http://www.forcesciencenews.com/home/current.html
Part 2
HOW TO ASSURE "FAIR, NEUTRAL & FACT-FINDING" OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING INVESTIGATIONS
Part 1 of a 2-part series
http://www.forcesciencenews.com/home/detail.html?serial=41
Saturday, April 29, 2006
[South Africa] Dept of Home Affairs denies lack of passports / Mail & Guardian, 29 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcs
"The Department of Home Affairs said on Friday it has never placed any embargo on the issuing of passports and has not run out of paper for passports."
"The Department of Home Affairs said on Friday it has never placed any embargo on the issuing of passports and has not run out of paper for passports."
Policy Watch: Zarqawi's promotional video / World Peace Herald, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060428-115644-9652r
Mark N Katz
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, recently appeared in a videotape showing his face for the first time. In his previous videotapes, his face was always covered. Why has he made this change? He obviously did it to get attention -- and he succeeded. Indeed, his revealing his face has gotten more attention for this videotaped message than it probably would have gotten otherwise. Clearly, though, he could have done this before. So why now? "
Mark N Katz
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, recently appeared in a videotape showing his face for the first time. In his previous videotapes, his face was always covered. Why has he made this change? He obviously did it to get attention -- and he succeeded. Indeed, his revealing his face has gotten more attention for this videotaped message than it probably would have gotten otherwise. Clearly, though, he could have done this before. So why now? "
[Greece] Policing is a man's world / Kathimerini.29 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcr
"The Greek Police (ELAS) has been told not to hire any extra women officers by Greece's highest administrative court, which ruled that men were better are fulfilling the force's tasks. The Council of State said that only 15 percent of recruits going through the police academy should be women. Some 2,800 women currently serve in the police force - out of a total of 42,848 officers (6.5 percent) - and the court said this figure was high enough. Explaining its ruling, the court said that the limit was justified because of the nature of police work. According to the court, this demands 'a high level of physical fitness and muscular strength, speed, endurance, a large degree of courage and composure ' qualities in which men are superior to women. The court said that policemen are often called on to confront violent situations and catch dangerous criminals, and that women could not be asked to do this 'because of the well-known biological differences.'" [Snippet]
"The Greek Police (ELAS) has been told not to hire any extra women officers by Greece's highest administrative court, which ruled that men were better are fulfilling the force's tasks. The Council of State said that only 15 percent of recruits going through the police academy should be women. Some 2,800 women currently serve in the police force - out of a total of 42,848 officers (6.5 percent) - and the court said this figure was high enough. Explaining its ruling, the court said that the limit was justified because of the nature of police work. According to the court, this demands 'a high level of physical fitness and muscular strength, speed, endurance, a large degree of courage and composure ' qualities in which men are superior to women. The court said that policemen are often called on to confront violent situations and catch dangerous criminals, and that women could not be asked to do this 'because of the well-known biological differences.'" [Snippet]
Value-added citizenship on the agenda / the age, 30 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcq
Michelle Grattan
"People wanting to become Australian citizens might soon find themselves examined on how well they understand the nation's ID. While it has arisen against the background of the war on terrorism, Robb says the primary driving force for his citizenship test is the ageing of the population, both here and abroad. As OECD countries face their own worker shortages, they will try to hang on to their people. Australia will be increasingly recruiting from places with cultures very different from our own, such as Africa and parts of Asia. This means "we have to be better at integration," he says."
Michelle Grattan
"People wanting to become Australian citizens might soon find themselves examined on how well they understand the nation's ID. While it has arisen against the background of the war on terrorism, Robb says the primary driving force for his citizenship test is the ageing of the population, both here and abroad. As OECD countries face their own worker shortages, they will try to hang on to their people. Australia will be increasingly recruiting from places with cultures very different from our own, such as Africa and parts of Asia. This means "we have to be better at integration," he says."
Backlog inmates rotting on remand / The Age, 30 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcp
Jason Dowling
"LONG delays in preparing cases for court mean some prisoners spend up to 31/2 years on remand before coming before a judge, new figures reveal. The backlog has been blamed on staffing issues at the forensic centre that tests evidence and has been branded a 'radical problem' by civil libertarians."
Jason Dowling
"LONG delays in preparing cases for court mean some prisoners spend up to 31/2 years on remand before coming before a judge, new figures reveal. The backlog has been blamed on staffing issues at the forensic centre that tests evidence and has been branded a 'radical problem' by civil libertarians."
NYPD tracks suspects in 'real time' _ even analyzing tattoos / Newsday, 29 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcn
Tom Hayes
" A check of the NYPD's tattoo database led to a quick identification of a suspect and an arrest. Police officials considered it another triumph for a 24-hour monument to 21st Century policing: the Real Time Crime Center. At an unveiling earlier this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed the $11 million center as the first of its kind and predicted it would 'will transform the way we solve crime.' "
Tom Hayes
" A check of the NYPD's tattoo database led to a quick identification of a suspect and an arrest. Police officials considered it another triumph for a 24-hour monument to 21st Century policing: the Real Time Crime Center. At an unveiling earlier this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed the $11 million center as the first of its kind and predicted it would 'will transform the way we solve crime.' "
[Canada] Union warns of passport backlog / Canda.com, 28 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hjcm
" The union representing workers who make Canada's passports is warning of an imminent backlog in the production of Canadian travel documents to meet new U.S. border requirements. "
" The union representing workers who make Canada's passports is warning of an imminent backlog in the production of Canadian travel documents to meet new U.S. border requirements. "
More than 3 years on remand: Report /The Australian, 30 Apr 2006
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18977619-29277,00.html
"A REPORT says delays in preparing cases for Victorian courts mean some prisoners spend up to three and a half years on remand before fronting a judge. The backlog is related to staffing issues at the forensic centre where evidence is tested.
A spokeswoman said four people sentenced last year spent more than a thousand days on remand. She says all were remanded for murder and received sentences of more than 15 years. A Victorian Department of Justice document says the average time spent on remand for remandees who were sentenced last year is 114 days. The range is from one day to one thousand 250 days. Ms Armitage says time spent on remand is taken into account when judges decided jail terms.
She says figures haven't been kept on the time those who were later acquitted spent on remand." [Snippet]
"A REPORT says delays in preparing cases for Victorian courts mean some prisoners spend up to three and a half years on remand before fronting a judge. The backlog is related to staffing issues at the forensic centre where evidence is tested.
A spokeswoman said four people sentenced last year spent more than a thousand days on remand. She says all were remanded for murder and received sentences of more than 15 years. A Victorian Department of Justice document says the average time spent on remand for remandees who were sentenced last year is 114 days. The range is from one day to one thousand 250 days. Ms Armitage says time spent on remand is taken into account when judges decided jail terms.
She says figures haven't been kept on the time those who were later acquitted spent on remand." [Snippet]
Manifesto of Liberties"- A Muslim Association for Freedom in the Arab World / MEMRI, 28 Apr 2006
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=IA27106
Nathalie Szerman
"The Manifeste des Libertés (Manifesto of Liberties) is a Paris-based association dedicated to promoting freedom in the Arab world. Its website, www.manifeste.org , features a great number of articles by reformist and secular Muslims, among them Salman Rushdie and prominent French-speaking Arab intellectuals. The association also organizes conferences and meetings, posts petitions, and addresses open letters to French governmental agencies.The association's founding document is a "manifesto" signed by over 1800 "women and men of Muslim culture," "believers, agnostics, or atheists" who "firmly condemn misogyny, homophobia, and antisemitism" perpetuated in the name of Islam."
Nathalie Szerman
"The Manifeste des Libertés (Manifesto of Liberties) is a Paris-based association dedicated to promoting freedom in the Arab world. Its website, www.manifeste.org , features a great number of articles by reformist and secular Muslims, among them Salman Rushdie and prominent French-speaking Arab intellectuals. The association also organizes conferences and meetings, posts petitions, and addresses open letters to French governmental agencies.The association's founding document is a "manifesto" signed by over 1800 "women and men of Muslim culture," "believers, agnostics, or atheists" who "firmly condemn misogyny, homophobia, and antisemitism" perpetuated in the name of Islam."
Friday, April 28, 2006
Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 / US State Department, Arpil 2006
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/c17689.htm
Links to each chapter in PDF
Full Report - PDF - http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf
Links to each chapter in PDF
Full Report - PDF - http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/65462.pdf
Citizen Information Project : Final Report [n.d.]
PDF - http://www.gro.gov.uk/cip/Download.asp?CIP%20final%20report_tcm95-26296.pdf
"This report describes how public money can be saved and services to citizens improved by increasing the sharing of basic citizen contact details (such as name and address, date of birth, etc), across central and local Government. Although some parts of the public sector are rationalising the information held on internal systems, it remains the case that there are many different public sector organisations attempting to maintain local citizen contact details. We have been able to identify at least five sets of contact details held separately. Improved data sharing across the public sector would reduce the administrative burden to both departments and the citizen of maintaining basic contact information, and would assist in delivery of the e-government commitment that the citizen should be able to inform the entire public sector of change of circumstances through a single electronic interaction. "
"This report describes how public money can be saved and services to citizens improved by increasing the sharing of basic citizen contact details (such as name and address, date of birth, etc), across central and local Government. Although some parts of the public sector are rationalising the information held on internal systems, it remains the case that there are many different public sector organisations attempting to maintain local citizen contact details. We have been able to identify at least five sets of contact details held separately. Improved data sharing across the public sector would reduce the administrative burden to both departments and the citizen of maintaining basic contact information, and would assist in delivery of the e-government commitment that the citizen should be able to inform the entire public sector of change of circumstances through a single electronic interaction. "
Zarqawi: the man, the image, the video star / Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0428/p09s01-coop.html Fawaz A. Gerges
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the elusive leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, made his screen debut this week. In a 35-minute video, the man responsible for the car-bomb deaths of hundreds of Iraqi civilians and the beheadings of numerous foreigners, dismissed the new Iraqi government as an American 'stooge' and a 'poisoned dagger' in the heart of the Muslim community. He promised more attacks. The Zarqawi video comes, perhaps not coincidentally, days after another call by Osama bin Laden that Muslims support Al Qaeda in its war with the West."
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the elusive leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, made his screen debut this week. In a 35-minute video, the man responsible for the car-bomb deaths of hundreds of Iraqi civilians and the beheadings of numerous foreigners, dismissed the new Iraqi government as an American 'stooge' and a 'poisoned dagger' in the heart of the Muslim community. He promised more attacks. The Zarqawi video comes, perhaps not coincidentally, days after another call by Osama bin Laden that Muslims support Al Qaeda in its war with the West."
Hamas, Sudan say 'no thanks' to Osama bin Laden / christian Science Monitor, 26 Apr 2006
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0426/dailyUpdate.html?s=rss
Arthur Bright
"The Palestinian militant group Hamas and the government of war-torn Sudan both distanced themselves from Osama bin Laden in response to his recently aired audiotape. "
Arthur Bright
"The Palestinian militant group Hamas and the government of war-torn Sudan both distanced themselves from Osama bin Laden in response to his recently aired audiotape. "
Prisons must not be dustbin, prisoners worthy of human dignity, British cardinal says / Catholic Online, 27 Apr 2006
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19613
"Noting that prison population has nearly doubled since the early 1990s and continues to grow, that the numbers of incarcerated women and juveniles have more than doubled in a decade and that the imprisonment of blacks is now seven times that of whites, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said that the prisons in England and Wales 'are becoming a public disgrace.' "
"Noting that prison population has nearly doubled since the early 1990s and continues to grow, that the numbers of incarcerated women and juveniles have more than doubled in a decade and that the imprisonment of blacks is now seven times that of whites, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said that the prisons in England and Wales 'are becoming a public disgrace.' "
[Australia] Immigrant groups worried by tests / 7news, 28 Apr 2006
http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/166313
"Ethnic and religious groups are concerned a proposal for compulsory English and citizenship tests for new Australians will unfairly discriminate against some would-be immigrants."
"Ethnic and religious groups are concerned a proposal for compulsory English and citizenship tests for new Australians will unfairly discriminate against some would-be immigrants."
[Australia] Muslim leader welcomes citizenship test / 7news national news, 28 Apr 2006
http://seven.com.au/news/nationalnews/166225
Brad Watts
"Muslim leader Mustapha Kara-Ali, a member of the prime minister's hand-picked Muslim community reference group, said a basic level of language skills and understanding of Australian culture could be a useful tool for new citizens.
'A basic understanding of Australian culture and a practical knowledge of the English language will go a long way in laying the foundation for a new mindset in the Muslim community,' Mr Kara-Ali said."
Brad Watts
"Muslim leader Mustapha Kara-Ali, a member of the prime minister's hand-picked Muslim community reference group, said a basic level of language skills and understanding of Australian culture could be a useful tool for new citizens.
'A basic understanding of Australian culture and a practical knowledge of the English language will go a long way in laying the foundation for a new mindset in the Muslim community,' Mr Kara-Ali said."
'Quick death is preferable to slow death' / IRR, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/april/ha000033.html
"The Algerian men in Long Lartin were detained for deportation in August and September 2005. The men had all been detained before as threats to national security but had then been released under control orders - which subject (an individual, his family and friends) to measures which variously involve curfews, electronic tagging, security checks of all visitors, no access to computers, (the restrictions go on).
The men believe that returning to probable torture is a far better prospect than remaining in their current limbo situation, which is affecting not just four men in Long Lartin prison but wives, sons, daughters and fathers whose lives have been turned upside down by anti-terror laws."
Includes Amnesty findings on Algeria
"The Algerian men in Long Lartin were detained for deportation in August and September 2005. The men had all been detained before as threats to national security but had then been released under control orders - which subject (an individual, his family and friends) to measures which variously involve curfews, electronic tagging, security checks of all visitors, no access to computers, (the restrictions go on).
The men believe that returning to probable torture is a far better prospect than remaining in their current limbo situation, which is affecting not just four men in Long Lartin prison but wives, sons, daughters and fathers whose lives have been turned upside down by anti-terror laws."
Includes Amnesty findings on Algeria
Why a criminal was free to kill / The Herald, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/61008.html
Allan Laing
"THEY call them high-tech handcuffs and, for some, they are a sensible alternative to prison. For others, however, electronic tagging is dismissed as a soft option for criminals who should, by rights, be behind bars."
Allan Laing
"THEY call them high-tech handcuffs and, for some, they are a sensible alternative to prison. For others, however, electronic tagging is dismissed as a soft option for criminals who should, by rights, be behind bars."
Next step in pirating: Faking a company / International Herald Tribune, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/27/business/nec.php
David Lague
"'On the surface, it looked like a series of intellectual property infringements, but in reality a highly organized group has attempted to hijack the entire brand,' he said. 'It is not a simple case of a factory knocking off a branded product. Many of them have been given bogus paperwork that they say gives them the right to do it.' "
David Lague
"'On the surface, it looked like a series of intellectual property infringements, but in reality a highly organized group has attempted to hijack the entire brand,' he said. 'It is not a simple case of a factory knocking off a branded product. Many of them have been given bogus paperwork that they say gives them the right to do it.' "
New group helping Jews in European jails / Jerusalem Post, 27 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhsy
HILARY LEILA KRIEGER
"The European Aleph Institute was founded only in September. The organization was started to make sure that Jewish inmates in European prisons are able to observe dietary laws, rituals and holidays, as well as to foster a connection to Judaism in the belief that it will ultimately help prisoners avoid recidivism. "
HILARY LEILA KRIEGER
"The European Aleph Institute was founded only in September. The organization was started to make sure that Jewish inmates in European prisons are able to observe dietary laws, rituals and holidays, as well as to foster a connection to Judaism in the belief that it will ultimately help prisoners avoid recidivism. "
[South Africa] SA 'runs out' of passports / News24, 28 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhss
Philip de Bruin
"The home affairs department 'is experiencing the biggest crisis of its existence' and a national embargo has been placed on the issuing of 'normal' passports as there are no new passports available for processing.
The handful of new passports still held by the department has now been reserved for 'emergency cases' and may be issued only to people 'who can provide a very good motivation for consideration'. "
Philip de Bruin
"The home affairs department 'is experiencing the biggest crisis of its existence' and a national embargo has been placed on the issuing of 'normal' passports as there are no new passports available for processing.
