Five years ago today, Iraq was invaded by US-led coalition troops. The Iraqi journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad contrasts modern-day Iraq with life under Saddam Hussein, and responds to claims by George Bush and Gordon Brown that the continued US and UK military presence in his country is necessary and desirable. Kate Hudson, chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which is part of the Stop the War Coalition, explains why anti-war protesters are still demanding withdrawal from Iraq.
In other news today, Randeep Ramesh reports on the latest developments in Tibet, where Chinese authorities are rounding up demonstrators.
Ramesh also describes the shocking conditions facing workers making clothes for Banana Republic, the US chain that opens its first European branch in London today.
The media correspondent Owen Gibson assesses the implications of Express Newspapers' front-page apology and libel damages to the parents of missing Madeleine McCann.
The security editor, Richard Norton-Taylor, says the government's new national security strategy has some good points … but also contains a lot of waffle.
