| Home |
| Library |
| Contact us |
| About |
| Site index |
|
Fair returns for fair trade investors? The fair-trade coffee company Cafédirect is to announce a public share issue this week, with the aim of raising £5m from investors. (Guardian, 31 Jan 2004) BBC staff place advert in support of Dyke BBC staff have clubbed together to place an advert in a national newspaper expressing their "dismay" at the departure of director general Greg Dyke. (Ananova, 31 Jan 2004) Bush speaks of 'intelligence failures' President George Bush has appeared to acknowledge the US may have gone to war on the product of an intelligence failure. (Ananova, 30 Jan 2004) MPs vote to pay themselves 20p a mile for cycling MPs have approved a plan to pay themselves 20p for every mile they cycle "while conducting constituency business." (Ananova, 29 Jan 2004) BBC issues 'unreserved apology' The BBC has issued another apology over the Hutton Inquiry after Tony Blair demanded a unreserved acknowledgement of the Hutton Inquiry's findings. (Ananova, 29 Jan 2004) Ashcroft: Bush to Veto Pared Patriot Act The Bush administration intensified its defense of the anti-terrorism Patriot Act on Thursday, threatening to veto legislation in Congress that would scale back key provisions. Attorney General John Ashcroft, in a letter to Senate leaders, said the changes proposed in the Security and Freedom Ensured Act, known as SAFE, would ``undermine our ongoing campaign to detect and prevent catastrophic attacks.'' (Guardian, 29 Jan 2004) DShould unclaimed savings go to charity? Liz Dolan looks at the case for handing some of the £20 billion estimated to be lying dormant in UK accounts to good causes. (Telegraph, 28 Jan 2004) When is a promise not a promise? This must be the week for going back on manifesto pledges. Within hours of the Commons vote on the government's u-turn on top up fees, the government has ratted on another election promise. (Guardian, 28 Jan 2004) 'Brokers paid £1.5bn for doing nothing' Consumers are £1.5 billion a year out of pocket by paying renewal commission to financial advisers. (Telegraph, 28 Jan 2004) Google float could bring price tag of $25bn Google, the internet search engine, has taken a step closer to a flotation that would recreate the dotcom frenzy of the late 1990s and turn scores of original employees into multi-millionaires. (Telegraph, 28 Jan 2004) Overseas banks 'to blame for Parmalat' The Bank of Italy's governor hit back at claims he had failed to protect investors from the collapse of Parmalat, as he placed part of the blame on international banks. (Telegraph, 28 Jan 2004) The Iraq Oil Bonanza: Estimating Future Profits After the Iraq War of 2003, United States and United Kingdom oil giants are certain to gain privileged access to Iraq’s oil resources. (Global Policy Forum, 28 Jan 2004) Will Tesco turn my local shops into basket cases? Should Tesco's chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, be lionised or demonised? Is he Saint Terry for supplying millions of ordinary Britons with food and clothing at prices that most other retailers cannot match? Or is he Big Bad Leahy, on a mission to ruin competitors while wrecking the diversity of our high streets? (Telegraph, 28 Jan 2004) Solar power plan for new homes in capital Ken Livingstone is spearheading a move to ensure that "the vast majority" of new homes in London are powered by solar panels under new proposals which come into force next month. (Independent, 26 Jan 2004) Livingstone hails Brown u-turn on tube funding The Treasury is considering a significant u-turn by allowing London's mayor to raise billions for large transport projects by selling his own bonds to the public and private institutions. (Guardian, 26 Jan 2004) Global warming will plunge Britain into new ice age 'within decades' Britain is likely to be plunged into an ice age within our lifetime by global warming, new research suggests. (Independent, 25 Jan 2004) Supermarkets in race for newsagents group Sainsbury's and the Co-op have emerged as front runners to buy TM Group, the owner of the Martins and Forbuoys chains. (Ananova, 25 Jan 2004) Town hall report shows £740m debt A South London council is still a stag-gering £740 million in debt - despite slashing more than £130 million off the total in less than two years. The ongoing financial plight of Lambeth is laid bare in a revealing report due to be debated at the Town Hall on Monday. (South London Press, 23 Jan 2004) Open government moves 'face resistance' Bob Phillis, chairman of the review into government communications, warned MPs yesterday he had "doubts and concerns" on whether ministers would beef up the Freedom of Information Act to open up Whitehall to more scrutiny. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) We need a signal One of the few predictions that can be made with some confidence is that sooner or later we will all have digital radios and digital television sets. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) One in seven Britons says Holocaust is exaggerated One British person in seven believes that the scale of the Nazi Holocaust against Jews is exaggerated, according to an opinion poll published today. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Tonge sacked over bombing comments Charles Kennedy has asked Jenny Tonge to step down as the Liberal Democrats' spokeswoman for children following her claim that she might consider becoming a suicide bomber if she lived in the Palestinian territories. