SOCIETY, SOCIAL MEDIA, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE< GOVERNMENT>JUSTICE - a selective newsfeed
society
Thursday, December 15, 2005
The State of the World's Children 2006 / UNICEF, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.unicef.org/sowc06/pdfs/sowc06_fullreport.pdf"Report focuses on excluded and invisible children who have no access to essential services, protection and participation."
Assimilating Immigrants: Why America Can and France Cannot / RAND, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.rand.org/publications/OP/OP132/OP132.pdf
Robert A Levine
"The United States and France differ greatly in their responses to mass immigration. The U.S. adapts its own culture and that of the immigrants, most recently with Latinos. France wants the immigrants to do it all. As a result, the Muslim North Africans of France?s first wave of mass immigration are not assimilating well. The author compares the two current cases and briefly discusses the policy implications: The U.S. seems on its best course, but France needs policy changes to at least keep the peace."
Robert A Levine
"The United States and France differ greatly in their responses to mass immigration. The U.S. adapts its own culture and that of the immigrants, most recently with Latinos. France wants the immigrants to do it all. As a result, the Muslim North Africans of France?s first wave of mass immigration are not assimilating well. The author compares the two current cases and briefly discusses the policy implications: The U.S. seems on its best course, but France needs policy changes to at least keep the peace."
[USA] Survey of the States publications: "Speeding" / GHSA Publications, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.ghsa.org/html/publications/pdf/surveystates2005/surveystates_speeding.pdf
"This most recent Survey of the States report summarizes efforts to reduce speeding-related fatalities and also provides a snapshot of individual state countermeasures. Of the 50 GHSA jurisdictions that responded, 38 indicated a speed limit increase since 1994. In releasing the report, GHSA notes that states should have experienced a significant decline in speeding-related fatalities given the tremendous gains in safety belt use coupled with the increasingly safe design of vehicles. However, statistics indicate speeding-related fatalities have remained fairly level since NMSL was repealed, which would indicate the safety benefits have been minimized by increasing speeds. A total of 47 states, one territory, the Indian Nations and the District of Columbia contributed data and information for the report."
Executive summary - PDF - http://www.ghsa.org/html/publications/pdf/surveystates2005/speeding_intro.pdf
"This most recent Survey of the States report summarizes efforts to reduce speeding-related fatalities and also provides a snapshot of individual state countermeasures. Of the 50 GHSA jurisdictions that responded, 38 indicated a speed limit increase since 1994. In releasing the report, GHSA notes that states should have experienced a significant decline in speeding-related fatalities given the tremendous gains in safety belt use coupled with the increasingly safe design of vehicles. However, statistics indicate speeding-related fatalities have remained fairly level since NMSL was repealed, which would indicate the safety benefits have been minimized by increasing speeds. A total of 47 states, one territory, the Indian Nations and the District of Columbia contributed data and information for the report."
Executive summary - PDF - http://www.ghsa.org/html/publications/pdf/surveystates2005/speeding_intro.pdf
Yard doubles anti-terror operations since July / Independent, 13 Dec 2005
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article332792.ece
Andy McSmith
"Scotland Yard has almost doubled its anti-terrorist operations since the London bombings, the Metropolitan Police commissioner said. Sir Ian Blair told a Westminster conference that counter-terrorism officers have been getting high-grade intelligence reports daily since 7 July, whereas previously they came in about once a month. Three conspiracies had been thwarted since July, but there were terrorists still at large, plotting mass atrocities, he warned."
Andy McSmith
"Scotland Yard has almost doubled its anti-terrorist operations since the London bombings, the Metropolitan Police commissioner said. Sir Ian Blair told a Westminster conference that counter-terrorism officers have been getting high-grade intelligence reports daily since 7 July, whereas previously they came in about once a month. Three conspiracies had been thwarted since July, but there were terrorists still at large, plotting mass atrocities, he warned."
10,000 drivers hijacked as car thieves switch tactics / The Times, 13 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1922655,00.html
Richard Ford and Adam Fresco
"As security devices improve, criminals are stealing vehicles on the move. Tenthousand car-jackings take place in Britain each year as tighter security forces thieves to switch to violence to seize vehicles. Officials at the National Audit Office (NAO) base the figure on a study of vehicle theft in Manchester and the Northumbria police area that found that 4 per cent of crimes had been car-jackings."
Richard Ford and Adam Fresco
"As security devices improve, criminals are stealing vehicles on the move. Tenthousand car-jackings take place in Britain each year as tighter security forces thieves to switch to violence to seize vehicles. Officials at the National Audit Office (NAO) base the figure on a study of vehicle theft in Manchester and the Northumbria police area that found that 4 per cent of crimes had been car-jackings."
