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.

The western world this week has been in election mode. For the UK it was on the whole local elections and Mayoral ones. The voters who turned out to vote sent a message to Westminster that the current Coalition government are not acting with the people in mind. Both parties of the Coalition, that is the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, suffered heavy losses. As expected the Lib Dems came off worse. Having thrown their hand in with the Tories they have lost most of their popularity. Their ranking in the UK now stands at an all time low. 

The fact that Tory Mayor Boris Johnson was once again elected as London Mayor offered PM Cameron some solace. Cameron jumped on this as a victory but in reality it was a victory for eccentric, tousle haired Boris. It should be remembered that he won not the Tory Party. That said the Tories did not fair too badly in some parts of London.

Once again voter apathy won the day as around 60 plus percent of voters stayed away from the polls. This shows the lack of confidence in our politicians and the system right now. Would more vote in a General Election? Probably but maybe not enough to call the result truly democratic.

Yesterday President Obama hit the campaign trail with his first rally in Ohio. The President admitted that there is work to be done. The GOP with their protracted and at times foolish nominee election have been making headlines all year. Although sometimes this has been for the wrong reasons it is still welcome publicity.

Mr Obama also knows that the US is in a mess right now. Whether it would have been any different under a GOP administration is debatable. There would still have been big losers and big winners. It will be a difficult choice for the US people and hopefully they will make the appropriate choice. It should not be forgotten that at times Obama's hands have been virtually tied as Republicans in government have blocked proposals and legislation. 

Today May 6, 2012 the Greek and French people will decide who will to be their leader. Will France opt for more of the same from Nicolas Sarkozy? Right now it would seem that they will not. Francois Hollande a Socialist candidate appears to be the front runner.When it comes to the crunch though the people may opt for the Right, that is Sarkozy.

Greece looks set to have another Coalition government although this time the main players could be different. The current coalition of the Pasok and NDP have left many Greeks disillusioned and severely out of pocket. Voter apathy could hit the Greek polls too as many people feel there is little point in voting when Europe dictates their legislation. This however could lead to Kammenos, who wants an exit from the EU, to gain ground.

Results will be reported as and when they are announced. Europe is in for an even more testing time and it is important for the people that each government looks after their own countrymen and women. Sleaze and corruption only damage people's opinions of politicians further.

The UK has its Bank Holiday tomorrow, May 7, 2012, and yet more rain is expected. With flood alerts still in operation in some parts of the country the situation remains dire and silly. We are still officially suffering a drought although many crops are ruined under a mountain of water. This will affect the price of groceries and add to inflation concerns.

Yesterday Chelsea won the FA Cup beating Liverpool 2-1. Stadiums across the capital, London, are gearing up for the Olympics. Security checks and preparations continue. These include the possibility of some residents having surface to air missiles stationed on the roof of their property. Understandably this has caused outrage.

The UK lost two of its soldiers in Afdghanistan as the week drew to a close. The MoD website statement announcing their deaths reads:
"It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts and Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, both of 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, were killed in Afghanistan on Friday 4 May 2012.

Corporal Roberts and Private Silibaravi were attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battlegroup, serving as part of Combined Force Burma, when they were killed in an indirect fire attack on Forward Operating Base Ouellette, in the northern part of Nahr-e Saraj district.

Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the deaths of Corporal Andrew Roberts and Private Ratu Silibaravi, two soldiers who were respected by their colleagues as much for their personalities as for their professionalism and commitment to duty. "They have given their lives defending the UK’s national security in a campaign vital to preventing terrorism from succeeding and spreading; their sacrifice will not be forgotten. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the two families, as well as friends and colleagues left behind."

RIP

Till next week, keep your chin up,ttfn

Tags: TWTWTW, that was the week, that was, election, French election, Greek election, UK coalition, Boris Johnson, Chelsea beat Liverpool

It is hard to believe that it is April 29 in the UK. For that matter it is hard to believe that we are experiencing a drought. This blogger sits here once again as torrential rain lashes at the windows. It is reminiscent of the UK flood of 2007 still so fresh in her memory. The only difference this time is that it is damn cold to boot.

Weather forecasters have been at pains to say though that all of this rain does not m. an that there is no drought. It is a case of too late and too much in some ways. Sodden ground means that plants are now lush but that if the weather does not improve soon many crops will be ruined due to waterlogged ground. Another excuse to increase prices further no doubt.

