As usual bad news has dominated the week. There will have been many events reported around the globe but one or two have risen to the top and received a lot of media attention.

On Tuesday it was the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Towers terrorist attacks in the US and mayhem descended once more. A pathetic movie produced in America, The Innocence of Muslims, incited violent outbursts around the world. The violence began on September 11, 2012, in Libya. Those who not so long ago wanted the USA to support them turned. Perhaps the "alliance" was always going to end in tears. The US embassy was attacked and four Americans killed.

The violence did not stop there though.

Five days later protests have occurred in much of the Middle East, Australia, France and the UK. In some countries a violent minority prevented peaceful protests. In others it was always going to be violent. At least seven people have died as a result of the protests. It could be said that at least seven people have been killed as a result of a foolish blasphemous film but that is not 100% certain. It is more likely that Muslim activists were looking for a reason and opportunity to rise up.

GOP nominee Mitt Romney tried to use the death of the US ambassador to Libya to gain political advantage. He may have smirked but in the long run it is he who will appear foolhardy.

As the week ended Afghanistan experienced an upsurge in terrorist attacks. Prince Harry now serving in the country remains a prime target for the Taliban. Their mission to capture or kill the Prince could put the lives of others at risk. Three British soldiers and six US soldiers have been killed in the last couple of days in separate incidents. There are also reports that civilians have been killed by NATO forces seeking out the insurgents.

All in all then a country far from peaceful. Most of the Taliban that fled Afghanistan when foreign troops entered the country are waiting in the wings just across the border in Pakistan. When we, the West, finally leave Afghanistan they will enter by another route. Will all the deaths have been for nothing in the end?

The British Government, the Condems Coalition,continues to whittle away at people's income and freedoms. Yet the UK has become embroiled in what is really trivia. The publication of topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge in publications on the continent and in Ireland.

William and Kate are on, what for most of us would be a trip of a lifetime, to Asia. For them it is "just another day at the office" if you see what we mean. William is said to be furious at the topless images and has begun legal proceedings against the French magazine Closer. Whilst we understand his problems we all have so much more to worry us.

Importantly in the UK this week the victims, and their families, of the Hillsborough tragedy finally received an apology and some answers more than 23 years after the event. With confirmation that witness statements had been altered by police, to lay the blame with the fans, heads must surely roll now.

Here's hoping for a more peaceful week around the World.  That said the latest news is that Britain and allied countries are massing in the Strait of Hormuz. It is widely believed that Israel is planning a preemptive strike against Iran. We would prefer to call such an attack what it would be, either an act of war or warmongering.

The West should tread carefully here. Governments are paid to represent the people and few in the UK, for example, have any stomach for war with Iran. Neither would we wish to support a country that commits an act of war.

Stay safe and take care, TTFN

UK - It has been a funny old week in the UK. Living in drought conditions, allegedly, one has to wonder why, considering the drenching most areas have suffered this week. Pocklington close to home had flash flooding which left the townsfolk fighting to remove one and a half foot of water. The only conclusion regarding the current drought seems to be  mismanagement. This in part will be our 21st Century water demands but more importantly the various water companies ineffectiveness in preventing and halting water leaks.

The ongoing farcical attempt to deport Abu Qatada back to his home country remains unresolved. Theresa May once again made a fool of herself by publicly arresting Qatada ready for deportation when in reality she had her dates mixed up. Whoops. Back to square one it seems.

The UK government continues to make ill thought out and damaging policies including this week Chancellor Osborne offering a further £10bil to the IMF as a loan. Although this is on top of £30bil already committed he made sure he kept below the £40bil plus which would have needed Parliament's approval.

US - As the week began the Taliban announced violently that they had begun their 2012 Spring offensive. As foreign troops begin their gradual withdrawal you have to wonder what this war has achieved and what it has been about. Yes we know that the US followed by others went into Afghanistan as a response to 9/11 but was it purely as an act of revenge?

Down the years we have been told many reasons for our continued presence in Afghanistan but it does seem that it may have been for little. This week again there have been reports of abuse by some US troops which once more are shocking. Whilst American Defense Secretary Panetta may in one breath condemn each successive abuse he also offers too many excuses.

This week much has been made over whether or not the LA Times should have reported on the matter. Without such reporting though abuse remains out of sight and out of mind but never resolved. Using images from 2010 which had just come to light certainly appears to be dragging up past behaviour which may already have been addressed. The problem of course is that it has not. This year we have had images of US soldiers urinating on dead Taliban, careless Koran burning and a massacre of civilians allegedly by one rogue SSG Bales.

Panetta described the latest revelations of abuse as young soldiers acting in an immature manner when faced with battlefield stress. The Washington Post reported him saying,“This is war, and I know war is ugly and is violent,” Panetta said. “I know young people sometimes caught up in the moment make some very foolish decisions.” “I am not excusing that behavior,” he added.

