This is a picture of Ben Ainslie the triple Olympic gold medalist who received the Olympic flame carried in a lantern to Lands End by the Royal Navy. He was the first of the 1000 torch bearers to carry the torch in its 8,000 mile relay across Britain and should arrive in London to open the 2012 London Olympics in 70 days time.

The BBC and ITV News teams both filmed the event and the BBC also filmed what looked like a security incident where torch bearer security prevented a member of the public who tried running next to the torch bearer.

It is due to be carried through Cornwall and into Devon, where it’s expected to reach Plymouth Hoe tonight.

The relay torch bearers both young and old, are members of the public chosen for their achievements and community activity with each torch-bearer running  300m with the torch before passing the olympic flame to another bearer’s torch.

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They said the Mr Murdoch, the News Corp chairman, lacked credibility and that his son James Murdoch  appeared incompetent; and the company was guilty of “willful blindness” towards its staff at the News of the World tabloid.

The cross-party parliamentary committee, which approved the report by a majority of six to four, also scolded News Corp’s British newspaper arm for misleading parliament during its five-year investigation into the hacking of the phones of celebrities, murder victims, politicians and soldiers.

The Parliamentary Report published by the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee entitled “News International & Phone Hacking.” that was published only today. This parliamentary file is also to be found in the Cicero Lounge File Area.

Pirate Bay is a torrent search engine that allows users peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing links to files and although in the past it allowed users to download  copyright material such as films, music and programs. It also though provided quite legitimate file sharing of users own produced files.

The site itself does not host or have copyright file content so a ban would mean that those sharing legitimate files through torrents would no longer be able to in the UK audience due to a Internet ISP ban of the Pirate Bay torrent search engine in the UK – another example of growing online censorship.

Could a Ban work though?

A simple ban is unlikely to work due to the fact that the site could be copied or re-hosted elsewhere – just as when WikiLeaks was ‘mirrored’ elsewhere when it faced it’s ban by ISPs through US Government pressure; however anonymizing software could bypass simple a ISP block.

The only effective way to block such torrent search engines such as Pirate Bay would require software that would inspect internet traffic – “deep packet inspection” that also blocked the anonymizing software.

Such a task the James Ball commenting in the Guardian newspaper “would require apparatus as sophisticated as the great firewall of China.”

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• UK Pirate Bay block could be easily circumvented (newscientist.com)
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There is debate about as to where the music for the series has come from – many people on the internet seem to think it may originally be from Hans Zimmer (“Time”) and his score from the film “Inception“? But below is the first of the series – “The Story of Electricity – Spark”

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His body was discovered in an orchard in Quetta with a note saying he had been killed by the Taliban, local police said.

Mr Dale who worked for the Red Cross‘ International Committee (ICRC), was kidnapped in Quetta, south-west Pakistan.

Responding to his murder Red Cross have described the health programme workers killing as “barbaric”.

It is understood the militants holding him had asked for a ransom which could not be paid. The Foreign Secretary has described his murder as “senseless and cruel”.

Mr Dale worked for the ICRC and the British Red Cross for many years, carrying out assignments in Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He had been abducted by unidentified armed men while on his way home from work in Quetta. It is now feared that most international aid agencies will move further foreign staff out of Quetta as they will now be concerned for their staff’s safety.

The ICRC commenting on the aid worker’s work that he was “a trusted and very experienced Red Cross staff member who significantly contributed to the humanitarian cause.”

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• Cameron condemns ‘merciless’ beheading of British doctor, Khalil Dale – The Independent (independent.co.uk)
• Body of British aid worker found in Pakistan (itv.com)
• UK Aid Worker Found Beheaded In Pakistan (news.sky.com)

I’d not ask a life that’s easy,
Gold and pearls so little mean,
Rather seek a heart that’s joyful,
Heart that’s honest, heart that’s clean.

(Chorus)A Heart that’s clean and filled with virtue,Fairer far than lilies white,Only pure hearts praise God truly,Praise him all the day and night.

Why should I seek earthly treasures,
On swift wings they fly away,
Pure clean hearts bring greater riches
That for life eternal stay.

(Chorus)

Dawn and sunset still I’m searching,
Reaching on a wing of song,
Give me Lord, through Christ my Saviour
That clean heart for which I long.

His body was found in the Shia village of Shakhoura, near the capital, Manama, an opposition group said.

On Friday, tens of thousands took part in at times violent protests demanding an end to the crackdown on dissent in the run-up to the rally.

Armoured vehicles are patrolling the streets of Manama ahead of the race.

The discovery came as practice and qualifying sessions for the Grand Prix were taking place. Mainly Shia protesters have announced “days of rage” against the race.

Formula 1′s governing body, the FIA, only went ahead with the Grand Prix after the government said it had security under control.

Last year’s Grand Prix was cancelled after 35 people died in February and March during a crackdown on mass demonstrations calling for greater democracy.
Source: BBC News

We can all hear this radiation when the televisions we watch go into ‘white noise’ mode – when you see the black and white dots on the TV screen before it shuts transmission. They are picked up from our satellites. When we hear this noise -this is the beginning of the universe – the radiation is 13 billion years old.

Professor Hawking suffers from Motor Neurone disease – which could have attacked his ability to breath – he is this year 70 years of age.

Professor Hawking and Roger Penrose looked at the nature of time itself.

Trending: From black holes to bright lights for Hawking (independent.co.uk)

• Stephen Hawking: New exhibition to celebrate professor’s life opens at Science Museum (dailymail.co.uk)
• Stephen Hawking Is Guest Starring on The Big Bang Theory (tv.com)

Free school lunches are the main meal of the day for many children, says the Children’s Society.

Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

More than 350,000 children will lose their free school meals under the government’s radical plans to reform welfare entitlement next year, an analysis by the Children’s Society has warned.

In a report entitled Fair and Square, the charity says the proposed universal credit system, which comes into force in October 2013, will stop paying for certain benefits if a household earns more than £7,500.

At present the welfare system compensates poor families with cash from the tax credit system.

The result is that 120,000 poorer families are likely lose free school meals, worth £367 a year, unless they dropped their earnings below the threshold of £7,500. This would mean parents having to cut the numbers of hours worked or take a pay cut to keep their benefits.

Source: The Guardian

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Attacks also took place In the eastern city of Jalalabad, as the Taliban militants attacked a foreign force base near a school, there were also reports of a blast near the airport.

The attack is one of the most serious within the capital since the U.S.-backed Afghan forces removed the Taliban from power in 2001 and highlights how the Taliban are still able to strike heavily guarded diplomatic areas after more than 10 years of war.

U.S. President Barack Obama, who has staged a long campaign against the Taliban, had hoped to see the departure of most foreign combat troops by the end of 2014. This new fighting will be a setback to these hopes.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaking to the Reuters news agency said “These attacks are the beginning of the spring offensive and we had planned them for months,” adding that the this was revenge for the actions of American troops in Afghanistan – including the burning of Korans at a NATO base and the massacre of 17 civilians by a U.S. soldier. It is feared there will probably be more such attacks.

Fighting was still raging after nightfall, more than five hours after the Taliban first struck. Buildings targeted included the German and British embassies and the headquarters of the NATO-led force. . Black smoke was seen rising from the embassies while rocket-propelled grenades whizzed overhead. Heavy gunfire could be heard from many directions as Afghan security forces tried to repel Taliban fighters.

There has been some opposition to the Taliban’s recent attacks including from several Afghan members of parliament who joined the Afghan security forces in repelling attackers from a roof near the parliament.

Some of the Taliban fighters were seen dressed in women’s full-length burqas in an attempt to conceal their identities.

The Ministry of Interior said 19 insurgents, including suicide bombers, died in the encounters across the country and two were captured. Fourteen police officers and nine civilians were wounded.

Todays attacks come a month before a NATO summit on the transition to Afghan security control.

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The full statement is available on the UN Website

It was he who took the decision to save the Royal Bank of Scotland, Halifax (HBOS), and Northern Rock and doing so also prevented virtually every other major bank in the UK from closing. At the time he is famously known as the bad guy who predicted that the world economy had reached the lowest point in a “60 year financial period” and said it may take decades – as his prediction is now proving – to recover.

In an interview in The Guardian  published 30 August 2008, Alistair Darling warned, “The economic times we are facing… are arguably the worst they’ve been in 60 years. And I think it’s going to be more profound and long-lasting than people thought.” His  warning led to confusion within the LabourGovernment who were oblivious to the problem – Darling, insisting it was his duty to be “straight” with people

Unlike US Government who took the decision not to help the major investment institution Lehman Brothers deal with their mounting toxic assets thus causing greater economic disaster worldwide  – Alistair Darling avoided the UK going into a worse scenario in the UK – he took the decision without requiring legislation (as the US would require) to save Britain’s major banks.

