Thursday, October 31, 2013

James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, testified Tuesday about American spying on foreign leaders

» Tap on Merkel Provides Peek at Vast Spy Net
31/10/13 06:36 from NYT > International
Phone monitoring by the National Security Agency is hardly limited to leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany, and also includes their top aides and the heads of opposing parties.

The New York Times
October 31, 2013    
Susan Walsh/Associated Press

James R. Clapper Jr., right, the director of national intelligence, testified Tuesday about American spying on foreign leaders.

The revelation that the N.S.A. was monitoring Ms. Merkel’s calls has set off a controversy in Germany.
Helmut Schmidt, the German chancellor from 1974 to 1982, told the weekly Die Zeit he was certain that Ms. Merkel’s calls had been monitored, but that it was impossible to know what secrets might have been stolen.
Mr. Schmidt, who told the German publication that he had always assumed his phone calls had been tapped, had some advice for Ms. Merkel.
“I advise the chancellor to remain calm,” he said.

» Merkel envoys at White House to sort out U.S.-German tensions
30/10/13 22:32 from Reuters: International
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American and German officials sought to overcome tension between their governments on Wednesday following reports that the U.S. National Security Agency monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone.

» Europe Re-Examines U.S. Spy Ties
31/10/13 01:02 from WSJ.com: World News
The Spanish foreign minister called 'cooperation' between allies crucial, while French officials stood by demands for an explanation and President Obama's national security team briefed visiting German officials.

» Spain Dials Back Over U.S. Spying
30/10/13 21:43 from WSJ.com: World News
The Spanish foreign minister called 'cooperation' between allies crucial, while French officials stood by demands for an explanation and President Obama's national security team briefed visiting German officials.


» US Says It Is Not Spying on UN Communications
31/10/13 00:05 from Voice of America
The United Nations says it has received assurances from the U.S. government that U.N. communications networks "are not and will not be monitored'' by American intelligence agencies. But chief U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky would not comme...


» NSA reportedly collecting data secretly from Google, Yahoo - Los Angeles Times
30/10/13 21:27 from Top Stories - Google News
Philly.com NSA reportedly collecting data secretly from Google, Yahoo Los Angeles Times WASHINGTON -- The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting Internet data -- almost certainly including American email traffic -- as it t...


» U.K. Creates New Regulator for the Press
31/10/13 00:44 from WSJ.com: World News
The British government's plan to regulate the press cleared its final hurdle by gaining the formal consent of Queen Elizabeth. Her consent came hours after a publishers group failed to halt the plan in court.

Russia Denies Reports It Spied on Group of 20 Officials

It rejected an Italian newspaper’s report that Russian spy agencies distributed special USB thumb drives to eavesdrop on participants at last month’s meeting in St. Petersburg.

» Russia denies G20 spying claims - BBC News
30/10/13 22:02 from Top Stories - Google News
BBC News Russia denies G20 spying claims BBC News President Putin's spokesman has denied that Russia spied on delegates at the G20 summit in St Petersburg in September. Dmitri Peskov said Italian newspaper reports that Russia had han...


» Russia denies Italy media reports over spying on delegates at G20 - Oman Tribune
31/10/13 01:00 from Top Stories - Google News
Toronto Star Russia denies Italy media reports over spying on delegates at G20 Oman Tribune ROME/ MOSCOW/ PARIS Russia has denied reports that its intelligence services spied on hundreds of foreign delegates at a Group of 20 summit in St...

» Activists Feel Powerful Wrath as Russia Guards Its Arctic Claims
31/10/13 01:21 from NYT > International
The detained crew of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise appears to have grossly underestimated Russia’s readiness to assert — and even expand — its sovereignty in an Arctic region potentially rich with natural resources.

Multimedia
In Russia, Conflating Journalism and ‘Hooliganism’
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In Russia, Conflating Journalism and ‘Hooliganism’
The Russian journalist Denis Sinyakov, detained while photographing Greenpeace activism in the Arctic Circle, is sitting in a cell 23 hours a day and may face seven years’ imprisonment.


