Mainstream News

Moscow Subway To Use Devices To Read Data On Phones

"The head of police for Moscow's subway system has said stations will soon be equipped with devices that can read the data on the mobile telephones of passengers. In the July 29 edition of 'Izvestia,' Moscow Metro police chief Andrei Mokhov said the device would be used to help locate stolen mobile phones. Mokhov said the devices have a range of about 5 meters and can read the SIM card. According to experts, the devices can be used more widely to follow all passengers. Mokhov said it was illegal to track a person without permission from the authorities, but that there was no law against tracking the property of a company, such as a SIM card." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMoscow Subway To Use Devices To Read Data On Phones

Edward Snowden granted refugee status in Russia, leaves airport

"Fugitive former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden slipped quietly out of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Thursday after Russia granted him temporary asylum, ending more than a month in limbo in the transit area.A Russian lawyer who has been assisting Snowden said the American, who is wanted in the United States for leaking details of secret government intelligence programmes, had gone to a secure location which would remain secret. After weeks staying out of sight from hordes of reporters desperate for a glimpse of him, Snowden managed to slip away in a taxi without being spotted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEdward Snowden granted refugee status in Russia, leaves airport

Government releases declassified documents on NSA spying authorization

"The U.S. Director of National Intelligence released three declassified documents that authorized and explained the bulk collection of phone data, one of the secret surveillance programs revealed by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. The declassification was made in the 'interest of increased transparency,' the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement. Much of what is contained in the documents has already been divulged in public hearings by intelligence officials as they sought to detail what was initially disclosed by Snowden." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGovernment releases declassified documents on NSA spying authorization

Report: TSA employee misconduct up 26% in 3 years

"The Transportation Security Administration is probably not going to top anyone's list of Favorite Federal Government Agencies. And the stories of its failures spread faster than a speeding jetliner: TSA officers stealing money from luggage, taking bribes from drug dealers, sleeping on the job. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that a new Government Accountability Office report, citing a 26% increase in misconduct among TSA employees between 2010 and 2012, is striking a nerve with some travelers who've had to endure the shoeless, beltless shuffle on the trip through security." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReport: TSA employee misconduct up 26% in 3 years

ObamaCare Dropping Full-Timers at Schools, Local Governments

"School districts in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Utah, Nebraska, and Indiana are dropping to part-time status school workers such as teacher aides, administrators, secretaries, bus drivers, gym teachers, coaches and cafeteria workers. Cities or counties in states like California, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Michigan and Iowa are dropping to part-time status government workers such as librarians, secretaries, administrators, parks and recreation officials and public works officials. The federal law forces employers with at least 50 full-time workers to cover at least 60% of health-care costs for employees who work 30 hours or more per week." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObamaCare Dropping Full-Timers at Schools, Local Governments

In Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting

"The number of people seeking permits to buy guns has surged in this town following the December massacre of schoolchildren by a local man, even as the parents of some victims had urged stricter weapons laws nationwide. Through July 24, more than 200 people in Newtown have received new local pistol permits, according to a review of local records, surpassing the 171 new permits issued for all of last year. Such permits are prerequisites for Connecticut permits that allow people to purchase and carry pistols as well as rifles or shotguns." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting

Unions: Obamacare Will ‘Destroy The Very Health and Wellbeing’ of Workers

"The Affordable Care Act has a new, high profile set of dissenters: Unions. The leaders of three major U.S. unions, including the highly influential Teamsters, have sent a scathing letter to Democratic leaders in Congress, warning that unless changes are made, President Obama’s health care reform plan will 'destroy the foundation of the 40 hour work week that is the backbone of the American middle class.' If that’s not bad enough, the Affordable Care Act, if not modified, will 'destroy the very health and wellbeing of our members along with millions of other hardworking Americans,' the letter says." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnions: Obamacare Will ‘Destroy The Very Health and Wellbeing’ of Workers

Illinois medical marijuana bill to be signed Thursday

"Gov. Pat Quinn will sign a bill into law Thursday legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes in Illinois at an event at the University of Chicago. For years, the measure had failed to gain traction at the Capitol, particularly in the House. But sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, was able to cobble together a simple majority in the spring to send the bill to the Senate, where a similar but less restrictive bill had passed in previous years. One reason Quinn said he was giving legalized pot more thought was that he was impressed by an injured military veteran who maintained marijuana provided him relief from war wounds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIllinois medical marijuana bill to be signed Thursday

NSA director Keith Alexander insists mass surveillance programs respect privacy

"Alexander, who is usually shy of publicity, attempted to win over the 7,000-strong gathering of industry professionals in Las Vegas as part of a charm offensive to contain the damage and deter Washington from curbing the programmes. Security guards confiscated eggs – presumably intended to be thrown – minutes before the NSA chief spoke. A few hecklers interrupted, accusing him of 'lying', 'bullshitting' and not reading the constitution. 'I have read it. So should you,' he shot back, earning laughs and applause. He praised the audience and invited them to help improve NSA. The performance won over the hackers, who applauded warmly at the end." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNSA director Keith Alexander insists mass surveillance programs respect privacy

Twitter report: U.S. leads the world in demands for user information

"Governments submitted a total of 1,157 requests for information about Twitter accounts, with 78 percent of those queries coming from the United States, according to a transparency report issued by the globally popular one-to-many test messaging service. Twitter reported that it gave US authorities what they sought in 67 percent of the cases. Twitter said the requests typically were made in connection with criminal investigations and lamented that it was barred by law from revealing anything about information demanded through US national security letters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwitter report: U.S. leads the world in demands for user information