White House news

• Review: Secret Service needs outsider as leader

  18-12-2014 23:27
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service is an "insular" agency that needs a new director hired from the outside, according to former government officials tasked with examining the embattled agency after a man with a knife stormed the White House.
  
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• Washington weighs response to Sony hack; options limited

  18-12-2014 23:19
  
  By David Brunnstrom and Piya Sinha-Roy WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Thursday said it was weighing the proportional response to the sophisticated perpetrator of a cyberattack that crippled Sony Pictures, exposed its executives and led to the cancellation of the film "The Interview." Spokesman Josh Earnest said the White House is not in a position to confirm that North Korea is responsible for the hack at Sony, after a U.S. official said Wednesday that Washi
  
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• Obama raises concerns over crackdown with el-Sissi

  18-12-2014 23:14
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama has voiced concern to Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi over mass trials and the imprisonment of journalists and peaceful activists in Egypt.
  
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• The White House Needs a Bigger Fence

  18-12-2014 23:12
  
  Fence-jumpers beware: The protective barrier around the White House is likely about to get higher and more difficult to scale.
  
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• Secret Service report: White House needs a taller fence and more, better-trained agents

  18-12-2014 23:05
  
  After a prostitution scandal and consternation over how a fence-jumper at the White House got deep into the presidential mansion before he was stopped, the Secret Service needs to make sweeping changes like building a taller fence, hiring many more agents, and stepping up their training, an independent commission says.
  
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• Review panel: Secret Service needs outsider as leader

  18-12-2014 22:51
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service is an "insular" agency that needs a new director hired from the outside, according to former government officials tasked with examining the embattled agency after a man with a knife stormed the White House.
  
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• Obama to set up panel to boost trust between police and communities

  18-12-2014 22:49
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday will set up a task force to draw up recommendations to strengthen trust between law enforcement and local communities, following protests over several instances of police killings of unarmed people this year. "There is a sense of urgency," White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett told reporters before Obama was to sign an executive order setting up the Task Force on 21st Century Policing. She said the order directs the 11-member panel t
  
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• U.S. Secret Service too insular, needs outside leader, more agents - review

  18-12-2014 22:18
  
  By Doina Chiacu and Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service is in dire need of an overhaul that requires an outside leader, an infusion of agents and more training - not to mention a better fence - to protect the White House, an independent review concluded on Thursday. An executive summary of the highly classified review revealed deep problems at the top of the Secret Service, which is charged with guarding the U.S. president and other senior government officials. ...
  
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• U.S. considers 'proportional' response to Sony hacking attack

  18-12-2014 22:17
  
  By David Brunnstrom and Jim Finkle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday a cyber attack on Sony Pictures was a serious national security matter and the Obama administration was considering a proportional response, although the White House stopped short of blaming North Korea. U.S. government sources said on Wednesday that investigators had determined the attack was "state sponsored" and that North Korea was the government involved. A U.S. government official said on
  
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• U.S. Secret Service needs outside leader, more agents: review panel

  18-12-2014 21:35
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service needs strong new leadership from outside the agency and an infusion of agents and uniformed officers - not to mention a better fence - to protect the White House adequately, an independent review panel said on Thursday. The panel, appointed by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in October to address a series of security lapses, said the new Secret Service director will need to strengthen the culture of accountability at an agency that has been
  
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• US brands movie studio hack a national security breach

  18-12-2014 21:24
  
  White House spokesman Josh Earnest declined to confirm reports that North Korea had attacked the movie giant, which pulled the the film after hackers invoked 9/11 in threatening attacks on cinemas.
  
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• Obama waives sanctions authority despite new law

  18-12-2014 21:16
  
  President Barack Obama signed legislation Thursday authorizing new sanctions on Russia but said he does not plan to impose the penalties outlined in the measure. White House officials have said Obama has ...
  
