Liberal Democrat peer in new battle over health and social care bill, while secret emails fuel privatisation fears for hospitals The future of the government’s health reforms has been plunged into fresh doubt as the Liberal Democrat peer Shirley Williams raises new concerns, and secret emails reveal plans to hand over the running of up to 20 hospitals to overseas companies. The revelations come as MPs prepare to return to Westminster on Tuesday for what promises to be a crucial stage of the flagship health and social care bill. Baroness Williams, one of the original leaders of a Lib Dem rebellion against health secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans – who appeared to have been pacified after changes were made over the summer – said she had new doubts, having re-examined the proposals. “Despite the great efforts made by Nick Clegg and Paul Burstow [the Lib Dem health minister], I still have huge concerns about the bill. The battle is far from over,” she said. Writing in Sunday’s Observer, Williams raises a series of issues that she says must be addressed. Chief among them is a legal doubt as to whether the secretary of state will any longer be bound to deliver “a comprehensive health service for the people of England, free at the point of need”. Some critics of Lansley believe the Tories are bent on a mission to privatise the NHS, gradually handing it to the private sector. They fear that moves to end the legal obligation on the secretary of state to deliver comprehensive services may be a deliberate part of the process. Concerns that ministers want more private involvement will be strengthened by details of email exchanges involving senior health officials about handing the management of 10 to 20 NHS hospitals to international private companies. The emails, which were made public following a freedom of information request and were obtained by non-profit-making investigations company Spinwatch, show that officials have been planning since late last year to bring in international companies. This is despite repeated insistences by both David Cameron and Nick Clegg that there will be no privatisation of the NHS. On 16
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Former Liberal leader and architect of 1967 act speaks out amid fears of an American-style anti-termination agenda David Steel, the former Liberal leader and architect of the 1967 Abortion Act, has lobbied ministers to vote against a bill to change the counselling system for women who want terminations. Lord Steel, who has talked of the need to amend his original legislation to limit late abortions, said that there was no need for the proposed amendment to the health and social care bill, which MPs will vote on this week. He has written to key figures in the government to urge them to reject it. The amendment, put forward by the Tory MP Nadine Dorries, would strip established abortion providers and charities of their role as counsellors to women with unplanned pregnancies. Critics say the move would create a gap that would be filled by religious anti-abortion charities and medical professionals. Steel said: “Under the Abortion Act, the Department of Health has complete power over licensing and de-licensing clinics. If there were any evidence of failure to carry out proper counselling of patients, they can close clinics. More positively, there is nothing to stop them issuing guidelines on counselling if they think that necessary. There is no need to amend the health bill.” Dorries has emerged as the figurehead of the “right to know” campaign that has emerged in the run-up to the vote. Her amendment is almost certain to be rejected this week after the government indicated it did not have the support of David Cameron or the Department of Health. But there is unease among pro-choice campaigners that a US-style anti-abortion agenda is starting to take root in the UK, supported by American Christian evangelical movements. Ann Furedi, chief executive of BPAS (formerly the British Pregnancy Advisory Service) said: “Over the past couple of decades, anti-choice organisations in the US have moved away from arguing about the morality of abortion, towards presenting their cause in the language of women’s health. This often leads them to promote misinformation – for example, that abortion causes breast cancer, infertility or mental illness – as a means of scaring women about abortion, or encouraging legislators to restrict access to abortions. There are important moral and political arguments that should be had about abortion; hiding behind non-evidence based, pseudo-scientific health claims reveals the moral bankruptcy of some anti-abortion campaigns today.” She added: “The Dorries amendment – tagged on to a bill which has nothing to do with abortion – seems to be an example of using legislation to interfere with women’s access to a legal abortion service, with the goal of making the experience more unpleasant.” Other providers are worried they may have to take on a new role. “We are not the place for moral or political arbitration,” said one pregnancy counsellor. “Our job is to support women and make sure they are making the right decision for them. The last thing I want is to have to spend my time defending the rights and wrongs.” The Royal College of GPs and the BMA have said they do not see any reason for the amendment. Any GP who has an ethical or religious object to abortion is allowed to “conscientiously object” and take no part in referring or treating a woman with an unplanned pregnancy. Dr Peter Saunders, of the Christian Medical fellowship, which has more than 4,500 doctors as members, said GPs were the right people to give independent counselling. “They would not need to state their own ethical position until it gets to the point that the woman says she would like an abortion and then the doctor can explain to her that they are not able to help,” said Saunders, who has advised Dorries. Abortion Health Women Health policy Public services policy Tracy McVeigh guardian.co.uk
