Sunday 9 August 2009

News Roundup

News Roundup takes a quick look at items of interest seen in the media during the past 7 days.


Gud On Ya Pete

You have to admire Peter Andre for the way he has handled the break-up of his marriage to Katie Price (aka Jordan). Whilst Katie has been seen all over the media cavorting with the new man in her life, Peter has maintained a certain dignity, quietly getting on with caring for the couples three children, two of which belong to Andre and a third from Katie's previous marriage. Despite being devastated by the split Peter Andre has conducted himself impeccably. Pity that Katie didn't do the same, if only for the sake of her children.


I want to be an MP

I read an interesting article last weekend about the amount of time MP's devote to our interests. A comprehensive 'parliamentary census' shows that for the first time in history, the average Commons day is less than the typical eight-hour working day of most of the population. The report also shows that inflation-busting rises in their wages and expenses have doubled the cost of an average MP (I like the use of the word average) from £125,000 a year to £250,000 in less than 20 years.

Similarly House of Lords expenditure has doubled between 2001 and 2008, rising from just under £67 million to more than £121 million. Little wonder the country has had no leader for four days whilst Gordon Brown, Harriet Harmon and Peter Mandelson have all been on holiday at the same time.


Shaping the future of the humble oxo cube

I see that oxo makers Premier Foods are about to produce an 'x' shaped oxo cube in place of the traditional square shape, which has been part of Sunday roast in family homes for nearly a century. From next month the cubes will have notches carved into the sides to give them a distinctive new shape (does this mean we get less oxo for our money). No say Premier Foods the size and weight of the block would remain unchanged. The makers claim the notches enhance the crumble. I very much doubt it will have much impact on my lumpy gravy.