I've just been listening to the inaugural podcast or 'TaxCast' from the Tax Justice Network. It's a quality 15 minutes programme with the latest news, research and analysis of events in tax evasion, tax avoidance and the shadow banking system. Somehow these issues seem to get missed by the mainstream media...

At the end of last year, South Africa’s National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, passed the highly contentious Protection of State Information Bill. Better known as the ‘Secrecy Bill’, the proposed legislation relates to the “protection and preservation of all things owned or maintained for the public by the state” against foreign spies, but would in effect deny the country’s own citizens, particularly the poor, an accountable and transparent state.

Yesterday War on Want staff went out on the pickets and march to support public sector workers on strike in London. We received the news that our Bangladeshi partners the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF), which organises sweatshop workers, had called a march in solidarity with striking workers in the UK.

Earlier this year I visited Palestine for the first time. Ahead of my arrival, I found gaining an understanding of the situation almost impenetrable; the blur of arguments and counter arguments developed over a complex history left me feeling confused and uncertain.

Lots of interesting articles around at the moment, so thought I'd post yet another one : ) 

Interesting little piece on Channel 4 news about the roots of Occupy and what might be next...

Final part of the blog from the Nice G20 counter summit.

War on Want's Dave Tucker is in Nice at the G20 counter summit
- he is unable to upload his blog at the moment - so I'm puttinghis posts up for him!

War on Want's Dave Tucker is in Nice at the G20 counter summit - he is unable to upload his blog at the moment - so I'm putting his first post up for him!