US election: Trump urges Russia to trace hacked Democrat emails

Donald Trump has encouraged Russia to find the hacked emails of presidential rival Hillary Clinton, adding they would probably contain some "beauties".

The Wikileaks group last week released emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee.

Some 30,000 hacked emails have not been released. In an unusual plea, Mr Trump urged foreign powers to find them.

"Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing," he said.

"I think you'll be rewarded mightily by our press."

The campaign manager for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton, Robby Mook, said Russia carried out the hack to weaken the Democrats and help Mr Trump.

In an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, President Obama - whose own government has been accused of carrying out hacks on other governments - refused to rule out the possibility Russia was responsible, adding: "What we do know is that the Russians hack our systems. Not just government systems, but private systems."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that President Putin "more than once has said that Russia would never interfere and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, especially in the electoral process".

'I don't know who Putin is'

When challenged by the press to condemn foreign powers that may be trying to intervene in the US election, Mr Trump replied: "No, it gives me no pause.

"If Russia or China or any of those country gets those emails, I've got to be honest with you, I'd love to see them."

In a news conference in Florida, Mr Trump said he had "nothing to do with Russia".

When asked by reporters if Russian President Vladimir Putin might favour a win for Mr Trump, the billionaire said he had "never met Putin, I don't know who Putin is".

The FBI is continuing its investigation into the leak, which included emails that showed DNC officials, who are supposed to remain neutral, favoured Mrs Clinton, and derided her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders.

In a statement released within an hour of Mr Trump's comments, his vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence said there would be "serious consequences" if the FBI could prove Russia was attempting to interfere with the election.