Speaker calls emergency debate
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, today agreed to Conservative calls for a debate on Alistair Darling's "crisis" Pre-Budget Report. Martin said he was "satisfied" it was an
important enough issue to prompt an emergency debate. It will take place on Wednesday afternoon. The Conservatives had... [continued]
The Mole: Labour MPs ask nervously 'What is plan B?' 
British TV talents dominate Emmy awards
Seven out of 10 awards at the International Emmys in New York went last night to British programmes, programme makers and actors. David Suchet (pictured) took Best Actor for his portrayal of newspaper baron Robet Maxwell in a 2007 BBC series. Suchet, 62, said: "It's been an unbelievable night... [continued]
Obama launches $700bn plan
US president-elect Obama yesterday announced an economic recovery plan designed to lead America out of recession which has been dubbed a "spending spree" and will include the biggest public works
programme since Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. Obama said work would begin on the recovery plan, which a senior US... [continued]
Alexander Cockburn: Barack Obama rounds up the usual suspects
American Transition: all the latest from Washington
New laws target forced marriages
New laws have been introduced in England and Wales to prevent forced marriages, and protect those who have already been coerced into marriage. A victim, friend or police officer can now apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order - breaking the order can carry a penalty of up to two... [continued]
Elders: Zimbabwe ‘ready to implode’
Three eminent statesmen representing an international group called the 'Elders' founded last year to tackle global issues say the situation in Zimbabwe is far worse than thought, and the country may
soon implode as basic services collapse and cholera takes hold. Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, former US president... [continued]
Zimbabwe Today: Why Slyvia had to die
Zimbabwe Today: Cholera strikes Zimbabwe
In pictures: Cholera crisis in Congo and Zimbabwe
Drugs group may downgrade ecstasy
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, meeting this afternoon, may call for ecstasy to be downgraded, reclassified as a Class B drug rather than a Class A. The body's chairman, Professor David Nutt, has previously said that the drug "probably shouldn't be" classified alongside heroin as... [continued]