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Deep south divided by rape case The case of a black high school student sentenced to 10 years in prison for having sex with a white 15-year-old classmate in Georgia is igniting long-standing racial tensions in the deep south. As protesters gathered outside Georgia supreme court on Wednesday, holding candles and singing We Shall Overcome, Marcus Dixon's lawyers were arguing to appeal judges that his punishment was unusually harsh. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) US frailty doesn't just exist in the European imagination Try this exercise: imagine that Britain had joined France and Germany in refusing to support the war on Iraq. Where would we be today? (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Anti-migrants plan coup at 100-year-old green group The most powerful and venerable environmental organisation in the United States is facing what is being described as its greatest crisis in its 112-year history. There are claims that anti-immigration groups are planning to take over the Sierra Club, in a battle that has reopened the debate on the priorities for environmentalists worldwide. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Village school to revive the spirit of Co-op pioneers A Cumbrian village is to establish the first cooperative-run state school after losing two appeals to keep its 18-pupil primary open. Villagers in Lowick, which is spread over three small parishes on the southern edge of the Lake District, have been told that their 150-year-old school must close in July due to falling rolls. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Call for end to 48-hour working week opt-out Labour MEPs were under fire last night for voting to end Britain's opt-out from European rules limiting working hours. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Tesco in danger of appearing smug Tesco's purchase of 45 convenience stores in London trading as Europa, Harts and Cullens ran to just four paragraphs; this "small, private transaction" of £54m, after all, represents just 0.3% of Tesco's market capitalisation. (Guardian, 23 Jan 2004) Guyanese should regard Rhodes Scholarships as unacceptable It is clear from the way he wrote his letter to you published in your issue of January 9, 2004 (G.M.W. Tang of Queen's College, Guyana and the Queens College Oxford) that the writer is immensely proud of his educational background. Dr. Tang would have had equal justification to be proud if all the information he gave you in his letter was accurate and unquestionable. (Stabroek News readers' letters, 21 Jan 2004) Funding bubble bursts for internet skills centres Hundreds of centres helping people in deprived communities to develop internet skills are facing an uphill fight for survival as their funding runs out. (New Start, 21 Jan 2004) Fertility chief's contempt for cloning doctor Panos Zavos, the American doctor who claims to have begun cloning experiments on a woman, "deserves nothing more than contempt", the head of Britain's fertility watchdog will say today. (Telegraph, 21 Jan 2004) UK 'should face war crimes investigation' Britain should be investigated for war crimes in Iraq, according to a report by a UK human rights group. (Ananova, 21 Jan 2004) World Social Shorum You can question their ‘grand cause’ not their individual grievances. You can question how the media covered the event as a cultural do (thank you alleged rapist South African judge, a WSF story made it to front pages in the host city’s mainline dailies!). (Mid-day, 21 Jan 2004) New law cracks down on anti-social behaviour Police have been given new powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour. (Ananova, 20 Jan 2004) Gas plant blast kills at least 20 At least 20 workers died and 74 were injured after a tank filled with liquefied natural gas exploded at an Algerian refinery. ...It was not immediately known how many people were working in the area when the blast occurred at the refinery in Skikda, a port on the oil and gas rich nation's eastern Mediterranean coast. (Ananova, 20 Jan 2004) Clergy to gain employment rights The clergy are to be legally entitled to employment rights for the first time under new proposals announced by the Church of England. (Ananova, 19 Jan 2004) Welsh exam rejection - apology Cemlyn Davies said he was upset by the university's stance A university has apologised to an Aberystwyth teenager after it rejected his Welsh A-level as an entry requirement, saying it was a "simple error". (BBC, 19 Jan 2004) Women issues, western imperialism discussed at WSF meet In a public meeting, 'War against women and women against war' at the World Social Forum [WSF] on Sunday, the speakers not only raised the issues of atrocities committed on women on national and international level but also linked it with the US imperialism. Egyptian writer and activist Nawal el Saddawi said, "They say we are living in the time of post-feminism. Are we? Because women are not liberated. Especially when the countries are not liberated, how can we say that the women are liberated." (Hindustan Times, 19 Jan 2004) Council tenants denied decent homes Camden council welcomes the government's significant investment to meet its target of improving all council housing by 2010. However, Matt Weaver's