Alexandra Harris, one of 30 people from a Greenpeace ship who are being detained by Russia.
Dmitri Sharomov/Greenpeace, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Activists Feel Wrath of Russia in the Arctic

The crew of a Greenpeace ship has underestimated Russia’s readiness to assert its sovereignty in the Arctic. Above, Alexandra Harris is one of 30 being detained.




Israel Gets a Mixed Message on American Jews


JERUSALEM — The Pew Research Center released a comprehensive and nuanced study on Oct. 1 about the character of the American Jewish community. The reaction here was typical Israeli apprehension about Jews’ place in the world, mixed with a general sense of confusion over how to interpret the results. Most discussions focused on two aspects: The high percentage of interfaith marriages and the vast support among American Jews for Israel.

» Iraqi tribes say Lukoil project must fuel better life
31/10/13 06:08 from Reuters: International
Al-Toraba, BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Sheikh Mansour Hamid al-Imara clutches his prayer beads and watches a huge new oil facility nearing completion across the road from his village, hoping that Russian operator Lukoil will offer his poor t...

» Antibodies Showing Promise Against HIV
31/10/13 03:21 from WSJ.com: World News
Researchers have identified a potentially powerful new treatment for HIV that would use antibodies to disable the virus, a finding that promises to energize research in both prevention and treatment.


» Study: Bat-to-Human Leap Likely for SARS-Like Virus
31/10/13 01:07 from WSJ.com: World News
A decade after SARS swept through the world and killed more than 750 people, scientists have made a troubling discovery: A very close cousin of the SARS virus lives in bats and it can likely jump directly to people.


» U.S. Accuses Germany of Causing Instability
31/10/13 02:06 from NYT > International
A Treasury Department report accused Germany of hindering economic growth by relying too heavily on exports and by failing to build up its domestic economy.


» U.S. Treasury Targets German Economic Policies
30/10/13 22:33 from WSJ.com: World News
Using sharp language, the semiannual report says Germany's export-led growth is creating problems for the euro zone and the global economy.


» Federal Inquiry Into Indian Firm Puts a Focus on Widespread Visa Abuses
31/10/13 01:03 from NYT > International
A federal investigation into visa use by Infosys has resulted in a $34 million settlement and prompted investigations into other foreign outsourcing firms, federal officials said Wednesday.


» Sebelius Apologizes for Health Site's Malfunctions - New York Times
31/10/13 01:02 from Top Stories - Google News
New York Daily News Sebelius Apologizes for Health Site's Malfunctions New York Times WASHINGTON — Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, gamely defended the problem-plagued rollout of President Obama's he...


» First Take: For Obama, the value of a lightning rod - USA TODAY
31/10/13 00:09 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post First Take: For Obama, the value of a lightning rod USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Despite Republican demands for her resignation, Kathleen Sebelius is likely to keep her job as secretary of Health and Human Services and her role...


 Obama stands by promise that "you can keep your plan" - CBS News
31/10/13 01:00 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Obama stands by promise that "you can keep your plan" CBS News Amid reports of millions of Americans losing their insurance because of new Obamacare regulations, President Obama on Wednesday stood by his promise...


» President Obama visits Boston to defend health law, says Bay State experience ... - Boston.com
31/10/13 00:32 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post President Obama visits Boston to defend health law, says Bay State experience ... Boston.com President Obama gave a vociferous defense of his signature health care law on Wednesday in Boston, returning to the intellectual...


» President Obama tries to sell Obamacare: Can you hear me now? - Los Angeles Times
30/10/13 22:41 from Top Stories - Google News
Politico President Obama tries to sell Obamacare: Can you hear me now? Los Angeles Times As he tried to reframe the national discussion about healthcare reform on Wednesday, President Obama uttered an outright fib: “This debate has never...


» Obama takes responsibility for healthcare website problems - Chicago Tribune
30/10/13 22:28 from Top Stories - Google News
Politico Obama takes responsibility for healthcare website problems Chicago Tribune President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that "bad apple" insurance companies, not his signature healthcare law, are to blame for hundreds of t...