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• Did North Korea really hack Sony? Cybersecurity pros at odds

  18-12-2014 21:06
  
  Was North Korea involved in the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack? On Wednesday, several news reports quoted unnamed US officials saying yes. But many cybersecurity experts remain skeptical. On Thursday, the White House refused to point the finger at North Korea, instead saying a "sophisticated actor" was behind the hack. Passcode asked experts throughout the industry whether they believe North Korea is responsible for the breach. Here's what they had to say: 
  
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• White House does not dismiss idea of Castro visit

  18-12-2014 21:04
  
  By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House does not dismiss the possibility of an eventual, precedent-shattering visit to Washington by Cuban President Raul Castro as part of President Barack Obama's plans to normalize relations with Havana. "I wouldn't rule out a visit from President Castro," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Thursday, a day after the two governments announced they would restore ties and open embassies after half a century o
  
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• What the U.S.-Cuba Breakthrough Could Mean for Music

  18-12-2014 21:00
  According to information released by the White House on Wednesday (Dec. 17), after President Obama announced the historic détente, his “new approach” to Cuban policy will make it easier for American artists to travel to Cuba to perform.
  
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• Hillary Clinton backs shift in US policy toward Cuba

  18-12-2014 20:24
  
  Washington, Dec 19 (IANS/EFE) Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, widely considered the Democratic frontrunner for the 2016 White House race, said Thursday that she supported President Barack Obama's decision to "change course" in Washington's policy vis-a-vis Cuba.
  
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• U.S. considers 'proportionate' response to Sony hacking attack

  18-12-2014 20:09
  
  By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday a cyber attack on Sony Pictures blamed on North Korea was a serious national security matter and the Obama administration was considering a proportional response. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters the attack was an example of "destructive activity with malicious intent that was initiated by a sophisticated actor." Earnest said he was not in a position to say that North Korea was responsible, b
  
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• Castro visit to White House not ruled out - Obama spokesman

  18-12-2014 19:56
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A White House spokesman on Thursday declined to rule out an eventual visit to the White House by Cuban President Raul Castro a day after President Barack Obama announced plans to normalise U.S. relations with Havana. "I wouldn't rule out a visit from President Castro," spokesman Josh Earnest. The White House on Wednesday had said it was possible Obama could visit Havana after he announced plans for the two governments to establish embassies in their respective capitals. (R
  
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• Sony Hack Needs Tempered Response, White House Says

  18-12-2014 19:51
  
  It's important the United States government not play into the hands of those responsible for the cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment by over-reacting, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at today's White House press briefing. Earnest declined to pin the attack on the North Korean government — an announcement the media is expecting to come today from the Justice Department. The investigation by the FBI and the Department of Justice in to who is…
  
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• White House open to visit from Cuba's Raul Castro

  18-12-2014 19:49
  
  Washington (AFP) - The White House raised the possibility Thursday of a visit to Washington by Cuba's President Raul Castro.
  
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• Obama to hold White House news conference on Friday

  18-12-2014 19:46
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will hold a White House news conference on Friday before leaving on a two-week vacation in Hawaii, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. Earnest described the event as an end-of-the-year news conference. Obama leaves on Friday evening for Hawaii to spend the holidays. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Susan Heavey)
  
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• Sony hack a 'serious national security matter': White House

  18-12-2014 19:45
  
  Washington (AFP) - Cyber attacks that ultimately prompted Sony Pictures to scrap the release of a madcap comedy about North Korea are a "serious national security matter," the White House said Thursday.
  
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• Obama to waive sanctions authority in US bill

  18-12-2014 19:41
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama does not plan to immediately impose new economic penalties on Russia.
  
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• White House says U.S. weighing proportionate response to Sony hack

  18-12-2014 19:36
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Thursday that U.S. officials were treating a cyber attack on Sony Pictures as a serious national security matter and that President Barack Obama's Nation...
  