Below is an address he made to the London School of Economics which describes the actions he needed to take whilst in his position as chancellor when in 2008 the emerging European (including UK and Ireland) institutions started to feel the effects of the US financial market collapse.

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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website has issued the following statement : “We welcome the fact that the Iranian government is ready to re-engage with the United Kingdom and other members of the international community on its nuclear programme.  These talks present a genuine opportunity to move things forward. The Iranian government has written to us to say it wants these talks to cover its nuclear programme.  The talks will be a demonstration of whether or not the Iranian government is really ready to do that”

The Oxford Research Group have said on their website about the risk of a conflict appearing greater than ever due to events in Iran and the arab world since the last meeting took place.ORG say’s in a statement about the talks that a negotiations between Iran and the member states of the E3+3 have proved elusive due to ‘a lack of political will, demonization, deep distrust and misunderstanding on all sides.’  They warn that if these talks fail, there could be the prospect of a military attack on Iran -  which they have previously published a  series of reports since 2006. Israeli itself is also poised to take action should Iran be planning such a programme (as discussed in their Global Security Briefing ‘The Potential for Israeli Military Action against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities’)

Below is the Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt discussing his hopes for negotiations with the Iranian Government during the E3+3 talks today.

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Simon Danczuk

Simon started working at the young age of 16 in a factory making gas fires, he then worked for ICI (the chemical company).  While working, he studied as a mature student at night school and gained qualifications he had missed out at secondary school before gaining a place at Lancaster University where he studied economic sociology and politics.

Danczuk co-founded  research; public affairs and communications company Vision Twentyone and also has been involved in The Big Issue in the North, Opinion Research Corporation, Bolton Bury TEC.

He has written a number of articles and books ranging on such diverse subjects as democracy, homelessness, regeneration, drugs, housing and employment. His business acumen saw him as being voted one of the up-and-coming stars of North West business by Business Insider magazine in 2001.

He campaigned prior for a referendum for an elected Regional Assembly for the North West.

Having been involved with the Labour Party for many years (joining it via the trade union GMB) in the 1980s.  He was elected as a councillor to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, and served in this position for 8 years. He also was a campaign manager for Rossendale and Darwen Labour Party

Simon Danczuk was elected as a candidate in 2007 to be Rochdale Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate. He has since being voted MP in Rochdale campaigned tirelessly for local investment in business, voting against cuts and the abolition of the EMA, on local jobs and for regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre and it’s shopping areas. He also has opposed cuts to the local Police service and against the closure of the Accident and Emergency unit in Rochdale’s NHS infermary.

Below you can see Simon taking a look around Rochdale town and speaking to leaders of Rochdale’s council about his hopes to see more investment in the town centre. As a no nonsense MP he is against any forms of Council misuse of money or officials impropriety of their positions. He also is one of the only MPs in the country to have a surgery available for local constituents to visit on a 9am-5pm basis  – his surgery is based near St. Mary’s Gate in Rochdale.

He will of course be running as the Labour candidate on May 3rd 2012, and you can find out more information on Simon by visiting his website at his website.

Filed under: Environment, News and politics, UK Government News Tagged: Danczuk, Labour, Lancaster University, Member of parliament, Opinion Research Corporation, Rochdale, Simon, Simon Danczuk ]]> http://cicerolounge.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/simon-danczuk-rochale-mp/feed/ 0 cicerolounge Rochale MP Simon Danczuk http://cicerolounge.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/checkers-and-rallys-undercover-boss-usa/ http://cicerolounge.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/checkers-and-rallys-undercover-boss-usa/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:04:38 +0000 Cicero Lounge http://cicerolounge.wordpress.com/?p=2124 Continue reading »]]> Rick Silva CEO of a fast food company Checkers and Rally broke the rules of the normal “Undercover Boss USA”, when he on his first night closed one of his outlets down due to lack of training; lack of food quality and after witnessing a newly appointed un-trained manager over-pressuring his staff to the point of actually being  rude to them. The manager said he was merely following the company’s need for fast delivery in the restaurant and had only three weeks training himself. After witnessing this and the confession of a chef who said he’d trained himself and was hoping to go to a college to study a degree in catering – he closed the restaurant over food not being cooked at his correct standard and called for training of all staff on working politely as a team and  quality in his food over speed of food delivery.  The chef later was provided a college place to take his degree with the approval of the company and his degree course fully paid for by the company.  

