So, regarding the update, here's what has been confirmed:
1. Verniy has new dialogue for ideal timing, hourlies, ect.
2. Mochizuki has additional dialouge upon her first upgrade.
3. 6 new quests were added , some are prerequisite to others, and others are weeklies
4. I-8 is craftiable via normal construction!
5. graphic tweaks to Ushio and Ooshio
6. New Mutuski class destoryers, Yayoi and Uzuki have been added in!! Collect them from world 2 to 5 for Yayoi and the boss nodes of World 3 to 5 for Uzuki!
Now regarding the API issues. I think this patch brought upon some things that may require an new API link so I've decided to fire up the and get a new API.
So right now, I have access to the game.
I heard rumors that the API randomly renews itself, it that's true then I'll see about it once that happens.
Though I did hear this problem seem to have surfaced not just with users outside of Japan, but also with people in Japan as well.
So there's a chance this may be an unintended bug that came with the patch. But there's nothing regarding it yet. All I can do is keep my eye on the twitter for possible updates from the staff.
edit: Not sure if this is from Kowadawa or DMM but more or less there's been a modification to the java script that basiclly lets it know when you AFK and as a result turns the API link off when you are not actively playing it. Thus you have to renew the API link AGAIN if you AFK too long.
At this point this may be an error or a hidden security measure.
Info found here
http://kancolle.himeuta.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=298&start=50#p17765Edit 2: Seems people play on DDM are also getting this. So this may be an actual bug the more I look into it. I serious hope this gets fixed.
Edit 3: Well the staff finally tweeted about this and it's not pretty.
不正利用者への対策について
マクロやチートなどの不正接続者への対応強化に伴い、外部ツール利用等の利用規約外の接続をされている場合、その環境によっては通信が遮断される場合があります。その場合は、お手数おかけします、利用規約に則った接続をお願いできますと幸いです
Long story short, this was intentional to keep botters and outside programs like Kacolle viewer ans Commie Sub's translation patch away. And it'll affect EVERYONE else who uses API since it vailolates the terms of agreement. So in other words VPN or bust! (or you can deal with constant 30-90 minute replacement of API links)
Edit 4: Ok seems like thier idea of the API check failed for Kowadawa and they were forced to purge the system. But strengthen the defenses. So this might mean you can reattempt to log in use API again.
Keep in mind, it may be only temporary till they can come up with a new way to secure thier site.