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American writer and countryside campaigner concerned that shake-up may weaken planning laws to allow for development Britain’s leading countryside campaigner, Bill Bryson, has joined a growing wave of opposition to government moves to shake up planning laws. As groups from the National Trust to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds line up against proposals to ease new development across the country, Bryson told the Observer he was deeply concerned by the direction of policy. “The government’s good intentions risk being undermined by the talk of economic growth at any cost,” said the American writer, who champions the English countryside and is president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). “We are deeply worried to learn that environmental laws are regarded as red tape and that the planning system might be weakened to allow for more development.” Bryson’s intervention in the increasingly bitter debate came as countryside, amenity and environmental groups stepped up pressure on the planning minister, Greg Clark, to rethink the proposals. On Saturday Clark told the BBC’s Today programme that he was willing to discuss details with groups such as the National Trust, but said there would be no U-turn. Critics believe that a new emphasis on development will lead to the loss of green space and unjustified speculative development. The National Trust’s director
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Click here to view this media A large majority of tea party members want Sarah Palin to stay out of the 2012 presidential race, according to a Fox News poll released Friday. Among respondents who identified themselves as members of the tea party, a staggering 66 percent said that Palin should sit on the sidelines, while only 28 percent wanted to see her in the race. Even more Republicans — 71 percent — thought she would be making a mistake by declaring her candidacy. In all, 74 percent of voters hoped she would not be getting in. The former Alaska governor received her lowest support from non-white voters: only 13 percent were ready to give their approval to her candidacy. “When I run into tea party people across the country, many of them tell me, ‘Look, I love Sarah Palin. I hope she doesn’t run for president,’” Republican strategist Karl Rove told Fox News’ Gregg Jarrett Friday. “I think her diminishing influence, these rising number of people who don’t want her to run, is a result of her having a on-again, off-again tease. She ought to get in or she ought to get out.” The Hill ‘s Christian Heinze suspected that the bad poll numbers might make Palin even more likely to run . “That’s because she hates being marginalized, under-appreciated, or dismissed,” he wrote. “Politics is personal, but with her, it’s extra personal — that’s one of the reasons why she reacts so vociferously to the slightest criticism”
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Turkish announcement appears to rebuff attempts by UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon to end its row with Israel Turkey is to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza at the International Court of Justice, amid a worsening diplomatic crisis between the once close allies. The announcement by Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu appears to rebuff UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon’s attempt to defuse the row over Israel’s armed assault on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which nine people were killed. Turkey dramatically downgraded its relations with Israel, cutting military ties with its former ally and expelling the country’s ambassador over his government’s refusal to apologise for the killings of eight Turkish citizens and a Turkish American last May. Ban said today that the two countries should accept the recommendations of a UN report that examined the incident. The report found Israel had used “excessive and unreasonable” force to stop the flotilla approaching Gaza, but that it was justified in maintaining a naval blockade on the Palestinian enclave. But Davutoglu later dismissed the report, stating it had not been endorsed by the UN and was therefore not binding. “What is binding is the International Court of Justice,” he told Turkey’s state-run TRT television. “This is what we are saying: let the International Court of Justice decide. “We are starting the necessary legal procedures this coming week.” Israeli deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon said his country had nothing to apologise for and accused Ankara of raising tensions for its own reasons. “The problem here is on the Turkish side …. They were not ready for a compromise and kept raising the threshold,” Ayalon said on Israeli TV. “I think we need to say to the Turks: as far as we are concerned, this saga is behind us. Now we need to cooperate. Lack of cooperation harms not only us, but Turkey as well.” The UN investigation, chaired by Geoffrey Palmer, a former New Zealand prime minister, focused on the events on the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish-flagged vessel which was the largest ship in a