The home secretary, John Reid, made clear yesterday he is prepared to declare a "state of emergency" to suspend key parts of the human rights convention if the law lords do not overturn a series of judgments that have weakened the anti-terrorist control order regime.
His warning to the courts followed his acute embarrassment yesterday when he had to confirm to MPs that three terror suspects whom he had placed under control orders to prevent them travelling to Iraq to kill British and US troops had all absconded on Monday night.
Source: Guardian UK
To read the full story, please click on the source
Showing posts with label Big Brother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Brother. Show all posts
Friday, May 25, 2007
Bush makes power grab
President Bush, without so much as issuing a press statement, on May 9 signed a directive that granted near dictatorial powers to the office of the president in the event of a national emergency declared by the president.
The "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive," with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, as a Homeland Security Presidential Directive, establishes under the office of president a new National Continuity Coordinator.
That job, as the document describes, is to make plans for "National Essential Functions" of all federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, as well as private sector organizations to continue functioning under the president's directives in the event of a national emergency.
The directive loosely defines "catastrophic emergency" as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions."
When the president determines a catastrophic emergency has occurred, the president can take over all government functions and direct all private sector activities to ensure we will emerge from the emergency with an "enduring constitutional government."
Translated into layman's terms, when the president determines a national emergency has occurred, the president can declare to the office of the presidency powers usually assumed by dictators to direct any and all government and business activities until the emergency is declared over.
Ironically, the directive sees no contradiction in the assumption of dictatorial powers by the president with the goal of maintaining constitutional continuity through an emergency.
Source: WorldNetDaily
To read the full story, please click on the link
The "National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive," with the dual designation of NSPD-51, as a National Security Presidential Directive, and HSPD-20, as a Homeland Security Presidential Directive, establishes under the office of president a new National Continuity Coordinator.
That job, as the document describes, is to make plans for "National Essential Functions" of all federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, as well as private sector organizations to continue functioning under the president's directives in the event of a national emergency.
The directive loosely defines "catastrophic emergency" as "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions."
When the president determines a catastrophic emergency has occurred, the president can take over all government functions and direct all private sector activities to ensure we will emerge from the emergency with an "enduring constitutional government."
Translated into layman's terms, when the president determines a national emergency has occurred, the president can declare to the office of the presidency powers usually assumed by dictators to direct any and all government and business activities until the emergency is declared over.
Ironically, the directive sees no contradiction in the assumption of dictatorial powers by the president with the goal of maintaining constitutional continuity through an emergency.
Source: WorldNetDaily
To read the full story, please click on the link
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Bid to put off info time-wasters
Plans are due to be unveiled to deter "pointless and mischievous" requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas will say the act's reputation is being jeopardised by such inquiries.
He cites a request to the Foreign Office on the amount spent on Ferrero Rocher chocolate and one on eligible bachelors in the Hampshire police.
But he will stress that the act "reinforces good government" and should not be fought over.
More than 100,000 public bodies, including government departments, councils, the NHS, and universities, have been subject to potential FoI requests since 2005.
Preventing requests
In a keynote speech, the commissioner will say FoI should not be regarded as a threat even when it reveals information that is "embarrassing" or "uncomfortable".
He will urge public bodies them to adopt a positive approach to openness.
"After nearly two-and-a-half years FoI is delivering real benefits," Mr Thomas will say.
"There is a presumption of disclosure, unless there is a genuine reason to withhold information."
The commissioner is due to outline new guidelines, highlighting the right of public bodies to reject "vexatious" requests.
Some have been bombarded with inquires - the BBC, for example, has received more than 90 from one individual about the amount of expenses paid to senior staff.
"A charter for responsible FoI requests will help to prevent requests which have no serious purpose or value, impose disproportionate burdens or have the effect of harassing the public body," Mr Thomas will say.
The suggestion, however, is likely to prompt criticism from those already concerned at attempts by some MPs to restrict the scope of the act.
Source: BBC News
Editor Notes:
So it looks like the UK Government wants to limited what information is given out, One thing I want to know is what was "pointless and mischievous" request. There has been no examples, I do know that people are questioning the 7/7 Incident, could it be this? Which I don't think is "pointless and mischievous"
UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas will say the act's reputation is being jeopardised by such inquiries.
He cites a request to the Foreign Office on the amount spent on Ferrero Rocher chocolate and one on eligible bachelors in the Hampshire police.
But he will stress that the act "reinforces good government" and should not be fought over.
More than 100,000 public bodies, including government departments, councils, the NHS, and universities, have been subject to potential FoI requests since 2005.
Preventing requests
In a keynote speech, the commissioner will say FoI should not be regarded as a threat even when it reveals information that is "embarrassing" or "uncomfortable".
He will urge public bodies them to adopt a positive approach to openness.
