Author: Sunfire

RT News

During a simple discussion of the National Security Agency’s surveillance practices, a US radio program experienced a unique “technological meltdown” on Thursday, prompting many to question whether the NSA was censoring the show.

During an interview with Larry Klayman, the lawyer who recently won a preliminary injunction against the NSA’s bulk collection of phone records, Aaron Klein’s WABC radio program began experiencing what was termed a “tech meltdown” on the air.   Continue reading “Radio station experiences major software meltdown during anti-NSA broadcast”

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While American drones patrol the skies in war-torn countries like Afghanistan, the United States is also looking to establish a similar presence in the world’s oceans – by using underwater drones.

The new ocean-faring drones, called “Slocum Gliders,” won’t need fuel to function like their aerial counterparts do. Instead, they’ll power themselves with the ocean current itself, stealthily scanning the surrounding area and feeding information back to other military vessels.   Continue reading “Navy’s ocean-powered drones to wage underwater war”

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An Arabic language student was told he cannot sue two FBI agents and three TSA agents for a 2009 incident in which he was held at Philadelphia International Airport for carrying flashcards and a book which were critical of US policy in the Middle East.

Nicholas George was traveling from his home in suburban Philadelphia back to school at Pomona College in California in August 2009 when agents found flashcards containing translations for “bomb” and “terrorist” in his possession. He was then apprehended.   Continue reading “Arabic language student detained for carrying flashcards can’t sue TSA, court rules”

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In defending the NSA’s surveillance policies, many have cited the agency’s claim that it merely collects phone numbers dialed, lengths of calls, and other metadata. Yet researchers now say the NSA can identify individuals in that vast collection of data.

Scholars at Stanford University in California set out to determine how, if at all, the NSA’s metadata collection impacts the individual Americans whose information is swept up. The indiscriminate collection of phone records is one of the NSA’s primary surveillance programs, and one of the first revealed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. US President Obama sat down with Charlie Rose of PBS in June to defend the government’s position.   Continue reading “NSA can easily find individuals hidden in metadata – study”

Mail.com

TOKYO (AP) — Threatening lawsuits and protests, opponents are gearing up to fight a decision by Okinawa’s governor that could pave the way for a new U.S. military base on the southern Japanese island.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomed Friday’s decision, calling it “the most significant milestone” so far in a long-running battle to realign U.S. forces in Okinawa. The new base is designed to reduce the impact of the heavy U.S. military presence in Okinawa by replacing another base in a more congested area, but opponents want the operations moved off Okinawa completely.   Continue reading “Opponents to fight new US military base on Okinawa”

RT News

A United States federal judge said Friday that the National Security Agency’s controversial bulk phone data collection program doesn’t violate the law.

That ruling came courtesy of US District Judge William Pauley, who decided in favor of the NSA early Friday in a case filed this past June by the American Civil Liberties Union against Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.   Continue reading “US judge rules NSA phone surveillance program is legal”

Mail.com

WASHINGTON CROSSING, N.J. (AP) — George Washington has made his annual Christmas Day ride across the Delaware River.

Washington’s daring Christmas 1776 crossing of the river turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The 61st reenactment of it was staged Wednesday. Hundreds of people gather each year to hear Washington’s stand-in deliver stirring words to the troops and watch three boats make the crossing from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.   Continue reading “Crowds relive Washington’s 1776 river crossing”

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Thai police say an officer has been killed during an anti-government rally in the country’s capital, Bangkok. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets on protesters who attempted to halt planning for the February elections over the controversial security law.

The officer died after being airlifted to hospital, and it hasn’t been confirmed yet how he lost his life. Earlier, police reported that he had been hit by a bullet during the clashes.   Continue reading “Thai police officer killed in clashes with anti-government protesters”

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Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law is facing two new conspiracy charges in his impending trial, as US prosecutors have reportedly linked him to the 2001 Al-Qaeda shoe bomber plot.

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, 48, who formerly served as a spokesman for Al-Qaeda and was arrested in February, was originally charged with one count of conspiracy to kill Americans. A superseding indictment unsealed on Friday, however, added two new charges: conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists, and providing material support and resources to terrorists.   Continue reading “US hits bin Laden’s son-in-law with new conspiracy charges”

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Expressing concern over employees’ health has backfired on the world’s leading fast food producer, McDonald’s. Its own employee resources website recommended workers to avoid burgers and fries whenever possible due to health risks.

