How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?

With Santa about to start his annual rounds soon we ask how much you think you know about Santa Claus?Take our festive survey and tell us how old you think he is and where you think he gets all his money from?

How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?

Is Fiji's Military Coup A Bad Thing?

The South Pacific island of Fiji is now in the process of its fourth coup in twenty years. Historically this tourist paradise has always experienced tension between the ethnic Fijian population who make up the majority and the minority Indian Fijians. The man responsible for the latest coup, Fijian Military chief Frank Bainimarama, was himself responsible for putting down the last coup in 2000. Since July 2005 he had publicly threatened that he would topple the government if it were to implement legislation that would pardon the jailed 2000 plotters.The coup has been widely condemned around the world but there appears to be mixed views among the Fijians population. The Ethnic Indians who now make up roughly 40 show strong support for the commander who has insisted that his goal was to establish a government that stood for all citizens of Fiji. Do you think that the coup should be Internationally condemned? Do you think the world is interested in what happens in Fiji? Should the UN intervene?

Is Fiji's Military Coup A Bad Thing?

'One Laptop Per Child' Debate?

In November 2005 MIT's Nicholas Negroponte first showcased a prototype of a $100 robust laptop for the developing world's children which was welcomed at the time by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as an "expression of global solidarity". The 'One Laptop per Child' project has had its critics, some asking how anyone could build such a computer when the screens alone cost about $100, others questioning the value of computers to both learning and economic development. A year later and about to launch, the cost of the finished product when the machines go into full-scale production by Taiwan-based Quanta Computer is expected to be nearer $150 than $100 but it is hoped that the $100 target will be achieved with volume if they prove successful. Kofi Annan has said that with the laptops "Children will be able to learn by doing, not just through instruction - they will be able to open up new fronts for their education, particularly peer-to-peer learning," and that the initiative was "inspiring", and held the promise of special and economic development for children in developing countries. Do you think that a low cost laptop for the developing world's children represents worthwhile aid? Do you think that the money spent on equipment would be better spent towards more teachers? Do you agree with Bill Gates, Microsoft's chairman and a leading philanthropist for the third world, when he has questioned whether the concept is right to "just taking what we do in the rich world" and assuming that that is something good for the developing world, too? Where do you stand on the 'One Laptop per Child' debate?

'One Laptop Per Child' Debate?

Was Saddam Hussein's Trial Fair?

Iraq's Special Tribunal has found Saddam Hussein guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him and two of his co-defendants to death by hanging for their part in the killing of 148 Shia Muslims in Dujail in 1982 after a failed assassination attempt against him.Do you think Saddam Hussein received a fair trial? Do you think the death sentence is appropriate?

Was Saddam Hussein's Trial Fair?

All Change On Capitol Hill - Time For A New Foreign Policy?

With the American mid-term elections now done and dusted and the democrats handed power of Capitol Hill there could be a change of US foreign policy from the Bush neoconservative approach that relies on the US military strength to one that is about building ties with other nations.Is it time for a change in US foreign policy and do you think that the US security depends less on military might and more about finding agreement with other nations?

All Change On Capitol Hill - Time For A New Foreign Policy?

Madonna's Child - Should The Ritchies Be Allowed To Adopt?

Madonna's life has always provoked controversy and her reported planned, and Malawi Government approved, adoption of the now infamous 13 month old David Bandahas has created a new furore. Has Madonna, and husband Guy Ritchie, used her celebrity to flout Malawi's adoption laws? Has the boy's father been exploited?Has a child from the developing world been turned into a commodity? How cynical are you of the increasing number of celebrities that show their willingness to support and help Africa?

Madonna's Child - Should The Ritchies Be Allowed To Adopt?

Does North Korea Pose A Threat To The World?

North Korea has made no secret that it is actively pursuing a programme of nuclear development. On October 9th it announced that it had conducted its first test of nuclear explosion, a statement that no country to date disputes. North Korea claims that its weapons are just for defence, but no-one outside the country can be certain how many it has, or if it really has any at all. Some view North Korea's claim to have nuclear weapons as an attempt to force the US into concessions. The US are worried that North Korea might try to generate much-needed cash by selling nuclear secrets and weapons to terrorists or other nations hostile to the US. Does North Korea represent a threat to the region, or the US? Do the UN sanctions that have been placed on North Korea since October 14 represent an act of war? Is North Korea taking the opportunity to demand attention while the US are bogged down in Iraq?