"After nearly two-and-a-half years FoI is delivering real benefits," Mr Thomas will say.
"There is a presumption of disclosure, unless there is a genuine reason to withhold information."
The commissioner is due to outline new guidelines, highlighting the right of public bodies to reject "vexatious" requests.
Some have been bombarded with inquires - the BBC, for example, has received more than 90 from one individual about the amount of expenses paid to senior staff.
"A charter for responsible FoI requests will help to prevent requests which have no serious purpose or value, impose disproportionate burdens or have the effect of harassing the public body," Mr Thomas will say.
The suggestion, however, is likely to prompt criticism from those already concerned at attempts by some MPs to restrict the scope of the act.
Source: BBC News
Editor Notes:
So it looks like the UK Government wants to limited what information is given out, One thing I want to know is what was "pointless and mischievous" request. There has been no examples, I do know that people are questioning the 7/7 Incident, could it be this? Which I don't think is "pointless and mischievous"
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Pilotless police drone takes off
The UK's first police remote control helicopter has taken off.
Merseyside police are using the "spy drone", fitted with CCTV cameras, mainly for tackling anti-social behaviour and public disorder.
The machine is 1m wide, weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can record images from a height of 500m.
Originally used by the military, it is due to be operational by June for a full three-month trial, which is the "first of its kind" in the UK.
The drone will also be used for monitoring traffic congestion and investigations are to be made into its possible role in firearms operations.
The machines, which are flown by remote control or using pre-programmed GPS navigation systems, are silent and can be fitted with night-vision cameras.
The images they record are sent back to a police support vehicle or control room.
Source: BBC News
To read the full story, please click on the source
Merseyside police are using the "spy drone", fitted with CCTV cameras, mainly for tackling anti-social behaviour and public disorder.
The machine is 1m wide, weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can record images from a height of 500m.
Originally used by the military, it is due to be operational by June for a full three-month trial, which is the "first of its kind" in the UK.
The drone will also be used for monitoring traffic congestion and investigations are to be made into its possible role in firearms operations.
The machines, which are flown by remote control or using pre-programmed GPS navigation systems, are silent and can be fitted with night-vision cameras.
The images they record are sent back to a police support vehicle or control room.
Source: BBC News
To read the full story, please click on the source
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Global net censorship 'growing'
The level of state-led censorship of the net is growing around the world, a study of so-called internet filtering by the Open Net Initiative suggests.
The study of thousands of websites across 120 Internet Service Providers found 25 of 41 countries surveyed showed evidence of content filtering.
Websites and services such as Skype and Google Maps were blocked, it said.
Such "state-mandated net filtering" was only being carried out in "a couple" of states in 2002, one researcher said.
"In five years we have gone from a couple of states doing state-mandated net filtering to 25," said John Palfrey, at Harvard Law School.
Source: BBC News
To read the full story, please click on the source
The study of thousands of websites across 120 Internet Service Providers found 25 of 41 countries surveyed showed evidence of content filtering.
Websites and services such as Skype and Google Maps were blocked, it said.
Such "state-mandated net filtering" was only being carried out in "a couple" of states in 2002, one researcher said.
"In five years we have gone from a couple of states doing state-mandated net filtering to 25," said John Palfrey, at Harvard Law School.
Source: BBC News
To read the full story, please click on the source
Police chief slams 'Orwellian' CCTV
A senior police officer has warned that the proliferation of CCTV cameras risks creating an "Orwellian" society.
Ian Readhead, Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, said he did not want to live in a country with surveillance on every street corner.
He questioned whether the expansion was justified in areas where there were relatively-low crime levels.
The Hampshire force area includes the small town of Stockbridge, where parish councillors have spent £10,000 installing CCTV.
"I'm really concerned about what happens to the product of these cameras, and what comes next," he told BBC One's Politics Show.
Mr Readhead also called for the use of speed cameras to be reviewed, and more consideration of why DNA was kept.
There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK - one for every 14 people.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has raised concerns about Britain "sleepwalking into a surveillance society", with more cameras on the street and extensive monitoring of consumer behaviour.
However, supporters say CCTV is a crucial tool in deterring crime and catching criminals, and the innocent have nothing to fear.
Source: Guardian UK
Ian Readhead, Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, said he did not want to live in a country with surveillance on every street corner.
He questioned whether the expansion was justified in areas where there were relatively-low crime levels.
The Hampshire force area includes the small town of Stockbridge, where parish councillors have spent £10,000 installing CCTV.
"I'm really concerned about what happens to the product of these cameras, and what comes next," he told BBC One's Politics Show.
"If it's in our villages, are we really moving towards an Orwellian situation where cameras are at every street corner? And I really don't think that's the kind of country that I want to live in."
Mr Readhead also called for the use of speed cameras to be reviewed, and more consideration of why DNA was kept.
