Jody McIntyre - Cartoon spoofs of media coverage in Daily Mail and BBC

A spoofed version of the cartoon that appeared in Richard Littlejohn's Daily Mail column where he ridiculed disabled activist and journalist Jody McIntyre over his attack by police in London.

In Ben Brown's interview with McIntyre the BBC presenter did his best to insinuate that McIntyre had provoked the police assault on him which saw him dragged not once but twice from his wheelchair during the UK student demonstrations last week.

How to turn a problem into a crisis - Greek riot police storm the Acropolis

Today Greek riot police entered the grounds of the Acropolis this morning in order to expel protesting employees who were demonstrating over delays in payment of wages stretching back two years. In response the government sent in riot police units who used batons, shields and tear gas indiscriminately, attacking reporters covering the story as well as protesters (video from Skai News here - incident is 16 minutes in).

Junior minister for culture, Telemaxos Hiteris, speaking on Skai News defended the actions of the police saying that "the law was the law and 30 employees could not be allowed to close down the Acropolis."The permanent members of staff have gone on strike in support of colleagues on short term contracts.

What has happened is a minor industrial dispute involving a few dozen employees has through the violent intervention of the police been turned into a story which has gone global with yet more images of police officers clashing with demonstrators inside Greece's most familiar landmark. Once again the authorities have mixed indifference, incompetence and violent over reaction into a volatile cocktail which confirms many Greek's worst opinion of the government (One Greek Twitter user said the "we really do have a junta).

Instead of negotiation and discussion batons and tear gas were used so inflaming a tense situation and sending the message to the outside world that Greece is racked by violent confrontation. Of course, this is not the case but by providing such images the authorities are doing everything in their power to promote this idea.

BBC's Malcolm Brabant being questioned by Greek police after show throwing incident - Thessaloniki, Greece

"The BBC has been accused of failing to support one of its foreign correspondents after his report about a shoe being thrown at the Greek prime minister was temporarily removed from the BBC News website.

Malcolm Brabant, an award-winning BBC correspondent, filmed the shoe-throwing incident involving the Greek prime minister, George Papandreou, earlier this month."

The Guardian

Greek journalist executed on own doorstep

Greek journalist, Socratis Gkiolias was gunned down this morning when he answered his door. According to police reports the gunmen shot Gkiolias, who was married and a father of a two year son at least 16 times and then fled the scene in a stolen Honda Civic which was later found burnt out in the Vouliagmeni district of Athens.

The fact that Gkiolias was associated, at least according to much of the Greek press with the controversial Troktiko blog has sent the Greek language blogosphere into a frenzy of speculation over who is responsible for the murder which bears all the hallmarks of a gangland execution. According to the internet based news site in.gr the attack has drawn the attentions of Greece's anti-terrorist agency whilst contributers to Troktiko hint that those behind the killing have connections with elements within the State or "parakratikoi" as they are called in Greek.

UPDATE

According to latest police reports the weapon used in the killing have been linked to previous attacks by a group calling itself the Sect of Revolutionaries who first came to public notice in January 2009 following an armed attack on a police station in Athens. Sect have also claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on police officers, journalists and banks.

Giorgos Papandreou drives a hard bargain with Obama

Giorgos Papandreou drives a hard bargain with Obama, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

After hours of tough negotiation the Greek prime minister, Giorgos Papandreou was happy to announce the full support of US president Obama for Athens's plan to combat speculators and raise new funds on the international finance markets.

Papandreou said that the sale of the island of Crete was a small price to pay for ensuring the country's future and continued economic well-being. Whilst he anticipated that there would be some adverse public reaction, he was sure that Greeks would understand the need for sacrifices at this crucial juncture in the nation's history.

Rumours that the German Bundersband was interested in acquiring a controlling stake in Rhodes were dismissed by Greek minister for Culture and Tourism Pavlos Geroulanos as "idle speculation."

BBC News

Remember, remember 5th November

Remember, remember 5th November, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Palace guards are questioning several men over the failed bomb attack on the Houses of Parliament last week. The five men arrested just before their planned attack Friday have been identified by the authorities as Catholic insurgents according to the sources close to the Crown.

One of the suspects, Guy Fawkes is said to have confessed that he was part of a terrorist plot by religious extremists to blow up members of the British government during the opening of parliament including representatives of the royal family.

A fifth man was also taken in for questioning over the IED found in the basement of Westminster Palace last week.

State security agencies are urging the public to remain vigilant to the threat of more attacks and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

BBC News

Stop terrorism - Stop the war in Afghanistan

Stop terrorism - Stop the war in Afghanistan, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

"Soldiers and military families will be among those joining a Stop the War Coalition march in London later against UK military operations in Afghanistan.

Organisers say they hope thousands of people will take part in the march - the first since the war began in 2001.

It will be led by L/Cpl Joe Glenton, who is facing a court martial for refusing to return to Afghanistan.

The government said Afghanistan must become "stable and secure" before Nato forces could pull out. "

BBC