The Newman Blog - Technology - Politics - Gadgets - News - Television

Vista Verdict: I want a Mac

2006-06-11T20:55:00.000+01:00

Well, after waiting a few days to actually download Windows Vista 2 Beta, and no less than 6 hours trying to install it, I can officially say I want a Mac. Why? Well I will be posting a (somewhat) detailed review soon.

$200 extra as you're British!

2006-05-21T16:08:00.000+01:00

I really do detest the fact that companies try to increase their profit margins by ripping of the humble consumer of the United Kingdom. The most recent example is Sony's PS3 which will cost £425 for the 60GB "premium version". At the current market rateds, that is about $800. Meanwhile the same console in US when it is released in mid-November will cost just $600! So why the difference?

Well there are the usual things, like sales tax which is included in the UK price, and not in the US (at lease I do not think it is as it varies from state to state). Then there are claims of them being different consoles, and as less are made for the UK it has to be more expensive. I find these claims to be unfounded, as the only difference nowadays is in the plug socket, which is just replaced by a simple adapter, and therefore the acutal PS3 can be the same. But then there is that awful thing known as region locking, whereby in order to stop any British consumer to seek value out of a product they buy, they can only use British games and Blu-Ray disks! Teh of course there is the feable excuse that is costs more to ship to the UK from the factory in Japan/Clina/Taiwan which is also untrue as the maximum difference in shippig cost is about £3.

So why the extra $200? So Sony can continue the long tradition of technology companies of ripping off the British!

Another Passover Bombing

2006-04-17T20:32:00.000+01:00

Right now, across the world Jews are celebrating Passover, which commemorates the ending of slavery and exodus from Egypt. However events of the past few hours prove that little progress has been made since 27 March 2002 when 30 were killed during the festival of passover, as today Sami (surname is reported as Hammad, Khamad & Salim) blew himself up and took the lives of eight people in a Falafel shop in Tel Aviv. 49 others were injured.

So just as there is a glimmer of hope for peace in the Middle East (Iran excluded), with new governments, this terrorist decides that peace is not what his people want. And how does government Hamas respond? By claiming it is an act of self defence!

My thoughts go out to all who were affected by today's atrocity, and I hope that this does not continue and that Hamas start acting responsibly to put an end to this terrorism! If they really believe they deserve the funding, then what are they doing? And on that note why can they not receive funding from the oil rich Arab countries, rather than the US and EU?

The Simpsons go the whole 2 hours

2006-04-02T19:49:00.000+01:00

Who would have thought that these creations of Matt Greoning which first aired on April 19th 1987 on the Tracey Ullman show would ever make it to be alive and well in 2006. Especially since most other long running TV programmes either do not have a permenant cast, or the cast have disputed (over pay usually) and have not made it over 10 years.

The Simpsons have set the gold standard for television entertainment since its first US airing on 17th December 1989, it had now aired over 372 episodes.
Here in the UK it is on at least five times a day, be it on Channel 4, Sky One, Two or Sky Three.

So how are the yellow characters evolving? Well for a start they are now human, in the title sequence made for Sky One. Here is a video of that:

There has also been confirmation of a Simpsons movie which is in the making and is scheduled to be released in July 2007 (in the US anyway). Despite the date of the BBC's confirmation this is no April Fools!

This bit is my obligatory promise to update the blog more often, but I have been rather busy, and last time I tried to do an update on the Israeli Election, the browser crashed. I can assure you that there is lots I do want to post, and I will try to find the time to do so.

Is this the new Apple iPod?

2006-03-05T21:59:00.000Z

OK, so a week after Apple launched some "fun new products" there is YAiVPP (Yet Another iPod Video Possibility Photograph) after the last one was completely discredited as being the real thing as the author showed how s/he made it. This latest version is particuarly interesting as it has three photos of the top secret product (if it does exist) in the wild, including the one to the left on the iPod HiFi.

More pictures can be found at http://www.macshrine.com/ipodav.htm

Mean while if you want a portable video player with a touchscreen, as well as Linux OS, WiFi, Infrared, Internet, E-mail, Games, Photos, Word Processor, USB Host Port etc... I reccoment the Archos PMA430, which has been out for over a year!

The New Mac mini

2006-03-04T17:32:00.000Z

Information on Everything

2006-03-04T15:17:00.000Z

It gives me the greatest of pleasure to inform you about AboutThat.info - Your Complete Information Source. It conatians information on over 150 different subjects from mortgages to LCD and Plasma televisions. It really is a fantastic resource, what ever you are looking for. Please visit AboutThat.info and take a look around, as I am sure you will find something you did not know!

Sony Ericsson Forgot One Thing

2006-03-04T14:57:00.000Z

Just take a look at this new Sony Ericsson W950i - which was recently announced. It is georgous! Not only does it look great but it is a smarthphone which means it has a touchscreen and runs the latest UIQ3 software with Symbian. But wait, there's more as it also has 4GB of inbuilt flash memory - just like my friend the iPod nano.
So what was forgotten? The camera, which was also forgotten with the Symbian QWERTY phone the M600. Now you could argue that a camera is not that important and it isn't essential as you are unlikely to take a super great picture with it, which is true as whenever I take a good snap it is with my digital camera - but it still is an essential feature for those moments that just need capturing, and you don't have your real camera with you.
So what is the alternative? The P990 which was announced last August, has a camera, a QWERTY keyboard and built in WiFi, but no 4GB of memory. It is also bigger and over 1cm thicker, as well as 43g (more than an enitre iPod nano) heavier.
However, none of there phones are available at the moment, so you just have to wait!

More, more, more

2006-02-16T23:13:00.000Z

OK, OK - I know that since December there has not been much blog/podcast action here. However, there are several very good reasons for this, which I promise will be explained in much detail. Anyhow, I do have a lot to say, just not the time to say it, so please keep checking back here as I will yet again try my best to post!

Freedom of what???

2006-02-05T15:16:00.000Z

I am sure that you have heard about the cartoons that were puclished in Denmark in October and then republished in other newpapers across Europe a few days ago, which depicted Muslim Prophet Mohammed as a bomber. Well this prompted outrages from the worldwide Mudlim community which has led to protests around the world, against Denmark and Norway there the cartoons where orginally published.

However burning down embassies, calling for massacres and publically showing support for terrorist organisations is not generally the best way to draw public sympathy. Of course it is always the extreme few who are doing this, but it no seems as if these extreme few are speaking for Islam as a whole, and after all these events the Muslim community is being shown in a bad light?

I would just like to pose the question as to how Arabic newspapers can post cartoons of Ariel Sharon as a Nazi, and other anti-semetic material, yet strike up so much of a fuss when cartoons are published abou them??

Save the whale?