How free speech was quietly abolished / Telegraph, 12 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frhb
Philip Johnston
"'This is a free country and we are entitled to express opinions on matters of public interest.' But this is no longer true, though it is not the fault of the police. It is the fault of the Government for promoting laws that criminalise opinions judged unfashionable or objectionable, and of Parliament for passing them. The police are often merely upholding an asinine measure that should never have been introduced in the first place. Ludicrously, they are - as in the case of the restrictions on demonstrations in the vicinity of Parliament - left to interpret the law as they see fit."
Philip Johnston
"'This is a free country and we are entitled to express opinions on matters of public interest.' But this is no longer true, though it is not the fault of the police. It is the fault of the Government for promoting laws that criminalise opinions judged unfashionable or objectionable, and of Parliament for passing them. The police are often merely upholding an asinine measure that should never have been introduced in the first place. Ludicrously, they are - as in the case of the restrictions on demonstrations in the vicinity of Parliament - left to interpret the law as they see fit."
There's no room for tolerance in the war against drugs / Yorkshire Post, 14 Dec 2005
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=105&ArticleID=1284430
Raymond curry
"THE specialist drugs courts being tested in Leeds and London are billed as the latest initiative aimed at reducing drug abuse and related crime, even though drug treatment and testing orders have been around for some time. Let us at least wish it success, however. It was announced last week that hard drug offences have risen by 16 per cent, but that the number of offences for the use of soft drugs has fallen by 21 per cent.
Of course the latter figure is hardly surprising since the Government has downgraded cannabis in the scale of offending, aided and abetted by some police forces in parts of the country, notably in some London boroughs.
Further, the latest set of guidelines emerging from the Home Office as to how and when the police may arrest and take action about drugs, for personal use or for supply to others, totally fails to address the problem of usage."
Raymond curry
"THE specialist drugs courts being tested in Leeds and London are billed as the latest initiative aimed at reducing drug abuse and related crime, even though drug treatment and testing orders have been around for some time. Let us at least wish it success, however. It was announced last week that hard drug offences have risen by 16 per cent, but that the number of offences for the use of soft drugs has fallen by 21 per cent.
Of course the latter figure is hardly surprising since the Government has downgraded cannabis in the scale of offending, aided and abetted by some police forces in parts of the country, notably in some London boroughs.
Further, the latest set of guidelines emerging from the Home Office as to how and when the police may arrest and take action about drugs, for personal use or for supply to others, totally fails to address the problem of usage."
Top cop calls time on cannabis use / icSouthlondon, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frgy
Ben Ashford
"'There are websites in other parts of Europe that actually list Brixton as an equivalent to Amsterdam, as somewhere to go to smoke and buy drugs. 'It's time to remove this stigma.' The drive - named NO DEAL! - uses Home Office laws to reverse the force's relaxed attitude to small amounts of cannabis following last-year's de-classification to class-C."
Ben Ashford
"'There are websites in other parts of Europe that actually list Brixton as an equivalent to Amsterdam, as somewhere to go to smoke and buy drugs. 'It's time to remove this stigma.' The drive - named NO DEAL! - uses Home Office laws to reverse the force's relaxed attitude to small amounts of cannabis following last-year's de-classification to class-C."
Specialist drugs courts launched / BBC, 13 Dec 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4524366.stm
"A pilot scheme of specialist drugs courts aimed at reducing drug abuse and related crime has been launched in London and Leeds. "
"A pilot scheme of specialist drugs courts aimed at reducing drug abuse and related crime has been launched in London and Leeds. "
Inmates 'to be trained for work' / BBC 15 Dec 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4527698.stm
"The government is publishing plans for a programme to improve prison education in England.
It is hoped better training will help reduce the numbers of inmates who re-offend on release. Currently, 53% of those freed commit further crimes. "
"The government is publishing plans for a programme to improve prison education in England.
