BBC TV News - 8th November

Huw Edwards was host on the news at 10 last night, the leading feature was that of severe flood warnings for parts of England. We saw preparations for this happening and were reminded of previous events.

Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Chief, is still resisting pressure to resign

A young girl, Samina Malik, has been found guilty of possessing material likely to be used in terrorism, namely a couple of manuals downloaded from the internet, one being a guide to poisons. She has not actually done anything wrong as far as I can see and called herself the "lyrical terrorist". The link is here to the report for those interested.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7085900/7085960.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7085960&news=1#

The lost children of Chad/Zoe's Ark - an update from the BBC. In this episode our reporter travels to a rural village to show natives video footage of the "lost children" in order that they may establish whether any are theirs. One is identified, her mother is delerious with happiness then we see another, this lady is writhing with grief in an Exorcist type display - no sign of her children on the magician's silver box. The link is provided, it is worth watching to show how children are exploited for news/emotional manipulation. Note the strange pyramidical structure which appears half way through in the background.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7085700/7085785.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7085785&news=1#

Meredith Kercher, the British girl who was murdered in Italy - we heard more of the ongoing enquiries and differing statements between the three suspects.

Coming up - America's housing slump - the global repercussions

First, we heard that the Stephen Lawrence muder case may be revitalised due to DNA evidence which has now come to light due to advances in technology and research. We were reminded of the original story which was ongoing for a number of years and heard from a DNA expert, Allan Johnstone.

America's economic crash followed as promised, "The American Blues", they were calling it last night,. Evan Davies told of the ongoing housing market fall and how it may affect this country. This is almost a regular feature now.

"Violent deaths" in Iraq have fallen it seems, or so we were told. I dont have time to write about it, a link is provided to the relevant written propaganda.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/7036068.stm

To close, more propaganda, another one of the "final few", this one was Syd Lucas who had served in two wars. He was physically wheeled out for the appearance. You can see this at the video link provided. Another one follows tonight aged 111.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7086200/7086222.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7086222&news=1#

cheers

Television at number 1

Infant Formula Milk at number 2 (article to follow)

BBC TV News - Wednesday 7/11

Fiona Bruce was back at hostess on last nights news at 10, we commenced with war and the story that "a British soldier killed in Iraq might well be alive if he had the correct equipment". No mention was made of the fact that he would have been alive if their was no war. Instead we heard how the unfortunate Gordon Gentile was blown up by a roadside bomb, of missing MOD files and a clerical error. We saw his tearful mother make a statement before we were treated to a computer graphic simulation of a Landrover "emitting" electronic waves which would locate any explosive devices. It was this wave making equipment that was missing, lying in a warehouse nearby seemingly. Talk to close was of whether this could have been prevented and of "chickens coming home to roost".

An 18 year old student has gone on the rampage in Finland, shooting eight before turning the gun on himself. It appears that he ran through a school shouting "this is the start of the revolution" before and during his onslaught. He had posted a yourtube video at some point, showing him with his weapon, it seems he had also spoken of Hitler and Stalin and his own "hatred for the human race". Obvious parallels were drawn with Columbine High in the USA.

A special report next on a BBC shopping trip to Europe to see how easy it was to procure a handgun. We travelled to the Czechs capital Prague where our intrepid reporter had arranged to meet with a shady ex pat, going by the name of Mr Moon. Unfortunately, Mr Moon made no appearance so our reporter instead went to a shop and bought a starting pistol "which could easily be converted into a real weapon" and then smuggled it back to the UK, commenting on the absence of customs officials. Back in the UK we saw an interview with an anonymous hooded individual with a disguised voice. He told how it was easier to buy a gun than chocolate before we saw a mass of black and white photographs of gun crime victims.

Pakistan - President Bush has personally phoned their president about the situation. We saw George and then images of the social unrest.

The Olympic dream - sports reporter Mihir Bose was on hand to show us the "vision of the stadium", "no ordinary stadium", talk was of a legacy,, meaning a future use for the facility after the 2012 event. Pastel coloured flying smarties were in abundance through this animated graphic representation of the new complex. To close, reference was made to Sydney and Athens stadia, now sadly underused; "the world has moved on" we were assured. The video clip is available at the link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7083300/7083355.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7083355&news=1#

Coming up - top policeman and quit row

First though, petrol has topped £1 a litre. We heard from BBC economist Evan Davies, he simplified it all, utilisng painted stacked oil drums to demonstrate how this price increase has occured. It seems China have a "thirst for oil" and that the "dollar is sinking like a stone", oil being priced in dollars.

There will be a thorough investigation into the deaths of the fireman at the warehouse inferno last week. We saw images of the deceased, again black and white images were used to represent those who have passed away. We saw relatives, including wives and girlfriends, obviously very emotional.

As promised, next was Sir Ian Blair, chief of the Metropolitan police, we saw him answering questions to a panel of individuals, the London Assembly, many seemed to be of the impression that he should quit. He told how they did not have "the power to remove" him from his position so I suppose that is that.

Football

To close, another old soldier was wheeled out as part of the BBC rememberance day special reports. Tonight we saw William, aged 107, a Royal Navy veteran of both world wars.

cheers

BBC TV News - 5th November

With Huw Edwards as host we began the BBC News last with terrorism, MI5 chief Jonathan Evans has warned that there are 2,000 trained terrorists capable of striking at any moment and, when not planning attacks, are involving themselves in procuring children to partake in their nefarious endeavors. We heard of the internet, a fertile recruitment ground where "friendship seeking" youngsters take "their first step to jihad" by means of videos, forums, chatrooms and "stirring music". It seems that Glasgow Airport was only the "tip of the problem, al-Quaedaare seemingly regrouping in Somalia, Algeria, Iraq and"number one"Pakistan.

That brought us on nicely to the next story, the ongoing political situation in Pakistan. We saw images of besuited lawyers being beaten and dragged away from a protest and heard of house arrests whilst images of urban military operations were shown.

The warehouse fire, it seems that the search operation is still underway for the missing firemen, "painfully slow progress". Floral tributes were in abundance and we got to see the fireman's locker room back at the station, their coats still sat on the pegs beneath their name tags. There was no need really.

Barry George, the man convicted of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando, is appealing his conviction for the second time.

A long feature on further education followed, we were told that "we are one of the worst countries in the developed world" as regards this. We cut to political editor Nick Robinson who had met with what looked like the cast of Lost Boys but what was actually a group of NEET'S ( Not in Education, Training or Employment) in Birmingham, they told how they spent most of their time idling and sleeping in between drinking sessions in the park where Nick had befriended them. Gordon Ramsay appeared, grooming some young chefs, to show how there was hope and opportunity. To close, "9% of the UK population are neets", one poor neet's mother was sent to jail becuase he refused to go to school and, to close - "they wont be doing anything other than what they want".

Coming up - World economy on shaky ground

A long feature on adoption followed, first we turned to the definition of a "family unit", it seems that really any bunch of people living together can be classed as a family. The we saw a new kind of adopter, a single man, who has taken on board two teenagers. He sat in the middle of the two teenage boys as they played computer games, it was sort of like a big brother relationship. It seems that more single people will be considered for this type of role.

Babies who breast feed become more intelligent adults it seems, 6 IQ points was the quoted figure.

As promised, the global credit crunch, the "tip of an iceberg" (rather than problem), "a pretty big iceberg" to boot - we saw a backdrop of Alpine snow covered mountains and heard of British bank's exposure.

The lost children of Chad next, I have copied the link. - Watch at the start, children lying down on a mat - "in limbo" - note the black humour. This has to be seen to be appreciated, "another stranger", "not enough toys to go round". Playing on emotions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7080000/newsid_7080200/7080243.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7080243&news=1#

To close, "the final few", a specia week longl report on the five remaining survivors of the Great War. Tonight we saw an old man reminiscing and telling of the Western Front. He was 109 and talked of going "over the top. Wonder if he was once a NEET ?

cheers

sucking our society dry ?

