November 2013 Intelligence News

Independent expert welcomes UN committee's resolution on right to privacy UN News Centre 29 Nov 2013 -- A draft resolution to protect the right to privacy in the digital age that was approved this week by a General Assembly committee is a first step, according to an independent UN expert who called for more to be done to ensure trust in the safety of communications.
UK govt. wins secrecy ruling on Litvinenko poisoning Iran Press TV 28 Nov 2013 -- The British government has won a court order preventing the disclosure of confidential documents relating to the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
NSA spied on 2010 G8, G20 summits in Toronto Iran Press TV 28 Nov 2013 -- Newly revealed documents show the US National Security Agency spied on the G8 and G20 summits held in the Canadian city of Toronto in 2010, with the help of the host country's government.
CIA superspy set to flee Pakistan over lawsuit Iran Press TV 28 Nov 2013 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been forced to call back its station chief in Islamabad after he was accused of killing civilians in killer drone strikes.
CBC: Canada Allowed NSA Surveillance at Summit VOA 28 Nov 2013 -- The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that Canada allowed the U.S. National Security Agency to conduct widespread surveillance during the 2010 Group of 8 and Group of 20 summits in Toronto.
ACLU files lawsuit against CIA over torture, black sites Iran Press TV 27 Nov 2013 -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the CIA over its rendition and torture program following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
CIA station chief set to flee Pakistan over lawsuit Iran Press TV 27 Nov 2013 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been forced to call back its station chief in Islamabad after he was accused of killing civilians in killer drone strikes.
US Spied on Muslims' Online Porn Habits – Report RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2013 -- The United States has been spying on alleged Islamic radicals' viewing of online pornography as part of a plan to damage their reputation among potential adherents, according to a new report based on documents from fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.
US spies fear 'doomsday' cache stashed by Snowden Iran Press TV 26 Nov 2013 -- Intelligence officials in the US and Britain are worried that former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, whose revelations in June triggered a massive spying scandal, may have stored a "doomsday" cache of highly classified documents.
Map shows NSA's massive worldwide malware operations Iran Press TV 24 Nov 2013 -- A new map details how many companies across the world have been infected by malware by the National Security Agency's team of hackers, and where the companies are located.
Independent UN experts seriously concerned about Japan's special secrets bill UN News Centre 22 Nov 2013 -- Two independent United Nations human rights experts today expressed serious concern about a Government-sponsored draft bill in Japan that would decide what constitutes a State secret.
Changing World Challenges U.S. Intelligence Community AFPS 21 Nov 2013 -- In the past, intelligence personnel wouldn't be found participating in open forums, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency said yesterday at a Brookings Institution discussion on defense intelligence.
Indonesia halts military, intelligence cooperation with Australia People's Daily 20 Nov 2013 -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that Indonesia had temporarily halted its military and intelligence cooperation with Australia while waiting for official reply from Australian government upon queries submitted by Indonesian government on Australia's wiretapping on Indonesia.
Indonesia downgrades cooperation with Australia Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Indonesia is officially "downgrading" its relations with Australia in response to reports of the country's President being spied on by Canberra.
First Rivet Joint delivered to the Royal Air Force AFNS 19 Nov 2013 -- The first of three RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft was officially delivered to the U.K. during a special ceremony at Royal Air Force Waddington, England, Nov. 12.
NSA monitored 33m phone calls in Norway: Snowden Iran Press TV 19 Nov 2013 -- The United States National Security Agency (NSA) has monitored 33 million mobile conversations in Norway in the course of just one month, US whistleblower and former NSA contractor Edward Snowden has said.
Oslo spied on millions of phone calls: Military chief Iran Press TV 19 Nov 2013 -- Norway's military intelligence chief has admitted that Oslo gathered records on millions of phone calls around the world and shared that data with its allies including the United States.
Indonesia to Review Cooperation with Australia Due to Spying Claims VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Indonesia says it will review all cooperation with Australia in response to revelations Australian spies tried to listen to phone conversations of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Supreme Court denies bid against NSA Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- The US Supreme Court has rejected a bid to prevent the National Security Agency from collecting records on all US phone calls.