2006-01-23T17:23:00.000Z

On Friday, whilst the story was developing, what I would have posted is very different to this post, not what the story has a tragic ending. Oh and sorry if I am the one to break the news, but the whale which found HER was to the River Thames did actually end up dead.

Originally I had planned on saying:
Bottle, w(h)ales, ugly, blubber, waste of space, no it is not Charlotte Church but the whale that has found its way onto the Thames today and "volunters" are trying to get leave in the ourgoing current.

Ok, so it is now dead and there is nothing the rescuers can do except cut its body up to see why it died, and apparently they have concluded that he was a she.

In related news, Mayor Ken has sent the bailifs to the North Sea to determine why the whale did not pay his congestion charge.

Tonight on TV

2006-01-18T20:08:00.000Z

It's a big night for television here in the UK tonight and here are a few of my pics:

Desperate Housewives - 10PM Channel 4
They return to the UK (Americans feel free to gloat here) in the second series of the Golden Globe winning comedy/drama. I hope they have a summars of last season because I've completely forgot the plot and cliffhanger they left us on 7 months ago!

Ocaens Eleven - 9PM ITV
"Slick crime thriller"

Celebrity Big Brother - 9PM Channel 4
The second housemate will leave the house tonight (here more about that on NEWMCAST) and we will see the highlights from yesturday, ingluding George's You Say We Pay game (see below).

Who Do You Think You Are? - 9PM BBC2
In the second episode of the second season Sheila Hancock traced he family tree.

Plastic Surgery Ruined My Wife - 11.10PM Channel 5
Well it is Channel 5, plus they have an exclusive interview from Frank Stallone, the husband of this

NEWMCAST NUMBER NINE

2006-01-17T22:50:00.000Z

Tuesday 17th January 2006

Featuring:
-The latest technology news including Apple
and the new MacBook Pro & Intel
Processors, and TNBC's roundup of CES
2006
- Latest news, gossip and clips from Celebrity
Big Brother UK

--------------------------------------------
Apologies for volume fluctuations

-------------------------------------
You can get the podcast by subscribing to the XML feed - http://tnbc.castpost.com/feed/feed.xml or if you use iTunes, click the subscribe button on the right.

Who do you get to ruin a reality TV show?

2006-01-17T17:19:00.000Z

Why of course the answer is Richard and Judy, the number one show for researchers at "Outtake TV" simply because when television is life, things will always go wrong.

On today's show, Judy was ill and really could not speak, and I admire how she did actually try to present today, and play a special game of "You Say We Pay". It was special as George Galloway was playing from the Big Brother house in Elstree trying to win money for the shopping budget.

Of course it is dangerous to have a reality house which is not allowed to contact the outside world in contact with a live television show, and I am sure that there were many legal agreements from both production companies (Endemol and Cactus) on what can and cannot be said. Well today, Richard, who was having to speak more than usual, kind of gave it all away to Grotesque George by saying something along the lines of "Well we cannot tell you what's going on in the outside world, what all the papers and MPs are saying, but we can say it is really interesting and enjoyable to watch you every night". Yes of course the MP bit gave it away, as MPs do not usually watch Big Brother.

Anyhow, here is a video clip fro the very special "You Say We PAY" and don't forget that you can catch Richard and Judy on weekdays at 5PM on Channel 4, and Big Brother nightly at around 9Pm on Channel 4:
Right Click here - save target as - 4.5MB avi - requires DIVX

The iPod - so simple it only takes a £65 40 minute lesson to learn

2006-01-16T22:12:00.000Z

The iPod. Why did they even bother making instructions?? Apple would have you believe that it is the easiest thing in the world to use. However Selfridges would disagree, which is why they are now offering 40 minute lessons on how to use the device for £65!!! Surely the only iPod owner who would need such a service is the person found here or even here. Heck, it is only five buttons and a scroller, and you hold down one button to put the device into sleep. What will they be offering lessons on next? How to change channels on your new 60" plasma that Selfridges sell?

Apple do point out that they offer iPod courses for free in all their stores, including the Regent Street store which is close to Selfridges on Oxford Street.
The Newman Blog would like to point out that we apologise if we have offended you if you cannot use an iPod, and would question how you managed to open your Internet browser.

Interpal - Charity or Terrorist??

2006-01-15T12:46:00.000Z

For eleven days so far, George Galloway has abandoned his constituents, shown complete disregard for the severity of his occupation and shown to the entire nation what a complete bigot he is, by appearing on "Celebrity" Big Borther.

This issue will be discussed at lenght in the podcast but Galloway's chosen chairy is Interpal. They are expected to make over £100,000 from Galloway's appearance but it has come into question whether or not they are an actual charity. President George Bush has described them as a "specially designated global terrorist" organisation, and links between them and training of suicide bombers has been investigated. Currently Israeli Ambassador Zvi Hefetz is meeting with the government to discuss an investigation into Interpal, and there is believed to be a lot of pressure on Gordon Brown to take action aganst Interpal!

So just remind you, that your 50p Big Borther vote could go directly to training suicide bombers.

Will someone please bring this man to justice?

2006-01-14T09:16:00.000Z

Abu Hamza (aka "The Hook" due to his lack of hands, replaced by hooks I won't even begin to think of how he has to go to...) is finally appearing the Old Bailey. He is charged on fifteen extensive accounts, and video footage has been played as evidence in court. This included Hamza claiming that living in Britain is like "living in a toilet". However he also calls for Jihad and says it is OK for Muslims to kill non-Muslims.

Clearly this racist/terrorist/extremist deserves his time in jail, however he is also wanted for extradition by the USA and maybe they could put him on death row??

Download Sports and Movies for FREE - and yes, its completely legal!!!

2006-01-13T23:21:00.000Z

Yes it is completely true, movies such as the ones above can be downloaded for completely nothing. The catch? Well it is offered by Sky, the satellitel company owned by Rupert Murdoch here in the UK. In order to get sports or movies you must be subscribed to either the sports or movies premium channels or both. The other catch is that it will delete after 30 days. But hey, it's still a free movie to watch on your PC, and I have already watched a couple.

You can get this service now by visiting http://www.sky.com/skybybroadband

New NEWMCAST Nine - Coming Soon

2006-01-13T17:47:00.000Z

Pre production and research has already begun for the return of my podcast! I promise that if I can sort out all the technical issues experienced last year, it will be the best podcast ever!! And I mean that!

All the stuff that I have missed will be included and it will be great. I will even be including relevant audio clips, which were a feature of the early NEWMCAST 3! So when can you expect it?? Well it should be on the feed by the end of the weekend, and I promise that you will not want to miss it!!

