Thursday, June 4, 2015

World News Briefs -- June 4, 2015



Reuters: Cyber attack hits 4 million current, former U.S. federal workers

Hackers breached the computers of the U.S. government agency that collects personnel information for federal workers in a massive cyber attack that compromised the data of about 4 million current and former employees, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

A U.S. law enforcement source told Reuters a foreign entity or government was believed to be behind the cyber intrusion against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and media reports said authorities suspected it originated in China.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it had launched a probe and would hold the culprits accountable.

MIDDLE EAST

Air strike in north Iraq killed dozens, including civilians, residents say.

IS reduces water supply to government areas in Iraq's Anbar.

ISIL wins support from Iraq's Sunni tribes.

US sees drawn-out fight vs Islamic State amid claim of Assad-IS collaboration.

Iraqis at risk as UN says aid could be cut by 'more than half'.

Obama to meet Iraqi prime minister at G7.

Yemen's Houthis agree to talks as bombing reportedly kills 58 people.

UN tries to rally support for peace talks in Yemen.

Informant says Yemen's Saleh helped direct al-Qaeda.

Hamas wages crackdown against pro-Isil jihadists in Gaza.

Israel, Gaza militants trade strikes for second time in ten days. Rocket fire from Gaza toward southern Israel has been renewed.

ASIA

India ambush: Manipur rebels 'kill at least 20 soldiers'. Soldiers killed in Indian army convoy ambush.

Pakistan rules out sharing nukes with Saudis, anyone else.

Afghanistan's Karzai blasts Pakistan.

In Chinese ship disaster, death toll, questions mount. Yangtze disaster: Operation begins to lift Chinese ship.

China wants agreement with India on code of conduct at border.

Chinese students in US urge justice for Tiananmen massacre.

N. Korea developing new satellite, defends space program.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un laughs and smiles while watching submarine launch missiles.

MERS alert: S.Korea closes schools, quarantines 1,600 as 3rd patient dies.

AFRICA

US diplomat urges Congo, UN to join forces against rebels.

Envoy: Libya 'at the limit,' risks becoming failed state. Libya factions call for national unity government.

Nigeria President vows war crimes probe.

Bomb at market in northeastern Nigeria kills around 30: eyewitnesses.

France to halve troops in C. African Republic.

Ghana petrol station inferno kills scores in Accra. Death toll up to 150 in Ghana gas station explosion, floods.

Uganda President challenges free speech on social media.

Kenya charges five over al-Shabab's Garissa massacre.

EUROPE

Ukraine's Poroshenko warns of 'full-scale' Russia invasion.

Eastern Ukraine tense after outbreak of fighting.

Russia says Kiev provoking east Ukraine violence before EU talks.

EU fears Ukraine violence 'spiral', warns on sanctions.

Pentagon chief gathers diplomats, brass for Russia strategy talk.

US might deploy missiles in Europe to counter Russia.

Greece delays IMF payment, PM to brief angry parliament.

Greece at loggerheads with creditors over reforms.

AMERICAS

Former Texas Governor Perry launching bid for U.S. president. Perry launches 2016 bid for White House.

Chinese hackers breach U.S. federal government’s personnel office.

Venezuelan opposition politicians continue hunger strike.

Colombia, FARC rebels agree to form truth commission.

Murders blight Mexico elections as government fails on security.

Canada to tighten borders, aims to disrupt 'Jihadist' financing.

3,700 illegal immigrant ‘Threat Level 1’ criminals released into U.S. by DHS.

U.S. EPA finds fracking poses no 'widespread risk' to drinking water.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

NSA surveillance prevented terrorist attacks, most voters say: poll.

Islamic State has an English-language radio broadcast that sounds eerily like NPR.

Boston terrorism suspect had planned to attack police officers, FBI says.

US Senate mulls barriers to closing Guantanamo.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

IMF asks US Federal Reserve to delay rate rise. IMF urges US to postpone interest rate hike until 2016.

Fifa crisis: Jack Warner 'to reveal all despite fears'. Ex-FIFA official Jack Warner promises to spill secrets of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.

FIFA scandal shows breaking up deposits is red flag for authorities.

1 comment:

James said...

After a little thought it also occurred to me that this saves China a lot of work on ascertaining who would be a good target within the US government to suborn.