Leading Articles
Leading article: Bush's reshuffle prepares the way for a sharp change of course in Iraq
Published: 06 January 2007
Leading article: A minister's hot air about cheap flights
Published: 06 January 2007
Michael O'Leary, the brash boss of the low-cost airline Ryanair, is not perhaps the man to turn to for judgements on the environment. His response to the landmark Stern review was, after all, that it was "a report by an idiot economist". But it was disingenuous of the environment minister Ian Pearson to brand Mr O'Leary "the irresponsible face of capitalism" for refusing to take climate change seriously.
Leading article: Lessons from the whitewash
Published: 06 January 2007
The 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia has been met with a trademark forward defensive shot from cricket's administrators in the shape of a " comprehensive and wide-ranging" review. If only England's batsmen had defended with such alacrity, there would not be any need for such a review.
Leading article: A historic bargain is still in prospect
Published: 05 January 2007
Tony Blair's decision to forsake the blue skies of Miami for the swirling grey mists of the Irish peace process can be seen as an effort to head off a looming problem rather than an admission of full-blown crisis
Leading article: Mr Cameron and Mr Brown share a problem
Published: 05 January 2007
The Conservative Party remains in a state of paralysis over Iraq. The Tory leader, David Cameron, yesterday described the leaked footage of Saddam Hussein's execution as "pretty grisly". That is putting it mildly
Leading article: A war that has made a martyr out of a tyrant
Published: 04 January 2007
By the time Saddam Hussein had been tried and condemned, there were surely few who still believed that his execution would solve anything
Leading article: Reaping what we sow
Published: 04 January 2007
Those attending the farming industry's annual conference in Oxford yesterday were treated to speeches from two politicians who have placed the environment at the heart of their political profiles
Leading article: Two failed states, united by a common grievance
Published: 03 January 2007
On the face of it, Somalia and Liberia have a considerable amount in common. Both nations, on either side of the African continent, have been classic " failed states"
Leading article: Pets, pests and their owners
Published: 03 January 2007
The family of Ellie Lawrenson, the five-year-old girl killed by her uncle's dog on New Year's Day, is said to be "absolutely devastated" by her death
Leading article: An expansion that will benefit all Europeans
Published: 02 January 2007
This is a moment for celebration. Yesterday two more countries from the former communist bloc - Romania and Bulgaria - joined the European Union.
Leading article: The right medicine
Published: 02 January 2007
Some might feel limited sympathy for the drug companies who lose out as a result of this fraud. Pharmaceuticals are increasingly focused on " blockbuster" drugs such as Viagra from which they are making hefty profits
Leading article: Giving the poor and weak a global voice
Published: 01 January 2007
With the new year comes regime change on New York's East River. At midnight Kofi Annan stepped down as United Nations Secretary General. From today Ban Ki-moon of South Korea takes over; the first Asian in three decades to head the organisation.
Leading article: The battle to come
Published: 01 January 2007
Last year was the warmest on record in Britain. Globally, it was the sixth hottest. Even those who live in temperate climes can sense the planet is getting warmer.
Leading article: A taste of honey
Published: 01 January 2007
Feeling delicate this morning? Headache? Upset stomach? Sense of guilt over last night's alcohol-lubricated festivities? Time for some toast and honey. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry this sweet snack is the ideal tonic for a hangover. Forget raw eggs, "hair of the dog" and whatever old wives' tale you've been clinging to over the years: honey provides the body with what it needs most after a night out. Syrup also does the job, although it is rather less appealing first thing in the morning.
Leading article: Victor's justice
Published: 31 December 2006
One of the hopes of a more enlightened rule of international law is the turning away of the world from the death penalty, even for the most serious crimes of genocide. From the Nuremberg trials of 1945-46 to today's apparatus for dealing with war crimes based on the international court at the Hague, one of the profound shifts in legal attitudes has been the gradual disavowal of capital punishment
Leading article: Execution will do nothing to quell the violence
Published: 30 December 2006
Leading article: Slow but sure change in Northern Ireland
Published: 30 December 2006
There has been something of a balance of anguish for Northern Ireland politicians of late, as both republicans and loyalists have been bringing themselves to the point of making groundbreaking moves.
Leading article: Now wash your hands
Published: 30 December 2006
Something remarkable is taking place at the Luton and Dunstable hospital in Bedfordshire. The death rates of patients have dropped by 16 per cent in two years. The number of hospital-acquired infections is now the lowest in the region. Medical mistakes have been cut in half too.
Leading article: A conflict with dangerous regional ramifications
Published: 29 December 2006
Somali government troops staged a triumphal entry into the capital, Mogadishu, yesterday and the Prime Minister promised to dedicate himself to solving the country's myriad problems through peaceful means
Leading article: Double standards
Published: 29 December 2006
Charges of hypocrisy are flying around Westminster
Leading article: Power and influence
Published: 29 December 2006
Influence. Funny concept that. Not power exactly but the ability to nudge power, direct it as it were. Businessmen buying honours have power and influence. People have to listen to them. But government these days seems to have more influence than power.
Leading article: Openness ends before it has begun
Published: 28 December 2006
In certain respects the Freedom of Information Act has been a success in the two years since it came into force
Leading article: President Bush to the rescue?
Published: 28 December 2006
The administration of George Bush is not exactly known for its responsible stewardship of the environment
Leading article: The Gordon and Dave show
Published: 28 December 2006
Modern politics, we are told, is all about personality. A leader for today must be charming and telegenic; he (or she) must be a "people person" with oodles of that elusive quality "emotional intelligence". Friendliness, cheerfulness and accessibility are considered the essential ingredients for electoral success. So who, in a hypothetical election, would you think had the best prospect of becoming Britain's next Prime Minister?
Leading article: Not even Saddam's death will unite Iraq
Published: 27 December 2006
The whole truth behind the British Army's Christmas Day assault on the so-called Serious Crime Unit in Basra may never be known
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