flotilla aimed at breaking the Gaza blockade, on 31 May last year. It was boarded by Israeli commandos who were met with resistance by spro-Palestinian activists on board, nine of whom died. Davutoglu said the investigation contradicted an earlier report by the UN Human Rights Council in September, which found Israeli forces violated international law , “including international humanitarian and human rights law”. He warned Israel that it risks alienation among Arab nations by resisting an apology. “If Israel persists with its current position, the Arab spring will give rise to a strong Israel opposition, as well as the debate on the authoritarian regimes,” Davutoglu said. The UN secretary general said earlier that strong ties between Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, were important for peace and stability in the Middle East. “I sincerely hope that Israel and Turkey will improve their relationship,” he added. “Both countries are very important countries in the region, and their improved relationship will be very important in addressing all the situations in the Middle East, including the Middle East peace process.” But Ban, speaking in Canberra on Saturday after talks with the Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, would not be drawn on findings of the UN report on the flotilla incident last summer. “I’m not in a position to say any specific comments on the substance of the findings and recommendations of the panel’s report,” he said. “My only wish is that they should try to improve their relationship and do what they can to implement the recommendations and findings.” Turkey said on Friday that the Israeli ambassador, Gabby Levy, and other senior Israeli diplomats would have to leave their posts by Wednesday and that Turkey’s representation in Israel would be downgraded to the junior level of second secretary. Turkey Israel Europe Middle East Ban Ki-moon International court of justice David Batty guardian.co.uk
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If K-Y Brand ads have sought to communicate anything to us over the years, it’s that a good bottle of lube is the key to a successful relationship. And in a few days, the company will explicitly extend that message to a particular demographic. On September 5th, K-Y — which promises to make that “big moment even bigger” — will air its first ever ad campaign to feature a lesbian couple on national television. In the ad, partners Alex and Emma explain that what’s kept them together through the years has been good communication … and K-Y INTENSE, Emma interjects. (Because a couple in possession of good lube must be in relationship bliss.) Cue the fireworks (literally) followed by a shot of Alex and Emma collapsed in a bed. WATCH: As blogger Pam Spaulding wrote, “fundies, bigots and closet cases that will need a fainting couch” after the ad airs, but that hasn’t stopped K-Y from in the past. The brand won a 2010 GLAAD Media Award for Advertising for its print campaign: “America’s Top Couple” (featuring the ever-lovable Geoffrey and Rusty), is a regular presence sponsor pride events and sponsored the 2010 and 2011 Dinah Shore Weekend, which claims to be the “largest lesbian event in the world.” (K-Y even provided the product used in Dinah Shore’s 2008 lube wrestling event). But when it comes to commercials, lesbians had been left out of the mix. According to a K-Y INTENSE press release, however, the times are changing: Gay male couples have been featured in print advertising since 2008 and now the brand is continuing its tradition of support and visibility with advertising that is inclusive of lesbian couples. While television ads featuring any gay couple are few and far between — the LGBT-themed cable channel Logo aired the first featuring a gay male couple — a Levi’s spot — in 2008. McDonald’s made waves in 2010 when its first ad featuring a gay male couple aired in France — commercials featuring lesbians are rarer (although we’ve featured some successful ones in the slideshow below). What I love about the K-Y ad is that it highlights lesbian sexuality in a completely normalized setting. These are women in jammies, not busty models gyrating for the benefit of guys drinking Miller Lite in a beer commercial. Now I call that a “big moment.” WATCH:
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If K-Y Brand ads have sought to communicate anything to us over the years, it’s that a good bottle of lube is the key to a successful relationship. And in a few days, the company will explicitly extend that message to a particular demographic. On September 5th, K-Y — which promises to make that “big moment even bigger” — will air its first ever ad campaign to feature a lesbian couple on national television. In the ad, partners Alex and Emma explain that what’s kept them together through the years has been good communication … and K-Y INTENSE, Emma interjects. (Because a couple in possession of good lube must be in relationship bliss.) Cue the fireworks (literally) followed by a shot of Alex and Emma collapsed in a bed. WATCH: As blogger Pam Spaulding wrote, “fundies, bigots and closet cases that will need a fainting couch” after the ad airs, but that hasn’t stopped K-Y from in the past. The brand won a 2010 GLAAD Media Award for Advertising for its print campaign: “America’s Top Couple” (featuring the ever-lovable Geoffrey and Rusty), is a regular presence sponsor pride events and sponsored the 2010 and 2011 Dinah Shore Weekend, which claims to be the “largest lesbian event in the world.” (K-Y even provided the product used in Dinah Shore’s 2008 lube wrestling