BBC TV News - Sunday 4th November

There was no Antiques Roadshow last night, the slot being filled by with a show called In Living Memory - Remembering soldiers lost in service since 1945, this programme tells their heroic stories through moving testimony, personal archive, family recollections and first-hand accounts. I gave it a miss.

The BBC news however was on as usual, around half seven, presented by Jane Hill. Our first story covered was that of of Pakistan where a state of emergency has been imposed by the ruling government. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been arrested, we heard of "law and order, harmony, and pillars of state" plus fears of "damage to the stability" of the country.

The huge warehouse fire in Atherstone on Stoure followed, four firemen dead, we saw helicopter images of the aftermath before visiting a church nearby which is "always open for prayers".

Conservative candidate Nigel Hastilow has resigned in the wake of his heavily criticised endorsment of Enoch Powell's immigration policy, telling that he has "more freedom to express his views as a journalist", this being his main occupation. Read this the other way round, what impression does it give of journalists. We heard more about the race issue and that we "need to talk about it sensibly".

Our Home Office is attempting to raise the limit on detention without criminal charge in cases of suspected terrorism, from 28 to 56 days.

Tutankhamun followed, his body has been exhumed and placed in a "climate controlled" glass case for the public to look at. We heard of the Valley of the Kings and the Pharoes before glimpsing a black mummified corpse, "the most famous of them all". The video link is provided.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7070000/newsid_7078000/7078037.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&nol_storyid=7078037&news=1#

Last up was the story of the possible "kidnap" of 103 children in Chad by a charity going by the name of Zoe's Ark. It seems that in the manner of Madonna, some French people have purchased these children in the mistaken belief that they are orphans from Darfur. In fact it appears that they may be from Chad and not orphans at all, the problem is that they are too young to understand what has happened to them or to know where they came from. French President Nicolas Sarkozy personally flew to Chad to secure the release of some of the abductors, they told how the remainder were niave, not criminals.

Sport to close.

cheers

Per se

Mousetrap

BBC News Review 2nd November

Education standards were the first topic last night on the news at 10, hostess Fiona Bruce told how our government have squandered five hundred million pounds on a failed attempt to improve literacy within schools, with standards "little better than the '50's". Obviously they contest these allegations, saying that that in fact standards are at "an all time high". We saw a primary school with some little children reading then some further debate before turning to the potentially "damaging" political ramifications of this.

A lady police officer is in a critical condition after being hit by a vehicle near Heathrow Airport, apparently after trying to apprehend the occupants. We saw images of the scene and vehicle.

The man extradited from Somalia in respect of the murder of the police woman in Bradford two years ago, has been remanded in custody, awaiting trial.

108 soldiers from the United Nations peace keeping force located in Haiti have been accused on running some sort of prostitution or sexual abuse racket. Images were shown of third world squalor before we heard of 2007 Ivory Coast, 2006 Liberia, 2005 Congo, these all being related examples of this type of behaviour.

Our Government Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, has been fined £100 for using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Floods in Mexico followed - "the worst in 50 years" - we saw a large map of Mexico, the affected area Tabasco, was coloured in hot chille red, the background in chille green. We cut to images of individuals "swimming for their lives" and using makeshift boats, "anything that floats" our reporter told, "even doors". Comparisons were made to New Orleans, it seems that "most of the state is underwater".

Coming up - Rat Race - Mouse Race

First though we heard of the ongoing global economic crisis , seasonally, "the markets are falling like leaves off the trees". It seems that America "fuels the rest of the world" and because it is struggling, so are the rest of us. This report was quite long and didnt really tell us anything new.

A 22 year old girl, Merideth Kercher, has been found murdered in Italy where she was studying. Her throat had been cut.

