What we’re reading: Russia could interfere with 2020 election; Stone sentenced to 3.25 years

By Kai Grady

Published Feb 20, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Intel officials fear Russian interference in favor of President Trump

Three unnamed officials said U.S. intelligence officials cautioned lawmakers in a meeting Thursday about the potential of Russia interfering in the 2020 election to help President Donald Trump’s chances of re-election, according to AP News.

The officials are questioning the role of the president’s administration in whether they are doing enough to prevent interference.

U.S. intelligence agencies said Russia manipulated social media and private emails to boost Trump’s campaign in 2016.

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin greet each other during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Apple granted restraining order against stalker

Apple won a temporary restraining order against a stalker after alleged harassment of CEO Tim Cook and other executives, according to NBC News.

Multiple Apple executives, including Cook, accuse the stalker of being “aggressive” in documents filed to the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

The man in question, Rakesh Sharma, trespassed on Cook’s property and targeted another executive with “disturbing” voicemails.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is photographed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. The 50th annual meeting of the forum will take place in Davos from Jan. 21 until Jan. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

USC to waive tuition for families with an annual income under $80,000

The University of Southern California plans to offer free tuition for students whose families earn less than $80,000 a year, according to NBC News.

USC President Carol L. Folt also announced the university plans to remove homeownership when designating financial needs.

The aforementioned policies are accompanied by plans to increase overall financial aid at USC by more than $30 million per year.

FILE – In this March 12, 2019 file photo, people pose for photos in front of the iconic Tommy Trojan statue on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. USC will phase in free tuition for students from families with an annual income of $80,000 or less, USC President Carol L. Folt announced Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. As part of the initiative, ownership of a home will not be counted in determining a student’s financial need. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

Roger Stone sentenced to prison

President Trump’s former advisor Roger Stone was sentenced to over 3 years in prison for obstruction of a congressional inquiry, according to The New York Times.

Shortly after Stone was sentenced, President Trump called for his exoneration and said the jury was unfair.

Stone was convicted of lying under oath to a congressional committee as well as threatening a witness last November.