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• White House webpage touts Cuba policy

  18-12-2014 19:32
  
  The White House on Thursday launched a Spanish-language webpage called "A new course for Cuba" and devoted to explaining President Barack Obama's opening to the longtime Cold War foe. "We are separated by 90 miles of water, but we are united by shared relations and the desire to promote democracy, prosperity and stability in Cuba," the White House says on the new page, which reproduces Obama's speech Wednesday announcing plans to normalize relations. "President
  
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• Obama to waive sanctions authority in Hill bill

  18-12-2014 19:31
  
  The White House says President Barack Obama does not plan to immediately impose new economic penalties on Russia. Officials said earlier this week that Obama would sign new legislation that authorizes ...
  
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• Sony Hack Attack is Subject of ‘Daily Meetings’ at White House

  18-12-2014 19:29
  
  White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday that the hacking of Sony has been the subject of daily meetings of senior intelligence officials at the White House.
  
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• Obama will sign Russia sanctions bill without imposing new penalties: White House

  18-12-2014 19:28
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will sign a Russian sanctions bill passed by the U.S. Congress but will not yet use the legislation to impose new penalties on Moscow, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Thursday. Earnest, briefing reporters, reiterated that the United States is prepared to roll back U.S. sanctions already imposed against Russia if it takes steps to ease tensions over its aggression against Ukraine. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton; Editin
  
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• Sony Hack: White House Considering Responses for ‘Serious National Security Matter’

  18-12-2014 19:24
  
  The Obama administration is viewing the massive hack attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment as a “serious national security matter” and is considering a range of possible options as a response, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday. The Sony Pictures situation was the first question Earnest faced at Thursday’s midday press briefing. Earnest was careful not... Read more »
  
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• White House: 'Sophisticated actor' hacked Sony

  18-12-2014 19:19
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says evidence shows the hack against Sony Pictures was carried out by a "sophisticated actor" with "malicious intent."
  
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• EU wants U.S. embargo of Cuba to end but accepts will take time

  18-12-2014 19:13
  
  By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - The European Union, which once launched a lawsuit to try to break the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, said on Thursday it still wanted the blockade lifted but it was prepared to wait. The United States and Cuba agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic ties after more than 50 years and U.S. President Barack Obama said he was ending what he called a rigid and outdated policy of isolating Cuba. Obama has wide executive powers to further open up to Cuba, and the White
  
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• Obama acts boldly on Cuba, with eye on legacy

  18-12-2014 16:57
  
  While campaigning in 2008, Barack Obama said it was time to come up with a new US policy towards Cuba. Now, with two years left in his second term in the White House, he has finally acted. The president has broken with a half century of seeking to isolate Cuba by announcing plans to restore diplomatic relations with the communist-run island after a year-and-a-half of secret negotiations. As he did recently on global warming or immigration reform, Obama launched an unexpected initiative to fulfil
  
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• More Than 50 Sony Movie Scripts Leaked Online

  18-12-2014 15:35
  
  Sony Pictures The latest round of Sony leaks has resulted in more than 50 movie scripts for new and finished projects getting released online. The scripts were part of a leak on Tuesday in which the emails of Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton were released by hackers, whom U.S. authorities believe to be from North Korea. The leaks came before Sony’s Wednesday announcement that it would not release Kim Jong-un assassination movie “The Interview.”  Among the movie scripts foun
  
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• Western Union Supports Financial Inclusion for Individuals and Families in Cuba

  18-12-2014 14:34
  
  The Western Union Company , a leader in global payment services, announced today the company supports the White House decision to ease restrictions on money transfer serv
  
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• Iowa and New Hampshire voters will listen before they judge Bush

  18-12-2014 07:02
  
  By Mark Guarino DAVENPORT, Iowa (Reuters) - Bob Shelley neatly folds his newspaper and uses it as a coaster for his coffee mug. By no coincidence, it covers the face of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who just announced he will explore a bid for the White House in 2016. In a coffee shop in this riverfront city, Shelley, 63, and a life-long Republican, says he is not certain which Republican presidential candidate he’ll vote for in 2016 But he knows Bush is not his man. ...
  
