First big test for new news channels

Today's Presidential Election in France is the first big test for the new kids of the media block, namely France24 and Aljazeera. Both are planning considerable coverage for tonight's results and it'll provide a good benchmark for judging these new channels in comparison to the established outlets of BBC's News24, Sky News and CNN.

It is of course a chance for France24 to shine in particular as it's a major domestic event of which to provide in-depth coverage. The elections have already been receiving some considerable airtime as you'd expect, particularly on the discussion programmes, although we're often not too keen on these as the volume differentiation between the speaker and the translator is often insufficient and doesn't make for pleasant listening. We'll see how it pans out this evening.

Aljazeera in contrast focuses its news coverage on Asia and Africa but does have ample resources at its disposal, so it'll prove interesting to see what level of coverage and guests they're able to produce.
The more established outlets shouldn't be ignored either, as we'll see if they up the ante on their own election coverage to compete in particular with France24 which will be assumed to provide the most comprehensive of coverage, albeit with less experience than the competition.

The coverage is beginning now - 6pm UK Time - so tune in!

Return to blighty

The navy personnel taken in Iran have finally be returned. I suspect the true story of their captivity will now come out. However I'd be interested to find out whatever happened the military procedure of only giving your captors name, rank and serial number? Perhaps there was a good reason but their actions undermined the forces, government and country they work for.

The President who cried wolf

The sabre rattling by the US administration towards Iran over their alleged support of insurgents in Iraq is reaching a new high. However have we not all become deaf to the cries of wolf by the White House. Not only is the credibility of their intelligence wafer thin and their provocations tired but it all smacks of hypocrisy of the highest order. America's history of support rebels, insurgents and coups that suit their ends is a long one. We only have to look as far as one of the current theatres of combat, Afghanistan, for a reminder of where a previous US administration pumped in money to see off the Russians. Perhaps now the Iranian administration wants to see off the Americans from this third land, and on what basis of history should they be forbayed this, considering the plentiful examples available.

The White House cannot have its cake and eat it. The policy of force as a means of diplomacy is a dangerous one and is one that now seems to be failing wherever it is employed. Furthermore the days of this administration having its own way are quickly running out. Whether at the hands of its own senate or on the world stage, it's high time this lame duck was put out of its misery to be replaced - we can but hope - with a lot more sense in the Oval Office.

The week that was

Again it's been one of those weeks where I've not felt so compelled to put virtual pen to blogging paper and jot down my thoughts.

This is not to say nothing's been happening in the world. The news has been less than "bootiful" for Bernard Matthews and after today's news coverage I can only expect a near collapse in their sales as the media all but made out that the food sold could spread avian flu to poultry around the country and when there's talk of H5N1 entering the food chain that's all you need for customers to leave in their droves. I, on the other hand, had no qualms at purchasing some Bernard Matthews process hams for my sarnies. Scaremongering, plain and simple.

News of muslim extremism in this country seems to be the stuff of the press and TV on all but a daily basis now with it seems all manner of individuals or organisations up to no good or teaching the word of intolerance, division and hate. The communities being targeted by police enquiries and arrests are complaining, but in the light of what's going on and what's been and likely being plotted, what else are the police expected to do but focus their efforts on the group that's without exception intertwined with these acts. If the perpetrators were from a wider demographic then no doubt the police's net would similarly be wider. The search for the letter bomber wouldn't have lead the police to the Muslims community as the source is seemingly a disgruntled driver or animal rights extremist, but when there's plots of Muslim extremism afoot the police must get to the heart of it, no question. Frederick Forsyth and Simon Hughes both made some excellent, straight-forward points on this issue on this week's Question Time programme which were both well overdue and far too seldom heard in my opinion.

After a period of what seemed like relative calm it seems as if Israel and Palestine are descending back into their own ways. The Palestinians seem to be looking for any opportunity to get worked up and throw stones at Israel who inevitably retaliate with greater force. The mentality on both sides is pretty deplorable and it's not a place that's high on my list of places to visit, violence or not. Grow up, learn some respect towards fellow man irrespective of creed or religion and then we'll see. This goes for both belligerents. There's no end of excuses and history to make the situation all the more protracted, but the road forward takes real courage, vision and the ability to look beyond their own blinkered communities and mindsets.

Snow. That proved a meteorological white-wash for around these parts as we saw absolutely none of the stuff aside from a few flakes on the day when the Midlands was getting dumped on. Dull weather, yes, but we've avoided everything grinding to a halt as it so often does during such weather. One million people took the day off work due to the snow. It's staggering, but of course due to the fact that our weather is so entirely unexciting for the vast majority of the time that no expense can be justified on the likes of fleets of snow ploughs or similar.

Birmingham Terror arrests

Once again a muslim community in Britain is feeling divided by arrests in its midst. I have two feelings on this matter based on what I've seen of the news coverage.

Firstly, the protestations of relatives and neighbours that the men are absolutely innocent. Cast your mind back to when the arrests of the attempted London bombers took place. The exact same happened there. Outrage in the community. Although they're innocent until proven guilty the evidence looks absolutely damning on these poor excuses for human beings. We'll see what happens from the current arrests, however. We should resist the urge to follow in the footsteps of the media and jump to conclusions before being aware of the facts. If the men are freed without charge, then perhaps there's room for complaint. If the men are arrested, however, the local community should look at the police's track record. It's not unblemished, certainly, but the police don't generally act in this manner unless they've amassed a fair amount of evidence and are expecting the 'cell' (or whatever the group is in this instance) to act imminently.

