Russian hackers penetrated U.S. electricity grid through a utility in Vermont

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by President Barack Obama's administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials. While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss a security matter, the penetration of the nation's electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.

Russian hackers penetrated Vermont electric utility: Washington Post

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the Obama administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont electric utility, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, the officials told the Post, but penetration of the nation's electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.

Conservative radio host caught in lie that Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang at Obama Inauguration

Conservative radio host Ben Ferguson, asserted that the woman that quit the Mormon Tabernacle Choir because she refused to sing for President-elect Donald Trump, once sang for President Barack Obama. In fact, Ferguson attacked the woman personally, claiming she was a "crybaby who never grew up" and engaged in an act of "self-righteous grandstanding."

What do we know about the Russian compounds in the US?

As part of President Barack Obama's sanctions against the Russian government for its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election, two Russian compounds, located in New York State and Maryland, will be closed. Not much is known about the two locations, which were both purchased by the Soviet Union decades ago.

Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning ask Obama for pardons – but…

He p lead guilty in October to a felony charge for providing a false statement to the authorities; he may get no jail time anyway Kiriakou already served his time for blowing the lid off the CIA's waterboarding program, since defined as torture - he's seeking vindication Obama says he 'can't' pardon Snowden, who's wanted for three felony charges tied to his 2013 exposure of the NSA's bulk data program President Barack Obama is unlikely to grant pardons to whistleblowers who leaked government secrets as he exits office, experts say, but they're asking for clemency anyway.

Putin says Russia won’t expel diplomats; Trump offers praise – Fri, 30 Dec 2016 PST

President Vladimir Putin castigated the United States on Friday for trying to punish Russia but said his country will not immediately retaliate and instead will wait for a new U.S. approach by Donald Trump. The president-elect praised Putin's move and called him "very smart."

Obama to meet lawmakers in attempt to protect health law

President Barack Obama plans to meet Democratic lawmakers in Congress next week to discuss how to protect his signature healthcare law from Republican efforts to dismantle it, a White House official said on Friday. Obama, who is leaving office on Jan. 20, will attend a meeting with Democrats from the House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday, the official said.

Steve Chapman: The triumph of falsehood

In 1644, the English poet John Milton made an eloquent case against censorship. Freedom of thought and inquiry was not only a God-given prerogative but also the best protection against error: "Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?" Milton was fortunate enough to live before the internet.

Putin says Russia wona t expel US diplomats in hacking flap

President Vladimir Putin castigated the United States on Friday for imposing sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats amid allegations of Russian meddling in the American presidential election, but said no U.S. diplomats will be ousted in reprisal for President Barack Obama's moves in the wake of hacking attacks. In a burgeoning controversy surrounding complaints from the Obama administration about a cyberattack against America's political system, the White House on Thursday unleashed a string of sanctions and coupled them with an order that 35 Russians be expelled.

11th-hour Obama moves to thwart President-elect’s agenda

President Barack Obama will head to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with House and Senate Democrats on a strategy to block the Republican effort to dismantle his signature health care law. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced earlier this month that repealing Obamacare was the first item on the agenda for the new Congress in 2017 and President-elect Donald Trump has called for the program to be repealed and replaced.

McCain calls hearing on hacking

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain has scheduled a hearing for Thursday on foreign cyber threats to the United States, including the Russian hacking in the 2016 US presidential election, a committee aide told CNN. McCain has invited James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Mike Rogers, Director of the National Security Agency, and Marcel Lettre, the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, according to the aide.

Joe Walsh Knows Why Obama Hates Israel So Much, Because He’s Muslim Of Course

Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh cranked it up to 11 yesterday as he floated unfounded theories about why Barack Obama "hates Israel:" the president is a secret Muslim. The representative-turned-conservative radio host said on Twitter that the truth of the matter is "not complicated," and that there are a lot of people in the media and in Congress who agree with him.

Putin says Russia won’t oust US diplomats in hacking flap

President Vladimir Putin has condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia but said Moscow will not retaliate by expelling American diplomats. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.

Rep. Gohmert: Obama’s Russia Orders Not ‘Much of a Punishment’

Rep. Louie Gohmert Friday dismissed President Barack Obama's order for sanctions and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats accused of spying as not being "all that much of a punishment" and amount to a middle school-style "slap back." "If you're going to punish somebody, what he did is not all that much of a punishment," the Texas Republican told Fox News' "Fox and Friends" program.

Russia holds off retaliation over US hacking sanctions as it waits for Donald Trump

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday suggested that President Vladimir Putin expel 35 US diplomats and close two properties used by the US Embassy in Moscow as part of the growing diplomatic slugfest over Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential elections. However, Putin says he'll hold off taking action until after US President-elect Donald Trump - who looks set to become a close Russian ally - is inaugurated on January 20. The tit-for-tat measures were suggested one day after US President Barack Obama announced he would expel 35 Russian diplomats from the United States and order the closure of Russian-owned facilities on Maryland's Eastern Shore and on Long Island in New York believed to have been used for intelligence purposes.

new Putin says Russia wona t oust US diplomats in hacking flap

President Vladimir Putin has condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia but said Moscow will not retaliate by expelling American diplomats. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.