Sunday catchup (part 1)

1. Computer World report a story that shows that even IT experts are not security conscious when faced by a pretty face -

'Hundreds of people in the information security, military and intelligence fields recently found themselves with egg on their faces after sharing personal information with a fictitious Navy cyberthreat analyst named "Robin Sage," whose profile on prominent social networking sites was created by a security researcher to illustrate the risks of social networking. '

2. Spiked report that:

'A group of volunteers will shortly board some ships in order to deliver aid to suppressed minorities and send a political message to the world: It’s time for an end to occupation and oppression!'

So what's the news in this story about yet another flotilla heading towards Gaza? Well

'This time it’s an Israeli ‘peace flotilla’ organised by the National Union of Israeli Students (NUIS). And it will be heading for Turkey – where the ship that was attacked by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) set sail from – with the aim of bringing attention to the plight of Turkey’s minorities and to challenge the global image of Israel as an evil, murderous state.'

3. Harriet Harman was the subject of much controversy:

'(Harriet Harman) was last night facing damaging claims that she lobbied the
Home Office on behalf of a Labour Party donor’s immigrant wife who is living in Britain unlawfully.

The Leader of the Opposition was forced to deny furiously any impropriety over the wife of Monday Osaseri, a Nigerian-born businessman who donated money at a pre-Election fundraiser in Ms Harman’s Peckham constituency.

Just days later, in April, he emailed her Commons office to request a meeting to discuss his wife, who has been in the country unlawfully for more than six years.

Within weeks, Ms Harman had emailed the Home Office to ask about the progress of her application for leave to stay in the UK.

Last night, sources close to Ms ­Harman denied any connection between the donation and her request, insisting that the issues were dealt with by separate offices and in accordance with strict rules.

But critics said high-profile MPs should avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, particularly over such a politically sensitive issue as immigration.'

4. THe Telegraph have an article by the much missed PC David Copperfield, a former UK PC now serving in Canada, explaining why his new force is so much better – and cheaper – for the public. DO read the whole article, it most instructive and gives ammunition to those who know that 'front-line' services will not have to suffer to make 25% cuts.


5. The Telegraph has video of Canadian fighter pilot, Captain Brian Bews, ejecting from his cockpit seconds before his plane crashed and exploded into a ball of flames...



6. Health and Safety lunacy from Scotland where The Telegraph reports that

'Isle of Muck residents ordered to stop drinking spring water - The inhabitants of a remote Scottish island have been ordered to end centuries of tradition by drinking bottled water instead of drawing it from the natural springs that surround their homes....'

7. The Mail report that 'Being kicked out of Number 10 was 'not bruising' says a cheerful (Gordon) Brown' - Shame!


More later...