Does North Korea Pose A Threat To The World?

Should Muslim Women Living In Western Societies Unveil?

The British Cabinet Minister Jack Straw, whose constituency has a large Muslim population, has provoked anger and indignation among broad sections of the Muslim community in calling for Islamic women to stop wearing the veil(niqab) covering their face.Mr Straw says that the practise hindered community relations and was a visible statement of separation and of difference.Mr Straw said that he had chosen his words carefully. "We are able to relate to people we don't know by reading their faces and if you can't see their faces, that provides some separation," and went on to say "Those people who do wear the veil should think about the implications for community relations."Some of Mr Straw's supporters have added that this was an important issue that needed to be debated. British Muslim leaders and fellow Labour MPs, have however pointed to a series of statements from ministers which they say have challenged attitudes towards multiculturalism.Was Mr Straw right to bring the subject up for debate? Should Muslim Women be encouraged to unveil themselves when they live in Western societies or do these comments only serve to demonstrate the lack of understanding and tolerance towards people with different faiths?

Should Muslim Women Living In Western Societies Unveil?

How Superstitious Are You?

Are you in any way superstitious? Do you believe old wives tales, omens and signs to indicate lucky or unlucky things ahead?Would you wish on a shooting star or knock on wood after mentioning good fortune?How superstitious are you?

How Superstitious Are You?

Did The Pope Make A Good Point Or A Faux-Paux?

In a controversial speech the head of the Catholic church Pope Benedict XVI was widely condemned for quoting a 700-year-old exchange between a medieval Byzantine emperor and a learned Islamic scholar "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".Did the Pope agree with this view or was the point he was trying to make valid but lost in 'headline' sound bites? Can the head of a faith that has through the ages had hideous crimes carried out in its own name be in a position to judge other faiths? Can the Islam faith be self critical?

Did The Pope Make A Good Point Or A Faux-Paux?

What Are The Most Important Things In Life?

What are the most and least important things in life? Select from our short list the five that you think the most and least important.

What Are The Most Important Things In Life?

How Will History View The Bush/Blair Legacy?

The Bush/Blair era of interventionist policy is coming to a close as both play out their remaining days in office.Together they have passionately argued that state sponsored terrorism posed a serious threat to the 'freedom' and 'way of life' that was enjoyed by the world's democracies.However, many have argued that far from eliminating terrorism their foreign policies have failed at every level and are directly responsible for creating a new threat from home grown extremists, or at the very least, discourse between communities that previously lived in harmony.As both governments continue with their fight against an unseen enemy, many have argued that the 'freedom' and 'way of life' that needs protecting is being destroyed by the very 'need' to fight terrorism.Critics of Bush and Blair say that the previous administrations policy of containment proved far more effective and that home-grown threats are the direct results of their pre-emptive doctrine.Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger recently stated that "The diplomacy appropriate to denuclearisation is comparable to the containment policy that helped win the Cold War: no pre-emptive challenge to the external security of the adversary, but firm resistance to attempts to project its power abroad and reliance on domestic forces to bring about internal change." Do you think that the 'interventionist' approach was and still remains correct, or do you think it was always seriously flawed?

How Will History View The Bush/Blair Legacy?

Tom Cruise True Superstar Or Mission Impossible?

In August Tom Cruise and Paramount, so long a partnership that seemed to have been made in heaven, announced that they were to part company. A bitter and public divorce is now likely as Viacom Inc's Chairman Sumner Redstone belittled Tom Cruise by publicly evicting Cruise's production company from his company's Paramount Pictures studio.In a war of words, Cruise's team have claimed that it was they that left while Paramount executives have given 'unreasonable behaviour', 'excessive demands' and unfordable salaries as the reasons for 'their' decision.In recent months Tom has been seen bouncing on Oprah Winfrey's sofa to declare his love for a girlfriend who then it is rumoured gave birth in Scientology-demanded silence, where gossip would have it that he went on to eat the baby's placenta. Are these the actions of a 'weirdo', untrue gossip or just Tom Cruise being Tom Cruise?Will the Tom Cruise cash cow be snapped up by a rival company, will he fade away or will he threaten the major players by finding funding for new films through new channels?Were Paramount right to take a stand or will Tom Cruise go on to serve them humble pie?

