A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort

 
 

 Thought for the week

The racial laws were the worst mistake of a leader, Mussolini, who however did good things in so many other areas… …(Italy) does not have the same responsibilities as Germany.” Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, discussing the actions of World War II fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during a Holocaust Remembrance Day service- a speech that technically should land him with a criminal record.

Worth the paper it’s printed on?

This week’s light news success stories include…
…the final of Celebrity Big Brother, amazingly, which managed to bag 41 articles, far more than the mere 4 reporting on the £2billion Britons spend gambling online, and the recent spike in cases of gaming addiction…
….Beyonce, who may or may have been lip synching at Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony, a controversy permeated by 17 stories, in contrast just 7 featured news that a top UK expert has warned our resistance to antibiotics poses an ‘apocalyptic threat’…
…and, finally, Brooklyn Beckham, son of David and Victoria, going for trials at Chelsea, which formed the crux of 14 headlines, more than double the 6 written about scientists successfully storing computer files on DNA.
(Source: Journalisted)

Weekly high

The London Dungeon is relocating from its current home on Tooley Street to a new site on the Southbank, and closes today until the 21st Century address opens in March. Few people will forget about the bloodcurdlingly brutal museum, mind, as bosses are holding a Carnage Car Boot Sale this Sunday at Pimlico Car Boot, where shoppers will get the chance to buy severed limbs, torture devices, antique surgical instruments, and more.

 

Weekly low

As we all know by now, HMV- the record shop many people loved, or at least were forced to shop in due to lack of options- has now closed down. Job losses are never good, but when the remaining staff decide to break a contractual silence, take to social media, and begin posting updates about the rather brutal way in which they are being given the boot, it really makes everything look much worse.  And no, you can’t shut Twitter down.

 

 Things that might happen next week…

The U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, will arrive in Britain to hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, William Hague intends to deliver evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee- along with the UK’s permanent representative to the EU Sir Jon Cunliffe- on the future of the European Union, and April Casburn, the police detective accused of leaking confidential information on the phone hacking scandal to News of the World staff, should be given a prison sentence after being found guilty.

 

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 5th February; The Northern, Manchester; SMC_MCR Oversharing, how is it different for men and women?- A conference dedicated to addressing whether or not we can offer too many thoughts and ideas in an age wherein stating your opinion is seen as obligatory.
Wednesday 6th January, Thomas Restaurant and Bar, Manchester; The Fashion Network presents Retail Series Number 3, The Future of Manchester Retail- Continuing the trend for events with really long titles, Marketing Manchester, Selfridges, and Manchester Arndale are amongst the key speakers looking at the future of consumer trade in the city centre.
 
If there is a success story, blunder, or news event you’d like to see included email helloATsmokinggun.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!