- The Obama administration appears to have almost no international support for controversial new trade standards that would grant radical new political powers to corporations, increase the cost of prescription medications and restrict bank regulation, according to two internal memos obtained by The Huffington Post.
The memos, which come from a government involved in the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, detail continued disputes in the talks over the deal. The documents reveal broad disagreement over a host of key positions, and general skepticism that an agreement can be reached by year-end. The Obama administration has urged countries to reach a deal by New Year's Day, though there is no technical deadline.
Obama Faces Backlash Over New Corporate Powers In Secret Trade Deal
U.S. tech companies call for more controls on surveillance
Eight major U.S. web companies, including Apple, Google and Facebook, made a joint call on Monday for tighter controls on how governments collect personal data, intensifying the furor over online surveillance.
In an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama and Congress, the companies said recent revelations showed the balance had tipped too far in favor of the state in many countries and away from the individual.
Iran, six powers meet on steps to carry out nuclear deal
Iran and six world powers began expert-level talks on Monday to work out nitty gritty details in implementing a landmark accord for Tehran to curb its disputed nuclear program in return for a limited easing of sanctions.
The preliminary accord is seen as a first step towards resolving a decade-old standoff over suspicions Iran might be covertly pursuing a nuclear weapons "breakout" capability, a perception that has raised the risk of a wider Middle East war.
Pentagon retracts claim PTSD twice as high for Gitmo prison guards
The U.S. military has retracted a claim guards at the Guantanamo prison camp experience two times more post-traumatic stress disorder than combat troops.
Army Col. John V. Bogdan, the guard force commander, made the statement in September in an interview aired Nov. 17 on CBS's "60 Minutes," the Miami Herald reported Monday.
In the retraction, Army Col. Greg Julian of the U.S. Southern Command said "there are no statistics that support the claim."
CIA program in which agents posed as business people a 'flop'
A CIA program in which operatives posed as business people to gather intelligence was a costly failure and is being canceled, past and present officials say.
The program, on which at least $3 billion was spent, began after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Tribune Newspapers reported Monday.
At its height, hundreds of agents working outside the protection of diplomatic immunity under "non-official cover" used fake identities and front companies to recruit sources in hostile countries, especially Iran. However, the so-called Global Deployment Initiative was a "colossal flop," say a number of former CIA officials, because little useful information was ever gained.
Edward Snowden to give evidence to EU parliament, says MEP
The European parliament is lining up Edward Snowden to give evidence by video link this month, in spite of resistance by British Conservatives, a Green MEP has announced.
Jan Philipp Albrecht, a German Green MEP, said parliamentarians wanted Snowden to appear before the assembly's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE).
Albrecht said it would represent a great success for the parliament's investigation into mass surveillance of EU citizens.
5 legends: Kennedy Center honorees
The “Piano Man” who became one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time with such hits as “Just the Way You Are,” “Uptown Girl” and “Allentown” is being awarded the nation’s highest honor Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts.
Billy Joel joins Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors. All of them have been playing music, dancing or singing since they were children — and have never stopped.
Joel said the honor stands apart from his six Grammys.
Cellphone data spying: It's not just the NSA
The National Security Agency isn't the only government entity secretly collecting data from people's cellphones. Local police are increasingly scooping it up, too.
Armed with new technologies, including mobile devices that tap into cellphone data in real time, dozens of local and state police agencies are capturing information about thousands of cellphone users at a time, whether they are targets of an investigation or not, according to public records obtained by USA TODAY and Gannett newspapers and TV stations.
Pennsylvania Catholic school teacher fired for gay wedding
A teacher at a Roman Catholic high school in suburban Philadelphia has been fired after obtaining a New Jersey marriage license with plans to wed his same-sex partner.
Michael Griffin was fired Friday from Holy Ghost Preparatory School after administrators said the move violated his contract.
Father James McCloskey, the school's headmaster, issued a statement saying faculty members at the school are required to follow church teachings, NBC Philadelphia reported.
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