Alex hit it on the proverbial head. In Journ school they taught us that the present tense is used, especially in radio broadcasting, to make the news items seem more current and immediate

It is true, however, as wow explains, that headlines are curtailed for want of space, and hence some sound strange or perplexing, eg:

Shag man in the lot
Data stolen on more military, Guard than first thought

Last edited by dalehileman; 06/07/2006 3:22 PM.
dalehileman