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

It is the last Sunday in August. The month has been a mixed bag but bad news has dominated the media. No change there then.

During the last week British Royal Prince Harry behaved "inappropriately" in a foreign land and is paying the price. A naked romp in America was caught on camera and the fall-out has been laughable. Media sources in the US have jumped onto the news, presumably for light relief from the country's problems.

The 2012 election campaign trundles on and in order to gain political leverage the "gloves are off". Romney raised the "birther" issue again, Republican Todd Akin offended many with ill thought out words on rape victims and abortion and more shootings were reported in the US. More unsettling has been the extent of hate that some Americans obviously feel. In a week when Europe watched the final day in court for mass murderer Anders Breivik racial and religious hate was all the more depressing.

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years for the murder of 77 people and for injuring another 240. His actions were fueled by hate. He espoused eloquently to justify his actions but in reality it was pure hatred. As act of evil. As he spoke his last words in court he began to say that he was only sorry that he did not kill more. At that point his microphone was turned off, denying him the end to his "well thought out" actions.

It was shocking to realise that Breivik, throughout his imprisonment so far, has been able to post on line and communicate with like minded individuals. The Norwegian authorities had given him some leeway in order for him to open up and the trial to be effective. That now has to stop. There are enough places on-line where hate is spewed and words manipulated.

It must gall Breivik to read that the political party he tried to attack has seen an increase in members since his massacre. Rather than deter people it has made them realise that far right extremists must be stopped.

In the UK Prince Harry's antics look set to be used as an excuse to restrict the freedoms of the Press. The Leveson inquiry has been investigating allegations of phone hacking and press intrusion and so Harry is fuel for the fire. The Palace contacted the British Press complaints commission to strong arm publications not to publish the naked images. In the end The Sun flouted this on the grounds that stifling the Press is wrong.

Whilst we could not care less about the Prince we agree. Countries that stifle the Press have included Gaddafi's Libya, Assad's Syria and Hitler's Germany.  Such regimes want to control the media in  order to control the people. The UK must hang on to a free and independent Press. The UK after all is quick to accuse such regimes of manipulating the media for their own ends. Need we say more?

Syria has continued to be blown apart. It is hard to ascertain what is really going on. The only things certain are that people are dying and the country is all but destroyed. The West seems keen to want to send in foreign troops, no doubt for hidden agendas.

Europe continues to fall apart financially. Spain is now also broke. Antonios Samaras the new Greek leader has visited Germany and France to ask for more time to implement the austere measures necessary for further bail outs. He should give up the ghost. Merkel in Germany gave him short shrift. Whilst she praised the Greeks for the changes implemented so far she would not agree to a time extension. No surprise there then. He went on to France to meet with Francois Hollande but there was still "no room at the inn"

Perhaps as they all know that War is coming they have bigger fish to fry. It could be Syria. It could be Iran. It could be Global. The only thing right now which seems certain is that War is on the cards. Heaven help us all.

In the UK the Paralympics will begin on August 29 and run until September 9. These games will not receive the heavy press attention that the BBC gave London 2012. They will be aired on Channel 4 in the UK. The tickets however are selling well and it is expected to be another successful Games. There will be awe inspiring performances from people who would have been shunned at one time and resigned to inactivity.

RIP to Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the Moon with those now immortal words, One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for Mankind. Whether they were off the cuff words or well rehearsed does not matter. It was an awe inspiring moment in history.

Autumn is around the corner and this weekend in the UK it is the final Bank Holiday before Christmas. What a sobering thought. The weather is up to its old tricks and rain will make the weekend a wash out. It will not dampen the enthusiasm nor colour of the Nottinghill Carnival in London though. Have a great two days folks.

Till next week, stay safe, drop the hate and chin up. TTFN

This week the UK news was dominated by Olympic news once more and the disappearance of Tia Sharp. Tia apparently went missing from home on August 3, 2012. On Friday August 10, a body was found at the home of her Grandmother Christine Sharp. As that was the address where Tia vanished it is assumed that it was 12-year-old Tia. The police have yet to formally announce it is Tia and the case has been a tangled mess of errors.

Police searched the home three times before eventually, on the fourth search, finding a body in the loft of the house. Police apologies and arrests followed including that of the grandmother. However at time of writing the person now charged by police with the murder of Tia is Ms Sharp's boyfriend Stuart Hazell. The grizzly details will no doubt be released in due course and when justice starts its process. Till then thoughts are with Tia's family and friends. RIP Tia.

The London 2012 Olympics draws to a close today, It is generally believed that it has been a success. It has had its little British quirks and complaints but that it is us. Concerns raised publicly before the event kicked off led to improvements and ultimately the success of the Games. We Brits tend to speak our minds and in doing so problems were identified and rectified.

