The sophisticated hacks pulled off by Russia and China against a broad array of government and industrial targets in the United States — and the failure of the intelligence agencies to detect them — are driving the Biden administration and Congress to rethink how the nation should protect itself from growing cyber threats.

Both hacks exploited the same gaping vulnerability in the existing system: They were launched from inside the United States — on servers run by Amazon, GoDaddy and smaller domestic providers — putting them out of reach of the early-warning system run by the National Security Agency.

The agency, like the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, is prohibited by law from conducting surveillance inside the United States, to protect the privacy of American citizens.

But the FBI and Department of Homeland Security — the two agencies that can legally operate inside the United States — were also blind to what happened, raising additional concerns about the nation’s capacity to defend itself from both rival governments and nonstate attackers like criminal and terrorist groups.

In the end, the hacks were detected long after they had begun — not by any government agency, but by private computer security firms.

The full extent of the damage to US&nbsp;interests from the hacks is not yet clear, but the latest, attributed by Microsoft to China, is now revealing a second vulnerability. As Microsoft releases new “patches” to close the holes in its system, that code is being reverse-engineered by criminal groups and exploited to launch rapid ransomware attacks on corporations, industry executives said. So a race is on — between Microsoft’s efforts to seal up systems, and criminal efforts to get inside those networks before the patches are applied.

“When not one but two cyberhacks have gone undetected by the federal government in such a short period of time, it’s hard to say that we don’t have a problem,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis. and a co-chair of a congressionally mandated cyberspace commission. “The system is blinking red.”

The failures have prompted the White House to begin assessing options for overhauling the nation’s cyberdefenses even as the government investigates the hacks. Some former officials believe the hacks show Congress needs to give the government additional powers.

But briefing reporters Friday about the progress of the investigations, senior administration officials said the White House had no plans to urge Congress to rewrite the laws that prevent U.S. intelligence agencies from operating inside America’s borders.

One senior adviser to President Joe Biden said, however, that a new structure was needed, one that combined traditional intelligence collection with the talents of private-sector firms.

It was FireEye, a cybersecurity company, that ultimately found the SolarWinds attack organized by Russia, and a small Virginia firm named Volexity that revealed to Microsoft the fact that Chinese hackers found four previously unknown vulnerabilities in their systems, exposing hundreds of thousands of computer servers that use Microsoft Exchange software.

But even as officials try to assemble the lessons of those attacks, the one on Microsoft’s systems, used by companies and government agencies, has grown more complex. On Friday, Microsoft warned that cybercriminals are using the backdoors Chinese hackers left behind to deploy ransomware, which is used to lock up computer systems until payment is made.

The first efforts to freeze up U.S. systems began Thursday night, Microsoft said, and U.S. officials warned Friday that its customers had limited time, “measured in hours, not days,” to patch their systems to avoid a costly nightmare.

Biden was briefed last week on the effort to seal up the holes in federal defenses, a senior administration official told reporters Friday, adding that the federal government was in the third week of a monthlong effort to plug holes made obvious by the SolarWinds hack. A presidential order on longer-range fixes is coming.

But the first problem is detecting attacks — and there the United States has enormous work to do.

America’s foremost hacking teams and digital defenders reside in Fort Meade, Maryland, home to the National Security Agency and its military counterpart, US&nbsp;Cyber Command. Over more than a decade, with billions of dollars in new technology, they have littered foreign networks with various forms of “beacons” that give them access to detect attacks as they are coming together or begin.

But, like missile defense, that is hardly an impermeable shield. And foreign actors have begun to identify America’s blind spot: If hackers can assemble an attack from inside America’s borders, the U.S. government’s best hunt teams can be blindsided.

“The NSA cannot operate in the domestic infrastructure,” retired Adm. Michael Rogers, the former director of the agency, said Friday at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. “You can’t defend something you can’t see.”

But there is no political appetite to reverse decades of limits on intelligence agencies to monitor and defend network traffic inside the United States.

Instead, Biden administration officials said they would seek a deeper partnership with the private sector, tapping the knowledge of emerging hacking threats gathered by technology companies and cybersecurity firms.

The hope, current and former officials say, is to set up a real-time threat-sharing arrangement, whereby private companies would send threat data to a central repository where the government could pair it with intelligence from the National Security Agency, the CIA and other spy shops to provide a far earlier warning than is possible today.

“You could stop attacks dead in their tracks,” said Glenn Gerstell, a former general counsel for the National Security Agency. “We need a way to get threat intelligence into a one-stop shopping center.”

The question is how to set up such a system.

After revelations in 2013 by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden that set off a debate about government surveillance, U.S. technology companies are wary of the appearance of sharing data with U.S. intelligence agencies, even if that data is just warnings about malware. Google was stung by the revelation in the Snowden documents that the National Security Agency was intercepting data transmitted between its servers overseas. Several years later, under pressure from its employees, it ended its participation in Project Maven, a Pentagon effort to use artificial intelligence to make its drones more accurate.

Amazon, in contrast, has no such compunctions about sensitive government work: It runs the cloud server operations for the CIA. But when the Senate Intelligence Committee asked company officials to testify last month — alongside executives of FireEye, Microsoft and SolarWinds — about how the Russians exploited systems on U.S. soil to launch their attacks, they declined to attend.

Companies say that before they share reporting on vulnerabilities, they would need strong legal liability protections.

The most politically palatable headquarters for such a clearinghouse — avoiding the legal and civil liberties concerns of using the National Security Agency — would be the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Gerstell described the idea as “automated computer sensors and artificial intelligence acting on information as it comes in and instantaneously spitting it back out.”

The department’s existing “Einstein” system, which is supposed to monitor intrusions and potential attacks on federal agencies, never saw the Russian attack underway — even though it hit nine federal departments and agencies. The FBI, lawmakers say, does not have broad monitoring capabilities, and its focus is divided across other forms of crime, counterterrorism and now domestic extremism threats.

“I don’t want the intelligence agencies spying on Americans, but that leaves the FBI as the de facto domestic intelligence agency to deal with these kinds of attacks,” said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and co-chair of the cyberspace commission. “I’m just not sure they’re set up for this.”

There are other hurdles. The process of getting a search warrant is too cumbersome for tracking nation-state cyberattacks, Gerstell said. “Someone’s got to be able to take that information from the NSA and instantly go take a look at that computer,” he said. “But the FBI needs a warrant to do that, and that takes time, by which point the adversary has escaped.”

Another obstacle is the slowness of identifying attackers. While the director of national intelligence concluded that the SolarWinds attack, carried out last year, was “likely” Russian in origin, a definitive assessment is not expected until this week or next. Only then can the United States respond with sanctions or cyberoperations — nearly a year after the attack began.

“The thing that worries me in both of these cases, too, is just how slowly we tend to attribute and respond,” Gallagher said.

On Friday, Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, told reporters that an investigation was underway to identify who was behind using the hack of the Microsoft systems to spy on law firms, infectious disease research, universities, military contractors, think tanks and other targets. Microsoft has already said the hackers were a Chinese, state-backed group.

Last month, in the days before Microsoft released an emergency patch for vulnerable Exchange servers, multiple state-backed Chinese groups were apparently tipped off that the company was testing a patch. They began gorging on vulnerable systems with a speed and aggression that some security experts said they had never seen before.

It is unclear how exactly these Chinese groups learned of Microsoft’s patch, but the timing suggests they caught wind of the moves when Microsoft rolled out a test version of its patch to its security partners at cybersecurity firms in late February.

Eighty companies participate in a long-standing partnership with Microsoft, known as the Microsoft Active Protections Program, including 10 Chinese firms. Microsoft confidentially alerts these companies to emerging cyberthreats and vulnerabilities before its official patch cycle. The company is investigating whether one of its partners may have leaked to Chinese hackers or was itself hacked.

Microsoft said that if it determined a leak was responsible for the spike in attacks, the responsible partners would “face consequences.”

The attacks forced Microsoft to release its patch one week early, on March 2. Within a week, the number of vulnerable Exchange servers dropped from 400,000 to 100,000, according to RiskIQ, an internet security company.

Now, however, 82,000 servers are still awaiting updates. Among those still vulnerable are more than 400 state, local and federal government entities in the United States — including more than a dozen servers run by federal agencies — according to an analysis by BitSight, a cybersecurity risk ratings company. The Biden administration has said nothing about the scope of federal vulnerability.

