WEATHER ALERT
AP sources: Chinese hackers targeted phones of Trump, Vance, people associated with Harris campaign
Read full article: AP sources: Chinese hackers targeted phones of Trump, Vance, people associated with Harris campaignChinese hackers targeted cellphones used by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, his running mate, JD Vance, and people associated with the Democratic campaign of Kamala Harris.
FBI disrupts Chinese cyber operation targeting critical infrastructure in the US
Read full article: FBI disrupts Chinese cyber operation targeting critical infrastructure in the USFBI Director Chris Wray says the FBI has disrupted a group of Chinese hackers who were working at the direction of the Chinese government to infiltrate critical infrastructure in the U.S. and other countries and to steal data from universities and government agencies.
American company, Russian propaganda: New Kremlin tactic reveals escalating effort to sway US vote
Read full article: American company, Russian propaganda: New Kremlin tactic reveals escalating effort to sway US voteThis week's indictment of two Russian state media employees accused of paying a Tennessee company to create pro-Russian content is revealing Moscow's latest tactic for meddling in the November election.
From cybercrime to terrorism, FBI director says America faces many elevated threats 'all at once'
Read full article: From cybercrime to terrorism, FBI director says America faces many elevated threats 'all at once'The head of the FBI says America is facing heightened threats from many corners at a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Read full article: FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attemptThe FBI says former President Donald Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet during an assassination attempt on July 13, as the agency moved Friday to clarify what happened after nearly two weeks of confusion and conflicting accounts.
Trump rally gunman looked online for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director says
Read full article: Trump rally gunman looked online for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director saysThe gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump is believed to have done a Google search one week before the shooting of “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?”.
Rally shooter had photos of Trump, Biden and other US officials on his phone, AP sources say
Read full article: Rally shooter had photos of Trump, Biden and other US officials on his phone, AP sources sayThe 20-year-old Pennsylvania man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump had photos on his phone of the former Republican president, President Joe Biden and other officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray.
Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier denied parole for 1975 killings of 2 FBI agents serving warrants
Read full article: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier denied parole for 1975 killings of 2 FBI agents serving warrantsIndigenous activist Leonard Peltier has been denied parole after spending most of his life in prison since his conviction in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota.
AP sources: 8 people with possible Islamic State ties arrested in US on immigration violations
Read full article: AP sources: 8 people with possible Islamic State ties arrested in US on immigration violationsEight individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to the Islamic State group have been arrested in the United States in recent days.
On Chinese doping case, lawmakers demand action, answers from Olympic and law-enforcement leaders
Read full article: On Chinese doping case, lawmakers demand action, answers from Olympic and law-enforcement leadersA bipartisan group of U.S. senators have sent a letter to the leader of the World Anti-Doping Agency asking for answers about the case in which 23 Chinese swimmers were cleared to compete at the Tokyo Olympics despite positive tests for a banned drug.
US government agrees to $138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
Read full article: US government agrees to $138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegationsThe U.S. Justice Department is paying a $138.7 million to settle more than 100 claims that it badly mishandled allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016.
Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source says
Read full article: Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source saysThe U.S. Justice Department has agreed to pay approximately $100 million to settle claims with about 100 people who say they were sexually assaulted by sports doctor Larry Nassar.
Election disinformation takes a big leap with AI being used to deceive worldwide
Read full article: Election disinformation takes a big leap with AI being used to deceive worldwideArtificial intelligence is supercharging the threat of election disinformation worldwide, making it easy for anyone with a smartphone to create fake – but convincing – content aimed at fooling voters.
Behind the doors of a Chinese hacking company, a sordid culture fueled by influence, alcohol and sex
Read full article: Behind the doors of a Chinese hacking company, a sordid culture fueled by influence, alcohol and sexChina’s hacking industry, leaked internal documents reveal, is vast in size and scope but also suffers from shady business practices, disgruntlement over pay and work quality, and poor security protocols.
Ex-Google engineer charged with stealing AI trade secrets while working with Chinese companies
Read full article: Ex-Google engineer charged with stealing AI trade secrets while working with Chinese companiesThe Justice Department says a former software engineer at Google has been charged with stealing artificial intelligence technology from the company while secretly working with two companies based in China.