Team GB has performed far above expectations and ends the Game with a record breaking amount of medals. That is usual for the host nation. It has however meant that BBC coverage of the Games has centered on UK participating events and offered a lack of variety. Boosting national pride is one thing but the Olympics was filled with many talented and exceptional sports men and women. At 9m tonight, August 12, the closing ceremony will kick off. The itinerary is supposed to be a closely guarded secret but there have been tweets which belie that. However they could of course be Red Herrings.

David Cameron and his Coalition government have been attempting to gain political advantage from the success of the Games. As we all know this same man has cut education to the bone. Today it has been announced that Olympic funding is to be extended to 2016 rather than end in 2014 as he had planned. Electioneering we think.

Across the Pond the search for an election running mate for Mitt Romney ended when it was announced that Paul Ryan would take the role. Romney's choice was said by some to be brave and ideological. Well it will play to the extreme right and those who want less help for those in need and more tax breaks for the uber wealthy. Ultimately the American people will decide in November 2012. The World will have to hold its breath until then. War could end up a greater worry than the economy.

In Syria there are reports that the Assad regime is pushing back the rebels. The UN will probably officially announce who will replace Kofi Annan as Syrian envoy later this week. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced that UK funding sent to the rebels will be increased. His claims that it will not be for weapons does not ease concerns. We along with the US and other countries are in danger of becoming embroiled in another civil war. This time though it could lead to global conflict.

Europe still teeters on the brink of collapse. With Germany pulling the strings but looking after its own back yard no resolution is possible. Better that it collapse now rather than when it is too late.

Autumn is approaching but in the UK for now the sun is shining. Enjoy your week wherever you are, stay safe and take care.

One talking point yet again this week has been the weather. It has not been just the UK obsessed with this though. In the US record high temperatures have caused problems whilst in the UK heavy flooding has threatened to sink the country. In the case of loss of life though the UK has fared relatively well. At least one man has lost his life in the floods but in Russia this weekend more than 140 people died as flood waters rushed in whilst villagers slept. Emergency services in Russia are working hard to restore the affected area. 

The damp squib weather in the UK has played havoc with the Wimbledon schedule, this week, which is par for the course these days. Silverstone race track had to advise spectators to stay away as a sea of mud took hold. The UK deluge is set to continue, courtesy of the Jet Stream.

Brits are celebrating Andy Murray's historic entry into the mens singles final at Wimbledon. Celebrations may seem a little previous but whether he wins or not Murray is now in the history books. He becomes the first Brit to play in the final for 74 years. 

Good luck to Andy for today.

Deaths to foreign military in Afghanistan have continued, leaving it looking unlikely a safe country will result once we finally withdraw fully. Three UK soldiers were killed early in the week. UK military cuts announced this week must then have been a slap in the face to those in the military who work hard for a living?. Chiefs at the top look set to survive but whole regiments are to be lost to the cuts. Gaps will be filled with reservists which means the official line that the military is being streamlined to fit the 21st Century a nonsense. It is after all about saving money.

Yet late this week it was announced that Chancellor Osborne and the rest of the government have implemented much deeper cuts across the country than initially expected. The result is that £6.7bn was saved from government departments and spending was down by £11bn compared with 2010-11. The government plans had been for a reduction of £4.4bn so all in all a massive amount of savings.

The NHS also had an underspend, which was  £1.7bn . The government maintain that this is down to a reduction in IT costs and not to front line staff cuts and the like. As this blogger is what is termed a front line NHS worker she would have to disagree. Black alert is the most severe,as far as hospital bed availability goes, and only used to be called rarely. Even during these summer months it is now a regular occurrence in our Trust as bed numbers are cut, waiting lists extended and job vacancies unfilled. As workers wait to see where the axe will fall next morale is at an all time low. This is expected from the Tory part of the Coalition but the Liberal Democrats?

So will Chancellor Osborne use the money saved wisely? Doubtful. This week it was revealed that Chancellor Osborne is to fight the EU planned crack down on bankers bonuses. It has not escaped most people that the UK government always implements the rotten legislation from the EU and wriggles out of the essential. Most people believe that the EU proposals would not hit the bonus payments hard enough. That is most people except for the government and the bankers.

The proposals would set a maximum 1:1 ratio of bonus to pay. In other words if you "earn" £20,000 your bonus would not exceed that amount. Hardly a strong measure. What about paying a bonus at all when your bank is losing money, being bailed out by the public and those same people are experiencing an ongoing pay freeze?

