Despite star turns from Benjamin Netanyahu and Shimon Peres, the loudest spontaneous applause at last week’s Jewish Media Summit in Jerusalem was bestowed on a panelist who accused Israel of ignoring the Jewish media. You could almost hear the organisers groan. The dissenting voice was that of fellow British delegate Jenni Frazer, who noted with irritation Continue reading

Having a right old natter on London Live’s Not The One Show on the eve of the 2014 Football World Cup. Hot topics chewed over included England’s chances in Brazil, the firefighters’ strike, Celebrity Dad Of The Year and the problem with men saying: “We’re pregnant!” Broadcast on 12 June 2014: Firefighters’ strike: Click here Celebrity Continue reading

I was on the London Underground last week when a woman got on at Archway station. She walked through the carriage, placing packets of tissues on the seats between passengers, with a note that read: “I’m a homeless mother of two children and need to support myself.” My reactions were, in the following order: 1) Continue reading

Nattering about the perils of TV presenting, the trauma of Twitter spats and the madness of the Miss England contest on London Live’s Not The One Show. Miss England: bit.ly/1pqu1Hv TV presenting: http://bit.ly/1nJtE8T Twitter spats: http://bit.ly/1o4mvOJ *Broadcast on London Live’s Not the One Show, 29 May 2014. Continue reading

Disembarking after nine-days onboard the world’s most luxurious liner is a bit like being dumped by your first love. There are plenty more ships in the sea, but bidding adieu to this beauty leaves you feeling bereft – as if no other cruise will ever float your boat again. Back on dry land the sorrow Continue reading

Discussing the looming 48-hour strike by Tube workers after a last-ditch meeting with London Underground bosses at the offices of the conciliation service Acas failed to resolve a row over ticket office closures. Mayor Boris Johnson has blasted the strikers, which will cost the capital millions of pounds and cause huge disruption for commuters and other travellers. Broadcast on Continue reading

When the Israelites escaped slavery and began their 40-year schlep across the hot Sinai sand, they probably didn’t rely on kosher for Pesach Evian to quench their thirst. Five thousand years on and the festival that commemorates their Egyptian exodus has mutated into a commercial blitzkrieg of Christmas proportions. Pesach water, toothpaste, shampoo, lipstick, deodorant, pet Continue reading

Try telling John Kerry there’s only so many ways to skin a cat ­­– or make peace in the Middle East. The US Secretary of State – dubbed “the hardest working man in diplomacy” by the website politicususa – this week revealed his new plan to resuscitate the moribund talks about talks. His latest greatest Continue reading

The grim reality of the slaughter business is enough to make anyone crave a veggie burger. We humans decided at the dawn of time that animals are put on earth to serve us – from food and transport to cosmetics and clothes. So the question has never been why we kill, but how. Any moral Continue reading

The Book Thief is the latest in a new genre of films showing the conflict from a German point of view. Have we reached a watershed moment in our ability to recognise – even empathise – with victims on both sides? Hollywood has dreamed up some dastardly baddies over the years. But since the Second Continue reading