It is hoped better training will help reduce the numbers of inmates who re-offend on release. Currently, 53% of those freed commit further crimes. "
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Why Change Is an Affair of the Heart - Editorial - CIO, 1 Dec 2005
http://www.cio.com/archive/120105/applied.html
Dan S Cohen
"When people do change their behavior, it's rarely because they are offered a logical analysis that shifts their thinking but because they are shown a compelling truth that influences their feelings. Emotions are what trigger action?impelling people to behave in the often radically different and difficult ways that substantial change demands. We have found that at the heart of every successful change effort lies a three-part process: 1. seeing what the problems are; 2. feeling an urgency to solve them; and 3. being emotionally compelled to act. "
Dan S Cohen
"When people do change their behavior, it's rarely because they are offered a logical analysis that shifts their thinking but because they are shown a compelling truth that influences their feelings. Emotions are what trigger action?impelling people to behave in the often radically different and difficult ways that substantial change demands. We have found that at the heart of every successful change effort lies a three-part process: 1. seeing what the problems are; 2. feeling an urgency to solve them; and 3. being emotionally compelled to act. "
John Baldoni's CIO Coach Casting - CIO, 2005
http://www.cio.com/podcasts/coach_casting.html
"Executive coach and CIO.com columnist John Baldoni provides you with information to use to develop your people as well as your own managerial skills. Each episode of John Baldoni's CIO Coach Casting provides actionable advice that you can use today and in the future."
Links to podcasts [audio recordings]
"Executive coach and CIO.com columnist John Baldoni provides you with information to use to develop your people as well as your own managerial skills. Each episode of John Baldoni's CIO Coach Casting provides actionable advice that you can use today and in the future."
Links to podcasts [audio recordings]
[New Zealdand] Ombudsmen's Investigation of Department of Corrections in Relation to the Detention and Treatment of Prisoners / DEC 2005
PDF - http://www.ombudsmen.govt.nz/download%20Misc/Ombudsmen%20Report%20Corrections%20Own%20Motion%202005.pdf
"Prison rehab failings 'cast long shadow'. The lack of employment and vocational programmes in prisons casts a "long shadow" over the work of Corrections, says a highly critical Ombudsmen's report into the department. This is despite the fact that ensuring inmates have meaningful work or training is key to reducing re-offending, one of the department's primary goals. "
"Prison rehab failings 'cast long shadow'. The lack of employment and vocational programmes in prisons casts a "long shadow" over the work of Corrections, says a highly critical Ombudsmen's report into the department. This is despite the fact that ensuring inmates have meaningful work or training is key to reducing re-offending, one of the department's primary goals. "
Parolees on litter patrol / WAVY.COM, Dec 2005
WAVY.COM - Parolees on litter patrol:
"TAZEWELL, Va. Tazewell County will soon have a lot of help picking up litter along area highways, streets and streams on a regular basis. More than 700 people on probation will be required to participate in the county's Assign-A-Highway program.
The move comes in an order signed by Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Teresa Chafin and endorsed by the county Board of Supervisor. The judicial order mandates for criminal probationers in the county to help pick up litter along county highways, streets, roads, illegal dumpsites and streams on a continual basis as part of the terms and conditions of their probation.
Board chairman Donnie Lowe says a litter control officer will occasionally check assigned areas. If they find excess litter, the probationer could be sent back to jail." [Snippet]
"TAZEWELL, Va. Tazewell County will soon have a lot of help picking up litter along area highways, streets and streams on a regular basis. More than 700 people on probation will be required to participate in the county's Assign-A-Highway program.
The move comes in an order signed by Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Teresa Chafin and endorsed by the county Board of Supervisor. The judicial order mandates for criminal probationers in the county to help pick up litter along county highways, streets, roads, illegal dumpsites and streams on a continual basis as part of the terms and conditions of their probation.
Board chairman Donnie Lowe says a litter control officer will occasionally check assigned areas. If they find excess litter, the probationer could be sent back to jail." [Snippet]
[New Zealand] Posters call for race riots / Stuff NZ, 15 Dec 2005
New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz: Posters call for race riots:
"Inflammatory posters calling for New Zealanders to show 'white power' and riot Australian-style are being pasted up at Wellington railway stations. 'If Sydney can do it so can we...let's take back our land,' the posters - found at Khandallah and Simla Crescent stations - say. A poster was also reported to have been seen at Raroa station near Johnsonville. "
"Inflammatory posters calling for New Zealanders to show 'white power' and riot Australian-style are being pasted up at Wellington railway stations. 'If Sydney can do it so can we...let's take back our land,' the posters - found at Khandallah and Simla Crescent stations - say. A poster was also reported to have been seen at Raroa station near Johnsonville. "
NZ, Aust will 'never be part of Asia' / Stuff NZ, 15 Dec 2005
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3512038a11,00.html
Dan Eaton
"New Zealand and Australia will never truly be part of Asia, despite their membership of a new East Asian regional grouping, Malaysia's Prime Minister says. Speaking at the end of the inaugural East Asia Summit (EAS) of 16 nations, including the antipodeans, host Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday New Zealand and Australia had been included because of 'common interests'.
'If you talk about a community of East Asians, I don't know how the Australians would regard themselves as East Asians, or the New Zealanders for that matter,' he said.