As for the reasons of elements of the muslim community getting so worked up as to plan such acts, I would say this: do you really feel that you're the only group opposed to the situation in Iraq? I would put to them that a majority of the British population is now opposed to Blair's war, and a great many always have been. (Remember the marches past Westminster?) However the population of this country as a whole believe in making their feelings known in a democratic manner; through lobbying and at the ballot box. If there are people in this country who believe that violence and death is the route they have to take to be heard they are not only wrong but they forfeit their part in our community and country. Shout from the pulpits, or rather the minarets if that's more appropriate. Write to your MP, protest - peacefully - against the failing foreign policy of the Blair government. Lobby, shout, do what you can, but remain within the democratic and lawful system that we enjoy and that keeps our country stable and prosperous. Don't believe you are being marginalised, as on the topic of foreign policy you will find yourselves in good and plentiful company. Peace. (at home and abroad.)

Farewell Blackpool

The super-casino decision came in today and to the surprise of everyone; the media and winning council included; Manchester took the prize. There have been congratulations all round of course but underlying this has been disquiet that Blackpool would have made the more sensible choice for location being a failing seaside town in desperate need for a big pull. The super-casino could have been it, but now, short of an overturning decision in Westminster, it seems Blackpool will be left out in the cold. Not only that but with the relative close proximity of the Manchester super-casino, Blackpool's chances of securing its own licence seem dead in the water.

Manchester may well have better infrastructure but having already been at the receiving end of no shortage of investment in recent years it wouldn't have done any harm to see this particular awarding go to another. Blackpool was built on entertainment and could have well used the casino as grounds to fund extensive infrastructure upgrades. It seems the government is happy for the formerly prestigious seaside resorts to die. After all, when Blair is happy to discard any consideration of holidaying at home in favour of grand vacances abroad with a mighty big carbon footprint to match, should we be in the slightest bit surprised?

Quiet on the blogging front

I've not been doing a good job of maintaining my daily posts to the blog. For one thing my writing energies have been channelled elsewhere and in many ways there's not been a great deal that's leapt out at me to write about. However let's have a quick scan of the day's news....

I'm undecided whether I should be concerned about so many British Muslims in favour of having Shariah law in this country. I feel some background reading is in order first to understand what it's all about before taking a definite stance, although I'm generally uneasy at hearing talk of any religious movement active in the UK. During my travels last year I saw several examples of religious belief taken to (what are to me) extreme levels and I find it's something I can't relate to in the slightest. Is this really the 21st century? In spite of all our advancements so many are actively laying down years of their lives in the worship or any manner of pointless ends. If it makes them happy to believe in these things, fine, but I'll fight tooth and nail to ensure they have no bearing over my daily life and similarly I make no demands upon others.

The British Airways strike has been called off at not quite the last minute but sufficiently late that many passengers will have found themselves seriously inconvenienced for the third time in a year. Fair enough the other occasions weren't the airline's fault directly, but the handling thereof commencing with the erection of a large white marque outside Terminal 4 and quickly descending into chaos hasn't done the company and favours at all. I flew back from Australia with BA which was my first flight from them in some years. Although fine enough the standards couldn't compare with a modern Qantas airbus and the superb customer service by the Aussie national airline.

The sites of the super-casinos will be announced tomorrow. I'm rather hoping that Blackpool will come out favourite as although I have no interest in gambling the place could do with some investment and job creation and I suspect it'll have a positive effect on the region's economy as a whole. The BBC did focus on the increase in homeless in Australia following their boom in casinos but I suspect no-one would notice in the likes of Blackpool. I suppose I'm hoping that the investment will bring associated developments to the resort. A nice multiplex within fairly easy reach of here wouldn't go amiss for instance.

Heat ray

A new weapon devised by the US military was on the news this evening. As far as I can tell it fires microwaves at targets - like a microwave oven. "Coming soon! Al dente evil doing Al Qaeda terrorists!"

2007

Happy New Year.

Out with old, in with the new. Whatever. A new year passes in to being with very little celebration in this household. I suppose after seeing the valley lit by fireworks on the millennium, one Hogmany in Edinburgh and seeing in 2006 in Vienna it all seems a bit tame now. Despite forecasts of gales and lashing rain nothing really transpired, here at least, although rather predictably the local television transmitter has just gone off... again.

Last year proved to be out of the ordinary in a thoroughly positive way and with luck this next year may do the same, albeit in a different fashion. I've been lapping up the numerous round-ups of 2006 that have been offered on TV having missed many of the events taking place in the UK while abroad. I suspect the most anticipated event of 2007 will be seeing the back of Mr Blair. He won't break Thatcher's innings, Francis Urqhart style, but like Thatcher he is leaving due to pressure from his own benches. Many could no doubt draw many more parallels between the two however it's quite late enough for one evening and I'm going to see the next few hours on the new year in with some kip.

Auntie's questionable geography

Tragic news strikes us from Morecambe Bay again with the gas-rig bound helicopter ditching in the sea with we assume the loss on all on board. Television news reports are oddly timed at this time of year but the one I caught on the Beeb featured a particularly slap-dash looking map which would have been hilarious if it wasn't for the circumstances. Morecambe Bay was placed vaguely off the coast of Whitehaven and later migrating into the Solway Firth while Liverpool was now in Lancaster and poor Barrow was up around Stanraer. The BBC has plans to move some of their operations up North to Manchester. By the looks of things it's not a moment too soon.