Andrew Blake

White House blames Russia for NotPetya cyberattack

The United States has followed Britain in formally blaming Russia with launching the "NotPetya" cyberattack that wrecked havoc around the globe last summer.

February 16, 2018

Smashing Pumpkins announce 36-city reunion tour

Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin will perform together this summer as the Smashing Pumpkins for the first time in 18 years, the Grammy Award-winning alternative rock group announced Thursday.

February 15, 2018

NotPetya cyberattack ‘almost certainly’ Russia-sponsored: British government

The British government on Thursday officially blamed Russia for waging the so-called NotPetya cyberattack that infected computers across Ukraine last summer before spreading to systems in the U.S. and beyond.

February 15, 2018

Jerry Seinfeld on ‘Seinfeld’ reboot: ‘It’s possible’

Jerry Seinfeld didn't rule out reviving the comedian's eponymous sitcom when asked during an interview by fellow comic-turned-television star Ellen DeGeneres.

February 15, 2018

Tally of White House officials lacking permanent security clearances surpassed 100: Reports

Scores of White House officials appointed by President Trump's administration lacked permanent security clearances 10 months into his tenure, according to new reports.

February 15, 2018

Molson Coors brewery labels legal marijuana a ‘risk factor’ in SEC filing

Marijuana legalization in the U.S. and Canada may have a negative impact on the finances of Molson Coors, the brewing company warned in a federal regulatory filing Wednesday.

February 15, 2018

Recovered tweets detail scope of Russian trolling

Hundreds of thousands of tweets attributed to Russian internet trolls deleted by Twitter have been recovered by NBC News and published online, offering new insight into the weaponization of social media amid ongoing concerns raised by Moscow's involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential race.

February 14, 2018

BuzzFeed sues DNC seeking evidence corroborating dossier claim

BuzzFeed has sued the Democratic National Committee seeking evidence of the cyberattack it suffered during the 2016 White House race in hopes of substantiating claims contained in the salacious dossier it published detailing President Trump's alleged ties to Russia.

February 14, 2018

Marijuana less dangerous to the brain than alcohol: Report

Alcohol consumption is more damaging to the human brain than marijuana, according to a newly released report published by researchers at the University of Colorado.

February 14, 2018

Chinese tech firms Huawei and ZTE singled out during intel hearing over national security concerns

Senators and Trump administration officials on both sides of the dais during Tuesday's Intelligence Committee hearing raised concerns over Chinese telecommunications equipment companies Huawei and ZTE, two of the world's largest cellphone makers, amid recent efforts waged by Republicans attempting to keep either from infiltrating U.S. markets.

February 14, 2018

Fatal car crash risk higher on 4/20; marijuana celebrations thought responsible: Report

An uptick in fatal car crashes on April 20 has left researchers to blame marijuana-friendly "4/20" celebrations as the likely culprit.

February 13, 2018

BuzzFeed hires Anthony Ferrante, former FBI, White House official, to investigate dossier: Report

BuzzFeed has hired a team led by former FBI and White House cybersecurity official Anthony Ferrante tasked with trying to verify aspects of the dossier it published last year detailing President Trump's alleged ties to Russia, Foreign Policy reported Monday.

February 13, 2018

Edward Snowden, NSA leaker: ‘I got a security clearance faster than half of this White House’

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified intelligence to reporters in 2013, taunted the Trump administration for taking over a year to obtain permanent security clearances for some of the president's top advisers.

February 13, 2018

Julian Assange’s arrest warrant upheld by British judge

A British judge on Tuesday upheld an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, averting again a ruling that could have opened the door for his exit from Ecuador's Embassy in London more than five years since seeking asylum inside.

February 13, 2018

New Hampshire moves closer to banning gay conversion therapy for minors

Legislation banning gay conversion therapy for minors has narrowly passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives a month after failing by a single vote.

February 10, 2018

NSA used Twitter account to tweet secret messages meant for Russian seller: Reports

Nearly a dozen tweets sent by the U.S. National Security Agency's public Twitter account, @NSAGov, contained secret messages meant for a Russian attempting to sell stolen cyberweapons, according to new reports.

February 10, 2018

Kent State denies Richard Spencer event despite legal threats

Kent State University on Friday rejected a proposed speaking event featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer, defying legal threats and likely spurring a federal First Amendment suit.

February 10, 2018

Jared Kushner among dozens of Trump officials lacking permanent security clearances: Reports

Upwards of 40 people in the administration, including Jared Kushner, the president's son-and-law and close adviser, continue to lack permanent security clearances more than a year into the Trump presidency, according to multiple reports.

February 10, 2018

Olympics officials investigating computer issues as possible cyberattack

Pyeongchang Olympics organizers on Saturday said technical issues reported during Opening Ceremonies are being investigated as a possible cyberattack.

February 10, 2018

Donald Trump nearly completes ‘dictator checklist’ with military parade plans: Bill Maher

President Trump is merely a costume away from resembling a full-fledged dictator following reports of his planned military parade, comedian Bill Maher quipped during Friday's episode of his weekly HBO program.

February 10, 2018