Trans-fats throw up challenge

Some of the leading retailers in the UK are to stop using trans-fats in their own-label products by the end of 2007.
The announcement came from the British Retail Consortium, which paid tribute to the decision taken by Asda, Boots, Co-op, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6314753.stm).
Trans-fats, in the form of hydrogenated oils, [...]

A flickr of dissent

The last bastion of freedom of expression is beginning to display some distinctly corporate characteristics these days.
As our collective knowledge and use of the internet has increased, so the lucrative possibilities it promises have prompted a much more ruthless approach.
The internet is big business these days. Profitability is all-important, brand identity is everything and protecting [...]

Casino decision surprises the bookies

There is something quite satisfying in the fact that the destination of the UK’s first super-casino is such a rank outsider.
The bookies, together with the usual crowd of political pundits, had suggested we were facing a two-horse race - the old Millennium Dome site in Greenwich and Blackpool’s fading seafront.
But it is 16-1 long shot Manchester, which [...]

High price of Black Gold

We are firmly immersed in Oscar silly season once again with the fuss about nothing intensifying because of the strong British contingent amongst the list of nominees.
Missing from the 2007 list, however, is one film that is certainly causing quite a stir among audiences.
Black Gold will not come to British cinemas until April, but when [...]

A lesson for us all…thanks Dave

Confused about multi-culturalism and what it actually means for those of us living in modern-day Britain?
The always congenial and helpful David Cameron has a handy cut out and keep guide in an exclusive article for The Birmingham Post (http://icbirmingham.icnetwork/birminghampost).
Or, rather, that is what we’re led to believe. The reality, as ever, is far removed from [...]

The spy, the teapot and the murder

The unresolved death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko already had more than a hint of the spy thriller.
Now the case of the poisoned Russian dissident has taken a few more unexpected twists to the extent that it is fast becoming a case worthy of both James Bond and Miss Marple.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Mr Litvinenko [...]

Who is fit for purpose?

The Home Secretary has become the focus for media and opposition party attacks over the decision of a judge to impose a suspended prison sentence on a man for downloading child pornography.
Passing sentence Judge John Rogers QC said his sentence reflected the “current climate” and follows a letter sent by John Reid reminding the judiciary about [...]

Ratings are all that matter

It is official - we only have ourselves to blame.
Two senior Channel 4 executives have given their first interviews over the Celebrity Big Brother racism/bullying scandal to Broadcast magazine (http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/).
Both chief executive Andy Duncan and director of programmes Kevin Lygo have mounted a staunch defence of the reality series and Channel 4’s response to the [...]

Muddled, misguided and maddening - welcome to Birmingham

Two items of news from Birmingham tend to suggest that those critics claiming the city’s progress is stalling because of confused civic leadership might just have a point.
Some high-profile figures have rounded on the city council leadership in recent months claiming the giant strides of the last decade and more have been replaced by a [...]

Channel 4 is shipwrecked by fools

To have one racism controversy over a reality TV series might be viewed as unfortunate.
But to have similar scandals on two separate shows at the same time smacks of downright stupidity.
The “star” at the centre of this particular racism storm centered on Channel 4 is an 18-year-old stranded on an island with several others in Shipwrecked.
The [...]