U.S. Senate blocks bill to end bulk collection of phone records by NSAMay 23, 2015 - 13:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Senate has blocked a bill that would have ended the bulk collection of Americans' phone records by the National Security Agency (NSA). It also failed to authorize a temporary extension of the current legislation, BBC News reports. Senators are to meet again on May 31 - a day before the bill is due to expire. A U.S. appeals court has already ruled the bulk collection illegal. The NSA's spying was leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who has since fled to Russia. The NSA has collected data about numbers called and times, but not the content of conversations. It also allegedly spied on European firms. Among individuals targeted was German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The White House has pressed the Senate to back the a bill passed by the House of Representatives - the Freedom Act - which would end bulk collection of domestic phone records. These records would remain with telephone companies subject to a case-by-case review. The 57-42 Senate vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold. Another vote held over a two-month extension to the existing programs - Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act - also failed to reach the threshold. Supporters of the proposed Freedom Act, including privacy and civil rights advocates, say it protects privacy while preserving national security powers. The Patriot Act was passed after the 9/11 attacks and which will expire on June 1. The Snowden revelations in June 2013 caused an international outcry, despite U.S. administrations insisting the program has been fully authorized. The measures have been repeatedly approved in secret by a national security court since 2006. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |