A forthcoming visit by the new British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Pakistan comes at yet another delicate moment in relations between the West and President Pervez Musharraf.

Concern has been expressed, particularly in Washington, about President Musharraf’s ability to control the remote tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan, in which, according to US officials, Osama Bin Laden is probably located and al-Qaeda is rebuilding its organisation in a “safe haven”.

President Musharraf counters that he is acting against terrorism throughout Pakistan, doing so most recently when he ordered troops to storm the Red Mosque occupied by Islamic militants in Islamabad.

The current point at issue is the future of the agreement he reached with tribal leaders in North Waziristan last year under which the areas would be policed largely by the tribes themselves.

Cross-border attacks

A US National Intelligence Estimate on the threat to the US homeland from al-Qaeda issued last week concluded that this policy had not worked: “We assess the group has
protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability, including: a
safe haven in the Pakistan Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), operational
lieutenants, and its top leadership.”

A US official threatened that the United States might launch a hot pursuit of Osama Bin Laden within Pakistan if he was found, a statement that has alarmed Pakistani officials, who say that they should be in the lead in such an eventuality.

The US, supported by Britain, is putting pressure on President Musharraf to tighten his grip in the tribal areas. It is not only al-Qaeda that is the concern. The Taleban crosses the border to attack Nato troops supporting the Afghan government.

In his most recent radio address last Saturday, President Bush
implicitly criticised the Pakistani strongman: “Unfortunately, tribal leaders were unwilling and unable to go after al-Qaeda or the Taleban,” President Bush said of last year’s agreement.

But he also praised Gen Musharraf for accepting that something more needed to be done, signalling that Washington was standing by the man it has needed so much in its war against al-Qaeda.

“President Musharraf recognises the agreement has not been successful or well-enforced and is taking active steps to correct it,” President Bush added.

Frustration

Other political figures in Washington have been blunter.

Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper from Tennessee asked of the tribal areas: “Is this a Motel 6 for terrorists?”

According to Daniel Markey, a former Department of State official and now with the Council on Foreign Relations, such comments reflect an American frustration with Pakistan that runs the risk of inducing policy changes.

In an article in Foreign Affairs magazine, he argued against this approach, saying that the US should continue to support President Musharraf and the Pakistan military, and avoid rebukes and talk of sanctions, such as a delay on the sale of F-16 fighters or the ending of financial assistance after the current package ends in 2009.

Is this a Motel 6 for terrorists? Congressman Jim Cooper

At the same time, he said, Pakistan should be pressed on democratic free christian dating advices
. “Washington should shift gears in its approach to Pakistan, but it should not reverse course,” he concluded.

The Great Survivor

Gen President Pervez Musharraf has been down this path before, in the difficult balancing act he has carried out between keeping the US happy without provoking too strong a reaction from his opponents at home. He is, so far, the great survivor of South Asian politics.

And at the moment, he has to deal not only with American concerns but also with domestic troubles. These include the strong reaction by Islamic extremists to the Red Mosque attack and his own political future.

No amount of Pakistani dating parent single tip is likely to be sufficient for coalition military leaders Dr Gareth Price, Chatham House Asia programme

A former British High Dating advices exeter in
(ambassador) in Pakistan, Sir Hilary Synnott, now with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said: “Pakistan desperately needs to have the shackles of the army loosened, though the army is likely to have to play a significant role for the foreseeable future.

“The most productive approach for Pakistan’s friends is to encourage a process towards democracy and good governance rather than promoting a crackdown.

“Pakistan has managed many crises before by muddling through, before lurching onto the next one. As for the North Waziristan agreement, the relationships Musharraf had there were not working either and Pakistan was losing more soldiers than Nato.

“But no amount of Pakistani co-operation is likely to be sufficient for coalition military leaders. The tension there will continue.”

Dr Gareth Price, head of the Asia programme at Chatham House in London, added: “It is hard to see huge changes in the tribal areas. Pakistan asks what more it can realistically do.”

However, talk about a takeover in Pakistan by Islamic extremists is reckoned by Pakistan watchers to be exaggerated. “It’s hogwash,” was how Seth Jones, an analyst at the Rand Corporation was quoted as saying recently in the Christian Science Monitor.

An article in Time magazine said of Gen Musharraf: “No leader in Asia, perhaps in the world, has survived the number and magnitude of political crises that he has endured in recent months. But the question today is whether he has dared too much. Musharraf now faces the gravest challenge of his life.”