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• Obama reignites political debate over Cuba

  18-12-2014 06:35
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The surprising move by President Barack Obama to restore U.S. ties with Cuba reignited long-simmering political passions over the fate of the island nation, reinforcing yet another flashpoint difference between Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and several Republicans eyeing bids for the White House.
  
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• White House Approaching Sony Hack as "National Security Issue"

  18-12-2014 06:00
  
  "We're calling on Congress to act on cyber security. This is not the sort of topic that should allow us to be divided on party lines," press secretary Josh Earnest said
  
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• The White House Responds To New Sony Hacking Information

  18-12-2014 03:51
  
  AP Today we heard multiple reports that the US government is ready to place the blame for the Sony hack on North Korea. We’re expecting an annoucnement as early as tomorrow. We also learned on Wednesday that Sony has not only decided to pull the movie “The Interview” from its Christmas Day release, but that the company won’t be releasing the movie anywhere anytime soon. Seth Rogen and James Franco star in the movie as a pair of journalists who, under the guise of shooting a television in
  
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• US, Cuba announce historic thaw in ties

  18-12-2014 03:47
  
  The United States and Cuba moved to end five decades of Cold War hostility Wednesday, agreeing to revive diplomatic ties in a breakthrough that would also ease a crippling US trade embargo. In the wake of a prisoner exchange, President Barack Obama said Washington was ready for a "new chapter" in relations with communist Cuba and would re-establish its embassy in Havana, shuttered since 1961. "We are all Americans," Obama declared, breaking into Spanish for a speech that the
  
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• White House says FBI leading probe of cyber attack on Sony Pictures

  18-12-2014 03:34
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House National Security Council said on Wednesday the FBI was leading the investigation on a cyber attack on Sony Pictures and that the U.S. government had offered the company support and assistance. "The United States is investigating attribution and will provide an update at the appropriate time," the NSC said in a statement. A source said earlier that the United States may officially announce in the near future that the North Korean government was behind the a
  
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• Oprah Celebrates BFF Gayle King’s 60th Birthday With Surprise Party

  18-12-2014 02:21
  
  One thing’s for sure, being best friends with Oprah means you get a great 60th birthday party. The media mogul, who turned the big 6-0 earlier this year, surprised her BFF, CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King, with an early party to celebrate the milestone. Oprah invited King’s friends and family to celebrate the big day, including her adult children Kirby and William, and This Morning co-host Charlie Rose. The attendees were decked out in yellow, King’s favorite color and feasted on Shake
  
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• US, Cuba move to end Cold War stand-off

  18-12-2014 00:44
  
  The United States and Cuba moved to end five decades of Cold War hostility Wednesday, agreeing to revive diplomatic ties in a breakthrough that would also ease a crippling US trade embargo. In the wake of a prisoner exchange, President Barack Obama said Washington was ready for a "new chapter" in relations with Cuba and would re-establish its embassy in Havana, shuttered since 1961. "We are all Americans," Obama declared, breaking into Spanish for a speech that the White Hous
  
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• U.S., Cuba restore ties after 50 years

  18-12-2014 00:33
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cuba has released American aid worker Alan Gross after five years in prison, a U.S. official said on Wednesday amid reports of a prisoner exchange that heralds a major overhaul of U.S. policy toward Cuba. The U.S. official said Gross was released on humanitarian grounds. CNN reported a prisoner exchange that also included Cuba releasing a U.S. intelligence source and the United States releasing three Cuban intelligence agents. U.S. President Barack Obama was to make a stat
  
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• White House Considering ‘Range of Options’ In Sony Attack

  18-12-2014 00:13
  
  The U.S. government is considering “a range of options in weighing a potential response” to the hacking attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, as reports swirled on Wednesday that investigators have concluded that North Korea is linked to the security breach on the studio. “The United States is investigating attribution and will provide an update at... Read more »
  
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