Tom Cruise True Superstar Or Mission Impossible?

Is Community Service Suitable Punishment For Famous People?

Boy George, the androgynous eighties pop icon, who was ordered by an American court to complete five days of community service that required him to sweep the streets of Lower Manhattan.He was joined by a gaggle of news photographers, reporters and fans that together prevented him from carrying out his assigned duties forcing the sanitation department to instead find a gated parking lot for him to clean.Other stars who like Boy George have been given community service instead of custodian sentences have been George Michael, Winona Ryder and Halle Berry.Is community service a suitable punishment for people in the public eye or is it a punishment that is just not appropriate to the rich and famous?

Is Community Service Suitable Punishment For Famous People?

Is Hizbullah a Terroist Organisation?

As the Israeli military action against Lebanon continues unabated and with no end in sight, UN proposal put forward to cease hostilities are viewed by the Lebanese government as one sided and have described one proposal 'agreed' by the UN council as simply "a recipe for more confrontation". Despite the past rhetoric from Hizbullah calling for the destruction of the Israeli state few will be prepared to argue that Israel faces a real threat of destruction or occupation from Hizbullah, Hammas or Iran. Israel is however actively engaged in the destruction of a nation, bombing Lebanon back "by 20 years", as the Israeli military put it, and is in occupation of Palestinian land. Much has been said and reported to label Hizbullah as a terrorist organisation and the root cause of Israel's military escalation but how true is that accusation? This weeks survey tests your knowledge of Hizbullah and asks if you view Hizbullah as a terrorist organisation or a legitimate resistance movement?

Is Hizbullah a Terroist Organisation?

Are You A Holiday Junkie?

Are you a holiday junkie or do you find it hard to take a break? This survey asks how many days holidays you are entitled to and on average how many do you take. Would you like more holidays and how much importance do you place on holidays? With many wonders of the world to see, or world events to witness, which are the ones you have seen, or would you like, to see?

Are You A Holiday Junkie?

Is Israel's Military Action Against Lebanon Justified?

After a Hizbullah attack where two Israeli military personnel were captured Israel retaliated by launching a major military attack on Lebanon and imposed a navy blockade. Critics have argued that in their attempt to destroy Hizbullah Israel have set out to collectively punish the people of Lebanon. This survey asks if you think that the bombing of bridges, ports, power plants and Beirut airport are justified and if the Israelis are right to demand the return of two soldiers when they have themselves imprisoned many hundreds of Palestinians?

Is Israel's Military Action Against Lebanon Justified?

Have You Joined The Podcast Revolution?

A Podcast is audio or audio visual content that is created and then saved in a format so that it can be downloaded from the web onto people's personal PC's, IPod or other audio players that support the MP3 format. The term Podcasting is meant to rhyme with broadcasting and is a derivative of Apple's popular iPod platform. Individual websites and websites such as iTunes make it easy for you to subscribe to podcasts that are broadcasted on a irregular or regular basis such as daily, weekly, monthly. There are Podcast that cover nearly every available subject both by amateurs and professionals. An audio Podcast can be likened to a radio show that can be downloaded to a portable device and played at anytime, for example when people are travelling. This survey asks how familiar you are with Podcasting and which podcasts do, or may, interest you.

Have You Joined The Podcast Revolution?

Pro-Whaling Nations Win Vote To Resume Whale Hunting

The pro-whaling nations won their first vote towards the resumption of commercial whaling for 20 years.The latest meeting of the International Whaling Commission backed a resolution calling for the eventual return of commercial whaling by a majority of just one vote. Japan, who were pro-active in securing the victory said that the outcome was "historic".Conservation groups expressed dismay at the outcome and have urged all nations to work harder to prevent the decision from being ratified. For the 1986 ban on whaling to be lifted it needs support from three-quarters of the commission.Japan and other pro-whaling nations want to move the International Whaling Commission away from conservation towards managing whale numbers.Most scientist agree that the numbers of certain species of whales have now reached pre-ban numbers and so could support controlled commercial whaling.Do you think that the ban on whaling should be lifted?

