The mouth of the gift horse

THE Indian Finance minister’s description of Britain’s £280 million (€334m) aid as “peanuts” was received with fury, particularly as he allegedly tried to reject it but was “begged” to accept it.

Before dismissing this as generous idiocy, it should be remembered that foreign aid is a double-edged sword involving commercial self-interest, not altruism.

Unfortunately India’s recent £13 billion (€15.5bn) order for jets went to France (which gives less aid) in a clear indication that even double-edged swords can’t always cut it.

No through-road to Damascus

With Russia and China vetoing a UN resolution and dragging their feet over outright censure of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, the West finds it encouraging that Arab countries have joined them in condemning his regime.

They should not get too excited, however because the interests of these mainly Sunni states lie in weakening Shia influence. Bloodbaths and tyranny are surely of secondary importance to them.

A tale of two brothers

CAINE and Abel starred in the earliest murder – but not mystery – story, a prequel to the saga of those somewhat less biblical brothers, the Milibands.

Because if Ed doesn’t get his act together – which appears increasingly impossible – no sleuthing need be attached to his demise as Labour Leader.

Fraternal denials apart, who could ever doubt that his political death will be the work of brother David?