MOSCOW: Russia is facing increased cyberattacks from abroad, a senior security official was quoted on Jan 15 as saying, responding to Western accusations that Moscow is aggressively targeting information networks in the United States and Europe. US intelligence agencies say Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a cyber campaign aimed at boosting Donald Trump's electoral chances by discrediting his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign. Russia has dismissed the accusations as a "witch-hunt". But he added that Moscow hoped to establish "constructive contacts" with the Trump administration. Trump, who praised Putin during the election campaign and has called for better ties with Moscow, will be inaugurated as president on Jan 20.

Source: The Star January 16, 2017 05:23 UTC