International

Chinese state linked to hacking of UK Defence Ministry

Published

3 months ago

May 7, 2024

Chinese state linked to hacking of UK Defence Ministry

Sky News has learned of a significant data breach at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with indications pointing towards state-sponsored hacking by China. The breach targeted service personnel, prompting concerns about national security and individual safety.

According to sources, the cyberattack, allegedly orchestrated by the Chinese state, targeted the MoD’s payroll system, compromising the personal information, including names and bank details, of both current service personnel and veterans. While all salaries for this month will be disbursed as planned, the breach raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of sensitive government systems.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, a former soldier, expressed suspicions that China may exploit the financial vulnerability of affected individuals for coercive purposes. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to address the issue in Parliament, outlining measures to safeguard affected personnel and mitigate future risks.

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The MoD has moved swiftly to investigate the breach, assuring that no data appears to have been extracted thus far. However, the incident underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats and the imperative of bolstering national defenses in the digital realm.

The breach comes amid escalating tensions between the UK and China, with recent accusations of cyber aggression attributed to “state-affiliated actors.” Labour’s shadow defence secretary, John Healey, has called for a comprehensive response from the government, emphasizing the gravity of the breach and its implications for national security.

Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed concerns about China’s systemic threat, calling for a recalibration of UK policy in response to Beijing’s hostile activities. The incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, as advanced warfare increasingly extends into the digital domain.

Chinese state linked to hacking of UK Defence Ministry

Related Topics:Chinese Defence Ministry UK

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Netanyahu, Biden hold talks over tense Gaza ceasefire

Published

48 mins ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu, Biden hold talks over tense Gaza ceasefire

WASHINGTON DC: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he was ready to work with Joe Biden for the rest of his presidency, as the two leaders met for the first time at the White House for talks on a Gaza ceasefire.

“I want to thank you for the 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said after they shook hands in the historic setting of the Oval Office.

“And I look forward to discussing with you today and working with you in the months ahead.”

Biden stunned the world Sunday when he announced that he was bowing out of the US presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris now set to be the Democratic Party’s candidate.

Netanyahu will also meet Harris separately at the White House, in a reflection of the new political reality that will see Biden as a lame duck president for his remaining six months in office.

The Harris meeting comes amid speculation that if she wins in November it could herald a tougher approach on Israel’s war in Gaza.

Relations between Biden and Netanyahu are tense over Israel’s conduct in the war sparked by Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks, but the US president has continued strong military and political support.

They have met just three times during his presidency, once in September last year in New York, and then when Biden traveled to Israel after the attacks and hugged Netanyahu on the airport tarmac at Tel Aviv.

The meetings come after Netanyahu vowed “total victory” against Hamas in a fiery speech Wednesday to the US Congress.

Biden and Netanyahu will later meet the families of US hostages held in Gaza.

The White House was surrounded by metal barriers and a heavy police presence, after rowdy protests broke out near the Capitol following Netanyahu’s speech.

Harris on Thursday condemned the “despicable” and “unpatriotic” burning of an American flag by protesters, after attempts by Donald Trump’s Republicans to paint Democrats as pro-Hamas.

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In a primetime speech explaining his decision on Sunday to bow out of the US presidential election, Biden made clear that resolving the conflict would remain a top priority.

“I’m going to keep working to end the war on Gaza, bring home all the hostages to bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war,” the US president said.

A senior US administration official said Wednesday that negotiations on a Gaza deal were in the “closing stages” and that Biden would try to close some “final gaps” with Netanyahu.

Harris has previously been more outspoken about Israel’s conduct of the war, prompting speculation she will shift her policy as presidential nominee.

The US official said there was “no daylight between the president and vice president,” who will meet Netanyahu at 4:30 p.m. (2030 GMT).

Netanyahu will meet Republican contender Donald Trump on Friday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

The ex-president on Thursday morning urged Israel to quickly “finish up” its war in Gaza, warning its global image was being tarnished.

Biden has offered Israel steadfast support since October 7.

But the US president has been increasingly critical of Israel over the Palestinian death toll in its offensive in Gaza, and criticized restrictions on the amount of aid getting through to the territory, much of which has been reduced to rubble.

The Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Out of 251 people taken hostage that day, 111 are still being held inside the Gaza Strip, including 39 who the military says are dead.

More than 39,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip since the war began, according to data provided by the health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.

According to the Israeli military 327 soldiers have been killed in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27.

Netanyahu, Biden hold talks over tense Gaza ceasefire

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International

It’s time to end war in Gaza, US VP Harris tells Netanyahu

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

US Vice-President Kamala Harris

It’s time to end war in Gaza, US VP Harris tells Netanyahu

US Vice-President Kamala Harris – who’s expected to be the Democratic nominee for November’s presidential election – has held what she called “frank and constructive” talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden, Ms Harris said she made clear her “serious concerns” about casualties in Gaza, telling Mr Netanyahu how Israel defended itself mattered.

“It is time for this war to end,” she said after their face-to-face talks at the White House.

Ms Harris also stressed the need for a path to a two-state solution, while calling on Americans to be aware of “nuance” on the conflict.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu met Mr Biden, who stepped down from his re-election campaign on Sunday.

Mr Netanyahu’s meetings at the White House came a day after he gave a fiery speech to Congress, vowing “total victory” against Hamas, as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside.

The prime minister faces pressure both at home and abroad to bring an end to the Israel-Gaza war, now in its ninth month.

Mr Biden’s staunch support of Israel has infuriated many left-wing activists, whose support the Democrats may need if they are to win November’s presidential election.

Given that, there is also considerable interest in the position Ms Harris might take towards Israel should she replace Mr Biden in the White House.

After meeting Mr Netanyahu for about 40 minutes, Ms Harris said she had an “unwavering commitment” to Israel and its right to defend itself.

She noted the conflict began on 7 October when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 captives, according to Israeli tallies.

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Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 39,000 people.

“Israel has a right to defend itself. And how it does so matters,” Ms Harris said, expressing concern about the “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza.

“We cannot allow ourselves to be numb to the suffering and I will not be silent,” she said.

“Let’s get the deal done so we can get a ceasefire to end the war,” she added. “Let’s bring the hostages home, and let’s bring much-needed relief to the Palestinian people.”

Mr Netanyahu is due to meet Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Friday.

As he met Mr Biden earlier, the prime minister said he had known him for 40 years – and that the US president had known every Israeli premier over the last half a century.

“From a proud Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the state of Israel,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu also said he looked forward to working with Mr Biden “on the great issues before us” over the next several months.

The US president joked that Golda Meir was the first Israeli prime minister that he had met, and that Yitzhak Rabin, a successor, was there as an assistant.

At a news briefing, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu had discussed the urgent need for a hostage release deal, the potential of conflict spilling over into Lebanon, the threat of Iran and the need to reach “compromises” in peace talks.

While Mr Kirby added that “gaps remain” in the US-Israel relationship, it was still “healthy”.

“By healthy, I mean they’re not going to agree on everything,” Mr Kirby said, adding that Mr Biden was “very comfortable with the relationship he has with the prime minister”.

The US and Israeli leaders also held a closed-door meeting with the families of seven US citizens still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Following the meeting, Jonathan Dekel-Chen – whose son Sagui was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October – told reporters that the meeting was “productive and honest”. He did not provide further details.

“We feel probably more optimistic than we have since the first round of releases in late November, early December,” he said.

It’s time to end war in Gaza, US VP Harris tells Netanyahu

BBC

International

Nigerian who stabbed army officer in UK lands in court

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian who stabbed army officer in UK lands in court

A Nigerian has been charged after an army officer was stabbed near a barracks in Gillingham in Kent.

Anthony Esan, 24, was arrested after the attack on Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton at around 5.55pm on Tuesday which took place in Sally Port Gardens, near Brompton Barracks, headquarters of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.

He has been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Esan was pictured arriving at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

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Police said a man was reported to have left the scene on a motorcycle after the stabbing. The arrest took place on Mooring Road in Rochester at around 6.30pm.

Kent Police said the victim – in his 40s – is in a serious but stable condition after being airlifted to hospital.