'But we are not talking about members of the community. We are talking about common interests,' Badawi said.
'We want to see peace, stability, prosperity and (if) our friends are willing to help contribute through the EAS then certainly they will be welcome.'
The comments are the strongest indication yet that Australia and New Zealand risk becoming second-tier citizens of any new community, a concept that Prime Minister Helen Clark has rejected.
However, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), which is the driving force behind the EAS and is chaired by Malaysia, has said that Asean along with its three northern neighbours - Japan, China and South Korea - will form the core of any new community. " [Snippet]
Dan Eaton
"New Zealand and Australia will never truly be part of Asia, despite their membership of a new East Asian regional grouping, Malaysia's Prime Minister says. Speaking at the end of the inaugural East Asia Summit (EAS) of 16 nations, including the antipodeans, host Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday New Zealand and Australia had been included because of 'common interests'.
'If you talk about a community of East Asians, I don't know how the Australians would regard themselves as East Asians, or the New Zealanders for that matter,' he said.
'But we are not talking about members of the community. We are talking about common interests,' Badawi said.
'We want to see peace, stability, prosperity and (if) our friends are willing to help contribute through the EAS then certainly they will be welcome.'
The comments are the strongest indication yet that Australia and New Zealand risk becoming second-tier citizens of any new community, a concept that Prime Minister Helen Clark has rejected.
However, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), which is the driving force behind the EAS and is chaired by Malaysia, has said that Asean along with its three northern neighbours - Japan, China and South Korea - will form the core of any new community. " [Snippet]
Forensic investigations zero in on gropers / asahi.com, 14 Dec 2005
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200512140135.html
"For the last decade, police in Tokyo have been using state-of-the-art forensic techniques to nab men who grope women on crowded trains. Police investigators are using a technique to lift tiny traces of fabric fibers from a suspect's palm and match them with the victim's clothes. The evidence is so hard to refute that at least one suspect who was confronted with it retracted his denial and confessed on the spot. The scientific tool is proving a boon to the police, who used to have a hard time proving sexual molestation cases because there was precious little material evidence. The technique can also clear the names of the wrongly accused."
"For the last decade, police in Tokyo have been using state-of-the-art forensic techniques to nab men who grope women on crowded trains. Police investigators are using a technique to lift tiny traces of fabric fibers from a suspect's palm and match them with the victim's clothes. The evidence is so hard to refute that at least one suspect who was confronted with it retracted his denial and confessed on the spot. The scientific tool is proving a boon to the police, who used to have a hard time proving sexual molestation cases because there was precious little material evidence. The technique can also clear the names of the wrongly accused."
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Envoy: Bin Laden May Not Be in Control / Washington Times, 12 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fqnx
Paul Haven
"Osama bin Laden may no longer have operational control of his terrorist network, the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan said Monday. Ryan Crocker said bin Laden cannot communicate with his followers because he likely is hiding in a remote area, Pakistan's Geo Television and state-run PTV reported after the ambassador met with local journalists. U.S. Embassy spokesman Peter Kovach, who was at the gathering, confirmed the substance of the reports. "
Paul Haven
"Osama bin Laden may no longer have operational control of his terrorist network, the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan said Monday. Ryan Crocker said bin Laden cannot communicate with his followers because he likely is hiding in a remote area, Pakistan's Geo Television and state-run PTV reported after the ambassador met with local journalists. U.S. Embassy spokesman Peter Kovach, who was at the gathering, confirmed the substance of the reports. "
Surprise -- Europeans Approve of Immigrants, Study Says / Pacific News Service,
http://digbig.com/4fqnw
Paolo Pontoniere
"Contrary to the widely held belief that Old Europe is unflinchingly xenophobic, the study found that countries like Germany and Italy are, in fact, coming to terms with their need for immigrants and with the idea that immigrants should enjoy the same rights and legal protections enjoyed by their own citizens. "
Paolo Pontoniere
"Contrary to the widely held belief that Old Europe is unflinchingly xenophobic, the study found that countries like Germany and Italy are, in fact, coming to terms with their need for immigrants and with the idea that immigrants should enjoy the same rights and legal protections enjoyed by their own citizens. "
New manufacturing process helps metals lose weight / PhysOrg, 12 Dec 2005
http://www.physorg.com/news8974.html
"A pioneering manufacturing process that can turn titanium, stainless steel and many other metals into a new breed of engineering components could have a big impact across industry. "
"A pioneering manufacturing process that can turn titanium, stainless steel and many other metals into a new breed of engineering components could have a big impact across industry. "
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