The UK government has introduced new security restrictions in the wake of the discovery of a parcel bomb at East Midlands Airport. Will this restore confidence?
Passengers will no longer be able to carry printer cartridges weighing more than half a kilo in their hand luggage, and no unaccompanied air cargo will be allowed into Britain from Somalia.
The packages from Yemen, which were bound for the US, contained devices consisting of explosives pushed into printer toner cartridges.
How can airline security be improved? Should we cooperate more with other countries when it comes to dealing with terrorism?
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Ex-EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella has said schools should teach pupils about the dangers of gun and knife crime. Will this improve the safety of young people?
She told the BBC that teenagers appeared to carry weapons for two main reasons - "fear and fashion" and that real people on the streets would be able to provide the solutions.
Ms Kinsella has been a campaigner since her 16-year-old brother Ben was stabbed 11 times on a night out in Holloway, north London. She recently became a government adviser and has produced a report on youth violence.
What is the best way to tackle youth violence? What part can schools and parents play? Are ordinary people part of the solution?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Shanghai is bidding farewell to the World Expo - a six-month event showcasing China's rise in the world. What did it achieve?
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao described the fair as "splendid", saying it "truly brought together people around the globe".
Officials say a record 72m people - most of them from across China - visited pavilions staged by more than 240 countries and organisations.
Did you visit the Expo? Did it succeed in bringing the world to China? What effect did it have on China's image abroad?
Shanghai Expo in pictures
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People who volunteer to help the elderly or disabled could earn time credits which they could then redeem for their own care later in life. Would this work?
The system already operates in Japan and the government is now considering whether it could also work in the UK.
Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said it could help vulnerable people maintain their independence.
Charities said they welcomed moves to get more people volunteering, but care in old age was a right not a reward.
Are you a volunteer? Would you do more volunteering if you could redeem the time back in later life? Is this a good way to approach the care of the elderly or disabled? Does Cameron's idea of the Big Society appeal to you?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Dr Mayer Hillman, a public policy specialist at the Policy Studies Institute wants the UK to keep British Summer Time throughout the year. Do you support the idea?
Dr Hillman says the extra hour of evening daylight would give everyone more opportunities to be active outdoors and help us become fitter and healthier.
The ending of GMT is supported by the Mayor who says London's economy could be boosted by more than half a billion pounds if the clocks were not turned back.
However, permanent summertime is unlikely to be well received in northern England and Scotland where an extra hour in the mornings would see the sun rising after 9am and children facing the prospect of going to school in the dark.
Do you think the country would work with two time zones?Are you in northern England and Scotland? Are you affected when the clocks change? Send us your comments and experiences.
See your pictures of dawn. How light or dark is it at 0730 where you live?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Boris Johnson says the £400 a week cap on housing benefit will force families out of London. Should the government go ahead?
The Mayor of London said the new limits could lead to less well off residents being pushed out to the suburbs, and that he would not accept "Kosovo style social cleansing."
His comments have been criticised by ministers. Business Secretary Vince Cable accused Mr Johnson of using "inflammatory language on a difficult and sensitive issue." The Mayor has since said his words were taken out of context.
It's estimated that 21,000 people across the UK will be affected by the new caps, which reduce the amount families can claim for five, four, three, two and one bed properties. This includes 17,000 people living in London.
Will you be affected if the new caps go ahead? Do you think the government should continue with the plans?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A new European row is developing over a proposal to re-write part of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to avert another financial crisis. Do you think changes are necessary?
Germany wants limited amendments to the EU treaty to reinforce the changes, but is facing resistance from other countries.
Earlier, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said any discussion of treaty change was "irresponsible".
It took almost a decade of negotiations and two referendums in the Republic of Ireland to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, and many states are reluctant to make a move which could trigger a similar process.
Do you agree with the proposed change to the treaty? Do you think it is necessary to tackle Europe's debt problems? Would you propose any further changes?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The British Library is asking the public to help it track how pronunciation is shifting in Britain. What changes have you noticed?