The bad weather of course adds to the UK doom and gloom. Whilst the authorities may want us to be upbeat about the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics and Queen's Jubilee it is not easy. Having austerity measures thrown at you left right  and centre hardly makes for a period of contentment, does it? Add to this high inflation, pay freezes, job cuts, high taxes such as VAT and we are not going to cheer two costly events scheduled for this year, are we? It could be worse though. If you are a resident of an East London block of flats you may have surface to air missiles stationed on the roof of the flat's tower for the duration of the Olympics. Wonderful.

This week has been more of the same further afield too. More deaths at the hands of terrorists in Nigeria, more unrest in Syria, Afghanistan and the Middle East, more political shenanigans in the US as both sides try to make sure that their man is the President of the USA.

Protests have occurred once again and this time we see news that Canada is experiencing some unrest. When it hits bouyant economies too the writing must be on the wall. 

The UK will go to the local polls this week and it could be time to show the Coalition that we know their way of government is not working. Many people who are totally disillusioned will simply not bother to vote. However, in doing so you can either lead to more of the same, as the Coalition takes it as approval, or a new political worry. The rise of Fascism in Europe is something we should take note of. Dire times often lead to surges for extreme parties. If you only vote to prevent BNP candidates securing any votes do so.

Next week's TWTWTW will be back to service as normal. The longer Bank Holiday weekend will ensure more time. Enjoy the public holiday too as, if some have their way, our public holidays will soon also be cut to the bone.

Thoughts are with the loved ones of the latest  young man from the UK to lose his life in Afghanistan. RIP.

Till next week, stay safe, stay warm and if it is possible stay dry! TTFN

Tags: UK weather, civil unrest, raindrops falling on my head, Middle East, UK elections, US election, TWTWTW, weekly wrap

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

The week in the UK has been dominated by more ludicrous proposals from the Coalition Government. Smoking products hidden in shops, discreet labelling of cigarettes, confectionery and alcohol, online snooping and more. After the recent  fuel panic buying, this week it was stamps. Yes postage stamps. Faced with a huge increase in the price of stamps the Royal decided to preempt stock piling by shops and householders. In order to "protect its profits" it opted to ration the availability of said product. As the increase is not due until the end of April understandably customers have complained.

So much for free enterprise. Still with technology outstripping traditional methods of communicating the posted letter's days are numbered.

A ceasefire was implemented in Syria on Tuesday but already it has failed. The government of Syria could not guarantee it would not respond to more civil unrest and those wanting change were in no mood to stop protesting. The situation remains volatile with UN monitors making their way to Syria.

The US continues to be dominated by its forthcoming election. The GOP candidates campaigns are currently big news. Rick Santorum who had been in second place decided to withdraw this week but failed to endorse any one of the three remaining candidates. Although it is widely assumed that Mitt Romney will win the nomination it is not quite over yet.

As the week drew to a close Tax returns were up for inspection in the US. That is to say President Obama's tax return was. It seems that the political spin doctors are trying to wage a war on who paid the highest rate of tax, who has the most money and who pays less tax.

Whilst it is easy to see why the tax return issue in the US is important it detracts from the election proper. This applies to the option the GOP took to make a big deal out of Ann Romney. Allegedly accused of never working a day in her life it was in truth a valid assessment of so many politicians and their partners. They do not live in the real world nor face the ordinary day to day struggles of the man, woman or child on the street. They will of course have their own demons and challenges to face.

Mitt Romney as the heir presumptive to the White House has pulled out his etch a sketch and attempted to wow a wider group of GOP supporters. On Friday he spoke to the NRA, national rifle association. He managed to retain some credibility by not simply promising the earth, unlike Newt Gingrich.

The sad death of Trayvon Martin is still awaiting justice in the US but at least this week that moved one small step closer. The man who shot and killed him, George Zimmerman, will face trial for second degree murder late in May 2012.

This weekend in the UK the Annual Grand National steeplechase was run at Aintree. The field was quickly reduced in what became almost a farcical race (false starts) and a deadly one. Two horses lost their lives. Today one jockey has been on TV trying to justify this race. In doing so he said that in sport there is always the potential for  injuries and fatalities.

Whilst that may be true the argument is flawed. People have a choice whether to participate or not. People reap the rewards of successful competing. Sport should not rely on the potential suffering of an animal. If a person breaks a leg he or she does not receive a bullet to the brain. The latest race has renewed calls for race horsing to be banned or at the very least major animal welfare improvements to be made.