The handful of new passports still held by the department has now been reserved for 'emergency cases' and may be issued only to people 'who can provide a very good motivation for consideration'. "
Cultural, Religious Discord Shades European Need for Immigrants / Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhsr
Jeffrey Fleishman
"The continent faces a shrinking population and other harsh demographic changes that threaten the welfare state unless it finds more foreign workers in coming decades. But its economic need for newcomers is at odds with its skepticism of embracing an angry and often disillusioned immigrant Muslim population. "
Jeffrey Fleishman
"The continent faces a shrinking population and other harsh demographic changes that threaten the welfare state unless it finds more foreign workers in coming decades. But its economic need for newcomers is at odds with its skepticism of embracing an angry and often disillusioned immigrant Muslim population. "
[Australia] Historian Keith Windschuttle supports citizenship test / ABC, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1626238.htm
Brendan Trembath
"A plan to introduce a compulsory test for prospective Australian citizens has been questioned by ethnic community representatives but supported by a noted historian. Keith Windschuttle, author and historian, says it's a good idea because immigrant communities should assimilate rather than remain separate. The plan put forward by Andrew Robb, the Parliamentary Secretary to Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone, would require migrants to have more than just a basic understanding of English, and a general knowledge of Australian values before they can take out Australian citizenship. And he plans to visit countries which already have compulsory citizenship tests to see if they can be reproduced here in Australia."
Brendan Trembath
"A plan to introduce a compulsory test for prospective Australian citizens has been questioned by ethnic community representatives but supported by a noted historian. Keith Windschuttle, author and historian, says it's a good idea because immigrant communities should assimilate rather than remain separate. The plan put forward by Andrew Robb, the Parliamentary Secretary to Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone, would require migrants to have more than just a basic understanding of English, and a general knowledge of Australian values before they can take out Australian citizenship. And he plans to visit countries which already have compulsory citizenship tests to see if they can be reproduced here in Australia."
Courtroom therapy makes a mockery of justice / Spiked, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CB02E.htm
Frank Furedi
"The problem is that therapeutic justice makes a mockery of real justice. Victims of crime have every right to feel powerful emotions about their loss. But their emotions must not be allowed to influence the sentencing policies of the court. How people feel about a crime must not be confused with how we judge a criminal act."
Frank Furedi
"The problem is that therapeutic justice makes a mockery of real justice. Victims of crime have every right to feel powerful emotions about their loss. But their emotions must not be allowed to influence the sentencing policies of the court. How people feel about a crime must not be confused with how we judge a criminal act."
Police force must reveal company cars cost after FOI blunders / Holdthefrontpage.co.uk, 27 Apr 2006
Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk:
"A police force has been ordered to reveal to the Press and Journal the cost of providing its bosses with company cars.
The Scottish Information Commissioner upheld a request by the Aberdeen-based morning newspaper to know how much Northern Constabulary spends on providing luxury 4x4 Range Rovers to its chief constable and his deputy. "
"A police force has been ordered to reveal to the Press and Journal the cost of providing its bosses with company cars.
The Scottish Information Commissioner upheld a request by the Aberdeen-based morning newspaper to know how much Northern Constabulary spends on providing luxury 4x4 Range Rovers to its chief constable and his deputy. "
MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base
www.tkb.org
"One-stop resource for comprehensive research and analysis on global terrorist incidents, terrorist organizations, and terrorism-related trials.
From our country-profile pages, TKB users can see official U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Public Announcements to stay current on the latest security developments throughout the world. And from the TKB homepage, users can now access the complete “State Department Terrorist Designation Lists,” with direct links to TKB information on terrorist groups and entities officially designated by the U.S. government.
"One-stop resource for comprehensive research and analysis on global terrorist incidents, terrorist organizations, and terrorism-related trials.
From our country-profile pages, TKB users can see official U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Public Announcements to stay current on the latest security developments throughout the world. And from the TKB homepage, users can now access the complete “State Department Terrorist Designation Lists,” with direct links to TKB information on terrorist groups and entities officially designated by the U.S. government.
[Germany] Berlin Makes Citizenship More Attractive for Young Migrants | Germany /| Deutsche Welle, 28 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhrx
"Using 15 real life examples of immigrant men and women the Senate hopes to inspire more of its foreign residents -- especially young people -- to apply for citizenship. A relaxed process for young people has been introduced to make things easier. Starting at age 16, teens can apply for citizenship without their parents' permission. And until age 23, applicants don't need to prove that they are financially independent."
"Using 15 real life examples of immigrant men and women the Senate hopes to inspire more of its foreign residents -- especially young people -- to apply for citizenship. A relaxed process for young people has been introduced to make things easier. Starting at age 16, teens can apply for citizenship without their parents' permission. And until age 23, applicants don't need to prove that they are financially independent."
Instantly identifying illicit drugs / The Engineer Online, 28 Apr 2006
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=294326
"A Taiwanese research collaboration has built a tiny biochip that can instantly identify illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines in their natural powdered form. "
"A Taiwanese research collaboration has built a tiny biochip that can instantly identify illicit drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines in their natural powdered form. "
Police information being used by criminals? No. Never, I can't believe it! / Blues And Twos - Police Officer's Blog: Police Information, 27 Apr 2006
http://bluesandtwos.blogspot.com/2006/04/police-information.html
"So tell me how can this be in the public's best interest? Yes I agree that as a whole the police service must become more publicly accountable, but how does allowing criminals access to previously confidentially material under the guise of the FOI Act serve the public, or have the public's best interest at heart?"
"So tell me how can this be in the public's best interest? Yes I agree that as a whole the police service must become more publicly accountable, but how does allowing criminals access to previously confidentially material under the guise of the FOI Act serve the public, or have the public's best interest at heart?"
Thursday, April 27, 2006
A sporting way to tackle problems / BBC, 26 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4945744.stm
John McGlashan
"Anti-social Behaviour, Child Obesity - Is there anything we can do? Well, actually there is. A charity in Arbroath, The C.A.F.E. Project has started a social revolution. Our pioneering 'Street Football and Games For All' program promotes socially acceptable behaviour by involvement in sport in a safe and structured manner. In particular we encourage the development of interpersonal skills including interaction, co-operation, negotiation and compromise. "
John McGlashan
"Anti-social Behaviour, Child Obesity - Is there anything we can do? Well, actually there is. A charity in Arbroath, The C.A.F.E. Project has started a social revolution. Our pioneering 'Street Football and Games For All' program promotes socially acceptable behaviour by involvement in sport in a safe and structured manner. In particular we encourage the development of interpersonal skills including interaction, co-operation, negotiation and compromise. "
| Foreign prisoners: The numbers / BBC, 26 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4946988.stm
Dominic Casciani
"What do we know about foreign prisoners in British jails? Where do they come from and why are they there? "
Dominic Casciani
"What do we know about foreign prisoners in British jails? Where do they come from and why are they there? "
EU inquiry links 1,000 flights to CIA / International Herald Tribune, 27 Apr 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/26/news/cia.php
Dan Bilefsky
"Investigators for the European Parliament said Wednesday that data gathered from air safety regulators showed that the CIA had flown 1,000 undeclared flights over Europe since 2001, sometimes stopping on the Continent to transport terrorism suspects kidnapped inside the European Union to countries using torture.
"
Dan Bilefsky
"Investigators for the European Parliament said Wednesday that data gathered from air safety regulators showed that the CIA had flown 1,000 undeclared flights over Europe since 2001, sometimes stopping on the Continent to transport terrorism suspects kidnapped inside the European Union to countries using torture.
"
Al Qaeda's key organizer in Iraq sheds low profile / The Boston Globe, 26 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhmw
Bryan Bender
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Al Qaeda mastermind accused of orchestrating dozens of bombings and beheadings in Iraq, sought yesterday in a rare videotaped message to portray himself as a leader of radical Islam's global struggle against the West."
Bryan Bender
"Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Al Qaeda mastermind accused of orchestrating dozens of bombings and beheadings in Iraq, sought yesterday in a rare videotaped message to portray himself as a leader of radical Islam's global struggle against the West."
[Australia] An ID card by any other name? / ZDNet Australia, 27 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhmt
"Does the planned government health and welfare access card constitute an identity card? And if not, does the card and associated systems provide a solid platform for the introduction of an Australia Card-style system down the track? These are just some of a multitude of questions being posed in the light of yesterday's announcement that a smart card with photograph identity would be phased in for about 11 million Australians between 2008 and 2010 at a cost of about AU$1 billion. While the card is technically non-compulsory, if you want to claim government benefits of any kind, you will have to sign up by 2010."
"Does the planned government health and welfare access card constitute an identity card? And if not, does the card and associated systems provide a solid platform for the introduction of an Australia Card-style system down the track? These are just some of a multitude of questions being posed in the light of yesterday's announcement that a smart card with photograph identity would be phased in for about 11 million Australians between 2008 and 2010 at a cost of about AU$1 billion. While the card is technically non-compulsory, if you want to claim government benefits of any kind, you will have to sign up by 2010."
Europe's role in the global refugee protection system. The Way Forward: An Agenda for Change / European Council on Refugees and Exiles, 26 Apr 2006
PDF - http://www.ecre.org/positions/agendapaper.pdf
Way Forward Papers
Protection in Regions of Origin Summary Full
Resettlement Summary Full
Asylum Systems Summary Full
Integration Summary Full
Return Summary Full
Way Forward Papers
Protection in Regions of Origin Summary Full
Resettlement Summary Full
Asylum Systems Summary Full
Integration Summary Full
Return Summary Full
The foreigners still locked in our jails are the other scandal / Guardian, 27 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1761983,00.html
Juliet Lyon - Director of the Prison Reform Trust
"Prisons are our most neglected and least visible public service, only emerging as a matter of national debate when something goes radically wrong. Successive home secretaries have striven to keep prisons out of the news. For years we have been imprisoning growing numbers of foreign nationals without working out how to manage them. The number of foreign prisoners has more than doubled over the last 10 years, while the imprisonment of British nationals has increased by a half. Yet years go by without a consistent strategy to deal with them. It is a serial failure. " [+ comments]
Juliet Lyon - Director of the Prison Reform Trust
"Prisons are our most neglected and least visible public service, only emerging as a matter of national debate when something goes radically wrong. Successive home secretaries have striven to keep prisons out of the news. For years we have been imprisoning growing numbers of foreign nationals without working out how to manage them. The number of foreign prisoners has more than doubled over the last 10 years, while the imprisonment of British nationals has increased by a half. Yet years go by without a consistent strategy to deal with them. It is a serial failure. " [+ comments]
Algeria: New report reveals torture in Algeria as UK starts proceedings to return 'at risk' detainees / Amnesty, 24 April 2006
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/16973.shtml
"As the UK's Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) meets to hear the first appeal against the government's plans to deport Algerian terror suspects to Algeria - a new report from Amnesty International discloses the continuing use of secret detention and torture by the Algerian security services."
The Report - http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE280082006
"As the UK's Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) meets to hear the first appeal against the government's plans to deport Algerian terror suspects to Algeria - a new report from Amnesty International discloses the continuing use of secret detention and torture by the Algerian security services."
The Report - http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE280082006
Procedure, complexity delays maritime counter-terror plan / The Australian, 27 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhmp
Cath Hart
"A SCHEME to protect Australia's ports from terrorists by screening all workers and issuing them with identity cards will not meet its deadline unless changes are made to the process.
The peak ports body said yesterday planners for the Maritime Security Identification Card scheme had underestimated the time and complexity of the task. "
Cath Hart
"A SCHEME to protect Australia's ports from terrorists by screening all workers and issuing them with identity cards will not meet its deadline unless changes are made to the process.
The peak ports body said yesterday planners for the Maritime Security Identification Card scheme had underestimated the time and complexity of the task. "
Yorkshire Post Today, 27 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhmf"
William Green
"YORKSHIRE police forces have fallen victim to thieves who have stolen property worth tens of thousands of pounds - including a car. North Yorkshire Police had an £18,000 Vauxhall Vectra stolen as well as three blue warning lights worth £150, a £300 bicycle, two mobile telephones each costing £100 and £200 worth of industrial electrical cable. A £150 police radio and a laptop computer worth £1,200 were also stolen from the force. Humberside Police had a £2,000 motorcycle stolen, along with an officer's uniform and personal effects worth £550 taken from a locker, according to figures obtained by the Yorkshire Post under freedom of information rules."
William Green
"YORKSHIRE police forces have fallen victim to thieves who have stolen property worth tens of thousands of pounds - including a car. North Yorkshire Police had an £18,000 Vauxhall Vectra stolen as well as three blue warning lights worth £150, a £300 bicycle, two mobile telephones each costing £100 and £200 worth of industrial electrical cable. A £150 police radio and a laptop computer worth £1,200 were also stolen from the force. Humberside Police had a £2,000 motorcycle stolen, along with an officer's uniform and personal effects worth £550 taken from a locker, according to figures obtained by the Yorkshire Post under freedom of information rules."
Homicide and Serious Crime Command - investigating homicides / MPA: Committees: MPA reports - 27 Apr 06 (11)
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/mpa/2006/060427/11.htm
"This report provides an overview of the allocation of resources for homicide investigations on the Homicide and Serious Crimes Command and is provided in answer to questions raised by the MPA. The report will outline the background to homicide investigations in the MPS prior to addressing the MPA questions. "
"This report provides an overview of the allocation of resources for homicide investigations on the Homicide and Serious Crimes Command and is provided in answer to questions raised by the MPA. The report will outline the background to homicide investigations in the MPS prior to addressing the MPA questions. "
Inside tracks / Comment is free: Guradian, 24 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhkr
Erwin James
"Trying to determine if a prisoner has changed his ways for the better and what level of risk he or she will present after release is an almost impossible task. It used to be that if a prisoner kept a clean and tidy cell, washed regularly and called prison officers 'sir', positive reports to the parole board were almost guaranteed. Early on in my own sentence an officer gave me alternative advice. 'The way to get out quick,' he said, 'is to act like a bastard for your first few years, give us plenty of hell and then start cooperating. That will convince them you've changed and you'll be on your way.'"
Erwin James
"Trying to determine if a prisoner has changed his ways for the better and what level of risk he or she will present after release is an almost impossible task. It used to be that if a prisoner kept a clean and tidy cell, washed regularly and called prison officers 'sir', positive reports to the parole board were almost guaranteed. Early on in my own sentence an officer gave me alternative advice. 'The way to get out quick,' he said, 'is to act like a bastard for your first few years, give us plenty of hell and then start cooperating. That will convince them you've changed and you'll be on your way.'"
Majority of Consumers Worldwide Would Relinquish Some Privacy for Convenience, Says Unisys Global ID Management Study / Business Wire, 25 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhkq
"While privacy remains a major concern of people around the world, new research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) debunks some of the traditional myths concerning protection and use of identity credentials. The results show that a majority of consumers would share personal data if they knew the end user will securely protect their information and they can perceive a clear benefit in convenience gained.
In the first global survey of its kind, the Unisys research also found that most consumers (71 percent) worldwide are willing to have a multi-purpose identity credential that many organizations would accept to verify a person's identity before providing access to secure records or locations. The most important functions cited for a multi-purpose credential are to prove identity for access to transportation channels (such as airplanes, trains and buses), enter public locations (stadiums, airports and others), cross borders (customs), and access Internet accounts. "
"While privacy remains a major concern of people around the world, new research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) debunks some of the traditional myths concerning protection and use of identity credentials. The results show that a majority of consumers would share personal data if they knew the end user will securely protect their information and they can perceive a clear benefit in convenience gained.
