If you were unable to access some of the most popular websites from the United States today, then you haven’t lost your internet connection.

Many were taken offline, or ‘blacked out’, in protest at plans by two controversial new pieces of legislation put forward by politicians in Washington, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Project IP Act). Although these laws would only affect the US, however if passed, it could also have serious implications for internet users worldwide.

If you want more information on today’s protest, click on this page.

Many websites, including some here in the UK, have given the day its full support. A vote on the law is due on January 24th.

The infamous HS2 high-speed rail line was finally given the go-ahead this week, but not without the usual howls of protests from people who oppose it in its entirety.

The first phase of the line, between London and Birmingham, is due to be completed in 2026, after which it will be split up with connections to Manchester and Leeds, eventually leading to Edinburgh and London, cutting journey times.

But will it make any real difference to the country’s stop-start rail policy? I think there will be a lot more twists and turns before this project becomes a reality.

Oh dear. It’s been over the media this week. It seems that the Labour party is in disarray yet again, over two really small incidents.

At a time when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government has been criticised over their plans to reduce the national deficit, never underestimate the ability of many in the opposition party to shoot themselves in the foot.

read more »

Two men who were part of a gang who stabbed to death black teenager Stephen Lawrence in South London in 1993 have been jailed.

Gary Dobson will go down for over 15 years, while co-accused David Norris will serve over 14 years for their part in a racially-motivated attack.

Although this may give some closure for the Lawrence family, this has not been a triumph for British justice. It should not have taken eighteen years to reach this verdict. Critics had accused investigators at the time of alleged institutional racism and gross incompetence from the start. The situation wasn’t helped by the media’s reporting of the case. Several national newspapers had allegedly identified Dobson and Norris alongside three others without producing any shred of evidence.

In order for public faith to be restored, our criminal justice system needs root and branch reform. What is needed, particularly after this high-profile case, is the political will from Parliament.