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Bush, the Saudi billionaire and the Islamists: the story a British firm is afraid to publish A book investigating links between rich Saudis and US politicians has been suppressed by the giant publishing firm Random House because, it says, of growing "libel tourism" by wealthy foreigners, and exorbitant legal "success fees". (Guardian, 31 Mar 2004) Name the analogue switch-off date, urges Carter Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter has called on the government to end any uncertainty over the date for switching off analogue TV, warning progress will "stall" unless it intervenes. (Guardian, 31 Mar 2004) US chose to ignore Rwandan genocide President Bill Clinton's administration knew Rwanda was being engulfed by genocide in April 1994 but buried the information to justify its inaction, according to classified documents made available for the first time. (Guardian, 31 Mar 2004) UK cuts Guyana funding in favour of 'low-income' countries The British government is reducing its funding to Guyana to devote 90% of aid funding to low-income countries. (Stabroek News, 31 Mar 2004) Liberia stowaways reach Argentina Four Liberian teenagers are being treated for malnutrition after an incredible 16-day voyage to Argentina inside a ship's anchor compartment. (BBC, 31 Mar 2004) Riots hit Algerian leader's rally Algerian security forces have clashed with protesters during a visit by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to the Berber-dominated Kabylie region. (BBC, 31 Mar 2004) Standard Life dumps mutual status Standard Life, the Edinburgh-based insurer, is to abandon its mutual status and seek a stock market listing. (BBC, 31 Mar 2004) Tories restore whip to 'sick joke' MP Tories have restored the party whip to Ann Winterton after she "unreservedly" apologised for a sick joke. The Congleton MP was suspended after joking about the drowning of 20 Chinese cockle-pickers at Morecambe Bay last month. (Ananova, 31 Mar 2004) Slave owner insurance - 200 years on Descendants of black American slaves are suing London's oldest insurance firm, Lloyd's of London, for compensation for allegedly underwriting the ships used in the slave trade. (BBC, 30 Mar 2004) UK housing now worth £3 trillion The value of the UK's housing stock has almost doubled in the past five years to £3 trillion, a new report indicates. (BBC, 29 Mar 2004) Scientists lift hopes in malaria war European scientists have identified a new way to stop malaria in its tracks. Instead of preventing the malaria parasite from infecting humans, they could instead stop the parasite from infecting the mosquito that spreads the lethal disease. (Guardian, 26 Mar 2004) Digital paper makes device debut The Librié is due to go on sale in Japan in April Soon you could be reading a book printed on electronic paper. Sony, Philips and digital paper pioneer E-Ink have announced an electronic book reader that is due to go on sale in Japan in late April for $375 (£204). (BBC, 26 Mar 2004) Cashing in on terror Few allegations could be more potentially damaging to the presidency of George W Bush than the claim made this week by his former security adviser, Richard Clarke. (Telegraph, 26 Mar 2004) Ex-Rwandan PM reveals genocide planning A British author says a senior official from the Rwandan war crimes tribunal flew to London last week to question her about the secret confessions of a 1994 Rwandan genocide organiser that she obtained for inclusion in a recently-published book. (BBC, 26 Mar 2004) Environment 'stunts young brains' The brains of children in many parts of Europe are suffering greater damage from environmental risks than previously recognised, scientists say. (BBC, 25 Mar 2004)
Choking traffic, new superstores and bland new buildings are threatening England's market towns, the Campaign to Protect Rural England claims today. (Guardian, 24 Mar 2004) Python film to challenge Passion Monty Python's film The Life of Brian is to return to US cinemas next month following the success of The Passion of the Christ. (Ananova, 24 Mar 2004) Small market towns face bland danger England's small market towns are in danger of losing their most vital assets - their character and distinctiveness, according to a survey. (Ananova, 24 Mar 2004) No 10 press office costs 'up 130%' Downing Street press office costs have more than doubled to almost £1.4 million since Tony Blair came to power, it has been revealed. (Evening Standard, 24 Mar 