There are an estimated 4.2 million CCTV cameras in the UK - one for every 14 people.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has raised concerns about Britain "sleepwalking into a surveillance society", with more cameras on the street and extensive monitoring of consumer behaviour.
However, supporters say CCTV is a crucial tool in deterring crime and catching criminals, and the innocent have nothing to fear.
Source: Guardian UK
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Reid to expand use of Taser stun guns
The use of Taser stun guns could be extended to non-firearms police officers, the Home Office said on Wednesday.
Home Secretary John Reid is due to tell the Police Federation's annual conference in Blackpool that he wants to see more frontline police officers carrying the 50,000 volt devices.
The guns, which temporarily disable a suspect, can only be used by firearms officers at the moment, but Reid wants to extend the use to non-firearms officers working in specially trained units.
Currently, officers can only use the guns when confronted by an armed person, but under the plans, officers will also be able to use them if they face violence or threats, the BBC reported.
Taser guns have been used in 619 incidents since their introduction in the UK four years ago, a Home Office spokeswoman said.
The plans have angered human rights groups who say Tasers have been linked to dozens of deaths in America and Canada.
The Home Office said no deaths have been linked to their use in Britain.
An independent medical panel is carrying out research on whether the guns, which fire two barbed darts trailing electric wires, can cause serious injury.
If the plans get the go-ahead, trials could begin from September.
Source: Reuters UK
Home Secretary John Reid is due to tell the Police Federation's annual conference in Blackpool that he wants to see more frontline police officers carrying the 50,000 volt devices.
The guns, which temporarily disable a suspect, can only be used by firearms officers at the moment, but Reid wants to extend the use to non-firearms officers working in specially trained units.
Currently, officers can only use the guns when confronted by an armed person, but under the plans, officers will also be able to use them if they face violence or threats, the BBC reported.
Taser guns have been used in 619 incidents since their introduction in the UK four years ago, a Home Office spokeswoman said.
The plans have angered human rights groups who say Tasers have been linked to dozens of deaths in America and Canada.
The Home Office said no deaths have been linked to their use in Britain.
An independent medical panel is carrying out research on whether the guns, which fire two barbed darts trailing electric wires, can cause serious injury.
If the plans get the go-ahead, trials could begin from September.
Source: Reuters UK
Friday, May 11, 2007
"Smart cameras" to tackle abandoned luggage alarms
A suitcase lies abandoned in a busy airport terminal. Was it planted by a bomber, or carelessly left for a couple of minutes while the owner went to buy coffee?
One of the commonest headaches facing security staff may soon be remedied with the help of "intelligent security cameras" developed by European scientists.
A newly concluded research project relies on formulae known as algorithms to enable computers to analyze video images and spot potential threats, from abandoned baggage to people loitering suspiciously.
"It's (about) developing solutions so that computers can detect abnormal behavior," said project coordinator Jean-Marc Suchier of French group Sagem Defense Securite, a unit of Safran.
For security staff at airports or railway stations, often monitoring images from dozens of surveillance cameras at once, the new technology offers the promise of picking out dangers that might otherwise be missed.
"The idea is to automatically analyze and intelligently filter all of that video, but also to add a next level of intelligence," said James Ferryman, a specialist in 'computational vision' at the University of Reading in England.
"We're talking about smart cameras which go to the next level of proactive detection."
Source: Reuters
To read the full story please click on the source
Edit: Added by Peter
Make up your own minds by what is mentioned by intelligently filter?
One of the commonest headaches facing security staff may soon be remedied with the help of "intelligent security cameras" developed by European scientists.
A newly concluded research project relies on formulae known as algorithms to enable computers to analyze video images and spot potential threats, from abandoned baggage to people loitering suspiciously.
"It's (about) developing solutions so that computers can detect abnormal behavior," said project coordinator Jean-Marc Suchier of French group Sagem Defense Securite, a unit of Safran.
For security staff at airports or railway stations, often monitoring images from dozens of surveillance cameras at once, the new technology offers the promise of picking out dangers that might otherwise be missed.
"The idea is to automatically analyze and intelligently filter all of that video, but also to add a next level of intelligence," said James Ferryman, a specialist in 'computational vision' at the University of Reading in England.
"We're talking about smart cameras which go to the next level of proactive detection."
Source: Reuters
To read the full story please click on the source
Edit: Added by Peter
Make up your own minds by what is mentioned by intelligently filter?
Thursday, May 10, 2007
ID card costs rise above £5bn
The official cost of the controversial ID card scheme has risen to £5.31bn.
The figures were released as Tony Blair announced his departure, leading to claims from the opposition that the government was "burying bad news".
The Tories and Lib Dems also claimed that the Home Office broke the law by releasing the updated figures a month later than they should have.
The Home Office put the £400m increased costs down to extra staff carrying out vetting and extra anti-fraud measures.
To read the full story, please click here: BBC News
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