Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told US Congress that Russia was interfering in US Presidential Elections and was releasing steady stream of misinformation that aimed Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden. He said that Russia was even making efforts to diminish Americans' confidence in the election process.

He said his biggest concern is a "steady drumbeat of misinformation" that he said he feared could undermine confidence in the result of the 2020 election.

Multiple reviews by US&nbsp;intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia acted to boost now-President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and undermine his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The Republican president has long bristled at that finding, which Russia denies.

Regarding China, Wray said that the FBI is so active in monitoring Chinese efforts to acquire U.S. technology and other sensitive information that it is opening a new counterintelligence investigation related to China "every 10 hours."

Wray said the FBI is conducting multiple investigations into violent domestic extremists following months of street protests against racism and police brutality. He said the largest "chunk" of investigations were into white supremacist groups.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-wrote-controversial-us-agency-guidelines-on-testing-says-report-328323">Trump administration wrote controversial US agency guidelines on testing, says report</a>

Director of USA's National Counterintelligence and Security Center had warned on August 7 that Russia, China and Iran were all trying to interfere November 3 election. FBI Director's warning is another such indication given by a high-ranking official from US intelligence set-up.

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Lately, Donald Trump has repeatedly and without evidence questioned the increased use of mail-in ballots, a long-established method of voting in the United States which is expected to see a surge in use due to the coronavirus. On Thursday Trump wrote on Twitter, without evidence, that they could make it impossible to know the election's true outcome.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told US Congress that Russia was interfering in US Presidential Elections and was releasing steady stream of misinformation that aimed Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told US Congress that Russia was interfering in US Presidential Elections and was releasing steady stream of misinformation that aimed Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden. He said that Russia was even making efforts to diminish Americans' confidence in the election process. He said his biggest concern is a "steady drumbeat of misinformation" that he said he feared could undermine confidence in the result of the 2020 election. Multiple reviews by US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia acted to boost now-President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and undermine his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The Republican president has long bristled at that finding, which Russia denies. Regarding China, Wray said that the FBI is so active in monitoring Chinese efforts to acquire U.S. technology and other sensitive information that it is opening a new counterintelligence investigation related to China "every 10 hours." Wray said the FBI is conducting multiple investigations into violent domestic extremists following months of street protests against racism and police brutality. He said the largest "chunk" of investigations were into white supremacist groups. Also Read | Trump administration wrote controversial US agency guidelines on testing, says report Director of USA's National Counterintelligence and Security Center had warned on August 7 that Russia, China and Iran were all trying to interfere November 3 election. FBI Director's warning is another such indication given by a high-ranking official from US intelligence set-up. × Lately, Donald Trump has repeatedly and without evidence questioned the increased use of mail-in ballots, a long-established method of voting in the United States which is expected to see a surge in use due to the coronavirus. On Thursday Trump wrote on Twitter, without evidence, that they could make it impossible to know the election's true outcome. (With inputs from Reuters)

Russia interfering in US elections, targeting Joe Biden: FBI

FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned that Russia is interfering in the 2020 US presidential elections.

FBI Chief: Russia targeting Joe Biden in US Election 2020

FBI chief warns of Russian meddling in US elections

A Chinese hacker group called&nbsp;APT41 has been&nbsp;charged by the US Justice Department after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Microsoft caught two of the hackers in a combined effort.&nbsp;

APT41 is a group of seven hackers, out of which five of them are Chinese nationals and are expert hackers. Majority of the group members have been employees of&nbsp;Chengdu 404 Network Technology — a company that provides legal hacking services to the company to help&nbsp;detect vulnerabilities in clients' computer networks. The other company involved in the case is&nbsp;SEA Gamer Mall, a Malaysia-based firm that sells video game currency, power-ups and other in-game items.

They trapped various groups — from gaming companies to non-profit organisations — by several sophisticated and basic phishing methods. While some companies got duped through phishing emails, rest gave permission to the group to modify their codes, which provided them free and unlimited access to clients' computers and internal data.

The group has been alleged of hacking hundreds of computers of various companies around the world. The hackers accessed identities, personal information and used the hacked information to ask for ransom and commit&nbsp;cryptocurrency/bitcoin frauds. They also hacked into systems of gaming companies through which they used the data to sell game items back to the customers and dupe them of money.

They have&nbsp;also been alleged of compromising government&nbsp;data in Vietnam and India.&nbsp;

Whether or not the group was working for the Chinese government is not yet clear. The court has alleged that the hackers collected information regarding pro-democracy activists of Hong Kong and&nbsp;a Buddhist monk from Tibet. One of the hackers,&nbsp;Jiang Lizhi, has a history of working with&nbsp;China's Ministry of State Security.

However, none of these allegations have successfully proved a connection between the hacker group and the Chinese government. More investigation is being carried out for this.

Out of seven, two members have been caught. However, these two were businessmen in Malaysia, and the hackers are still at large. The two businessmen were caught in a&nbsp;sweeping operation by the FBI and private companies including Microsoft to block the hackers from using their online accounts.

The US is currently seeking permission to extradite the hacker groups, which is seemingly difficult as none of the members have lived in the US, but have committed frauds in the country.

A Chinese hacker group called APT41 has been charged by the US Justice Department after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Microsoft caught two of the hackers in a combined effort.

A Chinese hacker group called APT41 has been charged by the US Justice Department after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Microsoft caught two of the hackers in a combined effort. APT41 is a group of seven hackers, out of which five of them are Chinese nationals and are expert hackers. Majority of the group members have been employees of Chengdu 404 Network Technology — a company that provides legal hacking services to the company to help detect vulnerabilities in clients' computer networks. The other company involved in the case is SEA Gamer Mall, a Malaysia-based firm that sells video game currency, power-ups and other in-game items. They trapped various groups — from gaming companies to non-profit organisations — by several sophisticated and basic phishing methods. While some companies got duped through phishing emails, rest gave permission to the group to modify their codes, which provided them free and unlimited access to clients' computers and internal data. The group has been alleged of hacking hundreds of computers of various companies around the world. The hackers accessed identities, personal information and used the hacked information to ask for ransom and commit cryptocurrency/bitcoin frauds. They also hacked into systems of gaming companies through which they used the data to sell game items back to the customers and dupe them of money. They have also been alleged of compromising government data in Vietnam and India. Whether or not the group was working for the Chinese government is not yet clear. The court has alleged that the hackers collected information regarding pro-democracy activists of Hong Kong and a Buddhist monk from Tibet. One of the hackers, Jiang Lizhi, has a history of working with China's Ministry of State Security. However, none of these allegations have successfully proved a connection between the hacker group and the Chinese government. More investigation is being carried out for this. Out of seven, two members have been caught. However, these two were businessmen in Malaysia, and the hackers are still at large. The two businessmen were caught in a sweeping operation by the FBI and private companies including Microsoft to block the hackers from using their online accounts. The US is currently seeking permission to extradite the hacker groups, which is seemingly difficult as none of the members have lived in the US, but have committed frauds in the country.

Chinese hacker group, APT41, dupe companies in Malaysia and China

The wildfires in&nbsp;Oregon have not been caused by any "extremist" group, the FBI announced on Friday, putting an end to various controversies doing rounds on social media.

Several theories on the internet are passing rumours that the wildfires are being intentionally set up by the group&nbsp;Antifa, a structureless movement that says it is dedicated to fighting fascism online and in public, and which is a favored target of conservatives.

"Conspiracy theories and misinformation take valuable resources away (from) local fire and police agencies working around the clock to bring these fires under control," the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Portland office said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-death-toll-of-west-coast-wildfires-rises-to-9-500000-ordered-to-evacuate-in-oregon-326779">Also read|&nbsp;US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon</a>

"FBI Portland and local law enforcement agencies have been receiving reports that extremists are responsible for setting wildfires in Oregon. With our state and local partners, the FBI has investigated several such reports and found them to be untrue," it said.

The rumours about Antifa being the group behind this started when&nbsp;Paul Romero Jr, who unsuccessfully ran to be one of Oregon's US senators, posted this conspiracy theory on social media.&nbsp;"Oregon is on fire! Pallet Company in Oregon City confirmed Antifa arsonist on camera. Douglas County Sheriff has 6 ANTIFA arsonists in custody," he wrote in a tweet that spread as a screenshot on Facebook.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-six-die-in-wildfires-as-orange-skies-blacken-us-california-326449">Also read|&nbsp;At least six die in wildfires as orange skies blacken US</a>

However,&nbsp;the Douglas County Sheriff's Office clarified in a Facebook post: "Our 9-1-1 dispatchers and professional staff are being overrun with requests for information and inquiries on an UNTRUE rumor that 6 Antifa members have been arrested for setting fires."

Several social media posts also started claiming that seven members of the Antifa group have been arrested for starting the&nbsp;Oregon fires. However,&nbsp;Mike Moran, public information officer for the sheriff's office in Jackson County, clarified&nbsp;

"There is absolutely no truth to that story that seven Antifa people or anyone affiliated with Antifa or other organizations have been arrested for anything in our area."

"It's totally counterproductive. We're trying to do a lot of emergency work and people call in with things making false reports or just wanting to check on this story that has no merit," he said.

Th wildfires have destroyed hundreds of houses and have injured several people. The local authorities have started rescue operations and are urging people to exercise caution and stay away from any fake news.

The wildfires in Oregon have not been caused by any "extremist" group, the FBI announced on Friday, putting an end to various controversies doing rounds on social media.

