1. The head of the National Security Agency or NSA told a House Intelligence Panel on Tuesday that the government’s controversial surveillance programs thwarted a more than 50 terrorist plots since 9-11, including a plot to attack the New York Stock Exchange.

 

　　2. The Taliban and the US say they’ll hold talks aimed at reaching a political solution to end nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan. The announcement occurred as the international coalition formally handed over the control of the country’s security to the Afghan army and police.

 

　　3. With the G8 Summit behind him, President Obama is spending 24 hours in Germany, nearly 50 years after President Kennedy’s famous Cold War Address in Berlin. Wednesday, Obama will give a speech of Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate.

 

　　4. US stocks moved higher Tuesday helped by News of pick up in home building and low inflation. But investors had their eyes on the Federal Reserve which could come in Wednesday on how long it plans to keep stimulus programs in place.