The article was dated 19 July 2002.

Paul.Reynolds-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

A forthcoming visit by the new British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Pakistan comes at yet another delicate moment in relations between the West and President Pervez Musharraf. Concern has been expressed, particularly in Washington, about President Dating flirting tip ability to control the remote tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan, in which, according to US officials, Osama Bin Laden is probably located and al-Qaeda is rebuilding its organisation in a “safe haven”. President Musharraf counters that he is acting against terrorism throughout Pakistan, doing so most recently when he ordered troops to storm the Red Mosque occupied by Islamic militants in Islamabad. The current point at issue is the future of the agreement he reached with tribal leaders in North Waziristan last year under which the areas would be policed largely by the tribes themselves. Cross-border attacks A US National Dating free man relationship tip Estimate on the threat to the US homeland from al-Qaeda issued last week concluded that this policy had not worked: “We assess the group has protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability, including: a safe haven in the Pakistan Federally Free dating tip for man Tribal Areas (Fata), operational lieutenants, and its top leadership.” A US official threatened that the United States might launch a hot pursuit of Osama Bin Laden within Pakistan if he was found, a statement that has alarmed Pakistani officials, who say that they should be in the lead in such an eventuality. The US, supported by Britain, is putting pressure on President Musharraf to tighten his grip in the tribal areas. It is not only al-Qaeda that is the concern. The Taleban crosses the border to attack Nato troops supporting the Afghan government. In his most recent radio address last Saturday, President Bush implicitly criticised the Pakistani strongman: “Unfortunately, tribal leaders were unwilling and unable to go after al-Qaeda or the Taleban,” President Bush said of last year’s agreement. But he also praised Gen Musharraf for accepting that something more needed to be done, signalling that Washington was standing by the man it has needed so much in its war against al-Qaeda. “President Musharraf recognises the agreement has not been successful or well-enforced and is taking active steps to correct it,” President Bush added. Frustration Other political figures in Washington have been blunter. Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper from Tennessee asked of the tribal areas: “Is this a Motel 6 for terrorists?” According to Daniel Markey, a former Department of State official and now with the Council on Foreign Relations, such comments reflect an American frustration with Pakistan that runs the risk of inducing policy changes. In an article in Foreign Affairs magazine, he argued against this approach, saying that the US should continue to support President Musharraf and the Pakistan military, and avoid rebukes and talk of sanctions, such as a delay on the sale of F-16 fighters or the ending of financial assistance after the current package ends in 2009. Is this a Motel 6 for terrorists? Congressman Jim Cooper At the same time, he said, Pakistan should be pressed on democratic improvements. “Washington should shift gears in its approach to Pakistan, but it should not reverse course,” he concluded. The Great Survivor Gen President Pervez Musharraf has been down this path before, in the difficult balancing act he has carried out between keeping the US happy without provoking too strong a reaction from his opponents at home. He is, so far, the great survivor of South Asian politics. And at the moment, he has to deal not only with American concerns but also with domestic troubles. These include the strong reaction by Islamic extremists to the Red Mosque attack and his own political future. No amount of Pakistani co-operation is likely to be sufficient for coalition military leaders Dr Gareth Price, Chatham House Asia programme A former British High Commissioner (ambassador) in Pakistan, Sir Hilary Synnott, now with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said: “Pakistan desperately needs to have the shackles of the army loosened, though the army is likely to have to play a significant role for the foreseeable future. “The most productive approach for Pakistan’s friends is to encourage a process towards democracy and good governance rather than promoting a crackdown. “Pakistan has managed many crises before by muddling through, before lurching onto the next one. As for the North Waziristan agreement, the relationships Musharraf had there were not working either and Pakistan was losing more soldiers than Nato. “But no amount of Pakistani co-operation is likely to be sufficient for coalition military leaders. The tension there will continue.” Dr Gareth Price, head of the Asia programme at Chatham House in London, added: “It is hard to see huge changes in the tribal areas. Pakistan asks what more it can realistically do.” However, talk about a takeover in Pakistan by Islamic extremists is reckoned by Pakistan watchers to be exaggerated. “It’s hogwash,” was how Seth Jones, an analyst at the Rand Corporation was quoted as saying recently in the Christian Science Monitor. An article in Time magazine said of Gen Musharraf: “No leader in Asia, perhaps in the world, has survived the number and magnitude of political crises that he has endured in recent months. But the question today is whether he has dared too much. Musharraf now faces the gravest challenge of his life.” The article was dated 19 July 2002. Paul.Reynolds-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