The wildfires in Oregon have not been caused by any "extremist" group, the FBI announced on Friday, putting an end to various controversies doing rounds on social media. Several theories on the internet are passing rumours that the wildfires are being intentionally set up by the group Antifa, a structureless movement that says it is dedicated to fighting fascism online and in public, and which is a favored target of conservatives. "Conspiracy theories and misinformation take valuable resources away (from) local fire and police agencies working around the clock to bring these fires under control," the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Portland office said in a statement. Also read| US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon "FBI Portland and local law enforcement agencies have been receiving reports that extremists are responsible for setting wildfires in Oregon. With our state and local partners, the FBI has investigated several such reports and found them to be untrue," it said. The rumours about Antifa being the group behind this started when Paul Romero Jr, who unsuccessfully ran to be one of Oregon's US senators, posted this conspiracy theory on social media. "Oregon is on fire! Pallet Company in Oregon City confirmed Antifa arsonist on camera. Douglas County Sheriff has 6 ANTIFA arsonists in custody," he wrote in a tweet that spread as a screenshot on Facebook. Also read| At least six die in wildfires as orange skies blacken US However, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office clarified in a Facebook post: "Our 9-1-1 dispatchers and professional staff are being overrun with requests for information and inquiries on an UNTRUE rumor that 6 Antifa members have been arrested for setting fires." Several social media posts also started claiming that seven members of the Antifa group have been arrested for starting the Oregon fires. However, Mike Moran, public information officer for the sheriff's office in Jackson County, clarified "There is absolutely no truth to that story that seven Antifa people or anyone affiliated with Antifa or other organizations have been arrested for anything in our area." "It's totally counterproductive. We're trying to do a lot of emergency work and people call in with things making false reports or just wanting to check on this story that has no merit," he said. Th wildfires have destroyed hundreds of houses and have injured several people. The local authorities have started rescue operations and are urging people to exercise caution and stay away from any fake news.

Oregon wildfires are not intentional, no role of 'extremists': FBI

The FBI wants American businesses to stop dealing with the Chinese companies. According to the FBI report,&nbsp;Chinese businesses lie, cheat and steal from American businesses.

Counterfeit goods, pirated software, and stolen trade secrets cost the United States&nbsp;well over 200 billion dollars every year.

Now, the FBI is blaming China for this. America's Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning to corporates. &nbsp;A new FBI report exposes how China has been stealing American innovations targeting every potential source from businesses to even universities.

China steals original ideas through joint ventures between American and Chinese companies.

The FBI feels that such tie-ups provide an opportunity for a competing company to obtain restricted information.

Academic collaborations can be used to gain access to useful scientific research.

China runs talent recruitment programs, through which the country targets scientists, engineers, professionals, foreign government employees and contractors. The aim is to gather foreign research and technology. It is used to target military and civilian programs.

China uses trade shows and conferences as hunting grounds for intelligence.

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Attention, American business owners! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DYK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DYK</a> the Chinese government steals intellectual property and trade secrets from U.S. companies and researchers? Learn more about the risks the Chinese Communist Party poses to corporate America at <a href="https://t.co/eR7Xqxh4Mw">https://t.co/eR7Xqxh4Mw</a>.
— FBI (@FBI) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI/status/1297571944053846016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The FBI has advised American businesses against working with Chinese companies.

It says the threat posed by Chinese interests is much bigger. Foreign travel can leave US employees vulnerable. The FBI says spies gather information through covert searches of luggage and hotel rooms.

Electronics can be confiscated and Americans workers can be subjected to extensive questioning. Even pushed into compromising situations. All in an effort to steal information.

The FBI now defines China as the world’s principal infringer of intellectual property.

Christopher Wray, FBI director said: "Over the past decade, we've seen economic espionage cases with a link to china increase by approximately 1,300 percent. The stakes could not be higher and the potential economic harm to american businesses and the economy as a whole almost defies calculation."

After losing billions --- the United States is now waking up to China’s theft. China has also been compelling European companies to hand over patents.

According to a survey, one in five firms has been forced to transfer technologies for market access.&nbsp;

The FBI wants American businesses to stop dealing with the Chinese companies. According to the FBI report, Chinese businesses lie, cheat and steal from American businesses.

The FBI wants American businesses to stop dealing with the Chinese companies. According to the FBI report, Chinese businesses lie, cheat and steal from American businesses. Counterfeit goods, pirated software, and stolen trade secrets cost the United States well over 200 billion dollars every year. Now, the FBI is blaming China for this. America's Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning to corporates. A new FBI report exposes how China has been stealing American innovations targeting every potential source from businesses to even universities. China steals original ideas through joint ventures between American and Chinese companies. The FBI feels that such tie-ups provide an opportunity for a competing company to obtain restricted information. Academic collaborations can be used to gain access to useful scientific research. China runs talent recruitment programs, through which the country targets scientists, engineers, professionals, foreign government employees and contractors. The aim is to gather foreign research and technology. It is used to target military and civilian programs. China uses trade shows and conferences as hunting grounds for intelligence. Attention, American business owners! #DYK the Chinese government steals intellectual property and trade secrets from U.S. companies and researchers? Learn more about the risks the Chinese Communist Party poses to corporate America at https://t.co/eR7Xqxh4Mw. — FBI (@FBI) August 23, 2020 × The FBI has advised American businesses against working with Chinese companies. It says the threat posed by Chinese interests is much bigger. Foreign travel can leave US employees vulnerable. The FBI says spies gather information through covert searches of luggage and hotel rooms. Electronics can be confiscated and Americans workers can be subjected to extensive questioning. Even pushed into compromising situations. All in an effort to steal information. The FBI now defines China as the world’s principal infringer of intellectual property. Christopher Wray, FBI director said: "Over the past decade, we've seen economic espionage cases with a link to china increase by approximately 1,300 percent. The stakes could not be higher and the potential economic harm to american businesses and the economy as a whole almost defies calculation." After losing billions --- the United States is now waking up to China’s theft. China has also been compelling European companies to hand over patents. According to a survey, one in five firms has been forced to transfer technologies for market access.

FBI warns American businesses to stop dealing with Chinese companies

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China.

According to&nbsp;&nbsp;the US&nbsp;Justice Department,&nbsp;Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested on a charge that he conspired with a relative, also a former&nbsp;CIA&nbsp;officer, to communicate classified information to Chinese intelligence officials.&nbsp;

He continued to meet with the undercover agent, accepting money and offering secrets until this month, when he said he was happy to keep working for Beijing but "would prefer to discuss opportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided," the indictment said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heres-how-chinas-spy-racket-is-bigger-than-the-cold-war-308878">Here's how China's spy racket is bigger than the cold war!</a>

The Justice Department said Ma was arrested on August 14, but only unsealed the indictment on Monday.

Ma, 67, a naturalized US citizen born in Hong Kong, worked for the Central Intelligence Agency with a high-level security clearance from 1982 to 1989.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-espionage-programme-operation-fox-hunt-311547">All you need to know about China's espionage programme 'Operation Fox Hunt'</a>

He had a relative, unnamed and uncharged in the indictment due to his age, 85, and advanced cognitive disease, who also worked for the agency from 1967 to 1983.

The indictment says that at least as early as 2001, the two were already providing information to agents of Beijing's Ministry of State Security.

The indictment says FBI investigators gained video and audio recordings of their meetings with MSS agents in Hong Kong in March 2001 -- though it does not explain how and when they obtained such evidence

At those meetings they provided details of CIA communications, field operations and informants, and the video shows them receiving $50,000.

After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers.

After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers.

He and his relative were also asked to identify from pictures possible US agents and informants in China during this period, according to the charges.

The&nbsp;CIA&nbsp;and FBI declined to comment on why it took so long to arrest him. Ma's lawyer, Craig Jerome, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The case though is the latest of several brought against US government employees who sold secrets to China.

After China reportedly broke up a network of CIA sources and operatives inside China around 2010, the agency began digging deeply for leaks and possible moles that may have exposed them.

Last November Jerry Chun Shing Lee, who worked for the CIA from 1994 to 2007, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for giving US secrets to Chinese intelligence.

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China.

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China. According to the US Justice Department, Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested on a charge that he conspired with a relative, also a former CIA officer, to communicate classified information to Chinese intelligence officials. He continued to meet with the undercover agent, accepting money and offering secrets until this month, when he said he was happy to keep working for Beijing but "would prefer to discuss opportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided," the indictment said. Also read: Here's how China's spy racket is bigger than the cold war! The Justice Department said Ma was arrested on August 14, but only unsealed the indictment on Monday. Ma, 67, a naturalized US citizen born in Hong Kong, worked for the Central Intelligence Agency with a high-level security clearance from 1982 to 1989. Also read: All you need to know about China's espionage programme 'Operation Fox Hunt' He had a relative, unnamed and uncharged in the indictment due to his age, 85, and advanced cognitive disease, who also worked for the agency from 1967 to 1983. The indictment says that at least as early as 2001, the two were already providing information to agents of Beijing's Ministry of State Security. The indictment says FBI investigators gained video and audio recordings of their meetings with MSS agents in Hong Kong in March 2001 -- though it does not explain how and when they obtained such evidence At those meetings they provided details of CIA communications, field operations and informants, and the video shows them receiving $50,000. After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers. After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers. He and his relative were also asked to identify from pictures possible US agents and informants in China during this period, according to the charges. The CIA and FBI declined to comment on why it took so long to arrest him. Ma's lawyer, Craig Jerome, could not immediately be reached for comment. The case though is the latest of several brought against US government employees who sold secrets to China. After China reportedly broke up a network of CIA sources and operatives inside China around 2010, the agency began digging deeply for leaks and possible moles that may have exposed them. Last November Jerry Chun Shing Lee, who worked for the CIA from 1994 to 2007, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for giving US secrets to Chinese intelligence.

Former CIA officer arrested for giving classified information to China

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms.

The August 4 blast, which the authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years, killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless.

“We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” said David Hale, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/seismic-data-suggests-string-of-blasts-preceded-beirut-explosion-320805">Also watch:&nbsp;Seismic data suggests string of blasts preceded Beirut explosion</a>

He added that FBI agents would be arriving this weekend, at the invitation of Lebanon, to help investigate what led to the explosion.

The blast has fuelled anger at Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency, demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lebanon-beirut-to-get-50000-tonnes-of-food-un-food-aid-world-news-320260">Also watch:&nbsp;Lebanon: Beirut to get 50,000 tonnes of food | U.N food aid</a>

“When we see Lebanese leaders committed to real change, change in word and deed, America and its international partners will respond to systemic reforms with sustained financial support,” Hale said.&nbsp;

“The popular demand for real change could not be clearer.”

President Michel Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the cause of the blast was negligence, an accident or “external interference”.

“They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that,” said painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast.

The heavily armed, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States, said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast.

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms.

The United States called on Saturday for a transparent and credible investigation into the massive port blast in Beirut and said the country would only get financial support when Lebanese leaders commit to reforms. The August 4 blast, which the authorities say was caused by more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been unsafely stored at the port for years, killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 300,000 homeless. “We can never go back to an era in which anything goes at the port or the borders of Lebanon that had to contribute to this situation,” said David Hale, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, after visiting the port. Also watch: Seismic data suggests string of blasts preceded Beirut explosion He added that FBI agents would be arriving this weekend, at the invitation of Lebanon, to help investigate what led to the explosion. The blast has fuelled anger at Lebanon’s ruling politicians who were already facing criticism over a financial meltdown that has sunk the currency, demolished the value of savings and left depositors unable to withdraw their money. Also watch: Lebanon: Beirut to get 50,000 tonnes of food | U.N food aid “When we see Lebanese leaders committed to real change, change in word and deed, America and its international partners will respond to systemic reforms with sustained financial support,” Hale said. “The popular demand for real change could not be clearer.” President Michel Aoun has said a probe will look into whether the cause of the blast was negligence, an accident or “external interference”. “They won’t do a thing in an investigation and the whole world knows that,” said painter Mohammed Khodr, as he helped repair a restaurant damaged in the blast. The heavily armed, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States, said on Friday it would wait for results of the official Lebanese investigation into the blast.

US calls for credible probe into 'overwhelming' Beirut blast

A former FBI attorney&nbsp;Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for&nbsp;altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty. in the courts.

Clinesmith will be pleading guilty&nbsp;to falsifying a document as part of a federal probe into the origins of an investigation into possible contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

He has taken responsibility for altering the email, however his lawyers have emphasised that this was not his intent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/book-trouble-trumps-ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-accuses-him-of-colluding-with-russia-to-win-elections-320361">Also read|&nbsp;Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses him of colluding with Russia to win elections</a>

“Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email,” Justin Shur, a lawyer for Clinesmith said.

“It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility,” he added.

<img alt="Kevin Clinesmith, former FBI lawyer, to plead guilty for falsifying email against Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3291ecb-81b9-4c51-92cd-77f18d053c85" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kevin%20Clinesmith_0.jpg" />

After the news of Clinesmith pleading guilty broke out, US President Donald Trump suggested towards similar cases being in work.

“That’s just the beginning, I would imagine, because what happened should never happen again,” Trump said on Friday, describing Clinesmith as a “corrupt FBI attorney”.

“The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught. And you’ll be hearing more,” Trump said.

He has also been retweeting several articles and tweets about Clinesmith's guilty plead.

According to the charges, former FBI employee wrote text messages opposing Trump's win in the US elections. It is believed that Clinesmith altered an email from an unnamed source (believed to be CIA) to prove that the unnamed individual was not a source, which was not the original content of the email.

Further developments are awaited on this matter.

A former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty.

A former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty. in the courts. Clinesmith will be pleading guilty to falsifying a document as part of a federal probe into the origins of an investigation into possible contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. He has taken responsibility for altering the email, however his lawyers have emphasised that this was not his intent. Also read| Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses him of colluding with Russia to win elections “Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email,” Justin Shur, a lawyer for Clinesmith said. “It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility,” he added. After the news of Clinesmith pleading guilty broke out, US President Donald Trump suggested towards similar cases being in work. “That’s just the beginning, I would imagine, because what happened should never happen again,” Trump said on Friday, describing Clinesmith as a “corrupt FBI attorney”. “The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught. And you’ll be hearing more,” Trump said. He has also been retweeting several articles and tweets about Clinesmith's guilty plead. According to the charges, former FBI employee wrote text messages opposing Trump's win in the US elections. It is believed that Clinesmith altered an email from an unnamed source (believed to be CIA) to prove that the unnamed individual was not a source, which was not the original content of the email. Further developments are awaited on this matter.

Kevin Clinesmith, former FBI lawyer, to plead guilty for falsifying email against Trump

Lawyers for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on Monday demanded the release of unredacted Canadian spy service documents they say would reveal a plot between the FBI and Canada to "trick" their client.

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;Meng&nbsp;Wanzhou&nbsp;was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver. She is charged with violating US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition ever since.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeau-rejects-prisoner-swap-of-top-huawei-executive-meng-wanzhou-308720">Trudeau rejects 'prisoner swap' of top Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou</a>

During a videoconference hearing before a federal court in Ottawa, Meng's lawyers demanded full publication of several documents that had been redacted before and after arrest. A redacted version of the documents has already been released.

They said the documents would provide proof of a plot between the US and Canadian authorities.

The arrest set off an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and Beijing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-loses-court-fight-against-extradition-to-united-states-301652">Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou loses court fight against extradition to United States</a>

Scott Fenton, one of Meng's lawyers, said Monday his client had been questioned for three hours by Canadian customs agents at Vancouver airport without knowing what she was accused of, before being formally arrested. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He said that constituted a violation of her rights and justified halting the extradition process.

"She was never told the reasons she was detained," Fenton said. "She was misled; she was tricked, in fact."

The Canadian Attorney General's lawyer, Robert Frater, opposed the unredacted publication of the documents and denied any plot with the FBI.

He dismissed the allegations as "fanciful inferences from anodyne statements" in the court filings.&nbsp;

In a sworn statement delivered to a Vancouver court in July, a Canadian foreign ministry official said the full disclosure of the documents could "renew tensions" between the two countries and put Canadians in danger.

A few days after Meng's arrest in Vancouver, China jailed former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and his fellow countryman Michael Spavor, who were later charged with spying.

Their detention is largely seen in the West as a reprisal for Meng's arrest.

The hearing at the federal court in Ottawa was later adjourned and will resume behind closed door on Thursday.

Lawyers for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on Monday demanded the release of unredacted Canadian spy service documents they say would reveal a plot between the FBI and Canada to "trick" their client.

Lawyers for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on Monday demanded the release of unredacted Canadian spy service documents they say would reveal a plot between the FBI and Canada to "trick" their client. Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver. She is charged with violating US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition ever since. Also read: Trudeau rejects 'prisoner swap' of top Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou During a videoconference hearing before a federal court in Ottawa, Meng's lawyers demanded full publication of several documents that had been redacted before and after arrest. A redacted version of the documents has already been released. They said the documents would provide proof of a plot between the US and Canadian authorities. The arrest set off an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and Beijing. Also read: Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou loses court fight against extradition to United States Scott Fenton, one of Meng's lawyers, said Monday his client had been questioned for three hours by Canadian customs agents at Vancouver airport without knowing what she was accused of, before being formally arrested. He said that constituted a violation of her rights and justified halting the extradition process. "She was never told the reasons she was detained," Fenton said. "She was misled; she was tricked, in fact." The Canadian Attorney General's lawyer, Robert Frater, opposed the unredacted publication of the documents and denied any plot with the FBI. He dismissed the allegations as "fanciful inferences from anodyne statements" in the court filings. In a sworn statement delivered to a Vancouver court in July, a Canadian foreign ministry official said the full disclosure of the documents could "renew tensions" between the two countries and put Canadians in danger. A few days after Meng's arrest in Vancouver, China jailed former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and his fellow countryman Michael Spavor, who were later charged with spying. Their detention is largely seen in the West as a reprisal for Meng's arrest. The hearing at the federal court in Ottawa was later adjourned and will resume behind closed door on Thursday.

Documents will prove Canada plotted with FBI: Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's lawyer

The US has arrested 3 Chinese nationals and have charged them over visa fraud for allegedly lying about their affiliations with the Chinese army. A fourth research association has been declared fugitive by the FBI which is investigating the market. Watch report.

3 Chinese nationals arrested over visa fraud: Fugitive researcher hiding in consulate | World News

The filings come at a time of increased tension between the United States and China, and increased scrutiny over possible economic espionage by Chinese citizens working in the U.S.

WION Dispatch: FBI accuses Chinese Consulate in San Francisco of harboring fugitive

The domestic intelligence and security service of the United States FBI is leading an inquiry into the Twitter hacking of major companies and individuals, as more Washington lawmakers raised alarms about the breach of high-profile accounts on the social media platform.

FBI probes mega Twitter hack

The FBI has revealed that Chinese spies are blackmailing dissenters living abroad, in an effort to force their return to China. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more about Operation Fox Hunt.

Gravitas: How Chinese spies are targeting dissidents abroad

Wray said that China accounted for nearly half of the 5,000 ongoing counter-intelligence cases being pursued by the FBI

FBI Chief: China pressuring US media for positive coverage of Anti-COVID efforts

The FBI has concluded the investigation on Tuesday on the noose found in the garage stalls of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and said that the rope was no evidence of racist hate crime but an object that had been there for months.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nascar-community-comes-together-for-bubba-wallace-as-fbi-investigates-noose-307830">NASCAR community comes together for Bubba Wallace as FBI investigates noose</a>

NASCAR released a statement which said: "The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime."

NASCAR said Sunday night that a noose was found in the garage stall of black driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, and they have launched a probe of the "heinous" act.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/outrage-as-noose-found-in-garage-of-black-nascar-driver-307621" hreflang="en">Outrage as noose found in garage of black NASCAR driver</a>

NASCAR released a statement, which read: "Late this afternoon, NASCAR was made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of the 43 teams. We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act."&nbsp;

Wallace took to Twitter to condemn this "despicable act of racism" against him. He wrote: "The despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism."

Northern District of Alabama Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. made a statement and announced that there will be no charges. The statement said: "The FBI learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week."

"The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019."

"Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week."

The FBI has concluded the investigation on Tuesday on the noose found in the garage stalls of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and said that the rope was no evidence of racist hate crime but an object that had been there for months.

The FBI has concluded the investigation on Tuesday on the noose found in the garage stalls of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and said that the rope was no evidence of racist hate crime but an object that had been there for months. Also read: NASCAR community comes together for Bubba Wallace as FBI investigates noose NASCAR released a statement which said: "The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime." NASCAR said Sunday night that a noose was found in the garage stall of black driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, and they have launched a probe of the "heinous" act. Also read: Outrage as noose found in garage of black NASCAR driver NASCAR released a statement, which read: "Late this afternoon, NASCAR was made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of the 43 teams. We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act." Wallace took to Twitter to condemn this "despicable act of racism" against him. He wrote: "The despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism." Northern District of Alabama Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. made a statement and announced that there will be no charges. The statement said: "The FBI learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week." "The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019." "Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week."

'Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime as per FBI investigation': NASCAR

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters late last month the State and Treasury departments were investigating whether several firms were violating sanctions imposed on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA since January 2019.

The sanctions are part of a campaign by Washington to strangle the revenues of President Nicolas Maduro, which has failed to break his grip on power. US officials say privately that is a source of frustration for President Donald Trump, whose administration has tightened the implementation of sanctions in recent months.

Three of the people who provided information to the FBI - who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter - said the agency was investigating three Mexican companies: Libre Abordo, Schlager Business Group, and Grupo Jomadi Logistics &amp; Cargo.

Reuters could find no record of Venezuelan oil purchases by those companies prior to sanctions.&nbsp;

The three people also said the FBI was gathering information on two Europe-based oil trading companies that do have a track record of dealing in Venezuelan oil or selling fuel to PDVSA: Elemento Ltd and Swissoil Trading SA.

One of the sources familiar with the matter in Washington said any action against the Mexican and European companies could be postponed or cancelled if the firms had already halted trade with Venezuela.

The three others said the probe by the Treasury and the State departments could potentially lead to action in the coming weeks if they discovered a violation of sanctions.

A spokesman for the US Department of Justice, which handles media enquiries for the FBI, declined to comment, as did a State Department spokesperson. The Treasury Department did not reply to a request for comment.

Emails and phone calls seeking comment from Swissoil went unanswered. Emails sent to an address on Jomadi's website bounced back.

Law firm Holman, Fenwick &amp; Willan (HFW), representing Elemento, said in a letter to Reuters after this story was published on May 13 that its client "is not aware of any investigations into it or its business" by the FBI, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or any other body.

"Our client does not currently trade oil of Venezuela origin or sell fuel to PDVSA," it said, adding that Elemento does not have any intention of doing so in the future. "Our client goes to great lengths to ensure that its business activities comply with applicable rules, regulations and sanctions, including obtaining legal advice."

Elemento and its lawyers did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of the May 13 story.

In a lawsuit in January 2020 in a British court, Tansy Shiptrade Inc alleged Elemento had used its name without permission to load a cargo of about 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in December 2019, according to a judge's ruling refusing Elemento’s request to be allowed to sell the oil.

The judgement said Elemento had admitted using Tansy's name to receive the cargo but that Elemento had said it had permission to do so and had asserted that Swissoil had acted as its agent in the trade.

According to the judge's ruling, Richard Rothenberg, Elemento's chief financial officer, said in an affidavit that between 2016 and 2019 the firm carried out Venezuela-related trades as part of an agreement with US-based Castleton Commodities International (CCI).

While CCI ceased its involvement due to US sanctions imposed on Venezuela in early 2019, Elemento did 13 more trades on its own after that date, Rothenberg said, according to the ruling. He did not provide dates for the trades.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach Rothenberg for comment. CCI said Elemento was its counterparty on petroleum trades until early 2019, but the US commodities firm said it ceased its trading participation before the January 2019 sanctions on PDVSA. 
Reuters could not establish subsequent trading in Venezuelan oil by Elemento and Swissoil following the disputed cargo, aboard Liberia-flagged tanker Respect. &nbsp; &nbsp;

OIL FOR FOOD

Libre Abordo and its affiliate Schlager said in a statement to Reuters, citing legal experts they hired, that two contracts they signed in June 2019 with Venezuela's Corporation for Foreign Trade (Corpovex) to provide food and water trucks in exchange for Venezuelan crude - known as an oil-for-food agreement - were permitted under the sanctions as long as no cash payment reached Maduro's government.

"Neither Libre Abordo nor shipping companies hired to move PDVSA's hydrocarbons are the subject of sanctions," read the statement.

The firms declined to identify the legal experts but provided Reuters with their interpretation of Venezuela sanctions, which the companies said they sent to several shipping firms and other partners.

The undated memorandum said the oil-for-food deal did not contravene US measures because Corpovex was not specifically named on the Treasury Department's list of sanctioned people and entities, unlike PDVSA, and because there were exceptions under the sanctions for humanitarian goods.

Neither Corpovex, PDVSA nor Venezuela's trade ministry responded to requests for comment. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; 
VENEZUELA RELIANT ON SWAP DEALS

The two small Mexican companies have emerged as the largest middlemen for Venezuelan oil in recent months, according to internal PDVSA export documents, reviewed by Reuters.&nbsp;

OPEC member Venezuela has come to rely on trading oil and gold to pay for essential imports using complicated swap agreements because Washington's sanctions bar Maduro's government from using the US financial system.

The PDVSA export documents show that Libre Abordo and Schlager have quickly ramped up trading of Venezuelan oil since receiving a first cargo in December, after a second wave of US sanctions in August 2019 barred non-US oil companies from doing business with PDVSA.

These secondary sanctions blocked the US property of anyone worldwide "materially assisting" Venezuela's government, including PDVSA and other governmental bodies - though it did not specifically name Corpovex. While the measures permitted shipments of food, clothing and medicines, none of the Venezuela-related executive orders issued by Trump specifically allowed oil-for-food agreements.

Whether that ambiguity potentially has created a loophole for companies is a matter of disagreement, some experts said.

Richard Nephew, a senior researcher at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and a former State Department official dealing with sanctions policy toward Iran, said that while food deals were permitted under sanctions there was no special dispensation for them to be paid for in oil and the involvement of PDVSA could still prompt Treasury to take action.

However, Peter Harrell, an expert on sanctions at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said that in oil-for-food swaps the companies ultimately supplying the food could be protected from sanctions provided they had no role in physically receiving, transporting or selling the oil.

Harrell added that some US policymakers might be reluctant to impose sanctions on companies involved in a deal to supply basic goods to a nation suffering a humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

"Policymakers will be concerned that sanctioning an oil for food barter would play into a...narrative that US sanctions are causing humanitarian challenges in Venezuela," Harrell said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
DECISIONS ON SANCTIONS

The third Mexican company, Grupo Jomadi, held talks with PDVSA to swap 5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude for imports of gasoline, according to an unsigned contract dated in March reviewed by Reuters. Venezuela's refineries have long been crippled by outages, and the country has suffered dire shortages of fuels since the sanctions were imposed.

Two sources told Reuters that Jomadi may have reached an agreement on the swap deal as a crude cargo that departed from Venezuela in April appeared to form part of it, according to the initial information collected by US authorities. Neither Jomadi nor PDVSA responded to requests for comment.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm if the swap deal took place.

While the FBI's principal focus is on domestic intelligence and security, its agents also carry out overseas investigations to aid decisions on sanctions by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which often also seeks input from the State and Commerce departments, US embassies and the intelligence community.

Libre Abordo and Schlager's oil-for-food deals with Venezuela obliged them to deliver 1,000 water trucks and 210,000 tonnes of corn to the country, the companies said. While some of the trucks have been delivered, the firms said they have not so far supplied any of the food as low oil prices have affected the original delivery schedule.

In exchange, they have so far received more than 26 million barrels of Venezuelan oil for resale, according to PDVSA's export documents.

In just four months, Libre Abordo and Schlager increased their intake of PDVSA's oil from less than 3% to 39% of the Venezuelan company's total exports, which averaged 850,000 barrels per day in April.

The agreements threw a lifeline to Maduro, whose administration is struggling to afford imports of everything from food to medicine and industrial equipment.

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The FBI is probing several Mexican and European companies allegedly involved in trading Venezuelan oil as it gathers information for a US Treasury Department inquiry into possible sanctions busting, according to four people familiar with the matter. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters late last month the State and Treasury departments were investigating whether several firms were violating sanctions imposed on Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA since January 2019. The sanctions are part of a campaign by Washington to strangle the revenues of President Nicolas Maduro, which has failed to break his grip on power. US officials say privately that is a source of frustration for President Donald Trump, whose administration has tightened the implementation of sanctions in recent months. Three of the people who provided information to the FBI - who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter - said the agency was investigating three Mexican companies: Libre Abordo, Schlager Business Group, and Grupo Jomadi Logistics & Cargo. Reuters could find no record of Venezuelan oil purchases by those companies prior to sanctions. The three people also said the FBI was gathering information on two Europe-based oil trading companies that do have a track record of dealing in Venezuelan oil or selling fuel to PDVSA: Elemento Ltd and Swissoil Trading SA. One of the sources familiar with the matter in Washington said any action against the Mexican and European companies could be postponed or cancelled if the firms had already halted trade with Venezuela. The three others said the probe by the Treasury and the State departments could potentially lead to action in the coming weeks if they discovered a violation of sanctions. A spokesman for the US Department of Justice, which handles media enquiries for the FBI, declined to comment, as did a State Department spokesperson. The Treasury Department did not reply to a request for comment. Emails and phone calls seeking comment from Swissoil went unanswered. Emails sent to an address on Jomadi's website bounced back. Law firm Holman, Fenwick & Willan (HFW), representing Elemento, said in a letter to Reuters after this story was published on May 13 that its client "is not aware of any investigations into it or its business" by the FBI, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or any other body. "Our client does not currently trade oil of Venezuela origin or sell fuel to PDVSA," it said, adding that Elemento does not have any intention of doing so in the future. "Our client goes to great lengths to ensure that its business activities comply with applicable rules, regulations and sanctions, including obtaining legal advice." Elemento and its lawyers did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of the May 13 story. In a lawsuit in January 2020 in a British court, Tansy Shiptrade Inc alleged Elemento had used its name without permission to load a cargo of about 2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in December 2019, according to a judge's ruling refusing Elemento’s request to be allowed to sell the oil. The judgement said Elemento had admitted using Tansy's name to receive the cargo but that Elemento had said it had permission to do so and had asserted that Swissoil had acted as its agent in the trade. According to the judge's ruling, Richard Rothenberg, Elemento's chief financial officer, said in an affidavit that between 2016 and 2019 the firm carried out Venezuela-related trades as part of an agreement with US-based Castleton Commodities International (CCI). While CCI ceased its involvement due to US sanctions imposed on Venezuela in early 2019, Elemento did 13 more trades on its own after that date, Rothenberg said, according to the ruling. He did not provide dates for the trades. Reuters was unable to immediately reach Rothenberg for comment. CCI said Elemento was its counterparty on petroleum trades until early 2019, but the US commodities firm said it ceased its trading participation before the January 2019 sanctions on PDVSA. Reuters could not establish subsequent trading in Venezuelan oil by Elemento and Swissoil following the disputed cargo, aboard Liberia-flagged tanker Respect. OIL FOR FOOD Libre Abordo and its affiliate Schlager said in a statement to Reuters, citing legal experts they hired, that two contracts they signed in June 2019 with Venezuela's Corporation for Foreign Trade (Corpovex) to provide food and water trucks in exchange for Venezuelan crude - known as an oil-for-food agreement - were permitted under the sanctions as long as no cash payment reached Maduro's government. "Neither Libre Abordo nor shipping companies hired to move PDVSA's hydrocarbons are the subject of sanctions," read the statement. The firms declined to identify the legal experts but provided Reuters with their interpretation of Venezuela sanctions, which the companies said they sent to several shipping firms and other partners. The undated memorandum said the oil-for-food deal did not contravene US measures because Corpovex was not specifically named on the Treasury Department's list of sanctioned people and entities, unlike PDVSA, and because there were exceptions under the sanctions for humanitarian goods. Neither Corpovex, PDVSA nor Venezuela's trade ministry responded to requests for comment. VENEZUELA RELIANT ON SWAP DEALS The two small Mexican companies have emerged as the largest middlemen for Venezuelan oil in recent months, according to internal PDVSA export documents, reviewed by Reuters. OPEC member Venezuela has come to rely on trading oil and gold to pay for essential imports using complicated swap agreements because Washington's sanctions bar Maduro's government from using the US financial system. The PDVSA export documents show that Libre Abordo and Schlager have quickly ramped up trading of Venezuelan oil since receiving a first cargo in December, after a second wave of US sanctions in August 2019 barred non-US oil companies from doing business with PDVSA. These secondary sanctions blocked the US property of anyone worldwide "materially assisting" Venezuela's government, including PDVSA and other governmental bodies - though it did not specifically name Corpovex. While the measures permitted shipments of food, clothing and medicines, none of the Venezuela-related executive orders issued by Trump specifically allowed oil-for-food agreements. Whether that ambiguity potentially has created a loophole for companies is a matter of disagreement, some experts said. Richard Nephew, a senior researcher at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and a former State Department official dealing with sanctions policy toward Iran, said that while food deals were permitted under sanctions there was no special dispensation for them to be paid for in oil and the involvement of PDVSA could still prompt Treasury to take action. However, Peter Harrell, an expert on sanctions at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said that in oil-for-food swaps the companies ultimately supplying the food could be protected from sanctions provided they had no role in physically receiving, transporting or selling the oil. Harrell added that some US policymakers might be reluctant to impose sanctions on companies involved in a deal to supply basic goods to a nation suffering a humanitarian crisis. "Policymakers will be concerned that sanctioning an oil for food barter would play into a...narrative that US sanctions are causing humanitarian challenges in Venezuela," Harrell said. DECISIONS ON SANCTIONS The third Mexican company, Grupo Jomadi, held talks with PDVSA to swap 5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude for imports of gasoline, according to an unsigned contract dated in March reviewed by Reuters. Venezuela's refineries have long been crippled by outages, and the country has suffered dire shortages of fuels since the sanctions were imposed. Two sources told Reuters that Jomadi may have reached an agreement on the swap deal as a crude cargo that departed from Venezuela in April appeared to form part of it, according to the initial information collected by US authorities. Neither Jomadi nor PDVSA responded to requests for comment. Reuters was unable to independently confirm if the swap deal took place. While the FBI's principal focus is on domestic intelligence and security, its agents also carry out overseas investigations to aid decisions on sanctions by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which often also seeks input from the State and Commerce departments, US embassies and the intelligence community. Libre Abordo and Schlager's oil-for-food deals with Venezuela obliged them to deliver 1,000 water trucks and 210,000 tonnes of corn to the country, the companies said. While some of the trucks have been delivered, the firms said they have not so far supplied any of the food as low oil prices have affected the original delivery schedule. In exchange, they have so far received more than 26 million barrels of Venezuelan oil for resale, according to PDVSA's export documents. In just four months, Libre Abordo and Schlager increased their intake of PDVSA's oil from less than 3% to 39% of the Venezuelan company's total exports, which averaged 850,000 barrels per day in April. The agreements threw a lifeline to Maduro, whose administration is struggling to afford imports of everything from food to medicine and industrial equipment.

FBI probes Mexican, European firms over Venezuela oil trading

FBI arrested a NASA researcher who allegedly failed to disclose his ties to Chinese entities. According to the US Justice Department, this happened during the course of securing funding for a NASA research project.

FBI Arrests Two Chinese researchers working in US in a week

FBI arrests NASA researcher for not 'disclosing' ties with China

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

However,&nbsp;Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah's name was disclosed by mistake.

In a response to a lawsuit by families of 9/11 victims, an FBI official accidentally revealed the name of the Saudi official in a declaration by him. The lawsuit was by the families of the victims, who have accused Saudi Arabia's government of involvement in the attacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-to-enforce-24-hour-curfew-during-the-five-day-eid-al-fitr-holiday-298476">Also read:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia to enforce 24-hour curfew during the five-day Eid al-Fitr holiday</a>

The accidental revelation&nbsp;was spotted by&nbsp;Michael Isikoff, the chief investigative journalist at Yahoo News.

"When I noticed that the declaration included this information, I contacted the FBI for comment. Because I knew that the justice department and the Trump administration had been going to extraordinary length to keep all of this under wraps," he said.

"In fact, both Attorney General William Barr and the Acting Director of the National Intelligence Richard Grennell had filed motions with the court saying that any information relating to the Saudi embassy official and all internal FBI documents about this matter were so sensitive; they were state secrets, that means if revealed they could cause damage to the national security," he added.

The declaration was made by&nbsp;Jill Sanborn, the assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division.

When requested to depose the person under oath, Sanborn's declaration said that it involved "any and all records referring to or relating to Jarrah". This was the point where it was accidentally revealed that the "third person" was&nbsp;Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah.

However, all other background and investigative reports conducted by the FBI remain sealed.

This accidental slip-up has, however, revived the questions about Saudi government's involvement in the attacks. "This shows there is a complete government cover-up of the Saudi involvement," Brett Eagleson, a spokesman for the families, told Yahoo news. "This is a giant screw-up."

Officials notified the court and withdrew the FBI's declaration from the public docket. Following that, the docket now reads:&nbsp; "The document was incorrectly filed in this case."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. However, Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah's name was disclosed by mistake. In a response to a lawsuit by families of 9/11 victims, an FBI official accidentally revealed the name of the Saudi official in a declaration by him. The lawsuit was by the families of the victims, who have accused Saudi Arabia's government of involvement in the attacks. Also read: Saudi Arabia to enforce 24-hour curfew during the five-day Eid al-Fitr holiday The accidental revelation was spotted by Michael Isikoff, the chief investigative journalist at Yahoo News. "When I noticed that the declaration included this information, I contacted the FBI for comment. Because I knew that the justice department and the Trump administration had been going to extraordinary length to keep all of this under wraps," he said. "In fact, both Attorney General William Barr and the Acting Director of the National Intelligence Richard Grennell had filed motions with the court saying that any information relating to the Saudi embassy official and all internal FBI documents about this matter were so sensitive; they were state secrets, that means if revealed they could cause damage to the national security," he added. The declaration was made by Jill Sanborn, the assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division. When requested to depose the person under oath, Sanborn's declaration said that it involved "any and all records referring to or relating to Jarrah". This was the point where it was accidentally revealed that the "third person" was Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah. However, all other background and investigative reports conducted by the FBI remain sealed. This accidental slip-up has, however, revived the questions about Saudi government's involvement in the attacks. "This shows there is a complete government cover-up of the Saudi involvement," Brett Eagleson, a spokesman for the families, told Yahoo news. "This is a giant screw-up." Officials notified the court and withdrew the FBI's declaration from the public docket. Following that, the docket now reads: "The document was incorrectly filed in this case."

FBI accidentally reveals Saudi official link to 9/11 attacks

the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security are preparing to issue a warning that China’s most skilled hackers and spies are working to steal American research over COVID-19 vaccine.

US likely to accuse China of vaccine data theft

The US Justice Department has dropped charges against Donald Trump's former aide Michael Flynn, despite his two affirmations of guilty plea.

The department said in a filing Flynn's December 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI in an interview over his Russia contacts was moot because the lies were not significant.

It said the FBI's original probe of him had no "legitimate investigative basis."

Interestingly, the decision by the Justice Department was led by Trump's&nbsp;close ally Attorney General Bill Barr.

It sparked accusations that Barr was undermining longstanding department policies barring interference in cases involving political cronies.

In response to the announcement, Flynn tweeted a video of his grandson reciting the US Pledge of Allegiance with the caption: "and JUSTICE for ALL".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
My grandson Travis...“and JUSTICE for ALL” ⚖️❤️🙏🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/IuOGugjOC3">pic.twitter.com/IuOGugjOC3</a>
— General Flynn (@GenFlynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenFlynn/status/1258495318490054661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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On Thursday,&nbsp;Trump said he was "very happy for General Flynn".

Flynn was Trump's first national security adviser,&nbsp;who was fired three years ago due and convicted during the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference.

He had pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia's ambassador to the US.

The US Justice Department has dropped charges against Donald Trump's former aide Michael Flynn, despite his two affirmations of guilty plea. The department said in a filing Flynn's December 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI in an interview over his Russia contacts was moot because the lies were not significant.

