World News Briefs -- December 18, 2020

Daily Mail: Congressman compares Russian hack of US government and corporate America to Pearl Harbor sneak attack - as officials say agents ran a dry run in October 2019 and one Senator calls it 'an act of war' 

 * Congressman compares Russian hack of US government and corporate America to Pearl Harbor sneak attack as officials say agents ran a dry run in October 2019 and one Senator calls it 'an act of war' 

 * Colorado congressman compares SUNBURST attack to 'cyber Pearl Harbor' 

 * Microsoft president says the attack is a 'moment of reckoning' for America 

 * Suspected Russian hackers breached key government agencies and companies 

 * Officials warn that hackers had ample opportunity to set up secret backdoors 

 * Breach went undetected for nine months giving hackers free reign in systems 

 * Hackers conducted a 'dry run' of the attack more than a year ago 

 * Cyber attack has been called the largest in American history 

A massive suspected Russian hacking campaign that compromised broad swathes of the federal government and private sector is being called a 'cyber Pearl Harbor' by a Congressman. 

The sprawling attack, which went undetected for nearly nine months, compromised the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, State and Energy, as well as a growing list of companies and local governments across the country. 

Read more .... 

 MIDDLE EAST 

Iran begins new construction at Fordo underground nuclear facility amid US tensions. 

Iran rejects IAEA’s call for new nuclear deal after Biden takes office. 

Iraq: ‘Series of assassinations’ feared after professor killed. 

Panic in Iraq as leaked budget draft signals devaluation. 

Yemen's president, separatists announce new power-sharing government. 

Saudi Arabia begins inoculating people with Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. 

Turkey has evacuated seven Syrian military posts - source. 

Syria: Millions displaced, impoverished and traumatized, Security Council hears. 

Nine in 10 Syrian refugee families in Lebanon in extreme poverty: UN. 

 ASIA 

US Joint Chiefs chairman meets with Taliban on peace talks. 

Blast kills 15 children in Afghanistan. 

Pakistan alleges India preparing for ‘surgical strike’. 

Covid vaccine: India expects to 'begin vaccination in January'. 

South Korea reports more than 1,000 new Covid-19 infections for a third straight day. 

Rohingya refugees are being displaced, again. 

China says economic recovery 'not yet solid' after pandemic. 

China offers to work with Biden, warns of new 'McCarthyism'.

MP says Australia should officially recognize Taiwan. 

Japanese snowstorm brings traffic to a halt on expressway in Niigata prefecture. 

 AFRICA 

Dozens, but not all, of Nigerian schoolboys arrive home after being kidnapped. 

More than 340 kidnapped Nigerian schoolboys freed from group claiming to be Boko Haram. 

Mozambique's Islamist insurgency: UN warns of rising violence in Cabo Delgado. 

South Sudan faces 'catastrophic' famine unless conflict ended. 

Ethiopia offers reward for intel on fugitive Tigrayan leaders. 

Ethiopia won't wait on Western approval over human rights, says Ethiopian government minister Zadig Abraha. 

Armed groups issue threat over C. Africa vote. 

Burundi ex-president Buyoya dies from Covid-19. 

Algerian state tightens screws on online media. 

Japanese ship company behind oil spill that led to environmental disaster in Mauritius caused by 'human error'. 

 EUROPE 

Britain, EU split on territorial waters with just 'hours' left for post-Brexit deal. 

EU says EU-UK face weekend 'last attempt' to get trade deal, fisheries still an issue. 

COVID: EU to start vaccinations on December 27. 

European leaders rush into isolation after Macron tests positive for Covid-19. 

French President Macron blames Covid-19 infection on negligence, bad luck. 

Covid-19: No return to 'normal' life until autumn 2021, French government adviser says. 

Covid-19: Sweden tightens restrictions amid surge in cases. 

Austria will offer coronavirus tests to its entire population with those testing negative receiving 'more freedoms' as country prepares for third lockdown. 

Putin: If Russia poisoned Navalny he'd be dead. 

EU extends Russian sanctions over actions in Ukraine. 

EU imposes 3rd round of sanctions against Belarus over repression. 

Bulgaria to expel another Russian diplomat suspected of spying. 

 AMERICAS 

US awaits word on 2nd vaccine as COVID-19 outbreak worsens. 

Covid: US Vice-President Mike Pence receives vaccine live on TV. 

Pelosi, McConnell get COVID-19 vaccine, urge others to do so. 

Congress passes bill to prevent government shutdown for two days, sends it to Trump. 

Biden backs son Hunter after US tax probe revealed. 

Mexico lawmakers restrict foreign law enforcement agents. 

Chilean navy ships monitor huge Chinese fishing fleet. 

Trudeau ‘hopeful’ for release of Canadians detained in China. 

New York, Pennsylvania dig out from heavy snow after historic nor'easter. 

 TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Lockerbie bombing: New suspect soon to be charged - US media. 

French court convicts ISIS operative over 2015 train attack foiled by 3 American passengers. 

U.S. designates Bahrain-based group as terrorist, accusing it of having Iran backing. 

New York Times admits it got duped by fake terrorist: Executive editor, Dean Baquet, blames 'institutional failure' for making fantasist the star of its 'Caliphate' podcast - but stands by Pulitzer-nominated reporter who was conned by him. 

 ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

US stocks slide from records as wait continues for Congress. 

Wall Street closes lower as stimulus rally cools, Tesla volume jumps. 

Trump signs bill that could kick Chinese firms off U.S. stock exchanges. 

Belgian minister tweets EU's Covid vaccine price list to anger of manufacturers. 

Google sued again over anti-competitive search practices. 

Nearly 40 states file antitrust lawsuit against Google.