If the government is able to attribute the Microsoft attack to the Chinese, Gallagher said, there are “a variety of things we could do to inflict pain” on the government in Beijing.

The sophisticated hacks pulled off by Russia and China against a broad array of government and industrial targets in the United States — and the failure of the intelligence agencies to detect them — are driving the Biden administration and Congress to rethink how the nation should protect itself from growing cyber threats.

The sophisticated hacks pulled off by Russia and China against a broad array of government and industrial targets in the United States — and the failure of the intelligence agencies to detect them — are driving the Biden administration and Congress to rethink how the nation should protect itself from growing cyber threats. Both hacks exploited the same gaping vulnerability in the existing system: They were launched from inside the United States — on servers run by Amazon, GoDaddy and smaller domestic providers — putting them out of reach of the early-warning system run by the National Security Agency. The agency, like the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, is prohibited by law from conducting surveillance inside the United States, to protect the privacy of American citizens. But the FBI and Department of Homeland Security — the two agencies that can legally operate inside the United States — were also blind to what happened, raising additional concerns about the nation’s capacity to defend itself from both rival governments and nonstate attackers like criminal and terrorist groups. In the end, the hacks were detected long after they had begun — not by any government agency, but by private computer security firms. The full extent of the damage to US interests from the hacks is not yet clear, but the latest, attributed by Microsoft to China, is now revealing a second vulnerability. As Microsoft releases new “patches” to close the holes in its system, that code is being reverse-engineered by criminal groups and exploited to launch rapid ransomware attacks on corporations, industry executives said. So a race is on — between Microsoft’s efforts to seal up systems, and criminal efforts to get inside those networks before the patches are applied. “When not one but two cyberhacks have gone undetected by the federal government in such a short period of time, it’s hard to say that we don’t have a problem,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis. and a co-chair of a congressionally mandated cyberspace commission. “The system is blinking red.” The failures have prompted the White House to begin assessing options for overhauling the nation’s cyberdefenses even as the government investigates the hacks. Some former officials believe the hacks show Congress needs to give the government additional powers. But briefing reporters Friday about the progress of the investigations, senior administration officials said the White House had no plans to urge Congress to rewrite the laws that prevent U.S. intelligence agencies from operating inside America’s borders. One senior adviser to President Joe Biden said, however, that a new structure was needed, one that combined traditional intelligence collection with the talents of private-sector firms. It was FireEye, a cybersecurity company, that ultimately found the SolarWinds attack organized by Russia, and a small Virginia firm named Volexity that revealed to Microsoft the fact that Chinese hackers found four previously unknown vulnerabilities in their systems, exposing hundreds of thousands of computer servers that use Microsoft Exchange software. But even as officials try to assemble the lessons of those attacks, the one on Microsoft’s systems, used by companies and government agencies, has grown more complex. On Friday, Microsoft warned that cybercriminals are using the backdoors Chinese hackers left behind to deploy ransomware, which is used to lock up computer systems until payment is made. The first efforts to freeze up U.S. systems began Thursday night, Microsoft said, and U.S. officials warned Friday that its customers had limited time, “measured in hours, not days,” to patch their systems to avoid a costly nightmare. Biden was briefed last week on the effort to seal up the holes in federal defenses, a senior administration official told reporters Friday, adding that the federal government was in the third week of a monthlong effort to plug holes made obvious by the SolarWinds hack. A presidential order on longer-range fixes is coming. But the first problem is detecting attacks — and there the United States has enormous work to do. America’s foremost hacking teams and digital defenders reside in Fort Meade, Maryland, home to the National Security Agency and its military counterpart, US Cyber Command. Over more than a decade, with billions of dollars in new technology, they have littered foreign networks with various forms of “beacons” that give them access to detect attacks as they are coming together or begin. But, like missile defense, that is hardly an impermeable shield. And foreign actors have begun to identify America’s blind spot: If hackers can assemble an attack from inside America’s borders, the U.S. government’s best hunt teams can be blindsided. “The NSA cannot operate in the domestic infrastructure,” retired Adm. Michael Rogers, the former director of the agency, said Friday at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. “You can’t defend something you can’t see.” But there is no political appetite to reverse decades of limits on intelligence agencies to monitor and defend network traffic inside the United States. Instead, Biden administration officials said they would seek a deeper partnership with the private sector, tapping the knowledge of emerging hacking threats gathered by technology companies and cybersecurity firms. The hope, current and former officials say, is to set up a real-time threat-sharing arrangement, whereby private companies would send threat data to a central repository where the government could pair it with intelligence from the National Security Agency, the CIA and other spy shops to provide a far earlier warning than is possible today. “You could stop attacks dead in their tracks,” said Glenn Gerstell, a former general counsel for the National Security Agency. “We need a way to get threat intelligence into a one-stop shopping center.” The question is how to set up such a system. After revelations in 2013 by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden that set off a debate about government surveillance, U.S. technology companies are wary of the appearance of sharing data with U.S. intelligence agencies, even if that data is just warnings about malware. Google was stung by the revelation in the Snowden documents that the National Security Agency was intercepting data transmitted between its servers overseas. Several years later, under pressure from its employees, it ended its participation in Project Maven, a Pentagon effort to use artificial intelligence to make its drones more accurate. Amazon, in contrast, has no such compunctions about sensitive government work: It runs the cloud server operations for the CIA. But when the Senate Intelligence Committee asked company officials to testify last month — alongside executives of FireEye, Microsoft and SolarWinds — about how the Russians exploited systems on U.S. soil to launch their attacks, they declined to attend. Companies say that before they share reporting on vulnerabilities, they would need strong legal liability protections. The most politically palatable headquarters for such a clearinghouse — avoiding the legal and civil liberties concerns of using the National Security Agency — would be the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Gerstell described the idea as “automated computer sensors and artificial intelligence acting on information as it comes in and instantaneously spitting it back out.” The department’s existing “Einstein” system, which is supposed to monitor intrusions and potential attacks on federal agencies, never saw the Russian attack underway — even though it hit nine federal departments and agencies. The FBI, lawmakers say, does not have broad monitoring capabilities, and its focus is divided across other forms of crime, counterterrorism and now domestic extremism threats. “I don’t want the intelligence agencies spying on Americans, but that leaves the FBI as the de facto domestic intelligence agency to deal with these kinds of attacks,” said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and co-chair of the cyberspace commission. “I’m just not sure they’re set up for this.” There are other hurdles. The process of getting a search warrant is too cumbersome for tracking nation-state cyberattacks, Gerstell said. “Someone’s got to be able to take that information from the NSA and instantly go take a look at that computer,” he said. “But the FBI needs a warrant to do that, and that takes time, by which point the adversary has escaped.” Another obstacle is the slowness of identifying attackers. While the director of national intelligence concluded that the SolarWinds attack, carried out last year, was “likely” Russian in origin, a definitive assessment is not expected until this week or next. Only then can the United States respond with sanctions or cyberoperations — nearly a year after the attack began. “The thing that worries me in both of these cases, too, is just how slowly we tend to attribute and respond,” Gallagher said. On Friday, Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, told reporters that an investigation was underway to identify who was behind using the hack of the Microsoft systems to spy on law firms, infectious disease research, universities, military contractors, think tanks and other targets. Microsoft has already said the hackers were a Chinese, state-backed group. Last month, in the days before Microsoft released an emergency patch for vulnerable Exchange servers, multiple state-backed Chinese groups were apparently tipped off that the company was testing a patch. They began gorging on vulnerable systems with a speed and aggression that some security experts said they had never seen before. It is unclear how exactly these Chinese groups learned of Microsoft’s patch, but the timing suggests they caught wind of the moves when Microsoft rolled out a test version of its patch to its security partners at cybersecurity firms in late February. Eighty companies participate in a long-standing partnership with Microsoft, known as the Microsoft Active Protections Program, including 10 Chinese firms. Microsoft confidentially alerts these companies to emerging cyberthreats and vulnerabilities before its official patch cycle. The company is investigating whether one of its partners may have leaked to Chinese hackers or was itself hacked. Microsoft said that if it determined a leak was responsible for the spike in attacks, the responsible partners would “face consequences.” The attacks forced Microsoft to release its patch one week early, on March 2. Within a week, the number of vulnerable Exchange servers dropped from 400,000 to 100,000, according to RiskIQ, an internet security company. Now, however, 82,000 servers are still awaiting updates. Among those still vulnerable are more than 400 state, local and federal government entities in the United States — including more than a dozen servers run by federal agencies — according to an analysis by BitSight, a cybersecurity risk ratings company. The Biden administration has said nothing about the scope of federal vulnerability. If the government is able to attribute the Microsoft attack to the Chinese, Gallagher said, there are “a variety of things we could do to inflict pain” on the government in Beijing.

White House weighs new cybersecurity approach after failure to detect hacks

As president-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, Russian President Vladimir <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-signs-bill-awarding-former-presidents-lifetime-immunity-351782">Putin</a> who had congratulated him earlier on his US election victory said it would be "it will be business as usual" with the new US president.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-president-vladimir-putin-visits-foreign-intelligence-services-hq-hails-spies-351316/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Now about the change of leadership in the United States and that it will be more difficult for us. I don't think so. It will be business as usual," Putin said. The Russian President last week during his annual year-end press conference had said problems "will be resolved under the new administration".&nbsp;

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov had earlier said that "it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country," he added. "We are definitely not expecting anything good," he informed.

Amid the simmering US-Russia tensions, Ryabkov said the government will not initiate any contacts with Biden's transition staff.

US-Russia relations have been going downhill since the Trump administration began its engagement with the country, the latest being the huge<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-appreciates-spy-agency-after-us-hack-controversy-351221"> cyber attack </a>in US departments which US secretary of state blamed Russia.

Biden said the cyber attack cannot go "unanswered".

The US also announced fresh sanctions on &nbsp;45 Russian organisations over their military connections as &nbsp;deputy foreign minister Ryabkov said, "We are going from bad to worse." &nbsp;The relations took a further slide as the US administration announced that it would close its two remaining consulates in Russia.

Trump had earlier withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and the fate of New START which expires on February 2021 hanging in the balance.

As president-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin who had congratulated him earlier on his US election victory said it would be "it will be business as usual" with the new US president.

As president-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin who had congratulated him earlier on his US election victory said it would be "it will be business as usual" with the new US president. Watch: "Now about the change of leadership in the United States and that it will be more difficult for us. I don't think so. It will be business as usual," Putin said. The Russian President last week during his annual year-end press conference had said problems "will be resolved under the new administration". Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov had earlier said that "it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country," he added. "We are definitely not expecting anything good," he informed. Amid the simmering US-Russia tensions, Ryabkov said the government will not initiate any contacts with Biden's transition staff. US-Russia relations have been going downhill since the Trump administration began its engagement with the country, the latest being the huge cyber attack in US departments which US secretary of state blamed Russia. Biden said the cyber attack cannot go "unanswered". The US also announced fresh sanctions on 45 Russian organisations over their military connections as deputy foreign minister Ryabkov said, "We are going from bad to worse." The relations took a further slide as the US administration announced that it would close its two remaining consulates in Russia. Trump had earlier withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and the fate of New START which expires on February 2021 hanging in the balance.

'It will be business as usual': Putin expects no change in US policies under Biden

President-elect Joe Biden’s team will consider several options to punish Russia for its suspected role in the unprecedented hacking of U.S. government agencies.

Joe Biden's options for Russian hacking punishment: sanctions, cyber retaliation

As US secretary of state Mike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-pretty-clearly-behind-cyber-attack-says-us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-350948">Pompeo</a> blamed Russia for the hacking of key US departments, the Department of Homeland Security said that the espionage activity detected was not limited to just SolarWinds software.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-nuclear-weapons-agency-hacked-350872/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to reports, hackers reportedly monitored email and other data within the US departments of Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security, Commerce and State.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/solarwinds-compromised-how-hackers-attacked-software-used-by-us-government-departments-350763">In Pics:&nbsp;SolarWinds compromised: How hackers attacked software used by US government departments</a>

Reports say the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hackers-breach-us-government-departments-world-questions-us-cybersecurity-350860">hackers </a>targeted groups in Britain, a US internet provider and a county government in Arizona.

Cisco Systems Inc said it found malicious software.

Meanwhile, US Congressmen requested Trump for an in-person meeting accusing the president of not responding. Trump is yet to make an official statement over the hacking incident which some experts say is the biggest cyber attack case in US history.

I'm shocked. National security is the number one challenge, the number one responsibility of a government is to protect our people. Every government agency is compromised. Our national security is compromised," lawmaker Carolyn Maloney said.

"I'm disappointed that he (Trump) is not bringing the government together to respond to it," Maloney added.

"Trump's complete passivity and disregard for the national security here are astounding, you know, even on Trump standards," lawmaker Jamie Ruskin said.

"I think the level of specificity that I find in The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Journal is much better than what they brought this morning. Very disappointing, it's like pulling teeth to get to get concessions and from getting in on any level of specificity," Congressman lynch said.

As US secretary of state Mike Pompeo blamed Russia for the hacking of key US departments, the Department of Homeland Security said that the espionage activity detected was not limited to just SolarWinds software.

As US secretary of state Mike Pompeo blamed Russia for the hacking of key US departments, the Department of Homeland Security said that the espionage activity detected was not limited to just SolarWinds software. Watch: According to reports, hackers reportedly monitored email and other data within the US departments of Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security, Commerce and State. In Pics: SolarWinds compromised: How hackers attacked software used by US government departments Reports say the hackers targeted groups in Britain, a US internet provider and a county government in Arizona. Cisco Systems Inc said it found malicious software. Meanwhile, US Congressmen requested Trump for an in-person meeting accusing the president of not responding. Trump is yet to make an official statement over the hacking incident which some experts say is the biggest cyber attack case in US history. I'm shocked. National security is the number one challenge, the number one responsibility of a government is to protect our people. Every government agency is compromised. Our national security is compromised," lawmaker Carolyn Maloney said. "I'm disappointed that he (Trump) is not bringing the government together to respond to it," Maloney added. "Trump's complete passivity and disregard for the national security here are astounding, you know, even on Trump standards," lawmaker Jamie Ruskin said. "I think the level of specificity that I find in The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Journal is much better than what they brought this morning. Very disappointing, it's like pulling teeth to get to get concessions and from getting in on any level of specificity," Congressman lynch said.

Russia link? As Trump remains mum on cyber attack, US authorities scamper to investigate

The United States government has suffered a major hack last night in which&nbsp;12 federal agencies and 18,000 users have been compromised.

However, the breach is far more serious than what many had imagined as the US nuclear&nbsp;weapons agency was hacked too.

The American Energy Department and the American national nuclear security administration were hit by a cyber attack. The significance of these two being hit is that&nbsp;these agencies maintain America's nuclear stockpile.

The US Energy Department has issued a statement claiming&nbsp;the hack didn't affect "mission-essential national security functions." This means&nbsp;that America's nukes are safe, but it also underlines the fact that they are also&nbsp;vulnerable and this cyber attack is proof.

Have a look|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/solarwinds-compromised-how-hackers-attacked-software-used-by-us-government-departments-350763#hacked-via-security-software-350744">SolarWinds compromised: How hackers attacked software used by US government departments</a>

It has hit the highest offices and departments in America such as the US&nbsp;State Department, the department of homeland security, the Pentagon and now the US Nuclear Weapons Agency.

Hackers targeted the highest levels of American government; they were all compromised.

American investigators are blaming Russia for the hack but&nbsp;the bigger question that arises here is how&nbsp;did the hackers break the American government firewalls?

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/microsoft-says-it-found-malicious-software-in-its-systems-350610" hreflang="en">Microsoft says it found malicious software in its systems</a>

The hackers made move way back in March which&nbsp;went on for months. They broke into Solarwinds which is a Texas-based IT&nbsp;management company. It serves several government agencies and many private companies that are on the Fortune 500 list. Microsoft, too, was targetted in this breach and some of its products were reportedly used to attack the victims.

How did the hackers get in?

The hackers&nbsp;corrupted the code of the SolarWinds software. So, when the company sent software updates to government systems — similar to ones people receive on phones and computers. As a result, 18,000 people downloaded a corrupted update and the&nbsp;update exposed their systems.

Microsoft's breach had a similar pattern. It has identified 40 victims which includes government agencies, companies and think tanks. Nearly half of them are private technology companies.

"This latest cyber-assault is effectively an attack on the united states and its government and other critical institutions, including security firms,"&nbsp;Microsoft said in a statement.