The US Justice Department has dropped charges against Donald Trump's former aide Michael Flynn, despite his two affirmations of guilty plea. The department said in a filing Flynn's December 2017 guilty plea for lying to the FBI in an interview over his Russia contacts was moot because the lies were not significant. It said the FBI's original probe of him had no "legitimate investigative basis." Interestingly, the decision by the Justice Department was led by Trump's close ally Attorney General Bill Barr. It sparked accusations that Barr was undermining longstanding department policies barring interference in cases involving political cronies. In response to the announcement, Flynn tweeted a video of his grandson reciting the US Pledge of Allegiance with the caption: "and JUSTICE for ALL". My grandson Travis...“and JUSTICE for ALL” ⚖️❤️🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IuOGugjOC3 — General Flynn (@GenFlynn) May 7, 2020 × On Thursday, Trump said he was "very happy for General Flynn". Flynn was Trump's first national security adviser, who was fired three years ago due and convicted during the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference. He had pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia's ambassador to the US.

Charges dropped against Trump's ex-adviser, despite twice guilty affirmations

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was tormented by "dirty cops" as part of the probe into whether Russia helped Trump win the White House in 2016.

The president's comments in the Oval Office, latest in a string of remarks about Flynn, may suggest that the retired general could be in line for a presidential pardon.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/has-the-us-china-cold-war-now-begun-295905" hreflang="en">Has the US-China cold war now begun?</a>

Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements in a charge brought by then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He is now insisting he did not lie and wants to back out of the plea.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-dogs-are-being-trained-to-sniff-out-covid-19-cases-295837" hreflang="en">US: Dogs are being trained to 'sniff out' COVID-19 cases</a>

Internal FBI documents turned over by the Justice Department on Wednesday showed FBI officials debated whether and when to warn Flynn that he could face criminal charges as they prepared for a January 2017 interview with him in the Russia probe.

Trump blamed Flynn's predicament on "dirty cops" and said the documents show Flynn is a victim.

“He’s in the process of being exonerated. If you look at those notes from yesterday, that was total exoneration," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was tormented by "dirty cops" as part of the probe into whether Russia helped Trump win the White House in 2016.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was tormented by "dirty cops" as part of the probe into whether Russia helped Trump win the White House in 2016. The president's comments in the Oval Office, latest in a string of remarks about Flynn, may suggest that the retired general could be in line for a presidential pardon. Also read: Has the US-China cold war now begun? Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements in a charge brought by then-Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He is now insisting he did not lie and wants to back out of the plea. Also read: US: Dogs are being trained to 'sniff out' COVID-19 cases Internal FBI documents turned over by the Justice Department on Wednesday showed FBI officials debated whether and when to warn Flynn that he could face criminal charges as they prepared for a January 2017 interview with him in the Russia probe. Trump blamed Flynn's predicament on "dirty cops" and said the documents show Flynn is a victim. “He’s in the process of being exonerated. If you look at those notes from yesterday, that was total exoneration," Trump said.

Trump says his former national security adviser Flynn was tormented by dirty cops

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19.

The bureau had recently seen state-backed hackers poking around a series of healthcare and research institutions.

"We certainly have seen reconnaissance activity, and some intrusions, into some of those institutions, especially those that have publicly identified themselves as working on COVID-related research," FBI Deputy Assistant Director Tonya Ugoretz told participants in an online panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute.

State-backed hackers had often targetted biopharmaceutical industry but it has certainly heightened during this crisis.

The FBI has so far not commented on this.

 
&nbsp;

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19.

A senior cybersecurity official with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that foreign government hackers have broken into companies conducting research into treatments for COVID-19. The bureau had recently seen state-backed hackers poking around a series of healthcare and research institutions. "We certainly have seen reconnaissance activity, and some intrusions, into some of those institutions, especially those that have publicly identified themselves as working on COVID-related research," FBI Deputy Assistant Director Tonya Ugoretz told participants in an online panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute. State-backed hackers had often targetted biopharmaceutical industry but it has certainly heightened during this crisis. The FBI has so far not commented on this.

Foreign hackers are targetting COVID-19 research, claims FBI official

Video conferencing app Zoom, whose popularity skyrocketed due to the global lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic, is under scrutiny after concerns were raised over its&nbsp;data privacy and security practices.

New York's attorney general has written to the California-based firm&nbsp;raising concerns over its ability to cope with the rise in users.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dethroning-whatsapp-tiktok-video-conferencing-app-zoom-tops-download-charts-289800">Dethroning, Whatsapp, TikTok video conferencing app Zoom tops download charts</a>

The investigation comes after the FBI's Boston office warned on Monday that it had "received multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language."

Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX has also banned its employees from using the app, citing "significant privacy and security concerns,"&nbsp;

According to a report, the app which has more than&nbsp;200 million daily video users, is the new target for online hackers who are hijacking meetings, interrupting educational sessions and&nbsp;posting white supremacist messages. This is called ''Zoombombing.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/zoom-pulls-in-more-than-200-million-daily-video-users-during-worldwide-lockdowns-290157">Zoom pulls in more than 200 million daily video users during worldwide lockdowns</a>

These hackers are also sharing leaking sensitive consumer data and sending pornographic content to its users.

Social media users who experienced this hacking used&nbsp;the hashtag #zoombombed to warn&nbsp;others&nbsp;users.

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Our video call was just attacked by someone who kept sharing pornography + switching between different user accounts so we could not block them. Stay tuned for next steps. And I am sorry to everyone who experienced. We shut down as soon as we could.
— Jessica Lessin (@Jessicalessin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jessicalessin/status/1241087064134660096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Previously, an ex-NSA hacker now a principal security researcher Patrick Wardle had discovered two security bugs in the app which can easily take control over a computer and warned its users of misuse.

While one bug can allow the attacker to inject malicious code into the Zoom installer that would allow them to access the person’s setup, the other bug could control the user's webcam and microphone.

Another crucial security flaw of the app includes no end-to-end encryption. This encryption ensures that&nbsp;no-one other than participants can see a meeting.

The FBI warned people that should not make meetings or classrooms public when they are being hosted on Zoom. Such chats can be restricted either by requiring a password or using the waiting room feature to only let in approved people.

It also alerted people not to post a link to a given chat on any public platform. Instead, those links should be sent directly to the people involved.

The federal law enforcement agency also&nbsp;asked&nbsp;people to ensure that their screen-sharing options are set to ''host only'', meaning that anyone who does manage to join the chat would not be able to show images or other distressing things to anyone else in the conversation.

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Video conferencing app Zoom, whose popularity skyrocketed due to the global lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic, is under scrutiny after concerns were raised over its data privacy and security practices.

Video conferencing app Zoom, whose popularity skyrocketed due to the global lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic, is under scrutiny after concerns were raised over its data privacy and security practices. New York's attorney general has written to the California-based firm raising concerns over its ability to cope with the rise in users. Also read: Dethroning, Whatsapp, TikTok video conferencing app Zoom tops download charts The investigation comes after the FBI's Boston office warned on Monday that it had "received multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language." Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX has also banned its employees from using the app, citing "significant privacy and security concerns," According to a report, the app which has more than 200 million daily video users, is the new target for online hackers who are hijacking meetings, interrupting educational sessions and posting white supremacist messages. This is called ''Zoombombing.'' Zoom pulls in more than 200 million daily video users during worldwide lockdowns These hackers are also sharing leaking sensitive consumer data and sending pornographic content to its users. Social media users who experienced this hacking used the hashtag #zoombombed to warn others users. Our video call was just attacked by someone who kept sharing pornography + switching between different user accounts so we could not block them. Stay tuned for next steps. And I am sorry to everyone who experienced. We shut down as soon as we could. — Jessica Lessin (@Jessicalessin) March 20, 2020 × Previously, an ex-NSA hacker now a principal security researcher Patrick Wardle had discovered two security bugs in the app which can easily take control over a computer and warned its users of misuse. While one bug can allow the attacker to inject malicious code into the Zoom installer that would allow them to access the person’s setup, the other bug could control the user's webcam and microphone. Another crucial security flaw of the app includes no end-to-end encryption. This encryption ensures that no-one other than participants can see a meeting. The FBI warned people that should not make meetings or classrooms public when they are being hosted on Zoom. Such chats can be restricted either by requiring a password or using the waiting room feature to only let in approved people. It also alerted people not to post a link to a given chat on any public platform. Instead, those links should be sent directly to the people involved. The federal law enforcement agency also asked people to ensure that their screen-sharing options are set to ''host only'', meaning that anyone who does manage to join the chat would not be able to show images or other distressing things to anyone else in the conversation.

Why are concerns being raised on Zoom app's safety and security?

March 14 in history: Patent for cotton gin, first gold record awarded and more

US officials on Wednesday stepped up warnings about the potential security risks from the fast-growing, Chinese-owned TikTok as a lawmaker unveiled legislation to ban the social media app from government devices.

At a Senate hearing, officials from the FBI, the Justice Department and Homeland Security said the video-sharing app could become another tool exploited by Chinese intelligence services.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tiktok-received-more-numbers-than-facebook-ever-did-sheryl-sandberg-283417">TikTok received more numbers than Facebook ever did, says&nbsp;Sheryl Sandberg</a>

Senator Josh Hawley, who convened the hearing, said he was introducing a bill to ban TikTok from all US government devices, calling it "a major security risk for the American people."

TikTok, which is especially popular with teens, is believed to have been the most downloaded app worldwide last year, but US officials have expressed concern over its connections with the government in Beijing.

"TikTok is one example of an application where the average citizen doesn't understand the implications of what's behind it," Clyde Wallace, an official in the FBI's cyber division, told the hearing.

"It's basically controlled by a state-sponsored actor."

While the various data points collected by TikTok may not seem sensitive, Wallace said the information may be aggregated and "used for many purposes."

In his written testimony, Wallace said Chinese-owned social media applications may collect personal data including biometrics, contact lists, location data and bank and credit card details.

"Any and all data can be transferred to other locations and associated entities to include the Chinese parent company," he said.

Bryan Ware, a cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security, echoed those fears, saying that TikTok data could become part of a large database exploited by China.

