U.S. House Intelligence Committee's Hearings On NSA Spying -- News Roundup

Chris Inglis (L), Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, General Keith Alexander (2nd L), director of the National Security Agency, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Deputy Attorney General James Cole (R) are pictured at a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 29, 2013. REUTERS-Jason Reed

House Committee Questions Spy Chiefs About Phone-Tapping Allegations -- CNN

(CNN) -- The House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday afternoon questioned U.S. spy chiefs about accusations that the National Security Agency has tapped not only the phone calls of millions of Americans, but also those of top U.S. allies.

Tuesday's hearing, billed as a discussion of potential changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, comes amid claims, reported last week by German magazine Der Spiegel, that the NSA monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone.

It's the latest in a series of spying allegations that stem from disclosures given to news organizations by Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who describes himself as a whistle-blower. Comments by President Barack Obama's administration claiming that he did not know of the practice until recently have drawn criticism from both the right and the left.

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More News On Today's U.S. Intelligence Committee's Hearings On NSA Spying

Intelligence officials defend surveillance tactics in Congressional hearing - live -- The Guardian
NSA chief defends agency actions at House hearing -- UPI
Spying on allies is necessary and routine, US intelligence chief says _ and they do it, too -- Washington Post/AP
Spy chief Clapper: We've been snooping on our friends for years -- NBC
US spy chief defends spying on foreign leaders -- AFP
Clapper: Learning foreign leader intentions is spy goal -- BBC
NSA chief defends agency amid U.S. spy rift with Europe -- Reuters
NSA chief defends its spying programs -- USA Today
Amid Outrage in Europe, NSA Chief Defends US Surveillance Programs -- Voice of America
U.S. Monitored World Leaders as All Nations Do: Clapper -- Bloomberg
US spy chiefs defend targeting EU allies -- Al Jazeera
U.S. spy chief says allies spy on America's leaders, intelligence services -- Reuters