As was to be expected, problems in the construction sector have not diminished, despite the steps that were taken to introduce more regulations and discipline. Certainly, the recurring problems have nothing to do with financial issues.
They relate to the technical integrity with which projects are planned and implemented. If this is not fully observed and respected, fatal and other accidents, the collapse of structures, and an indifference towards the needs of the common citizens in the environment where they live their lives will persist... as has happened.
It is difficult to explain why this continues to be the case unless one admits that there must exist regular obligations and understandings between the political caste and the leading construction entrepreneurs. For instance, it is difficult to comprehend how after such a long time that it has stood out as an anomaly, we still remain with an arrangement by which if there is an appeal about a decision to carry out a project in a certain way, that project can still continue as proposed while the process of appeal is under way.
When the appeal process concludes against the project proposal, it is then too late, for the project as been concluded. That this state of affairs is still allowed, even after it has been denounced by one and all, clearly indicates why in the construction sector, problems have persisted.
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PALLIATIVE CARE
Both those in favour and those against the introduction of a law regulating assisted dying agree on one point: the need for the country to have a strong structure of palliative care. It would provide for patients seriously ill with an incurable disease all the medical and other support essential to live the final phase of their life with the least possible pain and anxiety. The government should ensure that the palliative care services available are of the highest possible standard.
People who oppose the introduction of assisted dying believe that that should be enought. They advance psychological, social, religious and medical arguments to explain why and refute the response they get to their claims.
Where they stay silent is when this type of question gets asked: If despite being given the best available treatment by way of palliative care, an incurably sick individual is still suffering unbearable pain (as happens with certain types of cancer) should we ignore his/her wish not to continue suffering?
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GAZA
No matter what one thinks about the war between Israel, the US and Iran, one has to admit that it also had the effect of making the war in Gaza slip away from the central focus of world news. Iran is a huge country, double the size of Iraq; that the US have again inserted themselves militarily in the Middle East and beyond cannot but be considered as extremely significant and likely to have enormous consequences.
However meanwhile, Israel's military operations in Gaza have continued. As they proceed, it seems that how many civilians are getting killed every day has little importance. Hunger has continued to be enforced in order to drive the population to despair and facilitate the attack of Israeli soldiers. Reports about the atrocities being committed are subject to a censorship almost on the same scale as that applied in Iran since that country started being bombed.
We shouldn't accept that what's happening in Gaza (effectively a genocide) is forgotten or ignored.