Actress Cameron Diaz has accepted “dating advices free herpes site ” libel damages over a UK newspaper story which alleged she was having an affair with a married man. Ms Diaz, 32, sued News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, over a story published in May 2005. Following an investigation The Sun has admitted “any suggestion of a romantic involvement is entirely untrue and without any substance whatsoever”. Charlie’s Angels star Diaz has dated singer Justin Timberlake since 2003. The article in The Sun claimed: “Justin Timberlake’s bride-to-be Cameron Diaz has been caught snogging a married man.” The man was reported to be her MTV colleague Shane Nickerson. ‘Caught out’ “It was explained to the reader that he was a married man, married to a high school teacher and that he was also the father of a one-year-old daughter,” Ms Diaz’s lawyer Simon Smith told the High Court in London. Readers were informed, said Mr Smith, that “they have enjoyed more than just a on line dating tip relationship”. The article went on to say the actress had been caught out “while her pop star fiance prepared to go into hospital for a throat operation”. However, The Sun has since accepted that “the relevant incident involved no more than Ms Diaz giving a friend a goodbye hug”. Ms Diaz has been dating Justin Timberlake for more than two years “The publication of these greek dating advices websites has caused damage to the claimant’s personal and professional reputation, in addition to obvious distress to both herself, Mr Timberlake, Mr Nickerson and his wife,” said Mr Smith. News Group Newspapers has agreed to pay undisclosed damages to the actress and reimburse her legal costs. “In those circumstances and in light of this vindication my client is prepared not to proceed any further against The Sun newspaper.” The hearing did not concern a second defendant, American Media Inc, publisher of the National Enquirer magazine, “against whom these dating advices jewish men will continue”, said Mr Smith. News Group Newspapers lawyer Benjamin Beabey told Mr Justice Eady The Sun’s story was based upon the earlier report in the National Enquirer. “It entirely accepts that the allegations are without foundation and ought never to have been published.” Earlier this week, Ms Diaz saw photographer John Rutter found guilty of trying to sell topless photos of the actress in 2003. Mr Rutter was convicted in a Los Angeles court of forgery, attempted grand theft and perjury. He is due to be sentenced on 15 September.

dating seduction tip://datingadvicesdetroit.theautocreator.net/2008/05/16/news-japanese-women/”>Dating advices free teen
der Michael Howard has denounced as nonsense a magazine article claiming Advice on dating advices women
“wallow” in “victim status”.

An editorial in The Spectator, edited by Tory MP Boris Johnson, said the city’s outpouring of grief for Ken Bigley was “disproportionate”.

The article aroused instant fury in Liverpool.

Mr Johnson has told the BBC he now thinks the article was “too trenchantly expressed”.

I feel it’s a kick in the pants for me from Michael Howard Boris Johnson

Mr Howard said: “I totally disagree with the comment in The Spectator about Liverpool. I have nothing but the greatest admiration and affection for Liverpool and its people.

“I think what was said in the Spectator was nonsense from beginning to end.”

The leader’s comments forced Mr Johnson to step back from some aspects of the article.

“I think the article was too trenchantly expressed but we were trying to make a point about advice dating tip,” he told the BBC.

“I feel it’s a kick in the pants for me from Michael Howard.”

Despite the controversy, a Tory spokesman said Mr Johnson’s job as shadow minister for culture, media and sport was not under threat.

‘Tribal grievance’

The article, in the issue dated 16 October, says people in Liverpool “cannot accept that they might have made any contribution to their misfortunes, but seek rather to blame someone else for it, thereby deepening their sense of shared tribal grievance about the rest of society”.

It says Liverpudlians “wallow” in their “victim status”, adding it is part of the “deeply unattractive psyche” of many in the city.

The article goes on to say Ken Bigley’s brother Paul was wrong to say the Prime Minister has “blood on his hands”.

We’re a friendly city and we stand by each other Phil Hammond, Hillsborough Family Support Group

It says Mr Bigley took a risk by working in Iraq against the advice of the Foreign Office, and that “his motives and misjudgements… should, without lessening sympathy for him and his family, temper the outpouring of sentimentality in which many have engaged for him”.