article (When tenants say no, January 16) aptly highlights a serious dilemma for the government. (Guardian readers' letters, 19 Jan 2004) Four out of 10 whites do not want black neighbour, poll shows Four out of 10 white people do not want an Asian or black Briton as their neighbour, according to a survey published this week. The opinion poll found rocketing concern about immigration and asylum combined with ignorance about basic facts about the issue and growing resentment. (Guardian, 19 Jan 2004) Iran earthquake toll hits 41,000 Iranian officials say they now believe at least 41,000 people were killed in last month's devastating earthquake. (BBC, 16 Jan 2004) Senator wants book showing family living in car blacklisted A US state senator is demanding education chiefs remove a children's book showing an American family living in a car from a list of "suitable" school textbooks. (Ananova, 16 Jan 2004) When tenants say no Labour's manifesto pledge to repair all council housing by 2010 is in serious trouble. Last week another vote by tenants exposed the serious flaws in the government's attempts to meet the target by hiving off homes from council control. (Guardian, 16 Jan 2004) Woman who inspired Rabbit-Proof Fence dies at 87 The woman whose 1,000-mile childhood trek across the Australian outback inspired the 2002 film Rabbit-Proof Fence has died in the country's far north-west. (Guardian, 16 Jan 2004) New threats to health predicted Dozens of new and potentially deadly diseases, most caught from animals, will be discovered over the next 25 years, a scientist predicted yesterday. (Guardian, 14 Jan 2004) Living rough in Europe's 'waiting room' Thousands of illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa are braving cold and wet nights in Moroccan forests in the hope of getting to Europe. (BBC, 13 Jan 2004) Standard Life may float on stock market Life assurer Standard Life is considering a stock market flotation in what could be the biggest shake-up in its 178-year history. The society has launched a strategic review looking at the options for changing its structure, including demutualising. (Ananova, 13 Jan 2004) Church congregations fall by 100,000 in two years The Church of England lost 100,000 worshippers between 2000 and 2002, according to figures that will make gloomy reading for the clergy. (Telegraph, 13 Jan 2004) Bottle recycling factory set for launch C&R Enterprises, a plastic bottle recycling facility on the West Bank of Demerara, is to go into operation this week and will begin to bring relief to what is a plague of discarded containers all around the country. (Stabroek News, 12 Jan 2004) Council home defenders urge ministerial rethink Council housing campaigners are seeking an urgent meeting with the government after they exposed serious flaws in housing policy by wrecking Camden council's attempts to switch their homes to new management. (Guardian, 12 Jan 2004) UN opens slavery remembrance year The United Nations has launched its International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery. (BBC, 11 Jan 2004) Eritrea rapped for 'military' schooling The United Nations children's agency, Unicef, says the north-east African country of Eritrea is breaking human rights regulations by making children complete the final year of their secondary education at the site of a military training camp. (BBC, 11 Jan 2004) Qurei slams 'racist' Israeli wall Mr Qurei said the barrier would not bring peace or stability The Palestinian prime minister has urged the US and others to stop Israel from building its controversial separation barrier in the West Bank. (BBC, 11 Jan 2004) 21 die as speedboat sinks A speedboat transporting Albanians trying to get to Italy has sunk killing 21 people. (Ananova, 10 Jan 2004) EU could 'force firms to consult on tea bags' New European rules could force British firms to consult their workers on which brand of tea bags should be used in offices and what colour the carpets should be, the Conservatives have claimed. (Ananova, 10 Jan 2004) State pension 'failing women and ethnic groups' An all-party House of Lords report has called for a major shake-up in state pensions. (Ananova, 10 Jan 2004) MPs and peers in Camp Delta plea More than 50 peers, including four retired law lords, and 85 MPs including the former foreign secretary Robin Cook, will file an unprecedented brief with the US supreme court on Wednesday in support of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (Guardian, 10 Jan 2004) D Put phantoms on wanted bulletins, says ex-informant - Gov't willing to investigate death squad allegations George Bacchus, the man who says he was an informer for a death squad says he is only interested in having all the people involved in the activities of the group exposed to the public. (Stabroek News, 10 Jan 2004) Twins sent to school on alternate days The parents of identical twin boys in China saved money by sending their sons to school on alternate days. (Ananova, 9 Jan 2004) Richer, stouter, and no happier More people are adopting a lifestyle that leaves them dissatisfied and the Earth impoverished, US researchers say. (BBC, 9 Jan 2004) Fresh hope for Guantanamo Britons The first of the nine British terrorist suspects held in Guantanamo Bay are reportedly expected home within weeks. (BBC, 9 Jan 2004) Women do more housework Government statistics show women do 90 minutes more housework every day than