The head of  police who crushed one of  Scotland’s worst ever paedophile rings raised new concerns about censorship when he argued that paedophiles should be banned from the internet.

Allan Jones, head of the major crime unit at Lothian and Borders, said that new technologies are needed to track suspected paedophiles from accessing unlawful material on the net. The new technologies would involve all internet users having their own unique personal ID.

The personal ID would be like an online driver’s licence and so anyone gaining access to unlawful sites or pictures would be held accountable as the information would be held on the personal ID.

This would mean that suspected paedophiles could be traced once they go online and prevent them from sexually exploiting minors.

However such measures critics would say are the foundations of a surveillance state. In broader terms personal identification would mean that all members of society could be tracked and have their content viewed.

In Britain surveillance has become more prominent with the advances in computer technology.

Dr Alistair Duff, professor at Edinburgh Napier University says, ” Britain currently is a passive surveillance society. Some surveillance is necessary but the government wants more and more.”

Passive surveillance is the use of indirect techniques such as analysing records of information in order to carry out surveyance. The claims made by Det Supt. Jones would fast-track Britain into a more active form of government interference. Something that Dr Duff would not be in favour of.

Dr. Duff says, “The police have many tools already available to them when dealing with such activity. If there was to be any further methods to be introduced it would have to be discussed in a full democratic debate, before there were any sudden moves.”

Det Supt. Jones said, “My personal view is that people who have been observed electronically exchanging this type of imagery should, after appropriate investigation and punishment by the police and other authorities, have their internet service provision withdrawn.”

After a lengthy trial paedophile ringleaders James Rennie, 38, and Neil Strachan, 48 will serve a minimum of 13 years and 16 years respectively for their part in the child sex ring.

by Adam Wilson

Bernice King during a speech at the Lorraine Hotel. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Bernice King, the daughter of assassinated civil rights figure Martin Luther King has taken up the mantle from her father, and is now committed to revitalizing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a group co-founded by her father.

Her call for a rejuvenation of the group has come after it was damaged by infighting, particularly Bernice and her brother, Martin Luther King III, who started a legal battle against a third sibling over the management of their father’s estate.

King spoke at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where her father celebrated his last birthday before he was killed. She stated that she would use her family’s legacy to encourage social justice.

She said one of her aims was to build a connection between social activists of the 1960′s and the current generation, ‘I stand before you as a daughter of the civil rights movement calling forth the daughters and sons of the next generation of social change’.

However, King’s priorities have been questioned over the years. In 2004 she participated in a march against gay marriage in Atlanta. This act created tension among the King family as Coretta Scott King, her mother, and Yolanda Denise King, her sister who are both advocates of gay rights. In defense her views she has stated ‘I know deep down in my sanctified soul that he did not take a bullet for same-sex unions’.

Her views on same-sex marriage will be a significant issue that will be touched upon during her new Presidency of the SCLC.

An Edinburgh student earns dream trip to train with NASA astronauts and scientists.

Leyla Manshouri, who attends Edinburgh’s biggest School, Portobello High, won the coveted prize. The bright young student succeeded in a rigorous programme of activities as part of the Scottish Space School this summer. Pupils undertook a number of projects such as designing rockets, simulating moon landings and building heart rate monitors. Leyla was just one of 10 students selected from 300 hopefuls around Scotland to take part in the 10-day study trip.

Speaking about her trip, Leyla said: “I am very much looking forward to this visit and the fantastic opportunities it will offer.”

Peigi Macarthur, Headteacher, Portobello High School, said: “We are delighted that Leyla has been chosen to take part in this exciting project as she is both hard-working and very able. This is an excellent opportunity for her to experience the application of science and engineering in an intriguing environment.

The summer schools are funded and managed by Skill Development Scotland with support from the international space community and partner organizations in Scotland, most importantly University of Strathclyde. The Schools are designed to highlight and promote education and careers in Science, Engineering and Technology. An area Scotland has always had a talent in.

Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “The Space School gives these talented students a fantastic opportunity to see how science and engineering can be applied to real life challenges, from tackling climate change to space travel. The career opportunities for scientists and engineers are incredibly diverse, and, as an engineer myself, it’s great to see how enthusiastic these young people are about making a difference to the world around them.”

Helen McNamara, National Project Manager for Skills Development Scotland, who runs and organises the trip, said ‘We were delighted with the progress made by the students attending the summer Schools and with the close relationship developed between themself and NASA. Helping Scottish students now and in the future.’

Bob Cenker, NASA astronaut stated ‘I’m really excited to be able to share my experiences with the young people of Scotland and hopefully provide them with the same enthusiasm and motivation that I have about science and technology.

These Scottish students will have the chance to work and learn from some of the best scientist in the business, keeping Scottish student at the forefront of science and technology.

By Steve Gold

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Edinburgh parks were making the headlines as many were awarded with the prestigious Green Flag award for well-being of the park or greenspace.

The parks honoured in this string of awards, were Pentland Hills, winning for a second year running, and Easter Craiglockhart Hill,  received the accolade after the Council worked with the local ‘friends’ group and Edinburgh Napier University to preserve and improve the woods.

This year has been a bumper year for parks in Edinburgh with the Pentland Regional Park and Easter Craiglockhart Hill being joined by Harrison Park, Braidburn Valley Park and Hopetoun Crescent Garden in the award of a Green Flag. The Friends of Corstorphine Hill were also awarded Scotland’s first Green Pennant. Edinburgh now has half of the Green Flags awarded across Scotland.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader at the City of Edinburgh Council, was on hand to take credit and give us his opinion. He said: “Edinburgh has a wealth of fantastic green spaces, some of which are stunning examples of all that a Green Flag park should be. The Council is committed to this and our parks team is working hard with local ‘friends’ groups and local communities to ensure that Edinburgh’s parks and green spaces are of the highest standard.”

Credit goes to the workers for picking up rubbish and planting the seeds. One group who has seen their park receive the award are called Friends of Craiglockhart Woods and Nature Trail. Amoung some the job they have achieved are planting of 400 native trees, upgrading paths for wheel chair users and planting of a massive 8,500 native bluebells.

Hilda Henderson, Secretary and her group of volunteers at the Friends of Craiglockhart Woods and Nature Trail. Hilda added: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this award. The group, along with the Council and local community, has been working for the past 11 years to improve this area and protect urban wildlife. It is great that this park is now being recognised in this way.”

The Council, the Scottish Government and most importantly the people of Scotland can take credit for making Scotland greener and a better place to live.

Dr. Abdullah at the Pentagon in 2004

by Adam Wilson

President Hamid Karzai’s opposition Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has pulled out of the current Afghan presidential election.

Abdullah claims the decision was made for the betterment of the Afghan people. Abdullah said that ‘a transparent election was not possible’ in a press conference on November 1st. Abdullah was referring to a recent investigation by the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission, which was looking into claims that hundreds of votes had been ignored in the first round of voting in August. The ECC received 2,000 complaints of ‘fraud and intimidation’

Abdullah claimed he wanted to unite a nation which has been torn apart by political corruption is recent history.

Even with Abdullah out of the election, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs has stated in a press briefing ‘I don’t think there is any doubt that Dr. Abdullah will play a role, it’s quite clear, going forward in Afghanistan.’ The US is clearly confident that Abdullah will still contribute to the democratic development of Afghanistan.

To back up Washington’s view, many believe that a power-deal between Karzai and Abdullah may be considered in the future. Due to diplomatic pressure on Karzai to state his stance on a power-sharing deal he has said ‘there is no place for a coalition government in the law’. However, in his first speech after being declared President, Karzai has seemed to review his stance on the subject. He stated that he was open to anyone who wanted to work with him.