Cyber Group Spent the Last Year Hacking into Critical Networks in 37 Nations
An Asian cyber-espionage group spent the past year breaking into computer systems linked to governments and critical infrastructure organizations in more than 37 countries, according to new research from Palo Alto Networks Inc. cited by Bloomberg.
U.N. Exempts 17 Humanitarian Aid Projects from Sanctions on North Korea
A United Nations committee has approved exemptions from North Korea sanctions to allow a new round of humanitarian aid projects to proceed, Reuters reported on Friday, citing an unnamed diplomatic source.
U.S. Threatens Algeria with CAATSA Sanctions over Russian Jet Fighter Deal
The United States has warned it could impose sanctions on Algeria over reports the North African country is moving ahead with a purchase of Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E stealth fighter jets.
Mayor of Tequila Arrested in Mexican Corruption Sweep Targeting Cartel-Linked Extortion
The mayor of Tequila, the small Jalisco city widely regarded as the birthplace of bottled tequila, was arrested by Mexican authorities Thursday along with three other municipal officials accused of extorting beer and tequila companies, according to The New York Times.
Top Democrat to Probe Trump’s $500m Crypto Deal with UAE ‘Spy Sheik’
A top Democratic lawmaker has opened a congressional probe into the $500-million investment deal between representatives of Abu Dhabi’s “spy sheik” and the Trump family’s crypto firm World Liberty Financial, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Crypto Companies Offer Concessions to Advance Stalled Senate Bill
Crypto companies are pitching new concessions to banks in an effort to keep a sweeping digital-asset market-structure bill moving in the Senate, with proposals that would give community banks a larger role in the stablecoin ecosystem.
Uzbek Mining Giant Awards $200m in Tenders to Secretive Network of Foreign Firms
Uzbekistan’s state-owned mining giant Almalyk Mining-Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) has awarded more than $200 million in procurement tenders to 10 foreign firms whose ownership and business activity are murky, including companies that reported themselves as “dormant” or “inactive,” OCCRP reported.
Spain’s Top Economic-Crimes Cop and Royal Scion Accused of Running Drug Ring
A Spanish police corruption investigation has widened into a narcotics and money-laundering scandal that links a senior economic-crimes investigator and a son of the Duke of Seville to an international drug-trafficking ring, The Times reported.
Epstein Invested Millions in Coinbase Six Years after Child Prostitution Conviction
Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein made an early investment into Coinbase Global Inc. in 2014, putting roughly $3 million into the crypto exchange, according to emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice and reviewed by Decrypt.
Trump Administration Readies License to Extract Venezuelan Oil
The Trump administration is preparing to issue a broad Treasury Department license as soon as this week that would allow companies to pump oil in Venezuela, a move aimed at easing U.S. sanctions and jump-starting investment in the country’s decaying energy infrastructure.