American investigators say the hackers had access to government emails and systems for months. It is still not clear how many emails or other systems they accessed.

American has for long self-patted their backs and claimed to be the world leader in technology. However, this breach has come as an embarrassment for America as the superpower seems to have failed to protect its own digital infrastructure and the top levels of its government.

It not only failed to prevent the attack, but it also failed to detect the attack as the cyberattack was not discovered by government officials, but by a private firm called&nbsp;FireEye. This is a private cybersecurity firm which was the first to raise the red flag because this company too was breached.

A report describes FireEye as the "First call for government agencies and companies around the world" when they fear they have been attacked. This time, however, FireEye&nbsp;itself was breached.

With this was the level of sophistication, the goal of the hackers seems to have been espionage.

The United States hasn't officially blamed Russia yet but investigators have found Russian fingerprints all over this breach. Moscow, however, as&nbsp;always is rejecting the charge.

Cyber tools that have never been seen before were used in this attack which raises&nbsp;concerns about the extent and the depth of this hacking because if they were able to go undetected for months, they could have potentially used their access to shut down systems, corrupt or even destroy data.

The United States government has suffered a major hack last night in which 12 federal agencies and 18,000 users have been compromised. However, the breach is far more serious than what many had imagined as the US nuclear weapons agency was hacked too.

The United States government has suffered a major hack last night in which 12 federal agencies and 18,000 users have been compromised. However, the breach is far more serious than what many had imagined as the US nuclear weapons agency was hacked too. The American Energy Department and the American national nuclear security administration were hit by a cyber attack. The significance of these two being hit is that these agencies maintain America's nuclear stockpile. The US Energy Department has issued a statement claiming the hack didn't affect "mission-essential national security functions." This means that America's nukes are safe, but it also underlines the fact that they are also vulnerable and this cyber attack is proof. Have a look| SolarWinds compromised: How hackers attacked software used by US government departments It has hit the highest offices and departments in America such as the US State Department, the department of homeland security, the Pentagon and now the US Nuclear Weapons Agency. Hackers targeted the highest levels of American government; they were all compromised. American investigators are blaming Russia for the hack but the bigger question that arises here is how did the hackers break the American government firewalls? Also read| Microsoft says it found malicious software in its systems The hackers made move way back in March which went on for months. They broke into Solarwinds which is a Texas-based IT management company. It serves several government agencies and many private companies that are on the Fortune 500 list. Microsoft, too, was targetted in this breach and some of its products were reportedly used to attack the victims. How did the hackers get in? The hackers corrupted the code of the SolarWinds software. So, when the company sent software updates to government systems — similar to ones people receive on phones and computers. As a result, 18,000 people downloaded a corrupted update and the update exposed their systems. Microsoft's breach had a similar pattern. It has identified 40 victims which includes government agencies, companies and think tanks. Nearly half of them are private technology companies. "This latest cyber-assault is effectively an attack on the united states and its government and other critical institutions, including security firms," Microsoft said in a statement. American investigators say the hackers had access to government emails and systems for months. It is still not clear how many emails or other systems they accessed. American has for long self-patted their backs and claimed to be the world leader in technology. However, this breach has come as an embarrassment for America as the superpower seems to have failed to protect its own digital infrastructure and the top levels of its government. It not only failed to prevent the attack, but it also failed to detect the attack as the cyberattack was not discovered by government officials, but by a private firm called FireEye. This is a private cybersecurity firm which was the first to raise the red flag because this company too was breached. A report describes FireEye as the "First call for government agencies and companies around the world" when they fear they have been attacked. This time, however, FireEye itself was breached. With this was the level of sophistication, the goal of the hackers seems to have been espionage. The United States hasn't officially blamed Russia yet but investigators have found Russian fingerprints all over this breach. Moscow, however, as always is rejecting the charge. Cyber tools that have never been seen before were used in this attack which raises concerns about the extent and the depth of this hacking because if they were able to go undetected for months, they could have potentially used their access to shut down systems, corrupt or even destroy data.

Hackers breach US government departments; world questions US' cybersecurity

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the country's Parliament today that her government has "hard evidence that Russian forces" are targeting her in hacking action.

"I can honestly say that it pains me. Every day I try to build a better relationship with Russia and on the other hand, there is such hard evidence that Russian forces are doing this," Merkel told the German Parliament.

Merkel told Parliament that she had concrete proof of the "outrageous" spying attempts by Russia.

The German Chancellor's revelation comes after the country's leading newspaper had reported that Russian military intelligence had obtained Merkel's credentials during a hack on German parliament in 2015 without citing sources.

"Unfortunately the conclusion I have reached is that this is not new," Merkel asserted while saying that "cyber-disorientation, the distortion of facts were all part of Russia's strategy".

"Obviously this doesn't make it easier to foster a better relationship with Moscow," Merkel told lawmakers.

According to a German newspaper, the country had issued an arrest warrant against a suspected Russian military intelligence officer who had allegedly carried out the 2015 hacking.

Amid the hacking allegation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, popularly known as "Putin's chef", said he was "wrongfully persecuted" by the US, which claimed he meddled in 2016 elections after the US Justice Department dropped charges against his company Concord.

Prigozhin vowed to sue the US for $50 billion in damages.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the country's Parliament today that her government has "hard evidence that Russian forces" are targeting her in hacking action.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the country's Parliament today that her government has "hard evidence that Russian forces" are targeting her in hacking action. "I can honestly say that it pains me. Every day I try to build a better relationship with Russia and on the other hand, there is such hard evidence that Russian forces are doing this," Merkel told the German Parliament. Merkel told Parliament that she had concrete proof of the "outrageous" spying attempts by Russia. The German Chancellor's revelation comes after the country's leading newspaper had reported that Russian military intelligence had obtained Merkel's credentials during a hack on German parliament in 2015 without citing sources. "Unfortunately the conclusion I have reached is that this is not new," Merkel asserted while saying that "cyber-disorientation, the distortion of facts were all part of Russia's strategy". "Obviously this doesn't make it easier to foster a better relationship with Moscow," Merkel told lawmakers. According to a German newspaper, the country had issued an arrest warrant against a suspected Russian military intelligence officer who had allegedly carried out the 2015 hacking. Amid the hacking allegation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, popularly known as "Putin's chef", said he was "wrongfully persecuted" by the US, which claimed he meddled in 2016 elections after the US Justice Department dropped charges against his company Concord. Prigozhin vowed to sue the US for $50 billion in damages.

Merkel says have 'hard evidence' on Russian hackers targeting her

Beijing on Friday accused Washington of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-indicts-two-chinese-hackers-for-targeting-companies-in-12-countries-185573"> 'fabricating facts' after the US</a> Justice Department indicted two hackers tied to Chinese security services who allegedly targeted companies and agencies in a dozen countries.

We urge the US to "stop smearing the Chinese side on cyber security issues," China's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it had lodged an official protest.

China said the US should drop the prosecution "to avoid serious damage to the relations between the two countries".

While making the announcement on hacking, the US Justice Department had said the hackers had targeted managed service providers (MSPs) in several countries. However, it did not name the companies or the countries hit by hacking.

The department said several US agencies were hit including the NASA Goddard Space Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the US Navy.

China, however, denied the US indictment asking it to drop the charges.

"US should drop the prosecution to avoid serious damage to the relations between the two countries," the foreign ministry said.

In an announcement earlier, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had said: "It is unacceptable that we continue to uncover cybercrime committed by China against America and other nations. That was a commitment they made to members of the international community to the United States to the G 20 and to OPEC," he said, adding, "we want China to cease its illegal cyber activities and honour&nbsp;its commitment to the international community.

The two men identified were Zhu Hua and Zhang Jianguo. They allegedly stole intellectual property and confidential business and technological data, according to the Justice department.

The Justice Department said the two hackers worked for a group called "APT10"&nbsp;which it said was backed by China's ministry of state security.

"We also worked with our counterparts in the NCIS to investigate APT theft of personally identifiable information from more than one hundred thousand US naval service members. We are deeply concerned about American innovation ending up in the wrong hands," FBI director Christopher Wray added.

Britian, a key US ally also sided with the US indictment insisting that the hacking went against the "commitments made to the UK in 2015, and, as part of the G20, not to conduct or support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property or trade secrets."

