US: Band of hackers stole millions, info

US: Band of hackers stole millions, info

washington

A band of hackers implanted viruses on hundreds of thousands of computers around the world, secretly seized customer bank information and stole more than $100 million from businesses and consumers, the Justice Department said Monday in announcing charges against the Russian man accused of masterminding the effort.

In unveiling the criminal case, federal authorities said they disrupted European-based cyber threats that were sophisticated, lucrative and global.

In one scheme, the criminals infected computers with malicious software that captured bank account numbers and passwords, then used that information to secretly divert millions of dollars from victims’ bank accounts to themselves.

Working with officials in more than 10 other countries, the FBI and other agencies recently seized computer servers that were central to the crimes, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers.

Palestinians form new government

RAMALLAH, West Bank

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a national unity government Monday, formally ending a crippling seven-year split with his Islamic militant Hamas rivals but drawing Israeli threats of retaliation.

The formation of the unity government and Israel’s tough response are part of a wider competition between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for international support since the collapse of U.S.-led peace talks between them in April. Abbas praised the 17-member unity government, made up of technocrats backed by Hamas and his Fatah movement, as a milestone.

Rebels attack camp

LUHANSK, Ukraine

Hundreds of pro-Russia rebels armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades mounted a daylong assault Monday on a key government base used to coordinate the defense of the country’s border with Russia, prompting the deployment of air support by government forces.

Border guards killed at least five rebels in repelling the attack on their base, a spokesman for the border guard service said.

In the center of Luhansk, 6 miles away, a blast at an administrative building held by the insurgents claimed more lives. A health official for the Luhansk region told Interfax news agency that at least seven people had been confirmed dead in what rebels described as a government airstrike.

Dust storm hits Iran, kills at least 4

tehran, iran

A heavy dust storm roared into Iran’s capital Monday, blacking out the sun in a swirling cloud and tearing down trees in a squall that reportedly killed at least four people and injured 30.

The storm struck Tehran with winds of up to 68 mph, state television reported. Its report said the storm killed five people, while Iran’s official IRNA news agency said it killed four people as winds hit 80 mph. The discrepancy could not be reconciled.

King will abdicate

madrid

King Juan Carlos, who led Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy but faced damaging scandals amid the nation’s financial meltdown, announced Monday he will abdicate in favor of his more popular son so that fresh royal blood can rally the nation.

While the monarchy is largely symbolic, Juan Carlos’ surprise decision may have implications for the burning issue of Catalonia, which is to hold a secession referendum this fall.

A constitutional revision is required to ensure Crown Prince Felipe’s first-born daughter will succeed him.

Associated Press