U. S.: RUSSIANS TARGET STATE, LOCAL SERVERS

WASHINGTON » U. S. officials said Thursday that Russian hackers have targeted the networks of dozens of state and local governments in the United States in recent days, stealing data from at least two servers. The warning, less than two weeks before the election, amplified fears of the potential for tampering with the vote and undermining confidence in the results.

The advisory from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity agency describes an onslaught of recent activity by a Russian state- sponsored hacking group against a broad range of networks, some of which were successfully compromised. The alert functions as a reminder of Russia’s potent capabilities and ongoing interference in the election even as U. S. officials publicly called out Iran on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against five Iranian entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, for attempting to influence U. S. elections.

Lebanon’s former prime minister tapped to lead again despite cries for change.

BEIRUT » Despite a public outcry for change, Lebanon’s president has tapped Saad Hariri, the embattled former prime minister who stepped down late last year amid anti- government protests, to again try to form a government.

Hariri, who left office amid multiple crises as the country teetered on economic collapse, received the mandate after garnering enough support from Parliament on Thursday.

Maxwell deposition made public.

For years, Ghislaine Maxwell has been a central but silent figure in the scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein’s history of abusing teenage girls.

On Thursday, however, Maxwell offered her fullest response yet to the swirl of claims surrounding Epstein as a 4- year- old deposition was released.

Over and over again in the 418- page deposition, Maxwell, 58, rejected accusations of wrongdoing. She denied that she had recruited minors to give Epstein sexual massages. She denied that she knew he was abusing girls and young women. She denied having engaged in sexual acts herself with underage people.

Trump’s cash crunch constrains his campaign.

WASHINGTON » President Donald Trump’s campaign has far less money than advisers had once anticipated for the final stretch of the presidential election.

To close the budgetary shortfall, Trump has slashed millions of dollars in previously reserved television ads. He has also tried to jump- start his online fundraising with aggressive tactics, sending out as many as 14 email solicitations in a day.

Hurricane Epsilon makes a “wobbly” turn.

BERMUDA » Hurricane Epsilon continued to churn toward Bermuda on Thursday after making what the National Hurricane Center called a “wobbly” turn toward the northwest.