Till next week, ttfn

Tags: Grand National, ban horse racing, UK politics, Trayvon Martin, GOP, US 2012 election

This weekend the UK is celebrating Easter. Visit a country such as Greece though and you may find that Easter falls at a different time. For this blogger this meant that one year she enjoyed two Easters. An early vacation to the Greek Island of Rhodes was timed unintentionally during their Easter break. Here she experienced true hospitality. Even on a small island hopping ferry locals were quick to give home made Easter biscuits, painted eggs and more. Always given with a smile and friendship. I doubt these same people have been able to retain all of this charm during their current economic crisis.

Weather in the UK has predictably turned cooler for the Bank Holiday. Much needed rain has hit some regions and even snow Yes it always happens once a drought is declared. School age children are on a two week holiday and parents will be looking for indoor entertainment.

The week begun in the UK with remembrance events for the 30 year anniversary of the Falkland conflict. Argentina and the Falkland Islands also held events, obviously opposing ones. The Falklands remains a possible problem.

The UK coalition government were under attack this week mainly for their hypocrisy in trying to limit the freedoms of its citizens. Secret trials, snooping on emails, Internet usage and messaging, all appear to be on the cards. It seems that whilst the same government may applaud the use of these modern technologies to wage civil wars abroad they fear their use by their own citizens.

After a public outcry UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg weighed in to try and restore calm. However it seems his promises of proper public consultation before any changes are proposed has been ignored. The latest news is that Home Secretary Theresa May has insisted that the proposals will be announced in the forthcoming Queen's Speech. Getting the Queen to do their dirty business, I guess.What would they do should she refuse to play ball?

Mr Clegg is getting into an increasingly difficult situation. It is not untenable but could easily become so. The LIberal Democrats may be the minor party in the coalition but the Tories need them to stay in office. Of course given a little more time the Tories could end up able to win an election outright. All the time the Lib Dems prop the coalition up they are digging themselves into an ever deepening hole. Clegg now faces a barrage of Lib Dem supporters threatening to tear up their party membership cards.

The promise of Freedom of Information is long forgotten. David Cameron continues to preach about his plans for a "Big Society" In truth all he means is UK people doing all for themselves and footing the bill directly. Presumably it helps him sleep nights after he has cut the number of military personnel, police, emergency workers, teachers and more.

The UK remains, believe it or not, still a wonderful place to live. Let's keep it that way and petition the government to keep our Internet freedom. Otherwise this could be the start of worse to come

Today the media has reported that Anonymous has flooded the Home Office website with traffic causing chaos. That may be as a protest about the proposed changes. Please try the simpler way first and lobby your MP. Make sure for once they earn their money. Let us see who really supports UK freedom.

Petition - Stop the UK expansion of Internet snooping powers

Tags: UK Internet snooping, Nick Clegg, David Cameron Big Society, UK Coalition, petition

A belated birthday break in the historic UK city of York meant that TWTWTW was not published last week, but now it is back. Here is your weekly round of news, with a very British slant on it.

Last Weekend UK footballer Fabrice Muamba suffered a heart attack on the pitch a little before the half-time break. Fighting for his life fans paid tribute to Muamba. Perhaps the power of prayer worked for Fabrice, although still recovering, appears to be doing relatively well. This tragedy has led to the UK FA tightening health checks for footballers.

Monday in Toulose, France, a drive by gunman killed four people. The dead included three children. The drive by attack took place in the South of France, the same region where a manhunt had been underway for the murderer of three soldiers. According to Sky News "Around two weeks ago, a parachutist instructor in uniform was shot dead by an assailant riding a scooter using a 9mm gun. And on March 15, two paratroopers were killed and a third wounded when a gunman riding a scooter drove up and shot them as they stood at a cashpoint."  Following these military attacks military personnel were warned not to wear their uniforms when out and about. By the end of the week the gunman was under siege in his family home and ultimately killed by a police sniper.

Tuesday in the UK was budget day. Chancellor George Osborne announced his budget to the House. The commons listened to Osborne deliver his budget for an hour. Hidden beneath the froth was what has been called since a "Granny Tax". The fall-out continued for some days until the government's decision on alcohol pricing ruffled different feathers.

Staff Sergeant Robert Bales was formally charged with the murder of 17 Afghan civilians this Friday. Since the terrible events speculation has continued to grow. Was he the only soldier involved? How could be carry out such a raid on two villages? Is he a scapegoat? Will he receive a fair trial? Will the Afghan people see justice served?