The US is bracing for complex, fast-moving threats to elections this year, FBI director warns
Read full article: The US is bracing for complex, fast-moving threats to elections this year, FBI director warnsFBI Director Christopher Wray says the U.S. expects to confront fast-moving threats to American elections this year as artificial intelligence and other technological advances have made interference and meddling easier than before.
US says it disrupted a China cyber threat, but warns hackers could still wreak havoc for Americans
Read full article: US says it disrupted a China cyber threat, but warns hackers could still wreak havoc for AmericansFBI Director Chris Wray has told House lawmakers that Chinese government hackers are busily targeting critical infrastructure inside the United States, including water treatment plants, the electrical grid and transportation systems.
Justice Dept. accuses 2 political operatives of hiding foreign lobbying during Trump administration
Read full article: Justice Dept. accuses 2 political operatives of hiding foreign lobbying during Trump administrationNewly unsealed Justice Department court records say two well-connected political consultants provided false information about lobbying work on behalf of a wealthy Persian Gulf country during the Trump administration.
US files war crime charges against Russians accused of torturing an American in the Ukraine invasion
Read full article: US files war crime charges against Russians accused of torturing an American in the Ukraine invasionThe Justice Department says four Russian men accused of torturing an American during the invasion of Ukraine have been charged with war crimes in a first-of-its-kind case.
Voting experts warn of 'serious threats' for 2024 from election equipment software breaches
Read full article: Voting experts warn of 'serious threats' for 2024 from election equipment software breachesElection security experts and computer scientists say an effort to access voting system software in several states and provide it to allies of Donald Trump as they sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election poses “serious threats” ahead of next year’s presidential contest.
FBI chief makes fresh pitch for spy program renewal and says it'd be 'devastating' if it lapsed
Read full article: FBI chief makes fresh pitch for spy program renewal and says it'd be 'devastating' if it lapsedFBI Director Christopher Wray is making a fresh pitch for the reauthorization of a U.S. government surveillance tool set to expire at the end of the year.
Inspector general investigating decision to relocate FBI headquarters to Maryland
Read full article: Inspector general investigating decision to relocate FBI headquarters to MarylandA federal watchdog is investigating how the Biden administration chose the site for a new FBI headquarters following a contentious competition marked by allegations of conflict of interest from the bureau’s director.
Mayorkas warns of dangers to the US if it loses tools to block terrorists from using drones and WMD
Read full article: Mayorkas warns of dangers to the US if it loses tools to block terrorists from using drones and WMDThe U.S. government is at risk of losing key tools for preventing terrorists from using drones, chemicals or weapons of mass destruction if Congress doesn’t take action soon.
A key US spy tool will lapse at year's end unless Congress and the White House can cut a deal
Read full article: A key US spy tool will lapse at year's end unless Congress and the White House can cut a dealFBI Director Christopher Wray is making a fresh push to Congress to authorize a spy program that Biden administration says is vital to preventing terrorism, catching spies and disrupting cyberattacks.
FBI director warns about threats to Americans from those inspired by the Hamas attack on Israel
Read full article: FBI director warns about threats to Americans from those inspired by the Hamas attack on IsraelFBI Director Christopher Wray is warning that Hamas’ rampage inside Israel could inspire violence in the U.S. He told lawmakers on Tuesday that multiple foreign extremist groups have called for attacks against Americans and the West in recent weeks.
A teen's death in a small Michigan town led the FBI and police to an online sexual extortion scheme
Read full article: A teen's death in a small Michigan town led the FBI and police to an online sexual extortion schemeFBI Director Christopher Wray has spoken to one of the nation's largest police groups about how his agency works with police around the United States in tackling violent crime, fentanyl and gangs.
US cities boost security as fears spread over Israel-Hamas war despite lack of credible threats
Read full article: US cities boost security as fears spread over Israel-Hamas war despite lack of credible threatsPolice in New York, Los Angeles, and other U.S. cities have increased patrols, authorities put up fencing around the U.S. Capitol and some schools closed amid fears of violence inspired by the Israel-Hamas war.