The show is an insight into how good bosses really work well at analysing their company’s performance and is broadcast over here in the UK and the US.

Having worked for great companies and bosses in my time – I love this show personally, as it shows how good bosses are investors in people and the show highlights the bosses warmth and sensitivity towards their staff because they work hard in their own position either in starting their companies or getting to their position as directors of companies..

Rick Silva discusses the company and the show on Fox News

The show often clearly demonstrates that success and achievements requires not losing sight of original goals and objectives of their company and more importantly focus on the people in their company and  providing high level of customer satisfaction while maintaining a profit in each individual market. A hard balance in often economically and commercial austere times.

It’s refreshing to see how good bosses know how to step back and look at improving their companies and rewarding their staff appropriately.

• Checkers and Rally’s featured on CBS’ Undercover Boss Uses Drive-Thru Headset Systems from HME (prweb.com)
• Undercover boss shuts restaurant (news.ninemsn.com.au)

Ken Livingstone

Mr Livingstone who was visably moved by the video, speaking to the Telegragh newspaper said that if he lost the electoral campaign that he would not stand again and that he would go back to doing his radio programme but added recounting his childhood :

‘if I lose the opportunity to help millions of ordinary Londoners for whom every day is now a terrible struggle. I grew up in that post-war Britain where parents had to count every penny, everything had to be used, it was a real struggle, and we are back in that world. If I fail to do that, it’s a guilt I carry to my grave. I want the chance to make life better for ordinary Londoners.’

He also has previously criticised Boris Johnson, the current Mayor, for not being present during the time that the London riots were taking place – as he had been on holiday – Mr Livingstone saying that he had failed Londoners at their time of greatest need as their Mayor.

Ed Miliband who was also present during the screening of the video patted an overcome Ken Livingstone in support for his campaign for mayor.

For more information and to support Ken Liivingstone in his campaign to be Mayor of London again please visit  http://www.kenlivingstone.com/home

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Many including the Arab-envoy Kofi Annan are concerned that Syria may not comply with all the points in the peace plan set down by the UN. Under these terms the six- point peace plan agreed to by Syria, all violence and fighting was to stop on today.

Mr Ban Ki-Moon said today: “Joint special envoy Kofi Annan and I and many world leaders have made it quite clear that any militarization or any military operation is not an option. It will only complicate and worsen the situation and thus arming opposition forces is not desirable.”

Today’s ceasefire followed Kofi Annan receiving a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria informing him of the Syrian Governments decision “to cease all military fighting throughout Syrian territory as of 6 a.m. Damascus time 12 April” but it also said it wanted to keep the right to respond to any attacks carried out by terrorist groups or civilians against “government forces or public and private property.”

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• Syria says it will respect Kofi Annan’s ceasefire plan – The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
• Syria vows to adhere to deadline set by U.N. (timesleader.com)

Kofi Annan

Mr Annan who has been visiting Iran said there could be “improved conditions on the ground” by Thursday morning. However the Syrian government had previously failed to withdraw troops and weaponry from large population centres as it had agreed. So far at least 100 people have been reported dead. Three people were killed on Wednesday after violent shelling in the city of Homs and the Deraa province.

Mr Annan told reporters in Tehran that he had received “further clarifications” from the government of President Bashar al-Assad on how it intended to suspend hostilities, and respect his six-point peace plan.

Mr Annan said “We have been in touch with them and have had positive answers from them and have also approached governments with influence to ensure that all parties respect the ceasefire”

This action follows a previous court case In 2010, where a lower court dismissed Viacom’s $1bn (£630m) case against Google. The court of appeals said the dismissal was based on a mistake, as a jury could have reasonably found that YouTube knew of specific copyright infringements.

Viacom owns  MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Viacom had claimed that “tens of thousands of videos” based on its copyrighted works had been posted on YouTube, and that both YouTube and its owner Google had known about it but had done nothing about it.

Google and YouTube had argued that they were entitled to “safe harbour” protection under digital copyright law because they had insufficient notice of particular alleged offences.

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