Nowhere near an adequate response. Whether what he has said is true or not is immaterial. So often the old adage, as you sow so shall you reap, is proved true. The US will not be able to complain should abuse of their soldiers follow. The whole furore puts soldiers at risk but more importantly alienates the Afghan people further. It is one sure fire way to breed hate and more insurgents.In doing so it undermines the effort of all the personnel who have fought hard to play by the book.  If the US authorities cannot see that heaven help them. It makes US forces appear to the world as a rag taggle army with no clear leadership nor purpose. Rather than Panetta making more excuses he needs to get his act in order and address the issues raised. PTSD will not be the cause of all rogue actions. Trying to use it thus belittles soldiers who are truly suffering from PTSD.

World news - With the Formula 1 race held in Bahrain this weekend the civil unrest there has surfaced once more. The lack of recent news regarding the country's unrest has not meant that all is well in this kingdom. Whilst the likes of UK PM David Cameron may claim that Bahrain is not Syria it does appear that once again we are choosing who to support with ulterior motives in mind..With a violent response to peaceful protesters and at least one man killed, Bahrain is far from a settled country.

TEKJournalism has been following the trial of mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik in Oslo Norway. The rial continues as the court attempts to determine the state of this man's mind at the time of the killings.

Today, Sunday April 22, the French people begin their journey to elect a new President. Will it be Sarkozy and more of the same or is it time for change? The Right has ruled France for 30 years and many feel it is time to say enough. The result of the election could prove interesting for Europe as a whole. If a new President is elected Brussels will have to do with business with an unknown quantity.

At time of writing 38,000 runners are pounding the streets of London in the City's annual marathon. It is one of the biggest charity events in the UK calendar. The weather has been kind so far but with rain, hail and cold weather affecting the UK right now it is touch and go. The 32nd Marathon is now well underway, so good luck to all.

Till next week TTFN

Tags: Afghanistan, abuse, PTSD, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Syria, Bahrain, IMF, Osborne IMF loan, UK weather

It has been a funny old week. On a personal level this blogger entered another decade. A few years ago that would have meant retirement in the UK but not now. For her the retirement age is 62 if she can afford to down tools then. Will her sixties be the promised Golden Years or more of the same? Who knows. One thing is for sure she thanks her lucky stars to have reached this ripe old age. 

The UK has been mourning the loss of six young soldiers killed in a single incident in Afghanistan. The eldest was only 33. With my advancing years that seems far too young for life to be over. Yet his five comrades were so much younger. RIP.

The news from Afghanistan seems lately to mostly be bad news and today there has been yet more. This time though it is Afghanistan civilians who have been killed by a lone US soldier. However at time of writing there are conflicting reports that in reality it was more than one drunken US soldier on a killing spree. 

An investigation is underway. If the latter proves to be correct heads must roll. The lives of all foreign nationals in Afghanistan have been put at risk. It is bad enough even if it was just one lone soldier, perhaps mentally unstable, who was responsible for the killings. Where were the sentries? Where was the commanding officer? How could even one soldier leave the camp in the early hours of the morning? The incident left at least 15 civilians dead. The dead included children.

The UK SBS launched a rescue of two men held hostage in Nigeria but sadly the men died. One man was a British national and the other an Italian. The fall out has been recriminations from the Italian government who were reportedly not kept informed of the mission. 

In the UK the Queen began a Royal tour of the UK to mark her 60 years as ruling Monarch. Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge accompanied the Queen and Prince Philip. She is bound to draw big crowds where ever she goes. 

In the US it was Super Tuesday. It seems that the protracted search for a new leader of the Republican Party will never end. If and when it does the American people then face an election for who will occupy the White House as the President of the United States. With all of this taking more than a year Americans must feel that they are constantly in election mode.

The whole kit and kabooddle must be costing a small, or even large, fortune. What a waste of money in such austere times. Priorities it seems are unheard of in the Land of the Free.

Mid week it was International Women's Day. Most of us ladies in the West have come a long way compared to our predecessors. However for women in countries such as Libya and Afghanistan it seems that women's rights are under attack. Let's face it women's rights in some Middle Eastern countries are almost non existent. 

As the week drew to a close in Yorkshire, England a taste of what is to come later in the year was felt. An early glimpse of Spring come Summer lifted moods and generally invigorated we Brits. Gardens were buzzing with lawn mowers and sore backs were the order of the day.

Today it is glorious again but TEK has been remembering the people of Japan as they mark the one year anniversary of that dreadful Tsunami and Earthquake on March 11, 2011. They have come a long way but still have further to travel. Some still hope to one day find out what happened to loved ones listed as missing. Best wishes are sent to the people of Japan.