British suppliers to be prioritised for contracts in sectors vital to national security
British suppliers will be prioritised for public contracts in shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure under new guidance marking them out as sectors vital to national security,Departments will also have to either use British steel or justify sourcing it from overseas, under the rules announced by the government,The policy was already in the works but has been brought forward as the war in the Gulf and resulting shocks highlighted the fragility of global supply chains,Also, a Public Interest Test will oblige departments to assess whether outsourced service contracts over £1m could be delivered more effectively in-house,The test will cover more than 95% of central government contracts by value.
Chris Ward, a Cabinet Office minister, said: “These reforms are about using the full weight of government spending to support British jobs, protect our national security and grow our economy,”The new policies come after the publication last June of the National Security Strategy, which sought to align national security with economic growth and build the resilience of British supply chains,Britain is still subject to obligations such as the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) – World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules intended to open up procurement in signatory countries,However, national security exemptions are being used to implement the rules, which come after consultations,The government said there will be clear guidance for departments to protect the UK’s economic security and build resilience in four sectors: steel, shipbuilding, AI and energy infrastructureLarger departments spending more than £100m a year will also have to publish an “insourcing” strategy, setting out how they plan to bring services back in-house, where they represent better value.
Where outside contractors are involved, the government said that “community impact” will be placed at the heart of buying decisions, with firms encouraged to make the case for how national and regional schemes are part of their bids, creating local jobs and apprenticeships.A new suite of AI tools aimed at streamlining the commercial process has also been developed as part of the new policy.Ward said that the new approach would make a difference to steelworkers in Port Talbot, those building ships on the Clyde or running tech start ups in Cambridge or Brighton.“Through our new Public Interest Test, we’re also calling time on the era of ‘outsourcing by default’, and bringing public services back in house, where they belong,” he added.“We’re also stripping away the red tape that has held back our small businesses and charities for too long, using new AI tools to make bidding for work simpler, faster, and fairer.
”Other related measures being developed include policies specifically tied to national security and shipbuilding
Transgender women athletes banned from female events at Olympics by IOC
The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender women and DSD athletes from the female category of events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and future Games.Kirsty Coventry, the president of the IOC, said the landmark decision had been taken because “it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category”.The IOC has also confirmed that all athletes wanting to compete in the female category at future Olympics will have to undergo a one-off SRY (sex determining region Y gene) screening to detect their biological sex. Usually that is done via an unintrusive cheek-swab or saliva test.Coventry said the decision, which applies to elite individual and team sports, was based on science and would protect the fairness and safety of women’s sport
Why Max Verstappen gave me my marching orders from a press conference | Giles Richards
In the grand scheme of things I enjoy a remarkably privileged career, paid to cover Formula One, a sport I have loved since 1976. So I am loth to complain, but was deeply disappointed when Max Verstappen chose to eject me from his press conference on Thursday at the Japanese Grand Prix over a question asked at the end of last season.Our first face-to-face in 2026 came at Suzuka when it turned out the Dutchman had a positively elephantine recollection. When he saw me he stared, smiled and declared he would not speak until I left. In the course of a brief 30-second exchange, he told me to “get out”
Rams star Puka Nacua sued over alleged antisemitic remark and biting incident
Star Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has been sued by a woman who says he made an antisemitic statement and bit her on the shoulder on New Year’s Eve. The civil lawsuit was filed this week in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. The suit also cites gender violence and negligence.Madison Atiabi and her attorney, Joseph Kar, claim Nacua said “fuck all Jews” during a New Year’s Eve dinner in Los Angeles last year. Atiabi is Jewish and says she “immediately felt uncomfortable and emotionally distressed” when the wide receiver made the comments
Keely Hodgkinson pokes fun at West Ham over world championships stadium dispute
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The nerdy, authentic Oklahoma City Thunder are a breath of fresh air
The relatable, endearing authenticity of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending NBA champions is a wonder to beholdWinter is over, though perhaps most NBA fans feel as if it’s just beginning. After a midseason slump, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won 12 of their last 13 games They’re clinging to a slim but steady three-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs atop the otherwise chaotic Western Conference. (The Lakers are good now? The Nuggets can’t find their footing? The Rockets can’t even stand up?) The Thunder’s flirtation with vulnerability was fun, but the defending champions look as invincible now as they did during their 24-1 run to begin the season. So, now as then, with nothing to criticize in the Thunder’s basketball, we are compelled to discuss their character and vibes.Reviews are usually poor
MLB 2026 predictions: are the Dodgers inevitable? Maybe not …
The World Series champions have somehow become even stronger. But there are a few teams who could stop them from retaining their titleA welcome introduction. Recent years have seen a tactical flattening of the game with the introduction of the universal DH, the banning of the shift and the three-batter minimum rule, but this adds an interesting wrinkle to game management. The league table of catchers’ challenge percentages will be fascinating. AEThe robo-ump makes me sick, but I also didn’t love the pitch clock and I could never go back to 3hr 45min games
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From Laurel Hubbard to sex testing in five years: why the Olympics U-turned on transgender rules | Sean Ingle