| NEXT PANORAMA - THREE BLOODY SUMMERS - MONDAY 8.30PM
HAVE WE GOT NEWS FOR YOU
Given the media fallout following the Radio 2 offensive phone call row, you could be forgiven for thinking that there has been no other news this week - but we are here to remind you that is simply not the case.
On Tuesday, Americans will of course choose a new president. With the campaign now in its final phase, Barack Obama on Wednesday demonstrated his astonishing spending power with a half-hour, prime-time advertisementon seven US TV channels.
AMERICAN E-LECTION
Mr Obama's TV spot, believed to be the most expensive campaign broadcast in US history, is the latest example of him using the full reach of the media to get his message out.
Both his team and his supporters have also deftly harnessed the power of the internet to spread the word - you can see how by going to the Panorama website where we have two short films on the political impact of sites like Facebook and YouTube.
ETHICAL SHOPPERS
Talking of impact it seems Panorama's programme Primark: On the Rack certainly made a big impression on the minds of British shoppers.
Four months after our programme highlighting the use of child labourers in the production of some Primark clothes, the discount chain has been voted Britain's least ethical clothing retailer.
FEELING THE BENEFIT
Another issue Panorama has reported on was in the news this week, as the government launched a new benefits system, making it tougher for sick and disabled people to claim benefits.
In Britain on the Sick, Shelley Jofre investigated government plans to get a million people off the sick and back into work within the next eight years -and remember you can you can still watch the programme online via our archive.
SPIES LIKE US
Have you ever felt like you are being watched? Well, as we reported this week, if you live in the UK that is hardly surprising.
In You can run... but can you hide? Reporter Simon Boazman put our surveillance society in the spotlight and the safety of his own confidential data to the test.
The government says police need technology to combat crime and terror and this week a new tool to help them in that endeavour was wheeled out - hand-held held fingerprint scanners enabling on-the-spot identity checks.
ANNUAL REMINDER
Turning on your TV this week you have probably noticed that as we approach Remembrance Day on the 11th November many news readers and presenters have started wearing red poppies.
The first poppy appeal raising money for injured troops and their dependants of those killed was held in 1921, and its return this year is a reminder that British troops are fighting overseas.
A WINNABLE WAR?
While the violence has abated in Iraq, in Afghanistan it has been getting worse, with 2008 the bloodiest year yet for our troops.
The ongoing unrest is raising questions about whether the military strategy is working, and whether it is worth the cost in British lives.
In Monday's Panorama the BBC's Afghanistan correspondent Alastair Leithead travels across the troubled Helmand province - scene of the worst fighting - to see what, if any, progress has been made.
Join Alastair Leithead at 8.30pm on Monday on BBC One for Panorama: Three Bloody Summers.
BYE FOR NOW
That's all for this week. You can keep up to date with what's happening on the programme on our website.
And remember, if you have a story, suggestion or comment you'd like to send us then you can always email us panorama@bbc.co.uk
The Panorama Team
 bbc.co.uk/panorama
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