On the World Stage Mitt Romney continues to raise obscene amounts of money for the US 2012 Election, Syrians continue to blow each other up, probably with outside influence, 1% of people wallow in excess wealth whilst the rest of us tighten our belts and the World becomes that little bit more insane. Stay safe till next week. TTFN

Tags: weekly news wrap, weekly round up of news, That was the week that was, TWTWTW, bankers, bonuses, madness, politics, Chancellor Osborne

The Eurozone crisis has once again dominated the news, especially in Europe. The week began with the Greek election result. A fairly close run result leaving the people opting for the right wing New Democracy Party and the left wing Syriza party meant that political opposites had to find a way to work together. After a brief period of talks a coalition was formed between the New Democracy Party, the Socialist Pasok Party and the smaller leftist party, the Democratic Left. PM Samaras was hastily sworn in and European leaders breathed a sigh of relief.

The problem with the Greek election was that in the end it turned out to be a vote between supporting the European bail out of Greece and those wanting to renegotiate the deal. All remains far from well in Europe though and in particular in the Eurozone. It is now generally accepted that the EU dream is broken. What it needs to repair it though is disputed, if in fact it is not beyond repair already.

Leaders from Europe and the other G20 countries met in Mexico for more debating yet the world still teeters on the brink. Do expensive summits really solve anything? Are they truly necessary? Are they more a way of justifying their jobs? No sooner was the G20 summit over than leaders went their different ways to the Rio summit and a small faction of European leaders to Italy for more Eurozone summit pre meetings.

The carbon footprint of these world leaders who all want us to spend a fortune to protect the environment is laughable. Perhaps the Green schemes they are pushing for are more about big business and profits.

Syria was discussed by UK PM Cameron, US President Obama and Russia's President Putin as an aside during the G20 summit. The outcome was that in spite of those killed allegedly by the Syrian regime President Assad could be given safe passage out of Syria. Who the rebels are and who would replace Assad.should not e ignored.

Egypt is a prime example of a revolution that has not worked.The old military guard are clinging to power and in danger of preventing a democratic election result forming a government.

The change sweeping through the Middle East although positive may in the end leave a destabilised region. In the equation there is Israel. Will they benefit from this ME power vacuum?

As the week drew to a close Israel broke a brief ceasefire. Their attack it was aimed at militants it was claimed. Cross border strikes between Israel and Hamas had increased and the ceasefire was brokered by Egypt. With protesters back on the streets of Egypt they have enough worries off their own without protecting their borders.

Israeli strikes during the week killed nine people in Gaza including a 14-year-old boy. The attacks were launched by Israel after an Israeli man was killed.

World conflicts rumble on. Something has to give. Will they inevitably lead to one massive conflict, that is World War III? Current conditions are ripe for this.

Till next week, stay safe and enjoy what you have, whilst you still have it.

TEK has decided to go with the fascism warning image once more. In a week that has seen elections at the fore front again political changes can be bad news.  

On Thursday a military panel dissolved the Egyptian parliament heralding an election. With the choice of  the old guard and the military, or the Muslim Brotherhood for many people there is no choice. Those who fought hard to free Egypt from Mubarek must be wondering where they can go from here. Read the attached fascism image and Egypt fits in there perfectly.

Syria has continued to confound the West as the death toll and violence rumble on. By the end of the week the UN Syrian monitoring mission was suspended. The West may berate Russia for allegedly supplying the Syrian regime with weapons but just who is arming the rebel groups?

The West should have no stomach for a further war, especially as that is in reality interfering in a civil war. The west should also not have the money to fund yet more conflict. Of course when it comes to destruction there is always plenty of cash in Western War Chests.

We were privileged to enjoy a week's vacation on the beautiful Balearic Island of Menorca. It provided welcome sunshine and more. We arrived back in the UK Friday May 18. It was cold, grey and miserable.The World however had been busy as ever with mainly negative issues. Of course positives rarely make headlines.

Austerity and economic crisis are key words currently but World leaders keep meeting to debate issues and waste money with each new conference. The week ended with the 38th G8 Summit held in Camp David, USA. The original venue was to be Chicago so why the change? A few ideas spring to mind such as to out fox protesters, protect those involved, give a more relaxed feel or appear to save money. Conferences such as the G8 summits though inevitably have a high cost both financially and as far as the environment goes.

Suffice to say whatever they decide will not help the ordinary man, woman and child but may offer a boost to corporations. High on the agenda was the Eurozone crisis which is proving difficult to resolve. A commitment was made to keep Greece within the Eurozone as long as that country sticks to its agreements. We recently reported on the Greek Island of Zante and the abuse of welfare payments by many. However this does not mean that such abuse is rife. It does however show that in common with most countries Greece must clean up its act. Greece staying in the Eurozone may be the right course of action for the other G8 countries but that does not mean it is the best move for Greece.