Beijing on Friday accused Washington of 'fabricating facts' after the US Justice Department indicted two hackers tied to Chinese security services who allegedly targeted companies and agencies in a dozen countries.

Beijing on Friday accused Washington of 'fabricating facts' after the US Justice Department indicted two hackers tied to Chinese security services who allegedly targeted companies and agencies in a dozen countries. We urge the US to "stop smearing the Chinese side on cyber security issues," China's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it had lodged an official protest. China said the US should drop the prosecution "to avoid serious damage to the relations between the two countries". While making the announcement on hacking, the US Justice Department had said the hackers had targeted managed service providers (MSPs) in several countries. However, it did not name the companies or the countries hit by hacking. The department said several US agencies were hit including the NASA Goddard Space Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the US Navy. China, however, denied the US indictment asking it to drop the charges. "US should drop the prosecution to avoid serious damage to the relations between the two countries," the foreign ministry said. In an announcement earlier, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had said: "It is unacceptable that we continue to uncover cybercrime committed by China against America and other nations. That was a commitment they made to members of the international community to the United States to the G 20 and to OPEC," he said, adding, "we want China to cease its illegal cyber activities and honour its commitment to the international community. The two men identified were Zhu Hua and Zhang Jianguo. They allegedly stole intellectual property and confidential business and technological data, according to the Justice department. The Justice Department said the two hackers worked for a group called "APT10" which it said was backed by China's ministry of state security. "We also worked with our counterparts in the NCIS to investigate APT theft of personally identifiable information from more than one hundred thousand US naval service members. We are deeply concerned about American innovation ending up in the wrong hands," FBI director Christopher Wray added. Britian, a key US ally also sided with the US indictment insisting that the hacking went against the "commitments made to the UK in 2015, and, as part of the G20, not to conduct or support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property or trade secrets."

US fabricating facts on hacking, should stop smearing China on cyber security: Foreign ministry

President Donald Trump called his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., a &quot;high-quality person&quot; on Tuesday after disclosures about the latter&#39;s meeting last year with a woman he was told was a Russian government lawyer who might have information incriminating Trump&#39;s Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

&quot;My son is a high-quality person and I applaud his transparency,&quot; Trump said in a brief statement read to reporters by White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.

Sanders told reporters that all other questions on the matter should be referred to either his son&#39;s lawyer or the president&#39;s outside counsel.

Earlier on Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. posted on Twitter a chain of emails between himself and Rob Goldstone, a publicist who helped to arrange the June 9, 2016, meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya, who says she is a private lawyer and denies having Kremlin ties.

&quot;If it&#39;s what you say I love it especially later in the summer,&quot; Trump Jr. replied in the email exchange after Goldstone said the information offered was &quot;part of Russia and its government&#39;s support for Mr. Trump.&quot;

The disclosures could provide ammunition for U.S. investigators probing whether there was collusion between the Kremlin and Trump&rsquo;s Republican presidential campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow sought to hurt Clinton and help Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Sanders said Trump was &quot;frustrated&quot; by the focus on Russia.

&quot;The president is, I would say, frustrated with the process of the fact that this continues to be an issue, and he would love for us to be focused on things like ... the economy, on healthcare, on tax reform, on infrastructure,&quot; Sanders said.

Asked about the fact that the words &quot;perjury&quot; and &quot;treason&quot; were now being used in the public conversation about the Trump campaign&#39;s contacts with Russians, Sanders said, &quot;I think those new words are ridiculous.&quot;

Donald Trump Jr. posted on Twitter a chain of emails between himself and Rob Goldstone, a publicist who helped to arrange the June 9, 2016, meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya

President Donald Trump called his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., a "high-quality person" on Tuesday after disclosures about the latter's meeting last year with a woman he was told was a Russian government lawyer who might have information incriminating Trump's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. "My son is a high-quality person and I applaud his transparency," Trump said in a brief statement read to reporters by White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. Sanders told reporters that all other questions on the matter should be referred to either his son's lawyer or the president's outside counsel. Earlier on Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. posted on Twitter a chain of emails between himself and Rob Goldstone, a publicist who helped to arrange the June 9, 2016, meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya, who says she is a private lawyer and denies having Kremlin ties. "If it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer," Trump Jr. replied in the email exchange after Goldstone said the information offered was "part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump." The disclosures could provide ammunition for U.S. investigators probing whether there was collusion between the Kremlin and Trump’s Republican presidential campaign. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow sought to hurt Clinton and help Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Sanders said Trump was "frustrated" by the focus on Russia. "The president is, I would say, frustrated with the process of the fact that this continues to be an issue, and he would love for us to be focused on things like ... the economy, on healthcare, on tax reform, on infrastructure," Sanders said. Asked about the fact that the words "perjury" and "treason" were now being used in the public conversation about the Trump campaign's contacts with Russians, Sanders said, "I think those new words are ridiculous."

Trump calls son 'high-quality person', 'applauds' his 'transparency'

Donald Trump said Thursday he asked his now-fired FBI director on three occasions whether he was the target of ongoing investigations, stoking allegations of presidential interference.

The US president also acknowledged that Russia was on his mind when he made the decision to sack James Comey, who had been heading a probe into suspected Russian influence in the 2016 election.&nbsp;

&quot;When I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story,&quot; he said in an interview with NBC, appearing to link Comey&#39;s firing with the investigation.

Trump said he had asked Comey if he was the subject of counter-intelligence probes -- twice in conversations over the phone and once over a White House dinner.

&quot;I actually asked him, yes. I said, &#39;If it&#39;s possible would you let me know, am I under investigation?&#39;&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;He said, &#39;You are not under investigation,&#39;&quot; Trump recounted, repeating an assertion made when the White House announced Comey&#39;s firing Tuesday.

&quot;All I can tell you is, well I know what, I know that I&#39;m not under investigation. Me. Personally. I&#39;m not talking about campaigns. I&#39;m not talking about anything else. I&#39;m not under investigation.&quot;

Trump&#39;s comments to NBC raised questions about whether he had acted inappropriately and whether Comey had broken government guidelines.

US presidents are normally at pains to avoid any suggestion of interference or even commenting on ongoing investigations. The FBI typically does not confirm their existence.

Noted legal scholar Laurence Tribe told AFP that if Comey did indeed answer Trump&#39;s question, it would violate Department of Justice rules and &quot;would be unthinkably unethical and unprofessional in this situation.&quot;&nbsp;

Trump also said that at the dinner, he and Comey discussed whether the US top cop would stay in his role and continue his ten-year term.

Asking such a question &quot;would come close to bribery... or at least obstruction of justice, which Comey would&#39;ve had to be an idiot to fall for by offering the assurance sought,&quot; Tribe said.

The White House rejected the suggestion the exchange was inappropriate. &quot;I don&#39;t see it as a conflict of interest,&quot; White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

In the interview, Trump insisted that he always intended to fire Comey, undercutting the initial White House explanation that he acted on the recommendation of top justice officials who criticized the FBI chief&#39;s handling of a probe into Hillary Clinton&#39;s emails.

&quot;I was going to fire him regardless of recommendations,&quot; said the president. &quot;He&#39;s a showboat, he&#39;s a&nbsp;grandstander.&quot;&nbsp;

What&#39;s the reason?

Opponents have claimed that Comey&#39;s shock sacking was a bid to stall an FBI investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which is also looking into possible collusion between the Kremlin and Trump&#39;s team.

Trump&#39;s interview was released on the same day the interim head of the FBI told the US Congress that Comey&#39;s sacking would not derail the Russia investigation.

&quot;There has been no effort to impede our investigation to date,&quot; acting director Andrew McCabe told the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a hearing that capped two days of high drama provoked by the dismissal.

&quot;You cannot stop the men and women of the FBI from doing the right thing,&quot; he said. &quot;All of the agents involved in the investigation are still in their positions.&quot;

Trump told NBC that had Russia interfered in the 2016 election, it would have been &quot;horrible.&quot;

He repeated denials of links between his campaign and Moscow.

&quot;There&#39;s no collusion between me, my campaign and the Russians,&quot; he said.

&#39;Broad support&#39;&nbsp;

While Trump said the outgoing FBI director had left the agency in &quot;turmoil,&quot; &nbsp;McCabe rejected any suggestion that Comey had lost the support of the rank and file.

