“Now, we feel like a child who’s been told that Santa Claus does not exist …” Eamonn Fitzgerald’s Rainy Day posts about seeing all reference to an error and the writer’s correction of it disappear from the BBC website. That this happens will be no surprise to most of our readers – but of course it is a surprise to millions of people who have grown up thinking better of … Continue reading →

Please use this thread for off-topic, but preferably BBC related, comments. Please keep comments on other threads to the topic at hand. N.B. this is not an invitation for general off-topic comments – our aim is to maintain order and clarity on the topic-specific threads. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog. Please scroll down to find new topic-specific posts. Click through to read and … Continue reading →

Meant to post this earlier. Squander Two fisks this BBC story about how North Korea is feeling “under pressure and ignored.” BBC words in italics, S2 in ordinary type. The BBC’s Charles Scanlon in Seoul says the North has been feeling under pressure and ignored in recent months, with the US refusing to negotiate on its demands over its nuclear plans. Its nuclear plans, as eny fule no, involve threatening … Continue reading →

Please use this thread for off-topic, but preferably BBC related, comments. Please keep comments on other threads to the topic at hand. N.B. this is not an invitation for general off-topic comments – our aim is to maintain order and clarity on the topic-specific threads. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog. Please scroll down to find new topic-specific posts. Click through to read and … Continue reading →

That was the headline on today’s Ceefax page 111 and also on this BBC story on the webpage. Did it get your attention? It got mine. Here’s what the story actually says: The man thought to be the 7 July bombings mastermind tried to recruit young Muslims with two other suicide bombers, a BBC documentary says. Edgware Road bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan reportedly knew suicide bombers Omar Sharif and Asif … Continue reading →

Today’s anniversary of the 7/7 bombings poses the BBC an interesting challenge – to provide wall-to-wall coverage without mentioning the “I-word” or the “M-word”. No one wants to hold an entire community responsible for the sins of an extreme minority. The reponsibility for 7/7 lies with the evil-doers who planned and executed it. But given that the bombings were explicitly carried out in the name of Islam, not to mention … Continue reading →

Please use this thread for off-topic, but preferably BBC related, comments. Please keep comments on other threads to the topic at hand. N.B. this is not an invitation for general off-topic comments – our aim is to maintain order and clarity on the topic-specific threads. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog. Please scroll down to find new topic-specific posts. Click through to read and … Continue reading →

A correspondent sent this story from the Belfast Telegraph. BBC Northern Ireland last night apologised after leading Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Anderson told his listeners he wanted George Bush “to rot in hell”. The Radio Ulster host was presenting his morning show yesterday – July 4, US Independence Day – when he said it was also the American President’s birthday.After telling his listeners Mr Bush had just turned 60, he … Continue reading →

Please use this thread for off-topic, but preferably BBC related, comments. Please keep comments on other threads to the topic at hand. N.B. this is not an invitation for general off-topic comments – our aim is to maintain order and clarity on the topic-specific threads. This post will remain at or near the top of the blog. Please scroll down to find new topic-specific posts. Click through to read and … Continue reading →

. Hat tip: Callingallcomets. Obrador: One of the most popular politicians in Mexico … It ended in a triumph for him … As mayor of Mexico City, he won respect as much for his reputation for honesty, a gruelling work schedule and his humble lifestyle as for his ambitious public works and social programmes targeting the poor and disadvantaged … He often draws on his humble origins – growing up … Continue reading →