Iran to unveil biggest strategic drone ISNA 17 Nov 2013 -- Iran plans to unveil the newest and biggest strategic drone built locally by experts of Iranian Defense Ministry on Monday.
Libya's deputy intelligence chief abducted in Tripoli Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2013 -- Libya's deputy intelligence chief has been abducted from Tripoli airport amid worsening security situation across the North African country.
Iran to unveil Fotros indigenous strategic drone Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2013 -- Iran Defense Ministry is set to unveil an indigenous, strategic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Fort Worth Launches First UAV, Demonstrates LCS Capability NNS 15 Nov 2013 -- USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) conducted dynamic interface operations on the Point Mugu Test Range Nov. 5-13 with the Navy's Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) known as the MQ-8 Fire Scout.
Snowden leaked up to 200,000 secret documents: NSA Iran Press TV 14 Nov 2013 -- NSA Director General Keith Alexander says American whistleblower Edward Snowden leaked as many as 200,000 classified US documents to the media.
Foreign ministry to step up security of overseas missions CNA 13 Nov 2013 -- Foreign Affairs Minister David Lin said Wednesday the ministry will step up communications security at overseas missions to guard against electronic eavesdropping.
'Documents to show Canada role in NSA spying' Iran Press TV 12 Nov 2013 -- Documents will be released outlining Canada's involvement in spying activities by the US National Security Agency (NSA), former Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald has said.
First Rivet Joint aircraft delivered to the UK UK MOD 12 Nov 2013 -- The first of 3 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft has been delivered to MOD ahead of its entry into service with the RAF in 2014.
UK spying agency targets Belgian telecoms workers Iran Press TV 11 Nov 2013 -- A report shows the British spying agency, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), has targeted employees of a Belgian mobile communications company to gain access to their company networks.
US spying station exposed in Brasilia Iran Press TV 10 Nov 2013 -- The Brazilian Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper has recently reported that the two rooms in the capital city of Brasilia rented by the US embassy could be an intelligence station for surveillance.
'Spying exposé endangered UK national security' Iran Press TV 10 Nov 2013 -- The United Kingdom says the disclosure of the country's spying activities has endangered the national security.
UK objects probe into cyber espionage Iran Press TV 09 Nov 2013 -- Britain has refused to endorse a declaration by the 47 members of Europe's human rights agency on Internet freedom after objecting to an investigation into the gathering of 'vast amounts of electronic data' by intelligence agencies.
NSA leaks damaging to UK intelligence operations: MI6 chief Iran Press TV 09 Nov 2013 -- The chief of Britain's MI6 intelligence agency says recent revelations by the US whistleblower and former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden have been "very damaging" and endangered UK intelligence operations.
New York Air National Guard dedicates MQ-9 hangar at Fort Drum Army News 08 Nov 2013 -- Soldiers, airmen and Civilian Employees gathered Tuesday to celebrate the dedication of a new hangar facility at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield. The Launch and Recovery Element Hangar is the newest facility that the New York Air National Guard will use for MQ-9 Reaper training on the airfield.
Snowden used others' passwords to access documents Iran Press TV 08 Nov 2013 -- US investigators say former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden used login credentials and passwords of some fellow workers to access the classified material he later leaked to the media.
Russia's Spies Say Cooperating With British on Olympics RIA Novosti 08 Nov 2013 -- Russian security services said Friday that they are working with their British counterparts in the run-up to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Snowden Persuaded NSA Workers to Provide Passwords – Report RIA Novosti 08 Nov 2013 -- Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden obtained logins and passwords from unwitting employees at the US National Security Agency and used the credentials to access some of the classified documents he disclosed to the media, the Reuters news agency cited sources as saying Friday.
Leaked papers reveal plot against Venezuela govt. Iran Press TV 08 Nov 2013 -- Leaked documents have proven attempts by foreign powers to meddle in Venezuela's internal affairs in order to destabilize the Latin American country and undermine President Nicolas Maduro's leadership.
