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Council estate decline spawns new underclass Amelia Hill reports on the spiralling crisis in Britain's inner cities, where jobless youngsters are locked into a cycle of deprivation and drug abuse, and government initiatives bring little hope. (Guardian, 30 Nov 2003) Poor world 'cuts climate gases' Many poor countries are working to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases, a senior United Nations official says. (BBC, 29 Nov 2003) Blunkett 'faces contempt inquiry' The Attorney General is to look at comments made by the home secretary about a terror suspect's arrest. Lord Goldsmith said David Blunkett's remarks about Sajid Badat, 24, would be "considered" as part of a review of the reporting of his arrest. (BBC, 29 Nov 2003) Boys found guilty of killing young traveller Two teenagers have been convicted of killing a young traveller. ...The jury was told that one of the defendants stamped on Johnny's head with both feet and said he deserved it because "he was only a f****** gypsy". (Ananova, 28 Nov 2003) Rail safety watchdog is 'dysfunctional' A former rail safety chief has accused his ex-employer, the Health and Safety Executive, of being a dysfunctional organisation. Alan Osborne, who was head of the HSE's rail safety division until he resigned last month, said the organisation's policy and operational arms were at war with one another. (Ananova, 28 Nov 2003) Blair launches 'Big Conversation' Tony Blair has launched what he says is the biggest consultation exercise ever with voters. (BBC, 28 Nov 2003) bigconversation.org.uk Disaster plans 'open to misuse' Plans to bring in new powers to be used in response to major terrorist attacks and natural disasters are potentially dangerous, MPs have warned. (BBC, 28 Nov 2003) DR Congo boat tragedy 'kills 200' More than 200 people are feared dead after a ferry accident during a storm in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (BBC, 27 Nov 2003) Can IT really protect children? The hallmark of obsession is repetition. When a government is both infatuated with control and dazzled by the new technology, it is almost inevitable that, whatever the problem, an electronic database will be their solution. (Guardian, 27 Nov 2003) Public domain This True North isn't on the map. It's the code name of a government computer suite being built at a secret location somewhere within 150 kilometres of London. (Guardian, 27 Nov 2003) Timeline: Africa's ferry disasters More than 200 people have died in two separate boat accidents in Africa this week - 40 in Zambia and 163 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (BBC, 27 Nov 2003) Scientists trace evolution of Indo-European languages to Hittites At last the answer in black and white, or beltz and zuri if you happen to be Basque, or noir and blanc, if you are French. You owe the words to Hittite-speaking farmers from Anatolia, who invented agriculture and spread their words as they sowed their seed, 9,500 years ago. (Guardian, 27 Nov 2003) Poet tells Blair 'up yours' after OBE offer Rastafarian poet Benjamin Zephaniah has publicly rejected an invitation to accept an OBE in the New Year honours, calling it a legacy of colonialism. (Ananova, 27 Nov 2003) Three journalists charged with sedition Three journalists of the magazine Insider Weekly have been charged with sedition after the magazine accused close aides of President Olusegun Obasanjo of involvement with the criminal gangs that steal large volumes of crude oil, their lawyer said on Thursday. (IRIN, 27 Nov 2003) Extinction threat for great apes The UN says conservationists urgently need £15 million to save great apes from the threat of extinction. (Ananova, 26 Nov 2003) New corporate abuse laws pledged The government has pledged to introduce tough new laws aimed at preventing Enron-style corporate abuses in the UK. (BBC, 26 Nov 2003) Learning to listen Consulting children on public services is all the rage. But is it just tokenism? (Guardian, 26 Nov 2003) Eco sounding: River of tears The government says it wants local democracy, but does it? Take the detailed plans for an unelected Thames Gateway urban development corporation (UDC), which it slipped out for consultation last week. Under these regeneration proposals, large parts of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Greenwich and Bexley will be included in the UDC boundaries, and the locally-elected London borough councils will have little or no say as to what goes on in their patches for seven years. Moreover, the Thames itself will be barely protected. London greens are furious. "Decisions about the places we live should be taken by elected councils," says Noel Lynch, Green party member of the London assembly. "Strategic decisions should be taken by the London mayor. I really fear for the river landscape." (Guardian, 26 Nov 2003) Eco sounding: No Silva lining When Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was elected Brazil's president last year, hundreds of groups expected changes to the destructive environmental and development policies. (Guardian, 26 Nov 2003) How the world is getting hungrier each year 'War on hunger' is being lost as drought and natural disasters continue to exact a terrible toll in some of the world's poorest nations. (Independent, 26 Nov 2003) Charities 'to face tougher rules' Charity fundraising could face greater scrutiny under government plans outlined in the Queen's Speech. (BBC, 26 Nov 2003) Judge condemns US over Guantanamo Bay detainees One of Britain's most senior judges has condemned the US for a "monstrous failure of justice" over the holding of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. (Ananova, 25 