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´óÏó´«Ã½ BLOGS - Newsnight: From the web team

Archives for February 2011

Monday 28 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:37 UK time, Monday, 28 February 2011

Coming up on tonight's programme:

Britain has today joined growing calls for the possible imposition of a military no-fly zone
over Libya to prevent further attacks by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on his own people.

Prime Minister David Cameron told the House of Commons he had ordered the Chief of Defence Staff, Sir David Richards, to begin work with key UK allies on plans for such a restriction.

Tonight, Michael Crick will report on this hardening of Mr Cameron's position, a significant moment for his premiership as a no-fly zone would be the first time the prime minister has committed UK forces to an international military action.

Plus Lyse Doucet, who is in the rebel-held Libyan city of Benghazi, will be bringing us the latest on the situation on the ground.

Paul Mason looks at the steps being taken by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia to ensure that the contagion of protest does not spread to them - particularly how they are censoring the internet to dampen down any dissent.

And here, our Political correspondent Iain Watson asks who the UK's "squeezed middle" are, why electorally they are crucial and how much their standard of living is expected to be affected by spending cuts.

Friday 25 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 14:53 UK time, Friday, 25 February 2011

The UN human rights head Navi Pillay has said that reports from Libya indicate thousands may have been killed or injured as the government crackdown escalates "alarmingly".

Tonight, we will have the latest on what is happening there and Matt Prodger will look at how the United Nations Security Council and Nato - both of which have held emergency talks today - can respond.

Closer to home, Iain Watson will report on the meetings of the UK's National Security Council and Cobra emergency planning committee, and whether the recent upheaval in North Africa and the Middle East is prompting a government rethink on foreign policy.

Guests tonight include Douglas Hurd and Lord Owen.

And we have an interview with the last surviving relative of Anne Frank who knew her, her cousin Buddy Elias.

All that at 10.30pm with tonight's presenter Mishal Husain.

Thursday 24 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:02 UK time, Thursday, 24 February 2011

The world is watching the most extraordinary chain of events in the Middle East and North Africa.

At 1900 on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two this evening we have a special programme in which we'll try to make sense of a story that is changing day by day, and ask what it means for the region, the West and the world.

Allan Little will be mapping the upsurge of unrest from Tunisia to Egypt, Bahrain and beyond and looking at common strands and differences in the protests.

Tim Whewell will give his assessment of what forms of government are likely to emerge as a result of these uprisings, and how the West might respond.

Paul Mason will explain the dynamics of the unrest - profiling the protestors and explaining how they've harnessed technology to get their messages heard.

And we'll also be debating the issues with guests in the studio and around the world including citizen journalist Gigi Ibrahim, Libyan author Hisham Matar, historian Simon Schama, philosopher Francis Fukuyama, commentator Reihan Salam, academic and activist Azzam Tamimi and diplomat Sir Christopher Meyer.

Then at 2230 on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two Tim Whewell will be assessing who controls what in Libya - and specifically Tripoli - at the moment.

David Grossman will be examining why the price of crude oil is going up, and the reasons behind the spike.

Matt Prodger will be looking at the Gaddafi family ties with members of Britain's business, political and academic elite.

And Paul Mason has a report on the impact on Irish culture of the country's economic woes on the eve of the general election there.

Do join Gavin Esler for editions of Newsnight at 1900 and then again at 2230 on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 14:42 UK time, Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Here is what we are planning for tonight's programme presented by Kirsty Wark:

Pressure has mounted on isolated Libyan ruler Colonel Muammar Gaddafi after a chorus of international condemnation and resignations by top officials.

Tonight, we look at how much of the country remains under Col Gadaffi's control and what resources are available to him.

Plus we examine the West's game plan and whether intervention should be stepped up.

We also look at confusion over what the government means when promising to protect "front-line" policing staff from cuts, after the Commons home affairs committee said today that there would be "significantly" fewer officers in England and Wales due to budget reductions of 20% by 2014-15.

And ahead of tomorrow's Davies report looking at why so few women hold positions on the boards of listed companies we will be asking whether a quota should be introduced.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:27 UK time, Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Libya's Col Muammar Gaddafi has condemned anti-government protests in the country and refused to cede power, in his first major speech since unrest began.