The Million Dollar Homepage

2006-01-12T22:44:00.000Z

This is the kind of thing that makes me think blogging and podcasting is not where the money is. Alex Tew deciced to sell 1,000,000 pixels on a website for adverts and links at $1 a pixel. It has made him over $1,000,000 since the last pew pixels recently sold on ebay for above $1 each. However, when I have tried to access the page, I was unable to!

Anyhow, I am off to think of my own ideas, how about the million dollar Newman blog???

This it it...

2006-01-10T18:52:00.000Z

You heard it hear last. Well at the momen there is nothing about it on BBC news, and only 5 hits on Google News. So what is it??

Well some software changes and new editions, nothing too major in my opinion. AND

A new iMac. Yep the other one lasted less that three months, which must leave many, many, many angry retailers but the new one looks just the same, but features nad Intel Core Duo processor. 2x faster!!!

ALSO a new 15.4" MacBook Pro, the first part of Apple's stratergy to change all their products to Intel by 2007!!. It does look truly amaxing, and I predict a lot more great things to come from MacIntel soon!!!

So what didn't we get. Well, no Mac Mini with Intel, no iBook with Intel and no Apple Plasma screen. Also, no new iPod shuffle, which is strange as the current is over a year out of date (old given the typical Apple product lifespan). But there was a new Apple iPod radio accessory!

Happy buying!

What is it

2006-01-10T16:55:00.000Z

OK, OK, I know there is a lot of news that I have missed (Sharon/Kennerdy/Galloway, and no that it not a related story) however in just a few minutes Steve Jobs' awaited Macworl 2006 keynote will start, and we are all eager to know what it is????

Check here to know first, after I find out somewhere else before hand.

Also check here for some articles that I have missed as my daily blogging will be returning after a six week break. Oh and yes, I do plan the lastest NEWMCAST podcast for this week too.

The SALES are on

2005-12-26T13:27:00.000Z

Well here in the UK, there were some pre XMAS bargains, but you should be glad if for this Consumermas you do not mind giving a little late as the sales have begun nationwide on Boxing Day, with many more department stores (such as M&S and John Lewis) opening tomorrow on what the BBC calls "Holiday Tuesday".
There are hundreds of great bargains out there, and some of the best will be posted up here on TNB.
So if I do not post for a while, you know what I will be doing!

M&S has a secret political agenda

2005-12-20T16:02:00.000Z

Britist troops are still in Iraq. For Christmas this year they were looking for a little gift from some well known UK shops. After several letters, they received a tedy bear from Harrods. Other stores claim to never have received a letter (reference to Royal Mail chief exec's £2.4million bonus), whilst Marks and Spencer will not send anything as it doesn't want to appear as supporting the War in Iraq.

Read more at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/12/18/nhamper18.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/12/18/ixportal.html and draw yur own conclusions.

I am here

2005-12-11T22:44:00.000Z

OK - so I have been on a break from blogging recently. There is a good reason for this. There is also a good reason for no podcast too. Although people who subscribe will have received it through the feed.

Anyhow, this is not a week I would have chosen to miss. There have been many, many stories that deserved my commenting, and I hipe to make it up to you.

However, living in London, I have been able to see the smoke that is a result of an explosion at the oil refinery in Hemel Hempsted, at around 6am today. I have heard it may take days to put it back to normal, which also means no M1 ( the motorway) until the fire is out. My thoughts are will all who have been affected by the explosion, including the hundreds of families who will be spending their holiday season with an uninhabitable home.

You know I am desperate...

2005-11-29T21:58:00.000Z

OK - I have reached a state of despair. I really, really want a new iPod that plays video, and unfortunately the AdSense revenue from this blog will not pay for that. So the solution is to get it for FREE - and you can do the same, just follow this link:

http://ipods.freepay.com/?r=25492023

And oh yes, I am really, really desperate!!!

What isn't google doing?

2005-11-25T18:30:00.000Z

Take note Microsoft, Google is now offering free internet access via one of their 10 laptops in a "pod" in London Heathrow Airport.

The idea is to make more people use some of the new Google products, which are growing by the day.

Maybe Google will have a business class lounge set up soon?

18 year old father who conned £8,000 out of eBay users, escapes jail

2005-11-25T18:06:00.000Z

Many people sell things on eBay nowadays. However if you sold goods that did not actually exist and made £45,000 out of it, it is unlikely that you will have the chutzpah to make another £8,000 by selling non existant tickets to events such as Rugby mathces, all whilst on bail awaitng trial for your £45,000 fraud.

Well, Phillip Shortman, the eighteen year old father pictures does have such chutzpah. After being released from jail, for his £45,000 fraud operation, he escaped jail for the £8,000 fraud. The reason being that the judge considered him to have reformed in prison as he was a "platinum inmate".

Of course I would say that criminals that commit the crime should expect the time, or in some cases, the death penalty. Therefore I this "reformed" criminal does it again, he should expect to be imprisoned!

The Best End

2005-11-25T17:57:00.000Z

At 12.55PM GMT today, football legend, 59 year old George Best died. This follows weeks of his condition deteriarating, and he died of multiple organ failure.

This is not an obituary, but I will say that his illness and subsequent death was due to alcohol, which is now available 24 hours a day here in England.

NEWMCAST 7

2005-11-22T18:30:00.000Z

It is finally here...
NEWMCAST - The Variety Podcast 7
1st topic - Ariel Sharon
2nd topic - Jamster Crazy Frog
3rd topic - DELL
4th topic - Sony
5th topic - Al Jazeera
6th topic - Children in Need
Feed is at http://tnbc.castpost.com/feed/feed.xml
Feedback can be sent to a.s.newman@gmail.com
I apologise for any technical difficulties!

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Why I don't like children in need

2005-11-18T20:50:00.000Z

OK, I know that it doesn't sound great to denounce a charity that last year raised over £30 million to help those in need, however I feel that I must.

I do agree with it in principal but I am not happy with what Children in Need has become. The whole idea was that there is a special night of television in order to help those in need, who can come from across the world. This I agree with.

What I do not approve of is how such a charitable event becomes a promotional oppurtunity. Shops put you on the spot in the build up to Children in Need asking if a donation should be added to your bill. Of course you would be embarassed to say no, but a polite response is to say you donate privately. Although this annoys me, it really, really annoys me when the shop goes on television with an oversized cheque and claim credit for al the money that customers have donated.

It is not just the shops that annoy me, but also the celebties. I admit that it is great to see Andrew Marr dancing and making a fool of himself, it shows that news presenters are real people. (I don't think that you can acutally get Trevor MacDonald to laugh when he presents the television awards.) Who annoys me is Natasha Kaplinsky who seems to be everywhere nowadays, and I do agree with the comments that John Snow made recently. And then there's Michael Winner, who generously donated £1,000. You may remember a previous generous act from Mr Winner when he donated a buger and some chips to a charity auction saving the Hackney Empire on "The Apprentice" with Sir Alan Sugar. However, this is the same man who says that the winner of the £77million Euro Lottery isn't that much as £77 million is not a lot in his eyes!