After Jacksonville shootings, historically Black colleges address security concerns, remain vigilant
Read full article: After Jacksonville shootings, historically Black colleges address security concerns, remain vigilantThe white supremacist shooter who killed three Black residents over the weekend at a dollar store in Jacksonville, Florida, stopped beforehand at the state’s first historically Black college.
FBI wrongly searched for US senator and state senator in Section 702 spy data, court says
Read full article: FBI wrongly searched for US senator and state senator in Section 702 spy data, court saysA newly released court opinion says FBI employees wrongly searched foreign surveillance data for the last names of a U.S. senator and a state senator.
GOP and FBI are at odds as Republicans move to stop the agency's new headquarters after Trump probes
Read full article: GOP and FBI are at odds as Republicans move to stop the agency's new headquarters after Trump probesHouse Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested recently he might block the FBI from relocating its downtown headquarters to a new facility planned for the suburbs of Washington.
FBI Director Chris Wray defends the 'real FBI' against criticism from House Republicans
Read full article: FBI Director Chris Wray defends the 'real FBI' against criticism from House RepublicansFBI Director Chris Wray defended what he calls the “real FBI” before a contentious hearing of the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee.
House Republicans pull back contempt charge against FBI director Wray over Biden doc
Read full article: House Republicans pull back contempt charge against FBI director Wray over Biden docThe Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee has called off a vote that would move forward with holding FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.
House Republicans ready contempt vote against FBI director Wray over Biden document
Read full article: House Republicans ready contempt vote against FBI director Wray over Biden documentThe House Oversight chairman says he plans to move forward with holding FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.
FBI offers to show GOP chairman document that purports to relate to Biden, his family
Read full article: FBI offers to show GOP chairman document that purports to relate to Biden, his familyThe FBI has offered to show top lawmakers next week a bureau document that purports to relate to President Joe Biden and his family following weeks of demands by congressional Republicans and a contempt threat against Director Christopher Wray.
Justice Dept. seeks to put Trump deposition on hold in case of FBI agent fired over text messages
Read full article: Justice Dept. seeks to put Trump deposition on hold in case of FBI agent fired over text messagesThe Justice Department is asking a judge to put on hold a scheduled deposition of Donald Trump in a lawsuit brought by an FBI agent who was fired over text messages critical of the former president.
Congress' anger at FBI shapes surveillance program's future
Read full article: Congress' anger at FBI shapes surveillance program's futureGrowing anger at the FBI from both parties in Congress has become a major hurdle for U.S. intelligence agencies fighting to keep vast powers to collect foreign communications.
Lawmaker says FBI wrongly sought surveillance info about him
Read full article: Lawmaker says FBI wrongly sought surveillance info about himA Republican lawmaker has accused the FBI of wrongly searching for his name in foreign surveillance data, underscoring the challenges ahead for U.S. officials trying to persuade Congress to renew their authorities to collect huge swaths of communications.
FBI tested by attacks, politically explosive investigations
Read full article: FBI tested by attacks, politically explosive investigationsThe FBI finds itself in a challenging moment as it conducts simultaneous investigations involving classified documents held by former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
Not just balloons: How US sees China spying as major worry
Read full article: Not just balloons: How US sees China spying as major worryThe Chinese surveillance balloon that traversed the United States before being shot down last weekend captivated public attention and drew sharp denunciations as a brazen spying effort.
US infiltrates big ransomware gang: 'We hacked the hackers'
Read full article: US infiltrates big ransomware gang: 'We hacked the hackers'Attorney General Merrick Garland and other U.S. officials say the FBI and international partners have at least temporarily disrupted the network of a prolific ransomware gang they infiltrated last year.
FBI chief says he's 'deeply concerned' by China's AI program
Read full article: FBI chief says he's 'deeply concerned' by China's AI programFBI Director Christopher Wray says he's “deeply concerned” about the Chinese government’s artificial intelligence program, asserting that it was “not constrained by the rule of law.”.
House GOP pushes Hunter Biden probe despite thin majority
Read full article: House GOP pushes Hunter Biden probe despite thin majorityEven with their threadbare House majority, Republicans doubled down this week on using their new power to investigate the Biden administration and in particular the president’s son.
White House invites dozens of nations for ransomware summit
Read full article: White House invites dozens of nations for ransomware summitThe White House is bringing together three dozen nations, the European Union and a slew of private-sector companies for a two-day summit that looks at how best to combat ransomware attacks.