Volunteers are being asked to record a chapter from a Mr Man book to see how certain words and accents are changing.
The library says youngsters are now more likely to say "haitch" than "aitch" when pronouncing the letter H.
When saying the word "mischievous", they prefer to pronounce it "mischeevy-us" rather than "mischivus", curators add. Young people are also more likely to have different way of saying words such as garage, schedule, migraine and harass.
How do you pronounce words like garage, schedule and migraine? Have you noticed many changes in pronunciation? Should language be allowed to evolve, or should there be some rules on correct pronunciation?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
All UK businesses will have to offer either a company pension scheme or enrol their staff into the new National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) under government proposals revealed today. Will this help people provide for their future?
The plans will mean that at least four million workers will be able to save in a pension scheme for the first time.
Nest is due to start in October 2012, with the largest employers joining first and the smallest joining by September 2016. To be eligible, staff will have to earn at least £7,475 a year.
Ministers say the plans will mean that "work always pays" but there are concerns that the new system could potentially lead to some people losing money.
Should workers be automatically enrolled on a pension scheme? Will the plans help to solve the pensions crisis? Are you an employer? Or are you an employee? What do you think of the plans? Do you have alternative pension plans?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The chairman of British Airways has said some airport security checks are "completely redundant" and should be scrapped. Do you agree?
Martin Broughton said the UK should stop "kowtowing" to US security demands and called for practices such as forcing passengers to take off their shoes to be abandoned.
He also criticised the US for imposing checks on US-bound flights but not on its own domestic services.
Do you think some airport security checks are excessive? Or do you think the current level of security is necessary? What are your experiences of airport security?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Talks aimed at averting a strike by London firefighters on Bonfire Night have broken down a day after the Prime Minister David Cameron described the strike plans as "irresponsible". Should everyone have the right to strike?
The 47-hour action, starting on 5 November, is the third strike date since the firefighters' union announced industrial action over new contracts. London Fire Brigade says changes are needed due to tighter budgets. The FBU says that 79% of its members who voted support the action.
Elsewhere, France's National Assembly has voted to raise the pension age by two years after weeks of industrial action against the change. While the protest movement has lost steam, a new day of action has been declared for Thursday.
Is the right to strike essential for everyone? Should it be removed from emergency workers? Is it right for fuel suppliers to strike? Have you taken part in a strike? Is there an alternative to strike action?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A giant red stag, thought to have been the biggest wild land animal in the UK, has been found shot dead. Send us your comments.
Red deer stags are the biggest indigenous land animal left in the UK. The Exmoor Emperor, who was given his nickname by photographer Richard Austin, was believed to have been the largest wild land animal in the country.
A licensed hunter rather than poacher is thought to have killed Emperor. While deer hunting is legal, some experts believe wild red stags should be protected during the mating season.
Should there be more restrictions on red deer stalking? How should wildlife be protected? Is the amount of reaction to the shooting justified?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The Independent has launched a new newspaper called "i" which it hopes will attract "lapsed readers of quality newspapers". Will you read the new paper?
The "i" is a compact size paper which costs 20p and shares the same editorial staff as The Independent.
Its owner, Russian tycoon Alexander Lebedev, also owns London's Evening Standard newspaper. Last year, the Standard became a freesheet and has seen its readership increase sharply as a result.
The UK's 11 major national daily newspapers have seen their circulation shrink an average 5.75% in the last year with more expensive quality papers being affected more than the cheaper tabloids.
Have you read the paper? What did you think of it? Will this new paper encourage more people to read papers? What can newspapers do to improve their circulation? Where do you get your news?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The Information Commissioner's office will look again at what personal data has been gathered by Google from private wi-fi networks. Is enough being done to protect our privacy?
The UK's privacy watchdog examined a sample earlier this year after it was revealed that the internet giant had collected personal data during its Street View project. At the time, Google said no "significant" personal details were gathered. But it has since admitted that e-mails and passwords were copied.