It also says the city made a scapegoat of police in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, refusing to acknowledge the part played “by drunken fans at the back of the crowd who mindlessly tried to fight their way into the ground”.

The incident claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool football supporters.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group described the article as “typical Tory propaganda”.

Phil Hammond, vice chairman of the group said: “Boris Johnson, he knows nothing about this.

“He doesn’t even know how many people died at Hillsborough. They wrote that it was ‘more than 50′.

“I doubt whether he has ever been to Liverpool.

“We don’t see ourselves as victims. We’re a friendly city and we stand by each other when one of us gets hurt or killed.”

---

This discussion is now closed. Here are a selection of comments we received

I am Welsh and have lived happily on Merseyside since 1989. I watched the Sun and A.A. Gill vilify Scousers and I thought Boris Johnson was of a slightly more humane stand point. Obviously not. This is no self pity city, but one on the up and with a smile on its face which it retained through the grim years as well.
Iain Logan, Liverpool

I do feel sorry for the family, but he did go there to make money ignoring the fact that people have been kidnapped and killed. He took the risk and it did not pay off for him. I wonder if he would have been there if the pay was 7:50 an hour? I doubt it. Another case of greed before safety.
John, Newcastle

I am 19 years old and I am totally and utterly disgusted in the comments made by Mr Johnson. Although I myself am not from Liverpool, I was very proud to see that the city supported the Bigley family in their many weeks of anguish. The moments of silence that occurred out of respect for Ken after his inhumane killing was unbelievable and could have only been done with such sincerity in the town I would be honoured to call home. As to bringing Hillsborough into the question the man should take a long hard look at himself. We should count our blessings Mr Johnson is not from Liverpool as if he were he would have been brought up to be a decent human being.
Sarah Dobie, Runcorn, Cheshire

Boris Johnson is about spot on this time. Liverpudlians also seem to think they are funny as well!
Melvyn Packham, Sittingbourne

Some people have a depressing need to demonise others to bolster their own pathetic self-image Ian Barry, Niagra Falls, Canada

Yet again the Tories prove just how out of touch they are with the British public. I expect the same will happen to The Spectator as it did to The Sun after their Hillsborough coverage, Liverpudlians boycotting the title. Rightly so.
Adam Barber, Islington, London

Usual Tory contempt for the city of Liverpool and the people.
Phil Woodward, Liverpool

Some people have a depressing need to demonise others to bolster their own pathetic self-image. Overt racism is no longer acceptable so people like Johnson must seek other ways to express their bitterness and hatred engendered by their own inadequacies. His use of the word “tribal” implies a sense of belonging that those who live in the commuter towns of the south-east can never experience. Very few Londoners are from London and can never truly feel at home there. I feel sorry for him.
Ian Barry, Niagra Falls, Canada

Having read Boris’s editorial I largely agree. After all, what was it that Ken Bigley was reported to have said before his abduction? “I’m not afraid, you only die once.” Equally, I am tempted to regard Paul Bigley’s criticism’s that Tony Blair “has blood on his hands” in a less than charitable light by the revelation that it was he who encouraged his brother to seek work in Iraq.
Paul Bambury, Liverpool

I agree completely with the comments made in the editorial, and think it’s about time the people of Liverpool opened up to other views.
Drew, Newcastle

Boris Johnson should be totally ashamed of himself and the Tory party should consider booting him and the likes of him out permanently Lorraine, Cheshire

I’ve always liked Boris Johnson, and this is one of his best ‘contentious’ comments yet. I’ve lived in Liverpool for four years now, and there is sadly more than an element of truth in what he says. Which is why I’ve sold up and I’m leaving Merseyside at the end of the month. For good.
Chris Young, Liverpool

These comments are typical of the type of out of touch cretins who have never suffered any hardship or loss and who have no grasp of reality or working class people that are the face of the dying Tory party today. If Liverpudlians wallow in their victim status then they have every right to do so in my opinion when you consider the horrendous torture and murder suffered so needlessly by one of their own.
Lorraine, Cheshire