event). But when it comes to commercials, lesbians had been left out of the mix. According to a K-Y INTENSE press release, however, the times are changing: Gay male couples have been featured in print advertising since 2008 and now the brand is continuing its tradition of support and visibility with advertising that is inclusive of lesbian couples. While television ads featuring any gay couple are few and far between — the LGBT-themed cable channel Logo aired the first featuring a gay male couple — a Levi’s spot — in 2008. McDonald’s made waves in 2010 when its first ad featuring a gay male couple aired in France — commercials featuring lesbians are rarer (although we’ve featured some successful ones in the slideshow below). What I love about the K-Y ad is that it highlights lesbian sexuality in a completely normalized setting. These are women in jammies, not busty models gyrating for the benefit of guys drinking Miller Lite in a beer commercial. Now I call that a “big moment.” WATCH:
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Milly Dowler family solicitor claims private detectives compiled file on lawyers dealing with claims against News of the World A solicitor acting for victims of phone hacking has given police an alleged dossier compiled by private detectives about him and other lawyers dealing with damages claims against the News of the World. Mark Lewis, who represents the family of the murder victim and phone-hacking target Milly Dowler, said the dossier – believed to contain information about the lawyers’ lives – was aimed at securing an “unfair advantage” in legal cases. News International would not confirm the accuracy of the alleged document, but said none of its current executives had sanctioned activity of this type. Lewis, who has acted for phone-hacking victims including the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, said: “Someone thought it was a good idea to see if they could get information. It is entirely reprehensible and completely wrong. “It doesn’t scare me, it doesn’t bother me, but it is an apparent attempt to try to gain an improper advantage.” He said the file appeared to have been put together between December 2010 and January this year, “long after” he represented Taylor but before he represented the Dowler family. Lewis said he had passed the dossier, and other claims that his phone might have been hacked, to police: “As soon as I was notified about it, I reported it to the police, who are investigating it,” he said. A News International spokesman said: “Current News International executives did not sanction any activity of this type.” The issue is likely to be raised with the former News of the World legal manager Tom Crone when he gives evidence before the Culture select committee on Tuesday. Phone hacking News of the World News International Newspapers Tom Crone Milly Dowler guardian.co.uk
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Doom may run on just about everything these days, but one place it hasn’t been very accessible during the past 17 years — regardless of the device — is in Germany. That finally changed this week, however, with both Doom and Doom 2 receiving a USK-16 rating that allows them to be made available wherever video games are sold. Both games had previously been “indexed” by the country’s Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons, which has effectively confined them to the underground market since their debut. According to the BBC , the ban was lifted because the agency now considers Doom to be “mainly of historical interest,” although it notes that Germany is maintaining the ban on one particular version of Doom II that contains levels from Wolfenstein with Nazi imagery. As for Doom publisher Bethesda Softworks, it tells Joystiq that it’s “obviously very pleased” with the decision, and that it will let folks know when it plans to actually makes the game available in Germany. Doom now approved for sale in Germany, 17 years later originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Rescuers are searching for wreckage among the Juan Fernandez islands, 500 miles from the country’s Pacific coast A Chilean air force plane with 21 people aboard, including a popular local television host, crashed in the Juan Fernandez islands off the country’s Pacific coast, authorities said. Juan Fernandez’s mayor, Leopoldo Gonzalez, said the plane tried without success to land at the islands’ airport, which is 515 miles from Chile’s coast. “The accident must be accepted as a fact,” Gonzalez said in an interview with Television Nacional de Chile. Rescue boats were searching for the wreckage of the plane but so far they have only found some equipment, the mayor said. Defence minister Andres Allamand said searchers faced “particularly adverse” conditions, adding that the plane’s status was still listed as missing. Felipe Camiroaga, one of Chile’s most popular television presenters, was on the flight, Gonzalez said. Camiroaga, 44, worked for the state TV channel’s Good Morning Everyone programme, and was travelling to the islands for a story on the reconstruction following the 27 February magnitude-8.8 earthquake and tsunami that wiped out its main town. Also on board was businessman Felipe Cubillos, who had been working on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. The Chilean air force plane took off from the capital, Santiago, at 2pm local time and lost contact with air control almost four hours later, according to a statement from aviation authorities. Chile Plane crashes Air transport guardian.co.uk
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