Oh well, best of luck to the BBC and Children in Need and I hope that some good charity work can happen over the next year thanks to the funds raised!

Adding to the confusion

2005-11-18T20:25:00.000Z

If you read just a few posts ago, you would know that I am against 24 hour drinking. Well now David Cameron has come out in favour of licencing reform. To me this just adds to the confusion that I face when I vote for a new Conservative Party leader. Well, I suppose it is at least some sort of vague idea of a policy!

An apology

2005-11-18T18:09:00.000Z

I would just like to apologise to visitors of "The Newman Blog" who come from abroad. By this I mean not from the UK.

As I live in London a lot of what you find here will be directly related to London and other British stuff. This is why I can understand reading about what is on BBC tonight will not be very appealing to someone who has BBC World or BBC America or no BBC at all.

However, I will keep posting things from a UK perspective, but I will try to cater more for anyone from abroad, and I hope you will look read the blog to expand your knowledge of the globe.

A small reminder

2005-11-17T20:00:00.000Z

Little Britain is back!!!
BBC1 - Tonight at 9pm

Paying too much reallly annoys me!!!

2005-11-17T19:45:00.000Z

I you heard the latest NEWMCAST, you would know that I do not like paying too much for things. However, I live in London and unfortunately I am used to it.

If you are American, then you probably complained about the high prices of fuel recently, however I am afraid that these are nothing in comparison to the prices in the UK. That must also be added to road tax, speeding tickets, paring fairs, parking tickets, MOTs, and pretty much any other tax that you have to pay just to get to work as the outside temperature approaches freezing!

So what does this have to do with the picture. Well Apple are an example of one company who rip off the UK consumer, having to pay 79p to download a song, and more in comparison to the USA for the new iPod. Today, the Chief Executive of EMI said that iTunes needs to be more expensive for the popular songs so he will get more money. If this goes through, it will undoubtedly mean that we will need to pay more. Also the record companies are after a slice of the iPod profits, which could increase the price of the world's favorite gadget.

Now those of you in the UK may remember just a week or so ago, there was a controversy over a manufacturer that sold to the high street shops for less that the internet shops. That manufacturer has now been named as Sony, though it would not surprise me if Apple were doing it too and the price of nanos has fallen by £5 on many websites.

So as the retailing business here in the UK is in search of making up for lost sales over the festive season, I will be very very angry if I have to pay over the odds for something again!! This is why I will probably not buy anything major until the sales begin.

Drink and be merry - 24 HOURS A DAY!!

2005-11-16T17:19:00.000Z

With the festive season just around the corner, there is no doubt that a lot of money will be spent on an advertising campaign telling us not to drink and drive. This is because next Thursday November 24th there will be 24 hour licencing. I find it ironic how when police advise against this move it goes ahead as the government wants it to, yet when they advice for 90 days so they have more time to ~~do nothing~~ gather evidence, the MPs vote against the government.

Well I look forward to seeing more drunk and rowdy people about. All we need now is a 24 hour Tube so that these people have an enclosed and potentially highly dangerous place for them to disturb the public all day and night.

NEWMCAST 6.5

2005-11-14T20:31:00.000Z

OK, so here is what I recorded a week ago but due to tech difficulties never could publish. Well not are a few clips from that podcast discussing the gadgets seen at the "Best of Stuff Show" and the rip off faced by British consumers. The quality is now OK, but there may be volume fluctuations. Enjoy and send feedback to alex@30gigs.com (Oh and I apologise as there is no artwork embedded within the file)

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This week on TV

2005-11-13T13:30:00.000Z

It looks set to be a pretty busy week this week for television. Toninht (Sunday) will see the return of Top Gear which will be on BBC2 at 8PM. I really do think that Top Gear is a fascinating show, and one of the best on television. It is not all about cars and their engine figures, but includes stunts and humour from Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Then on Thursday night, Little Britain returns making its first ever BBC1 debut at 9PM on BBC1. There are set to be a host of new and improved characters. Unfortunately this means that some characters will have to go.

On Friday night on BBC1 it will be Children in Need, the annual event in which celebrities all get together in a TV extravaganza attemot to raise money for those lesss fortunate. As always Terry Wogan will be leading the events. I must also say that I do prefer Comic FReliefto Chilren in Need, but due to Sport Relief, Comic Relief is only every other year.

Queen is Terrorist Target

2005-11-13T12:30:00.000Z

The acts of Muslim extremists are absolutely sickening. What is equally as bad, is how they claim what they do is representing Islam.

A video has emerged on several secure secure websites, of Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's number two, where he says that our dear Queen is "one of the severest enemies of Islam". Is it something to do with her hats, gloves or the way she waves? I can understand people not wanting a monarchy as they see it as a waste of money, but as an enemy, I think not.

The worst thing is that intelligence officers have alerted royal security. Yes the same people that allows comic heroes to climb Buckingham palace, a man dressed as Osama bin Laden into a Windsor Castle birthday party and a van that says "BOMB INSIDE" into the castle too.

On Muhammed al-Massari's website there is also a video by lead terrorist of the 7/7 bombings Mohammad Sidique Khan, where he urges British Muslims to follow his example.

This news follows that of the Work and pensions minister, buying a house next door to Abu Hamza, who also incites terrorism, and receives over £50,000 a year in benefits from a state he hates, and a people he wants to kill!

NEWMCAST 6

2005-11-12T16:27:00.000Z

After an unintentional break. the podcast is back! Listen now for news and discussion on Tony Blair, David Blunkett, the iPod, the white PSP and the Conservative Party leadership race. NEWMCAST - The variety podcast!

A Ten Tonne Polar Bear

2005-11-12T15:22:00.000Z

Well it breaks the ice.

I thought I would just add a few jokes to TNB to lighten the atmosphere.

Where do you find a dog with no legs?
Right where you left it!

Why did the pic cross the road?
To prove he was no chicken.

Decisions, decisions

2005-11-12T10:00:00.000Z

This could be very important. As a member of the UK Conservative party, I along with around 300,000 others, have a vote as to who should be leader. To be honest I have not made up my mind yet.

I was originally with Cameron, attracted (no not in that sense) by his youthfulness and charisma (when compared to DD). However his policies seem weak. He says what he wants but does not say how this can be achieved. In a way I agree that this can be hard to determine, four years before an election, but some idea may help. In addition to this Cameron is likened to Blair, and that is not something we need right now. After all Blair was relatively young and inexperienced when he became leader of Labour, and in some ways that was accidental and unexpected, following the death of John Smith. On the spiel that comes with the ballot, Cameron says his interests are "cooking and gardening". Is really a good thing?

