If recent reports are to be believed, the National Security Agency has broad powers to capture private information about Americans. They know who we’re calling, they have access to our Gmail messages and AOL Instant Messenger chats, and it’s a safe bet that they have other interception capabilities that haven’t been publicly disclosed. Indeed, most mainstream communications technologies are vulnerable to government eavesdropping.

The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has breached international refugee law by ordering asylum-seekers to be deported without proper investigation of their claims for asylum, an Australian TV report has revealed.

Firming up its ties with Sri Lanka, China has granted fresh development loan worth $2.2 billion for infrastructure projects and agreed to provide defence technology as well as training to the island nation’s army.