UKRAINE: WE THWARTED CYBERATTACK
RUS» Ukrainian MINSK, BE L A authorities say they have thwarted a huge cyberattack and are blaming Russia for the alleged digital assault as tensions between the two countries have flared.
The Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement that hackers used malicious accounting documents to target the information technology systems of the country’s judiciary.
The SBU described the alleged hacking as “massive” but produced little detail about the extent, timing, nature or severity of the hacks.
4 men charged in Panama Papers investigation.
YORK» Federal authorities N E W announced a raft of conspiracy and tax fraud charges Tuesday against four men in the first U.S. prosecution related to the so-called Panama Papers.
The 11-count indictment unsealed in Manhattan stems from what prosecutors described as an “intercontinental money laundering scheme” involving a global law firm based in Panama.
Cuba to begin full internet access for mobile phones.
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» Cuba says its citizens will be offered full internet access on mobile phones, becoming one of the last nations to do so.
Mayra Arevich, president of the Cuban state telecom monopoly, announced on national television that Cubans can begin contracting 3G service for the first time Thursday.
Soldier who tried to help terrorists gets 25-year sentence.
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H soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for trying to help the Islamic State group.
Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang, 35, pleaded guilty in August to four counts of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He provided classified military documents, a drone and other help, he said.
The sentence is part of a plea agreement. If convicted at a trial, Kang, 35, could have faced life in prison.
U.S. law against encouraging illegal immigration struck down.
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» A U.S. appeals
F R A N C IS C O court struck down a federal immigration law Tuesday that opponents warned could be used to criminalize a wide range of statements involving illegal immigration.
The law made it a felony for people to encourage an immigrant to enter or live in the U.S. if they know the person would be doing so illegally.
The law violates the First Amendment because it criminalizes a substantial amount of protected speech, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said.
The United States says it has re-established a “permanent diplomatic presence” in Somalia for the first time in 27 years.
The State Department on Tuesday said “this historic event reflects Somalia’s progress in recent years and is another step forward in formalizing U.S. diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu.”
The U.S. closed its Somalia embassy in January 1991 as the country collapsed into civil war, with the military airlifting out the ambassador and others.
The U.S. formally recognized Somalia’s new federal government in 2013 but has based its diplomatic mission in the capital of neighboring Kenya. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has approved plans to extend the deployment of active-duty U.S. troops at the southern border with Mexico until Jan. 31.
The 45-day extension was requested by the Department of Homeland Security. It involves mili- tary forces that will install and repair wire barriers and provide security and transportation for border patrol agents. The troops are spread across California, Arizona and Texas.
Officials have said the number of troops will drop from about 5,400 now to roughly 4,000. The officials spoke anonymously to describe deliberations.