The UK lost another soldier this week, Captain Rupert Bowers,  in Afghanistan which brings our death toll in that conflict  to 405. Six UK soldiers killed earlier in March 2012 were repatriated also.

At last the, what many feel is unlawful, killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida, in February 2012, drew the attention of the world. Finally it seems that the case will receive the notice it deserves and justice could be served.

In the UK the week drew to a close with allegations of Tory sleaze. David Cameron may have promised in 2010 to clean up Party funding but it seems to be "more of the same". Whether it was one man's foolish bravado or business as usual is not truly known. Peter Cruddas resigned within a short space of time and a replacement was quickly put in post. An undercover Sunday Times investigation looked to have let the cat out of the bag. Watch this space on this one. Can dodgy Dave survive yet again?

Spring has arrived in the UK, and we are now running on British Summertime. "Spring forward, Fall back" so it is now lighter evenings. In fact it almost feels like summer already. The weather may not hold but it is a nice taster of what may be to come.

Till next week, Stay safe TTFN.

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.

March rolled in like a lamb in the UK this week. Traditionally that means that it will go out with a bang. However no sooner had we got used to balmy spring days that bordered on summer than temperatures dipped and it was all change. Today Sunday March 4, is bitterly cold with some snow and freezing rain in parts of the country Typical British weather? Maybe but we do seem to get extremes these days. With a drought predicted for the UK water is good whether it comes from snow or rain. So at least it will have a positive impact. 

Parts of the US though have had terrible weather systems to contend with. A veritable plague of Tornadoes was reminiscent of the movie The Day after Tomorrow. In the mayhem at least 28 people have been killed and many have lost their homes, personal possessions and possibly livelihoods. Best wishes are sent to those facing the monumental task of clearing up and condolences to the bereaved. RIP

The week had kicked of with what to many will seem the frivolous Oscars. An expensive way for one industry to recognize its workers. Still it was probably less costly than Bankers Bonus payments and we all need some frivolity during hard times. Remember the Berkeley Babes in the great depression?

On the world stage Syria has continued to dominate. The situation has worsened again. The Red Cross attempted to gain access and supply aid. They were stopped. The reasons given were for their safety due to IEDs.  UK journalist Paul Conroy was safely smuggled out of Syria after sustaining injuries. He has since told a terrible tale of destruction in Syria. Yet again people ask why is nothing more being done. It seems quite simply because we have to choose or fights carefully and more often strategically. And so the killing goes on.

The Koran burning in Afghanistan still impacted on the fragile peace of that country this last week. More loss of life and violence has followed.

In the UK news has broke that hundreds of British war graves in Libya have been desecrated and it is believed that this was motivated from the US actions in Afghanistan. The TNC have said they will find and punish those responsible. It seems that trying to win over the "hearts and minds" of people in the Middle Eastern region of the World has failed dismally.

The death of Monkees lead singer Davy Jones aged 66 was announced. A generation turned their thoughts back to fun teenage days listening to such bubble gum classics such as Day Dream Believer. It has been reported that Davy died in his sleep. In recent interviews he had said he was the happiest he had ever been. RIP

The UK was saddened to hear of the suicide of PC Rathband blinded by killer Raul Moat. David Rathband had fought hard to overcome his disability but in the end it was his mental state of health which took its toll. suffering, many believe, from PTSD, Things obviously got too much for him,. He had fought hard to rebuild his life organising a charity and writing a book, RIP.

Internet Privacy continues to trouble users. Apart from countries such as Canada , USA and UK looking at attacking our Internet freedom and privacy Goggle has made changes. Whilst Google may say that it gave fair warning, and list its changes as within reasonable limits, European Data protection officials have disagreed.

Google of course is a US creation. Perhaps Europe needs to look at providing a better alternative. Till then Internet users will find it hard to avoid using Google. The changes will also impact on blogger, gmail and Youtube.

As the week drew to a close the GOP race in the US began to hot up. Super Tuesday is this week and it still seems as if the preferred candidates is almost anybodies guess. It does however appear that it is a two horse race between Santorum and Romney, with Mitt Romney having the edge.

Don't know what Super Tuesday is?  Well if you are not an American that is understandable. The US 2012 election is not big news around the globe, not yet that is. When the election proper begins it will be a whole different ball game. Find out more here.

The latest predictions have Mitt Romney getting that ever bit closer to the nomination, but he is not quite home and dry yet. Till next week TTFN