Top news: A series of bold, highly aggressive cyber attacks have been traced to a single unit in the Chinese army, headquartered in a drab office building outside of Shanghai, according to a new report that details a spate of attacks directed at the United States government, major companies, and infrastructure.
According to The New York Times, U.S. officials have been aware of the hacking group -- officially known as People's Liberation Army Unit 61398, unoficially as "Comment Crew" -- for some time, but the report by Mandiant, an American security firm, makes public detailed allegations against the Chinese army and accuses it of carrying out attacks against major U.S. firms, stealing proprietary information like negotiating strategies, and illicitly obtaining blueprints to the American oil and gas infrastructure.
While Chinese officials denied the allegations, the Mandiant report argues that if the hacking activity in Shanghai is not the work of Unit 61398, then “a secret, resourced organization full of mainland Chinese speakers with direct access to Shanghai-based telecommunications infrastructure is engaged in a multiyear enterprise-scale computer espionage campaign right outside of Unit 61398’s gates.”
The Mandiant report is likely to put a chill on relations between the United States and China as U.S. officials are preparing to inform their counterparts that Chinese hacking activity threatens the fundamental relationship between Beijing and Washington.
Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez returned from cancer treatment in Cuba and is ensconced in a military hospital in Caracas receiving treatment as he recovers from surgery. Continuing to impose a veil of secrecy over Chavez's recovery, the Venezuelan government did not release any photos of Chavez's arrival as he was spirited into the country during the pre-dawn hours. While Chavez's return to Venezuela is likely to aid his political allies, it does little to clarify the country's ongoing constitutional crisis.
Middle East
- The Obama administration may revisit its decision about supplying Syrian rebels with arms, a move it rejected late last year.
- Some 800 Palestinians in Israeli jails joined in a hunger strike in solidarity with four inmates on a long-term hunger strike.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the North Korean nuclear test shows that "sanctions alone will not stop" Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Asia
- The first time in six year, civilian casualties in Afghanistan dropped, according to a U.N. report, which noted that most civilian deaths are attributable to insurgent groups.
- Afghan intelligence officers arrested a senior Pakistani Taliban commander in eastern Afghanistan.
- At least 15,000 Shiite Muslims demonstrated in the streets of Quetta following a bombing at a produce market that killed 89.
Africa
- Mamphela Ramphele, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, has formed a new political party to challenge the ruling African National Congress.
- A Kenyan court ruled that Uhuru Kenyatta, who is charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the violence that followed 2007's election, can participate in next month's election.
- South African prosecutors detailed charges against Oscar Pistorious, the Olympic runner, of first degree murder.
Europe
- A meeting of European foreign ministers renewed sanctions against Syria but rejected a move to arm Syrian rebels.
- British Prime Minister David Cameron promised cooperation in the investigation of alleged bribes offered to secure a helicopter contract between an Anglo-Italian firm and India.
- Armed robbers at the Antwerp, Belgium, airport made off with over $50 million in diamonds after a daring raid.
Americas
- Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa comfortably won reelection to a second term and vowed to continue the "citizen's revolution."
- Protesters in Brazil supporting the Cuban government blocked a screening of a documentary featuring Yoani Sanchez, the Cuban dissident who has just begun a world tour following the easing of travel restrictions.
- A delegation of American lawmakers led by Sen. Patrick Leahy arrived in Cuba to assess political developments in the country.
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