Equifax: In September 2017, the credit reporting agency, Equifax, announced a breach that exposed personal information of around 147 million people. Now, charges for hacking are being placed against four members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Equifax reached a settlement that included $425 million to help those affected by the breach. 

Why it’s important: The breach that was “a deliberate and sweeping intrusion into the privacy of the American people” according to General Attorney William P. Barr. This incident was one of many breaches carried out against the U.S. from China. The stolen information could aid Chinese intelligence agents in targeting American intelligence officials. 

Coronavirus update: Japan reported its first fatality caused by the coronavirus, which is the second fatality outside of China. The province of Hubei, where Wuhan is located, raised the  death count by 242 and the number of cases by 15,000. The sharp increase is partially due to diagnosis by symptoms, not by just testing positive. A new case was confirmed Feb. 13 in San Antonio, Texas. 

Why it’s important: The patient in Texas is the 15th case from Wuhan evacuees. The virus continues to spread even though many potential patients are quarantined. Across the world, officials are taking preventive measures. In the U.K., the virus was declared an imminent threat.