Uncorrected Transcript of Evidence UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament 7 Nov 2013 -- Sir Iain Lobban, Director, Government Communication Headquarters; Mr Andrew Parker, Director General, Security Service, MI5; Sir John Sawers, Chief, Secret Intelligence Service, MI6 - "Today's open session, being the first ever, will involve an examination of a number of issues involving the Intelligence Agencies. It will include current controversies; it will include the threats that the Agencies are working to counter; the Agencies' conduct when performing their duties; the legal and policy framework within which they must operate; whether they need special legal powers; and whether it is right and necessary for them to receive, each year, £2 billion of public funds to carry out their work."
CIA pays AT&T millions for call records Iran Press TV 07 Nov 2013 -- The US Central Intelligence Agency is paying AT&T, a US telecommunications corporation headquartered in Texas, millions of dollars a year in order to exploit the company's huge database of phone records for spying purposes.
UK spies on Mideast, EU from Cyprus base: Reports Iran Press TV 07 Nov 2013 -- The UK government has been conducting a massive spying operation on private, diplomatic and business communications of the Middle East and North Africa regions as well as Europe through its military base in Cyprus, media reports say.
German MP urges official probe into UK spying Iran Press TV 07 Nov 2013 -- Germany's police and intelligence agencies have been asked to launch formal probe into reports that the UK government has long been spying on the seat of German power from its embassy in Berlin, media reports say.
'State of C4ISR' Explains Priorities and Challenges During Time of Budget Uncertainty Army News 06 Nov 2013 -- In an effort to answer questions about mission priorities and needs in this time of defense budget uncertainty and Better Buying Power mandates, the leaders of the Center of Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) provided the first 'State of C4ISR' presentation to almost 400 business, industry, and economic development stakeholders.
Apple Reveals Government Data Requests VOA 06 Nov 2013 -- Apple has released the number of information requests it has received from governments around the world, a first for the tech giant, which follows in the footsteps of Google, Facebook and Microsoft in releasing similar information.
'UK Berlin embassy holds listening post' Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2013 -- Britain has a secret listening post in its Berlin embassy to eavesdrop on the seat of German power, it has been revealed.
UK spy laws need urgent revision, former Home Secy. says Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2013 -- Laws that govern UK intelligence agencies need to be urgently reviewed, former Home Secretary David Blunkett has said.
KSA spymaster-Mossad talks spark anger Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2013 -- A meeting between the Saudi Arabian spy chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, Tamir Bardo, has infuriated Saudi authorities.
US spying activities anger Japanese government Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2013 -- Japan Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera says reports of the US spying on Tokyo -- if proved to be true -- could hurt the ties between the two countries.
In Poland, Kerry Says Spying Row Should Not Cloud Trade Talks RFE/RL 05 Nov 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says European concerns over electronic surveillance by U.S. intelligence agencies should not be allowed to disrupt trade talks between the United States and the European Union.
More Kinds of Corporate Spies Target More Kinds of Trade Secrets VOA 05 Nov 2013 -- Efforts to steal trade secrets from U.S. companies continue at a high level and are hitting new targets, in spite of major efforts to stop such industrial espionage. Losing trade secrets hurts the economy by discouraging investments in the research critical to growth. Some new players are getting into the fray, and the attacks hit a huge variety of businesses from high tech to high fashion.
Kerry: US to Work Closely With Allies Over Surveillance Concerns VOA 05 Nov 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the Obama administration will work more closely with allies to overcome privacy concerns raised by the revelation of U.S. intelligence operations in Europe. In Poland, Kerry discussed the spy scandal and efforts to end Syria's civil war.
Brazil Admits Spying on Foreign Diplomatic Targets VOA 04 Nov 2013 -- Brazil - a vocal critic of widely reported U.S. intelligence gathering inside its borders - has itself admitted spying on foreign diplomatic operations, including those of the United States, Iran and Russia.
Alexander: Media Reports Mischaracterize What NSA Does AFPS 04 Nov 2013 -- Media reports detailing secret National Security Agency collection of data from companies such as Google and Yahoo from overseas data centers mischaracterize what NSA does, the agency's director said in an Oct. 31 speech to an audience at the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs.