The McResource site, notorious for giving advice on how to make ends meet working for $7.25 an hour at McDonald’s, has cooked up another gem: the folks preparing and serving McDonald’s food should actually avoid eating it themselves – because it is unhealthy.   Continue reading “McDonald’s to employees: Avoid burgers and fries – it’s risky for your health”

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The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees has condemned Israel’s demolition of Palestinian Bedouin dwellings in the West Bank, calling for an immediate halt.

“UNRWA condemns the latest demolitions in the West Bank, which displaced 68 people, the most recent of which occurred on Christmas Eve,” spokesman Chris Gunness said in a statement.   Continue reading “UN condemns Christmas Eve demolitions of Palestinian homes by Israel”

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On Monday, the Russian Navy’s second Borey-class nuclear-powered submarine, the Aleksandr Nevsky, has entered service. The sub is part of a next-generation class that will be the backbone of Russia’s sea-based nuclear deterrent for decades to come.

The ceremony marking the submarine’s entry into service was initially scheduled for Dec. 21, but was postponed by two days. Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu was the highest-ranking government official present at a navy shipyard in the northern city of Severodvinsk, for the ceremony of the Aleksandr Nevsky raising her new flag.   Continue reading “Russia’s second next-gen nuclear sub enters service”

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Following Washington’s move to increase its military footprint in Asia, China has declared it is building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of a size to compete with the mightiest in the US naval fleet.

Chinese website qianzhan.com, citing top sources in the People’s Liberation Army, said China’s first domestically produced aircraft carrier should be launched by 2020.    Continue reading “China planning 110,000-ton ‘super aircraft carrier’ to rival US naval power”

Mail.com

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A judge on Friday ordered a California hospital to keep a girl declared brain dead on life support following what was supposed to be a routine tonsillectomy.

The ruling by Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo came as both sides in the case agreed to get together and chose a neurologist to further examine 13-year-old Jahi McMath and determine her condition. The judge scheduled a hearing Monday to appoint a physician.   Continue reading “Judge orders hospital to keep girl on support”

RT News

“Data brokers” track, categorize and sell personal health information for marketing use, a new US Senate report reveals. Data groupings include rape victims and HIV-positive individuals, those with depression and dementia, and womens’ gynecologist visits.

Hundreds of so-called “data brokers” in the US maintain databases made up of Americans’ sensitive health details. A report by the Senate Commerce Committee says the companies are legally allowed to withhold from individuals what data is collected, how one is categorized and who buys the information.   Continue reading “‘Data brokers’ selling personal info of rape victims to marketers – report”

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Mikhail Khodorkovsky has issued a statement saying that he asked President Putin for a pardon for “family reasons” and is glad “there has been a positive decision.” It comes as the ex-oil tycoon arrived in Germany after being released from jail.

However, he stressed that the issue of admission of guilt was not raised. Khodorkovsky said he had sent his letter to President Vladimir Putin on November 12.   Continue reading “Khodorkovsky: Admitting guilt issue was not raised, I asked for pardon for family reasons”

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It’s shaping up to be another multi-billion dollar year for Facebook, but don’t expect the social networking site to pay it forward: according to a new analysis, the website will pay no taxes this year and will instead likely receive a federal refund.

That’s according to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), who on Tuesday this week released the 2013 edition of his annual “Wastebook” report detailing instances of what he considers unnecessary government spending.   Continue reading “Facebook won’t pay taxes again, will get refund instead”

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The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a 2012 fracking law allowing gas companies to drill anywhere in the state without regard to local zoning laws is unconstitutional.

The court’s decision called the state’s Marcellus Shale drilling law, Act 13, unconstitutional given restrictions it placed on municipalities’ rights. The ruling also sent back to Commonwealth Court – one of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts – challenges by local townships and individuals to the law’s provisions that barred doctors from passing along to patients the health risks associated with shale drilling, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.   Continue reading “Fracking opponents in Pennsylvania dealt rare victory by state court”

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One of the largest American retailers Target has confirmed that a massive breach of security involving the credit card details of up to 40 million Target customers took place between the end of November and the middle of December.

The breach was thought to have begun around Black Friday, on November 27th and was only brought to a close on December 15th.   Continue reading “US retailer Target confirms up to 40 million cards tainted by data breach”

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The Federal Reserve will decrease the amount of bonds purchased by the United States central bank, Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday, by roughly $10 billion per month.

Bernanke was about to make his last scheduled news conference as head of the Fed on Wednesday afternoon when the bank’s newest plan was revealed.   Continue reading “Fed reduces bond-buying program by $10 bln per month”