Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday an “unidentified object” was shot down over northwestern Canada, one day after US officials said they had shot down a similar object over Alaska. “Canadian and US aircraft were scrambled, and a US F-22 successfully fired at the object,” Trudeau tweeted. I ordered the take down of an unidentified object that violated Canadian airspace. @NORADCommand shot down the object over the Yukon. Canadian and […]
Tag: Security
US shoots down ‘high-altitude object’ over Alaska
A US fighter jet shot down an unidentified object drifting high over Alaska on Friday, the White House said, just six days after the downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon sparked a fresh diplomatic rift with Beijing. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it was unclear what the purpose or origin of the new object was, but said that it was taken down because, floating at 40,000 feet, it was a […]
Singapore detains student for planning attacks on city
Singapore has detained an 18-year-old man, accusing him of supporting the Islamic State group and planning to carry out attacks, security officials said Wednesday. Muhammad Irfan Danyal bin Mohamad Nor, a Singaporean student, was detained in December under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial for up to two years. He became radicalised after viewing Islamic State group propaganda online, authorities said in a statement, adding that he wanted to use social […]
Japan PM leaves on tour of European, North American allies
Tokyo, Japan (AFP) by Kyoko HASEGAWA Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday left on a tour of Europe and North America with security-focused talks on the agenda after his nation’s biggest defence policy overhaul in decades. Japan holds the 2023 presidency of the G7, and Kishida will visit bloc members France, Italy, Britain and Canada starting Monday. Kishida’s final stop is the United States — his first visit to Washington as prime minister — […]
France planning AI-assisted crowd control for Paris Olympics
French authorities plan to use an AI-assisted crowd control system to monitor people during the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to a draft law seen by AFP on Thursday. The system is intended to allow the security services to detect disturbances and potential problems more easily, but will not use facial recognition technology, the bill says. The technology could be particularly useful during the highly ambitious open-air opening ceremony with Olympians sailing down the river Seine […]
Australia urges release of citizens in China
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday urged the release of citizens held in China, as she prepared to embark on a landmark visit to Beijing. Wong is set to be the first top Australian diplomat to visit China in four years, a trip aimed at thawing troubled relations. She will depart Australia on Tuesday for a meeting with Chinese state councilor and minister of foreign affairs, Wang Yi, and indicated […]
Russian hackers behind medical record theft: Australian police
Sydney, Australia | AFP | Russian hackers were behind a cyberattack on a major Australian healthcare company that breached the data of 9.7 million people, including the country’s prime minister, police said Friday. The hackers started leaking the data earlier this week after Medibank — the country’s largest health insurer — refused to pay a US$9.7 million (Aus$15 million) ransom. Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw blamed the attack on Russia-based “cyber criminals”. “We believe […]
Hackers demand $10 m for stolen Australian health records
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Hackers leaking medical records stolen from a major Australian healthcare company said Thursday they are demanding $10 million to make it stop, about a dollar for each of their potential victims. Medibank earlier this week confirmed the hackers had accessed information belonging to 9.7 million current and former clients, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. A small sample of records posted by the hackers early Wednesday featured a “naughty list” of names […]
Hackers leak Australian health records on dark web
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Hackers on Wednesday began leaking sensitive medical records stolen from a major Australian health insurer that had earlier refused to pay the group’s ransom demand. Medibank told investors and customers that a “sample” of data from some 9.7 million clients had been posted on a “dark web forum”. Names, birth dates, addresses, passport numbers and information on medical claims were among the sensitive personal data posted anonymously early Wednesday. Medibank said […]
China playing ‘aggressive games’ with Canada democracy: Trudeau
OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — China is playing “aggressive games” with democracies and Canadian institutions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned on Monday following a report of foreign interference in its elections. His comments came after local broadcaster Global News reported that Beijing had funded a “clandestine network” of candidates in a recent ballot, and days after authorities began investigating illegal Chinese police stations in the Toronto area. “We have taken significant measures to strengthen the integrity […]
Australia reverses recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital
Sydney, Australia | AFP | Australia said Tuesday it would no longer recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing a contentious decision by the previous conservative government. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the city’s status should be decided through peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and not through unilateral decisions. “We will not support an approach that undermines (a two-state solution), she said, adding: “Australia’s embassy has always been, and remains, in Tel Aviv”. A conservative […]
Starbucks Singapore says customer database breached
Singapore, Singapore (AFP) Starbucks Singapore said Friday its customer database was breached online, with local media reporting that 200,000 people’s information was stolen. The coffee chain — a licensed Starbucks franchise owned by Hong Kong-based Maxim’s Caterers — said in an email to customers that it had “discovered… some unauthorized access” to details such as names, gender, dates of birth, phone numbers and home addresses. “Relevant authorities have been informed and Starbucks Singapore is assisting […]