As the G8 summit drew to  close President Obama said that all leaders had agreed jobs and growth was key to the future of Europe. Austerity does not encourage growth though. Cameron for the UK appears to have decided that the way forward for the UK is more austerity and sacrificing of worker's rights. His barely hidden agenda has at least been held back in part by the Liberal Democrat part of the UK Coalition government.

Other issues discussed were Iran, Afghanistan and global energy. As usual it will be token statements as far as environmental issues go. After all these G8 leaders carbon footprints leave a lot to be desired. The NATO alliance leaders are due to meet later today in Chicago to discuss Afghanistan further.

Proving that the American Dream still exists in some people's minds and reality Facebook floated on the stock market and made Mark Zuckerberg a very rich man. Whether Facebook will stand the test to time is hard to assess. MySpace was once hugely popular but its value nosedived. On the Internet there will always be the next big thing.

Francois Hollande, the new President of France, announced this week that French Forces will leave Afghanistan two years earlier than expected. Again it looks like UK Forces could be the last ones standing. According to Reuters "As we've said previously, British forces will not remain in a combat role in Afghanistan beyond 2014," the official said before the start of a NATO summit in Chicago on Sunday that will be dominated by Afghanistan.

Hollande paid a visit to Angela Merkel earlier this week which in light of this weekend's G8 summit seems pointless. However Merkel would want a private meeting and after all right now she pulls the strings.

In the UK the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations began although the official celebrations are two weeks away. Whilst we hate to harp on about money it has to be said. Austerity? We are all in this together? Give me a break!

Till next week, TTFN and congratulations to Chelsea, the new UEFA Champions.

A week ago Whitney Houston's sudden death and Greece's continuing debt  crisis were both making headlines. A week later the funeral of Whitney and Greek debt continued to be the headline stories. The World said goodbye to Whitney  yesterday February 18 after a four hour plus long gospel service.held in her home town church in Newark. Today she will be laid to rest. RIP. For Greece there is no peace.

Today Bloomsberg has reported that "Greece found all the extra cuts needed to lower spending by 325 million euros ($427 million) to secure a bailout aimed at averting the region’s first sovereign default"

The problem for the Greek people is that this will not be the end of the matter. Cuts will continue until they are bled dry. Whilst one can understand the EU taking steps to secure its bailout funds Greece will be pushed over the edge. Many this week have said that Greece and the Eurozone would be best parting company. The problem with that is the Eurozone has no exit plan for such a departure. For now the mess continues and in time it will involve other countries in the EU more deeply. The current UK Foreign Secretary William Hague was a figure of fun in the UK some years ago when he launched his "save the pound" campaign. We have to thank such people for keeping the UK out of the Eurozone. His prediction that it would all end in tears and violence has sadly been proved right.

It was Valentines day last Tuesday and lovers in the West spent a fortune on flowers and the like. Prices had been inflated for the day as usual. Sadly in the UK it was the day that the death of another member of the UK armed forces in Afghanistan was announced.

"Senior Aircraftman Ryan Tomlin, from 2 Squadron RAF Regiment, was taking part in a partnered patrol to reassure and interact with the local population in the Nad 'Ali district of central Helmand province when he was fatally wounded by small arms fire during an insurgent attack on Monday 13 February 2012" RIP. The UK death toll for Afghanistan now stands at 398.

Investigations into the sinking of the Cruise Liner Costa Concordia have been continuing. The latest news is that the captain had traces of cocaine in a sample of his hair although none was found in his blood stream or urine. This news is inconclusive as experts have said no traces were found within the strands of his hair which would have indicated his use of this drug. The 52-year-old captain remains under house arrest.

In the UK a grandmother and her six year old grandson died, both drowning in a local pond in Holywell, Lincolnshire, . Early reports indicate that it was simply a tragic accident. The woman and boy were believed to have been feeding the ducks. Police think that the boy fell into the pond and his grandmother tried to save him. Tragic. RIP

Also in the UK a vicar was stabbed to death in his rural church. The murder happened in a village where crime is almost unheard of. Reverend John Suddards, 59, was the vicar of St Mary's Church in Thornbury He was found dead last Tuesday. A man was quickly arrested but released. A manhunt began for Stephen Farrow. Farrow was arrested early today. 

The  UK Coalition government felt it had need to celebrate, albeit a small celebration, with the news that inflation had fell. However the news does nothing to lower the high cost of living. Prices have increased considerably in recent months and there is not sign that they will reduce in the near future. With pay freezes and job cuts the order of the day people will be tightening their belts yet again.

No sooner had inflation figures been released than the latest unemployment figures were released. They made for grim reading. With the UK jobless total reaching a whopping 2.67 million obviously many people in the UK are hurting. This is highest unemployment total since the last Tory government were in office in 1995. Make of that what you will.

Till next ttfn