The Malaysia-Singapore JS-SEZ, a special economic zone between two countries, marks an initial step towards closer integration between ASEAN economies. The agreement aims to pool resources and leverage each country's strengths, with the goal of realising the potential of the large ASEAN market. To bring this SEZ to life, a high-level committee will develop a blueprint, which will facilitate joint promotion and administrative infrastructure for investments. The Iskandar Malaysia Facilitation Centre in Malaysia has already been established to expedite bureaucratic processes. By 2025, physical details of the vision for each node are expected to be implemented. To ensure long-term success, steps are being taken to address concerns about the project's political viability.
https://channelnewsasia.com/asia/johor-singapor-special-economic-zone-rafizi-ramli-malaysia-economy-minister-4847491Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's visit to China has led to several agreements between her delegation and a high-level Chinese team. The Chinese delegation, including Ms Scarlett from Chengdu General Coordinator for the ICT Hub and Yu Ray, Deputy CEO of Huawei, have expressed willingness to invest $700 million in Punjab. As part of this investment, a Computing Centre will be established in Lahore's Nawaz Sharif IT City, while a Data and Cloud Centre will also be set up with the Punjab government providing land and buildings for its establishment. Additionally, an e-taxi service will be launched, and a Chinese company will establish the first e-commerce platform in Pakistan, providing training to Pakistani youth for online worldwide trading. The project also includes setting up smart control rooms, traffic control, transport and sanitation centres in Lahore with Chinese cooperation.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268498-chinese-firm-set-to-invest-over-rs194bn-in-punjab-following-cm-s-visitPunjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif led a delegation to China where they were briefed on the latest digital centre developments. The visit aimed to establish an AI Industry Centre in Phase Two to introduce youth to artificial intelligence technology, with assistance from the Chinese government for platform service capacity building in Punjab. In Phase Three, local investment support for industry establishment was discussed, and a collaboration is planned to introduce Pakistani youth to modern technological requirements.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341023/chengdu-official-says-will-make-700m-investment-in-punjabThe US Treasury has accused Russia's Centre for Geopolitical Expertise, led by Valery Korovin, of planning influence operations to incite sociopolitical tensions in the US ahead of the 2024 elections. The US claims that Russia used generative artificial intelligence tools to create disinformation designed to imitate legitimate news outlets and obscure its origin. This is not an isolated incident, as a Senate panel previously found that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump's campaign, citing regular contact between his chairman and a Russian intelligence officer. The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Iran in response to its attempts to undermine US democratic institutions, and also targeted Russia for its global malign influence campaigns and illicit cyber activities.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2024/12/31/us-issues-sanctions-against-iranian-and-russian-entities-accused-of-interfering-in-national-elections/Russian naval vessels have been spotted in various locations, prompting a response from British and Irish defence forces. The Yantar, described as an oceanographic research vessel by Russia, was seen off the coast of the Isle of Man, leading to a Royal Navy and Irish Defence Forces response. In another incident, Finnish police boarded the Russian oil tanker Eagle S after suspecting it of damaging the Estlink 2 power link between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. The ship has been seized and is being investigated by Finland's National Bureau of Investigation, with seven staff members banned from leaving the country. NATO is boosting patrols in the Gulf of Finland in response to these incidents, while the Portuguese Navy escorted Russian naval forces in the Mediterranean under the watchful eye of NATO's Maritime Operations Centre.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14241375/royal-navy-recalls-sailors-christmas-shadow-russian-warships-north-sea.html