» UPDATE 1-Obamacare website security at 'high risk' before launch -memo - Reuters
30/10/13 22:03 from Top Stories - Google News
San Francisco Chronicle UPDATE 1-Obamacare website security at 'high risk' before launch -memo Reuters Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:02pm EDT. By Jim Finkle. BOSTON Oct 30 (Reuters) - The security of the Obama administration's healthcar...


» Contrite White House Spurns Health Law's Critics - New York Times
31/10/13 00:51 from Top Stories - Google News
New York Times Contrite White House Spurns Health Law's Critics New York Times BOSTON — The White House on Wednesday blended expressions of contrition for the troubled rollout of its health care law with an aggressive rejection of Re...


» Kathleen Sebelius, punching bag - Washington Post
30/10/13 22:40 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Kathleen Sebelius, punching bag Washington Post Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spent Wednesday morning doing a star turn as the Obama administration's latest piñata of the season, stepping in fo...



» Obama Vows to Fix Health Site and Rebuff Critics - New York Times
30/10/13 21:40 from Top Stories - Google News
New York Times Obama Vows to Fix Health Site and Rebuff Critics New York Times BOSTON — President Obama on Wednesday offered an impassioned defense of his Affordable Care Act, promising to fix the malfunctioning health care website but p...


» Deficit under $1T for first time in five years - USA TODAY
30/10/13 23:11 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Deficit under $1T for first time in five years USA TODAY The budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2013 dropped to $680.3 billion, the government reported Wednesday -- the first time in five years the shortfall has been below $1...


» U.S. Budget Deficit Falls Under $1 Trillion; Lowest Since 2008 - KRCU
30/10/13 23:07 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post U.S. Budget Deficit Falls Under $1 Trillion; Lowest Since 2008 KRCU The U.S. government ran a deficit of $680 billion in the financial year that ended last month — the first time since 2008 that the annual shortfall has b...


» US Lawmakers Begin Another Search for Budget Deal - Voice of America
30/10/13 21:43 from Top Stories - Google News
Voice of America US Lawmakers Begin Another Search for Budget Deal Voice of America CAPITOL HILL — A select group of U.S. lawmakers from both political parties and both houses of Congress began work Wednesday to end a budget stalemate th...


Politics & Policy - WSJ

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Spying Known at Top Levels, Officials Say

» Spying Known at Top Levels, Officials Say
30/10/13 09:02 from NYT > International
The White House has long been aware in general terms of the National Security Agency’s overseas eavesdropping, the nation’s top spymaster told a House hearing on Tuesday.

» US intelligence chief Clapper defends spying policy - BBC News
30/10/13 08:46 from Top Stories - Google News
BBC News US intelligence chief Clapper defends spying policy BBC News The head of US intelligence has told lawmakers that discerning foreign leaders' intentions is a key goal of the nation's spying operations. Director of Nationa...


» NSA Chief Labels European Spy Claims 'False'
30/10/13 07:58 from Sky News | World News | First For Breaking News
General Keith Alexander tells Congress the agency acts within legal boundaries and information leaked by Edward Snowden is untrue.


» US espionage chiefs hit back in a row over mass spying
30/10/13 06:07 from Uploads by AFP
US espionage chiefs hit back in a row over mass spying US espionage chiefs hit back in a row over mass spying, saying reports American eavesdroppers scooped up millions of phone records in Europe, were "completel... From: AFP Views:...


» NSA chief defends its spying programs - USA TODAY
30/10/13 05:23 from Top Stories - Google News
Bloomberg NSA chief defends its spying programs USA TODAY WASHINGTON — Army Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, defended his agency, saying what his staff does "is bring back more U.S. soldiers, airmen an...


» Officials Say White House Knew of Spying - New York Times
30/10/13 03:42 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Officials Say White House Knew of Spying New York Times WASHINGTON — The nation's top spymaster said on Tuesday that the White House had long been aware in general terms of the National Security Agency's overseas ...