In the first global survey of its kind, the Unisys research also found that most consumers (71 percent) worldwide are willing to have a multi-purpose identity credential that many organizations would accept to verify a person's identity before providing access to secure records or locations. The most important functions cited for a multi-purpose credential are to prove identity for access to transportation channels (such as airplanes, trains and buses), enter public locations (stadiums, airports and others), cross borders (customs), and access Internet accounts. "
Crime prevention: Diversion tactics / Young People Now, 26 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhkj
Ana Paula Nacif
"Diversionary schemes are effective at keeping young people away from crime. Looks at three projects keeping young people engaged. Keeping a young person in a young offender institution is an expensive business, costing more than £50,000 a year, according to the Youth Justice Board. With more than 2,000 juveniles in such institutions, it is not surprising that there is growing recognition that prevention is the best cure there is. "
Ana Paula Nacif
"Diversionary schemes are effective at keeping young people away from crime. Looks at three projects keeping young people engaged. Keeping a young person in a young offender institution is an expensive business, costing more than £50,000 a year, according to the Youth Justice Board. With more than 2,000 juveniles in such institutions, it is not surprising that there is growing recognition that prevention is the best cure there is. "
Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 4: Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines for Structural Collapse Events Vol. 4 / RAND, 2006
PDF - http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_MG425.pdf
Henry H. Willis, Nicholas G. Castle, Elizabeth M. Sloss, James T. Bartis
"This monograph serves as a technical source for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) incident commander guidelines for emergency response immediately following large structural collapse events. "
Henry H. Willis, Nicholas G. Castle, Elizabeth M. Sloss, James T. Bartis
"This monograph serves as a technical source for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) incident commander guidelines for emergency response immediately following large structural collapse events. "
Terrorism Focus, Volume 3, Issue 16 (April 25, 2006)
BRIEFS
Egypt Breaks-up al-Ta'efa al-Mansoura Jihadist Group
Mujahideen Mull Whether al-Qaeda in the Peninsula is a Fake JI's Two-Pronged Strategy in Indonesia
Fears of Intelligence Penetration of the GIMF
Osama bin Laden: Taking Stock of the "Zionist-Crusader War"
Egypt Breaks-up al-Ta'efa al-Mansoura Jihadist Group
Mujahideen Mull Whether al-Qaeda in the Peninsula is a Fake JI's Two-Pronged Strategy in Indonesia
Fears of Intelligence Penetration of the GIMF
Osama bin Laden: Taking Stock of the "Zionist-Crusader War"
Hard time: project puts offenders in parks not cells / Sentinel, 25 Apr2006
http://digbig.com/4hhkc
Daniel Lopez
"WHAT: A program that gives detention alternatives, job training, placement, paid work experience and leadership training to adults and juveniles who have had troubles with the justice system.
Funding: About $300,000 through the County Probation Department, and from private funding and donations.
Founded: 1989, serving juveniles. January 2006, began serving adults."
Daniel Lopez
"WHAT: A program that gives detention alternatives, job training, placement, paid work experience and leadership training to adults and juveniles who have had troubles with the justice system.
Funding: About $300,000 through the County Probation Department, and from private funding and donations.
Founded: 1989, serving juveniles. January 2006, began serving adults."
Criminal gangs 'out of control' / BBC, 25 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4941132.stm
"Criminal gangs trading in people and fake ID are 'out of control'. The officer leading the fight against organised immigration crime in London said people-trafficking now amounted to a 21st Century slave trade. "
"Criminal gangs trading in people and fake ID are 'out of control'. The officer leading the fight against organised immigration crime in London said people-trafficking now amounted to a 21st Century slave trade. "
New Germans : Multicultural hysterics / Economist, 20 Apr 2006
http://economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_GRPSTRN
Hardly a day now passes without a new proposal to address the cultural and social problem of integrating migrants. On the left, people want to get rid of the Hauptschule, the bottom layer of a widespread selective secondary school system. On the right, there have been calls to punish youths whose behaviour shows they are not willing to integrate—by expelling them from school or even sending them to a “taster jail”. Chancellor Angela Merkel will soon convene an “integration summit” to air these and other ideas. " [Sub Required]
Hardly a day now passes without a new proposal to address the cultural and social problem of integrating migrants. On the left, people want to get rid of the Hauptschule, the bottom layer of a widespread selective secondary school system. On the right, there have been calls to punish youths whose behaviour shows they are not willing to integrate—by expelling them from school or even sending them to a “taster jail”. Chancellor Angela Merkel will soon convene an “integration summit” to air these and other ideas. " [Sub Required]
DUTCH GRAPPLE WITH IMMIGRATION EXPLOSION AND THEIR FUTURE / Yahoo! News, 25 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhjk
Georgie Anne Geyer
"The Netherlands is doing more than any other European country to deal with immigrants. The Dutch are stressing dialogue between the cultures, reasonable affirmative action programs, the strictest immigration policies in Europe, discouraging arranged marriages, and even forcing would-be immigrants to see a film, 'To the Netherlands,' which shows topless sunbathing and homosexuals. If the would-be immigrants cannot agree to accept this, they are simply told not to come."
Georgie Anne Geyer
"The Netherlands is doing more than any other European country to deal with immigrants. The Dutch are stressing dialogue between the cultures, reasonable affirmative action programs, the strictest immigration policies in Europe, discouraging arranged marriages, and even forcing would-be immigrants to see a film, 'To the Netherlands,' which shows topless sunbathing and homosexuals. If the would-be immigrants cannot agree to accept this, they are simply told not to come."
Drugs & Housing website
http://www.drugsandhousing.co.uk/index.htm
"Drugs and Housing is the main resource in the UK for drugs workers and housing agencies. It provides a comprehensive and indispensable set of resources for professionals addressing the dual issues of housing need and substance use. Drugs and Housing explores and documents issues relevant to agencies working with people with drug and housing issues. The site looks at legal aspects of the work, policy and practice issues, funding strategies, move-on issues and highlights innovation in other projects."
"Drugs and Housing is the main resource in the UK for drugs workers and housing agencies. It provides a comprehensive and indispensable set of resources for professionals addressing the dual issues of housing need and substance use. Drugs and Housing explores and documents issues relevant to agencies working with people with drug and housing issues. The site looks at legal aspects of the work, policy and practice issues, funding strategies, move-on issues and highlights innovation in other projects."
Needless Deaths by Stun-Guns on The Rise / NewsWithViews, 26 Apr 2006
http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon134.htm
Jon Christian Ryter --
"Since 2001 70 people in the United States and Canada (61 of them in the United States) have died from ventricular fibrillation caused by the Taser. In reality, that number should be much higher since generally, coroners trying to protect their local police departments from lawsuits use the alcohol or drugs the victim has ingested as the cause of death rather than their being struck by a M26 or X26 Taser. "
Jon Christian Ryter --
"Since 2001 70 people in the United States and Canada (61 of them in the United States) have died from ventricular fibrillation caused by the Taser. In reality, that number should be much higher since generally, coroners trying to protect their local police departments from lawsuits use the alcohol or drugs the victim has ingested as the cause of death rather than their being struck by a M26 or X26 Taser. "
Government planning to criminalise forced marriages / Asians In Media magazine, 27 Apr 2006
http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/current_affairs/1303: "Under current laws it is impossible to charge parents even if it can be proven the child has been forced into marriage. The police can only charge guardians for related offences such as kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault and harassment. "
DOUBTS ON ANKLE-TAGS RAISED / Woking News & Mail, 27 Apr 2006
http://www.woking.co.uk/news/article/article_id=16263.html "DOUBTS were cast on the reliability of electronic tagging last week after a man from Maybury was arrested and subsequently cleared of breaking a night curfew order. "
Britain defends anti-terror measures / World Peace Herald, 26 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhhc
By Hannah K. Strange
"Britain's use of controversial memoranda of understanding to enable deportations of terror suspects to countries with poor human rights records is in fact 'an advancement of human rights,' Home Secretary Charles Clarke insisted. Giving testimony before the International Commission of Jurists' Eminent Jurists Panel in London, he argued that by securing guarantees from such countries that they would not torture or otherwise mistreat returned individuals, Britain was in fact promoting a greater respect for human rights worldwide. "
By Hannah K. Strange
"Britain's use of controversial memoranda of understanding to enable deportations of terror suspects to countries with poor human rights records is in fact 'an advancement of human rights,' Home Secretary Charles Clarke insisted. Giving testimony before the International Commission of Jurists' Eminent Jurists Panel in London, he argued that by securing guarantees from such countries that they would not torture or otherwise mistreat returned individuals, Britain was in fact promoting a greater respect for human rights worldwide. "
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
In police lineups, is the method the suspect? / The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0424/p01s04-usju.html
Amanda Paulson and Sara Miller Llana
"A police lineup is often the moment of truth in a criminal investigation. It's also, say many experts, highly fallible.
Of the 175 convictions overturned by DNA evidence, 75 percent were convicted largely because of eyewitness testimony that turned out to be mistaken. Those exonerations have energized efforts to reform the way police conduct lineups and get eyewitness identifications. A growing number of counties and states are adopting measures to improve accuracy and limit influences on witness memory.
Now, though, a first-of-its-kind study from Illinois is casting doubt on a reform called 'sequential double-blind.' "
Amanda Paulson and Sara Miller Llana
"A police lineup is often the moment of truth in a criminal investigation. It's also, say many experts, highly fallible.
Of the 175 convictions overturned by DNA evidence, 75 percent were convicted largely because of eyewitness testimony that turned out to be mistaken. Those exonerations have energized efforts to reform the way police conduct lineups and get eyewitness identifications. A growing number of counties and states are adopting measures to improve accuracy and limit influences on witness memory.
Now, though, a first-of-its-kind study from Illinois is casting doubt on a reform called 'sequential double-blind.' "
New Generation of Teens Abusing Inhalants / Join together, 24 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/3ndh
"Inhalant Abuse: New Generation of Teens Engaging in Dangerous Behavior; Declining Perception of Risk is Major Warning Sign. The Partnership for a Drug-Free Americareports that an alarming number of teenagers are 'sniffing' or 'huffing' a variety of household products such as spray paint, glue, computer duster, cooking spray and correction fluid to get high."
"Inhalant Abuse: New Generation of Teens Engaging in Dangerous Behavior; Declining Perception of Risk is Major Warning Sign. The Partnership for a Drug-Free Americareports that an alarming number of teenagers are 'sniffing' or 'huffing' a variety of household products such as spray paint, glue, computer duster, cooking spray and correction fluid to get high."
Exceptional Case Procedures for Removal DNA, Fingerprints and PNC Records / ACPO, 2006
http://digbig.com/3ndh (Word doc.)
"There is an increase in the number of requests being made to Chief Constables for the removal of DNA, fingerprints and PNC. This has been brought about by changes to PACE and a recent decision made in the Royal Courts of Justice by the Information Tribunal affecting the retention of criminal conviction history on PNC. Whilst acknowledging the responsibility of Chief Officers as Data Controllers, it is important that national consistency is achieved when considering the removal of such records. "
"There is an increase in the number of requests being made to Chief Constables for the removal of DNA, fingerprints and PNC. This has been brought about by changes to PACE and a recent decision made in the Royal Courts of Justice by the Information Tribunal affecting the retention of criminal conviction history on PNC. Whilst acknowledging the responsibility of Chief Officers as Data Controllers, it is important that national consistency is achieved when considering the removal of such records. "
ACPO RESPONSE TO AMNESTY REPORT IN RELATION TO TASER / 31 Mar 2006
http://digbig.com/4hhaq
"Derek Talbot, ACPO spokesperson on Taser and Assistant Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, said: 'Taser has now been used a total of 326* times by British Police. In each case, the use of the Taser has brought a serious incident to a safe conclusion with no lasting injury to the subject, the police officers involved or members of the public. Any person hit by Taser is offered a referral to an independent medical practitioner."
"Derek Talbot, ACPO spokesperson on Taser and Assistant Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, said: 'Taser has now been used a total of 326* times by British Police. In each case, the use of the Taser has brought a serious incident to a safe conclusion with no lasting injury to the subject, the police officers involved or members of the public. Any person hit by Taser is offered a referral to an independent medical practitioner."
CrimeShare : The unequal impact of crime / ippr - Institute for Public Policy Research, 17 Apr 2006
PDF - http://www.ippr.org.uk/ecomm/files/CrimeShare.pdf
Mike Dixon, Howard Reed, Ben Rogers and Lucy Stone
"This report begins to explore the social justice issues raised by the effects of crime. The authors review some of what is known already about the impact of crime on different groups, offering some new quantitative findings as to its impacts and suggesting further avenues of research. The report concludes by highlighting some steps the Government could take to improve understanding of the distribution of crime-related harm and diminish the role that crime plays in creating and perpetuating the most offensive forms of social injustice."
Mike Dixon, Howard Reed, Ben Rogers and Lucy Stone
"This report begins to explore the social justice issues raised by the effects of crime. The authors review some of what is known already about the impact of crime on different groups, offering some new quantitative findings as to its impacts and suggesting further avenues of research. The report concludes by highlighting some steps the Government could take to improve understanding of the distribution of crime-related harm and diminish the role that crime plays in creating and perpetuating the most offensive forms of social injustice."
EU Enlargement Bulgaria and Romania - migration implications for the UK / ippr - Institute for Public Policy Research, 24 Apr 2006
PDF - http://www.ippr.org.uk/ecomm/files/eu_enlargement_factfile.pdf
"This ippr FactFile provides an independent analysis of the likely impact of Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the EU, paying particular attention to past enlargement experiences and examining the drivers for migration this time round."
"This ippr FactFile provides an independent analysis of the likely impact of Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the EU, paying particular attention to past enlargement experiences and examining the drivers for migration this time round."
MWUK - Press Releases
http://www.migrationwatch.co.uk/pressreleases.asp#apr25
"Repeated Government claims that immigrants contribute £2.5bn more to the British economy in taxes than they receive in benefits and state services have been exposed as entirely false. Instead of a surplus of £2.5bn the true figure is actually a deficit of £200m for the year the Government chose, says a report from Migrationwatch"
Report - http://digbig.com/4hgyk
"Repeated Government claims that immigrants contribute £2.5bn more to the British economy in taxes than they receive in benefits and state services have been exposed as entirely false. Instead of a surplus of £2.5bn the true figure is actually a deficit of £200m for the year the Government chose, says a report from Migrationwatch"
Report - http://digbig.com/4hgyk
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Migrants boost UK's growth / Guardian, 23 Apr 2006
http://money.guardian.co.uk/news_/story/0,,1759269,00.html
Heather Stewart
"Eastern Europe migrants have brought powerful benefits to Britain's economy since 10 new countries joined the European Union in 2004, according to research by the Ernst & Young Item Club."
Economic Outlook for Business
PDF - http://digbig.com/4hgqa
Heather Stewart
"Eastern Europe migrants have brought powerful benefits to Britain's economy since 10 new countries joined the European Union in 2004, according to research by the Ernst & Young Item Club."
Economic Outlook for Business
PDF - http://digbig.com/4hgqa
Murderers abuse Freedom of Information / Freelance UK, 25 April 2006
http://www.freelanceuk.com/1670.shtml
"Journalists requesting data under the Freedom of Information Act are waiting in line with murderers and convicted criminals, queuing to find details on the informants who jailed them. The Home Office has reportedly warned that the worrying trend includes detailed requests by criminals and murderers trying to expose witnesses and police collaborators. The abusive requests are typically made by a family member or friend of the criminal, in a bid to disguise the real reason for the information�s release into the public domain. "
"Journalists requesting data under the Freedom of Information Act are waiting in line with murderers and convicted criminals, queuing to find details on the informants who jailed them. The Home Office has reportedly warned that the worrying trend includes detailed requests by criminals and murderers trying to expose witnesses and police collaborators. The abusive requests are typically made by a family member or friend of the criminal, in a bid to disguise the real reason for the information�s release into the public domain. "
Monday, April 24, 2006
Excerpt From 'Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Move with RFID' / Free Market News, Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hggj
Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre
"Imagine a world of no more privacy.
Where your every purchase is monitored and recorded in a database, and your every belonging is numbered. Where someone many states away or perhaps in another country has a record of everything you have ever bought, of everything you have ever owned, of every item of clothing in your closet -- every pair of shoes. What's more, these items can even be tracked remotely."
Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre
"Imagine a world of no more privacy.
Where your every purchase is monitored and recorded in a database, and your every belonging is numbered. Where someone many states away or perhaps in another country has a record of everything you have ever bought, of everything you have ever owned, of every item of clothing in your closet -- every pair of shoes. What's more, these items can even be tracked remotely."