Whistleblower: 665 left FBI over misconduct in two decades
Read full article: Whistleblower: 665 left FBI over misconduct in two decadesA U.S. senator says a whistleblower has alleged that an internal review found 665 FBI personnel have resigned or retired to avoid accountability in misconduct probes over the past two decades.
US needs to reform efforts to stop enemy spies, report says
Read full article: US needs to reform efforts to stop enemy spies, report saysA new Senate study warns that U.S. spy agencies’ efforts to stop China and other adversaries from stealing secrets are hampered by miscommunication and a lack of money and staff at the agency intended to coordinate those efforts.
Ohio gunman appeared to threaten FBI after Trump home search
Read full article: Ohio gunman appeared to threaten FBI after Trump home searchA law enforcement official says a gunman who died in a shootout after trying to get inside the FBI’s Cincinnati office appeared to have posted calls on social media for FBI agents to be killed and for people to take up arms in the wake of the search at Donald Trump’s home.
Man who tried to breach FBI office killed after standoff
Read full article: Man who tried to breach FBI office killed after standoffThe Ohio Highway State Patrol says an armed man who tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and engaged in an hourslong standoff.
FBI's Wray denounces threats following search of Trump home
Read full article: FBI's Wray denounces threats following search of Trump homeThe director of the FBI has strong words for supporters of former President Donald Trump who have been using violent rhetoric in the wake of his agency’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
FBI open to settling claims by gymnasts abused by Nassar
Read full article: FBI open to settling claims by gymnasts abused by NassarThe FBI has reached out to attorneys representing Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and other women who say they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar to begin settlement talks in the $1 billion claim they brought against the federal government.
US disrupts North Korean hackers that targeted hospitals
Read full article: US disrupts North Korean hackers that targeted hospitalsThe FBI and Justice Department recently disrupted the activities of a hacking group that was sponsored by the North Korean government and that targeted U.S. hospitals with ransomware.
China lashes out at US, British intelligence services
Read full article: China lashes out at US, British intelligence servicesChina is calling the United States “the biggest threat to world peace, stability and development," continuing its sharp rhetoric in response to U.S. accusations of Chinese spying and threats to the international order.
US, UK leaders raise fresh alarms about Chinese espionage
Read full article: US, UK leaders raise fresh alarms about Chinese espionageThe FBI director and the leader of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency are raising alarms about the Chinese government, warning business leaders that Beijing is determined to steal their technology for competitive gain.
Simone Biles, other women seek $1B-plus from FBI over Nassar
Read full article: Simone Biles, other women seek $1B-plus from FBI over NassarOlympic gold medalist Simone Biles and dozens of other women who say they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar are seeking more than $1 billion from the FBI for failing to stop the sports doctor.
Online pro-gun extremism: 'Cool for active shooter stuff'
Read full article: Online pro-gun extremism: 'Cool for active shooter stuff'As Americans reel from mass shootings, law enforcement officials and experts on extremism are taking increasing notice of the sprawling online space devoted to guns and gun rights.
Wray: FBI blocked planned cyberattack on children's hospital
Read full article: Wray: FBI blocked planned cyberattack on children's hospitalFBI Director Christopher Wray says agents thwarted a planned cyberattack on a Boston children’s hospital that was to have been carried out by hackers sponsored by the Iranian government.
Accused Buffalo gunman followed familiar radicalization path
Read full article: Accused Buffalo gunman followed familiar radicalization pathThe white gunman charged in a deadly, racist rampage inside a Buffalo supermarket didn’t need to travel abroad for tactical training, nor did he need to join an organization of like-minded militants who shared his world view.
US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operation
Read full article: US charges Russian oligarch, dismantles cybercrime operationThe Justice Department has charged a Russian oligarch with sanctions violations and has taken down a cybercrime operation controlled by a Russian military intelligence agency.
US drops name of Trump's 'China Initiative' after criticism
Read full article: US drops name of Trump's 'China Initiative' after criticismThe Justice Department is scrapping the name of a Trump-era initiative intended to crack down on economic espionage by Beijing but criticized as unfairly targeting Chinese professors at American colleges because of their ethnicity.