Tonight we'll have the very latest on what's happening inside Libya, and Jeremy will joined from Cairo by Baroness Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Then we'll be turning our attention to the future of printed media.

David Grossman investigates if dwindling circulation figures mean the days of consuming your morning news in paper form are numbered.

Anne McElvoy of The Economist presents a thesis on why amateur and citizen journalism can be no substitute for professional journalism.

And Jeremy Paxman will be joined in debate by guests including Alan Rusbridger of the Guardian, FT editor Lionel Barber, Google's Peter Barron, and Mark Thompson, ´óÏó´«Ã½ director general.

Join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Monday 21 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:04 UK time, Monday, 21 February 2011

Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime is under pressure amid unprecedented protests in the Libyan capital and defections by senior diplomats.

Tonight Tim Whewell will be considering what happens next and will look at the close ties that Britain has to Gaddafi's regime.

MI5's chief of staff has told the 7/7 inquest that the security service cannot be held responsible for the 2005 London suicide attacks.

Three months after the bombings, Newsnight's Richard Watson revealed that the leader of the group, Mohammad Sidique Khan, had been on MI5's radar and followed during the investigation of another terror plot.

Tonight he catalogues the dozens of opportunities the security services missed to intervene, starting with Operation Warlock in 2001. We'll hear from relatives of some those killed in the terror attacks, and a defender of MI5.

Then Matt Prodger investigates a Treasury tweak to the tax law which could mean that companies will be able to legally avoid hundreds of millions of pounds in UK tax.

And how do revolutions fail? Justin Rowlatt is in Ukraine to find out how six years on, the Orange Revolution came full circle.

Join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Friday 18 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 13:23 UK time, Friday, 18 February 2011

Bahraini security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters, witnesses and opposition activists say.

The protesters were fired on after they had streamed into the centre of the capital from the funerals of protesters killed in a security crackdown earlier this week.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Allan Little in Manama will be giving us the latest on the events and mood there.

Then our correspondent Tim Whewell - who is still in Egypt - will be giving us his assessment of events both there and elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East.

We have a film from Paul Mason about Portugal's continued economic difficulties, and Mishal will be asking President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso about the continent's economic woes.

And Stephen Smith meets US pop star Usher who is in London with his New Look Foundation. Now in its tenth year, the foundation mentors young people to use their talents to become global corporate and community leaders. 

Do join Mishal Husain for all that and more at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Thursday 17 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 12:26 UK time, Thursday, 17 February 2011

Tonight we'll have indepth analysis of the uprisings across the Middle East. Paul Mason will be looking at their origins, where they are going and what dangers they could present to the West.

We'll be joined by a guests from across the Middle East, Washington and London.

We'll be unveiling Newsnight's U-turnometer as we discuss what's gone wrong with Number 10's grip on government with political strategists Daniel Finkelstein and Matthew Taylor.

And the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Arts editor Will Gompertz hears from Will Self, Iain Sinclair and Russell Brand - all fans of chronicler of suburban sprawl, Nick Papadimitriou.

Do join Gavin at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 11:36 UK time, Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Tonight we have a special programme on the Alternative Vote (AV) - the pros, cons and likely impact of a switch to this electoral system.

Michael Crick will be providing an explainer of how AV works and, if adopted, how it might change politics in the future - are coalition governments something we will need to get used to if AV comes in?

We have a live studio audience and will be debating the issue with big name supporters and critics of the system - tonight's guests include politicians John Prescott, Paddy Ashdown, Tom Harris and Jo Swinson, broadcaster Greg Dyke, and comedian Simon Munnery.

And we've been getting a feel for what the British public feels about AV through a poll we commissioned - .

And we will hear the remix of the Newsnight theme tune by Jamie Smith from The XX, the Mercury-prize winning group .

That's all at the usual time of 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two. But before that you can see Jeremy Paxman - tonight's presenter - .

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 16:08 UK time, Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Here is what is coming up on Tuesday's programme:

The UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation rate rose to 4% in January, up from 3.7% in December, and well above the 2% target.

Tonight our Economics editor Paul Mason will be reporting on what can be done to curb inflation and since it is not being met, what the point of the target is.

