Hello friends and Coins2Day readers.
U.S. Stock futures are under pressure this morning after Greek bailout talks stalled late Monday, raising fears ahead of the expiration of Greece’s bailout loan later this month. The market worry threatens to dent the market’s rally last week that drove the Dow above 18,000 and the broader S&P 500 index to a new record.
Here’s what else you need to know about today.
1. Greek talks stalled, and EU officials set an ultimatum.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis refused to give into European demands as another meeting between Greece and its creditors ended in a deadlock yesterday. EU officials gave Athens an ultimatum, saying they have until Friday to come up with a plan to keep its bailout alive. Greek leaders continue to reject the current bailout agreement without presenting a viable alternative. The EU-Greek aid package runs out at the end of February, and Greece could run out of cash by the end of March.
2. Hackers allegedly stole millions from banks.
Via a sophisticated digital break-in, hackers were able to steal at least $300 million from up to 100 banks. The criminals developed a piece of malicious software that was able to phish bank employees and infect hundred of machines. They watched carefully to find an administrator and recorded the keystrokes that would allow them to transfer large sums of money from banks in Russia, Switzerland, Japan, the U.S., and the Netherlands into their own dummy accounts abroad. The hackers would also have ATMs randomly dispense cash for an associate to pick up at the right time.
3. U.S.: The digital James Bond.
The United States has developed a method to permanently embed spyware and sabotage methods in computers and networks in targeted nations, including Iran, Russia, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab found evidence that implants were installed in systems abroad by the “Equation Group,” which appears to be part of the National Security Agency. The techniques found on international computers mimic details displayed by the Stuxnet worm, which disabled about 1,000 centrifuges in Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
4. President Obama’s immigration policy temporarily halted.
A federal judge in Texas has put a stop — for now — to the President’s executive order that would protect as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and provide them with work permits. The first group of people are due to start receiving applications on Wednesday. Texas and 25 other states filed a lawsuit opposing the initiatives, and a judge found that the states satisfied the minimum legal requirements to bring the suit. The White House maintains that the President acted within the law and with decades of legal precedent.
5. Dominique Stauss-Kahn’s trial coming to an end.
Five of six plaintiffs dropped their allegations against Strauss-Kahn after deciding there isn’t enough evidence that the former International Monetary Fund chief broke the law. Strauss-Kahn, who was a potential French presidential candidate in the 2012 election before being accused of sexual assault, has admitted to having orgies and being “rough” in his romantic encounters. None of that is illegal, and it’s likely that he will not be found guilty of aggravated pimping. He’s one of 14 people accused of participating in a prostitution ring operated out of the Hotel Carlton in Lille, France.
