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Month: June 2024

Chinese hackers have stepped up attacks on Taiwanese organizations, cybersecurity firm says

Hong Kong —  A suspected Chinese state-sponsored hacking group has stepped up its targeting of Taiwanese organizations, particularly those in sectors such as government, education, technology and diplomacy, according to cybersecurity intelligence company Recorded Future. In recent years, relations between…

First Person: Moving from fear to hope after war on drugs in the Philippines

Thousands of people across the Southeast Asian country were reportedly killed during the so-called war on drugs which was promoted by the last Filipino administration. But now a more compassionate and less punitive approach is being taken from the local…

Effort to restore Iran nuclear deal ‘remains elusive’, Security Council hears

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, was updating ambassadors in the Security Council. The United States has not returned to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the deal is formally called. Washington has not lifted or…

Sudan: WHO appalled by horrific attack on El Fasher’s maternity hospital

The attack on the only maternity hospital in the town in Sudan’s western state of North Darfur is “shocking and appalling,” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, calling on warring parties to “protect mothers and…

Officials highlight ongoing terrorist threats and dire humanitarian needs in Somalia

James Swan, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) briefed ambassadors noting that the Somali government is prioritising security and combating Al-Shabaab fighters on many fronts. “For its part, Al-Shabaab remains determined to continue terrorist attacks with little…

Chief of key UN agency in Gaza warns ‘entire generation’ could be lost

In a plea for political and financial support from Member States, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini underscored that the agency was “staggering under the weight of relentless attacks in Gaza”, after nearly nine months of intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations….

China wants EU to remove tariffs on EVs by July 4 as talks resume

BEIJING —  Beijing wants the EU to scrap its preliminary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by July 4, China’s state-controlled Global Times reported, after both sides agreed to hold new trade talks. Provisional European Union duties of up to 38.1%…

Why Vietnam drought may spike global espresso prices

Gia Lai Province —  Vietnam’s coffee growers have been hit hard by the worst drought in nearly a decade this year, and that could mean a morning espresso is about to get more costly. The country is the world’s second…

Costly election pledges in France stoke fears of splurges that risk pushing country deeper into debt

Paris —  The promises are appealing — and expensive. Vying to oust the centrist government of President Emmanuel Macron in an upcoming two-round parliamentary election June 30 and July 7, French political parties of both the far right and far…

Ukraine says new EU sanctions will ‘further strangle Putin’s war economy’

The European Union approved Monday its 14th round of sanctions against Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The package includes a ban on the practice of reloading Russian liquefied natural gas in an EU country which is…