US spy chief clarifies internet tapping policy

US spy chief James Clapper has admitted the government collects communications from internet firms, but says the policy only targets “non-US persons”.

Internet tapping aimed at non-US people outside US, says official

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Information collected through a US government surveillance programme that taps into the servers of internet companies targets only non-US persons living outside the United States, a senior administration official said.

The US law that allows the collection of data under this programme does not allow the targeting of any US citizen or of any person located in the United States, the official said on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This programme was recently reauthorised by Congress after extensive hearings and debate," the official said.

"Information collected under this programme is among the most important and valuable intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats."

US secretly mining data from Internet giants

US intelligence agencies are accessing the servers of nine Internet giants as part of a secret data mining programme likely to fuel fresh debate about government surveillance, The Washington Post reported.

Some of the biggest firms in Silicon Valley were involved in the programme, including Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, Apple, PalTalk, AOL, Skype and YouTube, reports said.

Dr Yaacob’s incorrect and embarrassing New Zealand comparison

This morning, my eyes nearly popped out of my skull when I read in the ST that Minister for Communications and Information (MCI) had compared the MDA Licensing Regime to recommendations made by a New Zealand Law Commission Report on new media.

Link

AP admits its mistake in Shane Todd article

American news agency Associated Press (AP) has admitted its mistake in a story last week on the death of American researcher Shane Todd, saying it was “erroneously reported”.

Drink to good health

New findings show that the antioxidant resveratrol, which is only present in red and not white wine, is believed to help in the fight against cancer

Robberies of cashed-up Chinese tourists rise steeply in Paris

Mainlanders' preference for carrying large amounts of cash makes them easy targets

Boy’s graffiti in Egypt leaves Chinese cringing

Ding Jinhao was here.

Chinese wonder why their tourists behave so badly

From faking marriage certificates to get honeymoon discounts in the Maldives to letting children defecate on the floor of a Taiwan airport, Chinese tourists have recently found themselves at the centre of controversy and anger.

AP article on Todd's death "inaccurate, misleading and mischievous"

Singapore's Ambassador to the United States, Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, has described a recent article by the Associated Press (AP) on American researcher Shane Todd's death as "inaccurate, misleading, and mischievous".

3-D printers help China jet development take off

Use of 3-D printing means China’s aviation industry is saving money and materials and could soon rival manufacturers in the US

Sick workers pay price for Chinese growth

As China boomed around 200 men set out from Shuangxi’s rural idyll to build its infrastructure and skyscrapers. Now lung disease from dust has killed a quarter of them and 100 more are waiting to die.

Investigation officer denies he mentioned bolts, nuts or pulleys

The last day of the coroner’s inquiry into the death of American engineer Shane Todd ended with conflicting accounts from his parents and an investigation officer called to the scene of the death.

Osaka mayor: Probe comfort women issue

Japan cannot be forgiven with people like him still around.

Japan's sex slave legacy remains open wound

Link

New licensing scheme for news websites that reach 50,000 people a month

More controls from PAP...

Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings called ‘divine punishment’ by South Korean daily

Well said.

Governments toughen stance on environmental protesters amid Kunming, Chengdu actions

Concerns over social stability sidelined as authorities view 'economic growth' as priority

Kunming restricts face mask and T-shirt sales ‘to prevent more environmental protests’

Kunming has banned bulk-buying of face masks and the sale of white T-shirts and has regulated photocopying in an effort to avoid another public protest after two demonstrations against a petrochemical plant had embarrassed the city’s government.

Nanjing teenager exposed as perpetrator of Temple of Luxor graffiti attack

Tourist from Nanjing carried out graffiti attack in Temple of Luxor, his parents confirm