Whose e-ID right is it anyway? / eGov monitor, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/5683
Paolo Balboni, Tilburg University
"Takes an informed look at the legal and technological impacts of e-ID cards in Europe and examines the issue of trust and privacy within this context."
Paolo Balboni, Tilburg University
"Takes an informed look at the legal and technological impacts of e-ID cards in Europe and examines the issue of trust and privacy within this context."
Graduate's case illustrates asylum system 'lottery', say campaigners / Telegraph, 23 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hgdy
Bonnie Malkin
"You cannot fathom how the Home Office is going to make a final decision on any case. Give them 12 people with identical situations and they will give 12 different results.'"
Bonnie Malkin
"You cannot fathom how the Home Office is going to make a final decision on any case. Give them 12 people with identical situations and they will give 12 different results.'"
WIDENING GAPS AMONG GOVTS HAMPER ANTI-TERROR FIGHT / / CEBU, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl104029.htm [sic]
"Security experts and diplomats from 56 countries and the United Nations warned yesterday that widening gaps and rising barriers among governments are hampering global counterterrorism efforts. They called on nations to work together to find a 'middle way' amid hard and soft approaches to fighting terror. In the 'Cebu Concord' drafted at the end of the three-day, first-ever Philippine Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference (CTEC) here with the theme 'Defeating Dilemmas in Counter-Terrorism,' the delegates also emphasized the need for governments to respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and improve governance to enable the global fight against terror to succeed. "
"Security experts and diplomats from 56 countries and the United Nations warned yesterday that widening gaps and rising barriers among governments are hampering global counterterrorism efforts. They called on nations to work together to find a 'middle way' amid hard and soft approaches to fighting terror. In the 'Cebu Concord' drafted at the end of the three-day, first-ever Philippine Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference (CTEC) here with the theme 'Defeating Dilemmas in Counter-Terrorism,' the delegates also emphasized the need for governments to respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and improve governance to enable the global fight against terror to succeed. "
Offenders' anger control classes help make some more dangerous / Guardian, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,1759859,00.html?gusrc=rss
alan Travis
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton. Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
alan Travis
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton. Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
The Emergence of Super-Diversity in Britain / COMPAS, 2006 - WP0524
PDF - http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publications/papers/Steven%20Vertovec%20WP0625.pdf Steven Vertovec
"Diversity in Britain is not what it used to be. Some thirty years of government policies, social service practices and public perceptions have been framed by a particular understanding of immigration and multicultural diversity. That is, Britain 's immigrant and ethnic minority population has conventionally been characterised by large, well-organized African-Caribbean and South Asian communities of citizens originally from Commonwealth countries or formerly colonial territories. Policy frameworks and public understanding � and, indeed, many areas of social science � have not caught up with recently emergent demographic and social patterns. Britain can now be characterised by �super-diversity,' a notion intended to underline a level and kind of complexity surpassing anything the country has previously experienced. Such a condition is distinguished by a dynamic interplay of variables among an increased number of new, small and scattered, multiple-origin, transnationally connected, socio-economically differentiated and legally stratified immigrants who have arrived over the last decade. Outlined here, new patterns of super-diversity pose significant challenges for both policy and research. "
"Diversity in Britain is not what it used to be. Some thirty years of government policies, social service practices and public perceptions have been framed by a particular understanding of immigration and multicultural diversity. That is, Britain 's immigrant and ethnic minority population has conventionally been characterised by large, well-organized African-Caribbean and South Asian communities of citizens originally from Commonwealth countries or formerly colonial territories. Policy frameworks and public understanding � and, indeed, many areas of social science � have not caught up with recently emergent demographic and social patterns. Britain can now be characterised by �super-diversity,' a notion intended to underline a level and kind of complexity surpassing anything the country has previously experienced. Such a condition is distinguished by a dynamic interplay of variables among an increased number of new, small and scattered, multiple-origin, transnationally connected, socio-economically differentiated and legally stratified immigrants who have arrived over the last decade. Outlined here, new patterns of super-diversity pose significant challenges for both policy and research. "
Osama Suspected of Hiding on Afghan Border / Forbes, 23 Apr 2006
Osama Suspected of Hiding on Afghan Border - Forbes.com: Katherine Shrader
"Osama bin Laden is hiding in a remote tribal area along Afghanistan's 1,500-mile border with Pakistan, separated from his top deputy and, in a sign he has to be careful about whom he trusts, surrounded by fellow Arabs. His No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is hiding in a more settled area along the border, surrounded by al-Qaida operatives of his Egyptian nationality, according to U.S. intelligence officials familiar with his pursuit.
Their separation has opened a debate in national security circles in the United States and elsewhere about whether the leaders have split up."
"Osama bin Laden is hiding in a remote tribal area along Afghanistan's 1,500-mile border with Pakistan, separated from his top deputy and, in a sign he has to be careful about whom he trusts, surrounded by fellow Arabs. His No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is hiding in a more settled area along the border, surrounded by al-Qaida operatives of his Egyptian nationality, according to U.S. intelligence officials familiar with his pursuit.
Their separation has opened a debate in national security circles in the United States and elsewhere about whether the leaders have split up."
A mountain of anomalies / Guardian, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1759835,00.html
James Randerson
"Drug treatment charities have argued for years that the classification system is inconsistent and is failing to protect the most vulnerable. Why, if it is really designed to reduce harm to the user and to society, do the two most dangerous drugs not form part of it? Alcohol contributes to around 1.2m assaults a year and smoking kills 130,000. That these are not classified is the biggest anomaly in an antiquated system that has utterly failed to prevent drug use from rocketing. The blame lies not with the ACMD, but with the framework within which it is forced to operate. Only if politicians acknowledge the system's faults will we have any hope of building a legal framework that will protect users and society effectively." [Includes reader comments]
James Randerson
"Drug treatment charities have argued for years that the classification system is inconsistent and is failing to protect the most vulnerable. Why, if it is really designed to reduce harm to the user and to society, do the two most dangerous drugs not form part of it? Alcohol contributes to around 1.2m assaults a year and smoking kills 130,000. That these are not classified is the biggest anomaly in an antiquated system that has utterly failed to prevent drug use from rocketing. The blame lies not with the ACMD, but with the framework within which it is forced to operate. Only if politicians acknowledge the system's faults will we have any hope of building a legal framework that will protect users and society effectively." [Includes reader comments]
Tough questions for tough choices / Drink & Drugs, 24 Apr 2006
PDF - http://www.drinkanddrugs.net/features/april2406/tough_questions.pdf
Kevin Flemen
"Drug testing on arrest, with required assessments for those
testing positive, has just been extended to new areas by the
Home Office – which has presented the roll-out as a logical extension of a pilot scheme which doubled the number of offenders in treatment. But beneath the figures there are serious concerns, which threaten to undermine the programme’s integrity and viability."
Kevin Flemen
"Drug testing on arrest, with required assessments for those
testing positive, has just been extended to new areas by the
Home Office – which has presented the roll-out as a logical extension of a pilot scheme which doubled the number of offenders in treatment. But beneath the figures there are serious concerns, which threaten to undermine the programme’s integrity and viability."
Bin Laden on tape, lashes out at the West / International Herald Tribune, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/23/news/terror.php
Brian Knowlton
"A new audiotape believed to be from Osama bin Laden urges militants to travel to Sudan to fight a proposed United Nations force for Darfur, and accuses the United States and its European allies of waging 'a Zionist-crusader war on Islam"
Brian Knowlton
"A new audiotape believed to be from Osama bin Laden urges militants to travel to Sudan to fight a proposed United Nations force for Darfur, and accuses the United States and its European allies of waging 'a Zionist-crusader war on Islam"
New heroin route from East to UK uncovered / Guaridan, 23 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,1759375,00.html
Jamie Doward and Urmee Khan in London, and Mahtab Haider in Dhaka
"In just three months, £10m worth of heroin has been intercepted at British ports. The drugs, sent to 'ghost' companies, came from Bangladesh. Here we reveal the traffickers' new tactics - and how they have used one of the Asian country's most respected businesses to mask their deadly trade "
Jamie Doward and Urmee Khan in London, and Mahtab Haider in Dhaka
"In just three months, £10m worth of heroin has been intercepted at British ports. The drugs, sent to 'ghost' companies, came from Bangladesh. Here we reveal the traffickers' new tactics - and how they have used one of the Asian country's most respected businesses to mask their deadly trade "
Defining Britishness / Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hgdt
Gregory Rodriguez
"Britons are promoting national pride as a way to encourage social cohesion in this increasingly diverse nation. The demand for such solidarity comes in reaction to recurring race riots, increased immigration, the devolution of Britain into semiautonomous parts and, of course, last July's London bombings, all of which have ignited a national debate over what it means to be British in the 21st century. One survey shows that a large percentage of Brits are worried that 'Britain is losing its own culture.'"
Gregory Rodriguez
"Britons are promoting national pride as a way to encourage social cohesion in this increasingly diverse nation. The demand for such solidarity comes in reaction to recurring race riots, increased immigration, the devolution of Britain into semiautonomous parts and, of course, last July's London bombings, all of which have ignited a national debate over what it means to be British in the 21st century. One survey shows that a large percentage of Brits are worried that 'Britain is losing its own culture.'"
Criminals using FoI Act to identify informants / Independent , 24 Apr 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article359766.ece
Jason Bennetto
"Police suspect that more than 100 convicted criminals have conducted searches and they fear that the lives of informants could be put at risk if any details about their identity are released. They also believe that criminals are trying to learn from their mistakes so that they do not get caught the same way next time."
Jason Bennetto
"Police suspect that more than 100 convicted criminals have conducted searches and they fear that the lives of informants could be put at risk if any details about their identity are released. They also believe that criminals are trying to learn from their mistakes so that they do not get caught the same way next time."
WIDENING GAPS AMONG GOVTS HAMPER ANTI-TERROR FIGHT / CEBU, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl104029.htm [sic]
"Security experts and diplomats from 56 countries and the United Nations warned yesterday that widening gaps and rising barriers among governments are hampering global counterterrorism efforts. They called on nations to work together to find a 'middle way' amid hard and soft approaches to fighting terror. In the 'Cebu Concord' drafted at the end of the three-day, first-ever Philippine Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference (CTEC) here with the theme 'Defeating Dilemmas in Counter-Terrorism,' the delegates also emphasized the need for governments to respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and improve governance to enable the global fight against terror to succeed. "
"Security experts and diplomats from 56 countries and the United Nations warned yesterday that widening gaps and rising barriers among governments are hampering global counterterrorism efforts. They called on nations to work together to find a 'middle way' amid hard and soft approaches to fighting terror. In the 'Cebu Concord' drafted at the end of the three-day, first-ever Philippine Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference (CTEC) here with the theme 'Defeating Dilemmas in Counter-Terrorism,' the delegates also emphasized the need for governments to respect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and improve governance to enable the global fight against terror to succeed. "
Graduate's case illustrates asylum system 'lottery', say campaigners / Telegraph, 23 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hgdy
Bonnie Malkin
"You cannot fathom how the Home Office is going to make a final decision on any case. Give them 12 people with identical situations and they will give 12 different results.'"
Bonnie Malkin
"You cannot fathom how the Home Office is going to make a final decision on any case. Give them 12 people with identical situations and they will give 12 different results.'"
Offenders' anger control classes help make some more dangerous / Guardian, 24 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,1759859,00.html?gusrc=rss
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton.
Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton.
Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
Osama Suspected of Hiding on Afghan Border / Forbes, 23 Apr 2006
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/04/23/ap2689753.html
Katherine Shrader
"Osama bin Laden is hiding in a remote tribal area along Afghanistan's 1,500-mile border with Pakistan, separated from his top deputy and, in a sign he has to be careful about whom he trusts, surrounded by fellow Arabs. His No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is hiding in a more settled area along the border, surrounded by al-Qaida operatives of his Egyptian nationality, according to U.S. intelligence officials familiar with his pursuit. Their separation has opened a debate in national security circles in the United States and elsewhere about whether the leaders have split up."
Katherine Shrader
"Osama bin Laden is hiding in a remote tribal area along Afghanistan's 1,500-mile border with Pakistan, separated from his top deputy and, in a sign he has to be careful about whom he trusts, surrounded by fellow Arabs. His No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is hiding in a more settled area along the border, surrounded by al-Qaida operatives of his Egyptian nationality, according to U.S. intelligence officials familiar with his pursuit. Their separation has opened a debate in national security circles in the United States and elsewhere about whether the leaders have split up."
The Emergence of Super-Diversity in Britain / COMPAS, 2006 | WP0524
PDF - http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publications/papers/Steven%20Vertovec%20WP0625.pdf
Steven Vertovec
"Diversity in Britain is not what it used to be. Some thirty years of government policies, social service practices and public perceptions have been framed by a particular understanding of immigration and multicultural diversity. That is, Britain 's immigrant and ethnic minority population has conventionally been characterised by large, well-organized African-Caribbean and South Asian communities of citizens originally from Commonwealth countries or formerly colonial territories. Policy frameworks and public understanding � and, indeed, many areas of social science � have not caught up with recently emergent demographic and social patterns. Britain can now be characterised by �super-diversity,' a notion intended to underline a level and kind of complexity surpassing anything the country has previously experienced. Such a condition is distinguished by a dynamic interplay of variables among an increased number of new, small and scattered, multiple-origin, transnationally connected, socio-economically differentiated and legally stratified immigrants who have arrived over the last decade. Outlined here, new patterns of super-diversity pose significant challenges for both policy and research. "
Steven Vertovec
"Diversity in Britain is not what it used to be. Some thirty years of government policies, social service practices and public perceptions have been framed by a particular understanding of immigration and multicultural diversity. That is, Britain 's immigrant and ethnic minority population has conventionally been characterised by large, well-organized African-Caribbean and South Asian communities of citizens originally from Commonwealth countries or formerly colonial territories. Policy frameworks and public understanding � and, indeed, many areas of social science � have not caught up with recently emergent demographic and social patterns. Britain can now be characterised by �super-diversity,' a notion intended to underline a level and kind of complexity surpassing anything the country has previously experienced. Such a condition is distinguished by a dynamic interplay of variables among an increased number of new, small and scattered, multiple-origin, transnationally connected, socio-economically differentiated and legally stratified immigrants who have arrived over the last decade. Outlined here, new patterns of super-diversity pose significant challenges for both policy and research. "
Reading together: working with inmate fathers / Update, vol 5 (5) May 2006 p.29 - 31
Wendy Bond
"In Lincoln Prison fathers are choosing books for their children in a scheme which encourages a culture of reading, while also helping the prisoners maintain links with their families."
"In Lincoln Prison fathers are choosing books for their children in a scheme which encourages a culture of reading, while also helping the prisoners maintain links with their families."
Offenders' anger control classes help make some more dangerous / Guardian, 24 April 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,,1759859,00.html?gusrc=rss
Alan Travis
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton. Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
Alan Travis
"Anger management courses for convicted armed robbers, wife beaters and stalkers are being axed by the prison and probation services following an official inquiry into the murder of the city financier John Monckton. Home Office instructions sent to the probation service say that anger management courses are counterproductive and actually help violent offenders who make premeditated attacks to manipulate the situation to their advantage."
