For the last week, even the most uninformed has been confronted with the state of the world's finance.  The collapse of respected financial institution seemed to have triggered enough fear all around, to convince money world that things will never be the same.

But will this approach work?  Will these so-called good deeds restore confidence into financial institutions which, suddenly, seem to be unable to stand on their own two feet?  Nobody knows for certain.  This is new turf for all. And the following weeks will demonstrate how effective these desperate measures will be.

Unless you have been circulating in outer space, the last three months have consumed the French as they find a replacement to their beloved Jacques Chirac.  At stake is the title... President of France.

Polling day has finally arrived, and by the end of evening we will know who will move on to the second round.  Unless a miracle happens, it is expected that no candidate will poll over fifty per cent and claim an outright win, and therefore the expected runoff will take place in two weeks time.

There are twelve candidates altogether. Yet only four ( Nicolas Sarkosy, Segolene Royal, Francis Bayrou and Jean-Marie le Pen ) are expected to to make the greatest impact.  These four have been heavily touted by the media, both at home and abroad.  Considering the inaccurate prediction of the polls in the last election, it would be interesting to see how they manage this time.

Like you, I wait for the 'good' news.

Mr. Bush Visits South America

George Bush is continuing his well orchestrated visit to South America. He started out in Brazil where he was met by thousands of demonstrators who were determined to let him know how they felt about him. He and the Brazilian President, after talks, signed a committment to work together to produce more ethanol, the current fashion in biofuel.

The American president moved on to Uruguay, and Colombia where he received a mixed receptio. He will later visit Guatemala and Mexico. Many see his visit here as propaganda in the form of convincing the South Americans of how much the US really cares, not just about individual countries, but for the entire region as well. But with Senor Chavez of Venezuela spreading his anti-imperial message in order to counter the presence of Bush, there is a general consensus that the the visit will be watched and noted by all, but that the impact will be minimal, or a lot less than the White House expects.

It is two weeks since Israel's surprise invasion into Lebanon.  By its own pronouncement, its intention was to 'neutralise' (you can choose your verb) Hizbollah. 

But in trying to achieve its goal, it is causing substantial damage, and death, to the country of Lebanon. 

To many, the whole exercise masks a hidden agenda.  With support from the US and Britain, the exercise seem to have been planned some time ago.

I believe the invasion will, eventually, be totally counter-productive.  In many ways, it will cause Israel to lose more interrnational support.  And of course, it will strengthen Hizbollah, rather than weaken it.

Please tell me what you think.  Write a comment.

It is almost a week since the 'Terror Raid' in Forest Gate, during which the police arrested two occupants of a house, one of whom had been shot.

According to the BBC, the two men will be released today without any charge. How do do you feel about the events in Forest Gate?

Do you, totally, support the police action? Or do you think that they have been very heavy handed in their approach?

Tell us what your feel.

After months of negotiations, and lots of prompting from United States, and United Kingdom, Bhagdad has announced the formation of a new government.

How long will this one last? Will it truly govern, and govern for all of the people? Will it put an end to sectarian strife? After all, it is sold as a government of national unity. Or will the killing simply continue.

Share your view on Iraq with the rest of us.

The politics of Labour is getting more and more interesting. There was a time when sleaze, and private infidelity by politicians, belonged to other political parties. In the last week we have seen different.

The politics of how to treat foreign criminals, after they have served their sentence, also seemed to put the party on the block. Whether you agree with deportation or not, the issue and the following debate, has definitely put the Home Secretary, Mr. Clarke, in the firing line.

Do you have a feeling about the antics of the Labour Party, or their politicians, during the last week? Do you think that Mr. Clark should resign? What effect will all this have on the local elections?

Please post a comment.

Although Silvio Berlusconi still protesting about Italy's election results, the end is nigh.

Do you want to comment on the Italian election results, and make predictions on the new government?

Tony Blair is currently in Australia on his three country tour. Cynics in the press say he is simply running away from the problems at home.

In Canberra, he was expected to address the Houses of Parliament, not to mention his other, specially orchestrated, public appearances. Later, he is expected to pay a surprise visit to Indonesia.

After leaving Australia, he moves on to the United States to further enhance his reputation, as a keen supporter of the War on Terror.

Is this the action of a sincere Prime Minister motivated by concern for the international community? Or, as some will say, this is simply Tony Blair, the egotist, promoting himself.

Say something about Mr. Blair, and you don't have to be a Labour supporter.

On Tuesday the people of Israel go to the polls to the elect a new government. To many political pundits, this election is very different from earlier ones. This is decision time, for the future of the country.

There is a new Kadima Party. Arafat is gone, and Sharon is out of action. Hamas is now leading the Palestinians. Iraq is in turmoil, and Iran is flexing its muscles.

Against this background, the Israelis will have to decide at the polls. Many are predicting that they will vote for security. Do you agree?

Do you have a view on the Israeli elections? Please let us hear it.