Pro-Whaling Nations Win Vote To Resume Whale Hunting

FIFA Football World Cup Finals 2006

The FIFA World Cup Finals kick off 9 June in Germany. Will home advantage get Germany to the final, or will Brazil the bookies favourites continue to build on their legacy as the true masters of football? Can England as the tournaments second favourite match their potential and claim the crown of the sport they invented? Could it be the year of the outsider when a band of no hopers stun the Establishment and show just what a funny old game football is? What is almost guaranteed is a fair share of controversy, some breath taking skill and disappointment for thirty one teams and elation for one. Who do you think, and who would you like, to win, and who do you really not want to win?

FIFA Football World Cup Finals 2006

Terrorist Attacks & Sugical Bombing

The Palestinians have suicide bombers who blow themselves up amid the bustling crowds of Tel Aviv, while the Israelis use rockets fired from unmanned planes into the city centre. Are both forms of attacks equally abhorrent, or equally justified or does the degree of justification come with the degree of sophistication used by the delivery method?

Terrorist Attacks & Sugical Bombing

CIA Director Nomination

US President Bush has nominated Air Force General Michael Hayden to head the CIA. Civil rights groups and lawmakers have expressed concern at putting a military man in charge of a civilian agency. Some Democrat and Republicans Congress members have baulked at the prospect of a general leading the CIA, saying it could give the Pentagon too much influence in intelligence gathering. President Bush said of General Hayden that he "knows our intelligence community from the ground up and has been both a provider and a consumer of intelligence. He has demonstrated an ability to adapt our intelligence services to the new challenges of the war on terror." Peter Hoekstra the Republican and chair of House Intelligence Committee has said "I do believe he is the wrong person, in the wrong place at the wrong time" Do you think that President Bush has picked the right man for the job or does putting a military man in charge of a civilian agency spell danger?

CIA Director Nomination

The Queen At 80 - How Do You Rate Her?

On 21st April 2006 Queen Elizabeth will be 80. The United Kingdom will officially celebrate and while many will take the opportunity to celebrate her reign, others will find it an appropriate moment to call for the the monarchy to be scrapped.Is todays monarch just the apex of an invidious pyramid of class distinction, perpetuating privilege and snobbery, or do they represent Britain in a positive light in way that no political figure could hope to achieve?

The Queen At 80 - How Do You Rate Her?

Bush - Would He, Could He, Should He Invade Iran?

In April 2006 the respected investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker wrote that the Bush administration was stepping up covert activities in Iran and was planning for a possible air attack while publicly advocating diplomacy.President Bush dismissed as "wild speculation" reports that his administration had considered nuclear strikes against sites in Iran to prevent the nation from building nuclear weapons.Hersh was adamant that "There's been a lot of planning going on. It's more than planning, it's operational planning. It's beyond contingency planning," and claimed that regular military forces had already infiltrated Iran. Would President Bush seriously consider attacking Iran, could he, should he?

Bush - Would He, Could He, Should He Invade Iran?

The Trial Of Zacarias Moussaoui

Zacarias Moussaoui is the only person to be prosecuted in connection with the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001 and has been found by a jury to be eligible for the death penalty.The 37-year-old French citizen pleaded guilty in April last year to conspiring with al-Qaida to hijack aircraft and other crimes.Moussaoui was in jail during the attacks having been arrested in Minnesota a month before the attacks after arousing suspicion at a flying school. He initially told federal agents he was training as a pilot only for personal enjoyment. Reports have suggested that Moussaoui would prefer the death penalty rather than life in prison and regards himself as a martyr.If the death penalty is thought justified should he be executed or made to see the rest of his life out in prison?

The Trial Of Zacarias Moussaoui

French Students Protest Controversial Labor Law

Students and young workers have held demonstrations across France against the French government's CPE (First Job Contract) workplace reform.The Contrat de première embauche legislation allows employers to fire workers under the age of 26 without cause during their first two years of employment. The government has argued that the reform is necessary to reduce France's youth unemployment rate of 23 percent.Are the French students and young workers right to protest? Are they too young to worry about job security and is the French Governments right that the policy will encourage more companies to take on young workers?

French Students Protest Controversial Labor Law

Is Iraq In Civil War?

Speaking at the White House in March, his second major news conference of 2006, US President George W Bush said that he did not believe Iraq has descended into civil war. Mr Bush said Iraqis had "had a chance to fall apart and they didn't". Iraq's former interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi however a few days earlier told the BBC 50 to 60 people were dying every day and that the country was in civil war. Do you think Iraq is currently in a civil war?