On its official Google blog, senior vice president Alan Eustace wrote that the company was "mortified" to discover, that personal information had been collected.
Privacy watchdogs in numerous countries, including France, Germany and Canada, had also investigated the information.
Are you concerned about privacy on the internet? Who should be responsible for personal data on the web? How can privacy be improved?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
David Cameron has called for a new "economic dynamism" in a speech to the CBI in central London. Is it time for a corporate rethink?
In his first speech to the CBI since becoming prime minister, he said the government would offer help to ensure new companies can prosper.
The business group CBI has said that the UK will need to work hard to maintain its position against rising global competition for business investment, and that it needs to cut regulation and reduce both business and personal taxation.
How should companies change the way they are run? Should shareholders have more power? Should the government cut regulation? How can the UK remain attractive to investors?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Nick Clegg says the government won't allow universities to charge unlimited fees for tuition. Should fees be capped?
At the moment students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay up to £3,290 a year. The Browne Report, which looked into tuition structures, recommended that universities be allowed to set their own fees, with a levy if they charge more than £7,000.
Allowing universities to set their own fees may relieve the burden on taxpayers, but could lead to elite institutions charging more, pricing out the less well-off.
Has this announcement made you reconsider applying to university? Should higher education be subsidised? What does this mean for universities?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Wikileaks has released almost 400,000 secret US military records, which suggest US commanders ignored evidence of torture by Iraqi forces. What is your reaction to these new leaks?
The documents also reveal many previously unreported instances in which US forces killed civilians at checkpoints and during operations.
A US Defence Department spokesman dismissed the documents as raw observations by tactical units, which were only snapshots of tragic, mundane events. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said earlier she condemned "in the most clear terms the disclosure of any information by individuals and or organisations which puts the lives of United States and its partners' service members and civilians at risk", but did not go into specifics on the disclosures.
What is your reaction to the release of these documents? Does it put lives at risk? Does it change your perception of the Iraq conflict? Do you trust leaked and unprocessed information?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Three Conservative London councils are making plans to merge all their services and create the UK's first "super-council". Will this harm local democracy?
The three councils, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster, say the planned merger could save up to £100m a year.
Under the merger, each authority would keep its political identity with its own elected leaders and councillors. However, critics say a wholesale merger would damage the local provision of services and standards would fall with fewer staff having to cover a bigger area.
Will super-councils keep costs down but risk the delivering quality services? Would you like to see your council merge to keep costs down? Will the planned merger harm local democracy?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
In his Spending Review, the Chancellor, George Osborne, has announced the biggest cuts to the welfare system since World War II. Do the cuts go far enough?
Mr Osborne has insisted that the billions of pounds of cuts outlined in his spending review are necessary and fair. Labour say the poorest will be hit the hardest.
Under the £81bn cuts package plan, pension age will rise sooner than expected, some incapacity benefits will be time limited and other money clawed back through changes to tax credits and housing benefit.
The Local Government Association believes about a hundred thousand jobs will go in local authorities because of the cuts.
Would you like to see cuts go further? What impact will the cuts have? What is your reaction to the Spending Review?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Spending Review: Osborne defends cuts 'fairness'
Your reaction to the Chancellor's spending review statement on the day
The Supreme Court in the UK has ruled that a pre-nuptial agreement between a German heiress and her ex husband is binding. Should English law recognise pre-nuptial agreements?
Katrin Radmacher's ex-husband Nicolas Granatino was initially awarded more than £5m in a divorce settlement, this figure was cut to £1m following an appeal which cited the couple's pre-nuptial agreement. In the pre-nup Mr Granatino had agreed not to make any claims on her £55m fortune if they split up.
Unlike other European countries English law does not generally recognise pre-nuptial agreements, but the Supreme Court said that in the right case such agreements can have decisive or compelling weight.
The Law Commission is due to report in 2012 on whether a change in the law should be made to ensure pre-nuptial agreements are fully enforceable.