&quot;Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does today,&quot; he told the committee.&nbsp;

Echoing a widely-held view in opposition ranks, the senior Democrat on the Senate committee, John Warner, called the timing of Comey&#39;s dismissal &quot;especially troubling.&quot;

&quot;He was leading an active counterintelligence investigation into any links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government or its representatives, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia&#39;s efforts to interfere in our election.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;For many people, including myself, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the president&#39;s decision to remove Director Comey was related to this investigation.&quot;

McCabe gave no information on the status of the FBI probe, which dates back to July last year when the agency became aware of alleged Russian hacking of Democratic party computers and communications.

He also pledged not to discuss the Russia investigation with the White House.

(AFP)

Trump's comments to NBC raised questions about whether he had acted inappropriately and whether Comey had broken government guidelines.

Donald Trump said Thursday he asked his now-fired FBI director on three occasions whether he was the target of ongoing investigations, stoking allegations of presidential interference. The US president also acknowledged that Russia was on his mind when he made the decision to sack James Comey, who had been heading a probe into suspected Russian influence in the 2016 election. "When I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story," he said in an interview with NBC, appearing to link Comey's firing with the investigation. Trump said he had asked Comey if he was the subject of counter-intelligence probes -- twice in conversations over the phone and once over a White House dinner. "I actually asked him, yes. I said, 'If it's possible would you let me know, am I under investigation?'" "He said, 'You are not under investigation,'" Trump recounted, repeating an assertion made when the White House announced Comey's firing Tuesday. "All I can tell you is, well I know what, I know that I'm not under investigation. Me. Personally. I'm not talking about campaigns. I'm not talking about anything else. I'm not under investigation." Trump's comments to NBC raised questions about whether he had acted inappropriately and whether Comey had broken government guidelines. US presidents are normally at pains to avoid any suggestion of interference or even commenting on ongoing investigations. The FBI typically does not confirm their existence. Noted legal scholar Laurence Tribe told AFP that if Comey did indeed answer Trump's question, it would violate Department of Justice rules and "would be unthinkably unethical and unprofessional in this situation." Trump also said that at the dinner, he and Comey discussed whether the US top cop would stay in his role and continue his ten-year term. Asking such a question "would come close to bribery... or at least obstruction of justice, which Comey would've had to be an idiot to fall for by offering the assurance sought," Tribe said. The White House rejected the suggestion the exchange was inappropriate. "I don't see it as a conflict of interest," White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. In the interview, Trump insisted that he always intended to fire Comey, undercutting the initial White House explanation that he acted on the recommendation of top justice officials who criticized the FBI chief's handling of a probe into Hillary Clinton's emails. "I was going to fire him regardless of recommendations," said the president. "He's a showboat, he's a grandstander." What's the reason? Opponents have claimed that Comey's shock sacking was a bid to stall an FBI investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which is also looking into possible collusion between the Kremlin and Trump's team. Trump's interview was released on the same day the interim head of the FBI told the US Congress that Comey's sacking would not derail the Russia investigation. "There has been no effort to impede our investigation to date," acting director Andrew McCabe told the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a hearing that capped two days of high drama provoked by the dismissal. "You cannot stop the men and women of the FBI from doing the right thing," he said. "All of the agents involved in the investigation are still in their positions." Trump told NBC that had Russia interfered in the 2016 election, it would have been "horrible." He repeated denials of links between his campaign and Moscow. "There's no collusion between me, my campaign and the Russians," he said. 'Broad support' While Trump said the outgoing FBI director had left the agency in "turmoil," McCabe rejected any suggestion that Comey had lost the support of the rank and file. "Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI and still does today," he told the committee. Echoing a widely-held view in opposition ranks, the senior Democrat on the Senate committee, John Warner, called the timing of Comey's dismissal "especially troubling." "He was leading an active counterintelligence investigation into any links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government or its representatives, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts to interfere in our election." "For many people, including myself, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the president's decision to remove Director Comey was related to this investigation." McCabe gave no information on the status of the FBI probe, which dates back to July last year when the agency became aware of alleged Russian hacking of Democratic party computers and communications. He also pledged not to discuss the Russia investigation with the White House. (AFP)

Trump asked sacked FBI chief Comey three times if he was target of investigations

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his firing of FBI director James Comey in a series of Tweets, even as the turmoil in Washington continued over the sacking.

He vowed to replace Comey with someone &quot;far better.&quot;

&quot;Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me,&quot; Trump wrote in a Tweet.

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James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/862265729718128641">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/862267781336752128">May 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Comey was leading an investigation into the Trump 2016 presidential campaign&#39;s possible collusion with Russia to influence the election outcome.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the sacking will not impact relations between the two nations.

&quot;There will be no effect,&quot; Putin told CBS.&quot;Your question looks very funny for me. Don&#39;t be angry with me. We have nothing to do with that.&quot;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

 
 
&nbsp;

Sacked FBI director James Comey was leading an investigation into the Trump 2016 presidential campaign's possible collusion with Russia to influence the election outcome.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his firing of FBI director James Comey in a series of Tweets, even as the turmoil in Washington continued over the sacking. He vowed to replace Comey with someone "far better." "Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me," Trump wrote in a Tweet. James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017 × Comey lost the confidence of almost everyone in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike. When things calm down, they will be thanking me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2017 × Comey was leading an investigation into the Trump 2016 presidential campaign's possible collusion with Russia to influence the election outcome. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the sacking will not impact relations between the two nations. "There will be no effect," Putin told CBS."Your question looks very funny for me. Don't be angry with me. We have nothing to do with that." (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump defends FBI director sacking

In his first press conference since&nbsp;winning the November 8 election, US President-elect Donald Trump slammed reports that Russia had compromising information about him, calling it &quot;all fake news&quot; and phony.&nbsp;

Trump addressed the media at the lobby of Trump Tower&nbsp;in midtown Manhattan at 2130 Indian Standard Time (1400 hours GMT) on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The President-elect lashed out at the allegations&nbsp;as &quot;nonsense that was released by, maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies ... It should never have been written, it should never have been released.&quot;

&quot;I think it&#39;s a disgrace that information would be let out. It&#39;s all fake news. It didn&#39;t happen. It&#39;s phony stuff. It was a group of opponents who got together, sick people, who put that out.&quot;

&quot;That&#39;s something that Nazi Germany would have done.&quot;

Trump was responding to allegations after a&nbsp;35-page dossier was&nbsp;published in Buzzfeed and reported by CNN.&nbsp;Trump treated&nbsp;the BuzzFeed report and the CNN report as if they were the same, but they are different.&nbsp;

<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/10/politics/donald-trump-intelligence-report-russia/">CNN first reported</a>&nbsp;that both President Obama and President-elect Trump were&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;by US&nbsp;intelligence about&nbsp;allegations that Russian operatives claimed to have &quot;compromising&quot; personal and financial information on Trump. CNN didn&#39;t disclose anything about the nature of the personal&nbsp;information. They have responded to Trump, and stand&nbsp;behind their story.

BuzzFeed published the 35-page document itself, which contains unsubstantiated claims from a former British intelligence officer who US intelligence claims to find&nbsp;sufficiently credible to warrant further investigation into him.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;I think it&#39;s pretty sad when intelligence reports are leaked out to the press. First of all, it&#39;s illegal,&quot; Trump said.&nbsp;

While he praised some news organisations for not publishing the unsubstantiated report, like The New York Times, but refused to take questions from CNN which had published it.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m not going to give you a question. You are fake news,&quot; he told the CNN reporter.&nbsp;&quot;Some of the media outlets we are dealing with are fake news ... All I can ask for are honest reporters.&quot;

Trump also asserted that he had &quot;no dealings in Russia&quot; after he was asked if he accepted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a hand in his victory.&nbsp;He responded by saying &quot;If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability.&quot;

&quot;I have no dealings with Russia. I have no dealings in Russia ... I have no loans with Russia at all.&quot;

He also accepted that Russia could be behind the hacking saying, &quot;As far as hacking, I think it&#39;s Russia. But we also get hacked by other countries and other people and I can say that.&quot;

Trump does not divest, cedes business to sons&nbsp;

Trump said he will cede control of business empire to his two sons, Don Jr and Eric while maintaing ownership of the company.&nbsp;He said he will resign from all positions and shift his assets into a trust to avoid conflict of interest. &quot;They are not going to discuss [the business] with me,&quot; said Donald Trump.