Like Cameron, Davis is also focusing his enclosed propaganda on beating Gordon Brown. However if Britain is really "yearning for a decent alternative to New Labour", then why didn't they vote Conservative 6 months ago? What I do like about DD (who grew up on a council estate in case you didn't know) is that he will bring Hague and IDS back onto his cabinet if he is leader.

So after reading both the enclosed leaflets on DC and DD, all I can see is that Cameron has the youthfulness, and Davis has the experience. Yet both leaflets are full of the same stuff, that was the same stuff that was used in the failed election earlier this year. Who will really change the party? I don't know.

What I do know is that with the £3 I paid to join the Conservative party, I could have bought 3 lottery tickets. Maybe in 8 years I would have had a chance of winning, rather that the same old numbers coming up again and again.

I would just like to apologise for the lack of posts and podcasts recently, and will try to rectify the situation. I also apologise if the posts have been too focused on politics, and I assure you that next week there will be a larger variety of subjects - Alex

The end is near

2005-11-09T21:20:00.000Z

There is nothing like a positive blog title to really lift the sprits. The good news is that I am not referrrng tothe end of the world, but simple the end of New Labour.

After eight years in office, Blair could not get a vote through the House of Commons for the first time, despite the Labour majority of over 60. The vote was for a 90 day period for terrorism suspects to be held, with weekly approval of a judge. The majority of the people that voted no to the bill was 31, even thugh Blair flew Gordon Blown back form Israel, just so that he could be at the vote.

Personally I do not disgagree with the bill. I also would like the downfall of New Labour not to mean that Bliar simply goes and Gordon Blown becomse Prime Minister. I would rather have Blair than Brown. If Blair should resign, I think it should be up the the public to decide in a general election, who they want to lead the country.

Win Win Win

2005-11-09T17:55:00.000Z

It has been a big day in the news, and I will be posting about that later. But for now I am giving my email address where all comments can be sent, and I am launching a competition.

30GIGS is the excellent e-mail service, that I use, which offers 30GB of space, but is an invitation only service. I will be giving an invite some of the first people to post comments on any post here on The Newman Blog and add the line ***30GIGS email please*** somewhere in their comment, Also you must leave your current email address so your invitation can be sent.

If there are many comments here on the blog, there will be more that one invitation sent.

Keep on reading, and hopefully listening if NEWMCAST 6 comes out.

NEWMCAST - Where is it?

2005-11-08T17:57:00.000Z

OK, it has been a week since the last podcast, and you may be wondering where the next one is. Well unfortunately, I changed a few production methods for NEWMCAST 6, but there was a problem somewhere and the podcast was of an atrocious unaudible quality.

I hope that NEWMCAST 6 will be live very soon, even if that will mean a total rerecording!

The phantom of the theatre returns

2005-11-08T17:34:00.000Z

I am not sure if any human can tolerate watching the man himself on stage for three hours, but many can watch a production of one of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's plays.

After amassing a personal fortune of £700 million, LLoyd-Webber is now set to buy out his 50:50 partner in the Really Useful Theatres group, giving him full control.

There have been rumours that he is set to refurbish some of the theatres that he will fully own, including the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where one can go to see Mel Brooks's "The Producers"

Is this your four year old?

2005-11-07T18:11:00.000Z

The chances are that this is just a middle aged man dressed as a teenage girl, but a recent survey shows that more and more children, as young as four are watching and emulating Little Britain.

Up to 86,000 4-10 year olds watch the brilliant comedy show, despite it being on after the watershed. This has led to some schools writing letters to parents, requesting that there children no longer watch the show.

At least the big kids have series three to look forward to, which should be airing on BBC3 very soon.

Has justice finally been done?

2005-11-07T17:51:00.000Z

Anthony Sawoniuk who was the only Nazi war criminal to ever serve time in Britain after being convicted in 1999, died yesturdy aged 84. 50 years before his trial in the Old Bailey, Sawoniuk had killed eighteen Jews during the holocaust.

Although after moving to Britain and working as a British Rail Ticket inspector, Sawoniuk denied all charges. This included him rounding up 15 Jews in front of an open grave, ready for him to murder them by a machine gun.

He was in jail for just 6 years of his two life sentances, but now he is paying for his inhumane crimes in another place.

Is Microsoft finally gaining on Google

2005-11-06T12:17:00.000Z

So you may have seen just a few posts ago, me rant on about how Microsoft is failing, compared to the innovation we see from Apple and Google. Well now, Microsoft are copying Google again, but this time in the print department.

Microsoft have been in talks with the British Library about making 100,000 copyright books available online. They also have intentions that they will scan in other books from other libraries to make up the 25 million pages which they want online. I personally believe that this is a good thing, as in my eyes, all competition is a good thing for the consumer.

I have also been using the Windows Live service and am growing fond of it. However there are still many bugs which need to be worked out, and a few browsers (Firefox) which need compatibility. What I am not so keen on is what I have seen of the new Windows Messenger Live 8, which despite having a new colourful interface, looks too different and complicated to use from the MSN which we know and love.

However, maybe my standards are too high for certain beta releases? Who do I blame? Google Mail! They are in eternal beta mode, setting the standard for any other beta project as very high.

Piracy in its original form

2005-11-06T12:04:00.000Z

Cruising 100 miles off the shore of Somalia and on the way to Kenya, passengers on the 10,000 tonne Seabourn Spirit, which can hold up to 208 passengers, found themselves under attack from pirates.

Unlike those that undertake piracy through the use of their mice, keyboards and monitors, these guys had rifles and rocket propelled grenades. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured and he captain enabled the ship to escape. However this is certainly one case where the iTunes Music Store is not stopping piracy!

NEWMCAST - now its easier to subscribe

2005-11-03T11:36:00.000Z

With podcast number 6 just around the corner, it is now even easier to subscribe to NEWMCAST, as you can do it directly through iTunes. Click here to subscribe to NEWMCAST - The Variety Podcast, directly through iTunes.

Microsoft goes LIVE

2005-11-02T21:02:00.000Z

When you are the world's biggest and most powerful software company, it is not nice to be left trailing behind Apple, when it comes to downloading and paying for digital content which you can play or take with you on the most popular gadget ever, or create a stable and easy to use operating system, or be innovative with products and release them on time, or Google, when it comes to having an excellent simple, clutter free and easy search engine which pretty much indexes the whole web, is searched millions of times a day, and they offered the first email with 2GB when your own service was slow, cluttered with ads, and only offered 5MB, and you don't offer the coolest free download ever where you can see the whole world, and as the biggest software company in the world, you are the last to the market with new innovations and pretty much everyone who has ever used any of your products has something bad to say about it (be it Windows, Internet Explorer, Word... etc), you may feel a bit angry.

