Nearly every federal agency is hacked. ISIS’ contact with U.S. sympathizers worries law enforcement. Women may soon have their own version of Viagra.
It’s Friday, and here are five things to know for your New Day:
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HACK
Biggest breach ever: If you’re a federal employee, listen up. Four million of you — both current and former staff — were hacked, presumably by the Chinese government, and had your personal information stolen. Nearly every federal agency was hit. So these hackers just want your information to run up your credit card bill, right? If only that were all. Seems like the Chinese military is compiling a massive database of Americans, for purposes unknown. Makes you just want to get off the grid.
STUDENT DEATH
A homicide: Was a Nigerian college student’s death in a Georgia jail cell murder? The death of 21-year-old Matthew Ajibade in a cell New Year’s Day in Savannah was ruled a homicide yesterday by a county coroner, meaning another person was involved in Ajibade’s death. But the coroner stressed that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a murder. Ajibade, jailed on a domestic violence charge, died of “blunt force trauma,” and nine county deputies were fired in connection with his death.
ISIS
Reaching ‘friends’: ISIS is a master of social media, and that has U.S. counterterrorism officials worried. By using social media and encrypted online communications beyond the reach of law enforcement, the terrorist group has little trouble reaching sympathizers and potential recruits in this country. Usaamah Rahim, killed by police in Boston this week, was thought to have been radicalized this way by ISIS. Just one more thing to keep you up at night.
‘FEMALE VIAGRA’
Closer to approval: Women who need help getting in the mood are a step closer to their own “little blue pill.” An FDA advisory panel yesterday OK’d flibanserin — the so-called female Viagra. The FDA will now mull final approval for the drug. Flibanserin is often compared to Viagra, but that’s not a great comparison, since Viagra works on the physcial — erectile dysfunction — while flibanserin is more of an antidepressant and works on the central nervous system.
FIFA
Another day, another scandal: Ireland’s soccer association chief says FIFA paid $5 million in 2009 to keep the Irish from suing over a bad non-call in a World Cup playoff. FIFA admits paying the money but says it was a loan for a new Irish stadium. Ireland was miffed when it lost a place in the 2010 World Cup to France after a referee missed a French player illegally handling the ball seconds before France scored the winning goal. Irish soccer officials insist the money was given specifically to quell the drama ensuing from the non-call.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
Amazing: A Brazilian man plays the guitar and sings “Yesterday” during brain surgery.
Talented: A dog performs a handstand on a rope.
Airport sing-off: The casts of Broadway’s “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” face off during a flight delay.
Olympian vs. toaster: Can an Olympic cyclist generate enough power to run a toaster?
