We asked BBC News Online users whether the UK was right to arrest him. We received an overwhelming response.

German Altamairano of Chile was one of hundreds who e-mailed us who had suffered at the hands of General Pinochet's dictatorship.

He wrote: "As a former prisoner of the concentration camp of Pisagua in northern Chile, I have waited for 25 years for somebody to take some action."

Also supporting the arrest of the general was Chris Ackers of the USA. "If it serves nothing but to restrict travel for those morally impaired, then it should become a trend worldwide," he said.

But General Pinochet was not without his supporters. Ral of Chile insisted that the former dictator had saved lives and wished "other third world countries had someone like him".

Many others, including Ray Sand of the USA could not understand why the UK had chosen to arrest the ageing general "while it maintains cordial relations with Fidel Castro who has killed more than 4,000 people".

Boxing Clever

Also this month "Iron" Mike Tyson, the self-styled "baddest man on the planet", was given the all-clear to step into the boxing ring again. We asked if the man who took a chunk out Evander Holyfield's ear should box again.

Tyson took quite a bashing from News Online users, including Marcus Arraya of the UK who asked: "Goodness knows what Tyson will do to try to achieve the competitive edge in his next fight - horse-shoes in the gloves?"

David Pullin, of the UK, was also disapproving: "This man's image is one of brutality, in his personal and professional life. This is an image I do not wish to see symbolised in any sporting hero."

A popular view was that Tyson's return to boxing was fuelled by money. Iscah of the USA thought many people will pay big money to watch him fight, "and money is the bottom line in Vegas". John of the UK was inclined to agree: "If Tyson was not a great draw he wouldn't be allowed to return - this is a cash based judgement."

But Mike Tyson clearly still had a lot of supporters, like Kimberly Hammel of the USA who was more forgiving: "Get over it," she wrote, "He made a mistake and should most definitely be given a second chance."

The return of the Iron Lady

Love or hate her, Margaret Thatcher always manages to cause a stir. And when she came out and supported General Pinochet we asked if her views were still relevant.

Jack Shepherd of the UK held the most common response in favour of Thatcher's views. He wrote: "Whether one agrees with them or not they are a contribution to debate from a politician with more experience than any one else in the country."

The former prime minister certainly found a lot of support from our users in the US, as Rafael Arellano said: "Mrs Thatcher is a column of integrity who is an example for us all. You are very fortunate to have her. We need her here!"

Lai Yin Hoong of Singapore asked why should the lady shut up when "she'll make a great talkshow host someday".

But of course the Iron Lady's outspoken habits sparked disgust with many of our users, including the UK's Paul Stroemer: "Someone may wish to inform Margaret Thatcher that she is no longer the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom," he fumed.

Similarly, Helen Booth, also of the UK, thought "Mrs Thatcher's views sound even more anachronistic now than they did when she was in power a decade ago".

To tip or not to tip

The debate over whether people objected leaving a tip provoked some interesting comments.

Along with many others, C Bellamy of the UK objected strongly to leaving a tip "unless the service is quite exceptional". Similarly, Alexei Chetaline of France only leaves a tip if he has "extremely good food, good service and the staff are young and nice".

Ian Mather of the UK complained: "No one gives a tip to a bus driver. Why should I give one to a taxi driver? I don't have to of course, but convention dictates that I feel mean if I don't."

Naturally support for tipping came from the US where it is so commonly practised.

American Toby Dorn wrote of what happens to those who aren't so generous in restaurants: