The US, UK and South Korea have accused North Korea of stealing military secrets through cyber attacks. This has led to a strong rebuke from China, which is an ally of North Korea. Meanwhile, Google has launched a cybersecurity center in Tokyo to combat threats in the Asia region. Experts note that while AI offers solutions to these issues, it needs to be more transparent in its methods and operations.
https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-launches-cybersecurity-agency-to-tackle-growing-digital-threats-18251639Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is set to attend a UN event despite facing an impeachment crisis at home. Meanwhile, international tensions are escalating as Russia and Ukraine engage in aerial strikes against each other. In another development, the FSB has thwarted a bomb attack in Yekaterinburg, detaining four suspects. Additionally, Azerbaijan Airlines has accused Moscow of being responsible for a fatal plane crash that occurred in the country's airspace.
https://www.trtworld.com/europe/over-12300-civilians-killed-in-russia-ukraine-war-un-18251732The international community is struggling to formulate a plan for Gaza after more than a year of war, with diplomats citing a lack of detail from recent talks between Israel and the UAE. The UAE is advocating for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under an independent Palestinian state, which Israel has publicly opposed. The PA was established in 1993-1995 but was run out of Gaza by Hamas after a civil war in 2007. The US State Department has been discussing options for governance, security, and reconstruction with partners including the UAE, but declined to comment on private diplomatic conversations. Some diplomats have suggested that Emirati officials proposed using private military contractors as part of a post-war peacekeeping force in Gaza, which would likely spark concerns among Western nations due to past allegations of human rights abuses.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1961286/uae-discusses-post-war-gaza-government-with-us-and-israelHong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was questioned by two High Court judges on January 7, 2024, over his comments calling for Taiwan to join a US-led strategic alliance, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, to counter mainland China's influence. The Quad, comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India, is seen as a counterbalance to China's growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Lai, 77, made the remarks on his online commentary program "Live Chat with Jimmy Lai" on November 12, 2020, after Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3293792/taiwan-should-join-us-led-alliance-protection-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-says?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionChinese technology companies including Tencent and CATL are protesting the listing of several US-based companies with ties to the Chinese military on a US government list. The move is seen as an escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations. The list, which was released by the US Department of Defense, includes 34 entities that have been deemed to be owned or controlled by the Chinese military.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/chinese-tech-giants/XXVLLYJVTBFKFMNPJLILYY3RWQ/The Financial Times claims that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the USA and Russia pose a significant threat to European countries' security. According to the newspaper, this "security crisis" in the EU by 2025 could be caused by two factors: the potential threat from Russia and the US's growing indifference under Trump. The Financial Times suggests that European countries must respond to this combination by building their own defenses. To cover a potential shortfall in NATO's defense budget, EU countries may need to increase their allocation to 4.5 percent of GDP, with Germany, as the leading economy, being required to increase its defense spending despite concerns from its neighbors.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/939849-ft-the-major-threats-to-europe-russia-and-donald-trumpThe US Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed concern that Sudan's gold trade with Russia could be detrimental to Sudan's long-term interests. The US mission to the U.N. spokesperson stated that any material support for the warring parties in Sudan, including illicit gold trading or military equipment, is condemned. In response, Russia's deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy accused the US of judging other countries by its own yardstick and trying to exploit them for its own enrichment. The issue has been a focus for Thomas-Greenfield during her four years at the UN, with President Joe Biden appointing her to the position.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-slams-russia-for-funding-both-sides-of-sudans-civil-war-13850526.htmlChina has condemned a US decision to impose sanctions on a Beijing-based cybersecurity company, Integrity Technology Group, for its alleged role in hacking incidents targeting critical US infrastructure. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated that the country has cracked down on cyber attacks and accused the US of using the issue to "defame and smear China". Meanwhile, China's cybersecurity agency reported being targeted by foreign hacker attacks, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/china-protests-us/Q7AYEA4YFJHFDHBXHB6KSNE2GY/Human Rights Watch has released a report stating that both Kyrgyz and Tajik forces may have committed war crimes during the September 2022 border conflict by targeting civilians. The conflict escalated from previous tensions and skirmishes, according to Aijan Sharshenova, representing a dangerous escalation in bilateral relations between the two countries. The lack of communication has been cited as a major issue contributing to these tensions.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/leftover-shell-explodes-in-kyrgyz-village/