The internet opens up parts of our democracies other media cannot reach. The Obama team is merrily using internet as a can opener for information…
Posts Tagged ‘Prime Minister Gordon Brown’
James Warren: This Week in Magazines: Vanity Fair Tries to Figure Out Symbols of the New Sophistication
July 19th, 2009 |
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If people turn to Kindles and iPods, rather than showing off what books they’re reading or what albums they’ve collected, what will be the emblems of the high-brow?
UK’s Labour party faces setback in by-election
July 19th, 2009 |
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces a test of his leadership this week when a looming by-election defeat in the eastern English city of Norwich could reignite a plot to oust him. A poor result for his ruling Labour party threatens to embolden party dissidents who last month conspired to unseat
Army pushes for more helicopters
July 17th, 2009 |
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The deployment of more helicopters to Afghanistan would save soldiers’ lives, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, has said.
Following criticism of the government for failing to give troops air support, Sir Jock said more helicopters would "quite patently" prevent casualties.
The government insists that the military has never been so well resourced as it is at present.
Meanwhile, the 185th British death of the conflict has been confirmed.
A soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles died in an explosion while on foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand, the Ministry of Defence said.
He was the 16th to die this month, as the Army continues an offensive aimed at increasing security ahead of Afghan elections planned for next month.
‘No panacea’
Prime Minister Gordon Brown spent 40 minutes with Sir Jock Stirrup on Friday morning.
Afterwards, Sir Jock told the BBC he was "busting a gut" to get more helicopters redeployed to Afghanistan.
"I have always said that there’s no such thing as enough helicopters in an operation campaign," he said.
"In a situation where you have lots of improvised explosive devices, the more you can increase your tactical flexibility by moving people by helicopter, then the more uncertain, more unpredictable your movements become to the enemy.
"Therefore, it is quite patently the case that you could save casualties by doing that."
He said operational commanders could always "do more and do things better" with extra helicopters, but acknowledged they were "no panacea".
His comments come after the head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said he was returning from Afghanistan with a "shopping list" of equipment to protect British troops from roadside bombs.
Sir Jock said he did not know how much this would cost, but said such things were non-discretionary and had to be provided.
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said his remarks have intensified the pressure on the prime minister, who has insisted the government is providing the equipment and resources that are needed for the current operations.
‘Critical’
The prime minister’s spokesman said Sir Jock would go into further detail about equipment requirements in the future.
"Of course, we will take decisions in the light of that military advice," added the spokesman.
He said there would be a wider review of troop numbers, both at UK and Nato level, in the autumn.
"We will review the position on troops along with our allies after the election," he added.
The government has promised to consider demands for more equipment to protect UK forces in Afghanistan from roadside bombs.
The head of the British army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, says he was compiling a "shopping list" including surveillance and intelligence equipment.
More from Today programme Soldier dies in Afghan explosion Military doctor shortage warningDowning Street says the PM will take decisions in "light of military advice" and review troop levels with allies.
Gen Dannatt, who steps down from his role next month, told the BBC it was "critical" to tackle the problem of improvised bombs.
Doing this required more coalition or Afghan personnel to build intelligence, better "overhead surveillance" of Taliban activity and greater technical ability to see where they were planting explosives, he said.
"That will be a shopping list that I’ll bring back," he added.
The BBC’s defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "He’s talking about things like UAVs [or unmanned drones]… that could spot where the Taliban are laying bombs."
However, she said with government budgets shrinking it was unclear whether the Ministry of Defence would be given funding to meet these requests.
Business secretary Lord Mandelson said the general’s views on troops’ equipment requirements would be taken "very seriously".
"They will not go without whatever they need to carry out their very important operations in Afghanistan," he said.
Gen Dannatt had said that, despite reports, the military never made a direct request for 2,000 extra personnel.
But he warned that reducing numbers to 8,300 would be wrong and that Nato might ask for more personnel for a 12 to 18-month period.
Conservative leader David Cameron said the government must listen to military commanders.
"The prime minister has been telling us all week that they have got enough helicopters and actually now we know they don’t," he said.
He refused to say whether his party would spend more on defence if it was in government, claiming it was about "commitment" rather than funding.