2004) Buses halted over fires London's fleet of 120 bendy buses was today dramatically withdrawn from service. The move follows a series of fires which have wrecked the £200,000 state-of-the-art vehicles. (Evening Standard, 24 Mar 2004) Mid East braced for bloody backlash The Middle East was facing renewed bloodshed as Israel vowed to continue to target terror amid growing fears of a violent backlash following the assassination of the spiritual head of the Palestinian group Hamas. (Ananova, 23 Mar 2004) How Blue and Red Emerged From Old Blue Their youthful resumés sound remarkably similar: two young men with prominent pedigrees who prepped in New England, enrolled at the same college and joined the same secret society. As Jay Leno noted, the choices in the presidential election range all the way from a rich, white guy from Yale to a rich, white guy from Yale. But in college there was a wide gulf between George W. Bush and John Kerry. (New York Times, 21 Mar 2004) Mum relives blaze horror A mother whose two children died in the New Cross Fire which claimed the lives of 13 young people broke down as she relived the tragedy at an inquest. (South London Press, 19 Mar 2004) Warning sounded on decline of species Scientists have produced the first comprehensive evidence that the diversity of butterflies, birds and plants is in decline in the UK. They say their research supports the argument that mass extinction threatens life on Earth. (Guardian, 19 Mar 2004) Coke recalls controversial water Coca-Cola is to recall all bottles of its Dasani water in the UK, after levels of bromate were found to exceed legal levels. (BBC, 19 Mar 2004) Sharing out land sales cash 'should halt Nimbys' Owners of land should be taxed on the huge profits made from selling it for house-building and the money should be passed on to local communities, a report recommends. (18 Mar 2004) Longest period of growth for 200 years Gordon Brown boasted yesterday that Britain was enjoying the longest period of sustained growth for more than 200 years, as he sought to capitalise on his forecasting record. (Times, 18 Mar 2004) Budget draws up election battle lines Gordon Brown pledged to keep pouring money into public services in his budget, but at the price of tens of thousands of administrative jobs. (Ananova, 17 Mar 2004) Home Office fighting detainee release The Home Office is launching an appeal against the decision of a Government tribunal to release a man held without trial under the controversial anti-terrorism law. (Ananova, 17 Mar 2004) Brown outlines national volunteer strategy The chancellor, Gordon Brown, today announced a commission to draw up plans for a national youth volunteering strategy as part of his budget. (Guardian, 17 Mar 2004) Youth won't give freely Brown will struggle to recruit volunteers, say Fabians The chancellor, Gordon Brown, is expected today to announce plans for a national volunteering scheme for young people. But according to a new Fabian Society report, he will find it difficult to get the "what's in it for me?" generation on board. (Guardian, 17 Mar 2004) US frees further 26 Guantanamo Bay prisoners The United States has released 26 more prisoners from the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, sending 23 men to Afghanistan and three to Pakistan to be set free, the Pentagon said yesterday. (New Zealand Herald, 17 Mar 2004) No backdated benefits for refugees Refugees are to lose the right to claim thousands of pounds in backdated benefits, it has been confirmed. (Ananova, 17 Mar 2004) Report calls for 100,000 new homes A Government-commissioned report was expected to call for up to 100,000 extra new homes to be built each year - beyond those already being constructed - in a bid to meet growing demand. (Ananova, 17 Mar 2004) Under-18s to get minimum wage of £3 A minimum wage of £3 an hour is to be introduced for 16 and 17-year-olds in October and the rate for adults is to be increased, the Government has announced. (Ananova, 15 Mar 2004) Glasgow houses the most refugees Glasgow houses more asylum seekers than any other local authority in Britain. New Home Office figures have revealed that the city provides rent-free accommodation for 5,565 refugees — more than Wales, Northern Ireland and the east and southwest of England combined. (Sunday Times - Scotland, 14 Mar 2004) Savings war looms at last If you have never formed a saving habit, now is probably the time to stop making excuses and get started. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Murdoch takes Five steps forward In 20 years, Sky could be the only serious broadcast news game in town, warns Steve Barnett. Given its status as the terrestrial minnow and the average 900,000 audience for its main 5.30 bulletin, Five's decision to dump ITN in favour of Sky News hardly sounds like earth-shattering stuff. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) The small matter of sizing up success Every revolution needs to stop and draw breath. So it was in February for the pioneers of the 'compact' revolution, the march of the quality tabloids. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Holidays that build a nation While in Cape Town recently I visited the District Six Museum which tells the story of how an entire neighbourhood was bulldozed under apartheid and its people divided up, expelled and sent to separate black, Indian and coloured townships miles away on the dusty Cape Flats. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Women prisoners moved to tackle packed jails crisis Two women's jails are to be converted into prisons for men in a last-ditch attempt to counter the overcrowding which threatens to plunge Britain's penal system into its greatest crisis in a decade. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Eat less meat and you'll help save the planet We have been asked to stop spraying deodorant, guzzle less fuel and recycle our nappies. Now campaigners led by the Government's own environmental champion urge people this week to eat less meat to save the planet. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Parents blind to children's obesity The majority of parents are no longer able to tell whether their children are overweight, a ground-breaking study of how British families perceive body size will reveal this week. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Revealed: the full story of the Guantanamo Britons Three British prisoners released last week from Guantanamo Bay have revealed the full extent of British government involvement in the American detention camp condemned by law lords and the Court of Appeal as a 'legal black hole'. Shafiq Rasul, Ruhal Ahmed and Asif Iqbal, the so-called 'Tipton Three', speaking for the first time since their release at a secret location in southern England, have disclosed to The Observer the fullest picture yet of life inside the camp on Cuba where America continues to hold 650 detainees. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) How we survived jail hell For two years the Tipton Three have been silent prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. In a safe house in southern England at the weekend, Asif Iqbal was describing his survival, together with his friends Ruhal Ahmed and Shafiq Rasul, after a massacre by US-backed Northern Alliance forces in Afghanistan - the start of a 26-month nightmare which ended last week with their release from the American detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. Part two (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Official: The massive cost of Britain's binge drinking In the cold light of day, the statistics are inescapable: we are a nation of booze hounds, consuming a staggering amount of beer, wine and spirits in a destructive relationship with alcohol that is costing Britain billions of pounds a year. (Observer, 14 Mar 2004) Leaked e-mails spark new storm Immigration minister Beverley Hughes has faced fresh claims that checks were being waived on thousands entering Britain. (Ananova, 14 Mar 2004) Aristide in Jamaica trip furore Aristide has spent the past two weeks in the Central African Republic Haiti's prime minister has criticised Jamaican plans to allow the country's ousted president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to visit next week. (BBC, 13 Mar 2004) City lifespan gap increases The lives of some men in parts of Glasgow are shortening The gap in life expectancy between the most affluent and deprived areas of Glasgow has increased in the last decade, according to NHS figures. (BBC, 12 Mar 2004) Water Rodney subject of symposium A symposium celebrating the life and scholarship of the late Walter Rodney will be held on March 23 at the Atlanta University Center, in the US. (Stabroek News, 12 Mar 2004) EU plans safer net for children European Union officials are proposing to spend more than £30m to try to make the internet safer for children. (BBC, 12 Mar 2004) Millions to