Ukraine’s future wasn’t orange The pro-western ‘revolutions’ that were supposed to mark post-communist politics have failed to materialise Colin Graham guardian.co.uk Russian-leaning candidate Viktor Yanukovich looks set for victory in Ukraine’s presidential election. Photograph: Viktor Drachev/AFP/Getty Images The future for Ukraine used to be orange in 2004 and now it is a lot more grey, or, according to a lot of commentators, white, blue and red – the colours of the Russian flag. Now that voters have almost certainly backed Viktor Yanukovich, the country’s apparently pro-western stance that was supposed to have gripped the nation in 2004, with its hyped-up … Continue reading The pro-western ‘revolutions’ that were supposed to mark post-communist politics have failed to materialise

We should watch bankers as closely as we do politicians Equality of scrutiny is needed – a bright lamp shining on tax havens and in boardrooms, as well as legislatures Jackie Ashley guardian.co.uk Who’s above the law? Not MPs accused of expenses fiddling, it seems. Today a trio of big-hitters – Alan Johnson, William Hague and Ken Clarke – flung derision on the idea that MPs being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service should be protected by parliament’s ancient rights. Though their case still has to be argued, it looks as if they have very little support at the top … Continue reading Equality of scrutiny is needed – my priority would be bloodsucking bankers and energy supply godfathers and not politicians

How to flirt: lessons for women After a recent surge of male ‘pick-up schools’, one has now started for women. Helen Croydon hones her seduction skills in the busy bars of central London Helen Croydon guardian.co.uk A striking accessory could be a conversation-starter. Photograph: Roger Parkes/Alamy Five of us sit huddled round a notebook and a bottle of pink cava in a quiet corner of a busy bar in Leicester Square, central London. It is 6pm on a Friday and it is starting to fill with men and women in office attire. “So who are you targeting, Helen?” Gulp. “Erm, … Continue reading Helen Croydon hones her seduction skills in the busy bars of central London

Let sex workers advertise Julie Bindel’s call to ban advertisements for the sex industry is an illogical, impractical attack on sex workers Thierry Schaffauser guardian.co.uk After calling for the criminalisation of sex workers’ clients, Julie Bindel is now calling for a ban on sex workers’ advertisements. This is quite ironic coming from a person who claims to be denied her freedom of speech when the trans community protests against what it considers transphobia. She says she is fighing exploitation: in fact, she is fighting against prostitution itself. Her logic is always simple, not to say simplistic: the ban of adverts … Continue reading Call to ban advertisements for the sex industry is an illogical, impractical attack on sex workers

Building a peaceful future Plans for a mixed Arab and Jewish neighbourhood in Jerusalem could be a step towards eradicating decades of hostility Seth Freedman guardian.co.uk For all that Jerusalem is perpetually mired in clashes between rival groups of Arab and Jewish residents, there appears to be a glimmer of hope. Plans were announced recently for a fully integrated mixed neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city, in a move which could herald a change in the way Jews and Arabs coexist in the Holy City. Elsewhere in Israel, many communities have embraced the idea of mixed living – such … Continue reading Plans for a mixed Arab and Jewish neighbourhood in Jerusalem could be a step towards eradicating decades of hostility

Malaysian politics return to the dock Once again, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is in court on suspiciously timed charges of sodomy Mark Tran guardian.co.uk It does not take a cynic to question the timing of Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial, the second that Malaysia’s opposition leader has had to endure. Human rights groups raised serious concerns about the trial even before it started. Amnesty International echoed Anwar’s accusation that the sodomy charges were politically motivated, as well as questioning the possibility of a fair trial. According to Amnesty, the prosecution’s refusal to deliver evidence to the defence at the pre-trial stage … Continue reading Once again, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is in court on suspiciously timed charges of sodomy

Let Sikh pupils wear ceremonial daggers, judge says Britain’s first Asian judge Sir Mota Singh says Sikhs should not be banned from wearing kirpans to school or work Adam Gabbatt guardian.co.uk The comments by Sir Mota Singh (c) follow several cases of Sikhs being banned from wearing the daggers and other religious artefacts in schools. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Rex Features Britain’s first Asian judge has called for Sikhs to be allowed to wear their ceremonial daggers to school. The comments by Sir Mota Singh QC, come after a number of cases of Sikhs being banned from wearing the daggers – known … Continue reading Britain’s first Asian judge Sir Mota Singh says Sikhs should not be banned from wearing kirpans to school or work

Labour has tainted the civil service Cherished traditions of impartiality and public service have come under attack. Tories would show more respect for civil servants Francis Maude guardian.co.uk In 1854, the Northcote-Trevelyan report set a pattern for our permanent civil service: politically impartial public servants dedicated to implementing the programme of the elected government. This system is one of the jewels in our constitution and is admired throughout the world for the way in which it serves the elected government of the day. The values of political impartiality, advancement on merit and the public service ethos should be as cherished … Continue reading Cherished traditions of impartiality and public service have come under attack in the UK