Analysis of several series and an essay on the sociological implications of shows sending the message that life is good even though people are imperfect and routinely get themselves into ridiculous situations.

http://www.transparencynow.com/tablesitcom.htm

TV Comedy

Examine shows, genres, personalities, and ways to rationalize watching TV every week.

http://tvcomedy.about.com/

Judge issues Hep C probe deadline

Ministers are given a deadline to arrange an inquiry into the deaths of two people from Hepatitis C contracted in NHS care.

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Ghana's new leader takes office

John Atta Mills is sworn in as Ghana's new president amid celebrations in the capital, Accra, after his narrow election victory.

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Woman guilty of harassing TV star

A 66-year-old woman from Norfolk is found guilty of harassing television star Martin Shaw.

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Under pressure

BBC weatherman explains reasons for cold snap

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Itching to work

The asylum-seeking accountant living on £35 a week

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Live text - Derby v Man Utd

Championship side Derby host Manchester United in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Pride Park.

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Toddler crash death driver jailed

A woman who killed a 15-month-old boy when her car crushed his pushchair is jailed for seven years.

news.bbc.co.uk

Explosion at hotel injures three

Two men and a woman have been injured in an explosion at a hotel in Aberdeenshire, police said.

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Schools remain closed amid freeze

Dozens of schools remain closed and thousands of homes are without water as the UK continues to suffer from the effects of freezing weather.

news.bbc.co.uk

M&S boss: 'I won't take pay rise'

Marks and Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose says he won't take a pay rise this year after cutting 1,230 jobs at the chain.

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Polls apart

Charting President Bush's approval ratings since 2001

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Haddock charged over feud murder

North Belfast loyalist Mark Haddock is charged with the murder of a UDA member eight years ago.

news.bbc.co.uk

Six-year-old boy misses the bus, so takes the family car instead

The parents of a six-year-old boy in the US are charged with neglect after the boy drove their car for 10km trying to get to school on time.

news.bbc.co.uk

Freeze hits valley's water supply

Water supplies are expected to return to normal within hours to 6,000 homes in a south Wales valley.

news.bbc.co.uk

Obama attends presidential lunch

Barack Obama joins President George W Bush and the three living ex-presidents for a special White House lunch.

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Chairlift mishap strips US skier of trousers

A skier was left dangling from a chairlift at an American resort after he became stuck upside-down with his trousers round his ankles.

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Murray through to Qatar quarters

Andy Murray beats Germany's Philipp Petzschner 6-2 6-4 as his defence of the Qatar Open continues in style.

news.bbc.co.uk

Pound regains ground against euro

The pound reaches its highest level against the euro for three weeks, ahead of Thursday's UK interest rates announcement.

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Rail chaos 'due to rushed work'

Major disruption on a major rail line was caused because of a "rush" to upgrade the route, it is claimed.

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Send your video, pictures and story ideas

Have you got a good story? BBC News wants to hear from you.

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Strauss to lead West Indies tour

Andrew Strauss to captain England for the forthcoming West Indies tour after Kevin Pietersen's shock resignation.

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England captain Pietersen resigns

Kevin Pietersen resigns from his position as England cricket captain and coach Peter Moores is sacked following the pair's rift.

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Szczecin, anyone?

Where will the weak pound drive holidaying Britons?

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Running late

Is West Coast route the new misery line?

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Israel accepts truce 'principles'

Israel says it has agreed on the principles of a truce plan, raising hopes of an end to the violent conflict in the Gaza Strip.

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