Southampton Solent 'Big Bang' news event.

Level two journalism students at Southampton Solent University were involved in a staged news event created and organised by the academic staff. The event, which took place around the City and focussed upon a drugs raid, incorporated other courses across the faculty - including performing arts and television production. Bulletins were broadcast hourly from the television and radio studios, and breaking news was uploaded onto the website throughout the day culminating in a final printed publication.

Decline of Newspapers - Obama bailout?

The slow, painful death of the newspaper is old news and for several years opinion on how to resurrect the art of traditional journalism have been torn amongst commentators in the industry. But this clip from CNN has brought a new refreshing angle to the debate, albeit from the other side of the pond.

President Obama recently pledged billions to the ailing car industry, described by the US government as a 'national institution.'

Well, newspapers have been around longer than cars, they've served the American public just as reliably, and they aren't drastically damaging the O-zone. Journalism is in dire straits, so come on Barack, let's have a bailout. Spark a trend - before it's too late.

I have no doubt that Gordon Brown will quickly follow suit. After all, if America does it then it must be right.

Bat-mad and Robbin'

It’s the recession and you’re feeling the pinch. Your business is struggling and you’ve tried everything. Slashed your prices? Check. Begged for a loan from the bank? Check. Reduced the wage bill? Check. But have you tried stealing vintage cricket bats from an Australian museum?

Yep, those plucky Aussies are at it again. Cricket and fair play just don’t go together when we’re talking about the boys down under. In Darwin, four valuable bats were snaffled from a sports shop to be sold at a huge profit on the black market. To make matters worse, the bats belonged to Don Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest cricketer of all time and boasting a test average of 99.94. Ian Bell eat your heart out.

The bats, valued at 40,000 Australian dollars, were targeted specially by thieves who smashed the front window to gain access to the rare memorabilia. Shop manager Graeme Flesfadar said, “The bats were irreplaceable. They knew exactly what they were after, and they didn't even touch the till. It was being put aside for my kids, I just want it back. Money is not going to replace it.”

Touching stuff indeed.

Darwin police official Gavin Kennedy said it would be hard to sell the items without being caught, but equally it would be “difficult to track the culprits down”. One might say the police are stumped.

(Startupoverseas.co.uk, 2009)