Do you have a pre-nup? Should they be legally binding? Is it important to have an agreement before you get married? Should all couples have a pre-nup?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The BBC licence fee will be frozen at £145.50 for the next six years, ministers are expected to reveal during the Spending Review on Wednesday. What impact will this have on broadcasting?
The corporation will also take over the costs of running the World Service, currently funded by the Foreign Office, as well as the Welsh language TV channel S4C.
A previous proposal to make the BBC pay the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s is understood to be cancelled. However, the government's plans mean there will be 16% real terms cut in the corporation's funds over the next six years.
Are the proposals the best settlement for the BBC in the current financial climate? Will it affect standards? Will audiences suffer?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Cameron has confirmed defence spending is to be cut by 8% in real terms over four years, as he unveiled the first strategic defence review in 12 years. What is your first reaction?
He denied it was simply a "cost saving exercise" as he opened his statement and said there would be no cuts to support for troops in Afghanistan.
He confirmed HMS Ark Royal will be decommissioned four years early and the UK's Harrier jump jets will be axed.
Did you listen to David Cameron's announcement? Are there any alternatives to cuts? Which cuts do you agree or disagree with?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Musician Sir Elton John has criticised modern songwriters, calling them "pretty awful." Do you think the songwriting standards have declined?
The singer told the Radio Times that he doesn't like TV talent shows, calling TV "boring, arse-paralysingly brain crippling." And added that he felt contemporary pop was uninspiring.
Sir Elton also said he admired stars such as Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, but added: "It's important they write their own songs, so they're not at the mercy of anyone."
Do you agree with Sir Elton John's comments? Do you find modern music unoriginal? Or are you inspired by contemporary pop? Should singers have to write their own songs?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Chancellor George Osborne has delivered the government's four-year Spending Review to Parliament. What is your reaction?
Mr Osborne is to slash welfare benefits by a further £7bn.
The pension age will rise sooner than expected, some incapacity benefits will be time limited and other money clawed back through changes to tax credits and housing benefit.
"Today is the day when Britain steps back from the brink," the chancellor said.
Did you watch the chancellor speak? What might the impact of these cuts be? Are there any alternatives to cuts? Do they seem fair?
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The social housing budget in England could be cut by more than half in the Spending Review, the BBC understands. The government is also set to launch a consultation on proposals to reform social housing later in the year. How would you reform the system?
Ministers are expected to introduce a "flexible tenancy" for people who move into council housing for the first time, with tenants being assessed over time to see if they still require help with housing. In August, Prime Minister David Cameron said greater flexibility was required within the social housing system to allow tenants to move to find work.
However, Labour has accused Mr Cameron of threatening the long-term stability people value from having a secure tenancy. At present, council tenants keep their property for life unless they breach their tenancy agreement, they can also pass their homes onto their children.
Should the social housing budget be cut? Should more affordable homes be built? What do you think of the proposals? Is there a need for greater flexibility in social housing? Should tenants have a home for life? Are you a social housing tenant, tell us what you think.
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The EU's complex and costly system of farm subsidies is under review and next month the European Commission will present its reform plans. What changes would you like to see?
France - the EU's biggest food producer - does not want farm subsidies to be cut, unless global rivals like the US also agree to cut their subsidies.
But the UK wants far-reaching reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with less spent on food production and more on the environment.
Is it right to spend taxpayers' money to protect farmers from fluctuating prices? Should more money be spent encouraging farmers to protect the environment? Do you work in agriculture? If so, what do you think of the current system?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
One of the richest couples in the world, the Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, have pledged to give away 95 per cent of their fortune to aid projects. Do you welcome the support of philanthropists or should governments do more?
The couple's charitable foundation has already spent £17billion to help poorer countries. Bill Gates said that development aid, when spent wisely was the most effective investment that governments can make for saving lives, and building prosperous societies.
Melinda Gates added that at a time when spending on international development is one of the few areas the government has agreed to protect, the money donated by the UK was important. Much of the money spent by the foundation has been spent on vaccines against diseases like polio, malaria and HIV.
