Heron's Eye: 29/10/08

Downturn will not hamper public transport projects, says Geoff Hoon 29/10/08
“Geoff Hoon, the recently appointed transport secretary, said today that the economic downturn should not have an effect on delivering public transport projects.

And he said that Britain's railway system had become, "in parts, the envy of Europe".” [Guardian]

Mandelson hails thaw in relations with Moscow 29/10/08
“Lord Mandelson hailed a thaw in relations between Britain and Russia today as he wound up a four-day visit to Moscow.

Diplomatic spats that poisoned ties between the two countries in the last two years seemed to be swept under the carpet as the business secretary lauded a new climate of partnership.” [Guardian]

Bigger databases increase risks, says watchdog 29/10/08
“The proliferation of ever larger centralised databases is increasing the risk of people's personal data being lost or abused, the government's official privacy watchdog claims today.

The warning from the information commissioner, Richard Thomas, comes as he discloses that reported data losses have soared in the past year.” [Guardian]

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