A round-up of the week's news and entertainment on BFBS Radio Two with John Adderley. This week * a detour from Barcelona to Beirut for members of the Royal Irish Regiment .. a major review of troop levels in Germany * Cyprus-based troops get to grips with their roles in Afghanistan * new armoured vehicles for Iraq and Afghanistan * a final, fond farewell to the Canberra * an historic agreement between the British Army and Canada * and Sir Jimmy Saville on the last ever Top of the Pops.

Lebanon - after the Rome conference allowed Israel more time, what will they do now?

A round-up of the week's news and entertainment on BFBS Radio Two with John Adderley. British forces in Cyprus have been at full stretch evacuating thousands of people from the conflict in Lebanon by air and sea. BFBS Radio Two spent much of the week in the island as you'll hear. Also coming up * the Royal British Legion claims vital help isn't getting through to troops * promises to improve service housing * the Sun backs our boys but the Salvation Army bans the newspaper in Germany * the exercise season gets into full swing in Canada * running the Sport Relief mile in Bosnia and a modern day Andrew Sisters trio perform Blondie

The best of the week's news and entertainment on BFBS Radio Two with John Adderley. In this programme - troop reinforcements head for Afghanistan .... British forces handover the 1st province in Iraq to local security forces ... author Jilly Cooper talks about animal heroes ... concerns over the UK's treatment of residents on Ascension Island ... and a unique Thames crossing from source to sea

Defence and the British Armed Forces have been very much in the news this week. On Monday the Defence Secretary, Des Browne announced to Parliament that almost 900 extra British troops would be deployed to Afghanistan. On Wednesday he was being grilled by MPs from the House of Commons Defence Committee. In an exclusive interview he also spoke to BFBS Defence Editor, Rory Higgins. The topics included the reasons for the Helmand re-enforcements, concerns over Snatch veicles, 'overstretch' in the Armed Forces, utility helicopter lift, close air support and Iraq.

 There's a whiff of war and more in the Middle East air

A round-up of the week's news and entertainment on BFBS Radio Two with John Adderley. This week the 1st  anniversary of the London bombings * fears there aren't enough troops on the ground in Afghanistan * a momentous day for the Royal Navy at the Gay Pride Parade in London .. a round the world sailing challenge for the Royal Signals * a message carried by balloon from a schoolboy in Britain picked up by a soldier in Iraq *job opportunities as beefeaters at the Tower of London * happy 60th birthday to the bikini * and preparing the pitch for the World Cup

There are new concerns about the way the UK treats people who live and work on Ascension Island.  Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vincent Cable has raised the issue in Parliament…

A special programme on equipment and intelligent supply, positioning and maintenance. Too much too ask?

More engineers and enablers are on their way to Afghanistan.  The announcement came yesterday as the government insisted that all was going to plan, despite recent public admissions of a shortage of helicopters and other ‘resources’, as the Brigadier in charge of Helmand put it.  Colonel Tim Collins, former commanding officer of 1 Royal Irish joins Glen...

The commander of British forces in Afghanistan’s Helmand province has asked for more resources.  Brigadier Ed Butler’s request comes after another incident claimed the lives of two British soldiers at the weekend.  Major General Patrick Cordingley commanded the Desert Rats in the first gulf war…

This week - Glenn Mansell spends Veterans Day at the Imperial War Museum, where he hears of the bravery of Victoria and George Cross holders, gets to grip with a Royal Marines Physical Training display, and meets celebrity chef turning his  hand to military catering -- The inventor of the Kalashnikov calls for greater gun control -- What next for the BBC's political correspondent, stepping down after 5 years -- and Simon Marlow talks to the bluest of Blue Peter presenters.