Mainstream News

China blasts U.S. surveillance program exposed by Edward Snowden

"China’s official army newspaper branded the U.S. Internet surveillance programme exposed by former spy Edward Snowden as 'frightening', and accused the US of being a 'habitual offender' when it comes to network monitoring. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily hit out at the US for implying that spying on citizens from other countries was justified, and said that the PRISM monitoring programme had probably been used to collect large amounts of data unrelated to anti-terrorism operations. The remarks about the programme are among the most scathing to appear in China’s state-run press following Beijing’s refusal to make an official comment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina blasts U.S. surveillance program exposed by Edward Snowden

Rio police tear gas thousands at protest demanding health care and education

"Police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse around 3,000 protestors from outside Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium ahead of the Confederations Cup match between Italy and Mexico on Sunday. The demonstrators were attempting to enter the stadium in protest at the vast sums of money spent on the organisation of the tournament and next year’s World Cup, which Brazil is also hosting. 'I don’t care about the World Cup — I want health and education!' chanted protestors. The start of the competition has been marked by protests over the huge cost of preparations to host the World Cup, which is expected to reach $15 million (11 billion euros)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRio police tear gas thousands at protest demanding health care and education

Putin questions why Western powers support Syrian rebels who ‘eat human organs’

"Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West against arming Syrian rebels on Sunday. In his first public comments since a decision by President Barack Obama’s administration to arm rebels trying to overthrow Assad, Putin said Russia wanted to create the conditions for settling the two-year conflict. 'I think you will not deny that one does not really need to support the people who not only kill their enemies, but open up their bodies, eat their intestines, in front of the public and cameras,' Putin said at a joint news conference in London. 'Are these the people you want to support? Is it them who you want to supply with weapons?'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPutin questions why Western powers support Syrian rebels who ‘eat human organs’

Bond bubble threatens financial system, Bank of England director warns

"A key Bank of England policymaker has warned of the risks to global financial stability when 'the biggest bond bubble in history' bursts. In a wide-ranging testimony to MPs, Andy Haldane, Bank of England director of financial stability, admitted the central bank's new financial policy committee is taking too long to force banks to hold more capital and appeared to criticise the bank's culture under outgoing governor Sir Mervyn King. Haldane told the Treasury select committee that the bursting of the bond bubble – created by central banks forcing down bond yields by pumping electronic money into the economy – was a risk 'I feel acutely right now'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBond bubble threatens financial system, Bank of England director warns

Egypt’s Islamist president cuts diplomatic ties with Syria, urges no-fly zone

"Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi, in severing ties with Damascus, aims to show solidarity with Western and fellow Arab states opposed to Syria’s regime and also boost his under-fire image at home, analysts said. Morsi, an Islamist from the Muslim Brotherhood, told supporters in a Cairo stadium for a 'Support for Syria' rally on Saturday that he was going to 'definitively' cut diplomatic relations with Syria. The Syrian government on Sunday slammed the decision, accusing Morsi of announcing the cut in ties to deflect attention from domestic crises. Morsi called on the international community to impose a 'no-fly zone' over Syria." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt’s Islamist president cuts diplomatic ties with Syria, urges no-fly zone

European defense contractors ask governments to launch drone programs

"Three top European defence firms called on Sunday on governments to launch a programme to manufacture drones that European countries are currently having to buy from Israel or the United States. France’s Dassault Aviation, European aerospace giant EADS and Italy’s Finmeccania argued such a joint programme would 'support the capability needs of European armed forces while optimising the difficult budgetary situation through pooling of research and development funding'. They said they were prepared to work together on the creation of a European drone which allows surveillance of vast areas over 24 hours." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean defense contractors ask governments to launch drone programs

German spy service to monitor Internet traffic ‘as closely as possible’

"Germany’s foreign intelligence service plans a major expansion of Internet surveillance despite deep unease over revelations of US online spying. The BND planned a 100 million euro ($130 million) programme over the next five years to expand web monitoring with up to 100 new staff members on a 'technical reconnaissance' team. The report came ahead of a state visit to Berlin by Barack Obama during which the German government has pledged to take up the controversy over the US phone and Internet surveillance programmes. The BND currently kept tabs on about five percent of emails, Internet calls and online chats while German law allowed up to 20 percent." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman spy service to monitor Internet traffic ‘as closely as possible’

Connecticut health officials bully barber giving free haircuts to the homeless

"An 82-year-old barber who has been giving free haircuts to the homeless in exchange for hugs for 25 years was granted permission by the mayor Thursday to keep working in a city park, despite orders to leave from police and health officials. Anthony 'Joe the Barber' Cymerys has been a fixture every Wednesday for years at Bushnell Park, where he cuts hair and his friends hand out food to the needy. But shortly after Cymerys set up shop this week, he said, health officials and police confronted him and his friends and told them they had to leave because they didn’t have permits." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingConnecticut health officials bully barber giving free haircuts to the homeless

GCHQ intercepted foreign politicians’ communications at G20 summits

"Foreign politicians and officials who took part in 2009 G20 summit meetings had their computers monitored and their phone calls intercepted on the instructions of their British government hosts. Some delegates were tricked into using internet cafes which had been set up by British intelligence agencies to read their email traffic. The disclosure raises new questions about GCHQ and the National Security Agency, whose access to phone records and internet data has been defended as necessary in the fight against terrorism and serious crime. The G20 spying appears to have been organised for the more mundane purpose of securing an advantage in meetings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGCHQ intercepted foreign politicians’ communications at G20 summits

Senators skip classified briefing on NSA snooping to catch flights home

"Many senators elected to leave Washington early Thursday afternoon instead of attending a briefing with James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, Keith Alexander, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA), and other officials. Many lawmakers were eager to take advantage of the short day and head back to their home states for Father’s Day weekend. Only 47 of 100 senators attended the 2:30 briefing, leaving dozens of chairs in the secure meeting room empty as Clapper, Alexander and other senior officials told lawmakers about classified programs to monitor millions of telephone calls and broad swaths of Internet activity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenators skip classified briefing on NSA snooping to catch flights home