Should we all be more charitable? Are we becoming over reliant on philanthropists? How much money do you give to causes? If you had £17billion to spend on a good cause, what area of poverty would you like to see eradicated?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The UN biodiversity convention meeting has opened with warnings that the ongoing loss of nature is hurting human societies as well as the natural world. Are you concerned about this issue?
The two-week gathering aims to set new targets for conserving life on Earth.
Japan's Environment Minister Ryo Matsumoto said biodiversity loss would become irreversible unless curbed soon.
Much hope is being pinned on economic analyses showing the loss of species and ecosystems is costing the global economy trillions of dollars each year.
Do you think the economic dimension will cause governments to act? What would you ask your leaders to do on this issue? Have you seen the loss of nature where you live?
This debate is closed. Thank you for your comments.
Drug addicts in the UK are being offered money to be sterilised by an American charity, to stop babies being damaged by drugs during pregnancy. What is your view?
The US charity, Project Prevention, is offering to pay £200 to any drug user in London, Glasgow, Bristol, Leicester and parts of Wales who agrees to be operated on.
The first person in the UK to accept the cash is drug addict "John" from Leicester who says he "should never be a father".
But the move has been criticised by some drug charities who work with addicts. Simon Antrobus, chief executive of Addaction says: "It exploits very vulnerable people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol at probably the lowest point in their lives."
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Can this method succeed in the UK? Should drug addicts be persuaded in this way not to have children? Could the plan backfire? Could vulnerable addicts be exploited?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Days after the rescue of 33 miners in Chile, President Sebastian Pinera is in the UK as part of a European tour. Is this a defining moment for Chile?
Mr Pinera has met the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron, and has given his hosts a fragment of rock from the San Jose mine where a group of miners were trapped for 69 days.
The rescue at the San Jose mine attracted worldwide attention and is still being celebrated in Chile. Mr Pinera said that his country's successful rescue operation had given a good example to the world of "commitment, courage, faith, hope and unity".
Do you live in Chile? Does the Chilean mine rescue represent a turning point for the country? Does the incident provide an example of unity to the rest of the world? What does this mean for Chile's place on the international stage?
This debate is closed. Thank you for your comments.
The German chancellor says her country's attempts to build a multicutural society have "uttery failed". Do you think it's possible for different cultures to live together harmoniously?
Speaking in Potsdam Angela Merkel said allowing people of different cultural backgrounds live to side by side without integrating had not worked in Germany.
According to a recent survey, more than 30% of Germans believed that their country was "overrun by foreigners". Mrs Merkel also stressed that immigrants who lived in Germany needed to do more to integrate, including learning to speak German.
What is your reaction to the German chancellor's statement? Should minorities retain their culture? Or should they assimilate? Does multiculturalism have benefits and what are they?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The Royal Navy's flagship, the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, is to be scrapped early as part of the government's defence review. How big should the defence budget be?
David Cameron is due to unveil the first strategic defence and security review in 12 years at 1530 BST.
The budget will be cut by less than 10% following a personal intervention by Prime Minister David Cameron, according to BBC Defence Correspondent Caroline Wyatt.
Should the Defence Budget be protected from larger cuts? Was Mr Cameron right to intervene? What do you think of Hillary Clinton's reaction? Should Army numbers be cut?
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The government has agreed the schools budget for England with a promise to protect schools from across-the-board cuts, the BBC has learnt. Is it right to protect this area?
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg revealed plans for a "pupil premium" - extra spending on the most deprived children.
However, other government departments have been asked to make even deeper cuts than previously agreed to help pay for the increased funding.
Has the right decision been made? Do you work in education? Are you a parent? Should other budgets be protected? What would you like to see in the forthcoming Spending Review?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Hillary Clinton has said the US is "worried" over the scale of the UK coalition government's planned spending cuts on defence and the impact on Nato. Is there cause for concern?
The US secretary of state told the BBC that Nato must be "maintained". She said: "Each country has to be able to make its appropriate contributions."