<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/313779-trump-to-hand-over-businesses-to-sons">Ethics experts believe&nbsp;</a>Trump must sell all his assets and place proceeds into a blind trust, saying that this is the only way to ensure that he is free of any conflicts between his international business empire and the office of the presidency, The Hill reports.

Last November, the Trump transition team&nbsp;asked about the possibility of getting&nbsp;top secret&nbsp;security clearance for Donald Trump&#39;s children, CNN reported. A&nbsp;Trump spokesman said the President-elect did not make this request, and that no paperwork was filed about it.&nbsp;

Supreme Court judge appointment&nbsp;

Trump said he will appoint a Supreme Court justice within two weeks of 20th January to replace Justice Scalia.&nbsp;

&quot;So, as you know, I have a list of 20. I&#39;ve gone through them. We&#39;ve met with numerous candidates. They were outstanding in every case ... I&#39;ll be making the decision on who we will put up for justice of the United States Supreme Court, a replacement for the great, great Justice (Antonin) Scalia. That will be probably within two weeks of the 20th (of January). So within about two weeks, probably the second week.

&quot;It will be a decision which I very strongly believe in. I think it&#39;s one of the reasons I got elected. I think the people of this country did not want to see what was happening with the Supreme Court. So, I think it was a very, very big decision as to why I was elected.&quot;

The President-elect also discussed building the wall between US and Mexico saying he will not wait for negotiations to get over before starting the constructions. Adding that Mexico will&nbsp;reimburse US for the cost of the wall.&nbsp;

He also spoke about the pharmaceutica sector saying&nbsp;&quot;We have to get our drug industry coming back,&quot; he said, adding it had been &quot;disastrous and leaving left and right.&quot;

He also called for new bidding policy for US pharmaceutical firms saying&nbsp;&quot;They&#39;re getting away with murder (with drug prices) ... There&#39;s very little bidding for drugs. We&#39;re the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we don&#39;t bid properly. We&#39;re going to start bidding and we&#39;re going to start saving billions of dollars.&quot;

Trump said the F-35&#39;S&nbsp;were &quot;billions of dollars way over budget. &quot;We&#39;re going to get those costs way down, and we&#39;re going to get some competition and it&#39;s going to be a beautiful thing.&quot;&nbsp;

He&nbsp;also announced that Dr. David Shulkin was appointed as secretary of Veteran Affairs.

&quot;We&#39;re going to straighten out the VA for our veterans. I have been promising that for a long time ... We interviewed at least 100 people (for VA head), some good, some not so good ... Our veterans have been treated very unfairly.&quot;

He also declared that he will be the &quot;greatest jobs producer that God ever created,&quot; and that he will not make his tax returns public &quot;as they&#39;re under audit&quot;.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

In his first news briefing after Nov 8, Trump spoke on issues ranging from Russia hacking election to appointment of Supreme Court justice

In his first press conference since winning the November 8 election, US President-elect Donald Trump slammed reports that Russia had compromising information about him, calling it "all fake news" and phony. Trump addressed the media at the lobby of Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan at 2130 Indian Standard Time (1400 hours GMT) on Wednesday. The President-elect lashed out at the allegations as "nonsense that was released by, maybe the intelligence agencies, who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies ... It should never have been written, it should never have been released." "I think it's a disgrace that information would be let out. It's all fake news. It didn't happen. It's phony stuff. It was a group of opponents who got together, sick people, who put that out." "That's something that Nazi Germany would have done." Trump was responding to allegations after a 35-page dossier was published in Buzzfeed and reported by CNN. Trump treated the BuzzFeed report and the CNN report as if they were the same, but they are different. CNN first reported that both President Obama and President-elect Trump were briefed by US intelligence about allegations that Russian operatives claimed to have "compromising" personal and financial information on Trump. CNN didn't disclose anything about the nature of the personal information. They have responded to Trump, and stand behind their story. BuzzFeed published the 35-page document itself, which contains unsubstantiated claims from a former British intelligence officer who US intelligence claims to find sufficiently credible to warrant further investigation into him. "I think it's pretty sad when intelligence reports are leaked out to the press. First of all, it's illegal," Trump said. While he praised some news organisations for not publishing the unsubstantiated report, like The New York Times, but refused to take questions from CNN which had published it. "I'm not going to give you a question. You are fake news," he told the CNN reporter. "Some of the media outlets we are dealing with are fake news ... All I can ask for are honest reporters." Trump also asserted that he had "no dealings in Russia" after he was asked if he accepted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a hand in his victory. He responded by saying "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability." "I have no dealings with Russia. I have no dealings in Russia ... I have no loans with Russia at all." He also accepted that Russia could be behind the hacking saying, "As far as hacking, I think it's Russia. But we also get hacked by other countries and other people and I can say that." Trump does not divest, cedes business to sons Trump said he will cede control of business empire to his two sons, Don Jr and Eric while maintaing ownership of the company. He said he will resign from all positions and shift his assets into a trust to avoid conflict of interest. "They are not going to discuss [the business] with me," said Donald Trump. Ethics experts believe Trump must sell all his assets and place proceeds into a blind trust, saying that this is the only way to ensure that he is free of any conflicts between his international business empire and the office of the presidency, The Hill reports. Last November, the Trump transition team asked about the possibility of getting top secret security clearance for Donald Trump's children, CNN reported. A Trump spokesman said the President-elect did not make this request, and that no paperwork was filed about it. Supreme Court judge appointment Trump said he will appoint a Supreme Court justice within two weeks of 20th January to replace Justice Scalia. "So, as you know, I have a list of 20. I've gone through them. We've met with numerous candidates. They were outstanding in every case ... I'll be making the decision on who we will put up for justice of the United States Supreme Court, a replacement for the great, great Justice (Antonin) Scalia. That will be probably within two weeks of the 20th (of January). So within about two weeks, probably the second week. "It will be a decision which I very strongly believe in. I think it's one of the reasons I got elected. I think the people of this country did not want to see what was happening with the Supreme Court. So, I think it was a very, very big decision as to why I was elected." The President-elect also discussed building the wall between US and Mexico saying he will not wait for negotiations to get over before starting the constructions. Adding that Mexico will reimburse US for the cost of the wall. He also spoke about the pharmaceutica sector saying "We have to get our drug industry coming back," he said, adding it had been "disastrous and leaving left and right." He also called for new bidding policy for US pharmaceutical firms saying "They're getting away with murder (with drug prices) ... There's very little bidding for drugs. We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we don't bid properly. We're going to start bidding and we're going to start saving billions of dollars." Trump said the F-35'S were "billions of dollars way over budget. "We're going to get those costs way down, and we're going to get some competition and it's going to be a beautiful thing." He also announced that Dr. David Shulkin was appointed as secretary of Veteran Affairs. "We're going to straighten out the VA for our veterans. I have been promising that for a long time ... We interviewed at least 100 people (for VA head), some good, some not so good ... Our veterans have been treated very unfairly." He also declared that he will be the "greatest jobs producer that God ever created," and that he will not make his tax returns public "as they're under audit". (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump cedes business to sons, slams media over Russia allegations

Classified documents presented last week to president-elect Donald Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising information about him, CNN reported on Tuesday.

The allegations were in a two-page synopsis appended to a report presented by US&nbsp;intelligence officials to Trump and President Barack Obama on Russian interference in the 2016 election, CNN said, citing multiple US&nbsp;officials with direct knowledge of the briefings.

The allegations came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative, whose past work US&nbsp;intelligence officials consider credible, CNN reported.

It said the FBI is investigating the credibility and accuracy of these allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Trump.

The FBI declined&nbsp;to comment.

Allegations that Russia attempted to compromise New York real estate businessman Trump have been circulating in Washington for months, and they were presented to US&nbsp;officials last year.

Reuters has not been able to corroborate the allegations or confirm the existence of the two-page synopsis reported by CNN.

The warning to Trump, however, coincides with growing concern about what Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has called a &quot;multifaceted&quot; Russian influence and espionage campaign in Europe and the United States.

In addition to hacking computer networks and spreading propaganda and fake news, it includes efforts to cultivate business and political leaders and find compromising personal, financial or other information on persons of interest, US&nbsp;intelligence officials said.

The classified briefings last week were presented by Clapper, Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey, Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan and National Security Agency director Mike Rogers.

