Cyberattack disrupts France’s postal service and banking during Christmas rush

PARIS (AP) — A suspected cyberattack has knocked France’s national postal service and its banking arm offline during the busy Christmas season. La Poste said Monday the attack disrupted package deliveries and online payments, but customer data was not impacted. Customers of La Banque Postale were blocked from using the application to approve payments or conduct other banking services. No one immediately claimed responsibility. Officials didn’t comment on the culprit. Paris prosecutors were examining the case. What La Poste called a ”major network incident” remained unresolved by Monday evening.

Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscow

MOSCOW (AP) — A car bomb has killed a Russian general. It is the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack. A spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee says Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov died from his injuries. He was the head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff. Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Monday’s death.

Australian police: Bondi Beach shooting suspect conducted firearms training with his father

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian police documents reveal that a man accused of killing 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach conducted firearms training with his father. The documents, released Monday, followed Naveed Akram’s court appearance. Officers wounded Akram and killed his father during the December 14th shooting. The attack began with failed explosive devices at a Jewish event. Police described the devices as “viable” IEDs. Akram faces 59 charges, including murder and terrorism. The New South Wales government introduced draft laws to tighten gun restrictions. An impromptu memorial at Bondi Beach was removed Monday. The Sydney Jewish Museum will preserve part of the memorial.

Clashes flare as top Turkish officials visit Syria ahead of deadline for Kurdish integration

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Clashes have erupted between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo. This comes as top Tukish officials visit Damascus to discuss a deal between the government and Kurdish-led forces. Syria’s state-run news agency reports two civilians killed and eight wounded. The Syrian Democratic Forces and government officials blame each other for the violence. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says talks focus on integrating the SDF into the new Syrian army. The March agreement faces obstacles, with Turkey opposing the SDF joining as a single unit. Tensions rise as the original deadline for implementation approaches.