American academic Lawrence Mead, whose ideas provided the for a tough overhaul of US welfare, has visited Liverpool to see how the UK benefits system works and give his assessment of what must change.

Afterwards we will discuss the issues raised by the film with Mr Mead and Work and Pensions Minister Chris Grayling.

Plus in the studio we will be debating whether Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham's damning report on how the NHS is failing to treat elderly patients in England with care, dignity and respect reveals a growing resentment of and disregard for the elderly.

Join Jeremy Paxman at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Monday 14 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:33 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011

Here's what we are planning for tonight's programme:

Tim Whewell is still in Egypt where security forces are removing the final protesters from Cairo's Tahrir Square after the new military rulers vowed to dissolve parliament and suspend the constitution.

Tonight we'll be asking if the army can be trusted to dismantle the old order and usher in democracy.

We have an interview with Ben Drew, better known as Plan B, the British rapper, singer-songwriter, actor and film director from Forest Gate, who says he was labelled a failure at a very young age.

And we have a personal film from celebrated children's writer Michael Morpurgo about the effect of conflict on the children of Gaza and Israel.

Join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Friday 11 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 16:35 UK time, Friday, 11 February 2011

Tonight we are dedicating the whole programme to the momentous events in Egypt, where after weeks of protests by anti-government demonstrators in Cairo and other cities, Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as president.

Our reporter Tim Whewell is in the thick the crowds in Cairo's Tahrir Square - .

He will bring us the latest on what is happening on the programme.

We will assess the impact on Egypt, the region and wider global relations and ask what the future holds.

Join presenter Mishal Husain and all of our experts at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Thursday 10 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 12:01 UK time, Thursday, 10 February 2011

Amid claims and counter-claims that Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak may step down tonight, Newsnight will have the latest on the situation and the struggle taking place inside Egypt's corridors of power.

We will be speaking to pundits and players, including one of Egypt's young protest organisers Gigi Ibrahim, and Mark Urban will be giving his analysis of events.

Then, in the second part of her investigation into cyber security, our Science editor Susan Watts reports on emerging threats and how your computer could be being used to launch cyber attacks without your knowledge.

We will also be talking to Security and Counter-Terrorism Minister Dame Pauline Neville-Jones about the issues raised by Susan's report.

Plus, we ask what the news that a British woman died in an alleged "buttocks-enhancement" procedure in a US hotel room tells us about body image in modern Britain.

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 10:24 UK time, Wednesday, 9 February 2011

This evening we're devoting virtually the entire programme to Egypt.

Our correspondent Tim Whewell - who has recently returned from Cairo - will be giving us his assessment of where the revolution is now. .

Our Diplomatic editor Mark Urban will be considering what lessons other popular uprisings hold - why some succeed, while others fail.

Paul Mason will give us his thesis on the new sociological type - the university graduate with no future - that he believes lies at the heart of uprisings from Paris to Cairo.

And Jeremy will be speaking to Nobel peace laureate and likely challenger for Egypt's presidency, Mohamed ElBaradei, and citizen journalist Gigi Ibrahim.

Then to discuss the lessons from previous revolutions he'll be joined by historian Simon Schama, author Simon Sebag-Montefiore, and Michael Hardt - whose book Empire has been dubbed the Communist Manifesto of the 21st Century.

Join them at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:39 UK time, Tuesday, 8 February 2011

The government's announcement that it will increase the levy on UK banks by £800m to £2.5bn, has prompted fury from bankers and provoking barbed debate in parliament. David Grossman will bring us the latest tonight.

In the studio investment fund manager Nicola Horlick and Next Chief Executive Lord Wolfson debate where economic growth will come from.

Iain Watson is looking at the pressure on Eric Pickles from coalition councils as MPs prepare to debate the local government settlement tomorrow. Jeremy will be joined by the minister for housing and local government, Grant Shapps.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently ruled that prisoners must be granted the vote - but Conservative MPs are not keen on the idea of giving criminals a say.

There's an argument brewing and tonight we'll be asking leading international human rights lawyer Ben Emmerson and media barrister and unsuccessful Conservative Party candidate, Joanne Cash if the ECHR enhances our democracy or trivialises our hard won freedoms.