The Treasury has been pushing for a reduction of up to 10% on the £37bn Ministry of Defence budget between 2011 and 2015.
Leading military figures insist the UK's defensive capabilities must be maintained. However, Mr Cameron has said any fears over defence capabilities were "unfounded".
Will the defence cuts undermine Nato defence capabilities? Will the cuts have an effect on our military commitments in Afghanistan?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi have came to an end with a spectacular closing ceremony. What's your verdict of the event?
The Games started with controversy over accommodation deemed dirty and incomplete. Athletes from a number of countries pulled out causing embarrassment to the host country -and doubts over the success of the event.
The head of the organisation Mike Fennell said that despite the number of issues, people around the world had seen an extremely positive image of the Games.
What is your assessment of the Games? What were your highlights - or disappointments? Are there lessons to be learnt?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Over 190 quangos - organisations funded by government but not run by it - are to either be abolished or have their functions taken over by the government or other bodies. Is this the right decision?
Supporters of quangos say they have expertise of their area and operate without ministerial interference, but opponents argue they reduce accountability and increase costs.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude says the cuts will save money but the "principle objective" is to "increase accountability". Unions argue the changes will damage public services, cost jobs and not result in savings.
Do quangos perform an important politically impartial role? Are the right quangos being cut? Will there be an impact on public services?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Universities in England should be able to charge unlimited fees, a major review of university funding has recommended. Can you afford to pay more?
Lord Browne's review calls for the £3,290 cap on fees, which students borrow in loans, to be scrapped.
Instead it proposes a free market in fees - setting out models of charges up to £12,000 a year for a degree course.
In a speech in the House of Commons, Business Secretary Vince Cable, endorsed the recommendations of Lord Browne's proposals saying they were "fair and affordable".
The UCU lecturers' union said the plan was "the final nail in the coffin for affordable higher education". However, Lord Browne's review makes clear that universities that charge more than £6,000 a year would lose a proportion of the fee to help cover the cost of student borrowing.
What do you think about the proposals? Are you planning to go to university? Could you be priced out of education? Are you a parent? Are you concerned about making increased contributions? Should the fees cap remain?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Progress in closing the gender pay gap appears to be "grinding to a halt", according to a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). What does "fairness" mean to you?
The commission said that on average women earned 16% less than men, widening to 27% for women aged 40.
Among other inequalities identified by the EHRC were that girls of all ethnic backgrounds outperformed boys in education, and those from wealthier social classes live seven years longer than those from less privileged backgrounds.
Commission chairman Trevor Phillips said there was a risk of society being divided by inequality.
In their conference speeches this year, the three main party leaders all discussed the concept of fairness, and how to make Britain a fair society.
Do you think Britain is a fair country? Have you been discriminated against? How can the gap in inequality be closed? Can equality be ever achieved?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The inquests for the 52 people killed by four suicide bombers in the 7 July 2005 London attacks are under way. What will they uncover?
The inquests has been delayed while three friends of the bombers were tried and cleared of any involvement in the attacks on three underground trains and a bus.
Lady Justice Hallett will preside over five months of hearings without a jury. She will look at whether MI5 could have stopped the bombers - but many victims' families still want a public inquiry.
The inquests are expected to open with the hearings being shown footage and pictures of aftermath of the attacks that have never been seen before.
What will the inquests achieve? Should there be a public inquiry? Will new footage help unveil the story?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
All 33 miners trapped underground for more than two months in northern Chile have been rescued. What is your reaction?
Luis Urzua, the shift supervisor who was credited with helping the men survive the first 17 days before rescue teams made contact, was the last man to be rescued.
He was embraced by the President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, who then led the rescue team in singing the national anthem.
The men had been trapped since 5 August, when a rockfall caused a tunnel to collapse
Are you in Chile? Have you been following the rescue operation? What do you think about the way it has been handled?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
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Labour leader Ed Miliband has announced the new appointments in his shadow cabinet. Do you agree with his decisions?
