Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
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Christmas goodwill should extend to migrants and refugees
We should reject our ruling elite’s constant war to see who can take the toughest stance against vulnerable people, says ROGER McKENZIE
A rally against the Nationalities and Borders Bill in London
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
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NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
THE phrase “goodwill to all men” is almost a reflex during this time of year. It’s what you are apparently supposed to say at Christmastime, even about complete strangers.
This should, of course, include women as well as men but I, at least, have always worked on the basis that it applies to everyone.
The problem, of course, is that it doesn’t. Many of the same people who will be flinging around such seasonal cheer as this simply don’t mean everyone.
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