Forum Topics

Primary tabs

Tony Blair pushed Gordon Brown to hold Iraq war inquiry in private

published by You on 21 June, 2009 - 04:39
  • Former PM feared facing 'show trial'
  • Leak reveals plan to provoke invasion

Tony Blair urged Gordon Brown to hold the independent inquiry into the Iraq war in secret because he feared that he would be subjected to a "show trial" if it were opened to the public, the Observer can reveal.

The revelation that the former prime minister - who led Britain to war in March 2003 - had intervened will fuel the anger of MPs, peers, military leaders and former civil servants, who were appalled by Brown's decision last week to order the investigation to be conducted behind closed doors.

India's Romeo and Juliet tragedy

published by You on 20 June, 2009 - 01:29

It was a story buried in the middle of the Indian newspapers.

Two star-crossed lovers committed suicide after the local village council, or panchayat, ordered them to annul their marriage or face death.

Amreen was Muslim and her husband, Lokesh, a Hindu. Their match was simply unacceptable to their communities. The couple poisoned themselves.

Now police have charged the entire panchayat with abetting suicide...

Read more @ BBC News

World hunger 'hits one billion'

published by You on 19 June, 2009 - 22:21

One billion people throughout the world suffer from hunger, a figure which has increased by 100 million because of the global financial crisis, says the UN.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said the figure was a record high.

Persistently high food prices have also contributed to the hunger crisis.

The director general of the FAO said the level of hunger, one-sixth of the world's population, posed a "serious risk" to world peace and security.

The UN said almost all of the world's undernourished live in developing countries, with the most, some 642 million people, living in the Asia-Pacific region.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the next worst-hit region, the figure stands at 265 million.

Schools 'too safe' teachers say

published by You on 19 June, 2009 - 04:21

Nearly half of teachers questioned for a survey believe the health and safety culture in schools is damaging children's learning.

When questioned by Teachers TV, teachers complained about a five-page briefing on using glue sticks and being told to wear goggles to put up posters.

Others said pupils were not allowed to enjoy the sun or snow without taking health and safety precautions.

Teachers TV surveyed 585 subscribers to the channel by questionnaire...

Read more @ BBC News

Michigan Supreme Court gives judges right to ban hijab

published by You on 19 June, 2009 - 02:27

After months of debate, the Michigan Supreme Court voted to allow judges to force witnesses to remove headscarfs and other forms of face covering while in the courtroom. The controversy arose after a Muslim woman had her lawsuit dismissed by a state judge after refusing to remove her hijab, claiming it was forbidden by her religion...

Read more @ Michigan Messenger

I assume by Hijab it means face covering veils and not covering the hair?

But even there, seems spurious.

Jama'at Islami terrorising Pakistan?

published by You on 18 June, 2009 - 18:23

Well, that seems to be the accusation from an opposing Political party which itself has been accused of committing acts of terrorism.

Yesterday, the Pakistani police arrested/broadcast the testimony of one of the lahore attackers and from what I hear (but have not read), he is supposed to implicated the Jama'at Islami with the Taliban.

They are ofcourse the party that has been most reluctant to condemn the taliban, so there may be truth or it may be a pot calling the kettle black (but maybe they recognise each other?).

Thoughts?

Netanyahu seeks 'demilitarised Palestine'

published by You on 14 June, 2009 - 19:01

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will back a Palestinian state - but only if it is completely demilitarised.

He said a Palestinian state must accept the existence of Israel and must have no army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons...

Read just a little bit more @ BBC News

(I think you can safely replace "no way of smuggling in weapons" with "No border control")

As they say, proof is in the pudding (do they say that?).

Pages