join march on terror Millions of people were expected to turn out on the streets of Spain today in protest at yesterday's devastating bomb attacks in Madrid which killed 198 people. (Ananova, 12 Mar 2004) Guantanamo Briton 'was tortured' One of the five Britons released from Guantanamo Bay claims US guards at the camp in Cuba tortured and abused him. Jamal Udeen has told the Daily Mirror he went to Pakistan to study Muslim culture but was taken prisoner after straying into Afghanistan by mistake. (BBC, 12 Mar 2004) Demand in China fuels oil price Oil prices rose back towards $33 a barrel yesterday after the International Energy Agency said that China's booming economy would fuel faster-than-expected growth in world oil demand this year. (Telegraph, 12 Mar 2004) Nestlé bites back at obesity campaigners The food giant is sticking its head above the parapet on health to head off the possibility of advertising restrictions. (Telegraph, 12 Mar 2004) My hell in Camp X-Ray A British captive freed from Guantanamo Bay today tells the world of its full horror - and reveals how prostitutes were taken into the camp to degrade Muslim inmates. Jamal al-Harith, 37, who arrived home three days ago after two years of confinement, is the first detainee to lift the lid on the US regime in Cuba's Camp X-Ray and Camp Delta. (Mirror, 12 Mar 2004) Calm mind creates complex tunes Scientists already know that music can affect a person's physiological state, inducing excitement or relaxation. (BBC, 12 Mar 2004) 190 dead in Madrid rail station blasts Powerful explosions have rocked three Madrid train stations, killing 190 rush-hour commuters and wounding more than 1,200. (Ananova, 12 Mar 2004) Trauma fear for freed detainees The ordeal of Britain's five former Guantanamo Bay detainees could have far-reaching effects on the men, it has been claimed. (Ananova, 12 Mar 2004) Give us a minute and we'll give you the media world, plus monkeys MediaGuardian.co.uk has been running for three and a half years and has built a reputation as the UK's leading media news website. It is our aim to maintain our position as the site of choice for the media industry while improving and enhancing our services. (Guardian, 11 Mar 2004) Palestinians worry that Israeli withdrawal could lead to anarchy Many Palestinians here are brooding about the prospect of a sudden Israeli withdrawal, even though they have fought for the removal of Jewish settlers and soldiers for years. (Kansas City Star, 11 Mar 2004) What planet is the Minister really on? Housing minister Keith Hill has caused a storm of protest by suggesting the results of a referendum on the future of Camden’s homes should not stand until every single tenant has given their opinion. (Camden New Journal, 11 Mar 2004) Fast-Food Chains Get a Break Today Americans who order fast food would have to hold the lawsuits under a bill passed by the House yesterday. The "cheeseburger bill," approved 276 to 139, would prohibit people who are battling the bulge from going to court in an attempt to finger the food industry for their weight problems. (Washington Post, 11 Mar 2004) Tenants turn down £33.7m private finance option Tenants of a top-performing London council have once again voted against one of the government’s three options for housing investment. Just two months after Camden’s tenants voted down the council’s plans for an ALMO, residents of its Maiden Lane estate rejected plans to use the private finance initiative to attract the £33.7 million needed to improve their 479 homes and the estate. (Inside Housing, 11 Mar 2004) Transfer market is too hot for the sector’s biggest lender The biggest lender to the social housing sector is scaling back its involvement as the transfer market demands ever better rates. Bank of Scotland committed £4.1 billion to the sector last year and has provided funding for a number of major transfer deals including Glasgow and Walsall. (Inside Housing, 11 Mar 2004) Organised communities could reduce costs Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller has said that the Government's expenditure on national security could be drastically decreased if communities across Jamaica were better organised. (Jamaica Gleaner, 11 Mar 2004) Cop quiz Delta Brits released Four British terror suspects arrested by police after being flown home from Guantanamo Bay were freed last night. All have been released without charge. (Sun, 11 Mar 2004) Freedom at last for Guantanamo Britons Britain's five former