Society
-
‘Hardman’ Ed takes the fight to the Tories
A tough and uncompromising politician has been put in charge of the Labour Party’s economic policy. The Conservative-led government expects a hard fight. The battleground? Spending cuts.
-
Make-up! Lipstick! Mirrors! And ‘Mr Sahara’
It’s a beauty contest with a difference. The men dress up and the women judge. Poverty and bling meet in the deserts of West Africa.
-
Inflation raises spectre of money losing its value
Prices, from bread to petrol, are 3.7% higher than last year. History has grim warnings on where it might end.
-
Piracy on the high seas and laser dazzlers
More people were taken hostage at sea in 2010 than in any year since records began. So how can a ‘ragged band’ of pirates hold the world to ransom?
-
The world moves into a new Chinese era
China is now the developing world's biggest lender, yet another sign of the country's rising power. Should we be worried?
-
Nuke plant sabotaged in high tech strike
Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons has been delayed by a computer virus. But a major victory for cyber-warfare could unleash more such attacks.
-
Blood, pain and tweets in Tunisian revolt
After weeks of unrest in Tunisia, the President of twenty-three years has fled abroad. But can violence and chaos ever bring democratic change?
-
‘Tiger mother’ takes on western parents
A new book has caused a storm by suggesting that western parenting is too lax. Chinese parents, writes the author, know that strict discipline is the path to success.
-
Uncorked! World’s oldest winery discovered
The world’s oldest winery has been discovered in an Armenian cave; so we’ve been drinking alcohol for at least 6000 years. Is that something to celebrate?
-
One year on, wounds heal slowly in Haiti
A terrible earthquake left Haiti shattered. One year later, with billions of aid dollars spent, why is the country still in ruins?
-
Scotland Yard and the spy who ‘went native’
Environmental protestors have escaped prosecution, after a police mole who spied on them sensationally changed sides. Everyone’s angry – but who’s in the right?
-
Rage as ‘greedy bankers’ take bonuses
Despite widespread blame for our economic woes and a renewed outbreak of banker bashing, top financiers are due for another bumper year.
-
Murder in Arizona - shooting shocks USA
An American politician has been shot in Arizona. As she fights for her life the debate heats up: did angry politicians encourage her attacker?
-
Friend or foe? Government partnership tested
Conservative and Lib Dem politicians go head-to-head in an election this week while working as partners in the national coalition government.
-
Political murder disrupts Pakistan.
A campaigner for Pakistan’s democracy has been shot dead by one of his own bodyguards, who thought the moderate politician was wrong to favour free speech over religion.