THE WEEK THAT WAS

A BRILLIANTLY conceived and executed Opening Ceremony for the Beijing Olympics drew universal praise and temporarily stilled media concerns about oppressive security measures.

Almost without warning Georgia and Russia found themselves at war over Georgia's semi-autonomous province South Ossetia.

In Pakistan the two parties forming a government reached agreement on starting impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf.

Energy policy dominated the US presidential campaigns before the summer break. Oil reserves and off-shore drilling were the main issues but a lively debate started abut the accuracy of Senator Obama's advice on tyre pressures.

Alexander Solzhhenitsyn, author of the Gulag Archipelago and lifelong critic of the Soviet Union (and, to a lesser extent, of the West) died at 89.
Prime MInister Putin attended the funeral.

Bulletin Headlines of the Week

SUNDAY/MONDAY: “Unbeatable” (The optimistic prediction of proud potential new owner of Real Mallorca, Paul Davidson, before the game against Newcastle United).

TUESDAY: Star Islands (It was all happening in the Balearics with vacationing Hollywood stars, super models and top pop stars).

WEDNESDAY: “Stop the street parties” (Residents on the Paseo Maritimo called on Palma city council to stop illegal all-night “Botellon” parties).

THURSDAY: Goodbye Terminal “British” (The old Terminal B at Palma airport, used for many years by charter flights from the UK, was being demolished).

FRIDAY: Fresh Fears Over Jobs (Increasing numbers of immigrants in Spain were asking for financial help to return home as the job market shrank).

SATURDAY: Best Of British (Several of Britain's Olympic medal hopes had been training ln Majorca before leaving for Beijing).