`Stripping NSA of its powers might harm its effectiveness`

Last Updated: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 14:35

Michael Hayden, who was the NSA chief till 2005, told in an interview to the BBC that he supported the transparency but the new curbs, if implemented would make the spying operations tougher.

White House review panel proposes curbs on some NSA programs

Last Updated: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 10:01

A White House-appointed panel proposed curbs on some key National Security Agency surveillance operations, recommending limits on a program to collect records of billions of telephone calls and new tests before Washington spies on foreign leaders.

Ukraine-Russia deal won`t appease protesters: White House

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 16:50

The Russia-Ukraine deal was announced during a visit by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Moscow.

US orders departure of staff from South Sudan

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 07:41

The US Tuesday ordered its non-emergency personnel to leave South Sudan, voicing deep concern about the worsening situation in the country.

Ukraine-Russia deal won`t appease protesters: White House

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 02:17

The White House said Tuesday an economic deal between Russia and the Ukraine does not address the concerns of Ukrainian protesters calling for an accord to move closer to the European Union.

White House demands trial for Snowden after amnesty talk

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 01:58

The White House Monday renewed its demand for Edward Snowden to return home to face trial, after a top spy official floated the idea of an amnesty deal to plug his damaging intelligence leaks.

White House adviser consulted Israeli officials on Iran deal

Last Updated: Monday, December 16, 2013, 14:24

President Barack Obama`s national security adviser Susan Rice played host to a series of meetings with Israeli officials last week to try to gain their support for an interim deal with Iran aimed at containing Tehran`s nuclear program.

US to keep up spying program with new safeguards: Report

Last Updated: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 02:43

A White House review will conclude that a sweeping US spy agency program to collect data on telephone calls and Internet use should continue but with new privacy safeguards, reports said.

US budget deal will hike fees on air travellers

Last Updated: Thursday, December 12, 2013, 02:08

The US budget deal reached this week ends billions of dollars in crippling automatic spending cuts, but paying for that would trigger something Americans love to hate: higher air travel fees.

Barack Obama-Raul Castro handshake sparks buzz, draws flak

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 09:51

After the rare, unanticipated gesture of handshake between US President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro created a stir, the White House down played the event by saying that it was not a "pre-planned encounter".

Former Clinton aide Podesta joining White House to advise Obama

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 04:55

John Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, is returning to the White House to advise President Barack Obama as he struggles to regain his footing after the flawed healthcare law rollout.

US position on East China Sea will not change

Last Updated: Saturday, December 7, 2013, 10:01

China`s provocative action of declaring an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea could lead to miscalculation and further tension in the region, the White House said on Friday, urging Beijing not to implement its decision in this regard.