Guantanamo Bay detainees were enjoying their freedom amid mounting calls for them to sue those responsible for their incarceration. (Ananova, 11 Mar 2004) Drugs on offer at Britain's schools Almost half of 15-year-olds in Britain who have been offered drugs claim the offer took place at school. ...The survey among teenagers also highlights other concerns, with 62% of those questioned admitting they had been drunk, and 24% having had sex by the age of 15. (Ananova, 11 Mar 2004) Bollywood film wants 150 extras The feature film "Guiana 1838" which will be continuing its production soon in Guyana will see 150 Guyanese as extras. The movie will focus on the abolition of slavery and the arrival of Indians in Guyana during the 19th century. (Stabroek News, 10 Mar 2004) Metropolitan police to test for racists The Met police has revealed plans to test all new recruits in 'respect for race and diversity' and if they fail the course they will not able to complete their training. (Guardian, 10 Mar 2004) DCockle tragedy - 15 identified Lancashire police working with Chinese police have succeeded in identifying 15 of the 20 people who died while cockling in Morecambe Bay in February 2004. (10 Mar 2004) Officials: Masonic Attack Not by al-Qaida A suicide bomb attack that killed one person at a Masonic lodge in Istanbul was apparently the work of inexperienced Islamic militants and not al-Qaida, officials said Wednesday. (Guardian, 10 Mar 2004) Racist leaflets condemned A racist leaflet urging people to expel members of the Chinese community from an area of south Belfast has been condemned. (BBC, 10 Mar 2004) Power cuts 'could hit UK by 2006' The UK is increasingly reliant on imported gas for electricity The UK could be hit by electricity supply problems within two years, an expert who advises the government on energy policy has said. (BBC, 10 Mar 2004) Guantanamo Britons face UK police probe Four Britons who returned home after being released from US custody in Guantanamo Bay are due to be questioned by police. Meanwhile, a fifth former detainee, 37-year-old Jamal al Harith, from Manchester, also known as Jamal Udeen, was beginning the day as a free man after being released without charge. The five were released from the US base in Cuba yesterday after spending more than two years in custody. Ruhal Ahmed, 22, Asif Iqbal, 22, and Shafiq Rasul, 26, all from Tipton, West Midlands, and Tarek Dergoul, 26, from London were facing questioning later today. (Ananova, 10 Mar 2004) New voluntary work project for young A new scheme to encourage more young people to do volunteer work may be unveiled in next week's Budget, Home Secretary David Blunkett has hinted. (Ananova, 10 Mar 2004) DUnion Concern for Future of Mg Rover A senior union leader urged car giant MG Rover today to appoint two non-executive directors with no direct financial interest in the company in the face of “continuing bad publicity” about the firm. (Edinburgh Evening News, 9 Mar 2004) No prosecution for TV 'racist' police The nine police officers forced to resign after being caught making racist comments on a BBC documentary will not face prosecution, it has been confirmed. (Ananova, 8 Mar 2004) Gang harvested £4m profit illegally Six people have been found convicted in connection with a "gangmaster" racket which made £4m out of illegal migrant workers. (BBC, 8 Mar 2004) Nine sentenced to death over killing of genocide survivor A Rwandan court has sentenced nine people to death and another one to life imprisonment over the killing of a genocide survivor who was due to testify under the Gacaca justice system, a leader of a genocide survivors’ association told IRIN on Friday. (IRIN, 8 Mar 2004) Society 'living on borrowed money' Just over half of people plan to borrow money during the next 12 months, expecting to go into the red by an average of £3,997, new research has claimed. (Ananova, 8 Mar 2004) PCs: the latest waste mountain First it was the fridge mountain, then it was the tyre mountain. Now discarded computers have got environmentalists worried. (Guardian, 8 Mar 2004) Tests for 7-year-olds to be dropped End-of-year tests for seven-year-olds will be scrapped at thousands of schools this summer in what could be the first step to removing them nationwide. (Independent Education, 8 Mar 2004) Nine sentenced to death over killing of genocide survivor A Rwandan court has sentenced nine people to death and another one to life imprisonment over the killing of a genocide survivor