all manufacturers with funding, materials, machines, and technologies,” Wanchai explained.
This type of assistance will encourage them later on to replace HCFC-141b with a group of chemicals that do not harm the ozone, he added.
Thailand can reduce HCFC-141b use by 132 tons of ozone depletion potential, and greenhouse gas emissions by 870,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, since the country began banning HCFC-141b in 2017.
However, there is more to be done in order to be a genuine carbon-neutral nation in 2050.
Supakit Boonsiri, the department’s deputy director-general, said that the country is currently in the second phase of reducing HCFC-141b between 2020 and 2023.
Thailand has gradually reduced its use of dangerous ozone-depleting chemicals since 1995, but HCFC-141b is still used in spray foam even now.
“The DIW and our partners will collaborate to encourage involved entrepreneurs to transform themselves into clean and environmentally friendly manufacturers,” Supakit said.
Meanwhile, they are encouraged to replace HCFC-141b with hydrofluoro-olefins, which are unsaturated organic compounds made up of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon and have zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential.
Supakit also stated that the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol will provide financial assistance to both large and small manufacturers of HCFC-141b.
This protocol provides funds to assist developing countries in meeting their obligations under the protocol to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances over a specified time period.
Wanchai said that Thailand had received financial assistance worth 62 million baht for the second phase. Two entrepreneurs have already passed the criteria, and nearly 70 more are on their way.
This determination is part of the country’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or before 2065, as pledged at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.
Two New Bridges To Boost Trade, Tourism Between Thailand And Malaysia
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
THE NATION
The Thai And Malaysian Governments Are In Talks To Construct Two New Bridges Across The Golok River Aimed At Boosting Cross-Border Trade.
The bridges will join Sungai Kolok and Takbai districts in Narathiwat with Malaysia’s Kelantan state, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Friday.
The project is part of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) economic development plan.
The two new Golok River bridges were proposed by then Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who is now acting PM.
The 2nd Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang Bridge with six traffic lanes will be built parallel to the existing bridge in Sungai Kolok district, which is too narrow for large vehicles and cannot be expanded.
The second new bridge will connect downtown Takbai with the Malaysian town of Pengkalan Kubor as part of an 11-kilometre road with 4-6 traffic lanes.
Prawit has proposed that Malaysia design and build the first bridge. Talks are ongoing to decide who will be responsible for constructing the second bridge.
Malaysia recently agreed to forward the proposal to the Cabinet, Ratchada said.
Meanwhile, it will send a working group to Thailand to study construction of a road from the new Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province to the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Malaysia’s Kedah state this December.
“The government expects the new bridges will help promote cross-border trade and tourism in the southern region and contribute to sustainable economic growth of local communities in the border provinces of both countries,” said Ratchada.
The Nation Joins GSB In Offering Help To Bangkok Flood Victims
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
The Nation Group Has Joined Forces With The Government Savings Bank (GSB) To Offer Help To Bangkokians Who Have Been Stranded Due To Heavy Flooding.
Survival kits, drinking water and other necessities have been distributed to residents of many communities in Lat Krabang and Nong Chok districts that have been under water for several days.
Heavy rainfall last week triggered floods in many low-lying areas and roads in the capital, especially along the Chao Phraya River and canals.
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast heavy downpours nationwide until Sunday.
It has advised people to beware as heavy rains can cause flash floods and overflow along waterways, foothills and low-lying areas.
Thai Man Picks Up Monkeypox In Qatar, Becomes 8th Confirmed Case
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
A 23-Year-Old Thai Man Returning From Qatar Has Been Confirmed As Thailand’s Eighth Monkeypox Patient, It Was Disclosed On Friday.
The Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute reported to the Department of Disease Control that the patient reportedly developed a fever and blisters on September 8, while he was still in Qatar.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the department’s director-general, on Friday quoted the patient as saying he had had sexual relations with another man in Qatar.
The patient returned to Thailand on Tuesday and had come in close contact with two of his friends. He then went to the Bamrasnaradura Institute for an examination on Wednesday and was later confirmed to have contracted monkeypox.
“The patient developed symptoms while he was overseas. He has no history of visiting any community or going to crowded places. He visited the doctor immediately,” Opas said.
He added that it is not easy to contract monkeypox, but advised people against having sex with strangers or getting close to people with symptoms like blisters on the body.
Additional information on the disease can be obtained by calling the Department of Disease Control 1422 hotline.
Thailand has had eight confirmed cases of monkeypox. Globally, there are 54,709 cases and 18 deaths due to the disease, as of September 11. Most of the cases are in Europe.