We lock them up. We give them Asbos. But is our fear of kids making them worse? / Independent, 23 Apr 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article359638.ece#Scene_1"Demonised: Sophie Goodchild
"Ordinary children are being labelled as criminals unfairly because the crackdown on yob culture has gone too far. Who says so? Astonishingly, it's the Government's own youth justice tsar. "
"Ordinary children are being labelled as criminals unfairly because the crackdown on yob culture has gone too far. Who says so? Astonishingly, it's the Government's own youth justice tsar. "
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The Scottish Fingerprint Service Action Plan for Excellence
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/04/21140900/0
Deputy Chief Constable David Mulhern Interim Chief Executive, Scottish Police Services Authority
PDF - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/112470/0027330.pdf
Deputy Chief Constable David Mulhern Interim Chief Executive, Scottish Police Services Authority
PDF - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/112470/0027330.pdf
Gay lynching continuing in Iran, report claims- from Pink News- all the latest gay news from the gay community/ Pink News, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-1228.html
Marc Shoffman
"The Iranian government is executing gay and bisexual men under the cover of rape and kidnapping charges, according to a major new investigation by Simon Forbes of the UK-based gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage! Mr Forbes's nine-month investigation, published this week by OutRage!, is based on information gathered from sources inside Iran. "
Marc Shoffman
"The Iranian government is executing gay and bisexual men under the cover of rape and kidnapping charges, according to a major new investigation by Simon Forbes of the UK-based gay and lesbian human rights group OutRage! Mr Forbes's nine-month investigation, published this week by OutRage!, is based on information gathered from sources inside Iran. "
EU terrorism chief denies existence of CIA prisons amid strong criticism JURIST - Paper Chase, 21 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfxg
Lisl Brunner
"The European Council [official website] counter-terrorism coordinator has reported that the existence of secret CIA prisons in Europe cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Addressing a European Parliament [official website] committee on Thursday, Gijs de Vries [BBC profile] also denied that allegations of coordination between the US and EU member states regarding extraordinary rendition [JURIST news archive] were supported by proof. De Vries' comments to the committee investigating the CIA allegations [official website] were met with criticism from members of parliament, who cited 50 hours of testimony that it heard from alleged victims of rendition and human rights organizations. Italian MEP Claudio Fava called de Vries' testimony "completely useless," while Dutch MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg noted "stunning" circumstantial evidence regarding the existence of the prisons. The former British ambassador to Uzbekistan also testified that he had witnessed rendition programs carried out in that country but could not confirm that they were linked with Europe. In January, a Council of Europe report [PDF text, JURIST report] alleged that the prisons did exist with the acquiescence of European governments, but it conceded that there was no concrete proof to support the allegations. EUObserver.com has local coverage. The New York Times has more."
Lisl Brunner
"The European Council [official website] counter-terrorism coordinator has reported that the existence of secret CIA prisons in Europe cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Addressing a European Parliament [official website] committee on Thursday, Gijs de Vries [BBC profile] also denied that allegations of coordination between the US and EU member states regarding extraordinary rendition [JURIST news archive] were supported by proof. De Vries' comments to the committee investigating the CIA allegations [official website] were met with criticism from members of parliament, who cited 50 hours of testimony that it heard from alleged victims of rendition and human rights organizations. Italian MEP Claudio Fava called de Vries' testimony "completely useless," while Dutch MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg noted "stunning" circumstantial evidence regarding the existence of the prisons. The former British ambassador to Uzbekistan also testified that he had witnessed rendition programs carried out in that country but could not confirm that they were linked with Europe. In January, a Council of Europe report [PDF text, JURIST report] alleged that the prisons did exist with the acquiescence of European governments, but it conceded that there was no concrete proof to support the allegations. EUObserver.com has local coverage. The New York Times has more."
Nepal king promises to return power to the people / JURIST - Paper Chase:, 21 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfxf
Jeannie Shawl
"AP is reporting that Nepal's King Gyanendra [official profile; BBC profile] has said that executive power "shall be returned to the people from this day forward." Gyanendra's statement follows a last attempt to put an end to pro-democracy protests [JURIST news archive] against Gyanendra's rule by imposing an 11-hour curfew in the city of Kathmandu. The shoot-on-sight curfew had little effect however, as more than 100,000 protesters gathered on the outskirts of the city in the 16th day of protests. Last week, Gyanendra promised to hold general elections [JURIST report] by April 2007 and to open a dialogue with opposition parties, but his speech had little effect as he has made similar pledges in the past. Nepalese police have fired on protesters [JURIST report] with increasing frequency in the past few days, prompting a group of UN human rights experts to condemn the use of excessive and deadly force [JURIST report] to try and quell the demonstrations."
Jeannie Shawl
"AP is reporting that Nepal's King Gyanendra [official profile; BBC profile] has said that executive power "shall be returned to the people from this day forward." Gyanendra's statement follows a last attempt to put an end to pro-democracy protests [JURIST news archive] against Gyanendra's rule by imposing an 11-hour curfew in the city of Kathmandu. The shoot-on-sight curfew had little effect however, as more than 100,000 protesters gathered on the outskirts of the city in the 16th day of protests. Last week, Gyanendra promised to hold general elections [JURIST report] by April 2007 and to open a dialogue with opposition parties, but his speech had little effect as he has made similar pledges in the past. Nepalese police have fired on protesters [JURIST report] with increasing frequency in the past few days, prompting a group of UN human rights experts to condemn the use of excessive and deadly force [JURIST report] to try and quell the demonstrations."
Women's prisons are worse places than men's prisons: / The Social Affairs Unit - Web Review, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.socialaffairsunit.org.uk/blog/archives/000890.php
Emily Kingham
"Life in prison is worse for women than for men, argues a prison writer-in-residence. Men often cope with imprisonment by cutting off their emotions; women often become exhibitionists."
Emily Kingham
"Life in prison is worse for women than for men, argues a prison writer-in-residence. Men often cope with imprisonment by cutting off their emotions; women often become exhibitionists."
Liar, liar / Jane's Police Review, 14 Apr 2006
Jane's Police Review:
Lynsey Gozna and Laura Sully
"Laboratory research which tests the ability of different types of professionals, including officers, to detect lies has found that many people have stereotyped beliefs about the behaviour of liars. These people assumed that nervous behaviours where suspects avert their gaze, fidget or stutter are indicative of lying. However, research on this type of behaviour shows this is not always the case. Nervous behaviour can also be exhibited by truthful individuals, especially when they are unfamiliar with the experience of police custody. " [Sub Required]
Lynsey Gozna and Laura Sully
"Laboratory research which tests the ability of different types of professionals, including officers, to detect lies has found that many people have stereotyped beliefs about the behaviour of liars. These people assumed that nervous behaviours where suspects avert their gaze, fidget or stutter are indicative of lying. However, research on this type of behaviour shows this is not always the case. Nervous behaviour can also be exhibited by truthful individuals, especially when they are unfamiliar with the experience of police custody. " [Sub Required]
Jane's Police Review News
Phasing in mergers will create a 'rubbish tip' of skilled staff
Phasing in mergers will create a 'rubbish tip' of skilled staffTHE Home Office's plans for a phased approach to restructuring puts chief officers in a very difficult position with future jobs and could lead to ...19-Apr-2006
RULES AND REGS
In his monthly question and answer column, Des Keenoy, of the Metro-politan Police Federation's Consta-bles' Branch Board, discusses force mergers QI am uneasy about how...19-Apr-2006
MPs sign anti-merger motion
A GROUP of MPs have put their names to an early day motion supporting Surrey Police Authority's rejection of a proposed merger with Sussex Police. ...19-Apr-2006
[Sub Required]
Phasing in mergers will create a 'rubbish tip' of skilled staffTHE Home Office's plans for a phased approach to restructuring puts chief officers in a very difficult position with future jobs and could lead to ...19-Apr-2006
RULES AND REGS
In his monthly question and answer column, Des Keenoy, of the Metro-politan Police Federation's Consta-bles' Branch Board, discusses force mergers QI am uneasy about how...19-Apr-2006
MPs sign anti-merger motion
A GROUP of MPs have put their names to an early day motion supporting Surrey Police Authority's rejection of a proposed merger with Sussex Police. ...19-Apr-2006
[Sub Required]
US intel report: Major increase in terrorist incidents / Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0421/dailyUpdate.html
Tom Regan
"But experts say a common definition of terrorism is a great challenge and a global issue." (With links to related items]
Tom Regan
"But experts say a common definition of terrorism is a great challenge and a global issue." (With links to related items]
Worldwide Terror Attacks Exceed 10,000 / Chron.com, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3810381.html
KATHERINE SHRADER
"Terror attacks and kidnappings worldwide exceeded 10,000 for the first time last year, propelled in part by a surge in Iraq, according to government figures to be released soon.
Officials cautioned against reading too much into the overall total. The government last year adopted a new definition of terrorism and changed its system of counting global attacks, devoting more energy to finding reports of violence against civilians."
KATHERINE SHRADER
"Terror attacks and kidnappings worldwide exceeded 10,000 for the first time last year, propelled in part by a surge in Iraq, according to government figures to be released soon.
Officials cautioned against reading too much into the overall total. The government last year adopted a new definition of terrorism and changed its system of counting global attacks, devoting more energy to finding reports of violence against civilians."
T-Mobile to offer World Cup mobile video clips / Netimperative, 21 Apr 2006
Netimperative - T-Mobile to offer World Cup mobile video clips:
"From June, T-Mobile is offering its customers exclusive access to watch World Cup matches via their mobile phone on its World Cup TV channel. Providing highlights of the latest World Cup matches, the T-Mobile channel offers customers a 3- 4 minute snapshot of each game 'within one hour after the final whistle'. Mobile TV can be accessed through T-Zones on 3G handsets for a trial price of £1 per day or £5 unlimited access per month. Customers will also be able to access match highlights by video calling the FIFA World Cup shortcode throughout the tournament, costing 70p per download" [Top Tip]
"From June, T-Mobile is offering its customers exclusive access to watch World Cup matches via their mobile phone on its World Cup TV channel. Providing highlights of the latest World Cup matches, the T-Mobile channel offers customers a 3- 4 minute snapshot of each game 'within one hour after the final whistle'. Mobile TV can be accessed through T-Zones on 3G handsets for a trial price of £1 per day or £5 unlimited access per month. Customers will also be able to access match highlights by video calling the FIFA World Cup shortcode throughout the tournament, costing 70p per download" [Top Tip]
Police and Mail team up in knife crackdown / Holdthefrontpage.co.uk, 18 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfwy
"The Birmingham Mail is working with police in a crackdown on knives that will put pressure on the Government for a change in the law to keep weapons off the streets. The campaign, One Knife, One Life is calling for a simple series of changes. "
"The Birmingham Mail is working with police in a crackdown on knives that will put pressure on the Government for a change in the law to keep weapons off the streets. The campaign, One Knife, One Life is calling for a simple series of changes. "
Bill seeks to require guns to tag ammunition / ContraCostaTimes, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/14394934.htm
Rebecca Rosen Lum
"Through newly developed technology, the firing pin of a semi-automatic weapon can stamp the gun's make and model onto a bullet shell as it leaves the chamber. The technology could help police investigate homicides and trace gun trafficking." [Firearms; Technology; forensic Science]
Rebecca Rosen Lum
"Through newly developed technology, the firing pin of a semi-automatic weapon can stamp the gun's make and model onto a bullet shell as it leaves the chamber. The technology could help police investigate homicides and trace gun trafficking." [Firearms; Technology; forensic Science]
The national treatment agency for substance misuse (NTA) - drug treatment in england
http://digbig.com/4hfww
"The National drug treatment monitoring system (NDTMS) relates to the process of collecting, collating and analysing information from and for those involved in the drug treatment sector. The NDTMS is a development of the regional drug misuse databases (RDMDs), which have been in place since the late 1980s. Originally commissioned by the Department of Health, responsibility for the NDTMS centre services were handed over to the National Treatment Agency in April 2003. There is an NDTMS centre to cover each region, with the actual services existing within various institutions such as Public Health Observatories, academic institutions and primary care / mental health trusts. The purpose of the NDTMS centres is to obtain accurate, good quality, timely information for reporting drug treatment activity."
"The National drug treatment monitoring system (NDTMS) relates to the process of collecting, collating and analysing information from and for those involved in the drug treatment sector. The NDTMS is a development of the regional drug misuse databases (RDMDs), which have been in place since the late 1980s. Originally commissioned by the Department of Health, responsibility for the NDTMS centre services were handed over to the National Treatment Agency in April 2003. There is an NDTMS centre to cover each region, with the actual services existing within various institutions such as Public Health Observatories, academic institutions and primary care / mental health trusts. The purpose of the NDTMS centres is to obtain accurate, good quality, timely information for reporting drug treatment activity."
Dose of reality / Sydney Morning Herald, 21 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfwt
Ruth Pollard and Jano Gibson
"So it is with the party drug known as 'G', except there is no gun or bullet on which to chance your life. The game of chance is in your ability to measure out a safe dose, in the number of doses you take, and in whether you mix it with other drugs or alcohol. These variables determine whether you will experience euphoria or die trying."
Ruth Pollard and Jano Gibson
"So it is with the party drug known as 'G', except there is no gun or bullet on which to chance your life. The game of chance is in your ability to measure out a safe dose, in the number of doses you take, and in whether you mix it with other drugs or alcohol. These variables determine whether you will experience euphoria or die trying."
Nepal king relents, restores democracy / World Peace Herald, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060421-112837-4429r
"King Gyanendra, Nepal's embattled monarch, agreed Friday to restore a democratic government to his country, bowing to growing pressure from the people. The move was seen as a last-ditch effort to end two weeks of strikes and bloody civil unrest in which at least one dozen people have died and hundreds injured, the Times of London said. "
"King Gyanendra, Nepal's embattled monarch, agreed Friday to restore a democratic government to his country, bowing to growing pressure from the people. The move was seen as a last-ditch effort to end two weeks of strikes and bloody civil unrest in which at least one dozen people have died and hundreds injured, the Times of London said. "
Jordan is replacing all passports with electronic documents to sift out security risks / DEBKAfile, 22 Apr 2006
http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=2312
"All passport-holders have been called by Jordanian interior ministry in Amman to report at local population registry branches for new electronic documents. DEBKAfile adds: The regulation is being used to cleanse the kingdom of potential threats to the throne. Some 300,000 expatriate Iraqis live in Jordan. They cover a wide spectrum - from asylum-seekers from the Saddam Hussein regime, former prominent Baathists, including the deposed dictator's daughters, and insurgent leaders of different stripes. Many West Bank Palestinians bear Jordanian passports as well.
The old passports will be valid only until the end of May. After that, holders of the old papers will not be eligible to enter or leave the kingdom. The official announcement does not promise all passports will be replaced." [Snippet]
"All passport-holders have been called by Jordanian interior ministry in Amman to report at local population registry branches for new electronic documents. DEBKAfile adds: The regulation is being used to cleanse the kingdom of potential threats to the throne. Some 300,000 expatriate Iraqis live in Jordan. They cover a wide spectrum - from asylum-seekers from the Saddam Hussein regime, former prominent Baathists, including the deposed dictator's daughters, and insurgent leaders of different stripes. Many West Bank Palestinians bear Jordanian passports as well.
The old passports will be valid only until the end of May. After that, holders of the old papers will not be eligible to enter or leave the kingdom. The official announcement does not promise all passports will be replaced." [Snippet]
Vendors left waiting on ID scheme details / The Register, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/21/id_microsoft/
Mark Ballard
"The government's aim to have a basic ID scheme up and running before the next election looks fatefully ambitious. Experts reckon the procurement process, should it start immediately, may take till the end of the year.
Then what is being proposed is no accounting system. It is one of the most ambitious projects, with the most alarming social consequences, ever undertaken. Biometric technology is unproven on armies of co-operative corporate drones. It may not be easy to get it working on a population of 60m people, many of whom will resist its imposition. That's another significant reason for the failure of major IT projects - what they call 'user acceptance'; or as government ministers would have it nowadays, 'customer satisfaction'.�"
Mark Ballard
"The government's aim to have a basic ID scheme up and running before the next election looks fatefully ambitious. Experts reckon the procurement process, should it start immediately, may take till the end of the year.
Then what is being proposed is no accounting system. It is one of the most ambitious projects, with the most alarming social consequences, ever undertaken. Biometric technology is unproven on armies of co-operative corporate drones. It may not be easy to get it working on a population of 60m people, many of whom will resist its imposition. That's another significant reason for the failure of major IT projects - what they call 'user acceptance'; or as government ministers would have it nowadays, 'customer satisfaction'.�"
Agony of 'not proven' verdict / The Herald, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/60505.html
JENNIFER CUNNINGHAMApril 21 2006
When Charles Clarke, the home secretary, yesterday announced a review to consider giving the Court of Appeal in England the power to deliver a 'not proven' verdict, he set the cat among the pigeons. The proposal would be part of a package of measures to reduce the cost of compensation to people wrongly convicted of crime, but it was the use of the phrase 'not proven' which produced a sharp intake of breath on all sides."
