Done Fishing ?

When you tuck into a bit of fish, is your only thought about how tasty it is? Does this question ever cross your mind - is the meal on your plate contributing to making some of the world’s poorest people even poorer? The problem: illegal fishing. It’s big business with a big impact - one estimate puts the cost to Africa alone at $1bn a year.

What’s on John McCain’s ipod?

Barack Obama has told the world what tickles his musical fancy. Howlin’ Wolf, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Jay Z tick most of the electoral demographic boxes on his wannabe presidential ipod (where’s the Latino artist though?) What might be on his rival John McCain’s MP3 player? Any suggestions?

What’s the world’s most pointless pastime?

“What’s the point of skiing….it’s totally stupid. You climb up to ski down. Why not stay down and read a good book?!” The thoughts of Slovenian  philsopher Slavoj Zizek here on the BBC. He goes on….on football “why is it so fascinating that one stupid guy kicks football better than another?” Such pronouncments got us to thinking here on the World Today about other pointless pastimes. Any suggestions?

Zimbabwe: Mandela’s shame?

NB: Jon wrote this before Mr Mandela made his comments last night..
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So Nelson Mandela turns 90 this week. But as he celebrates his birthday he’s facing growing criticism for failing to take a stand over Robert Mugabe’s regime in Zimbawe. Some people are even calling it Mandela’s shame . Should he be ashamed? Or it is fair enough, given that he’s long retired from political life?

Ireland “No” vote - your best Limerick?

So Ireland has rejected the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. EU Treaties aren’t normally the inspiration for flights of poetry, but can you write a killer Limerick to sum up the moment? Is this a deserved slap in the face for Eurocrats who just don’t listen? Or is it Ireland - which has enjoyed a massive economic boom since joining the EU - that’s just given Europe an undeserved kick in the teeth?

Should Hillary be Obama’s VP?

So Hillary and Barack have been holding talks…..could it be they’re putting together a joint ticket? Would it be a dream ticket?  Or is Barack Obama better off without her? What do you think John McCain would like to happen?

Should Florida and Michigan count?

Big wigs within the US Democratic Party will meet this weekend to decide whether the votes cast in the Florida and Michigan primaries will count in the race to the party’s Presidential nominee.  Many see it as Hillary Clinton’s last throw of the dice….is she right to chase these votes…surely if you lived in Florida or Michigan you would want your vote to count…. or is it unfair given that neither candidate campaigned in either state and Barack Obama’s name wasn’t even on the ballot in Michigan.

Should celebrities get involved in global politics?

American film actress Sharon Stone has put her foot in it with these comments on China. Essentially saying the Chinese earthquake might be punishment for the country’s policies on Tibet. Are celebrities better off keeping their mouths shut when it comes to geo-politics? Or do they bring much needed attention and publicity to political campaigns? George Clooney has tried it with Darfur. Sean Penn with the Iraq war. Do we care what they think?

What is the worst idea in history?

Reality TV has come second only to the atom bomb in a poll to discover the worst ideas in history. Capital punishment, credit cards and plastic bags completed the bottom five in the survey. What is your top five of all time clangers?

What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?

You might have seen some howlers at the movies but check this out for a bad review. The BBC’s Mark Kermode reviewing the new British “comedy” Three And Out. Well worth a listen. But what is the worst film you have ever seen and could you write a better more entertaining review for us? If you do, it might get a play on the World Today this Saturday.