German terrorists followed, worries that Germans are being radicalised into Islam. We saw some Germans playing American Fottball, apparently one of the team turned out to be a terrorist. It seems that he was "just like any other teenager, a bit sullen perhaps". Talk moved on to al-Quaeda and a jihad against the West then we met with an ex boxer, Pierre Vogel. Pierre has converted to a Muslim faith and we saw him "encouraging others" and speaking of his beliefs before closing with images of him praying to a background of religious chanting.

To close, the amazing story of the genetically modified mouse, a "real life mighty mouse" as it has been christened by god-aspiring scientists. An experiment was shown, two mice on a treadmill, one mutated, the other was normal. The latter was "exhausted after only 0.2km", the mutant managed an astonishing 4.9km before it collapsed. A professor chap told us not to worry about "genetically enhanced humans", this was more about working out muscle structure. This whole feature was presented in a light hearted, jovial manner, to close we heard it would "run and run". The link is provided to the video report, I beg readers to watch it. Most disturbing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7070000/newsid_7075400/7075429.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&asb=1&news=1#

cheers

Blind leading the blind ?

BBC TV News Review - Thursday 1st November

We commenced with the conviction of the Metropolitan Police on health and safety related issues for the shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes who they mistook for a terrrorist in 2005. We saw another reconstruction of events including many images from CCTV and then an interview with a passenger on the tube who had witnessed the bloody conclusion, including the six shots to the head. Calls have been made for the resignation of Met chief Sir Ian Blair although it seems this is thought highly unlikely. This was a long, action packed feature.

Coincidentally, a man has been extradited from Somalia and returned to the UK to face charges over the murder of policewoman Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford, again in 2005.

The ongoing issue of immigration followed, we heard yet again of our escalating population - "every sixty seconds another migrant comes to live here", and of the resulting pressures on health, housing and educational services. To illustrate the latter we saw some migrant children speaking in pigeon English to a reporter in a primary school.

Coming up- The great Northern Rock bail out.

First though, we heard more about our hospitals, this time in respect of dirt loving virus', MRSA AND C-Diff. We saw an enlarged microscopical slide of these diseases, frighteningly, MRSA seems to resemble a section of citrus fruit when sliced and, perhaps even more significantly for our illeducated children, a few C-Diff cells jumbled together looks remarkably like a portion MacDonalds fries. It seems though that our Health Service is cleaning up its act and cases are now falling. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7072744.stm

Health again, heart operations have been suspended at Papworth hospital due to safety concerns. It seems that a large proportion of recent operations have been unsuccessful.

United States politics next, puportedly anyway. We saw candidate Rudolph Guniari, who seeminlgy has just recovered from prostate cancer and has commented that he was glad he was not treated in the UK, becuase the success rate is only 44% as opposed to the American 82%. He appeared to place the blame at the door of "socialised medication", in other words our NHS. We closed by seeing a clip of US TV, where a man had cut his fingers off with a saw and had no insurance. It seemed that he had to make a decision, $60,000 to save his middle finger, or $12,000 for his ring digit.

Martina Hignis. lady tennis player, has tested positive for cocaine at the last Wimbledon. We were told that she denied taking the drug but has resigned from tennis anyway.

As promised, the Northern Rock bank, it seems that the have now borrowed an astonishing 20 billion pounds from the Bank of England in order to "bail them out". We heard from BBC economic editor Robert Peston, who told us more and pointed out that the NR was now almost a nationalised company now. Perhaps all the banks will eventually be nationalised - is this just not the start of the game plan ?

Gerry McCann, the father of missing child Madeleine, has declared himself fit for work and returned to his well paid job with the Health Service. We saw him reading a statement, he spoke of having an infrastructure and support network in place.

Last up, the "brainbow" - still with health - we heard how scientists have discovered a way to colour cells within the brain in order to progress their understanding of its workings. A link is provided to the written article for those interested.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7070672.stm

cheers

Drawing the white line - defining boundaries