The Iraqi casualty count, while harder to ascertain because of the lack of formal record-keeping, has reached at least 128, 000, by CNN's tally.

CNN: 6 years later, progress and doubts are legacy of Iraq war

But even having a formal record of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization is no guarantee that the relevant information will be available at the point of purchase of a firearm.

CNN: Looking into the minds of killers

Turning to Saudi Arabia - a key oil supplier and another partner in the war on terror - it says there have been some gains, such as a conference on women's rights and creation of the first formal human rights group, but concludes: "The record of human rights abuses and violations... still far exceeds the advances".

BBC: NEWS | Americas | US raps Russia and Saudi rights

This is because freedom of information applications may be turned down (as I know from experience) when they relate to meetings which are considered to be informal, private, social or party political, rather than formal meetings on government business of which some record is held.

BBC: Is a wedding a meeting? What about a slumber party?

Labour parliamentary business manager Paul Martin said he may have breached rules relating to separation of ministerial and constituency roles, the use of public resources for party political purposes and a duty to record formal meetings.

BBC: Concern over Salmond Bute House 'tea party'

Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the current head of the Eurogroup, held a formal, on-the-record joint interview with Reuters and the FT today, saying that the messy and chaotic Cyprus solution is a model for future bailouts.

FORBES: Europe Reels In Shock As Politician Tells The Truth