US charges 2 suspected major ransomware operators
Read full article: US charges 2 suspected major ransomware operatorsA suspected Ukrainian hacker has been arrested and charged in the United States in connection with a string of costly ransomware attacks, including one that snarled businesses around the globe on the Fourth of July weekend.
Wray: Afghanistan unrest could inspire extremism inside US
Read full article: Wray: Afghanistan unrest could inspire extremism inside USTop national security officials say the possibility of a 9/11-type attack has diminished over the last 20 years despite the recent Taliban victory in Afghanistan, but the unrest in Kabul could embolden U.S.-based extremists at the same time that the FBI is confronting an uptick in threats from individuals motivated by racial and political grievances.
Biles: FBI turned 'blind eye' to reports of gymnasts' abuse
Read full article: Biles: FBI turned 'blind eye' to reports of gymnasts' abuseOlympic gold medalist Simone Biles has told Congress that the FBI and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women.
Americans warier of US government surveillance: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Americans warier of US government surveillance: AP-NORC pollAs the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, Americans increasingly balk at intrusive government surveillance in the name of national security - and only about a third believe that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were worth fighting.
Taliban takeover prompts fears of a resurgent al-Qaida
Read full article: Taliban takeover prompts fears of a resurgent al-QaidaThe speedy Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has revived alarms about a resurgent al-Qaida and new terrorism threats against the U.S. The group's danger to the United States had been eclipsed in the past two decades by other threats, but experts are concerned that al-Qaida could again be given unfettered safe harbor by the Taliban.
Dems renew questions about FBI background check of Kavanaugh
Read full article: Dems renew questions about FBI background check of KavanaughSenate Democrats are raising new concerns about the thoroughness of the FBI’s background investigation into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after the FBI revealed that it had received thousands of tips and had provided “all relevant” ones to the White House counsel’s office.
Police testimony will lead off panel's first Jan. 6 hearing
Read full article: Police testimony will lead off panel's first Jan. 6 hearingA new House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection is expected to hold its first public hearing with police officers who responded to the attack and custodial staff who cleaned up afterward.
Fierce Capitol attacks on police in newly released videos
Read full article: Fierce Capitol attacks on police in newly released videosVideos released under court order provide a chilling new look at the chaos at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, including body camera footage that shows a man charging at a police officer with a flagpole.
US intel report warns of more violence by QAnon followers
Read full article: US intel report warns of more violence by QAnon followersA new federal intelligence report warns that adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory could target Democrats and other political opponents for more violence as the movement’s false prophecies increasingly don’t come true.
Wray: FBI frowns on ransomware payments despite recent trend
Read full article: Wray: FBI frowns on ransomware payments despite recent trendFBI Director Christopher Wray says the bureau discourages ransomware payments to hacking groups even as major companies in the past month have participated in multimillion-dollar transactions aimed at getting their systems back online.
EXPLAINER: How Congress' Jan. 6 commission would work
Read full article: EXPLAINER: How Congress' Jan. 6 commission would workAn independent commission to study the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection would be modeled after a similar panel that studied the 9/11 terrorist attacks and has long been hailed as a bipartisan success.
US intel report: Virus impact to cause global 'aftershocks'
Read full article: US intel report: Virus impact to cause global 'aftershocks'A U_S_ intelligence community report says the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are expected to contribute over the next year to “humanitarian and economic crises, political unrest, and geopolitical competition."
Lawyer: FBI enlisted Proud Boys leader to inform on antifa
Read full article: Lawyer: FBI enlisted Proud Boys leader to inform on antifaIn this Jan. 6, 2021, photo, Proud Boys including Joseph Biggs, front left, walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, in support of President Donald Trump. The Proud Boys even have counted some law enforcement officers among their ranks, including a Connecticut police officer and a Louisiana sheriff's deputy. AdThe FBI would not comment on why agents were meeting with Biggs or why the bureau was trying to solicit information about antifa through the Proud Boys. Biggs, 37, of Ormond Beach, Florida, wouldn't be the first Proud Boys informant. Proud Boys members describe themselves as a politically incorrect men’s club for “Western chauvinists.” Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, who founded the Proud Boys in 2016, sued the Southern Poverty Law Center for labeling it as a hate group.