Sustainable Communities Act launched today

"The Sustainable Communities Act gives new powers to communities and their elected councils to drive government policy to tackle local economic, social and environmental issues. It was supported by 80 national organisations, 300 local organisations, over 1000 parish and town councils and thousands of individuals."

Today sees the launch of the Sustainable Communities Act which was brought in to give local councils and communities to find and implement local resolutions to local problems.  The effects of the act could be quite wide-ranging, but could include initiatives to tackle crime, unemployment and housing; the protection of post-offices, shops, police stations and other other important services; plans to improve or implement local transport systems. You can read more about the act here and here,  you will also find sample letters you can send to your local councillor if you wish to ask your council to get involved.

UK government use anti-terror laws against Icelandic bank

When I first saw this news story I thought I'd misread the headline, but no, it's true. Obviously, people who have invested in Landsbanki would dearly like to get their money back, but still, this seems pretty harsh.

I am Vlad! Hear me roar!

There's a humorous piece about Vladimir Putin (aka Pootie Poot) by Barbara Ellen in today's Observer - you need to scroll down some way to find it.

Say what you like about Bush and Brown, at least neither man has ever resorted to assailing our eyes with his nekkid flesh or tramping around jungles like a diminutive Ernest Hemmingway.

If you were Sarah Palin's child . . .

what would your name be? I'd be Dust Chinstrap Palin. Hmm. That's got quite a ring to it, much better than boring Kate, I may take it up. Look out for posts from Dust Chinstrap in future.

Foreign policy of US presidential candidates

Wondering what a new administration in Washington will mean for the rest of us? Me too. So, I went in search of the foreign policies of both Barack Obama and John McCain.

Mr Obama seems to have a very well developed foreign policy which covers several pages of his website. You can find it here, and if you (like me) live in Europe here are his plans for us.

I couldn't find a definitive foreign policy for Mr McCain - I'm sure he has one, I just couldn't find it, maybe it's secret - but I did this transcript on his website.

As ever, share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

Enjoy your weekend!

Local councils request guarantees for Icelandic investments

The Times has published a list of local councils which may lose money invested in the Icelandic banking system. I notice my own local authority is among them - is yours?

What are your thoughts about the situation? Are you concerned about possible rises in council tax and/or loss of services. Would you support a government rescue package? Share your thoughts in the comments.