Andrew Blake

Russia gives hackers immunity in exchange for stolen data, ex-Kaspersky researcher claims

The Russian government grants immunity to cybercriminals in exchange for information acquired by otherwise illegal computer intrusions, a former federal hacker-hunter accused of treason claimed Wednesday.

April 12, 2017

Pink Floyd honored with newly discovered shrimp species, Synalpheus pinkfloydi

A newly found species of pink-clawed pistol shrimp capable of killing other animals with its own sounds has been aptly named after legendary British rock band Pink Floyd, researchers said Wednesday.

April 12, 2017

Michael Hayden, ex-CIA chief: Russia’s election hacking wasn’t an ‘act of war’

Russia's involvement in last year's White House race was no "act of war," former CIA and NSA Director Michael Hayden said Tuesday, discounting claims raised across Washington amid lingering accusations over Moscow's role in the 2016 U.S. presidential race.

April 12, 2017

More than half of U.S. voters favor cyberattacks against Syria: Poll

More than half of U.S. voters support targeting the Syrian military with cyberattacks in reaction to the deadly chemical weapons assault waged last week allegedly by President Bashar Assad's government, pollsters said Wednesday.

April 12, 2017

Briarwood Presbyterian, Alabama megachurch, gets state Senate’s approval to establish police force

The Alabama Senate voted Tuesday in favor of letting a Birmingham megachurch establish its own police force, setting the stage for a House vote next week and a likely legal showdown.

April 12, 2017

Tupac Shakur, slain rapper, to be memorialized with $500,000 bronze statue: Report

A bronze, seven-foot-tall statue of slain rapper Tupac Shakur expected to cost over $500,000 is slated to be erected outside Atlanta later this year, TMZ reported Tuesday.

April 11, 2017

Oregon passes privacy bill protecting marijuana shop customers

Lawmakers in Oregon overwhelmingly passed a measure aimed at protecting customers of the state's recreational marijuana dispensaries as politicians prepare for potential pushback from President Trump.

April 11, 2017

Voters split on Trump’s wire-tapping claim against Obama: Poll

American voters are split on whether they believe the Obama administration knew about surveillance being conducted against President Trump's White House campaign more than a month after Mr. Trump first insisted as much, new polling suggests.

April 11, 2017

Richard Kirk, Denver man, sentenced for murdering his wife while high on marijuana edibles

A Denver man who said marijuana intoxication caused him to kill his wife in 2014 was sentenced Friday to 30 years behind bars for second-degree murder.

April 11, 2017

FAA and Pentagon establish ‘no drone zone’ over military installations

Drone operators caught flying unmanned aircraft near any of 133 different military installations will be subject to arrest under new rules taking effect this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Friday.

April 11, 2017

Breitbart writers told to curb attacks against Jared Kushner, Trump advisor: Report

Senior editors at Breitbart News have reportedly asked their writers to shy away from stories attacking President Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, two individuals familiar with the matter said Monday, seemingly pausing an onslaught of negative articles initiated days earlier.

April 11, 2017

Trump administration abandons effort to unmask anti-Trump Twitter account

The federal government has abandoned its effort to compel Twitter for information involving an anti-Trump account after its request spurred the social networking service to file suit.

April 9, 2017

Mitch McConnell weighing new Russia sanctions over Moscow’s support of Assad regime

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday indicated a willingness to work with Democrats toward drafting new sanctions targeting Russia in response to Moscow's unwavering support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.

April 8, 2017

James Patrick Burke, former DEA agent, sentenced for child porn

A federal judge sentenced James Patrick Burke, a former special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, to seven years in prison Thursday following a conviction for child porn.

April 8, 2017

Bipartisan bill would reclassify marijuana as Schedule 3 substance

Bipartisan legislation proposed in the House on Thursday would make marijuana a Schedule 3 drug, removing cannabis from its current standing as a Schedule I substance alongside deadly contraband including ecstasy and heroin.

April 8, 2017

BuzzFeed sues FBI over access to Andrew Breitbart records

The FBI was sued in federal court Friday amid a reporter's years-long bid to obtain the bureau's file on Andrew Breitbart, the late conservative commentator and founder of Breitbart News.

April 8, 2017

Tulsi Gabbard ‘skeptical’ of Assad’s role in chemical weapons attack

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Friday questioned the Trump administration's assertion that Syria President Bashar Assad gassed innocent civilians this week, casting doubt over the White House's claim while raising concerns over its response.

April 8, 2017

Twitter drops suit over ‘ALT_USCIS’ account after government withdraws summons

The federal government abandoned its effort to compel Twitter for information involving an anti-Trump account on Friday after its request spurred the social networking service to file suit.

April 8, 2017

John Koskinen, IRS chief, says 100,000 taxpayers potentially compromised in online data breach

Upwards of 100,000 taxpayers may have had their personal information compromised by an online security breach, the head of the IRS said.

April 7, 2017

Medical marijuana ban law at Arizona colleges overturned by appeals court

Arizona state lawmakers erred by passing legislation barring medical marijuana on college campuses, an appellate court ruled Thursday.

April 7, 2017