Is Iraq In Civil War?

Trial And Death Of Slobodan Milosevic

The former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic went on trial on February 12, 2002 before the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia(ICTY) in The Hague, Netherlands. Milosevic was charged with 66 counts of war crimes during the 1991-99 Balkan wars, including genocide (in Bosnia) and crimes against humanity, in three indictments covering Kosovo, Bosnia, and Croatia. The trial was expected to take two years. After four years and with fifty days of hearing scheduled Slobodan Milosevic was found dead in his cell. Did he die of natural causes as the tribunals appointed medical team stated, was he murdered as some of his supports are claiming or did he deliberately take his own life? Can there be any justice when trials last so long?

Trial And Death Of Slobodan Milosevic

Is Handwriting A Lost Art?

Is handwriting a lost art, and does it matter if it is? With so many people using the Internet and learning to type, (at least well enough to get by); has email become the most common form of written communication, leaving the handwritten letter to the past? Handwriting experts would claim to be able to tell a lot from studying someones handwriting, maybe a new bread of expert will emerge that can tell someones personality form their emails? If you had to write a personal letter to a close friend or relative would you type it or write it?

Is Handwriting A Lost Art?

David Irving - Holocaust Denial

In the two 1989 speeches made in Austria the British author David Irving termed the Auschwitz gas chambers a "fairytale" and insisted Adolf Hitler had protected the Jews of Europe. He referred to surviving death camp witnesses as "psychiatric cases", and asserted that there were no extermination camps in the Third Reich. He was arrested in November 2005 after returning to Austria to deliver more speeches despite an arrest warrant against him and being barred from the country. The 67 Irving was brought to a Vienna court room in February 2006 where despite him pleading guilty the trial went ahead as is Austrian law. Branded "a racist, an anti-Semite, and a liar" by the judge Irving was sentenced to 3 years jail. Is this another example of free speech being a myth and should the Holocaust hold special privilege over other historical attrocities?

David Irving - Holocaust Denial

Google And China, Saint Or Sinner?

Google is taking plenty of heat for its deal with the Chinese government to offer a censored version of the search engine in China. Has the critiscm it has faced been justified or are they right to work within local frameworks? Is Google still playing Luke Skywalker or have they now become Darth Vader?

Google And China, Saint Or Sinner?

Can Islam And Freedom Of Expression Exist Together?

With embassies being burnt, riots and demonstrations across the globe, death threats made and politicians of all persuasion locked in debate who would have though that the publication of some cartoons, by a small Danish newspaper could cause such a furore? Are the countries that practise free speech right to make a point, and how far should those that have been offended be allowed to protest?

Can Islam And Freedom Of Expression Exist Together?

Hamas Back To Square One Or A New Start?

Hamas has been branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and the EU, but it is seen by its supporters as a legitimate fighting force defending Palestinians from a brutal military occupation. Hamas was formed in 1987 at the beginning of the Palestinian uprising against Israel's occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. Since the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, it has taken part in local elections that have culminated in them winning the parliamentary elections with enough seats to form a Palestinian government. The UN, US, EU and Russia have said that the future aid to the Palestinian Authority will hinge on the Hamas government's commitment to peace and recognising Israel. How should the world deal with Hamas? Should the Israelis and the wider international community try and negotiate with them?

Hamas Back To Square One Or A New Start?

Bolivia's New Beginning?

Bolivia have voted in Evo Morales as their president, the first of indigenous Indian heritage.With a pro-coca leaf-farming policy, plans to nationalise the Bolivia's natural resources and in support of the anti-Washington coalition based around Cuba's Castro and Venezuela's Chavez he is adding to Washington's concerns for the whole region.Evo Morales was voted into power, with a clear absolute majority, do you think he will have what it takes to improve the economy of one of the region's poorest countries and what do you think US policy towards Bolivia will be?

Bolivia's New Beginning?

Bizarre Or Exotic Children Names?

Although the majority of US and British parents still prefer traditional names for their offspring, more and more parents are now choosing to give their newborn unique and unusual names. For obvious reasons celebrity parents who give their children unusual names are in the spotlight but will they start a trend or just be viewed as bizarre?

Bizarre Or Exotic Children Names?