http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/ Birmingham Post columnist, Andrew Cowen gives his review of world news. Comment on the latest events around the world. en-gb Birmingham Post no Birmingham Post columnist, Andrew Cowen gives his review of world news. Comment on the latest events around the world. Birmingham Post columnist, Andrew Cowen, review of world news, world news http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/10/03/it-s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-65233-21959437/ Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:47:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/10/03/it-s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-65233-21959437/ It’s hard to describe the annoyance I’m feeling towards Dave Cameron at the moment. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/26/welcome-to-birmingham-s-first-girl-band-tiara-bitch-65233-21908493/ Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:53:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/26/welcome-to-birmingham-s-first-girl-band-tiara-bitch-65233-21908493/ It’s with a certain amount of trepidation and a great deal of pride that I introduce you to Birmingham’s first girl group. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/19/negotiating-the-minefield-of-choosing-a-grammar-65233-21856788/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:08:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/19/negotiating-the-minefield-of-choosing-a-grammar-65233-21856788/ Did you know the Dalai Lama is afraid of caterpillars? No, me neither. There’s no mention of this on his website, dalailama.com. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/12/discerning-few-will-be-eating-up-our-pink-broccoli-65233-21806069/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/12/discerning-few-will-be-eating-up-our-pink-broccoli-65233-21806069/ If you’re one of those people who are counting your blessings that the planet didn’t get sucked into a seething vortex of nothingness this week, I’m sorry to say that we’re not out of the woods yet. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/05/lessons-in-life-as-taught-by-hamsters-65233-21683534/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:41:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/09/05/lessons-in-life-as-taught-by-hamsters-65233-21683534/ It’s always a memorable rite of passage for any boy or girl. Your first hamster. As of last night, we now have two of the little fluffsters in the flat. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/08/15/only-bees-can-save-mankind-from-wasps-and-soggy-festivals-65233-21540782/ Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:20:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/08/15/only-bees-can-save-mankind-from-wasps-and-soggy-festivals-65233-21540782/ I never expected to be supping a pint with Eddie Yeats last weekend, but life has a way of dropping little joyful surprises into your lap when all around is gloomy. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/08/01/has-e-dating-taken-all-the-fun-out-of-finding-a-partner-65233-21449616/ Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:54:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/08/01/has-e-dating-taken-all-the-fun-out-of-finding-a-partner-65233-21449616/ Where did your father meet your mother? Was it when he walked into the Palais de Danse in his army uniform? Maybe it was in the queue for the bar at a David Bowie gig in 1972? The refectory in the university halls? http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/25/how-to-make-a-complete-dog-s-dinner-of-a-summer-job-65233-21406987/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:30:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/25/how-to-make-a-complete-dog-s-dinner-of-a-summer-job-65233-21406987/ Here’s a true story. When I was 18, I was a carefree English degree student, studying at the dreaming spires of Sunderland Polytechnic. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/18/maxwell-just-waiting-with-my-15m-65233-21365692/ Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:25:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/18/maxwell-just-waiting-with-my-15m-65233-21365692/ It’s often described as the scourge of the internet and its authors are known as the lowest of the low. But I love spam I do. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/11/i-have-to-start-whistling-to-stop-my-endless-worry-65233-21326291/ Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:35:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/11/i-have-to-start-whistling-to-stop-my-endless-worry-65233-21326291/ I’m worried. I’m always worried. I’m a natural-born worrier. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/04/whether-you-like-it-or-not-facebook-is-a-revolution-65233-21264012/ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:15:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/07/04/whether-you-like-it-or-not-facebook-is-a-revolution-65233-21264012/ I admit it. I’m not the most sociable of people. Ask any of my three imaginary friends. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/27/pension-tour-shows-the-soul-singing-side-of-cohen-brothers-65233-21163024/ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/27/pension-tour-shows-the-soul-singing-side-of-cohen-brothers-65233-21163024/ You have to hand it to Leonard Cohen. He's 73 years old but as spritely as ever. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/20/judas-and-nostradamus-provide-our-inspiration-65233-21124194/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/20/judas-and-nostradamus-provide-our-inspiration-65233-21124194/ Just when you thought it was safe to wash your hair, here comes Judas Priest with a brand new album. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/13/just-where-did-my-long-lost-tortoise-get-to-all-those-years-ago-65233-21069983/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/13/just-where-did-my-long-lost-tortoise-get-to-all-those-years-ago-65233-21069983/ When I was eight I had a tortoise. His name was Joe. I called him Joe after my grandad who bought him for me and who he resembled. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/06/banky-moo-and-the-scarce-alphabetti-spaghetti-65233-21034948/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/06/06/banky-moo-and-the-scarce-alphabetti-spaghetti-65233-21034948/ As delegates at the World Food Summit sit down to eat fricasse of panda in a lovely raspberry and rhubarb jus, spare a thought for the rest of the human race currently being shafted by the huge price hike on our grocery bill. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/30/our-days-of-eurovision-glory-are-long-gone-65233-20998298/ Fri, 30 May 2008 11:05:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/30/our-days-of-eurovision-glory-are-long-gone-65233-20998298/ I have managed to maintain an uncharacteristically dignified silence over the current Eurovision debate. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/23/fashion-and-its-influence-in-on-the-newsroom-65233-20965943/ Fri, 23 May 2008 10:54:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/23/fashion-and-its-influence-in-on-the-newsroom-65233-20965943/ Don't go thinking that journalism and fashion was invented by Sex And The City. There's a long history of hacks in slacks in this business. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/16/fab-flavour-of-green-shield-stamps-and-lyon-s-maid-lollies-65233-20921662/ Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/16/fab-flavour-of-green-shield-stamps-and-lyon-s-maid-lollies-65233-20921662/ I had a most pleasant evening at the Alexandra Theatre to see Shout, a new musical with songs from the decade we now call the Swinging Sixties, named after our habit of hanging people. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/09/join-gok-wan-camp-to-feel-better-about-yourself-65233-20886609/ Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/09/join-gok-wan-camp-to-feel-better-about-yourself-65233-20886609/ There's something about Gok Wan that I'm trying to put my finger on. http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/02/substance-that-changed-the-fabric-of-a-generation-65233-20853917/ Thu, 01 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/andrewcowen/2008/05/02/substance-that-changed-the-fabric-of-a-generation-65233-20853917/ Join me, if you will, in raising a blotter to mark the passing of Albert Hofmann, scientist, alchemist and engineer of our enlightened culture.