NSA head, lawmakers jointly defend U.S. surveillance programs
WASHINGTON - The head of the National Security Agency on Tuesday said U.S. surveillance programs had helped disrupt more than 50 possible attacks since September 11, 2001, as sympathetic members of Congress also defended the use of the top-secret spying operations.
Exclusive - Facebook reaches one million active advertisers
- Facebook Inc said on Tuesday it now has 1 million active advertisers globally who used the platform in the last 28 days, a milestone for the company that is seeking to revive its revenue growth.
G8 leaders sidestep fate of Syria's Assad
G8 leaders fail to mention the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a final communique that calls for an end to the bloodshed and peace talks as soon as possible. Full Article
Boeing's new Dreamliner steps up big jet battle
PARIS - Boeing launches a larger version of its flagship Dreamliner aircraft at the Paris Airshow, sharpening the battle with rival Airbus in the booming market for fuel-efficient, long-distance jets. Full Article
Spendthrift elite signals equity slide
Record prices at art auctions and oversubscribed private jets are among signals that a stock market slump is approaching. Behavioural finance followers insist social mood governs human action and their theories are gaining ground as tools for financial analysis. Full Article
Swedish banks' 'best-in-class' capital hides risks
STOCKHOLM - Sweden's big banks could find their reputation for capital strength increasingly under threat due to pressure from regulators who fear they are more vulnerable to risky loans than appears on paper. Full Article
For top U.S. lawyers, case in Guam is rare prize
HAGATNA, Guam - Steven Levin lives on a boat off the Pacific island of Guam, as far away from the mainland as an American resident can get. But last year, he had something of value to elite lawyers half a world away: a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Full Article
Adidas targets record football sales
HERZOGENAURACH, Germany - German sportswear maker Adidas expects sales from its football division to break the 1.7 billion pound barrier for the first time in 2014, when the World Cup is played in Brazil, the company says. Full Article
The sound of silence in Turkey
June 18 - A lone, silent vigil by a man in Istanbul inspires copycat protests, as police detain dozens across Turkey in an operation linked to protests. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
Latest Headlines
Bernanke weans markets off QE
The world’s focus on Washington as the U.S. Fed threatens to take off the QE stabilisers. Mervyn King’s last vote & George Osborne tipped to announce Lloyds stake sell-off. Video
Economic worries and the global elite
Here’s one sign the global elite is starting to get worried that capitalism isn’t working for the Western middle class. At the TED Global gathering in Edinburgh this week, much of the spotlight was on what’s going wrong with the 21st-century economy. Commentary
Turkey’s economy is vulnerable
PM Tayyip Erdogan’s harsh actions against protestors could backfire economically. Turkey depends on foreign investors to fund its big current account deficit. If they turn tail, interest rates will rise, hurting the economy and undermining one of Erdogan’s sources of popularity. Commentary
Obama’s ‘best bad choice’ in Syria
There is broad agreement on what should not happen in Syria: If Assad crushes the rebels, remains in power and hands Iran a strategic victory that boosts its regional influence, it would be a destructive setback. Commentary
Surveilling a double standard
Why are we willing to give private corporations data, but refuse to offer government agencies the same courtesy? That contradiction highlights a muddled, overwrought and inconsistent attitude towards privacy and freedom. Commentary
Hester’s early exit is right for RBS – and him
Royal Bank of Scotland's Stephen Hester has been a largely undeserving target of banker bashing. He leaves having done well in shrinking the bank. But re-privatisation depends on having a CEO investors know is in it for the next phase. Commentary
When illogical policy seems to work
It’s cynical, manipulative and hypocritical - and it looks like it is going to work. How often do you hear a sentence like this, to describe a government initiative or economic policy? Not often enough. Commentary
G8 should preach on tax
G8 leaders needs to be tax reform evangelists at home and abroad, says Breakingviews. Video
FBI relies on secret surveillance law
WASHINGTON - The FBI has used secret evidence obtained under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to prosecute at least 27 accused terrorists since 2007, including the Army psychiatrist accused of shooting 13 people at Ford Hood, Texas. Full Article


















