‘The steady expansion of the “surveillance society” risks undermining fundamental freedoms including the right to privacy,’ according to a House of Lords report published today.

Read more at The Guardian

Meanwhile the British Journal of Photography reports that a new law, due to be introduced this month, ‘is expected to increase the anti-terrorism powers used today by police officers to stop photographers, including press photographers, from taking pictures in public places.’

‘Photographers are increasingly being viewed as potential criminals by police, according to the Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP), which has reported a rise in complaints from members.’ Read more.

(more…)

Last night at 7pm, naked cyclists rode around Manchester city centre. They were protesting about oil dependency and car culture and celebrating ‘the human body and the bike’.

(more…)

In an interview for the BBC Radio 4 programme Today, former US president Jimmy Carter described Tony Blair’s support for the Iraq war as a ‘major tragedy for the world’.

In the show, which was broadcast this morning, Mr Carter said that Blair’s attitude to Bush had been ‘abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient.’

And he said that Tony Blair could have made a crucial difference to American political and public opinion by distancing himself during the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Independent.