Chinese wobble and we all fall down

A global stock sell off has entered a second day following concerns about a possible crackdown on share dealing and imposition of a new capital gains tax by the Chinese government.
The wobble has been felt all around the world and some analysts are predicting that it could lead to a major price correction on UK, Asian [...]

Iain Banks and his novel approach to going green

My first thought on starting to read author Iain Banks explaining why he traded in his Porsche for a more environmentally friendly vehicle was: “Good for you.”
But as I read his short but perfectly formed piece on The Guardian’s website I grew angrier with each word.
He hasn’t just traded in a Porsche 911, he’s also [...]

Child obesity makes me sick

Does the mother of the eight-year-old who weighs 14 stone believe parading her son in front of the media will provide him with the specialist help he needs?
Does the local authority staging a child protection conference to discuss whether the child should be taken into care because of child abuse believe this is the right [...]

Why the hang up about hanging up?

Tougher penalties have been introduced for drivers who use hand-held mobile phones and almost inevitably some have been bleating about “yet another tax” on the poor motorists.
I’m not too surprised, as I’ve stated before motorists appear to be modern society’s biggest and most misguided whingers at the moment.
The maximum fixed penalty fine has doubled to £60, [...]

Climate change solved for £12m?

A new institute dedicated to studying climate change will be created in London thanks to a £12m private donation.
The Institute for Climate Change will be based at Imperial College London and will bring together scientists from different disciplines to look into the consequences and causes of such environmental change.
The donation by Jeremy Grantham will enable [...]

Happiest days of your life…

The image of the insolent, moody, confused teenager feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders is a stereotype we are all familiar with.
It has even been immortalised in various forms - not least Harry Enfield’s creation Kevin the Teenager.
But, as ever, such stereotypical portrayals mask the true picture. And it seems in the case [...]

Six Nations - week 3

The battle for consistency is still being waged in this year’s Six Nations. France again proved the exception to the rule in recording their third win, but arguably the five other teams are still incapable of stringing two consistent performances together.
It has certainly added to the unpredictability of the 2007 tournament - other than the fact [...]

Guess who hasn’t signed up to a cluster bomb ban?

The UK has finally agreed to join 45 other countries and work towards a new treaty banning the use of cluster bombs.
The long overdue move follows a two-day conference in Norway where the 46 nations signed a declaration committing themselves to a ban. The principal aim of the declaration is that by 2008 they will prohibit the use, [...]

We care a lot…don’t we?

There are tens of thousands of people in the UK who care for close relative, partner or friend on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week basis.
For years campaigns have been waged to try and improve the allowances paid to these carers and offer greater access to other much-needed support like respite care.
The [...]

Old media, new tricks

There is reason for hope among newspaper editors following the release of a new study into the nation’s news consumption habits.
Despite plummeting circulations, falling ad revenues and a general assumption that the internet will condemn newspapers to a long and lingering death, the KPMG International study shows that “old media” is still competing well.
Of the 1,010 people questioned, [...]