With commitment, he said, six Chinook helicopters which had been grounded by computer problems since their purchase at a cost of £250m eight years ago could have been in action.
Earlier, shadow defence secretary Dr Liam Fox had said it was "extremely likely" that a Tory government would agree to a request for more British troops in the short term.
What are your experiences of the equipment used by the British military in the field Are you satisfied that the kit is up to date and fit for purpose Send us your stories using the form below.
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This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Gordon Brown spent £4.6m on globetrotting last year
July 17th, 2009 |
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Brit Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been revealed to have spent 4.6million pounds flying round the world in private chartered aircraft over the last year at taxpayers’ expense.
Turns out the travel fare is double the 2.3million pounds bill that Tony Blair ran up in his final year in Downing Street, reports the Daily Express.
The aircraft [...]
UK Afghan mission support ‘rises’
July 13th, 2009 |
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Public opinion is almost evenly divided over the UK mission in Afghanistan but support has grown since 2006, a poll for the BBC and the Guardian suggests.
Criticism of the UK’s Afghan strategy is mounting, with 15 soldiers killed in the first 10 days of the month.
But the poll of 1,000 adults, conducted as news of the casualties emerged, found 46% backed the British operation in Afghanistan while 47% opposed.
A similar poll in 2006 found 31% backed the UK’s action while 53% opposed it.
Surge
Figures in the poll carried out by ICM Research over Friday and Saturday for BBC Newsnight and the Guardian newspaper found support for the conflict among men had risen from 40% to 49% while for women, the figure has gone from 22% to 43%.
"Our troops are making progress as they attempt to make the area safer"
Gordon Brown
Memorial service for UK soldiersHowever, it also found that 42% of people wanted troops to pull out of Afghanistan now while 36% backed them to stay as long as needed.
UK troops have spent recent weeks on an offensive – codenamed Panther’s Claw – which is designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections planned for next month.
But the surge has brought a big increase in casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.
It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq.
British troops in Afghanistan are due to hold a private memorial service at Camp Bastion to remember the eight men who died last week in a single 24-hour period.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the mission was showing signs of success and reiterated his praise for UK troops.
"Our troops are making progress as they attempt to make the area safer. Despite the losses, our forces are doing a magnificent job in moving forward," he said.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said there had been a massive improvement in personal kit and equipment, as well as vehicles, for troops in Afghanistan.
But critics have claimed that more troops needed to be sent to the region and there have also been calls for more helicopters.
Newsnight will reveal more details of the survey on BBC Two at 2230 BST on July 13 and the programme will subsequently be available on BBC iPlayer.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Gordon Brown’s Climate Change Adviser Has Swine Flu
July 13th, 2009 |
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A key adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown has contracted swine flu and was banned from attending the G8 summit in Italy, reports said late Sunday.
More on Swine Flu
Raymond J. Learsy: Wall Street Stampedes To The Aid of the Oil Speculators!
July 12th, 2009 |
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Are banks meant to help the economy or to go back to business as usual in helping to destroy it?
Afghan bombings kill US Marines
July 12th, 2009 |
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Four Nato soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the coalition has said.
The troops died in improvised roadside bomb attacks blamed on insurgents, officials said, but did not give further details.
The deaths come at a bloody time for international forces in Afghanistan, with 15 UK soldiers killed in 10 days.
US President Barack Obama has praised the ongoing military effort, saying Taliban rebels are being pushed back as Afghanistan prepares for elections.
US Marines and British troops recently launched a major new offensives against the Taliban in southern regions of Afghanistan.
Casualty figures have spiked in the past few weeks as insurgents have mounted new attacks and military action has increased in intensity.
Reuters news agency reported that a fifth Nato soldier died on Friday from wounds received in June.
In the UK, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been forced to defend the country’s involvement in the Afghan mission as the numbers of British casualties rises.
Speaking in a Sky TV interview, Mr Obama said the battle in Afghanistan is a "serious fight" but one essential for the future stability of the country.
He said new strategies for building bridges with Afghan society would be considered once the country had held its presidential election.
The country is due to hold a presidential vote in August. </p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
US president sets Afghan target
July 12th, 2009 |
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The increasingly deadly conflict in Afghanistan is a "serious fight" but one essential for the future stability of the country, the US president says.
