The British government's official voice for older people, Joan Bakewell, alleges the BBC routinely cuts ties with female news presenters after they turn 50. The Sunday Times of London reported the ageism czar for the British government met with BBC director-general Mark Thompson this weekend to discuss the broadcaster's lack of older female TV news stars. It's like they have all somehow died off, Bakewell, 76, said.

By JOAN BAKEWELL Remember the fuss about the age discrimination legislation, and how it was going to solve several problems at once: allowing older people to continue with a fulfiling life, and relieving the stress on the economy of having to support an ageing population.

By Joan Bakewell But there is a downside: the risk factor. We can certainly expect new concoctions of chemical treatments to have unknown repercussions. The same applies to research findings and claims for new evidence.

By Dominic Crossley-Holland There was I all set to write about the gripping world of product placement on TV, which is fast headed to a screen very near you.

THE promise of proper, witty, intellectual cut and thrust, far removed from the polar platitudes of celebrities and politicians, have made the Intelligence2 debates a must-hear for Londoners of a certain stripe.