men. (Ananova, 8 Jan 2004) Schoolchildren to get free fruit every day ... A £77 million investment will mean that all youngsters aged four to six will receive a piece of fruit each day at school as part of Government efforts to promote healthy eating and tackle child obesity. (Ananova, 8 Jan 2004) Half of non-whites live in London Britain's capital city remains the country's leading cultural melting pot, with nearly half of the non-white population living there, according to a new report. (Ananova, 8 Jan 2004) Tiny particles 'threaten brain' Microscopic pollutant particles given off by traffic and industry can enter the bloodstream and the brain after being inhaled, scientists have found. (BBC, 8 Jan 2004) New 'Taleban' clashes in Nigeria Fighting has continued in northern Nigeria, involving a radical Islamic movement that calls itself the Taleban. (BBC, 7 Jan 2004) Global warming may wipe out one million species Scientists say a quarter of land animals and plants could be driven to extinction by another 50 years of global warming. (Ananova, 7 Jan 2004) Plan for personal identity numbers Plans to allocate a unique identity number to every UK resident were announced by ministers yesterday as part of a £240m scheme to compile an authoritative population register for use by government departments and agencies. (Guardian, 7 Jan 2004) The year's most shocking list Eighty-eight people killed themselves in prison last year, according to figures collated by penal reform charity Inquest. (Guardian, 7 Jan 2004) On Crime as Science (a Neighbor at a Time) Dr. Felton Earls was on the street, looking for something at ground level that would help explain his theories about the roots of crime. He found it across from a South Side housing project, in a community garden of frost-wilted kale and tomatoes. (New York Times, 6 Jan 2004) British book sparks ancient manuscripts destruction An Indian mob has destroyed 30,000 ancient manuscripts and rioted in retaliation for Oxford University Press publishing a book about a Hindu king. (Ananova, 6 Jan 2004) Record number of women commit suicide in prison The number of women committing suicide in prison during 2003 was a record, according to new figures. Fourteen imprisoned females suffered self-inflicted deaths in England and Wales last year - compared with the previous record of nine in 2002. (Ananova, 6 Jan 2004) On the edge of lunacy Spare a thought this bleak new year for all those who rely on charity. Open your hearts, for example, to a group of people who, though they live in London, are in such desperate need of handouts that last year they received £7.6m in foreign aid. The Adam Smith Institute, the ultra-rightwing lobby group, now receives more money from Britain's Department for International Development (DfID) than Liberia or Somalia, two of the most desperate nations on Earth. (Guardian, 6 Jan 2004) School vending machines targeted in child obesity drive The Government has launched a £2 million drive to tackle obesity among children in England. (Ananova, 5 Jan 2004) Fish eat away at malaria in India Fish are being used to control malaria in India with remarkable success, according to researchers from the Indian Council for Medical Research. (BBC, 5 Jan 2004) Consumer champion McKechnie dies The director of the Consumers' Association, Dame Sheila McKechnie, has died of cancer at the age of 55. (BBC, 5 Jan 2004) 
Bed saved life of woman, 97, rescued from earthquakeThe 97-year-old woman rescued after nine days in the rubble of Iran's earthquake probably survived because she was wrapped up in bed, officials have said. Sharbanou Mazandarani was discovered by rescue workers on Saturday, after rescue staff from the Iranian Red Crescent spotted an arm poking from the rubble. (Ananova, 4 Jan 2004) Five-thousand day war: The struggle for Haiti's independence, 1789-1804 On January 1, 2004, Haiti celebrated two hundred years of independence. Today we reprint a feature by David Granger tracing the course of events which eventuated in Haiti becoming the only colony where former slaves succeeded in taking over the state, subsequently creating the region's first republic. (Stabroek News, 4 Jan 2004) BBC drops chart sponsor plug The BBC is to drop mention of Coca-Cola from its weekly music charts after the sponsorship deal was criticised. (Ananova, 2 Jan 2004) Internet plan for post offices Plans to offer free internet kiosks in the UK's 18,000 sub post offices to allow customers to pay bills online are being drawn up. (Ananova, 2 Jan 2004) Brazil takes prints from US tourists Police began fingerprinting and photographing American tourists arriving at Sao Paolo's international airport yesterday in compliance with a judge's order to match the treatment Brazilians will get when they enter the United States. (Guardian, 2 Jan 2004) Teachers question value of projects The value of GCSE and A-level coursework is being compromised by cheating, with pupils getting help from teachers and parents or downloading work from the internet, according to a survey of teachers published today. (Guardian, 2 Jan 2004) 1973 US threat to seize oilfields The United States considered using force to seize oil fields in the Middle East during an oil embargo by Arab states in 1973, according to British government documents just made public. (BBC, 1 Jan 2004) |
| Cuttings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
updated:
20 Sep
2006