Having watched ‘Have I Got News For You’ often, I have always thought Boris a comedic fool. Unfortunately I must now revise that opinion. He is 100% right in his article about the subject of Ken Bigley and Diana, Princess of Wales. Ken Bigley is being held up for sainthood by many, but he was not in Iraq for purely humanitarian reasons, like many of the other, less well known hostages from Aid agencies. He was being paid (well!) to be there, and was old enough and experienced enough to know the risks. Personally I would like to see a moment’s silence accorded to ever single soldier, man, woman and child killed in Iraq, whether by military force or lack of sufficient humanitarian aid.
Iain Hicken, Swindon, UK

There’s a lot of truth in what The Spectator has published on this. My grandfather built a regional supermarket chain in the north west of England, but he refused ever to source anything from Liverpool, despite it being the primary distribution point for the region. The reason? Liverpool workers spent more time striking than working - he would not have been able to run his business. So no matter how charming Liverpudlians can be, the city does seem - still - to suffer a kind of collective neurosis and persecution complex. If they worked a little more and striked a little less, perhaps people wouldn’t write stuff like this about them!
James, London, Uk

Liverpudlians find it too easy to bear a grudge which is really sad Vanessa, Liverpool

I have to agree to a point, I work in Liverpool and they really do tend to wallow in any form or grief they can get their hands on, even if it isn’t theirs, they borrow it, act as if they aren’t part of England but just their own country.
The Hillsborough comments are totally out of order though.
Anon, Manchester UK

I’m absolutely flabbergasted such arrogance and bigotry still exists. Courage and dignity is also displayed in my home city and such insults are not thrown from behind a veil. We are strong people emotionally, physically and personally. Your comments will never be forgiven. How dare you patronise all you obviously do not understand nor can begin to comprehend. We are a community. Always have been and always will be.

Kerrie, Jersey, C.I. (ex-pat)

As a resident of Liverpool for the past six-and-a-half years I would have to say that Boris Johnson is entirely correct in his view of Scousers. I’ve noticed it many times - most importantly as regards the Hillsborough disaster. Liverpudlians still despise the Sun newspaper for its reporting of the event, despite retractions and apologies. The furore when Rooney did an article with them was massive. Phil Hammond is correct in saying that Liverpudlians are friendly and happy people - this is very true, I love the local people and like them, I’m really excited about the city’s future. However, their friendliness does not detract from the fact that Liverpudlians find it too easy to bear a grudge which is really sad.
Vanessa, Liverpool

Rather than wallowing in their victim status - the public grief shown by the people of the city is typical of northern cities where a sense of community still exists, and where people are not afraid to interact.
Carl, UK

The outpouring of grief and sympathy shows how compassionate people are, not that they are revelling in despair Julie, Edinburgh

Johnson is both right and wrong. He is utterly wrong in his profile of the Scousers and their solidarity. His remarks are highly insensitive and offensive. His one valid point is that Mr Bigley’s brother’s “blood on his hands” comment concerning Tony Blair was unfair. I can not see how giving in to kidnapper’s demands can ever be justified, no matter how much we sympathise with the victim & their family
Neil Johnson (no relation), Luxembourg

I echo the view that the article is more Tory propaganda. Indeed, not only the Tories, but certain sections of southern Britain seem to take great delight in having a pop at Scousers at every opportunity. Whether it’s jealousy, lack of comprehension or a feeling of alienation when confronted with a genuine warm, witty and caring people, I just don’t know. But it is very sad nonetheless. Pathetic and callous.
Andrew Kennedy, Cambridge, England

I usually admire Boris Johnson but the comments made in The Spectator about Ken Bigley’s death and the people of Liverpool are disgusting. What is he thinking of? An innocent man was held captive for three weeks, subjected to Lord knows and then barbarically murdered. The outpouring of grief and sympathy shows how compassionate people are, not that they are revelling in despair. I think the people of Liverpool are to be admired, not mocked.
Julie , Edinburgh

I have lived in Liverpool for two years and found the Scousers a close-knit community always ready to stand by and help each other when the going gets tough. They are genuinely friendly and caring - needless to say I can think of a few UK cities that could do with taking a leaf out of Liverpool’s book…
Simon, Montral, Quebec, Canada

Anyone who reads this article (and I can tell that most of the people commenting here have not), will notice that it is not as pejorative as is being made out. It is extremely well written and in my view persuasive. Not having been to Liverpool I cannot say whether it is accurate about Liverpudlians, but the fundamental point is that poor Ken Bigley took a risk and lost, exactly as many of our soldiers have done. I don’t agree with the war in Iraq. But I cannot accept that Ken Bigley deserves more sympathy than our soldiers who have died there. It’s so self indulgent. We all followed his harrowing last days with dread and disgust.
Toby Aldriich, London UK

