I have seen the benefits of aid to India
As you walk through Delhi’s slums, you realise the enormous scale of the problems India faces. I’ve just returned from visiting Save the Children programmes in India, where I saw that all eyes were...
View ArticleFrance also introduced a financial non-transactions tax last month
It's not just a 0.2 per cent Robin Hood tax which Hollande introduced.France's recent deficit-busting raft of tax rises included a few measures specifically targeted at the financial markets. Not only...
View Article"Poverty of aspiration" – a phrase that should have gone out with Victorian...
Three short words that try to apportion blame.There’s a lot that annoys me about the Labour Party – well I’m a Green, so that mightn’t be very surprising – but one phrase that is a particular favourite...
View ArticleCycling through Croatia
...and discovering the "Balkan quagmire"I cycle with the world economy stuck in my head. The total value of global derivatives, an insurance market for things that may or may not come to pass, is...
View ArticleThe other Olympics
Moving London during the games.The Olympic and Paralympic legacy may largely be about venues and medals. But there will be a transport legacy that could change the way we run our infrastructure for...
View ArticleExtreme porn, me and you
The CPS's decision to charge Simon Walsh for possession of extreme porn was an attempt to criminalise a huge proportion of the population.If there are any references in this piece which you don't...
View ArticleWhy the Chartists wouldn’t support Cameron’s boundary changes
Cameron’s intentions have very little to do with progressive political reform. David Cameron has once again cheekily invoked the Chartist democracy movement from the 1830s and 1840s as a justification...
View ArticleWhere is our patriotism for British financial services?
The City could do with some of our Olympic spirit.Whilst Team GB excels and its athletes epitomise the best of Britain and continue to be a shining example of the rewards achievable through dedication,...
View ArticleBoris outflanks Cameron on school sport
Mayor calls for return of two-hours-a-week target scrapped by the government. Boris Johnson's call for all school pupils to do two hours of sport a day, following the news that the government has...
View ArticlePorn never did me any harm
Parents and educators alike know they can do everything in their power to stop kids from being exposed to stuff that isn't 'age appropriate', but they'll find it sooner or later, whether we like it or...
View ArticleIn the Critics this week
Claire Lowdon objects to one novel on the Man Booker longlist, Ryan Gilbey talks female role models in Pixar's Brave and Jonathan Coe applauds Javier Marías’s attempts to reimagine the novel.This...
View ArticleThe vital role of the "ulama" in post-Assad Syria
The influence of these religious scholars transcends borders and their opinions carry weight that cannot be underestimated.With the prospect of a post-Assad Syria, the opposition are preparing for a...
View Article70 journalists killed in first half of 2012
70 journalists were killed in the first half of 2012 in what has been called “one of the bloodiest periods of recent times".At least 70 journalists and support staff were killed in the first half of...
View ArticleNews Corporation reports large losses
Phone-hacking scandal reported to be responible for the losses in News Corp quarterly results.News Corporation has reported large losses in its quarterly results. In the three months to the end of June...
View ArticleThe High Court ruling which could break the internet
Could linking to a website be copyright infringement?The Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) is a little-known victim of the disruptive forces of the internet, but in trying to fight for survival, they...
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Chart of the day: alternate medal tables
The New York Times and NBC both made the interesting decision to start displaying medal tables, not by the number of golds countries had, but by the number of medals over all. Can you guess why? And...
View ArticleQuote of the day
Hugo Chávez on the Venezuelan election. A group of the bourgeoisie is preparing to reject the people's triumph, that's very clear. Hugo Chávez predicts that the Venezuelan opposition won't respond well...
View ArticleMorning Call: pick of the papers
The ten must-read comment pieces from this morning's papers. 1. UK economy is heading down a perilous path (Financial Times) An aggressively easy monetary stance has not been sufficient, says Gavyn...
View ArticleUK Coal’s profit sinks
Reeling from a £20m half-year loss, the UK's largest coal producer confirms plans to close one of the country’s deepest pits.UK Coal has reported a pre-tax loss of £20.56m for the first six months...
View ArticleDixons Retail increases its Pixmania stake
The £8m deal enables Dixons to take full day-to-day control of the multi-channel business.The UK consumer electronics retailer Dixons Retail has agreed to buy the remaining 22 per cent stake in...
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