"China has amazing programs in collection of data and developing artificial intelligence and analytics against that data for purposes that we don't fully know... and that should give us great concern," Ware said.

"There's certainly no place for applications like TikTok on government devices and government networks."

Adam Hickey, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's security division, said the aggregation of data from TikTok "makes it easier for intelligence services to either recruit or hack into systems used by government employees."

Samm Sacks, a cybersecurity fellow at the New America Foundation specializing in China, said Chinese regulations may enable the government to "essentially require anything that they want of these companies" even if some privately push back at the requests.

TikTok has said its operations were not influenced by the Beijing authorities. 
&nbsp;

US officials on Wednesday stepped up warnings about the potential security risks from the fast-growing, Chinese-owned TikTok as a lawmaker unveiled legislation to ban the social media app from government devices.

US officials on Wednesday stepped up warnings about the potential security risks from the fast-growing, Chinese-owned TikTok as a lawmaker unveiled legislation to ban the social media app from government devices. At a Senate hearing, officials from the FBI, the Justice Department and Homeland Security said the video-sharing app could become another tool exploited by Chinese intelligence services. Also read: TikTok received more numbers than Facebook ever did, says Sheryl Sandberg Senator Josh Hawley, who convened the hearing, said he was introducing a bill to ban TikTok from all US government devices, calling it "a major security risk for the American people." TikTok, which is especially popular with teens, is believed to have been the most downloaded app worldwide last year, but US officials have expressed concern over its connections with the government in Beijing. "TikTok is one example of an application where the average citizen doesn't understand the implications of what's behind it," Clyde Wallace, an official in the FBI's cyber division, told the hearing. "It's basically controlled by a state-sponsored actor." While the various data points collected by TikTok may not seem sensitive, Wallace said the information may be aggregated and "used for many purposes." In his written testimony, Wallace said Chinese-owned social media applications may collect personal data including biometrics, contact lists, location data and bank and credit card details. "Any and all data can be transferred to other locations and associated entities to include the Chinese parent company," he said. Bryan Ware, a cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security, echoed those fears, saying that TikTok data could become part of a large database exploited by China. "China has amazing programs in collection of data and developing artificial intelligence and analytics against that data for purposes that we don't fully know... and that should give us great concern," Ware said. "There's certainly no place for applications like TikTok on government devices and government networks." Adam Hickey, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's security division, said the aggregation of data from TikTok "makes it easier for intelligence services to either recruit or hack into systems used by government employees." Samm Sacks, a cybersecurity fellow at the New America Foundation specializing in China, said Chinese regulations may enable the government to "essentially require anything that they want of these companies" even if some privately push back at the requests. TikTok has said its operations were not influenced by the Beijing authorities.

US lawmakers propose ban on TikTok citing Chinese government ties

US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michael-bloomberg-and-donald-trump-two-men-to-watch-in-us-election-280746">Donald Trump</a> on Friday said he has "the legal right" to interfere in criminal cases, capping a tumultuous week that raised questions about whether he is eroding the independence of the US&nbsp;legal system.

Trump's criticism of the judge, jury and prosecutors in the criminal case of his longtime adviser Roger Stone prompted an unusual rebuke from Attorney General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-attorney-general-william-barr-refuses-to-testify-before-house-judiciary-committee-on-mueller-report-215205">William Barr</a>, his top law enforcement official, and spurred new demands for investigation from the Democrats who unsuccessfully tried to remove the Republican president from office.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michael-bloomberg-and-donald-trump-two-men-to-watch-in-us-election-280746">Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump: Two men to watch in US election</a>

It was the latest in a string of aggressive actions by Trump since the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of impeachment charges last week.

Trump has transferred or fired government officials who testified about his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a potential political rival in November's presidential election.

He also dropped his nomination of former US&nbsp;Attorney Jessie Liu, who oversaw the Stone case, for another government post in the Treasury Department.

Sources close to the president said Trump has a greater sense of freedom following his Senate acquittal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-takes-impeachment-victory-lap-over-vicious-democrats-279141">Donald Trump takes impeachment victory lap over 'vicious' Democrats</a>

"You have to remember, he's not 'of' government. He gets frustrated when people tell him something can't get done. He's like: 'Just get it done,'" said one administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Barr has privately told Trump for "some time" that his public statements were making it hard for him to run the Justice Department effectively, according to a source familiar with the matter.

He went public on Thursday, telling ABC News that Trump's attacks made it "impossible" for him to do his job. "It's time to stop the tweeting," he said.

Trump "has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," Barr added.

The president responded on Friday morning.&nbsp;

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“The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case.” A.G. Barr This doesn’t mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1228311415192215553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Administration officials said Barr did not clear his remarks with Trump. They said Trump shrugged them off when told about them by aides.

Trump's insistence that he has the right to interfere in criminal cases runs counter to the practice of previous US&nbsp;presidents, who have generally kept an arms-length distance from the Justice Department since the Watergate scandal of the 1970s that led then-President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-behaviour-worse-than-nixon-head-of-impeachment-probe-263752">Richard Nixon</a> to resign from office.

"Trump goes farther than Nixon, though. He's proud to openly corrupt the justice system and use it to target his enemies and protect his friends," Democratic Senator Ron Wyden said in a prepared statement.

Also read: Trump's behaviour worse than Nixon: Head of impeachment probe

Trump's running commentary on the Stone case calls into question whether Barr can oversee US&nbsp;law enforcement in an independent manner, said Bruce Green, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches at Fordham School of Law.

"Given the sequence of events, it's doubtful that Barr's effort to distance himself from the president's tweets will be enough of a cure," Green told Reuters.

Barr has been an outspoken defender of the president and has aggressively sought to implement his agenda, frequently drawing charges from Democrats and former Justice Department officials that he is politicizing the rule of law.

The Justice Department on Tuesday asked for a lighter sentence for Stone, scaling back prosecutors' initial request that he serve 7 to 9 years after being found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering. That prompted all four prosecutors to resign from the case in apparent protest.

On Friday, Barr appointed an outside prosecutor to review the criminal case against Michael Flynn, another former Trump adviser who awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.

Barr has also ordered an investigation into the Obama administration's activities in 2016 as it examined possible ties between Moscow and the Trump campaign, and has gone after states and cities that have adopted "sanctuary" policies to protect unauthorized immigrants from deportation.

Barr's Justice Department sought to quash the whistleblower complaint about Trump's effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden, which led to the president's impeachment.

He confirmed earlier this week that the department is taking evidence from Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who has been seeking information in Ukraine about Biden.

Democrats who control the House of Representatives called for Barr to testify next month over the matter and asked the department's watchdog to investigate but have little other recourse.

Like Barr, Trump's Republican allies in Congress have said they wish he would be less outspoken on Twitter, even as they have consistently defended his actions.

The Senate on Thursday sought to impose some restrictions on Trump, voting to limit his ability to wage war with Iran and questioning whether one of his nominees is qualified to serve on the board of the Federal Reserve.

Meanwhile, the president has moved to rebuild his staff with those he sees as loyalists, including former communication director Hope Hicks, who worked closely with Trump in his business before serving as his 2016 campaign press secretary.

He also rehired his former personal assistant Johnny McEntee to lead his personnel office, who sources say will be tasked with ensuring that new hires are loyal to the president.

Trump is about to launch a week of re-election activities, starting with a fundraising dinner on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

On Sunday, he will seek to appeal to blue-collar voters by attending the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, where he will be named the grand marshal, the first president to have that distinction.

On Tuesday he goes on a three-day swing through California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he has "the legal right" to interfere in criminal cases, capping a tumultuous week that raised questions about whether he is eroding the independence of the US legal system.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he has "the legal right" to interfere in criminal cases, capping a tumultuous week that raised questions about whether he is eroding the independence of the US legal system. Trump's criticism of the judge, jury and prosecutors in the criminal case of his longtime adviser Roger Stone prompted an unusual rebuke from Attorney General William Barr, his top law enforcement official, and spurred new demands for investigation from the Democrats who unsuccessfully tried to remove the Republican president from office. Also read: Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump: Two men to watch in US election It was the latest in a string of aggressive actions by Trump since the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of impeachment charges last week. Trump has transferred or fired government officials who testified about his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a potential political rival in November's presidential election. He also dropped his nomination of former US Attorney Jessie Liu, who oversaw the Stone case, for another government post in the Treasury Department. Sources close to the president said Trump has a greater sense of freedom following his Senate acquittal. Also read: Donald Trump takes impeachment victory lap over 'vicious' Democrats "You have to remember, he's not 'of' government. He gets frustrated when people tell him something can't get done. He's like: 'Just get it done,'" said one administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Barr has privately told Trump for "some time" that his public statements were making it hard for him to run the Justice Department effectively, according to a source familiar with the matter. He went public on Thursday, telling ABC News that Trump's attacks made it "impossible" for him to do his job. "It's time to stop the tweeting," he said. Trump "has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," Barr added. The president responded on Friday morning. “The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case.” A.G. Barr This doesn’t mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2020 × Administration officials said Barr did not clear his remarks with Trump. They said Trump shrugged them off when told about them by aides. Trump's insistence that he has the right to interfere in criminal cases runs counter to the practice of previous US presidents, who have generally kept an arms-length distance from the Justice Department since the Watergate scandal of the 1970s that led then-President Richard Nixon to resign from office. "Trump goes farther than Nixon, though. He's proud to openly corrupt the justice system and use it to target his enemies and protect his friends," Democratic Senator Ron Wyden said in a prepared statement. Also read: Trump's behaviour worse than Nixon: Head of impeachment probe Trump's running commentary on the Stone case calls into question whether Barr can oversee US law enforcement in an independent manner, said Bruce Green, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches at Fordham School of Law. "Given the sequence of events, it's doubtful that Barr's effort to distance himself from the president's tweets will be enough of a cure," Green told Reuters. Barr has been an outspoken defender of the president and has aggressively sought to implement his agenda, frequently drawing charges from Democrats and former Justice Department officials that he is politicizing the rule of law. The Justice Department on Tuesday asked for a lighter sentence for Stone, scaling back prosecutors' initial request that he serve 7 to 9 years after being found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering. That prompted all four prosecutors to resign from the case in apparent protest. On Friday, Barr appointed an outside prosecutor to review the criminal case against Michael Flynn, another former Trump adviser who awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI. Barr has also ordered an investigation into the Obama administration's activities in 2016 as it examined possible ties between Moscow and the Trump campaign, and has gone after states and cities that have adopted "sanctuary" policies to protect unauthorized immigrants from deportation. Barr's Justice Department sought to quash the whistleblower complaint about Trump's effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden, which led to the president's impeachment. He confirmed earlier this week that the department is taking evidence from Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who has been seeking information in Ukraine about Biden. Democrats who control the House of Representatives called for Barr to testify next month over the matter and asked the department's watchdog to investigate but have little other recourse. Like Barr, Trump's Republican allies in Congress have said they wish he would be less outspoken on Twitter, even as they have consistently defended his actions. The Senate on Thursday sought to impose some restrictions on Trump, voting to limit his ability to wage war with Iran and questioning whether one of his nominees is qualified to serve on the board of the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, the president has moved to rebuild his staff with those he sees as loyalists, including former communication director Hope Hicks, who worked closely with Trump in his business before serving as his 2016 campaign press secretary. He also rehired his former personal assistant Johnny McEntee to lead his personnel office, who sources say will be tasked with ensuring that new hires are loyal to the president. Trump is about to launch a week of re-election activities, starting with a fundraising dinner on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. On Sunday, he will seek to appeal to blue-collar voters by attending the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, where he will be named the grand marshal, the first president to have that distinction. On Tuesday he goes on a three-day swing through California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.