Ok, it is not often that I will write a 183 word sentence, but I needed to project the point that Microsoft are far behind their competition, which is growing daily. Competition is not only limited to its long time rivals Apple, or web gurus Google (who by the way also power this very blog), but from many other small developers as well.

Well, the good news is that Mr Gates doesn't intend to be left behind, as he has launched Windows Live, and sometime in 2006, be that before the next version of the new Windows operating system (the first in 5 years) or not, I do not know. Before I attempt to explain what Microsoft are doing, I would just say that in the six year period from 1995 to 2001 there were 7 major versions of Windows released. Since 2001, the only advance home computing has seen from Windows, has been Media Centre Edition, and several (hundred) critical security updates.

So what is Windows live, well basically not much in my eyes. It is basically a hyped up version, which as always with Microsoft now days has come later than its competition, which is Google’s personalised home page, which can be found here. I do recommend you see for yourself what it is like, which you can find here, but I would also say that I am pleased in a way that Microsoft have copied Google and have included no adverts on it, yet. However it is doing its best to confuse everyone by taking an everyday word, gadgets in this case, and making it mean something completely different.

So, will Live save Microsoft? Well if it is released at its current condition, no. Maybe is Messenger is integrated, and Office is also integrated (which are the two best things from Microsoft), some good will happen.

Blunkett goes ... again

2005-11-02T20:41:00.000Z

Although he could never see the day happening again, David Blunkett has resigned again form the cabinet, this time as Work and Pensions Secretary. This follows him taking on roles in companies without consulting to see if it would be deemed acceptable.

If you would like to know more (and haven't see a newspaper in the past few days), its all here.

NEWMCAST podcast 5

2005-11-01T13:30:00.000Z

With an updated logo (thanks go to Udayan), here is NEWMCAST number 5. I would also like to thank all the podcast directories which have listed me over the past few days.

Topics in this show include: Big name electronic brands, online shopping against the High Street, the new British Citizenship test and Apple selling video through its online music store.

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Tonight on TV

2005-10-31T20:22:00.000Z

If you had to pick one day a week to watch Channel 5, then Monday would be it. Starting at 7.15pm is "The Gadget Show", which is in my opinion a fantasic show all based around gadgets and technology, but attempts to be simple enough for most people to understand. Later on at 8pm is "Fifth Gear", the rival to BBC2's "Top Gear". It is a great show and has an improved format since last series, however it does not have that comedy and novelty element of its main rival - yet.

Also later on TV tonight is a new show at 9.30PM on BBC2, called "Broken News". I will let you know what I think of it after I see it.

Happy watching!

How British are you???

2005-10-31T20:08:00.000Z

Do you know how old you need to be to buy a lottery scratch card? Do you know the UK voltage? Do you know the two numbers for the emergency services? Do you know which court uses a jury? Do you want to be British?

If yes then you can pass the new citizenship test - starting tomorrow.

Telefonica to buy O2

2005-10-31T11:47:00.000Z

The mobile company 02, which has strongholds here in the UK and over in Germany, has been bought by large Spanish telecoms operator Telefonica.

Telefonica paid just under £18 billion for the company, and it is believed that 02 will keep its name, branding and service to customers.

Charles & Camilla, will be out for lunch and dinner

2005-10-31T11:34:00.000Z

For eight days, Britain will be without its favourite Royal newly weds, as they are off for a tour of the USA.The events have been kept low key, but the heir to the throne and his second wife will visit New York, Washington and California. In San Fransisco, Charles will speak about Global Warming, something that he has taken an interest in recently, as can be heard in Podcast 3.

The unusual thing about the trip is that President Bush is holding both a lunch and dinner in the White House in their honour. This is something that has never been done before, and shows a truly hungry President.

I personally wish the royals the best over in the USA and hopw that they can gain in popularity since Charles's last visit with Diana, over 20 years ago.

NEWMCAST 4

2005-10-30T17:12:00.000Z

NEWMCAST the podcast that offers variety discusses in podcast number 4: Some new gadgets, a very funny television show, Tony Blair on Iran and Israel, recent news in India and Harry Potter. All that in under 10 minutes. It is NEWMCAST number 4!

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The Newman Blog - Update on Status

2005-10-30T17:06:00.000Z

You may have noticed that the blog has not been updated that frequently recently. I can explain this. Earlier on in the week I was in Berlin, and since returning I have been focusing on a podcast, the first three test podcasts can be seen below.

I am pleased to say that I can release an official podcast, number 4, which will be posted above shortly. However, I intend to update the blog more regularly, as well as record regular podcasts, it all just depends on how much time there is, and how much interesting information there is out there for me to comment on.

Oh no Harry, your car has been stolen!!

2005-10-30T17:01:00.000Z

The Ford Anglia which was used in the second Harry Potter movie was stolen earlier this week. It was stolen from a film studio in Cornwall, which bought the car last year for £1,500. It is believed the criminals did not drive it away, as it does not actually drive, and unlike the car from Chitty, it cannot fly!

The Great Clock Stops

2005-10-29T11:57:00.000+01:00

Big Ben, which is the bell inside The Great Clock (do not get them confuses, it really annoys the tour guides) will not chime for over 24 hours this weekend, making the protestors outside the Houses of Parliament even more audible.

The simple reason is scheduled maintainance which happens every 15-20 years. Oh, and don't forget to turn your clock back 1 hour over the night!

NEWMCAST 3

2005-10-27T23:01:00.000+01:00

Test podcast number 3, which should form the basis of something exciting to come.

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NEWMCAST 2

2005-10-27T23:00:00.001+01:00

Test podcast number 2, which is a little better!

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NEWMCAST 1

2005-10-27T23:00:00.000+01:00

Test podcast number 1, it's quite short!

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TNB goes podcast

2005-10-27T22:47:00.000+01:00

It's officially official, I have three test podcasts and am hoping to have a good quality non-test podcast up soon.
You can find them posted above, and a link to the feed on the right, which you can use to subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, or any other podcast retreiver.

Tonight's Top TV Picks

2005-10-27T20:07:00.000+01:00

I know that it is probably a little late to be posting this, but I feel that I should just inform as to what is on the television tonight that is worth watching in my opinion.

8PM Channel 4 - The F Word
This is a new food series on Channel 4 that, as its title may suggest, is hosted by Gordon Ramsay.

9PM Channel 4 - Blitz: London's Firestorm
A documentary showing hot Hitler attempted to create a firestorm which he hoped would destroy london on 29th December 1940.

11.20PM BBC2 - Israel & The Arabs: Elusive Peace
Replay of the documentary for anyone that missed it.

