*By Carlo Versano*
A sophisticated hacking network with ties to Russian intelligence created fake versions of websites for several conservative think tank and U.S. government-affiliated groups in a spear-phishing scheme to gain control of visitors' computers, according to Microsoft's Digital Crime Unit, which announced it had uncovered and disabled the sites in a [blog post](https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2018/08/20/we-are-taking-new-steps-against-broadening-threats-to-democracy/) Tuesday.
There is no evidence that any successful attacks were executed using this method, Microsoft said in the post.
Among the targets by the group ー known as APT28 or Fancy Bear ー were the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington and the State Dept-affiliated non-profit International Republican Institute (IRI). Microsoft also detected a site designed to look like one of its own pages. The other fake sites were built to appear affiliated with the U.S. Senate, Microsoft said.
The report from Microsoft appears to confirm two things: contrary to President Trump's comments in Helsinki in July, the Russian government remains actively involved in attempting to influence American politics as the midterm elections approach; and the tech industry is more committed to identifying and disabling foreign influence campaigns.
Daniel Twining, the president of IRI, [said](https://twitter.com/DCTwining/status/1031884350919458816) his group had been the target of a, "sophisticated Kremlin cyberattack. Another example of how Putin's Russia weaponizes its assault on democratic actors & institutions in the West."
Kenneth Weinstein, the president of the Hudson Institute, [tweeted](https://twitter.com/KenWeinstein/status/1031862589251379202) on Tuesday that he was "deeply proud" of the work that "got us targeted by the GRU," Russia's spy organization.
Microsoft president Brad Smith told the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/us/politics/russia-cyber-hack.html) that, based on the groups being targeted, the hacking seems to be an extension of Putin's effort to subvert Western democracy. Both the Hudson Institute and IRI have ties to establishment Republicans who have been openly critical of Trump.
As the standoff between the U.S. and its allies continues with Russia over its possible designs to invade Ukraine, President Biden held a video conference call with European leadership and had 8,500 American troops put on high alert. Jamil Jaffer, a former associate White House counsel for the Bush Administration, joined Cheddar to discuss his views on the escalating crisis in Eastern Europe.
As controversy dogs the run-up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China is hiring TikTokers and other social media influencers to promote the nation's history, culture, diplomatic efforts, and current trends.
The Supreme Court has rejected another request to block Texas' strict abortion law. This marks the third time the high court has declined to intervene in challenges to the law that bans abortions after six weeks, well before many women even know they're pregnant. Aziza Ahmed, professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, joined Cheddar News to discuss the impact of the law so far on women seeking abortion services in Texas.
Mayors in cities like Miami and New York City are considering introducing cryptocurrencies as a way to reduce economic inequality. Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez has even pushed for distributing Bitcoin dividends to the city's inhabitants.
The U.S. will be implementing a vaccine mandate for all people entering through its land borders, removing exemptions for "essential" travelers such as truckers, students, and business people. While the Canadian Trucking Alliance argues that the new, stricter rule might exacerbate ongoing auto supply chain issues, some health experts see the potential for helping curb the ongoing pandemic. Anthony Santella, a professor of health administration at the University of New Haven, joined Cheddar to give his take on the updated border crossing restriction. "We can't just focus on one type of travel. We need to ensure that it's clear and consistent across all types of travel," Santella said.
Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says he believes the Fed's plans of increasing rates is taking its toll on some of the more speculative stocks and the technology market.
Mona Zhang, states cannabis policy reporter at POLITICO Pro joins Cheddar News to discuss major factors that caused Canada's retail marijuana sales to drop last year.
The January 6 committee has asked Ivanka Trump to give voluntary testimony, saying there's evidence she was in "direct contact" with her father on the day of the capitol insurrection. I's unclear whether she will comply with the invitation, but it marks the first time the House committee has sought testimony from a member of the former president's family. Bradley Moss, national security attorney, joined Cheddar News to discuss what the committee hopes to learn from Ivanka and what the Supreme Court's decision on Trump's Jan. 6 materials means for the investigation.