Emboldened, Donald Trump defends right to interfere in criminal cases

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-provided-zero-cooperation-in-epstein-probe-us-prosecutor-276984">Prince Andrew</a> is vexed and baffled over the FBI allegations of ''<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-provided-zero-cooperation-in-epstein-probe-us-prosecutor-276984">zero co-operation'</a>' in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-opens-epstein-linked-rape-abuse-probe-245196">Epstein</a> sex trafficking probe.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-possible-move-might-affect-canadian-taxpayers-273290">Duke of York </a>claimed that he had not received any request by the investigation agency.

''The Duke is happy to talk but he hasn't been approached by the FBI,'' said a source close to the British royal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-provided-zero-cooperation-in-epstein-probe-us-prosecutor-276984">Prince Andrew provided 'zero cooperation' in Epstein probe: US prosecutor</a>

''The allegations are not true at all. The prince is willing to provide complete assistance to the FBI but it hasn't approached him yet. He is vexed about the way his reputation was&nbsp;being maligned and baffled as to why this was said in New York. It appears that people are jumping to conclusions,'' he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-provided-zero-cooperation-in-epstein-probe-us-prosecutor-276984">Geoffrey Berman</a>, the US prosecutor in charge of the case had accused the prince&nbsp;of providing ''zero cooperation'' in the probe on Monday.

''Till date, he has provided zero co-operation,'' the investigator had said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jeffrey-epstein-how-the-man-with-famous-friends-fell-apart-242546">Jeffrey Epstein: How the man with famous friends fell apart</a>

The prince had said that if required, he was ''willing to co-operate with law enforcement agencies with their investigation''.

A 17-year-old girl procured by Epstein had said that she was forced to be intimate with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-may-loose-armed-protection-in-major-downgrade-of-security-274825">Prince Andrew</a>.

Andrew, 59, had met Epstein in 1999 and said that he did not regret his friendship with the US financier who was arrested in Florida in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The Duke of York had to step down from his royal duties after being heavily criticized for his friendship with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-opens-epstein-linked-rape-abuse-probe-245196">Epstein</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-opens-epstein-linked-rape-abuse-probe-245196">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, 66, was a convicted sex offender who killed himself in a jail cell in August during the trail in which sex traffickking and conspiracy charges were being investigated against him. 
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Prince Andrew is vexed and baffled over the FBI allegations of ''zero co-operation'' in the Epstein sex trafficking probe. The Duke of York claimed that he had not received any request by the investigation agency.

Prince Andrew is vexed and baffled over the FBI allegations of ''zero co-operation'' in the Epstein sex trafficking probe. The Duke of York claimed that he had not received any request by the investigation agency. ''The Duke is happy to talk but he hasn't been approached by the FBI,'' said a source close to the British royal. Also read: Prince Andrew provided 'zero cooperation' in Epstein probe: US prosecutor ''The allegations are not true at all. The prince is willing to provide complete assistance to the FBI but it hasn't approached him yet. He is vexed about the way his reputation was being maligned and baffled as to why this was said in New York. It appears that people are jumping to conclusions,'' he added. Geoffrey Berman, the US prosecutor in charge of the case had accused the prince of providing ''zero cooperation'' in the probe on Monday. ''Till date, he has provided zero co-operation,'' the investigator had said. Also see: Jeffrey Epstein: How the man with famous friends fell apart The prince had said that if required, he was ''willing to co-operate with law enforcement agencies with their investigation''. A 17-year-old girl procured by Epstein had said that she was forced to be intimate with Prince Andrew. Andrew, 59, had met Epstein in 1999 and said that he did not regret his friendship with the US financier who was arrested in Florida in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution. The Duke of York had to step down from his royal duties after being heavily criticized for his friendship with Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein, 66, was a convicted sex offender who killed himself in a jail cell in August during the trail in which sex traffickking and conspiracy charges were being investigated against him.

Prince Andrew 'vexed' over FBI's allegation of 'zero cooperation'

Britain's Prince Andrew has provided "zero cooperation" to the FBI investigation into the activities and death of Jeffrey Epstein, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman said on January 27. The FBI requested an interview with Andrew, who socialized with Epstein, Berman publicly confirmed at a news conference of a group which supports victims of abuse but did not say when the request was made. Watch report:

FBI receives 'zero cooperation' from Prince Andrew in Epstein probe

The FBI is investigating British socialite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638">Ghislaine Maxwell</a> and several other people linked to US&nbsp;financier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jeffrey-epstein-how-the-man-with-famous-friends-fell-apart-242546">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.

They said a principal focus of the FBI's investigation is Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, and other "people who facilitated" Epstein's allegedly illegal behavior.

Maxwell has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

The FBI also is following up on many leads received from women who contacted a hotline the agency set up at its New York field office in the wake of Epstein's arrest in July, the sources said.

One of the sources said the probe remains at an early stage.

The sources declined to give further details or identify the people they are looking at apart from Maxwell. However, they said the FBI has no current plans to interview <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-epstein-accuser-calls-on-prince-andrew-to-talk-to-us-authorities-263156">Britain's Prince Andrew</a>, a friend of Epstein's who stepped down from his public duties in November because of what he called his "ill-judged" association with the well-connected money manager.

A spokeswoman for the FBI declined to comment.

A representative for the British royal family said that whether the agency interviewed Andrew was "a matter for the FBI."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/psychologist-approved-jeffreys-epsteins-removal-from-suicide-watch-245240">Epstein’s suicide</a> in August, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature.

He had pleaded not guilty.

Following Epstein's arrest, the FBI urged anyone who had been victimized by Epstein or had additional information to call the agency's hotline.

US&nbsp;Attorney General William Barr vowed to carry on the case against anyone who was complicit with the financier.

"Any co-conspirators should not rest easy," he said in August.

The sources said they had received numerous tips from the hotline, which they are looking into.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-victims-express-outrage-over-sex-trafficker-jeffrey-epsteins-death-us-lawmakers-push-for-investigation-for-any-foul-play-242305">Virginia Giuffre</a>, one of Epstein's alleged victims, has said in a civil lawsuit that Maxwell recruited her into Epstein's circle, where she claims Epstein forced her to have sex with him and friends including Andrew.

Maxwell has called Giuffre's allegations lies. Giuffre in response filed a defamation suit against Maxwell in 2015.

Giuffre repeated the claims about the prince in a BBC interview that aired this month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-prince-andrew-denies-having-sex-with-epstein-accuser-262718">Andrew</a>, 59, also categorically denies the accusations and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre, who was previously named Virginia Roberts.

The two law enforcement sources said the FBI's principal focus is on people who facilitated Epstein and that Andrew does not fit into that category. They did not rule out the possibility that the FBI would seek to interview Andrew at a later date.

The FBI is investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several other people linked to US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.

The FBI is investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several other people linked to US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. They said a principal focus of the FBI's investigation is Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, and other "people who facilitated" Epstein's allegedly illegal behavior. Maxwell has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment. The FBI also is following up on many leads received from women who contacted a hotline the agency set up at its New York field office in the wake of Epstein's arrest in July, the sources said. One of the sources said the probe remains at an early stage. The sources declined to give further details or identify the people they are looking at apart from Maxwell. However, they said the FBI has no current plans to interview Britain's Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein's who stepped down from his public duties in November because of what he called his "ill-judged" association with the well-connected money manager. A spokeswoman for the FBI declined to comment. A representative for the British royal family said that whether the agency interviewed Andrew was "a matter for the FBI." Epstein’s suicide in August, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature. He had pleaded not guilty. Following Epstein's arrest, the FBI urged anyone who had been victimized by Epstein or had additional information to call the agency's hotline. US Attorney General William Barr vowed to carry on the case against anyone who was complicit with the financier. "Any co-conspirators should not rest easy," he said in August. The sources said they had received numerous tips from the hotline, which they are looking into. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's alleged victims, has said in a civil lawsuit that Maxwell recruited her into Epstein's circle, where she claims Epstein forced her to have sex with him and friends including Andrew. Maxwell has called Giuffre's allegations lies. Giuffre in response filed a defamation suit against Maxwell in 2015. Giuffre repeated the claims about the prince in a BBC interview that aired this month. Andrew, 59, also categorically denies the accusations and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre, who was previously named Virginia Roberts. The two law enforcement sources said the FBI's principal focus is on people who facilitated Epstein and that Andrew does not fit into that category. They did not rule out the possibility that the FBI would seek to interview Andrew at a later date.

FBI investigates Briton, others for Epstein links: Sources

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