JENNIFER CUNNINGHAMApril 21 2006
When Charles Clarke, the home secretary, yesterday announced a review to consider giving the Court of Appeal in England the power to deliver a 'not proven' verdict, he set the cat among the pigeons. The proposal would be part of a package of measures to reduce the cost of compensation to people wrongly convicted of crime, but it was the use of the phrase 'not proven' which produced a sharp intake of breath on all sides."
Women Should Cover Chest, Not Face; Women Can Be Imams & Political Leaders; No Punishment Sanctioned for Drinking Alcohol at Home MEMRI, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD114306
Hassan Al-Turabi
"Most of the Islamic World... Quotes [Blindly] From the Koran Without [Truly] Reading it"Hassan Al-Turabi: "Some of these views were already expressed decades ago, and have appeared in books. But you still see that most of the Islamic world - in its stagnation, backwardness, and traditions - quotes [blindly from the Koran] without [truly] reading [it], except for blessings."
Hassan Al-Turabi
"Most of the Islamic World... Quotes [Blindly] From the Koran Without [Truly] Reading it"Hassan Al-Turabi: "Some of these views were already expressed decades ago, and have appeared in books. But you still see that most of the Islamic world - in its stagnation, backwardness, and traditions - quotes [blindly from the Koran] without [truly] reading [it], except for blessings."
Register boosts campaign to defend research on animals / Guardian, 22 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,1758844,00.html
Alok Jha
"More than 100 British organisations have published details of their ethical policies on the use of animals in scientific research as part of a new campaign to build confidence in the research community against the violent attacks of animal rights extremists. It is the first time that many of the organisations, which include universities and charities, have publicly admitted the use of animals in their work."
Alok Jha
"More than 100 British organisations have published details of their ethical policies on the use of animals in scientific research as part of a new campaign to build confidence in the research community against the violent attacks of animal rights extremists. It is the first time that many of the organisations, which include universities and charities, have publicly admitted the use of animals in their work."
Friday, April 21, 2006
40 Russian extremist sites hosted on the Internet -- official / RIA Novosti, 19 Apr 2006
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060419/46604607.html
" There are about 40 Russian-language websites with terrorist and extremist content on the Internet, a senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. "A quarter of these have been registered through Russian service providers," Boris Miroshnikov, head of the Interior Ministry department for high-tech crime, told an international conference on cybercrime and cyberterrorism. Miroshnikov said last year had seen some 15,000 high-tech crimes, including 10,000 related to computers. He added that more than 450 cases of computer fraud had been registered in 2005, and that this form of crime was likely to increase. The official said the Interior Ministry proposed revising and expanding the European Convention on Cybercrime, signed by 42 countries in 2002. The convention has been ratified by 12 states, including only one from the Group of Eight industrialized nations." [Snippet]
" There are about 40 Russian-language websites with terrorist and extremist content on the Internet, a senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. "A quarter of these have been registered through Russian service providers," Boris Miroshnikov, head of the Interior Ministry department for high-tech crime, told an international conference on cybercrime and cyberterrorism. Miroshnikov said last year had seen some 15,000 high-tech crimes, including 10,000 related to computers. He added that more than 450 cases of computer fraud had been registered in 2005, and that this form of crime was likely to increase. The official said the Interior Ministry proposed revising and expanding the European Convention on Cybercrime, signed by 42 countries in 2002. The convention has been ratified by 12 states, including only one from the Group of Eight industrialized nations." [Snippet]
New RFID travel cards could pose privacy threat / CNET News.com, 19 Apr 2006
Anne Broache and Declan McCullagh, http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/software/0,39044164,39352807,00.htm ”Future government-issued travel documents may feature embedded computer chips that can be read at a distance of up to 30 feet, a top Homeland Security official said Tuesday, creating what some fear would be a threat to privacy.”
Asbos 'create as many problems as they solve,' warns criminologist / Western Mail, 20 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfjx
Aled Blake
”Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are creating more problems than they are solving, a leading academic has claimed. Speaking at the second conference organised by the Newport Centre for Criminal and Community Justice (NCCCJ), Dr Jo Brayford quoted from a local survey she had carried out which revealed that there are conflicting opinions about what the public perceived as anti-social behaviour."
Aled Blake
”Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are creating more problems than they are solving, a leading academic has claimed. Speaking at the second conference organised by the Newport Centre for Criminal and Community Justice (NCCCJ), Dr Jo Brayford quoted from a local survey she had carried out which revealed that there are conflicting opinions about what the public perceived as anti-social behaviour."
[Spain] Immigrants help sustain Spain’s long building boom / The Financial Times, 19 Apr 2006
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/32adf4f0-cefd-11da-925d-0000779e2340.html
Leslie Crawford
”Immigrants are emerging as a powerful new force in the Spanish economy, boosting demand for new housing, which in turn is sustaining the country’s long construction boom, according to analyst reports.”
Leslie Crawford
”Immigrants are emerging as a powerful new force in the Spanish economy, boosting demand for new housing, which in turn is sustaining the country’s long construction boom, according to analyst reports.”
Iranian group seeks British suicide bombers / The Guardian, 19 Apr 2006
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,1756461,00.html
Robert Tait in Tehran and Ewen MacAskill
”Relations between the west and the hardline Iranian regime are set to worsen after a Tehran-based group claimed yesterday it was trying to recruit Iranians and other Muslims in Britain to carry out suicide bombings against Israel. The Committee for the Commemoration of Martyrs of the Global Islamic Campaign, which claims to be independent but has the backing of the regime, said it is targeting potential recruits in Britain because of the relative ease with which UK passport-holders can enter Israel. 'That shows that it has not been difficult getting into Israel,' he said. 'Do you think getting hold of a British passport for an Iranian citizen is hard? Tens of passports are issued for Iranian asylum seekers in Britain every day. There are hundreds of other ways available to us, such as illegal entry [into Britain], fake passports, etc.”
Robert Tait in Tehran and Ewen MacAskill
”Relations between the west and the hardline Iranian regime are set to worsen after a Tehran-based group claimed yesterday it was trying to recruit Iranians and other Muslims in Britain to carry out suicide bombings against Israel. The Committee for the Commemoration of Martyrs of the Global Islamic Campaign, which claims to be independent but has the backing of the regime, said it is targeting potential recruits in Britain because of the relative ease with which UK passport-holders can enter Israel. 'That shows that it has not been difficult getting into Israel,' he said. 'Do you think getting hold of a British passport for an Iranian citizen is hard? Tens of passports are issued for Iranian asylum seekers in Britain every day. There are hundreds of other ways available to us, such as illegal entry [into Britain], fake passports, etc.”
Immigration experts want changes to EU immigration laws / WorkPermit.com, 19 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfpk
”European immigration experts are saying the EU should adopt immigration laws similar to Australia's, New Zealand's and Canada's where selective skilled immigration has been introduced. The experts told the German newspaper Deutsche Welle, the European Union needs to adopt a new policy on immigration that would 'selectively' open borders to deal with the influx of immigrants. The paper says that many EU politicians believe that the 64,000 million people from poorer, non-EU countries who have found a home in the EU are sufficient. Some European countries have immigration policies in place allowing only skilled immigrants the opportunity to immigrate. These countries include the UK, Germany and France.”
”European immigration experts are saying the EU should adopt immigration laws similar to Australia's, New Zealand's and Canada's where selective skilled immigration has been introduced. The experts told the German newspaper Deutsche Welle, the European Union needs to adopt a new policy on immigration that would 'selectively' open borders to deal with the influx of immigrants. The paper says that many EU politicians believe that the 64,000 million people from poorer, non-EU countries who have found a home in the EU are sufficient. Some European countries have immigration policies in place allowing only skilled immigrants the opportunity to immigrate. These countries include the UK, Germany and France.”
UN alarmed over 'asylum fatigue' / BBC, 19 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/4919746.stm
"Refugees are suffering a lack of protection because of 'asylum fatigue', says the United Nations. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres warns that public confusion over asylum has led to growing intolerance and racism. Launching a major survey of crises, Mr Guterres said global numbers of refugees had fallen to a 25-year-low. But he said public confusion meant people who needed help were seen as a public threat. And he warned against any moves to ditch the international principle of protecting people fleeing persecution."
"Refugees are suffering a lack of protection because of 'asylum fatigue', says the United Nations. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres warns that public confusion over asylum has led to growing intolerance and racism. Launching a major survey of crises, Mr Guterres said global numbers of refugees had fallen to a 25-year-low. But he said public confusion meant people who needed help were seen as a public threat. And he warned against any moves to ditch the international principle of protecting people fleeing persecution."
IOM launches new development programme for countries emerging from conflict / Morocco Times, 19 Apr 2006
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=6&id=14197
”The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched a new programme to help migrants living in the Netherlands return home and contribute to the reconstruction and development of their countries.”
”The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched a new programme to help migrants living in the Netherlands return home and contribute to the reconstruction and development of their countries.”
[Germany] Muslim extremists 'being watched' ahead of Cup / Expatica, 10 April 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfjt
"More than 50 Muslims who have returned to Germany from fighting in Iraq are under observation by German authorities two months ahead of the football World Cup, Focus news magazine reported. Citing security forces in Berlin, Focus, in a report made available ahead of Monday's publication, said those in question had been identified by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The BfV did not want to confirm the report on Saturday. Germany is imposing strict security at the June 9-July 9 World Cup which brings together 32 teams and is played in 12 cities. The authorities have no direct terrorist threat against the tournament, but will take nothing for granted. The BfV rates Islamism a threat for internal German security. Focus said that some 300 Muslims overall from Western Europe have fought in Iraq since 2003 against the US-led forces." [Snippet]
"More than 50 Muslims who have returned to Germany from fighting in Iraq are under observation by German authorities two months ahead of the football World Cup, Focus news magazine reported. Citing security forces in Berlin, Focus, in a report made available ahead of Monday's publication, said those in question had been identified by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The BfV did not want to confirm the report on Saturday. Germany is imposing strict security at the June 9-July 9 World Cup which brings together 32 teams and is played in 12 cities. The authorities have no direct terrorist threat against the tournament, but will take nothing for granted. The BfV rates Islamism a threat for internal German security. Focus said that some 300 Muslims overall from Western Europe have fought in Iraq since 2003 against the US-led forces." [Snippet]
German agency cancels prostitution how-to guide / Expatica, 10 April 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfjs
"German's main development agency, GTZ, said Saturday it was no longer distributing a Ukrainian-language brochure after discovering that it contained advice on how to earn a living by prostitution. Worried that large numbers of Ukrainian women were being tricked into sex work in Germany, the GTZ published the frank document in March 2005 to warn them. But critics said it read like a compendium of tips on the trade."
"German's main development agency, GTZ, said Saturday it was no longer distributing a Ukrainian-language brochure after discovering that it contained advice on how to earn a living by prostitution. Worried that large numbers of Ukrainian women were being tricked into sex work in Germany, the GTZ published the frank document in March 2005 to warn them. But critics said it read like a compendium of tips on the trade."
Do ASBOs work? / Oldham Advertiser, 21 Apr 2005
http://digbig.com/4hfpe
"OF the last 16 people in Oldham to be made subjects of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) the Advertiser can this week reveal that close to half of them can be expected to break the terms of their order in coming months. For new figures reveal that 45 per cent of all the people with ASBOs in the borough have broken their restrictions, which usually try to limit their movements and who they mix with in a bid to stop them re-offending."
"OF the last 16 people in Oldham to be made subjects of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) the Advertiser can this week reveal that close to half of them can be expected to break the terms of their order in coming months. For new figures reveal that 45 per cent of all the people with ASBOs in the borough have broken their restrictions, which usually try to limit their movements and who they mix with in a bid to stop them re-offending."
New anti-social behaviour hotline launches in Burnham-On-Sea / Burnham-On-Sea.com, 19 Apr 2006
http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/2006/anti-social-behaviour-19-04-06.shtml
Burnham-On-Sea residents can now quickly report anti-social behaviour in the town following the launch of a brand new hotline. In the past it has been quite usual for a report of anti-social behaviour to need several organisations to sort out the problem whether they be the Police, Fire service, Environmental Health or youth services. Dialling this one number means that we can liaise between the partners and address the problems quickly and efficiently," said council spokesperson Claire Faun. Each incident will also be added to the Anti-Social behaviour database that helps in tackling crime and the fear of crime by mapping hot spots, so that agencies can re-direct resources into areas that are identified as having a specific problem."
Burnham-On-Sea residents can now quickly report anti-social behaviour in the town following the launch of a brand new hotline. In the past it has been quite usual for a report of anti-social behaviour to need several organisations to sort out the problem whether they be the Police, Fire service, Environmental Health or youth services. Dialling this one number means that we can liaise between the partners and address the problems quickly and efficiently," said council spokesperson Claire Faun. Each incident will also be added to the Anti-Social behaviour database that helps in tackling crime and the fear of crime by mapping hot spots, so that agencies can re-direct resources into areas that are identified as having a specific problem."
Draft Council Conclusions on improved operational cooperation on joint return operations by air
Draft Council Conclusions (for JHA Council on 27-28 April) - (EU doc no: 8246/06, ):
PDF - http://www.statewatch.org/news/2006/apr/eu-returns-draft-concl.pdf
PDF - http://www.statewatch.org/news/2006/apr/eu-returns-draft-concl.pdf
Call to improve airport TB checks / BBC, 21 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4927772.stm
"Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of tuberculosis checks for people coming to England from countries hardest hit by the disease. The Health Protection Agency looked at arrangements at points of entry, such as airports and ports.
Port health and medical inspection review. Report from the project team. March 2006.
PDF - http://www.hpa.org.uk/porthealth/port_health.pdf
"Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of tuberculosis checks for people coming to England from countries hardest hit by the disease. The Health Protection Agency looked at arrangements at points of entry, such as airports and ports.
Port health and medical inspection review. Report from the project team. March 2006.
PDF - http://www.hpa.org.uk/porthealth/port_health.pdf
Asbo powers must be used / The Herald, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/60508.html
"Some Scottish councils that have used them for 16-year-olds and over have found them effective. Other local authorities are reluctant to use them, preferring to deploy strategies that change behaviour rather than labelling some as troublemakers. Councils whose residents are suffering disproportionately from youth crime have been among those granting markedly fewer orders than elsewhere. Glasgow City Council, for example, took the view that intervening to prevent youth crime was more effective than using the executive's sanctions. Both sides in this argument have some merit.
"Some Scottish councils that have used them for 16-year-olds and over have found them effective. Other local authorities are reluctant to use them, preferring to deploy strategies that change behaviour rather than labelling some as troublemakers. Councils whose residents are suffering disproportionately from youth crime have been among those granting markedly fewer orders than elsewhere. Glasgow City Council, for example, took the view that intervening to prevent youth crime was more effective than using the executive's sanctions. Both sides in this argument have some merit.
Public sector 'underpays charities' / Public Finance Magazine, 21 Apr 2006
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/news_details.cfm?news_id=27367
"Six out of ten charities say they do not receive adequate payment for services they provide to the public sector.
Joint research by the CIPFA charities panel and the Charity Finance Directors' Group has revealed that public bodies exploit their purchasing power to refuse to cover the full costs of services. They will pay for the direct activities covered by contracts, but not for all the associated overheads. Respondents say they do not expect this to change, even though the government has stipulated that public bodies should provide full funding from this month.
Typically, the Full cost recovery survey found, charities receive around 85% of the costs of providing services. The problem is exacerbated by the demands made on charities for detailed financial and operating information.
Chris Harris, chair of CIPFA's charities panel, said the research exposed the problems caused by the imposition of flawed contracts on the voluntary sector.
'The beneficiaries suffer because the quality of service is not acknowledged, the charities suffer because compliance is onerous and the public sector suffers because resources are not used appropriately,' he said. " [Snippet]
"Six out of ten charities say they do not receive adequate payment for services they provide to the public sector.
Joint research by the CIPFA charities panel and the Charity Finance Directors' Group has revealed that public bodies exploit their purchasing power to refuse to cover the full costs of services. They will pay for the direct activities covered by contracts, but not for all the associated overheads. Respondents say they do not expect this to change, even though the government has stipulated that public bodies should provide full funding from this month.