who was due to testify under the Gacaca justice system, a leader of a genocide survivors’ association told IRIN on Friday. (IRIN, 8 Mar 2004) Computers 'must become greener' Worldwide efforts are needed to reduce the environmental damage caused by computer equipment, according to a United Nations research group. (BBC, 7 Mar 2004) MG chiefs deny asset stripping God Save the Queen blared from the MG Rover stand last week as the embattled Midlands carmaker returned to the Geneva Motor Show. The anthem was for the Olympic rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent, enlisted to unveil a revamped Rover 75. (Times, 7 Mar 2004) Blair exaggerating terror threat - Blix The UN's former chief weapons inspector in Iraq has suggested Tony Blair was exaggerating the threat posed by international terrorism. (Ananova, 7 Mar 2004) UN study: Think upgrade before buying a new PC A United Nations University study into the environmental impact of personal computers, due to be published later Monday, has found that around 1.8 tons of raw material are required to manufacture the average desktop PC and monitor and that extending a machine's operational life through re-use holds a much greater potential for energy saving than recycling. (Infoworld, 7 Mar 2004) Muse of 'Rabbit Proof Fence' remembered The life of the woman who inspired the film Rabbit Proof Fence will be remembered at a funeral ceremony near Newman in Western Australia on Saturday. Eighty-seven-year-old Molly Kelly will be farewelled at the community of Jigalong. (ABC Online, 6 Mar 2004) Rexam blames German recycling for profits Rexam, the consumer packaging firm, yesterday attacked a controversial German recycling scheme that has knocked £20m off profits. (Telegraph, 5 Mar 2004) Concern over 'junk food' for pupils When Caitlin Walker saw the menu list at her daughter's Tyneside school, she realised every meal was highly processed and contained hidden sugars. (BBC, 5 Mar 2004) Seven days 'til our prisons are full Prisons in England and Wales could be full in a week as the number of inmates continues to increase for the fourth week running. (Guardian, 5 Mar 2004) Marketing co-operatives try to make profits for their members Mr. Conway's letter captioned "The primary purpose of a co-operative society is service to its members not profit" (SN: 3/3/04) completely missed my point. (Stabroek News, 5 Mar 2004) Jagessar film spotlights Guiana in 1838 Guiana 1838, a feature film on the abolition of slavery and the arrival of Indians in Guyana during the nineteenth century, will be continuing its production in Guyana. (Stabroek News, 5 Mar 2004) Forests felled to feed demand for lipstick Few would recognise it, but go into any supermarket and the chances are the product will be contained in at least one tenth of your purchases. Palm oil can be found in everything from margarine to soap and lipsticks. (Guardian, 4 Mar 2004) West stands accused over malaria African health campaigners have accused western countries of deliberately ignoring an effective weapon against malaria. They say the chemical DDT could help fight the disease, which kills about a million people each year - 90% of them in Africa. (BBC, 4 Mar 2004) Festival time in Iraq. But by the end of the day 220 lay dead Iraq yesterday suffered its worst day of violence since the war's end, when its majority Shia community was targeted in a series of sophisticated and simultaneous attacks that killed as many as 223 people and left its religious leaders blaming the Americans for multiple security failures. (Guardian, 3 Mar 2004) Tougher penalties for genital mutilation Parents who take their daughters abroad to undergo female circumcision will face up to 14 years in jail under measures which come into force today. (Guardian, 3 Mar 2004) New tools to tackle yobs The Government’s crackdown on anti-social behaviour got a boost today with the launch of the TOGETHER ActionLine and Academy to ensure that anti-social behaviour is tackled, not tolerated. (Home Office Press Release, 3 Mar 2004) Man who died foiling armed robbery in line for honour A father is in line for a posthumous honour after giving his life in a "heroic and spontaneous" attempt to foil two armed robbers. Tasawar Hussain, who was 36, was praised for his selfless action in the public interest yesterday by a crown court judge after his killer was convicted of murder. (Guardian, 3 Mar 2004) |
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updated:
24 Jun
2004