'Putin in underwear' artist flees to France

An artist who painted Russian President Vladimir Putin in women's underwear has fled to France, where it is believed he is seeking asylum.

Fearing arrest Russian artist Konstantin Altunin left Russia on Tuesday after having his work seized from an exhibition at a small museum in St Petersburg.

The painting was one of four taking by authorities, other artworks taken included a portrait of politician Vitaly Milonov, one of the creators of Russia’s controversial anti-gay laws,  depicted alongside a rainbow flag which is an international symbol of gay pride.

After authorities were alerted by a member of the public who believed the paintings were breaking the law, police armed with Kalashnikovs raided the Museum of Power on Tuesday to confiscate the artworks.

It has not yet been stated by authorities which laws the paintings break, but it is believed that the police may seek to press charges under the country’s recently passed controversial law banning the promotion of homosexuality to minors.

Vitaly Milonov, the creator of the new laws, visited the exhibition, later appearing on St Petersburg’s Echo radio station. The MP publicly dismissed the works of art as "tasteless, at the same level as a yob from a vocational college who scribbles in a toilet at a bus stop".

Police have ability to block protester's Apple cameras during demonstrations

Apple has patented technology that would allow authorities to block electronic transmissions in any location they feel necessary.

Many concerns have already been raised regarding the issue, with fears that authorities could use the technology during protests to block the transmission of video or photographic evidence of their own brutality or unacceptable behaviour.

However, Apple have claimed that the technology is aimed to be used more often in cinemas, academic lectures, funerals and other venues where mobile devices should not be used. Nevertheless, they went on to further state that:

"Government operations may require complete 'blackout' conditions. The wireless transmission of sensitive information is one example of a threat to security."

Using GPS and WiFi a 'geofence' can be built, surrounding 'sensitive' locations within which an encoded signal is sent, deeming all recording functions on wireless devices useless.

Although Apple created the technology, the decision regarding how it is used will be beyond their control, with final say going to the government.

In their patent Apple further explained: "More and more people are carrying these devices in various social and professional settings. The result is that these wireless devices can often annoy, frustrate and even threaten people in sensitive areas."

Further examples given of 'sensitive' areas included religious ceremonies, theatres, concerts and meetings.

Apple's famous 1984 advertisement, aired just once, during The Super Bowl, is often regarded as one of the best adverts ever. Advertising the launch of the Apple Macintosh, their twist on Orwell's novel claimed that buying their product would help to fight a dystopia, with its release allowing people to 'see why 1984 won't be like 1984.'

Perhaps this could be regarded more fittingly, as one of the most ironic moments in television history. As it seems it is Apple's technology that is providing the government with the tools it needs to fulfil Orwell's prophecy.

The detention of David Miranda - is the UK a democracy or a tyrannical dystopia?

A law that allows authorities to search and interrogate people without charge or arrest for nine hours? 

This law may sound like it exists in a George Orwell novel, sadly however it exists in 21st century Britain.Citizens seeking freedom of information are persecuted, privacy from government is endangered to near extinction and basic liberty has been deemed unimportant.

The aforementioned law is Schedule 7 of the UK's Terrorism Act 2000. The act has been brought to recent mainstream attention following the detention of David Miranda at Heathrow Airport. Mr Miranda was held and interrogated for the maximum amount of time allowed by law which is 9 hours.

Mr Miranda lives in Brazil with his partner, Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, the reporter who interviewed whistle blower Edward Snowden earlier this year.

David Miranda (left) Glenn Greenwald (right)

Due to Schedule 7 authorities have the ability to stop travellers at airports and ports with rules and basic rights found elsewhere thrown out of the window. Suspects have no right to remain silent, have their possessions confiscated and may be detained for up to nine hours with no right to legal representation. Anyone suspected of being a terrorist can be questioned, but these laws have clearly been taken advantage of.

Mr Miranda was believed to have been on his way home to partner Glenn Greenwald before being detained at Heathrow as he changed flight from Berlin to Brazil. Mr Greenwald has since revealed that some of the items confiscated at Heathrow were encrypted computer hard-drives containing details about Mr Snowden that Mr Miranda intended to forward to Mr Greenwald.

The definition of the word terrorism is the use of violence or intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. It certainly sounds like our own government were the ones doing the intimidating here. I am lead to believe that David Cameron sanctioned the interrogation, with Downing Street admitting that the government was "kept abreast of the operation".

 The White House stated that they did not request the arrest but said that they had been informed about it from British officials.