Typically, the Full cost recovery survey found, charities receive around 85% of the costs of providing services. The problem is exacerbated by the demands made on charities for detailed financial and operating information.
Chris Harris, chair of CIPFA's charities panel, said the research exposed the problems caused by the imposition of flawed contracts on the voluntary sector.
'The beneficiaries suffer because the quality of service is not acknowledged, the charities suffer because compliance is onerous and the public sector suffers because resources are not used appropriately,' he said. " [Snippet]
ID protection plan launched / ePolitix.com, 21 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfmw
"The new Identity and Passport Service has published a 10-year plan aimed at tackling identity fraud and boosting personal identity security. The IPS was created on April 1, after the Identity Cards Bill received its royal assent.
It brings together the UK Passport Service and the identity cards programme which has been based in the Home Office.
It will continue to be responsible for issuing passports and will issue ID cards from 2008/09."
"The new Identity and Passport Service has published a 10-year plan aimed at tackling identity fraud and boosting personal identity security. The IPS was created on April 1, after the Identity Cards Bill received its royal assent.
It brings together the UK Passport Service and the identity cards programme which has been based in the Home Office.
It will continue to be responsible for issuing passports and will issue ID cards from 2008/09."
Police Search For Criminals With Oyster / Wandsworth Guardian, 20 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfma
Siobhan Lismore
"Police hunting criminals are using Oyster card technology to help track them down, according to material released by the Freedom of Information Act last month. Figures show a huge leap in police requests to Transport for London (TfL), which operates the Oyster cards used to travel on buses, trains and the underground."
Siobhan Lismore
"Police hunting criminals are using Oyster card technology to help track them down, according to material released by the Freedom of Information Act last month. Figures show a huge leap in police requests to Transport for London (TfL), which operates the Oyster cards used to travel on buses, trains and the underground."
Stinger Stung Again / Motley Fool, 20 Apr 2006
http://www.fool.com/News/mft/2006/mft06042037.htm
Seth Jayson"Another shot was fired today in the stun-gun war. Of course, it's not a war so much as a defensive action. On the one hand, you've got TASER International (Nasdaq: TASR), the undisputed stun-gun leader. On the other side, you've got a few pretenders to the throne, most notably Law Enforcement Associates (AMEX: AID) and Stinger Systems (OTC BB: STIY). "
Seth Jayson"Another shot was fired today in the stun-gun war. Of course, it's not a war so much as a defensive action. On the one hand, you've got TASER International (Nasdaq: TASR), the undisputed stun-gun leader. On the other side, you've got a few pretenders to the throne, most notably Law Enforcement Associates (AMEX: AID) and Stinger Systems (OTC BB: STIY). "
Cybercop crusade / Guardian, 19 Apr 2006
SocietyGuardian.co.uk Society Cybercop crusade:
"The new Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre will be launched by ministers on Monday. 'We are here to tell abusers that the internet is not the Wild West, it's a public place and we police public places.' The centre is a world first, bringing law enforcers in the UK, the US and Australia together with the information technology industry, charities and schools. It is fighting to protect children from paedophile abuse, and aims to jail those who make and those who use images of abuse. By liaising with police services in the US and Australia, the Ceop centre will provide a 24/7 online police station where potential paedophile crime can be reported at the click of a mouse."
"The new Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre will be launched by ministers on Monday. 'We are here to tell abusers that the internet is not the Wild West, it's a public place and we police public places.' The centre is a world first, bringing law enforcers in the UK, the US and Australia together with the information technology industry, charities and schools. It is fighting to protect children from paedophile abuse, and aims to jail those who make and those who use images of abuse. By liaising with police services in the US and Australia, the Ceop centre will provide a 24/7 online police station where potential paedophile crime can be reported at the click of a mouse."
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Home Office shuffles ID Cards team / Computer Weekly, 19 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfda
Tash Shifrin
"The Home Office has announced the top team of executives who will run the new Identity and Passport Service, which came into operation following the enactment of the ID Cards Bill. The IPS will oversee the introduction of the national identity scheme as well as taking over the existing passport service. It will be responsible for issuing both passports and ID cards."
Tash Shifrin
"The Home Office has announced the top team of executives who will run the new Identity and Passport Service, which came into operation following the enactment of the ID Cards Bill. The IPS will oversee the introduction of the national identity scheme as well as taking over the existing passport service. It will be responsible for issuing both passports and ID cards."
UK slaps passport 'ban' on SA / News24, 19 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hfcx
"The British government has not accepted any South Africans who want to enter Britain with temporary passports since Wednesday, said British immigration minister Tom McNulty on Wednesday. McNulty said South Africans travelling to Britain on temporary passports would not be allowed into the country because of 'concern about the efficiency of the process of issuing South African passports'. "
"The British government has not accepted any South Africans who want to enter Britain with temporary passports since Wednesday, said British immigration minister Tom McNulty on Wednesday. McNulty said South Africans travelling to Britain on temporary passports would not be allowed into the country because of 'concern about the efficiency of the process of issuing South African passports'. "
Westminster and Holyrood split on extradition to the Land of the Free / Scotsman, 20 Apr 2006
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=594172006
Hamish MacDonell
"Holyrood makes demand for exemption over extradition treaty with USA Complaint is most serious split with Westminster since devolution Anger expressed over ability of USA to demand extradition of UK citizens "
Hamish MacDonell
"Holyrood makes demand for exemption over extradition treaty with USA Complaint is most serious split with Westminster since devolution Anger expressed over ability of USA to demand extradition of UK citizens "
Clarke considers case for a not proven verdict in England / The Herald, 20 Apr 2006
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/60471.html
"Charles Clarke is considering introducing the 'not proven' verdict to the Court of Appeal in England, despite its controversial status when used in trials in Scotland. "
"Charles Clarke is considering introducing the 'not proven' verdict to the Court of Appeal in England, despite its controversial status when used in trials in Scotland. "
Groups try to break bonds of forced marriage / USA Today, 19 Apr 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-04-19-forced-marriage_x.htm
César G. Soriano,
"The British government has recognized forced marriages as a growing problem and is taking action. The government defines a forced marriage as one in which the bride, groom or both are coerced to marry against their will and under duress that includes both physical and emotional pressure."
César G. Soriano,
"The British government has recognized forced marriages as a growing problem and is taking action. The government defines a forced marriage as one in which the bride, groom or both are coerced to marry against their will and under duress that includes both physical and emotional pressure."
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Ten Alternatives To Prison / Forbes, 18 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hetf
Ruth David
"As slammers across the country run out of space and resources, prison officials are feeling pretty blue as well.
Nobody likes these expensive, ugly messes, so why not explore alternate punishments that keep people out of lockup?"
Ruth David
"As slammers across the country run out of space and resources, prison officials are feeling pretty blue as well.
Nobody likes these expensive, ugly messes, so why not explore alternate punishments that keep people out of lockup?"
RFID travel cards' privacy threat / InfoWorld Tech Watch, 19 Apr 2006
http://weblog.infoworld.com/techwatch/archives/005993.html
Caroline Craig
"Homeland Security is promoting the use of travel documents embedded with an RFID chip that is readable at distances of up to 30 feet. As reported by cNet, Jim Williams, director of the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program, said Tuesday at a smart card conference that 'tracking chips could be inserted into the new generation of wallet-size identity cards used to ease travel by Americans to Canada and Mexico starting in 2008.'
(As previously reported by InfoWorld, the Bush administration has already declared that RFID chips containing personal identification information will begin appearing in U.S. passports starting in October 2006.)
Homeland Security envisions the travel document, called PASS (People Access Security Service), as a 'vicinity-read' wallet-size card that allows the cardholder's picture and other biographic information to be captured from a distance and automatically displayed on border agents' computer screens.
In an RFID procurement notice, the government requires that 'IDs be read under circumstances that include the device being carried in a pocket, purse, wallet, in traveler's clothes, or elsewhere on the person of the traveler.' Elsewhere the requirements state: 'The solution presented must sense all tokens carried by travelers seated in a single automobile, truck, or bus at a distance up to 25 ft while moving at speeds up to 55 mph.'
All this raises the question, what's to prevent these tags from being read and personal information stolen by hidden sensors in the hands of criminals or terrorists? The EEF has weighed in on the issue, declaring the new U.S. passports will serve as terrorist beacons. " [Snippet]
Caroline Craig
"Homeland Security is promoting the use of travel documents embedded with an RFID chip that is readable at distances of up to 30 feet. As reported by cNet, Jim Williams, director of the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT program, said Tuesday at a smart card conference that 'tracking chips could be inserted into the new generation of wallet-size identity cards used to ease travel by Americans to Canada and Mexico starting in 2008.'
(As previously reported by InfoWorld, the Bush administration has already declared that RFID chips containing personal identification information will begin appearing in U.S. passports starting in October 2006.)
Homeland Security envisions the travel document, called PASS (People Access Security Service), as a 'vicinity-read' wallet-size card that allows the cardholder's picture and other biographic information to be captured from a distance and automatically displayed on border agents' computer screens.
In an RFID procurement notice, the government requires that 'IDs be read under circumstances that include the device being carried in a pocket, purse, wallet, in traveler's clothes, or elsewhere on the person of the traveler.' Elsewhere the requirements state: 'The solution presented must sense all tokens carried by travelers seated in a single automobile, truck, or bus at a distance up to 25 ft while moving at speeds up to 55 mph.'
All this raises the question, what's to prevent these tags from being read and personal information stolen by hidden sensors in the hands of criminals or terrorists? The EEF has weighed in on the issue, declaring the new U.S. passports will serve as terrorist beacons. " [Snippet]
Crime gangs mixing crystal meth with other drugs: report / CBC News, 19 Apr 2006
news: Crime gangs mixing crystal meth with other drugs: report
"The Hells Angels and other organized crime groups are mixing highly addictive crystal meth with other, less harmful drugs, an internal RCMP report says. "
"The Hells Angels and other organized crime groups are mixing highly addictive crystal meth with other, less harmful drugs, an internal RCMP report says. "
Government clamps down on visa fraud / swissinfo, 18 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hesf
"The foreign ministry says it has introduced a series of measures to lower the risk of embassy officials accepting bribes in exchange for Swiss visas. The authorities are currently investigating cases involving Swiss embassies in Oman, Peru, Russia, Nigeria, Serbia and Eritrea."
"The foreign ministry says it has introduced a series of measures to lower the risk of embassy officials accepting bribes in exchange for Swiss visas. The authorities are currently investigating cases involving Swiss embassies in Oman, Peru, Russia, Nigeria, Serbia and Eritrea."
Taking a single view of border control / eGov Monitor, 18 Apr 2006
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/5647
Ian Brook
"Immigration, asylum and economic migration are often grouped together as the same issue with the same challenges. The reality is that effective control of international borders relies on the management of complex relationships between a range of agencies, both intra and international."
Ian Brook
"Immigration, asylum and economic migration are often grouped together as the same issue with the same challenges. The reality is that effective control of international borders relies on the management of complex relationships between a range of agencies, both intra and international."
The State of the World's Refugees 2006 / UNHCR, 2006
http://uk.oneworld.net/external/?url=http://www.unhcr.ch/
Links to individual chapters in html or PDF
Links to individual chapters in html or PDF
A lesson in immigration / The Boston Globe, 19 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hery
Colin Nickerson
"For decades in Europe, there were no efforts to integrate the newcomers. They were entitled to social benefits, but not citizenship. Their children could attend schools, but little effort was made to give them language skills. Far from a melting pot, Europe in the post-World War II era became the realm of ''parallel societies,' in which native and immigrant populations occupied the same countries but shared little common ground."
Colin Nickerson
"For decades in Europe, there were no efforts to integrate the newcomers. They were entitled to social benefits, but not citizenship. Their children could attend schools, but little effort was made to give them language skills. Far from a melting pot, Europe in the post-World War II era became the realm of ''parallel societies,' in which native and immigrant populations occupied the same countries but shared little common ground."
[Belgium] Far-right boss to help immigrants / BBC, 18 Apr 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4919888.stm
"A Belgian court has sentenced the far-right National Front leader, Daniel Feret, to 250 hours of public service helping immigrants to integrate.
Mr Feret, 61, was found guilty of publishing racist pamphlets."
"A Belgian court has sentenced the far-right National Front leader, Daniel Feret, to 250 hours of public service helping immigrants to integrate.
Mr Feret, 61, was found guilty of publishing racist pamphlets."
EZGOV EUROPE HELPS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTRE TACKLE LOCAL CRIME / SourceWire | Press Releases, 19 Apr 2006
http://sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=25007&hilite=
"EzGov Europe, one of the market leaders in enabling successful e-Government, has announced that it is helping the Community Justice Centre in north Liverpool, the first of its kind in England and Wales, to tackle anti-social behaviour and the crime associated with it. Key to the success of the project is an online system called Tracker, which has been developed by EzGov, to bring together different parts of the justice system involved in the scheme, to track and manage defendants� cases.
Community justice forms a key part of the UK Government's commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour and the crime associated with it. This innovative pilot programme in north Liverpool combines the powers of the courtroom with a range of community resources, available to local people, victims and witnesses, as well as offenders. "
"EzGov Europe, one of the market leaders in enabling successful e-Government, has announced that it is helping the Community Justice Centre in north Liverpool, the first of its kind in England and Wales, to tackle anti-social behaviour and the crime associated with it. Key to the success of the project is an online system called Tracker, which has been developed by EzGov, to bring together different parts of the justice system involved in the scheme, to track and manage defendants� cases.
Community justice forms a key part of the UK Government's commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour and the crime associated with it. This innovative pilot programme in north Liverpool combines the powers of the courtroom with a range of community resources, available to local people, victims and witnesses, as well as offenders. "
Liverpool centre pilots shared justice systems / Computer Weekly, 18 Apr 2006
Liverpool centre pilots shared justice systems
Lindsay Clark
"Liverpool's Community Justice Centre is close to completing the first stage in evaluating an approach to criminal justice IT that could pave the way for similar developments across the country. The centre is part of a pilot programme to allow criminal justice agencies to work together in an effort to speed up cases in their journey from arrest to sentencing."
Lindsay Clark
"Liverpool's Community Justice Centre is close to completing the first stage in evaluating an approach to criminal justice IT that could pave the way for similar developments across the country. The centre is part of a pilot programme to allow criminal justice agencies to work together in an effort to speed up cases in their journey from arrest to sentencing."
