Will Trump block Comey testimony?
TALLINN, ( AFP) June3 - With ransomware like “WannaCry” sowing chaos worldwide and global powers accusing rivals of using cyberattacks to interfere in domestic politics, the latest edition of the world's only book laying down the law in cyberspace could not be more timely.
The Tallinn Manual 2.0 is a unique collection of law on cyber-conflict, says Professor Michael Schmitt from the UK's University of Exeter, who led work on the tome. Published by Cambridge University Press and first compiled by a team of 19 experts in 2013, the latest updated edition aims to pin down the rules that governments should follow when doing battle in virtual reality.
The manual was among the hot topics this week as over 500 IT security experts from across the globe gathered at NATO's Cycon cyber security conference in Tallinn. Launched in 2009, the annual event is organised by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence based in the Estonian capital.
CANCUN, June 2 ( REUTERS) - Air travel is heading for a bumper year, but global airline leaders meeting in Mexico are concerned about the impact of an escalating row over laptop bans and rising protectionism. Although the industry has overcome previous losses to notch up an eighth successive year of profit, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which groups 275 airlines and meets from June 4-6, is now facing new challenges.
The Geneva- based group is at odds with President Donald Trump over efforts to widen a partial US and British security ban on laptops in cabin baggage. It is also worried about what it sees as protectionist rhetoric from Washington and Europe, saying this could temper growth in demand for air travel and freight.
WASHINGTON, June 2 (REUTERS) - White House officials said on Friday they did not know yet whether President Donald Trump would seek to block former FBI Director James Comey from testifying to Congress next week, a move that could spark a political backlash. “I have not spoken to counsel yet. I don't know how they're going to respond,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters.
Comey was leading an FBI probe into alleged Russian meddling in last year's US presidential election and possible collusion by Trump's campaign when the president fired him last month. Critics have charged that Trump was seeking to hinder the FBI's investigation by dismissing Comey. The former FBI chief is due to testify on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its own Russia-related investigation, and his remarks could cause problems for the Republican president. Comey is widely expected to be asked about conversations in which the president reportedly pressured him to drop an investigation into Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, whose ties to Russia are under scrutiny. Critics have said that such pressure could potentially amount to obstruction of justice. Presidents can assert executive privilege to prevent government employees from sharing information. Any effort to block Comey, who is now a private citizen, from testifying could be challenged in court.