Snowmail: trapped in the crossfire
Updated on 29 January 2009
Greetings all - Alex Thomson here with a sneak preview of tonight's Channel 4 News....
At the moment our top item on tonight is Sri Lanka where - according to the Red Cross - more than a quarter of a million people are displaced by the fighting as the 25-year civil war appears to be nearing its endgame. Foreign journalists remain banned from the key areas of the fighting. The Sri Lankan government trotting out that same old reason that it could not guarantee the safety of we journos. As if our safety is, or should be, the guarantee of any country.
Allegations from the Tamil side of genocide, targeting civilians and so forth. Allegations from the Sri Lankan government that the LTTE - the Tamil Tigers - are using civilians as human shields. Yes, there are plenty of parallels with the Gaza situation.
Plus the ominous recognition from the Sri Lankan government itself that although a formal military campaign might - just might - be over, the LTTE is likely to continue its bombing campaign.
WIRED UP BRITAIN
Lots more around tonight as we look at the government's promise today of speedy broadband wiring up of Britain. It's as important as building roads and bridges was in the past they say. Possibly so. The difference being our Victorian ancestors had a pretty good handle on who was going to pay up for capital projects - recessionary UK in the 21st Century is a much more murky picture.
RULES IS RULES
Should a soldier who became a double amputees serving in Afghanistan get special treatment when applying to build the bungalow he needs on land his family owns? It would seem not according to the powers that be in Kent who say rules is rules.
BRIDGING THE FOOD GAP...IN CAMBODIA
From Cambodia a special report on how the Kuwaitis are moving in to buy up land currently farmed by peasants, so they can bridge any food gaps appearing in the future lives of Kuwaitis. Fine as far as it goes - but what of the future lives of Cambodians, with many already needing food aid? Will they benefit or is this merely neo-colonialism dressed up as agri-business?
MELTDOWN PERSPECTIVES
Faisal Islam's been trudging around Davos trying to round up as many CEOs as he can lay hands on to get the Davos perspective on the current global economic meltdown.
WHERE IS THE REVOLUTION?
And the French are en greve - or they promised they would be. Let's face it when it comes to a bit of the old industrial on the streets - protests etc - the French truly are the South Koreans of Europe, brand leaders. But what happened? Not much sign of revolution in the air thus far it seems.
Got to run now so this is all I can offer right now. Do join me at seven - Alex T.
TOY ARMY
On More 4 News this evening - do you support the Army ? If so, why not show your support, by buying things in aid of the Ministry of Defence budget? Buy some branded clothes for your leisure wear. Buy a copy of "Be the Best At Just About Everything" - an official book described as "the Army's guide to surviving modern life". And, as from May, you can buy your kids some great toy soldiers!
Is there anything at all wrong with this? Anything tasteless when we're fighting a real war? Anything a bit odd about the public contributing to a government department's coffers through branded merchandise?
OUT OF THE SLOW LANE
Also tonight - we talk to Brent Hoberman, one of this country's most prominent internet pioneers, about today's report into "Digital Britain". Will this report be enough to push Britain out of the slow lane of the world's digital superhighway?
Et aujourd-hui savez-vous que toute la France est en panne? We'll keep a wary eye on the revolting French, as Europe seems to lurch angrily into a winter of discontent.
That's on More 4 News with me Emily Reuben at 8.