Cherie Blair linked with dodgy dealings ... again

2005-10-27T10:13:00.000+01:00

Cherie Blair spoke at a dinner party, at wich £80,000 was raised for a children's cancer charity.

However, less than £7,000 actually went to the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia for Medical Research. This means that the charity is beign investigated under Australian law as so little of the money actually went to the good cause.

Now, does anyone want some flats in Bristol or some shoes off ebay?

Is peace dead?

2005-10-27T10:01:00.000+01:00

Yesturday, a suicide bombing for which Islamic Jihad claim responsibility, killed five and injured dozens in a marker in northern Israel. It was the first Palestinian suicide bombing in over eight weeks.

Snce the disengagement form Gaza, one would be forgiven for assuming we were making progress on the slow path towards peace. However, surrendering Gaza just gave the Palestinian terrorist groups a chance to launch rockets at the Israelies.

However, we must remember, the people that are determined to kill Israelies are radical terrorist groups, who do not have popular support, right? Surely no leader of an Arab Nation would call for the destruction of the JEwish State, right? WRONG!!

Yesturday, Iran's President (the one who is simply using all that nuiclear material for civilian power generation purposes) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, callled for Israel to be "wiped off the map. These comments should not be unexpected at a conference attended by 3,000 entritled "The World Without Zionism".

Unfortunately, for Israel to stop Iran's nuclear programme will be harder than when the bombed Mr Hussein's facilities, leaving the question as to whether or not there will be peace?

and then there were two...

2005-10-21T16:58:00.000+01:00

Need I say more?

USA ally with Germany against Britain

2005-10-18T22:11:00.000+01:00

Well that's a headline I never thought I would have to write. However, more precisely it should read: USA ally with Germany against Ken's congestion charge. This is because since July, neither country has paid the congestion charge for its diplomatic embassy vehicles. Both countries claim that this would violate the Vienna Convention, whereby foreign diplomats cannot be taxed.

Of course the Mayor's office is defending the charge, saying that it is a "charge for a service". I would hardly say that the congestion charge is a service. Is the service to have to pay a lot of money just to go into work, or visit your grandma's, in return for a poor economy. Under the congestion charge, journey times have fallen by 14%, but retail sales have fallen by 17%.

Cheerio Ken

2005-10-18T21:53:00.000+01:00

It's official. With only thirty eight votes from the MPs, Ken Clarke has failed to be the Conservative Party leader for the third time. The results of the initial ballot of the COnservative MPs were as follows:

David Davis - 62 votes

David Cameron - 56 votes

Liam Fox -42 votes

Ken Clarke - 38 votes

The top three will now go to a second ballot on Thursday, where the question will be as to who the 38 MPs who voted for Clarke, will give their vote to this time. The new leader of the Conservative Party will be declared on Tuesday 6th December.

Did Steve lie??

2005-10-14T17:36:00.000+01:00

Well, there's no need for me to mention some new products form Apple which were announced on Wednesday. However I will call inyo wuestion whether or not Steve Jobs lied. He first reported how there was going ot be no video iPod, and then he launched one.

However, the main reasonm which angers me is how he does not offer a fair deal to customers here in the UK. He said the new 30GB iPod will be at the same price as the old GB iPod. This is true for those in the USA, but not for us in the UK, where the price has gon up £9. The new downloadable videos also offer a bad deal to UK consumers.

Oh well, it looks as if I will have to kepp the adverts up here if I am to afford one.

Is it the p1000? is it the p950? is it the p930? No its the p990

2005-10-10T18:02:00.000+01:00

After several leaks of the phone throughout the summer, and many many rumours, what will be known as the p990 is to be released in Europe and Asia by the end of March 2006. Yes, I know that is a long time, however Sony Ericsson feel that it will enable developers to have great new software for this Symban UIQ 3 phone.

Hopefully we will see it sooner than that, and it is almost certain that Orange will carry the phone, as that's where the original leak came from.

It terms of features, it weignhs the equivilant of over 3 iPod nanos, yet only has a Memory Stick Pro Duo slot for memory. It does however have a 2 megapixel camera and built in WIFI.

Little Britain is back

2005-10-10T17:32:00.000+01:00

The second series of the excellent comedy show Little Britain is released on DVD as of today! Yep, that's right you can see Matt Lucad and David Walliams as your favourite charactes such as Lou and Andy, Mr Mann, Marjorie Dawes and Vicky Pollard. You can order the DVD online now at up to 40% off the list price, just by clicking below:

Two weeks on

2005-10-09T13:00:00.000+01:00

Well, The Newman Blog has been online for over two weeks now, so I thought I'd post and let you know what is happening with it. Firstly, we have not started and marketing stratergy at all for the blog, so all the visits will be based upon word of mouth, or blog searches. Yep, that's right, we're not even indexed by Google yet (except on blog search)!

I am trying to cover a broad array of sotries on the blog, ranging from Politics to technology to entertainment. I am also currently experimentign wiht the look and feel of the blog. You may have noticed there are now advertisements, which I feel give a professional look and feel, as well as help to fund the blog. I am aiming to have a few quality posts here on the blog every day.

You will be glad to know that there is Newman Blog feed here, and that I can also be contacted by e-mail: So please keep reading The Newman Blog!

New meaning to the Crazy Frost

2005-10-08T17:34:00.000+01:00

Sir David Frost is a renowned interviewer, who retired from his popular Sunday morning show "Breakfast with Frost" earlier this year. He later went on to host a show with to-be Countdown presenter Des Lynam, on Sky One, in which they searched for the greatest sporting person.

It has now been revealed that Sir David will be joining none other than Al Jazeera, the controversial Arab television station. He will join the new international news station which will be broadcast from next spring in the English language.

So will he have an exlcuise interview with Osama Bin Laden? Will he be asking such hard hitting uestions as "Who is responsible for the styling of your beard?" and "What type of watch is thay you've got on there?" I do not know if he will interview Osama, now that he has a contract with Bin Laden's preferred network. All I can say for now is: Top of the Morning, let's go declare Jihad!

Michael Jackson is back in London

2005-10-08T16:07:00.000+01:00

This photo above is from when Michael Jackson made a surprise appearence in Harrods when he was in London 6 years ago. Well, today he is back! He has been spotted a number of times in the Dorchester Hotel, and has been meeting and greeting fans. He is over here to record the single " From The Bottom Of My Heart", which will be in aid of the victims of hurricane Katrina. It has also been reported that he went to see the mucical "Billy Elliot".

Just three words...