Insisting that US and allied troops have pushed back the Taliban, Barack Obama said the immediate target was to steer Afghanistan through elections.
The country is due to hold a presidential vote in August.
Mr Obama spoke to Sky News as concern grew in the UK at the rising British death toll in Afghanistan.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also forced on Saturday to justify British involvement in Afghanistan.
Mr Brown said the UK’s military deployment there was aimed at preventing terrorism in the UK.
Fifteen British troops have died in the past 10 days, pushing the country’s number of deaths in Afghanistan past the number killed in action in Iraq.
‘Extraordinary role’
Speaking during a day-long visit to Africa, Mr Obama also told Sky News that the battle in Afghanistan was a vital element in the battle against terrorism.
He said the continued involvement of British troops in the conflict was necessary, right and was a vital contribution to UK national security.
"This is not an American mission," Mr Obama said.
"The mission in Afghanistan is one that the Europeans have as much if not more of a stake in than we do.
"The likelihood of a terrorist attack in London is at least as high, if not higher, than it is in the United States."
He praised the efforts of all troops currently fighting the Taleban in gruelling summer heat, singling out British forces for praise when asked if their role was still important.
"Great Britain has played an extraordinary role in this coalition, understanding that we can not allow either Afghanistan or Pakistan to be a safe haven for al-Qaeda, those who with impunity blow up train stations in London or buildings in New York.
"We knew that this summer was going to be tough fighting. They [the Taliban] have, I think, been pushed back but we still have a long way to go. We’ve got to get through elections."
‘Core mission’
Since taking office in Washington in January of this year, Mr Obama has announced a troop "surge" in Afghanistan.
The US has said it is sending up to 30,000 new troops to Afghanistan this year to take on a resurgent Taleban. They will join 33,000 US and 32,000 other Nato troops already in the country.
He also replaced the incumbent US commander in the country, ousting Gen David McKiernan less than a year into his command.
The new US chief in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, has a stellar reputation from his days commanding special forces operations in Iraq.
He has been tasked with the mission of outsmarting the Taliban, who continue to win support among ordinary Afghans often caught in the crossfire of the bitter fighting.
High numbers of Afghan civilian casualties have become an issue of major concern to the US. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has regularly called on the international forces to reduce the numbers of Afghans killed in its operations.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Obama said although forces were currently engaged in heavy fighting, new strategies for building bridges with Afghan society would be considered once the country had held its presidential election.
Afghanistan needed its own army, its own police and the ability to control its own security, Mr Obama said – a strategy currently being implemented in Iraq, where security is being handed over to Iraqi forces.
"All of us are going to have to do an evaluation after the Afghan election to see what more we can do," the president said.
"It may not be on the military side, it might be on the development side providing Afghan farmers alternatives to poppy crops, making sure that we are effectively training a judiciary system and a rule of law in Afghanistan that people trust."
"We’ve got a core mission that we have to accomplish."</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Engaging with the net
June 16th, 2009 |
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The Digital Britain report offers a lot to work with, says Bill Thompson.
"We live in a largely digitised country, so in one sense the Digital Britain report is an exercise in ensuring that the legal and regulatory system catches up with the lived reality for most of the UK population rather than a visionary document describing a far-distant future.
As such it is a serious attempt to ensure that government makes the best possible use of the network in serving us all, and that businesses offering access to the internet or providing services and content over the network are regulated, rewarded and cajoled as necessary to ensure that the UK does not fall even further behind the rest of the industrialised world.
Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
I criticised the interim report when it was published in January because it had been written behind closed doors and offered few opportunities for consultation and engagement for those outside the charmed circle of invited experts.
But it is clear that Stephen Carter and his team have listened to and taken notice of the extensive debate around their initial proposals. The result, though far from perfect, offers a good basis for work on the detail of implementation and legislation, and there are clear signs that those who want to engage will be able to do so.
There are suggestions on how to liberalise and improve access to wireless infrastructure, with potentially transformative proposals to shake up spectrum allocation to build a next generation mobile network offering 50Mpbs in cities and 5Mpbs in rural areas.