And Stephen Smith is in Chelsea at the National Army Museum as a new exhibition of soldiers' letters, photographs, and love-tokens opens. He'll be asking if we have become too sentimental in the way we think about those who fight and die in wars.

Do join Jeremy for all this and more at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Monday 7 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 10:21 UK time, Monday, 7 February 2011

The previous UK government did "all it could" to facilitate the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, a report on the case has said. Sir Gus O'Donnell concluded that it was made clear to Libya that the final decision was up to Scottish ministers, and there was no evidence of UK pressure on the Holyrood government.

Our Political editor Michael Crick will bring us the latest tonight.

Then Jackie Long will be considering if the government's "big society" idea can ever work, after the head of a leading charity today said their spending cuts are destroying volunteering and undermining its vision for a big society.

And we have a sneak preview of Justin Rowlatt's two-part ´óÏó´«Ã½ documentary investigating the spread of Chinese influence and asking what the world will be like if China overtakes the US as the world's economic superpower.


Join Jeremy at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two for all that and more.

Friday 4 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 11:41 UK time, Friday, 4 February 2011

Here's what is coming up on the programme:

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have gathered again in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a "day of departure" rally aimed at ousting President Hosni Mubarak. Will they succeed in their mission or will Mr Mubarak stay put?

Lyse Doucet will be reporting live on the programme about the day's events.

Mark Urban will be taking us through what negotiations are taking place behind the scenes, particularly between the Egyptian army and US and we will be speaking to a key Obama adviser.

And Michael Crick is looking at what Sally Bercow has dubbed the "storm in a bed sheet" namely the reaction over a photo of her draped in a sheet for a special Valentine's Day magazine feature.

What part is sexism, and the notion that Speaker John Bercow should be "able to control his wife", playing in the furore?

Thursday 3 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 12:32 UK time, Thursday, 3 February 2011

Here are the main stories coming up on tonight's programme:

There have been running street battles in central Cairo, with protesters pushing back President Hosni Mubarak's supporters. Stones were thrown on both sides, and there has been some gunfire.

The army, which was trying to separate the two sides, appears to have failed to control the crowds.

Tim Whewell is in the city and will bring us the latest on the situation this evening.

We hope to be hearing from Egyptian opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei and will also be getting a US point of view from US Senator John McCain.

Our Science editor Susan Watts has an exclusive report on cyber warfare and what steps governments are taking to try to defend against it. You can .


Wednesday 2 February 2011

Verity Murphy | 13:20 UK time, Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Tonight is Rich Night on Newsnight - we are dedicating the majority of the programme to an in-depth look at the super rich and the role they play.

There are now more millionaires than Australians - Reuters journalist Chrystia Freeland has made an authored film on who the new super elite are and what, if anything, society gets back from them.

Paul Mason reports on how vital the banks and City are to the UK economy and we have an interview with London Mayor Boris Johnson on this question.

Plus there will be lots of lively debate in the studio with top line guests, and of course we will still have the latest on what is happening in Egypt.

PS Subscribers to the Newsnight daily e-mail will have just heard that today is the last day that we are sending it out. Here is a link to .

The system which we have been using to disseminate the e-mail is far too patchy in its performance for our liking - often sending out after the programme has broadcast - so we have decided to mothball it and rely on this blog, and our and page to let you know what is going on.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Sarah McDermott | 11:50 UK time, Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Egyptian protesters are holding huge rallies in Cairo and other cities as they step up their efforts to force President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Organisers have been hoping to bring one million people on to the streets of the capital - our correspondent Tim Whewell has been spending the day talking to those in the crowd, and will be joining us live.

Jeremy will be getting more analysis on the situation in the country from Foreign Secretary William Hague, and will be speaking to Prince Hassan of Jordan, where the government today was sacked en masse.

He'll also be asking Professor Francis Fukuyama - who famously wrote about the end of history following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 - what this might all mean for democracy in the Middle East.

And we have a film about the protest movement, the English Defence League, as they prepare for what is likely to be their biggest demonstration to date this weekend in Luton.

We'll also be hearing live from their leader, Stephen Lennon aka Tommy Robinson.

Do join us at 10.30pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two for all that, and more.

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