2005-10-07T13:00:00.000+01:00

This is an invitation that Apple emailed around to the media (and no they didn't send one to The Newman Blog), on October 4th. Since then it has been driving the whole world mad. Even by posting this I am submitting into Apple by speculating. Of course many "analysts" and people that like to think they know a lot, are claiming that on October 12th, Apple will launch the iPod video that has been rumoured, probably since Edison invented the moving image. Of course all this speculation is exactly what Apple want for its brand, with so many so concerned over what their next step, or radical new design may be. You can take a look at some realistic comments at my friends Apple blog. If you are after my opinion I would say that if you look at the clues which is the background of that invitation, it is clear that Apple will be branching into the fabric business, starting with that pair of loverly red curtains.

Let the rumours continue, as this news from Apple is certainly more important that all the other news.

Who wants to be a Conservative Party leader?

2005-10-06T20:21:00.000+01:00

I am hoping to have a more detailed analysis on the candidates up very soon, but as you are well aware, the Conservatives are in the process of choosing a new leader to replace Michael Howard. Michael has decided he will be too old to be Prime Minister come the next general election, however one contender, Ken Clarke, is a year older than him.

The previous front runner has been David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary. He was the press front runner until he gave his speech and people realised that he is not much or an orator, something that I realised a long time ago.

Frequent leadership candidate Ken Clarke is also up again, now that the issue of Europe, where he has frequently had a differing opinion to the rest of the party, is supposedly out of the question.

Backed by Big Brother Housemate Derek Laud, David Cameron is a relatively young contender who was been able to "woo" the crowds, and Derek even finds him rather attractive.

The last candidate I shall mention in this post is Dr Liam Fox, who is my personal favourite. He appears charismatic and down to Earth.

Newman's New Year Message

2005-10-03T15:00:00.000+01:00

It is that time of year again -Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish new year is upon us. The first thing I would like to so then is to say Shana Tova!

I would however, like to give a small message of inspiration to (all) the reader(s) of this blog. But I realised that I am not a very inspiring person! Therefore I encourage you to do a blog search for Rosh Hashanah and see what others have to say on the subject.

Just looking at the news, one can see both good and bad. In one sense bad news is that "Israeli Police are on high holiday Alert". It should not be that on this purely religious occasion, that the people of Israel cannot stay focused on their prayers, without some thought in their mind, dreading a Palestinian terror attack, such as the horific incidents of Passover in 2002.

However there is good that will come out of this new year. I hope that we will all take a chance to think about our previous year, think about what we did. Ask: What were the good things of this year? What were the best things of this year? What could have been better this year? How can I work to make that better?

A new years resolution is now a bit of a cliché, but I feel that meaningful ones should be made. However, just small ones will do. I am not talking about silly things here, like to wake up five minuets earlier, or to eat one less bar of chocolate, but something meaningful, like concentrating on being just a little bit nicer to just one person.

And now I end on a note of optimism. 5766 is a year when you can achieve what you may have failed this year. You should have faith in your ability and never give up. Just for example look at Bob Geldof (below). He is completely untalanted, yet he believed in himself, and in a cause so strongly, that he was able to do somethign about it!(all be it with a lot of sware words involved) Now I am not saying you should be like Bob, but just try and find an inspiration and do somethign in 5766!!

Shana Tova
Alex

Red Ken will see the the Congestion Zone DOUBLE

2005-10-02T18:06:00.000+01:00

The UK and USA recently entered a war in which dictatorship was removed form Iraq. Earlier this year the people of Iraq had elections, and what was elected by public opinion won - so one could call the country a democracy.

Back home in Great Britain however, it is the opposite. What the public do not want they get. I am of course referring to the expansion of the Kengestion charge. Mayor Ken Livingstone confirmed the Western Expansion of the Congestion Charge, to come into effect in February 2007. The new zone will be double the size, covering areas such as Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster. The Mayor admitted that this will increase traffic within the existing zone, due to the 230,000 residents that will find themselves living in the zone, and therefore with a discounted charge.

Opposition is overwhelming to the expansion, with a significant majority of those responding to two public consultations, opposing the ban. This expecially included businesses which are already strugglign with sales, however the heart of London shopping at [Oxford Street] will find itself within the expanded zone. Livingstone defended the expansion, citing enviromental issues, however, Gerry Acher who is chair of the Mayor's [Climate Change Partnership], said the charge was nothing to do with him. The charge will not even make money, and TfL will have to wait 5 years to see a return on their original investment!

Heckler: "Nonsense" Jack Straw: "Remove this terrorist"

2005-09-30T03:00:00.000+01:00

Foreign secretary Jack Straw was defending his refusal to withdraw British troops from Iraq, when Waltet Woolfgang, shouted nonsense. Seconds later, the frail 82 year old Jewish escapee from Nazi Germany, and 50 year long Labour Party member, was surrounded by security. He was dragged from his seat and forcibly removed from the Labour Party Conference. He was then heald under terrorism charges, but later releasd.

Perhaps in Nazi Germany such an exclamation in one of Hitler's speeches would have provoked a similar reaction?

Mr Blair has subsequently apologised, but with Cherie Blairs own sister being heavily watched during one of the PM's speaches, for joking aboout mentioning Iraq, one has to questionb why New Labour is so authoritatian and over protective?

Save yourself - Don't watch TV afer 9

2005-09-29T02:00:00.000+01:00

The crazyily annoying frog, along with his friends "Nessie the Dragon" and "Sweetie the Chick" have are now not allowed on TV before 9pm! I praise the advertising standards authpority (ASA) for finally doing this, as not only is it the most annoying thing ever, with over 40,000 adverts screened in one month, but its a complete rip off! Children are subscribing to a service which can xcost over £3 a week, and they thing they are just beign ripped off for one ringtone.

Does anyone else remember the days when you could go onlineand have a tone sent straight to you phone for absolutely nothing?

My iPod nano's addicted to CRACKing

2005-09-29T01:00:00.000+01:00

Apple have officially confirmed that there is a screen defect with a batch of the latest. hottest and greatest gadget of September 2005. Yes the screen on the impossible small, 500 or 100 song iPod nano easily cracks, however apple says this is only the case in 0.1% of nanos produced. Disappointed customers were first saw signs of their screens going only hours after buying their new audio companion. Apple says it will replace all defected units.

Meanwhile, there will be no decent case for the nano on the marked until mid October, when we are likely to see the grass-skin and the iSkin Duo. My advice therefore would be to wait until mid October, when hopefullythere will be no defects, pleant of stock and many accessories available for the nano.

The Blogging Start

2005-09-24T01:00:00.000+01:00

After many attempts to break through with a successful online venture (a rough count so far adds up to around seven) I have decided to set up this official blog.

So what will this blog show, you unenthusiastically question? Well, it will be a mix of opinions, facts, information and other interesting things that nobody really cares about - all on The Newman Blog.

So please, I encourage you to keep checking this site many, many times a day, as I will try to add a few new posts to entertain you all each day. If you like, or don't like what it posted, add a comment or tell a friend!!

So let The Newman Blog begin.....