The example I give in return was when I was in the US when the King of Nepal and his wife were shot by their own son. This actually made the news on the BBC world service, in spite of the fact we were days away from a general election.

I didn't hear anything about it on the US news. I bring this one up as I have friends in Nepal (my first expedition was to the Terrai there).

Oh and I know the story you are talking about (without googling or anything before you suggest). The contract was awarded to a company his son worked for. It was on the BBC news, though it may have been later (30 min news buletting don't allow you to cover everything). This IS the type of thing that would make the US news in my experience and the reason is that they do try and portray the UN in an undemocratic light (maybe that is fair, but it also does a lot of good too). This bais in your news does not suprise me since the US owes the UN so much money (over a billion $ I believe)!

Also, another point from your original post, you said something like "I'll bet none of you know of this legislation"! Coming out of Brussles??? OF COURSE WE DON'T!!! There is so much coming out of Brussles that is so contriversial that it rarely makes the news. That is why the EU is in such a mess. The politicians want it to take one direction and the people, so it seems by recent referendom results, want it to take another.

Other than loving Dr Who I have no reason to stick up for the BBC, but I genuinely was appalled by the news services (notice the plural there) in the US in 2001 and can't believe it has improved that much since then. Remember also that roughly 50% of the population in the UK only have 5 channels, and none of them are dedicated news channels.