Protecting Privacy in Integrated Justice Systems / NGA, 12 Apr 2006
PDF - http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0604CJISPRIVACY.PDF
"Major improvements in justice information sharing now allow criminal and civil justice records to be shared, synthesized, sold, and analyzed at speeds and with an ease not previously imagined. Unfortunately, in addition to many public safety benefits, these improvements can have unintended consequences as the sharing of information concerning victims, witnesses, law enforcement, court, and other justice personnel potentially exposes them to harm by violating privacy protections. States need now to address growing questions and concerns as the "practical obscurity" that served as the de facto privacy protection in a paper-based justice system has all but vanished in the face of statewide justice information sharing initiatives. "
"Major improvements in justice information sharing now allow criminal and civil justice records to be shared, synthesized, sold, and analyzed at speeds and with an ease not previously imagined. Unfortunately, in addition to many public safety benefits, these improvements can have unintended consequences as the sharing of information concerning victims, witnesses, law enforcement, court, and other justice personnel potentially exposes them to harm by violating privacy protections. States need now to address growing questions and concerns as the "practical obscurity" that served as the de facto privacy protection in a paper-based justice system has all but vanished in the face of statewide justice information sharing initiatives. "
EU Must Change Its Immigration Policy, Experts Warn/ Deutsche Welle, 18 Apr 2006
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1972434,00.html
"Rather than building the walls around 'Fortress Europe' higher, as many EU politicians favor, migration experts say the EU needs a new progressive policy on immigration -- for its own good. More than 64 million people from poorer countries have found a new home in the EU. Many EU politicians have said enough is enough and are ready to do whatever is necessary to keep any more immigrants crossing the borders into Europe. "
"Rather than building the walls around 'Fortress Europe' higher, as many EU politicians favor, migration experts say the EU needs a new progressive policy on immigration -- for its own good. More than 64 million people from poorer countries have found a new home in the EU. Many EU politicians have said enough is enough and are ready to do whatever is necessary to keep any more immigrants crossing the borders into Europe. "
Terroristsx Briefs / Terrorism Focus - Volume III, Issue 15
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369960
PHILIPPINE TROOPS KILL ABU SAYYAF COMMANDER
TOP AL-QAEDA OPERATIVE KILLED IN PAKISTAN
Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah, otherwise known as Abdur Rehman and Abu Muhajir, was killed by Pakistani security forces on April 12
U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ KILL AL-QAEDA's "AMBASSADOR"
Al-Qaeda operative Rafid Ibrahim Fattah, also known as Abu Umar al-Kurdi, was killed by U.S. forces near Baqouba on March 27
PHILIPPINE TROOPS KILL ABU SAYYAF COMMANDER
TOP AL-QAEDA OPERATIVE KILLED IN PAKISTAN
Muhsin Musa Matwalli Atwah, otherwise known as Abdur Rehman and Abu Muhajir, was killed by Pakistani security forces on April 12
U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ KILL AL-QAEDA's "AMBASSADOR"
Al-Qaeda operative Rafid Ibrahim Fattah, also known as Abu Umar al-Kurdi, was killed by U.S. forces near Baqouba on March 27
Al-Zawahiri's New Video Calls on Muslims to Support the Mujahideen / Terrorism Focus, Volume 3, Issue 15 (April 18, 2006)
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369963
Stephen Ulph
"On April 12, a video recording by the al-Sahab Islamic Productions Foundation appeared on the internet forums. Entitled 'From Tora Bora to Iraq,' it carried the date Shawwal 1426 (November 2005) and featured Ayman al-Zawahiri speaking in customary turban and robe with an automatic rifle behind his shoulder for half-an-hour (http://alsaha.fares.net). The high quality production - styled like a satellite news feature complete with moving tickertape messages - was put together soon after the October 23 earthquake that hit Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the tape, al-Zawahiri spends two-and-a-half minutes referring to the earthquake, highlighting how the 'Crusaders' are preventing the supply of aid from Muslim organizations reaching the victims "
Stephen Ulph
"On April 12, a video recording by the al-Sahab Islamic Productions Foundation appeared on the internet forums. Entitled 'From Tora Bora to Iraq,' it carried the date Shawwal 1426 (November 2005) and featured Ayman al-Zawahiri speaking in customary turban and robe with an automatic rifle behind his shoulder for half-an-hour (http://alsaha.fares.net). The high quality production - styled like a satellite news feature complete with moving tickertape messages - was put together soon after the October 23 earthquake that hit Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the tape, al-Zawahiri spends two-and-a-half minutes referring to the earthquake, highlighting how the 'Crusaders' are preventing the supply of aid from Muslim organizations reaching the victims "
Animal rights protestors: don't ban them, beat them / spiked-liberties, 18 April 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CB023.htm
James Panton
"A leading member of the pro-vivisection group Pro-Test argues that animal rights activists should be defeated through debate, not legal injunctions."
James Panton
"A leading member of the pro-vivisection group Pro-Test argues that animal rights activists should be defeated through debate, not legal injunctions."
"Muslims Living Abroad Cannot... Impose Their Values / MEMRI, 19 Apr 2006
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD114206
"In his column in the UAE daily Al-Ittihad, reformist writer Yousef Ibrahim calls upon Muslim immigrants to recognize the secularism of their non-Muslim host countries and not to try to impose their Islamic values on the secular majority."
"In his column in the UAE daily Al-Ittihad, reformist writer Yousef Ibrahim calls upon Muslim immigrants to recognize the secularism of their non-Muslim host countries and not to try to impose their Islamic values on the secular majority."
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programs / The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), 2005
PDF - http://digbig.com/4hehp
Robyn D. Robertson ; Ward G.M. Vanlaar Douglas J. Beirness
Robyn D. Robertson ; Ward G.M. Vanlaar Douglas J. Beirness
Rethinking computer management of sex offenders under community supervision - 2005
PDF - http://digbig.com/4hehk
Jim Tanner
"Computer and Internet access poses substantial risk to proper treatement and containment of sex offenders. The prevalence of sexual material on the internet makes it risky for convicted sex offenders to have unmanaged access." [Cybercrime; Sex Offenders; Forensic Science]
Jim Tanner
"Computer and Internet access poses substantial risk to proper treatement and containment of sex offenders. The prevalence of sexual material on the internet makes it risky for convicted sex offenders to have unmanaged access." [Cybercrime; Sex Offenders; Forensic Science]
Cell Phone Forensic Tools: An Overview and Analysis / NIST, 2005
PDF - http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistir/nistir-7250.pdf
Rick Ayers ; Wayne Jansen ; Nicolas Cilleros ; Ronan Daniellou
"The purpose of this report is to inform law enforcement, incident response team members, and forensic examiners about the capabilities of present day forensic software tools that have the ability to acquire information from cell phones operating over CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) networks and running various operating systems, including Symbian, Research in Motion (RIM), Palm OS, Pocket PC, and Linux."
Rick Ayers ; Wayne Jansen ; Nicolas Cilleros ; Ronan Daniellou
"The purpose of this report is to inform law enforcement, incident response team members, and forensic examiners about the capabilities of present day forensic software tools that have the ability to acquire information from cell phones operating over CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) networks and running various operating systems, including Symbian, Research in Motion (RIM), Palm OS, Pocket PC, and Linux."
Asylum seekers: Safe from persecution / Young People Now, 19 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hehg
Tim Burke
"Many young asylum seekers experience great trauma before they reach the UK. Tim Burke speaks to two youth projects, Dreamers, and Project DOST, helping them to rebuild their lives. What advice do you give to a young man who has had four brothers executed,who has seen his own sister set herself on fire and who lost his parents when Britain and America started bombing his homeland? "
Tim Burke
"Many young asylum seekers experience great trauma before they reach the UK. Tim Burke speaks to two youth projects, Dreamers, and Project DOST, helping them to rebuild their lives. What advice do you give to a young man who has had four brothers executed,who has seen his own sister set herself on fire and who lost his parents when Britain and America started bombing his homeland? "
Give Soca clout to tackle e-crime / Computer Weekly, 18 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hehd
"Give Soca clout to tackle e-crimeTuesday 18 April 2006Unveiling the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) on 1 April may not have given the latest addition to the UK's army of crimebusters the most auspicious of starts. It has certainly left the agency open to obvious quips about the timing of its launch. Such apparent thoughtlessness on the part of government may also point to a lack of attention to the role and responsibilities of Soca. And this may have deleterious consequences for the businesses that are at risk from computer-related crimes. The agency is, in essence, the UK's answer to the FBI."
"Give Soca clout to tackle e-crimeTuesday 18 April 2006Unveiling the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) on 1 April may not have given the latest addition to the UK's army of crimebusters the most auspicious of starts. It has certainly left the agency open to obvious quips about the timing of its launch. Such apparent thoughtlessness on the part of government may also point to a lack of attention to the role and responsibilities of Soca. And this may have deleterious consequences for the businesses that are at risk from computer-related crimes. The agency is, in essence, the UK's answer to the FBI."
There'll be no playing to the court, thank you, professor / Times Online, 18 Apr 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27969-2134726,00.html
Phil Willis
"MPs are worried that it is the presentation skills of expert witnesses, rather than the arguments they present, that are the key factors in influencing a Jury. NEW technologies and cutting-edge science are increasingly being applied effectively to the prosecution of criminals. A number of highly publicised trials, such as that of Sion Jenkins and Angela Cannings, have hinged upon strongly contested evidence from expert witnesses that has subsequently been discredited. Something is apparently not working. In these types of cases involving complex scientific evidence, are juries, and indeed judges, properly equipped to do what is asked of them? "
Phil Willis
"MPs are worried that it is the presentation skills of expert witnesses, rather than the arguments they present, that are the key factors in influencing a Jury. NEW technologies and cutting-edge science are increasingly being applied effectively to the prosecution of criminals. A number of highly publicised trials, such as that of Sion Jenkins and Angela Cannings, have hinged upon strongly contested evidence from expert witnesses that has subsequently been discredited. Something is apparently not working. In these types of cases involving complex scientific evidence, are juries, and indeed judges, properly equipped to do what is asked of them? "
Georgiou puts career on line for boatpeople / News.com, 17 Apr 2006
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18844193-2,00.html
Samantha Maiden
"Petro Georgiou is back in the fight to ensure women and children are not forced into detention under new arrangements to send all boatpeople to offshore processing centres. Despite facing a bitter preselection fight in his blue-ribbon Melbourne seat of Kooyong this Sunday, the Liberal MP vowed yesterday to carefully consider any legislation that could force women and children back into detention camps. "
Children Will Not Be Locked Up At Night Pacific Magazine, April 17, 2006 http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=21457
‘Children behind the wire’ The Border Mail (Australia), April 17, 2006 http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/182009.html
Children under threat of detention, says Labor By Kylie Williams, Rob Pash and Amy Coopes News.com.au, April 16, 2006 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18831864-2,00.html
Lib MPs rebel over hard line on asylum Sydney Morning Herald, April 17, 2006 http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lib-mps-rebel-over-hard-line-on-asylum/2006/04/16/1145126007582.html New asylum policy a 'threat to children' The Age (Melbourne), April 16, 2006 http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/New-asylum-policy-a-threat-to-children/2006/04/16/1145125997392.html
Samantha Maiden
"Petro Georgiou is back in the fight to ensure women and children are not forced into detention under new arrangements to send all boatpeople to offshore processing centres. Despite facing a bitter preselection fight in his blue-ribbon Melbourne seat of Kooyong this Sunday, the Liberal MP vowed yesterday to carefully consider any legislation that could force women and children back into detention camps. "
Children Will Not Be Locked Up At Night Pacific Magazine, April 17, 2006 http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=21457
‘Children behind the wire’ The Border Mail (Australia), April 17, 2006 http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/182009.html
Children under threat of detention, says Labor By Kylie Williams, Rob Pash and Amy Coopes News.com.au, April 16, 2006 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18831864-2,00.html
Lib MPs rebel over hard line on asylum Sydney Morning Herald, April 17, 2006 http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lib-mps-rebel-over-hard-line-on-asylum/2006/04/16/1145126007582.html New asylum policy a 'threat to children' The Age (Melbourne), April 16, 2006 http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/New-asylum-policy-a-threat-to-children/2006/04/16/1145125997392.html
Removal of failed asylum seekers to take 18 years / The Times, 14 Apr 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,17129-2084128.html
Richard Ford
"THE Government's 'loss of control' of the asylum system means that it will take between ten and eighteen years to remove all failed applicants from the country, says a highly critical Commons report. The Home Office has lost track of tens of thousands of failed asylum-seekers and only knows where a quarter of them are living. It also has no idea of the whereabouts of 400 foreign national criminals released from prison. The report said that the Government's overall asylum policy has been undermined by the failure of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to remove failed applicants. "
The House of Commons report is available on line at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmpubacc/620/62002.htm
Richard Ford
"THE Government's 'loss of control' of the asylum system means that it will take between ten and eighteen years to remove all failed applicants from the country, says a highly critical Commons report. The Home Office has lost track of tens of thousands of failed asylum-seekers and only knows where a quarter of them are living. It also has no idea of the whereabouts of 400 foreign national criminals released from prison. The report said that the Government's overall asylum policy has been undermined by the failure of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to remove failed applicants. "
The House of Commons report is available on line at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmpubacc/620/62002.htm
Muslim Brotherhood Kid's Website: America Aspires to Control the Muslim World / MEMRI, 18 Apr 2006
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD114106 "The home page of the website of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, http://www.ikhwanonline.com , links to the children's website, http://www.awladnaa.net ('Our Children'). This site contains various sections on different subjects, including praise for jihad against infidels in general and against America in particular, and antisemitic writings explaining to young readers how the Jews murdered 25 prophets of Allah and that Jews habitually murder children. Other pages contain texts referring to Seville and Andalusia as part of the greater Muslim homeland, and discussing the long period of prosperity that these lands experienced under Muslim rule."
Schneier on Security: Do Terror Alerts Work? / Oct 2004
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/10/do_terror_alert.html
"As I read the litany of terror threat warnings that the government has issued in the past three years, the thing that jumps out at me is how vague they are. The careful wording implies everything without actually saying anything. We hear 'terrorists might try to bomb buses and rail lines in major U.S. cities this summer,' and there's 'increasing concern about the possibility of a major terrorist attack.' 'At least one of these attacks could be executed by the end of the summer 2003.' Warnings are based on 'uncorroborated intelligence,' and issued even though 'there is no credible, specific information about targets or method of attack.' And, of course, 'weapons of mass destruction, including those containing chemical, biological, or radiological agents or materials, cannot be discounted.' "
"As I read the litany of terror threat warnings that the government has issued in the past three years, the thing that jumps out at me is how vague they are. The careful wording implies everything without actually saying anything. We hear 'terrorists might try to bomb buses and rail lines in major U.S. cities this summer,' and there's 'increasing concern about the possibility of a major terrorist attack.' 'At least one of these attacks could be executed by the end of the summer 2003.' Warnings are based on 'uncorroborated intelligence,' and issued even though 'there is no credible, specific information about targets or method of attack.' And, of course, 'weapons of mass destruction, including those containing chemical, biological, or radiological agents or materials, cannot be discounted.' "
Firms fear lack of e-crime action after police merger / Computer Weekly, 18 Apr 2006
http://digbig.com/4hefb
Bill Goodwin
"Businesses and security professionals have warned that the merger of the UK's National High-Tech Crime Unit into a new FBI-style organisation could leave a large gap in the policing of technology-related crime. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), which began operations on 1 April, will investigate computer crime as well as trying to disrupt organised crime, particularly in the areas of drugs and illegal immigration. But security professionals are concerned that Soca's creation could leave a dearth of police resources to fight day-to-day computer crime, such as hacking and denial of service attacks."
Bill Goodwin
"Businesses and security professionals have warned that the merger of the UK's National High-Tech Crime Unit into a new FBI-style organisation could leave a large gap in the policing of technology-related crime. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), which began operations on 1 April, will investigate computer crime as well as trying to disrupt organised crime, particularly in the areas of drugs and illegal immigration. But security professionals are concerned that Soca's creation could leave a dearth of police resources to fight day-to-day computer crime, such as hacking and denial of service attacks."
Monday, April 17, 2006
Florida lawmakers question state's boot camp programs / AFP, 15 Apr 2006
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/14351110.htm
Brent Kallested
"Putting juvenile delinquents into a military-style boot camp would seem to be a logical means of transforming rough-and-tumble kids into young ladies and gentlemen. Many were opened in the early and mid-1990s when corrections officials were convinced it was the best method to help troubled teens mature and stay away from further problems. But that idea has fallen out of favor nationwide in the wake of research by criminologists that indicate the programs simply don't work any better than normal juvenile detention facilities."
Brent Kallested
"Putting juvenile delinquents into a military-style boot camp would seem to be a logical means of transforming rough-and-tumble kids into young ladies and gentlemen. Many were opened in the early and mid-1990s when corrections officials were convinced it was the best method to help troubled teens mature and stay away from further problems. But that idea has fallen out of favor nationwide in the wake of research by criminologists that indicate the programs simply don't work any better than normal juvenile detention facilities."
Press Release: Scientists at the University of Hull develop smart 'Lab-on-a-chip' technology to fight crime in 21st Century
http://www.hull.ac.uk/05/aboutus/news/mar06/labonachip.html
"Scientists at the University of Hull develop smart 'Lab-on-a-chip' technology to fight crime in 21st Century
A team of scientists at the University of Hull have recently commenced an exciting challenge to develop state of the art, 'lab-on-a-chip' technology that will revolutionise the gathering of DNA evidence at crime scenes."
"Scientists at the University of Hull develop smart 'Lab-on-a-chip' technology to fight crime in 21st Century
A team of scientists at the University of Hull have recently commenced an exciting challenge to develop state of the art, 'lab-on-a-chip' technology that will revolutionise the gathering of DNA evidence at crime scenes."
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