News Headlines - 09 December 2013

▽Major tech companies unite to call for new limits on surveillance - The Washington Post

Eight of the nation’s largest technology companies called on President Obama and Congress on Monday to impose strict new curbs on surveillance that, if enacted, would dramatically reshape intelligence operations that U.S. officials have portrayed as integral to the war on terrorism.

▽Phuket News: PM dissolves House, but anti-Thaksin protest continues

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced the dissolution of the House of Representatives on Monday after a huge turnout of anti-government protesters determined to end to the "Thaksin regime" - but the protest continued.

▽Japan PM Abe's ratings slide after state secrets act | Reuters

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slid in opinion polls after his ruling coalition steamrolled through parliament a tough secrecy act that critics fear could muzzle media and allow officials to hide misdeeds.

▽Peter Higgs: I wouldn't be productive enough for today's academic system | The Guardian

Peter Higgs, the British physicist who gave his name to the Higgs boson, believes no university would employ him in today's academic system because he would not be considered "productive" enough.

▽'Alien-like creature' revealed as PR stunt - Telegraph

It was a mystery that took the internet by storm but the Bristol harbour 'alien' has been exposed as an elaborate stunt to promote a new TV show