Nov 2003) Focus on assets, charities told Community groups can play a bigger role in public service delivery by making the best of what they already have at their disposal rather than relying on state aid, the charities minister, Fiona MacTaggart, said today. (Guardian, 25 Nov 2003) Not enough black people in top media jobs, says Henry Comedian and actor Lenny Henry has warned there are too few black and Asian people occupying senior roles in the UK media and called for a "huge seismic shift" in recruitment. (Guardian, 25 Nov 2003) Overspending sends Britons sliding into debt Britons cannot resist temptation, even if they have to borrow to get what they want, a report out today showed. (Guardian, 25 Nov 2003) TUC calls for minimum wage for 16-year-olds The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has today advocated the introduction of a minimum wage for people aged 16 and 17. The minimum wage for workers aged 18 to 21 is currently £3.80, while for those over 22 it is set at £4.50. (Guardian, 25 Nov 2003) Doctors urge public smoking ban The Royal College of Physicians and 17 other medical colleges have called for a ban on smoking in public places. (BBC, 25 Nov 2003) Mini-turbine brings 'green power for all' The winds of change will blow a little stronger this morning when a small Scottish company launches Britain's first wind power system designed to be fitted on almost any roof or wall to supplement electricity from the grid. (Guardian, 24 Nov 2003) Guantanamo prisoners speak out A number of Pakistanis released from the US high-security prison in Cuba's Guantanamo Bay talk about their experiences. (BBC, 24 Nov 2003) Britons 'work an extra day a week in unpaid overtime' A report claims employees will put in more than £23 billion of unpaid overtime this year - confirming that Britons work the longest hours in Europe. (Ananova, 24 Nov 2003)  People power forces Georgia leader outGeorgian President Eduard Shevardnadze has resigned amid massive protests over disputed election results. ...Nino Burdzhanadze ... will serve as acting president until new elections in 45 days. (BBC, 24 Nov 2003) UK's global internet college a £30m flop A flagship learning scheme has been branded a failure after attracting just 900 students. The online teaching programme, UK e-Universities Worldwide, has spent £30m so far, equivalent to more than £33,000 of hard-pressed education funds on enrolling each pupil. (Guardian, 23 Nov 2003) Novelist refuses literary prize sponsored by Mail One of Britain's most promising young novelists has refused to accept a literary prize because it is sponsored by the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Hari Kunzru, won the £5,000 John Llewellyn Rhys award for his debut, The Impressionist, but rejected it because of the papers' "hostility towards black and Asian British people". (Ananova, 22 Nov 2003) Police take over Ulster prisons Police were today called in to help run three of Northern Ireland's prisons after warders left their posts and refused to work. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Black may face criminal charges Lord Black of Crossharbour could face criminal charges if US financial watchdogs find he flouted the rules during his tenure at the head of Telegraph owner. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) More tax rises 'are inevitable' Leading independent fiscal experts last night warned that Gordon Brown would be forced into fresh tax increases after the latest set of public borrowing figures showed the government deficit running at twice last year's levels. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Home Office 'ignored opposition to ID cards' The Home Office has been accused of ignoring more than 5,000 responses to its survey on ID cards in an effort to get the result it wanted. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Targets and timing point to work of al-Qaida The choice of targets, the timing and the coordination of the suicide bombings in Istanbul left no one in doubt yesterday: this was the work of al-Qaida. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Average child costs £140,000 to raise The average child will cost his or her parents more than £140,000 from birth to the age of 21, according to research out today. Parents of children born in 2002 face paying a total of £91bn to raise them. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Prison system 'failing women' Campaigners have hit out at an increase in the number of women being imprisoned, saying that tougher sentences are failing to cut reoffending and that vulnerable women are being "shoe-horned" into a system designed for men. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) China keeps west on its toes China's emerging position as the workshop of the world (it used to be Birmingham, remember?) is beginning to send shock waves around the globe. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Cambodia signs pact on pillaging Cambodia has signed a pact with the United States to counter what Washington describes as the "alarming" pillaging of centuries-old artefacts from the impoverished Asian country. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) 'Ancient learning - not IITs - has shaped India's success in the global tech arena' Mr Hunt gives credit to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for India's showing in the global tech arena. Yes, the IITs have helped, but the tradition of Indian learning goes way back to Taxila (Takshashheea) and Nalanda (centres of Hindu learning circa 5th century BC). Along the way Hindus discovered the zeros and ones and the decimal system we all use today, though some in the west mistakenly attribute it to Arabs. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Times goes tabloid The Times is overturning 218 years of tradition by going tabloid from next Wednesday. (Guardian, 21 Nov 2003) Minister 'delighted' as foundation hospitals cleared The Government's flagship NHS reforms finally cleared Parliament, after the House of Lords backed down on its opposition to the introduction of foundation hospitals. (Ananova, 20 Nov 2003) Challenging Thatcher's legacy It defined the Thatcher years more than any other issue, and gave a whole new meaning to cut-price home ownership, bankrolled by the taxpayer. By granting tenants of council houses a statutory right to buy, with discounts beyond their wildest dreams, 1.6m homes in England alone were hived-off in the biggest privatisation of all. (Guardian, 19 Nov 2003) Tuition fees leave poorest students in most debt Government researchers have found the poorest students have been hit the hardest by the decision to abolish grants and introduce tuition fees. (Ananova, 18 Nov 2003) Black: I made $50m yesterday Telegraph owner Conrad Black has boasted that he made $50m on shares in Hollinger International yesterday after he announced he would be stepping down as the company's chief executive. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003)  The Black Seminole Indians Keep Fighting for Equality in the American WestThe picture of Brent Staples posted on The Times's Web site shows a bearded man who is black to the naked eye. But what seems clear to the naked eye is rarely the full story when it comes to race. (New York Times, 18 Nov 2003) Experts warn against high density housing John Prescott's vision for compact new cities has been dealt a blow by new figures that show the drawbacks of high density living. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) Pan-African Parliament Aims To Bring In Grassroots Africa is about to establish its first ever pan-African parliament. Within 30 days a single pan-African parliament is due to come into force. (IRIN, 18 Nov 2003) Researchers celebrate 30 years of the net Internet pioneers are gathering this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Arpanet, the first step towards the creation of the world wide web. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) BT to cast high-speed net nationwide by 2005 BT yesterday pledged to bring fast, always-on internet access to the whole of the UK by 2005 and called on the government and industry to work together to make Broadband Britain a reality. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) Humbling of Baron Bombast It was impossible to wipe the smiles off the faces of Conrad Black's legion of critics yesterday. When a bullying, bombastic, verbose and vain man falls from power, it's not surprising that champagne corks should pop. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) Media man Your article (Murdoch papers may switch to Tories, November 15) is a damning indictment of the failure of successive governments to curb the monopolisation of the media by one individual. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) France to clean up sink estates France yesterday launched a vast renovation programme for its big-city suburbs, pledging to spend £21bn over the next five years to clean up its most troublesome sink estates. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) Crossing the divide Do we use conversations about language as a proxy for racism? Is this the hidden agenda when Britons talk about refugees who "come to this country and don't even speak our language" or when Western academics discuss the tendency of Arabic speakers to over-exaggerate? (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) New school up for grabs ALL comers are being invited to step forward to run a new school in South London. The Government has agreed to pay to build the much-needed secondary in Elmcourt Road, West Norwood. (South London Press, 18 Nov 2003) Government blamed for council tax crisis The council tax crisis is down to central government's failure to fully fund the priorities it imposes on local authorities, according to research by a council-affiliated thinktank, which has been released on the eve of the announcement of next year's provisional finance settlement for local government. (Guardian, 18 Nov 2003) Nephew 'left uncle to die and cleared his bank account' A NEPHEW accused of leaving his shy uncle to choke to death in an attic denied using his money for shopping sprees. Leroy Prince, 24, was caught on film with Leroy Hunter, 23, as they allegedly toured cashpoints to clear out Keith Webb's bank account. (South London Press, 18 Nov 2003) 'Reformed commons needed, not a powder-puff legislature' John Major has warned against Parliament turning into what he called "a powder puff legislature". (Ananova, 17 Nov 2003) Council house tenants set to get £25,000 'good behaviour' prize A Liberal Democrat city council is considering giving prizes worth a total of £25,000 to six of its tenants - if they are "good apples." (Ananova, 17 Nov 2003) Media tycoon Conrad Black resigns Hollinger said the payments to Lord Black were not authorised Conrad Black is to step down as chief executive of a global media empire that includes the UK's Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers. (BBC, 17 Nov 2003) Brain scan 'identifies race bias among white people' A brain scan that can apparently root out racists has been developed by scientists. (Ananova, 17 Nov 2003) Opposition to war, and Bush, grows in Britain George Bush says he is ready for the hostility he will encounter this week from Britain’s anti-war protesters. He may not be quite so prepared for the animosity across the nation’s living rooms. (Times, 16 Nov 2003) 'Community police for hire' plan Existing policing was not failing, Mr Blunkett's spokesman said Communities could hire their own police, under plans being drafted by Home Secretary David Blunkett. (BBC, 16 Nov 2003) A war of words over Iraq video games Early next year, Kuma Reality Games plans to launch a service that will allow players to re-enact contemporary news events. Kuma's first product - centred on the war in Iraq - will brief players with information derived from real-world news reporting, and then allow them to play out missions based on actual troop deployments. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) What they said about...immigration The announcement by the home secretary, David Blunkett, that we should welcome the contribution made by immigrants to Britain, coupled with figures released by the Office for National Statistics revealing immigration has greatly increased since 1998, brought a predictably mixed response. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) Straw is taken to task on legality of UK role Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, has been asked to explain the legality of Britain's involvement in the American-run coalition provisional authority in Iraq. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) Baby bonds under fire MPs branded the government's £500 baby bonds a tax break for the wealthy and "deeply flawed" this week. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) Brixton stays at bottom of jail performance table For the second time in four months, Brixton was yesterday officially rated as the worst-performing prison in England and Wales. The Home Office ranked it as the only prison "failing to provide a secure, ordered, or decent regime", and falling short of almost all its government targets. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) Germany begins phasing out nuclear power Germany took a major step towards ending its nuclear power programme yesterday when it shut down the first of its 19 atomic power stations. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) ID cards may cut queues but learn lessons of history, warn Europeans The words "papers please" have terrible echoes of Europe's most repressive history. The rounding up of Jews, the oppression of migrant workers, and the removal of political undesirables have all been made easier by efficient identity controls. (Guardian, 15 Nov 2003) Summer camps 'for all pupils' All schoolchildren could be offered places on American-style summer camps under plans being considered by the Government. (Telegraph, 15 Nov 2003) 'Jury's out on Government' says Murdoch Rupert Murdoch has put Tony Blair on notice that he could switch allegiance to the Tories at the next election. (Ananova, 14 Nov 2003) Hodge says sorry to abuse victim Children's minister Margaret Hodge has apologised for describing a sex abuse victim as "extremely disturbed". Mrs Hodge is facing legal action after writing a letter of complaint to the BBC about an inquiry into a child abuse scandal in Islington, where she was council leader. ...The BBC responded by reading the letter, which Mrs Hodge said was private correspondence, out aloud on the Today programme earlier this week as part of its coverage of the affair. (Ananova, 14 Nov 2003) The case against ID cards Sir - I am very unhappy to see that the Government has decided to go ahead with the introduction of compulsory identity cards which have, after the use of the usual spin, been called "entitlement cards". (Telegraph, 14 Nov 2003) Battle for the heart of Brixton Liberal Democrats are hopeful they will gain their first black MP by ousting Labour's controversial Kate Hoey at the next election. (Black Information Link, 14 Nov 2003) Antarctic ice 'has decreased 20% since 1950' Sea ice around Antarctica may have decreased by as much as 20% since 1950, new findings suggest. (Guardian, 13 Nov 2003) Intelligence worker faces Official Secrets charge A 29-year-old woman who works for British intelligence has been charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act. Catharine Gunn, from Cheltenham, was arrested on March 5 this year. (Ananova, 13 Nov 2003) Mugabe threatened with 'removal by force' A new Zimbabwean resistance has been created to overthrow current leader Robert Mugabe's regime by force. The Zimbabwe Freedom Movement is a network of underground cells made up of guerilla fighters, soldiers and spies who believe Mugabe should be deposed and then tried for genocide. (Ananova, 13 Nov 2003) Blunkett: No limit on migration There is "no obvious limit" to the number of immigrants who could settle in the UK, the home secretary has said. (BBC, 13 Nov 2003) Spanish inquiry into drowning of migrants Spain's national ombudsman yesterday opened an investigation into why 36 illegal African immigrants drowned within reach of a big US-Spanish naval base. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) UK cuts rainforest funding to meet Iraq costs Britain is to slash its aid programme aimed at saving the Amazon rainforest and preserving the culture of its people to meet the soaring cost of rebuilding Iraq. (Independent, 12 Nov 2003) Migrant workers sue Wal-Mart Wal-Mart, the world's biggest company, has been taken to court by a group of former immigrant employees who have accused the US supermarket chain of conspiring with cleaning contractors to employ them in conditions that were "one step away from slavery", the workers' lawyers said yesterday. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) ID cards are on the way Millions of people in Britain will start receiving their compulsory national identity cards in only four years time under the detailed plans unveiled by the home secretary, David Blunkett, yesterday. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) Managing change More and more attention is focusing on voluntary sector mergers, from those who work within the sector and those who support and monitor it. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) The nature of the game For many people, the government's proposal to abolish English Nature (EN) is simply punishment for having done its job too well. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) Britons want money management in curriculum As many as 87% of Britons believe personal finance should be taught in schools, a survey showed today. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) Anti-globalisation activists seek vision for new Europe Three thousand volunteers were in Paris yesterday adding the finishing touches to the European Social Forum, the anti-globalisation movement's combustion chamber for alternative political and social ideas. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) Bank warns consumers over debt The governor of the Bank of England today issued a thinly-veiled warning to consumers to curb their seemingly insatiable appetite for spending and borrowing. (Guardian, 12 Nov 2003) 'Threatening' letter caused anger and anguish among BBC chiefs Margaret Hodge made a veiled threat in her letter to the BBC that the corporation could become embroiled in another bitter David Kelly-style row with the Government, it was claimed yesterday. (Telegraph, 12 Nov 2003) Guantanamo cases go to top court The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals by detainees from the Afghan war held at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba. (BBC, 11 Nov 2003) EU constitution faces poll defeat The draft European constitution has failed to inspire Europe's citizens and is likely to be defeated in referendums next year unless rewritten, says a survey. (Telegraph, 11 Nov 2003) Current affairs television 'in sharp decline' The number of current affairs programmes on television is in significant decline, according to research coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the BBC's Panorama. (Guardian, 10 Nov 2003) Assets for all For decades Britain's inequality gap has widened. New Labour has tried to narrow it. Good progress is being made - on jobs, incomes and child poverty - towards our key goal: social justice. (Guardian, 10 Nov 2003) Dominicans arrest union activists Police in the Dominican Republic have arrested more than 100 people a day before planned demonstrations. (BBC, 10 Nov 2003) Lula renews call for fairer trade Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has renewed calls for fairer trade rules for developing nations. (BBC, 9 Nov 2003) Police developing scanner to tackle gun crime Police are developing a mobile scanner that can detect weapons being carried on the streets as part of the fight against the rising tide of gun crime. (Ananova, 8 Nov 2003) Blunkett 'humiliated' over national ID plans The Government has announced a decision on when to introduce a compulsory national identity card will be put off for years. "... we intend to proceed by incremental steps to build a base for a compulsory national ID card scheme with a final decision to proceed to a compulsory card later, when the conditions for moving to a compulsory card are met." (Ananova, 6 Nov 2003) British consider Israel is 'biggest threat to world peace' Researchers have found nearly two-thirds of Britons believe Israel poses the biggest threat to world peace. North Korea is considered the second biggest threat - and America the third. (Ananova, 3 Nov 2003) Africa dam's passage 'eased by bribes' A London-based lobbying firm has become the focus for an international criminal investigation into allegations of corruption by western engineering companies over a huge dam project in Africa, the Guardian can reveal. (Guardian, 3 Nov 2003) Prescott launches the 'great north vote' John Prescott will today kickstart the campaign for devolution in England's northern regions by promising that a yes vote in three referendums next year will bring elected assemblies early in a new parliament. (Guardian, 3 Nov 2003) Hewitt looks to further shareholder engagement Patricia Hewitt is today expected to tell big investors she is considering new legislation to boost shareholder activism. (Guardian, 3 Nov 2003) Blair draft bill keeps ID card debate alive CABINET ministers are expected to call a truce over identity cards this week by agreeing to include the measure in the Queen’s speech in the form of a draft bill. (Times, 2 Nov 2003) Police warn on nuisance laws New police powers to disperse gangs of youths could cause tension with ethnic minorities, senior officers warn. The Association of Chief Police Officers said street gatherings were part of some cultures and breaking up the groups could cause confrontation. (BBC, 2 Nov 2003) Thirsty Africa faces food crisis The spectre of famine and reliance on outside help could soon threaten large parts of Africa, scientists believe. (BBC, 2 Nov 2003) Asian man fights for life after 'race attack' An Asian man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck with a blunt instrument in what police are treating as a racially-motivated attack. Kadil Ahmed, 60, was assaulted last night outside a takeaway restaurant in Field End Road, Harrow, north-west London. (Ananova, 1 Nov 2003) Post bosses admit spying on staff The Royal Mail has admitted encouraging managers to spy on striking staff, as the unofficial postal action continues. (BBC, 1 Nov 2003) |
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updated:
4 Aug
2004