US Military Doctors Complicit in 'Torture' – Experts RIA Novosti 04 Nov 2013 -- US military and intelligence agencies pressed doctors and psychologists to violate medical ethics by directing them to engage in "torture" of detainees amid US counterterrorism efforts, medical and legal experts said in a report released Monday.
Snowden Clemency Appeal Rejected VOA 04 Nov 2013 -- Edward Snowden's plea for clemency in the United States appears headed to rejection.
Snowden Cites Calls for Reform as Justifying Leaks RIA Novosti 03 Nov 2013 -- Fugitive US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden said in a self-described manifesto published Sunday that world leaders' recent calls for reform of American surveillance programs justify his disclosure of classified information on such programs.
Pentagon to build underwater drones for spying purposes Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2013 -- The Pentagon is working on a developmental program to plant unmanned vehicles on the ocean floor ready to speed to the surface and fly into the air for surveillance and operational purposes, according to a report.
Snowden free to aid Germany over US spying: Russia Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2013 -- Russia says American surveillance whistleblower Edward Snowden is free to help German investigations into reports the US National Security Agency (NSA) spied on Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Brazil, Germany submit anti-spy resolution to UN Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2013 -- An anti-spying draft resolution written by Germany and Brazil has been submitted to the United Nations amid the US surveillance scandal.
China's Xinhua says US risks own security by spying on allies Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2013 -- Amid rising tensions over the US National Security Agency's widespread eavesdropping programs, China's official Xinhua news agency says the United States is endangering its own security by spying on its allies.
Malaysia summons US, Australian envoys over spying network Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2013 -- Malaysia has summoned the heads of US and Australian diplomatic missions in the country to protest at an alleged US-led spying network.
Kremlin Denies Snowden Is Breaking Terms of Russian Asylum RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2013 -- Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden will not be permitted to break the conditions of his asylum status in Russia by harming the US, a Russian newspaper quoted President Vladimir Putin's spokesman as saying Saturday.
Swiss Lawmakers Want to Meet Snowden in Russia RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2013 -- A group of Swiss lawmakers are planning to travel to Moscow to ask fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden about his undercover work in Geneva, a media report said on Saturday.
Pakistan views US phone-tapping illegal IRNA 01 Nov 2013 -- Pakistan has described phone-tapping by the United States as illegal and said it has also raised the issue of phone-taping after reports suggested that the US has also surveillance of phones in Pakistan.
Navy's New Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Takes its First Flight NNS 01 Nov 2013 -- The Navy's newest variant of the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed its first day of flying Oct. 31 at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu.
Kerry admits surveillance on foreign governments 'reached too far' Iran Press TV 01 Nov 2013 -- Secretary of State John Kerry has admitted that surveillance of foreign countries and governments by the National Security Agency (NSA) has "reached too far," amid rising tensions between the US and many of its allies.
Snowden wants to discuss US spy scandal in Berlin Iran Press TV 01 Nov 2013 -- US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden has said he is willing to travel to Berlin to discuss US spying scandal, urging the international community to help persuade Washington to drop its charges against him.
Gen. Alexander blames US diplomats for foreign surveillance Iran Press TV 01 Nov 2013 -- General Keith Alexander, director of the US National Security Agency (NSA) has defended his agency's surveillance of friendly foreign governments but said the orders came from American diplomats and policymakers.
Brazil, Germany submit anti-spy resolution to UN Iran Press TV 01 Nov 2013 -- An anti-spying draft resolution written by Germany and Brazil has been submitted to the United Nations amid the US surveillance scandal.
Snowden 'Willing To Help' German Inquiry RFE/RL 01 Nov 2013 -- Germany's interior minister says German authorities are prepared to meet with Edward Snowden to discuss allegations of U.S. surveillance of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Snowden Offers to Testify in Germany on US Phone Tapping RIA Novosti 01 Nov 2013 -- Fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden says he is willing to meet with officials in Germany to discuss alleged US surveillance programs aimed at the country's leadership.
Germany Open to Talks with US Intelligence Leaker VOA 01 Nov 2013 -- Germany says it would like to talk to U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden about what he knows about the vast American spying programs, including the alleged monitoring of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone.

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