In dispensing with police outriders Cameron is raising the risk of himself and others being attacked by terrorists and psychopaths Tom Rogan guardian.co.uk David Cameron will not be using the police outriders that traditionally escort the prime minister’s car. Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters Since taking office as prime minister last week, David Cameron has adopted an illogical attitude towards his personal security. Some high-profile commentators, including Simon Jenkins, have praised Cameron for ridding himself of the “Soviet-style paraphernalia” they believe has too long characterised Westminster. Their argument is tempting but wrong. The truth is that by removing highly trained police motorcycle … Continue reading David Cameron must take his security more seriously

Friends at the top Nick Clegg and David Cameron appear to get on well. But is friendship really a good basis for fair government? Mark Vernon guardian.co.uk Another day, another image of the nation’s two new best friends: David Cameron and Nick Clegg. And doesn’t it feel odd? It’s not just about getting used to the “new politics”, or the fact that during the election campaign they were at each other’s throats. It’s seeing a friendship at the helm that’s disconcerting. Of course, Gordon and Tony were friends too, sometimes. But they shared an ideology. Dave and Nick didn’t and, … Continue reading Nick Clegg and David Cameron get on well. But is friendship really a good basis for fair government?

It’s time to rid the world of nuclear weapons Sceptics may say a nuclear-free world is an impossible dream, but they said that about slavery and apartheid too Desmond Tutu guardian.co.uk This year the nuclear bomb turns 65 – an appropriate age, by international standards, for compulsory retirement. But do our leaders have the courage and wisdom to rid the planet of this ultimate menace? The five-yearly review of the ailing nuclear non-proliferation treaty, currently under way at the United Nations in New York, will test the strength of governments’ commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free world. If they are serious about … Continue reading Sceptics may say a nuclear-free world is an impossible dream, but they said that about slavery and apartheid too

Granted refugee status more on account of my political activities than my sexuality, many others are less fortunate Anonymous guardian.co.uk A while ago, I was granted refugee status in the UK on the basis of my homosexuality and my political activities in Iran. As a person who has shared the same stress of being a gay asylum seeker in the UK with lots of other applicants, I was happy yesterday to hear that the coalition agreement between the Tories and the Lib Dems included a promise to “stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries … Continue reading As a gay asylum seeker, I was lucky

VIEW: Perfidious self-righteousness —Mohammad Jamil It is unfortunate that some anchorpersons, reporting editors, and investigative reporters are conducting themselves as lobbyists, propagandists and embedded journalists Usama Khalid, son of Khalid Khawaja, has requested the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of Mr Hamid Mir’s tape in which he allegedly misled and provoked the Taliban militants against his father, which resulted in his murder. In the tape, Hamid Mir is reported to have convinced the Taliban spokesman that Khalid Khawaja was a CIA agent and front man of Mansoor Ejaz — an associate of an international Ahmedi network. Furthermore, he … Continue reading Perfidious self-righteousness

<IT WORLD> By Martin J Young HUA HIN, Thailand – Technology’s Big Brother has been caught at it again this week. The search giant Google has admitted that it “accidentally” spied on open wireless networks using its Street View vehicles, which have been harvesting data from personal computers while touring city streets to collect images. Google boss Eric Schmidt naturally downplayed privacy concerns by stating that is has caused no harm to anyone. An estimated 600 gigabytes of data from unsecured wireless networks in more than 30 countries were collected by Google for its advanced GPS website. The MAC address, … Continue reading Big Brotherism by Google caught out 😦

BOOK REVIEW New and old China’s Megatrends by John Naisbitt and Doris Naisbitt Reviewed by Benjamin A Shobert Given the overwhelming direction and tenor of recent books on China – those that predict its economic or nationalistic political implosion, others which shrilly warn of the country’s regional aspirations or of the fundamental incompatibilities between China’s autocrats and America’s capitalists – much of John and Doris Naisbitt’s most recent book China’s Megatrends: the 8 Pillars of a New Society is a worthy reminder of what the country and its leadership has done, and continues to, do well. Perhaps most importantly, the Naisbitt’s book presents … Continue reading New and old – China’s Megatrends