There is a confirmed commitment to delivering a universal 2Mbps (megabits per second) fixed-line broadband service to the whole country by 2012, and a six pound a year levy on existing copper telephone lines to pay for the ‘final third’ next generation coverage if the market cannot deliver. Two megabits per second is too slow for me, but universal service offers so many opportunities for engagement that it’s definitely worth having.
And there may even be ‘cultural tax relief’ for games developers and distributors, on the lines of the model that has made Canada such an attractive place for UK developers to move to.
The report comes on a day when the importance of the internet and the services it supports has been drawn to the attention of the whole world.
"Unfortunately the proposals to limit file-sharing are less well considered and seem to be hopelessly optimistic, or perhaps to betray a naivety about how the internet works. "
Bill Thompson
The protests over the election results in Iran have depended on Facebook, YouTube and of course Twitter to get their message to the world, put pressure on their own government and organise their activities.
Just last week the French Constitutional Council of France halted the government’s plans to give a new authority the ability to cut the network access of internet users accused of copyright violations because "the internet is a component of the freedom of expression".
In the UK the Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote in the The Times today that "a fast internet connection is now seen by most of the public as an essential service, as indispensable as electricity, gas and water."
Locking content
The view of the network as a utility and as a tool for expression is a very different one from that put forward by the dominant players in the so-called ‘content industry’.
Record companies, film studios, newspapers and the TV broadcasters have all lobbied hard for the UK government to shape its internet policy around their interests.
They want copyright laws to be strengthened so they can lock up any and all content. They want anyone who dares to challenge their business to be kicked offline, fined and locked up. They want a world in which they control what can happen.
Fortunately that pressure seems largely to have been resisted, and the real thrust of the proposals is about getting everyone online and ensuring that the network is there to be used in ways that support creative expression, new forms of industry and new models of engagement.
Funding news
The Digital Britain of the report is one in which all have access, not one where we try to preserve old industrial models.
When it comes to newspapers the report notes that ‘Digital Britain is at the beginning of a new and possibly disruptive wave of local news, generated by communities for communities using free online media’. It recognises that ‘government and business will need collaboratively to devise new ways of funding the news’ without simply promising subsidies to the existing players who have failed to adapt to the network reality and have sought protection and subsidy.
The debate about the future of public service broadcasting includes many progressive ideas, and both the decision to make Channel 4 more than just a broadcaster but turn it into ‘the open new media authority providing the seed-corn for creative innovation in the multi-media world’, and the message to the BBC that the license fee does not belong to it are all good ones.
Unfortunately the proposals to limit file-sharing are less well considered and seem to be hopelessly optimistic, or perhaps to betray a naivety about how the internet works.
Ofcom is to be asked to oversee efforts by UK ISPs to reduce what they term ‘illegal file-sharing’ by 70%, initially through notifying those accused of downloading material or revealing their names and addresses to rights holders so that they can be prosecuted.
If this doesn’t work then Ofcom may then be granted power to oblige ISPs to limit bandwidth or block specific protocols, presumably in the hope that doing this will deter or stop downloads. But this proposal ignores the fact that work is already going on to develop new file sharing technologies that are encrypted or disguise addresses more effectively. Ofcom might well hit its 70% target just because everyone moves away from BitTorrent without actually reducing the number of files shared over the net.
However the fact that the BPI boss Geoff Taylor found it necessary to accuse the government of ‘digital dithering’ for refusing to allow rights holders to have internet users cut off – the same proposals that have just been thrown out in France – is a good sign indeed.
In the end public service broadcasting and the protection of the content industries matter far less than the promotion of universal access and the creation of tools and services that encourage everyone online to demonstrate their own creative potential.
Networked world
A digital Britain is not one in which we are all sitting glued to our screens watching the same sort of television programming that we could have had on a cathode-ray set in the 1970′s, downloading blockbuster movies or listening to more dull music made by rich popstars whose only real interest is their property portfolio.
It is one in which universal access allows us all to be fully-fledged citizens of a networked world that offers opportunities for creative expression and communication instead of the passive consumption of packaged content. There’s a glimpse of that world through the Digital Britain report, and it is one that those of us who already live a networked life need to clarify, share and work to build.
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Bill Thompson is an independent journalist and regular commentator on the BBC World Service programme Digital Planet.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.