A question of progress

Will the Arab Spring lead to more democracy or more state entrenchment in the Arab world?

Imagine you are an Arab country, thus not a democracy but a political economy and rentier state, and you have not seen the protests of the Arab Spring on your streets calling for greater democratic institutions, better governance, growth and inclusion within your borders, yet. You have however, seen the power of the protests and its successful domino effect at toppling dictators and their regimes all around you, within a period of a few months. So, despite your own internal stability, do you wait to see if the Arab Spring dominos lean towards you or, do you take decisive pre-emptive action to keep your population "on-side" and avoid revolt?

The George flag flies again

Boy George performs at the Isle of Wight Festival. Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

A GLANCE at the roll call of vintage pop acts performing at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena tonight provides a flashback to one of the most momentous events in music.

A GLANCE at the roll call of vintage pop acts performing at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena tonight provides a flashback to one of the most momentous events in music.

Comic Relief 2011: Wear your Red Nose with pride

The world is in a sad and sorry state right now. Laughter will be hard come by for many people. When it is available we need to grab hold hard and enjoy.

The UK's annual Comic Relief Day is today, 18th March 2011. This annual fund raiser was spawned from the ashes of the original Band Aid in 1980 something. Comic Relief was the brainchild of UK comedy writer Richard CurtisRichard Curtis and Alexander Mendis, in 1985. The idea was to raise money for the starving in Ethiopia.

Tarian QuickShield Offres Ad-Hoc Armor Repair - Defense-Update

The QuickShield textile-based armor is applied as a 'band aid’ for bar armor' enabled armored vehicle crews to rapidly replace damaged bar (slat) armor on military vehicles in the field. Photo: MOD

QuickShield, a textile-based, lightweight net designed to stop rocket-propelled grenade threats (RPG) from penetrating vehicle armor was unveiled by the U.K. Ministry of Defense netting today, as part of the ministry’s National Science and Engineering Week. QuickShield is applied as a ‘band aid’ for bar armor’ enabling armored vehicle crews to rapidly replace damaged bar (slat) armor on military vehicles in the field. The QuickShield net is stowed in the vehicle, and can be fitted immediately without any tools. It is due to be delivered to Afghanistan in April 2011 as part of a £2.6m contract.