30 May 2005

From the Editor…

Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly

Jason Cowley, Editor, New Statesman

Cover story

Why Oxfam is failing Africa

Inside the Make Poverty History movement, there is a growing fear that its aims are being diluted and taken over by the government. Fingers are being pointed at Oxfam. Katharine Quarmby reports

By Katharine Quarmby

Features

The war before the war

By Michael Smith

Britain and the US carried out a secret bombing campaign against Iraq months before the tanks went over the border in March 2003. Michael Smith pieces together the evidence

2 comments

Nuclear power: a convert

By Mark Lynas

Mark Lynas was sure it would be a disaster - and then he looked at the alternatives

Thugs in the boardroom

By Sandra Barwick

They can hurt you so you never work again - and the law can't touch them. Sandra Barwick on the hidden epidemic of corporate GBH

When the eyes don't have it

By Christina Zaba

With its built-in iris measurements and fingerprints, the high-tech ID card is held up by the government as the answer to everything from terrorism to benefit fraud. Not so, reports Christina Zaba. This card will open the door to disaster

Striking in the public interest

By Nick Cohen

Essay

NS Essay -'If Beethoven had been subject to the EU working hours limit he wouldn't have got further than the Fourth Symphony'

By Richard Reeves

Britons see work as more central to their lives than other Europeans - and this is assumed to be a bad thing. On the contrary, argues Richard Reeves, for huge numbers of us our well-being and happiness depend on the work we do

Regulars

New Statesman Leader

Has the EU reached breaking point?

The Politics Column

Politics - Adam Boulton warns Blair about "abroad"

By Adam Boulton

Blair has been told by the Americans that if he wants progress on aid and climate change, or support for the United Nations, the price is likely to be the head of Kofi Annan

John Pilger reads an expose of aid

By John Pilger

As the workings of foreign aid in Cambodia demonstrate, behind the charade of "loans", "assistance" and "partnerships" lies systematic western plunder and corruption

Darcus Howe finds a use for mobile phones

By Darcus Howe

I look forward to a rash of recordings on mobiles revealing police malpractice

Culture

Backstage drama

By Michael Coveney

British theatre has recovered one of its prime sources of power - the ability to shock and shake things up. But outrageous funding policies may pull the curtains on that, writes Michael Coveney

Daredevil democracy

By Richard Cork

Futurist art - After the carnage of the First World War, many artists were filled with revolutionary spirit. It was a short-lived moment, finds Richard Cork

Lights! Camera! Er, what's next?

By Helen Chappell

Theatre of the future - Reality television goes to the West End! But can you really get a decent play out of a TV show? Helen Chappell investigates

Never, ever use your own cash

By Mark Norfolk

Films of the future - Ever thought about trying your hand at making an art-house movie? Mark Norfolk takes you through the dos and don'ts

Theatre

Day of the dead

By Michael Portillo

Theatre - A hammy thespian acts out a bloody revenge on his critics by Michael Portillo Theatre of Blood National Theatre, London SE1

Film

Money talks

By Mark Kermode

Film - Home-grown flicks treat kids like adults, and adults like kids, writes Mark Kermode Millions (12A) It's All Gone Pete Tong (15) House of Wax (15)

Television