On the eve of UK elections British politicians have been embarrassed by a sting campaign that has highlighted the close relationship between political lobbyists and former high ranking cabinet ministers. Labour and Conservative politicians were recorded literally falling over themselves to offer their services to companies for gaining access to the corridors of power.
Former Defence Minister Geoff Hoon was egregious in offering himself to companies seeking to conclude lucrative defence contracts through his inside knowledge of the upcoming defence review. Former transport secretary Stephen Byers boasted of how he had …

America’s double standards were once again exposed in February when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked a simple question, by a student, regarding Israel’s nuclear weapons during a meeting in a Saudi college. Mariyam Alavi, a 12th grader in Jeddah asked Clinton: if the Americans “so vehemently oppose Iran’s nuclear program, then why isn’t the US asking Israel to give up their nuclear weapons?”
It was a straight forward question, perhaps on the minds of millions of people around the world. However, during her three day trip to Qatar …

A recent UK Home Office report warns that children are being ‘over-exposed to sexual imagery’. It highlights a change in perception in young people of themselves, with boys becoming more macho and girls presenting themselves as permissive and sexually available.The report, makes 36 recommendations amongst these are to implement parental controls on mobile phones, video games and a ban on ‘sexualised’ music videos before the TV watershed.The author of the report, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, said that “Both the images we consume and the way we consume them are lending credence …

On 25th February,Ahmadinejad the Iranian President flew to Damascus for talks with Bashar al-Assad days after the US appointed an ambassador to Syria after a five-year gap – a move seen by some as the start of a diplomatic thaw. During the talks they renewed their alliance with each other by introducing a reciprocal “No Visa policy” for their citizens.They repeated their opposition to Israeli hostility and US interference in the region.
Some may argue this is a gesture towards unity amongst Islamic countries or even dare one say it, a …

David Cameron is highlighting Britain’s “broken society” as an election issue.The Tory leader cited recent research that “among the richest countries, it’s the more unequal ones that do worse according to almost every quality of life indicator”.
Among 21 developed countries, the Guardian found Britain does worst on child wellbeing and badly on teenage births, imprisonment, drug abuse, trust, obesity, social mobility and mental illness. A government commissioned study – An Anatomy of Economic Inequality in the UK – described a nation in which the richest 10% are more than 100 …

A French parliamentary commission has called for a ban of the wearing of the face veil (niqab and burqa) on the grounds that they threaten France’s republican values of secularism and equality. Not only to be banned in public places but veil wearers or others that displays outward signs of “radical religious practice” should be refused citizenship and access to public services. British opportunist parties such as the UK Independence party are making similar demands in the UK. Isn’t is perverse that in societies that pride themselves on unbridled freedoms …

Its estimated that the US killed at least 700 civilians in Pakistani Drone strikes in 2009.
While the number of “targets” hit is estimated at 5, both numbers are unverified. Barack Obama promised there would be a dramatic escalation of the aerial bombardment of Pakistan’s tribal areas and didn’t disappoint the neo-cons that endorse such butchery. On June 22, the US struck at a house in Waziristan that officials called a “suspected militant hideout” burying several locals inside. When others rushed to the scene to rescue them, they launched another missile, …

Amidst great fanfare and hype Tony Blair took to centre stage at the Chilcot enquiry into the Iraqi invasion on the 29th of January.The Chilcot enquiry has been widely criticized as a gentle discussion shop with little in the way of inciteful or probing enquiry and even weaker cross-examining of the witnesses. One commentator described the questions put to Blair as being as cutting as a month old lettuce.
It is not really a surprise that Blair could easily brush aside his questioners. In his opening address to the enquiry Lord …

The prominent academic Dr Shireen Mazari following despite pressure from the US wrote in September:“Now, even if one were to ignore the massive purchases of land by the US, the questionable manner in which the expansion of the US Embassy is taking place and the threatening covert activities of the US and its ‘partner in crime’ Blackwater; the unregistered comings and goings of US personnel on chartered flights; we would still find it difficult to see the whole aid disbursement issue as anything other than a sign of US gradual …

British National Party leader Nick Griffin has used his Question Time on the BBC appearance to criticise Islam. He also told the audience that Winston Churchill would be a BNP supporter if he were alive, and insisted: “I am not a Nazi”. He was asked by a member of the audience about why he had described Islam as a “wicked and vicious faith”. Mr Griffin said the religion had its “good points… it wouldn’t have let the banks run riot” but it did not fit in with “the fundamental values …