Much of a murder trial will be held in secret for reasons of “national security”, an Old Bailey judge ruled yesterday.
In an unprecedented decision, Mr Justice Ousley overruled protests by the defence that such a trial could be unfair, and from seven media organisations that it would result in secret justice.
– The Guardian
Channel 4 News reported that all 6,653 illegal immigrants who the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, admitted before Christmas were working in the security industry, also had national insurance numbers.
– The Guardian
Microsoft is developing Big Brother-style software capable of remotely monitoring a worker’s productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.
The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism. The system would allow managers to monitor employees’ performance by measuring their heart rate, body temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure. Unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer’s assessment of their physiological state.
– The Times
At least 24 civilians were killed and 60 others wounded after a bus packed with schoolchildren was hit by a powerful bomb in Sri Lanka this morning.
Suspected Tamil Tigers also fired on the bus after the explosion, which took place at Weliara, 230 kilometres (150 miles) southeast of the capital Colombo.
The defence ministry said the bus was hit by a Claymore-type mine, a bomb packed with explosives and ball-bearings.
– The Times
Members of the British Olympic team at the Sydney and Athens Games were the target of security threats, the British Olympic Association revealed yesterday.
Although he refused to disclose specific details, the BOA’s chief executive Simon Clegg made the alarming admission when he confirmed that the army base at Aldershot had been chosen for Team GB’s preparation camp for the build-up to the London 2012 Games.
– The Telegraph