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Trump Doubts Russia is Trying to Manipulate US Elections

   U.S. Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, in an interview on a
   Russian controlled television channel, expressed doubt about the
   contention that Moscow is trying to manipulate the November general
   election with cyber attacks.

   The interview, broadcast Thursday on RT America, occurred one day after
   Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a stronger leader
   than U.S. President Barack Obama, drawing criticism from Obama and
   fellow Republicans.

   Trump's political opponent, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary
   Clinton, has criticized Trump for weeks for alleged relations between
   Trump's associates and Russian business people.

   The interview was conducted by veteran broadcasting personality Larry
   King, who began the interview by saying he and the Republican
   presidential candidate are friends who have known each other for
   decades.

   When King asked Trump about news reports asserting that Russia carried
   out recent hacks against the Democratic National Committee and the
   Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Trump said he was
   unconvinced. "I think it's probably unlikely. I think maybe the
   Democrats are putting that out. Who knows? I think it's pretty
   unlikely."

   Putin has denied any involvement in the cyber attacks.

   Trump has expressed the desire to strengthen U.S. ties with Russia,
   which is subject to U.S. economic sanctions for its annexation of
   Crimea and aggressions toward Ukraine.

   RT America, which launched in 2005, is an increasingly influential
   propaganda network for the Russia government. It is based in Washington
   and controlled by its parent company in the Russian capital of Moscow.