Phone-tracking bar raised in US

WASHINGTON • The US Supreme Court yesterday imposed limits on the ability of police to obtain cellphone data pinpointing the past location of criminal suspects in a victory for digital privacy advocates and a setback for law enforcement authorities.

In the 5-4 ruling, the court said police generally need a court-approved warrant to get access to the data, setting a higher legal hurdle than previously existed under federal law.

The court said obtaining such data without a warrant from wireless carriers, as police routinely do, amounts to an unreasonable search and seizure under the US Constitution's Fourth Amendment.

REUTERS

London man held over bomb threat

LONDON • British police said yesterday they had arrested a 38-year-old man at London's Charing Cross railway station who claimed he had a bomb. Underground services were temporarily disrupted.

Britain is on its second highest threat level of "severe", meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

REUTERS

Kate Spade's father dies

KANSAS CITY • The father of fashion designer Kate Spade has died, just over two weeks after the suicide of his daughter.

Mr Earl F. Brosnahan Jr., 89, had been in failing health and he was also "heartbroken over the recent death of his beloved daughter", the family said in a statement on Thursday.

REUTERS

Gay marriage: Czechs say 'we do'

PRAGUE • The Czech government gave its backing yesterday to a Bill which would make the country the first in formerly communist Europe to allow same-sex marriage.

The Czech Republic has been allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter registered partnerships since 2006. A group of 46 lawmakers across the floor drafted the marriage Bill, arguing that gay couples deserved the option of full marital status.

REUTERS