The truth always hurts James Faulkner, Northampton

In many ways this criticism of a town sticking together in the face of adversity stinks of jealousy. The friendly people of Liverpool do stick together exactly like a modern community should, but this is not possible in places like London were the city is so divided into different ethnic districts that it simply isn’t possible. The Spectator proves yet again that it is out of touch with reality and sadly has to criticise instead of support a proud group of people…
Michael Williams, London, U.K.

Only a simple statement can respond to this article…. the truth always hurts!
James Faulkner, Northampton

I think Boris has missed the point regarding Ken Bigley. Surely the grief of Liverpudlians and everyone else comes from the fact that we watched day after day as this man stewed in an Iraqi hidey-hole and nothing was done to help him. It put the futility of the Iraq war into stark focus. I certainly don’t think anyone is wallowing in anything, they are having a compassionate reaction to a horrible event.
Clare McKenna, Nottingham, UK

This man clearly has no morals or has no clue about the people of Liverpool. We do not wallow we care and support our fellow Scousers and we as a city were not the only ones to mourn the death of poor Ken Bigley. Half of the world sent emails to support his family. I suggest he makes a public apology
Julie, Liverpool

Not happy with plunging the knife after the death of a local man this article then twists the knife in the wounds of the families and friends of the 96 (not 50) innocent football fans that died at Hillsborough. I cannot understand such cruelty in an article, I cannot understand why anyone feels these comments have to be made or the logic behind them. I know that the city will react to them and very harshly in the next election and we’ll see just who is the victim then.
David Stanley, Merseyside

Just because you don’t agree with his views doesn’t mean he should resign. What ever happened to freedom of speech? K. Georges, Liverpool

Great Boris, another superb, accurate and contentious observation. Boris for PM!!
Patricia, Henley

It is not just Boris Johnson what about Billy Connolly’s remarks, perhaps he should be ignored and his shows cancelled
Jan Mashlan, Cheshire, UK

Why can’t people take an opinion anymore? These attacks on Boris Johnson are absolutely ridiculous. Surely Liverpool are proving his point.
Victoria Scott, Congleton, Cheshire

I think the people of Liverpool need to get off their high horse. He is entitled to his own opinion and is perfectly within his rights to express his views. Just because you don’t agree with his views doesn’t mean he should resign. What ever happened to freedom of speech?
K. Georges, Liverpool

I am disgusted at the article written by Boris Johnson he shouldn’t be made to resign he should be SACKED through his ignorance and arrogance
Ronnie McGreal, Liverpool

I have read the article and largely agree with it. Ken Bigley chose to stay in Iraq, earning a huge salary. Where are the 2 minute silences and black armbands for British soldiers killed, who are there serving their country?
Gary, Manchester, UK

Liverpudlians have proved the article right by complaining about it, thereby being victims again Andrew Brown, Liverpool

We in Liverpool have long memories, ask the Sun who have never recovered their circulation after their comments about the Hillsborough disaster. Have they learnt nothing???????? MP’s think the public are stupid. I wonder.
Carol Daniels, Liverpool

If Liverpool was a marginal, Johnson would have kept his mouth shut
Brian, Liverpool

The Spectator has got Liverpudlians ’spot on’.
We DO wallow in the status of victims, but don’t agree that we always blame someone else. Liverpudlians have proved the article right by complaining about it, thereby being victims again. You are NOT allowed to have a go at this city, even though it’s littered with anti-socials, dog mess and broken glass !
Andrew Brown, Liverpool, England

Why have a go at Boris Johnson, he didn’t write the article he only approved it. Why don’t people have a go at the writer of the article.
Paul, Blackburn

Always thought Boris Johnson was an example of upper class fool, who because of daddies inheritance, didn’t need to concentrate on getting an education. Well reading his comments, I rest my case. Stick to the arts.
Steven Patterson, Cleveleys , Lancashire

We hear a lot from Liverpudlians about tragedies like Hillsborough. Rather less about tragedies like Heysel.
Simon Porter, Wirral

