International

On Wednesday 6th May the European Parliament voted in favour of a report on the so-called 'Telecom package', though they also supported an SP_backed amendment which will protect the civil rights of Internet users. The ostensible aim of the proposed legislation is the creation of a uniform telecoms market and the reinforcement of consumers' rights. Amendments were presented, however, which if carried would make it possible for both public authorities and Internet providers to monitor users' data traffic and place restrictions on individual users suspected of breach of copyright. Opposing these moves, SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard said that that the priority must be the preservation of the neutrality of the Internet. As the vote showed, the European Parliament majority was in substantial agreement with this standpoint.

Obama's pronouncement that the world should be rid of nuclear weapons is highly promising. At the same time, political realities are rather more stubborn, and there will be considerable dawdling along the way to a nuclear weapon-free world.