» As It Denounces U.S. Spying, Europe Delays Privacy Protection at Home
30/10/13 01:02 from NYT > International
Germany’s acquiescence in a British-led effort to freeze the privacy measures highlighted what appear to be contradictions between the verbal support for privacy among European leaders and their policy decisions.


» Dancer admits affair with Costa Concordia captain
30/10/13 08:41 from Uploads by ITN
Dancer admits affair with Costa Concordia captain A Moldovan dancer who was on the bridge of the Costa Concordia with Captain Francesco Schettino has admitted she was his lover. Report by Sarah Johnston. From: ITN Views: 0 0 ratings Time...


» Sebelius to Face Congress Over Obamacare
30/10/13 08:28 from Voice of America
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will face tough questions Wednesday from a Congressional committee regarding the troubled launch of the website of President Barack Obama's health care reform law. Sebelius is ex...



» Obama accused of breaking promise to consumers as health plans cancel policies - Washington Post
30/10/13 01:24 from Top Stories - Google News
San Francisco Chronicle Obama accused of breaking promise to consumers as health plans cancel policies Washington Post A new controversy over the president's health-care law is threatening to overshadow the messy launch of its Web si...

» Maliki Urges US Military Aid as Senators Criticize 'Sectarian' Leadership
30/10/13 07:16 from Voice of America
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is asking the United States for help in fighting what he says are terrorists exploiting sectarian tensions. Meanwhile, a group of influential U.S. senators say his leadership is driving a wedge betwee...

» Senators Warn Obama Before Iraq Leader’s Visit
30/10/13 04:04 from NYT > International
An influential group of senators sent a strongly worded letter to warn that the Iraqi premier’s “mismanagement” of the country’s politics had contributed to the surge of violence there.


» Syrian Official Fired After Talks With U.S.
30/10/13 06:57 from WSJ.com: World News
Syria's deputy prime minister was fired by President Bashar al-Assad after announcing from Russia that he had met with U.S. officials in Geneva to discuss preparations for a proposed peace conference there next month.


» Starvation in Syria: a war tactic
30/10/13 06:35 from Reuters: International
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - One Syrian security official called it the "Starvation Until Submission Campaign", blocking food and medicine from entering and people from leaving besieged areas of Syria.


» Once turned away, Jesse Jackson Jr. finally in prison - Reuters
30/10/13 00:47 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Once turned away, Jesse Jackson Jr. finally in prison Reuters By Mary Wisniewski. CHICAGO | Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:45pm EDT. CHICAGO (Reuters) - Former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. began his first day of a 30-month s...



Six people, including two children, were found shot to death Tuesday night in an apparent murder-suicide in South Carolina home

» Six people found shot to death in South Carolina home - NBCNews.com
30/10/13 09:36 from Top Stories - Google News
NBCNews.com Six people found shot to death in South Carolina home NBCNews.com By M. Alex Johnson, Staff Writer, NBC News. Six people, including two children, were found shot to death Tuesday night in an apparent murder-suicide in South C...


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A man accused of killing his mother, aunt and three other people before police arrested him early Tuesday following a high-speed chase has a long criminal history t...

» Killing Spree Suspect Had Long Criminal History - ABC News
29/10/13 19:43 from Top Stories - Google News
Washington Post Killing Spree Suspect Had Long Criminal History ABC News A man accused of killing his mother, aunt and three other people before police arrested him early Tuesday following a high-speed chase has a long criminal history t...

» Five dead at four locations from shooting spree in Texas town - Reuters
29/10/13 19:08 from Top Stories - Google News
San Francisco Chronicle Five dead at four locations from shooting spree in Texas town Reuters By Jana Whitson. TERRELL, Texas | Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:58pm EDT. TERRELL, Texas (Reuters) - A Texas man suspected of shooting to death five peopl...


» Brother: Killing spree suspect had drug problem - Arizona Daily Star
29/10/13 17:28 from Top Stories - Google News
San Francisco Chronicle Brother: Killing spree suspect had drug problem Arizona Daily Star The brother of man suspected of killing five people during a series of attacks in his North Texas community says that their mother and another rel...