I have lived in Liverpool for over 20 years up to 2001. The article in the spectator hit the nail on the head. Liverpudlians all believe that they have the monopoly on grief. Good Lord, how many of them who say they have been traumatised by Ken Bigley’s murder even knew him. Mr Bigley may have come from Liverpool but he spent little time there. Even his son doesn’t live in Liverpool. As for city of culture, they are having a laugh.
Jeff Martin, Bolton

Web giant Google is further expanding its online empire with the launch of the Google News Archive Search. The web-based tool allows users to explore existing digitised newspaper articles spanning the last 200 years and more recent online content. People using the search are shown results from both free and dating advices favour links news outlets. Partners in the project include the websites of US newspaper the New York Times and the Guardian from the UK. Other sources include news herpes dating advices services , websites which collect and display news stories from multiple sources. “The goal here is to be able to explore history as it unfolded,” said Anurag Acharya, an engineer at Google and one of the team behind the project. “It’s fascinating to see how people’s attitudes and emotions have changed through time.” History lesson The new service searches hundreds of different news sources to answer a user’s query. The exact number of sources is confidential. Results are presented in similar fashion to a Google News search, with “related” articles about the same event grouped together. Free and charged-for articles are displayed side by side. The ability to browse this historical overview allows users to identify key time periods and get some sense of the flow of events Anurag Acharya Google’s empire With pages from commercial websites, the cost of viewing them is also shown. Google says search results are based on relevance, not asian dating advices sites with companies. Users can also view articles using a timeline that displays key dates associated with a story. So the first Moon landing would highlight 1969 as a key date, but also identify other years when lunar landings took place or when the topic was in the news. “The ability to browse this historical overview allows users to identify key time periods and get some sense of the flow of events,” said Mr Acharya. The earliest known searchable story is, he said, from “somewhere in the mid-1700s” - considerably older than the current 30-day archive offered through Google News. The service is accessed through the news archive website or the Google news page. It is also activated when it can provide relevant results to a user’s search on google.com. In this case, links to the most relevant historical news articles are displayed separately above the normal search results. Historical challenge The launch of the news archive search extends Google’s influence over how the world’s information is indexed, searched and accessed. The way we access information is changing According to online research firm Nielsen/NetRatings, more than 380 million people used the search engine every month in 2005. The company is also expanding into areas other than search. In August it announced plans to offer consumers the chance to download and print classic novels free of charge. “I’m strongly in favour of the dating tip and advice for man of access to historical documents, but also cautious about how much information Google now controls,” said Professor Roy Rosenzweig, a historian from the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University in the US. He says that increasingly the model of how we access information and what information we have access to is changing, as public archives such as libraries are replaced by private companies. But, he says, he is “extremely excited” about Google’s latest offering. “As a scholar and historian I want as much information as possible, accessible to as many people as possible at the least cost, and the extent to which Google is doing that is compelling.” Google says it plans to launch the news archive search service on other married women dating advices Google sites soon.

The Ministry of Defence has failed in its battle to stop clothing retailers using the red, white and blue target symbol. Arcadia Group, owners of Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton, went to war with the MoD after it tried to register the roundel as a trademark for RAF-related clothing. The high street fashion group argued the roundel was brought into the public domain by the Mod movement of the 1960s. On Tuesday, the Patent Office told BBC News Online it had rejected the MoD’s application. However, the MoD has been given the sole rights to use the roundel, which appears on all RAF aircraft, on items other than clothing such as military hardware. Mod fashions A spokeswoman for the MoD said they were now considering whether to appeal against the decision. The target appears on all RAF aircraft “We are naturally disappointed with the decision in respect of the suitability of the roundel as a trademark for RAF-related clothing,” she said. “However we are happy that the roundel has been protected as a trademark in respect of other goods and services.” Arcadia Group had enlisted the help of other clothing dating free pal pen tip zambia, including The Lambretta Clothing Company, who have also used the motif on their products. Making his decision John Macgillivray, for the Registrar the Advice dating relationship seduction tip, said the roundel “has been used since the 1960s to a dating flirting tip degree as a decorative motif or emblem on articles of clothing and prior to the relevant date has been used by a number of different traders. “It has, in particular, been associated with a group of persons known as Mods and while its african dating advices site has ebbed and flowed with fashion, clothing bearing the ’roundel’ or ‘target device’ has remained available to the public.” He ordered the MoD to pay the Arcadia Group 1,900 costs.