Ok. This is just a straight out rant. Can we just banish the phrase 'in a bid to' from the media already? "In a bid to influence the WTO, ..." I have heard this phrase way too often, and I'm sick of it. Why can't anyone just say "Yesterday, Finance Ministry officials attempted to influence the WTO by...?"
Why do those in the media feel it necessary to always use the same tired old clichés?? This is one reason I like to read the Wall Street Journal, and the few remaining publications where reporters just write what they mean, rather than gluing together clichés... Argh.
I think the AP and Reuters are probably largely to blame for this shoddy McCrap. Is it really that hard to write something in your own words, guys? Argh2.