Alan Johnson is to be the shadow chancellor, Ed Balls is to be shadow home secretary and Yvette Cooper is to be shadow foreign secretary.
Alan Johnson's new appointment comes as a surprise to some, with pundits predicting that the role of shadow chancellor would go to either Mr Balls or Ms Cooper.
Mr Miliband said the line-up was "drawn from a broad range of talents across our party".
What do you think of the appointments? Do you agree with how roles have been allocated? What does this mean for the future of the Labour party?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Chinese dissident and human rights activists Liu Xiaobo has won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010. Is he a worthy winner?
Prior to the announcement, China had warned the Nobel Peace Prize committee not to award the prize to well-known dissident, saying giving him the prize would be against Nobel principles. Mr Liu is serving an 11 year prison sentence for calling for democracy and respect for human rights in China.
Norwegian Nobel Committee president Thorbjoern Jagland said Mr Liu was "the foremost symbol of the wide-ranging struggle for human rights in China". But he admitted that the choice would be controversial.
Who do you think should have won the award? Was the Nobel Committee right to award the prize to Liu Xiaobo? How does the Nobel Peace Prize contribute to world peace?
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Workers with public sector pension schemes should pay higher contributions, says an independent commission led by Lord Hutton. Do you agree?
The former Labour minister was asked to look into the cost of public sector pensions. Workers covered include those in the civil service, NHS, and local government. Such pensions are costing more money because people are living longer.
As well as asking people to pay more contributions into their pension plan, the commission is also considering changing the scheme from a final salary structure to a career-average structure. The pension age might also be extended beyond the current level - typically 65. The commission's final report will be published in time for the 2011 Budget.
Public sector workers argue that they have taken lower pay than they could get in the private sector in order to benefit from a better pension provision.
Should the pension age for public sector workers be increased? Should public sector workers pay more towards their pension? How can public sector pensions be made more affordable? Are you a public sector worker? What do you think about the recommendations?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Q&A Key report on pensions
Full guide to public sector pensions
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is stepping down from public life, as he celebrates his 79th birthday. What are his achievements?
The man described as the "conscience" of South Africa was a prominent voice during the country's struggle against white minority rule.
Archbishop Tutu has since been the voice of reconciliation in a number of regional conflicts.
But the Nobel Peace prize winner now says he wants to make way for a new generation of leaders.
Have you met Archbishop Desmond Tutu? What are your memories of him? What is his legacy for South Africa and Africa as a whole? Does South Africa have the new leaders to replace him?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
David Cameron has delivered his speech at the Conservative Party Conference. Did you watch it?
The main theme of Mr Cameron's first conference speech as prime minister was cutting the deficit. He also talked about the idea of the "big society" and the role of citizens, saying "your country needs you."
He justified the coming spending cuts, but promised to be fair. Referring to the child benefit announcement, he said "those with the broadest shoulders must bear the brunt."
Did you watch Cameron's speech? Did he send the right message? Was there anything you would have preferred to hear?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Mothers are harder on their daughters than their sons, according to a survey by a parenting website. Is this your experience?
Netmums found mothers were twice as likely to be critical of their daughters than their sons - even though half of the 2,672 mothers questioned said they thought it was wrong to treat boys and girls differently.
Boys were more likely to be described with positive traits such as funny, cheeky, playful and loving, while girls were given the labels stroppy, eager to please, serious and argumentative.
Do you agree with the findings? Do you find it hard to treat your children fairly? Did your mother treat you and your siblings equally? Do daughters benefit from tougher parenting?
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The comic actor Sir Norman Wisdom has died aged 95. What are your memories?
Sir Norman was famous for a series of slapstick film roles in the 1950s and 60s - his physical comedy so impressed Charlie Chaplin that he described Wisdom as his favourite clown.
His family said he died at a nursing home on the Isle of Man on Monday evening, having suffered a series of strokes over the past six months.
How will you remember Sir Norman Wisdom? Did you ever meet him? What were his best film roles?
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Child benefit is to be axed for higher rate taxpayers from 2013, Chancellor George Osborne has announced. What is your reaction?