One reason the US&nbsp;intelligence chiefs took the extraordinary step of including the synopsis in the briefing documents was to make Trump aware that allegations about him are circulating among intelligence agencies, senior members of Congress and government officials, CNN said.

An unclassified intelligence report released on Friday concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an effort to help Trump&#39;s electoral chances by discrediting Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign.

The report said US&nbsp;intelligence agencies have concluded that as part of the effort Russia&#39;s military intelligence agency, the GRU, used intermediaries such as WikiLeaks and others to release emails it hacked from the Democratic National Committee and top Democrats.

(Reuters)

Allegations that Russia attempted to compromise New York real estate businessman Trump have been circulating in Washington for months

Classified documents presented last week to president-elect Donald Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising information about him, CNN reported on Tuesday. The allegations were in a two-page synopsis appended to a report presented by US intelligence officials to Trump and President Barack Obama on Russian interference in the 2016 election, CNN said, citing multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings. The allegations came, in part, from memos compiled by a former British intelligence operative, whose past work US intelligence officials consider credible, CNN reported. It said the FBI is investigating the credibility and accuracy of these allegations, which are based primarily on information from Russian sources, but has not confirmed many essential details in the memos about Trump. The FBI declined to comment. Allegations that Russia attempted to compromise New York real estate businessman Trump have been circulating in Washington for months, and they were presented to US officials last year. Reuters has not been able to corroborate the allegations or confirm the existence of the two-page synopsis reported by CNN. The warning to Trump, however, coincides with growing concern about what Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has called a "multifaceted" Russian influence and espionage campaign in Europe and the United States. In addition to hacking computer networks and spreading propaganda and fake news, it includes efforts to cultivate business and political leaders and find compromising personal, financial or other information on persons of interest, US intelligence officials said. The classified briefings last week were presented by Clapper, Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey, Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan and National Security Agency director Mike Rogers. One reason the US intelligence chiefs took the extraordinary step of including the synopsis in the briefing documents was to make Trump aware that allegations about him are circulating among intelligence agencies, senior members of Congress and government officials, CNN said. An unclassified intelligence report released on Friday concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an effort to help Trump's electoral chances by discrediting Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. The report said US intelligence agencies have concluded that as part of the effort Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, used intermediaries such as WikiLeaks and others to release emails it hacked from the Democratic National Committee and top Democrats. (Reuters)

Russian operatives claim to have compromising information on Trump: CNN

A plane carrying 35 Russian diplomats expelled from the United States over Moscow&#39;s alleged interference in the presidential election took off from Washington on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported.

&quot;The plane has taken off, everyone is on board,&quot; said the Russian embassy in Washington, quoted by the state-owned RIA Novosti agency.

Relatives of the diplomats are also onboard the plane flown specially from Russia, for a total of 96 passengers onboard.

The expulsions were part of a package of sanctions ordered by President Barack Obama on Thursday in the final weeks of his administration.

&quot;We can confirm that the 35 Russian diplomats declared persona non grata have, along with their family members, departed the United States,&quot; a State Department spokesman told AFP.

The diplomats, described as intelligence operatives based at the Russian embassy in Washington and the consulate in San Francisco, had been given 72 hours on Thursday to leave the country.

US intelligence says the Kremlin ordered a hack-and-release of Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign staff emails in a bid to put Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Obama also ordered the closure of two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland that the United States says were used &quot;for intelligence-related purposes.&quot;

Economic sanctions were also announced against Russia&#39;s FSB and GRU intelligence agencies. Four GRU officers including agency chief Igor Korobov also face sanctions.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

President Vladimir Putin has ruled out sending home US diplomats in retaliation -- a move interpreted as a sign he is looking to Trump to rebuild US-Russian ties after the US inauguration on January 20.

Trump has cast doubt on the US intelligence findings, saying he knows &quot;things that other people don&#39;t know&quot; about the situation. The populist billionaire is seeking closer ties with Putin.

&nbsp;

(AFP)

The diplomats, described as intelligence operatives, had been given 72 hours on Thursday to leave the country

A plane carrying 35 Russian diplomats expelled from the United States over Moscow's alleged interference in the presidential election took off from Washington on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported. "The plane has taken off, everyone is on board," said the Russian embassy in Washington, quoted by the state-owned RIA Novosti agency. Relatives of the diplomats are also onboard the plane flown specially from Russia, for a total of 96 passengers onboard. The expulsions were part of a package of sanctions ordered by President Barack Obama on Thursday in the final weeks of his administration. "We can confirm that the 35 Russian diplomats declared persona non grata have, along with their family members, departed the United States," a State Department spokesman told AFP. The diplomats, described as intelligence operatives based at the Russian embassy in Washington and the consulate in San Francisco, had been given 72 hours on Thursday to leave the country. US intelligence says the Kremlin ordered a hack-and-release of Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign staff emails in a bid to put Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Obama also ordered the closure of two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland that the United States says were used "for intelligence-related purposes." Economic sanctions were also announced against Russia's FSB and GRU intelligence agencies. Four GRU officers including agency chief Igor Korobov also face sanctions. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations. President Vladimir Putin has ruled out sending home US diplomats in retaliation -- a move interpreted as a sign he is looking to Trump to rebuild US-Russian ties after the US inauguration on January 20. Trump has cast doubt on the US intelligence findings, saying he knows "things that other people don't know" about the situation. The populist billionaire is seeking closer ties with Putin. (AFP)

Plane with expelled diplomats leaves US

A group of electors who will ratify the US presidential election results next week on Monday called for a full briefing on accusations that Russia intervened to help Donald Trump win the vote.

With support from defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton&#39;s top advisor John Podesta, the 10 electors -- all but one Democrats -- said they need to understand the strength of those accusations before the 538-member Electoral College gathers on December 19.

&quot;The electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations,&quot; they said in an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.&nbsp;

&quot;We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr Trump is fit to serve as president of the United States.&quot;

The call came after weekend media reports said the Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that Moscow was behind the hacking of political party computers and the release of data that ultimately damaged Clinton in her fight against Trump.

Trump branded that conclusion &quot;ridiculous,&quot; but senior members of Congress are taking it seriously, and are poised to launch investigations.&nbsp;

Podesta, whose private campaign emails were part of the hacked data, said the electors&#39; letter &quot;raises very grave issues involving our national security.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed,&quot; he said in a statement.

The US Constitution dictates that the electoral college ultimately decides the presidential election, not the popular vote.

Each US state is given a number of electors that corresponds to the size of the state&#39;s population.

In the November 8 vote, Clinton bested Trump in the popular vote by two percentage points, but Trump captured more states and earned 306 electors to Clinton&#39;s 232, giving him the White House victory.&nbsp;

Clay Pell, one of the electors who signed the letter, said it was &quot;essential&quot; to understand what happened before the electors meet to confirm the election result.

&quot;It&#39;s absolutely the role of the electoral college to consider that,&quot; he told AFP.

(AFP)

The call came after media reports said the CIA concluded that Moscow was behind hacking of computers, release of data that damaged Clinton

A group of electors who will ratify the US presidential election results next week on Monday called for a full briefing on accusations that Russia intervened to help Donald Trump win the vote. With support from defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton's top advisor John Podesta, the 10 electors -- all but one Democrats -- said they need to understand the strength of those accusations before the 538-member Electoral College gathers on December 19. "The electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations," they said in an open letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. "We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr Trump is fit to serve as president of the United States." The call came after weekend media reports said the Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that Moscow was behind the hacking of political party computers and the release of data that ultimately damaged Clinton in her fight against Trump. Trump branded that conclusion "ridiculous," but senior members of Congress are taking it seriously, and are poised to launch investigations. Podesta, whose private campaign emails were part of the hacked data, said the electors' letter "raises very grave issues involving our national security." "Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," he said in a statement. The US Constitution dictates that the electoral college ultimately decides the presidential election, not the popular vote. Each US state is given a number of electors that corresponds to the size of the state's population. In the November 8 vote, Clinton bested Trump in the popular vote by two percentage points, but Trump captured more states and earned 306 electors to Clinton's 232, giving him the White House victory. Clay Pell, one of the electors who signed the letter, said it was "essential" to understand what happened before the electors meet to confirm the election result. "It's absolutely the role of the electoral college to consider that," he told AFP. (AFP)

US presidential electors ask for intelligence briefing on 'Russian hacking'

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