Parents earning over about £44,000 who pay 40% tax and above will be affected. Currently child benefit is paid to all families with children and it is estimated the change will affect about 15% - 1.2m - of families.
Mr Osborne said he expected the public to accept that it was not fair to tax someone earning £18,000 a year to pay child benefit to someone earning £50,000.
Are the changes to child benefit fair? Will you be affected? What would be the alternative?
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Government plans to reform the current benefits system could see the biggest change to welfare for almost 70 years. Will this be good for claimants?
The proposals set out by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith could lead to many benefits for the unemployed and low-paid being merged into a single payout.
The changes are being brought in partly to tackle perceived long-term welfare dependency by unemployed people, with some saying they are better off on benefits than working.
Mr Duncan-Smith said the reforms would simplify the welfare system, save money and ensure "work always pays". But there are concerns that the new system could potentially lead to some people losing money.
Will the government's plans tackle benefit dependency? Do you work in the welfare sector or as an adviser? Are you currently receiving benefits? How will the changes affect you?
Send us your views on what areas of public spending should be protected.
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The US government has warned its citizens to stay away from crowded places in Europe because of the threat of an al-Qaeda commando-style attack, the BBC has learned. Does this affect you?
The state department advised nationals to take care while in tourist areas.
The department did not specify a country, issuing the updated guidance for the whole of Europe.
Sources have warned of an al-Qaeda plan to send teams of gunmen into crowded places to kill Western civilians.
Are you in Europe or are you planning to travel there? Will this warning affect your plans? How much should governments tell citizens about security issues?
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"No touch" rules discouraging teachers from restraining and comforting children are to be scrapped, as part of a "new deal" for teachers. Do you welcome the change?
Teachers would also be given the right to anonymity when faced by allegations from pupils, Education Secretary Michael Gove says in an interview with the Guardian.
Mr Gove promised to change the rules on school discipline, saying the current system was too complicated.
The education secretary said he did not believe staff should be able to hit children. But he said teachers need to know they can physically restrain pupils.
Are you a parent or a teacher? What do you think of these plans? Will they help teachers control unruly pupils? Or do you think there is a place for "no touch" rules?
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People should be able to challenge council decisions to ban events in case someone has an accident according to former Tory minister Lord Young. Is the current system flawed?
In his report, Lord Young claims that advice given by local authorities in England and Wales is often inconsistent. The Young Report also calls for advertising by personal injury lawyers and claims firms to be reviewed.
David Cameron who requested the review, has mentioned cases of children being told to wear goggles to play conkers, restaurants being banned from handing out toothpicks and trainee hairdressers being banned from using scissors, as examples of silly practice.
However, unions say the Tories are distorting facts about health and safety legislation for political ends.
Has the compensation culture created an atmosphere of fear? Have you faced problems organising events? Are you a local authority health and safety worker? Are you a solicitor?
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Kate Greene died of cancer aged 37, leaving her husband and two sons. Before she died she made a manual containing 100 things for her family to do without her. What advice do you give your family?
Kate wanted her boys to enjoy experiences "such as visiting the beach she loved as a child, attending an international rugby match and going to Switzerland where her husband, St John, proposed to her", says Steven Morris for the Guardian.
Kate also said they should not smoke, ride motorbikes or join the armed forces.
What are the most important experiences to have in life? What are your wishes for your family? What are your top five tips?
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New rules aimed at banning discrimination by employers, covering areas such as age, disability and pay, have come into force. Will these rules make Britain fairer?
The Equality Act covers many workplace areas and draws nine separate pieces of legislation into a single Act.
Equalities Minister Theresa May says it will now be easier for firms to comply with anti-discrimination rules. "In these challenging economic times it's more important than ever for employers to make the most of all the talent available," said Ms May.
Are you an employer? How will the new legislation affect you? Have you faced discrimination in the workplace? Will the changes impose a heavy burden on employers? Will the new legislation offer vulnerable workers more protection?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
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