Author: Nectar Gan

Security News This Week: A Mysterious Leak Exposed Chinese Hacking Secrets
24Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, World

Security News This Week: A Mysterious Leak Exposed Chinese Hacking Secrets

Today marks two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This week, we detailed the growing crisis in Eastern Ukraine, which is now littered with deadly mines. As it fights back the invading Russian forces, Ukraine’s government is working to develop new mine-clearing technology that could help save lives around the globe. A leaked document obtained by WIRED has revealed the secret placement of gunshot-detection sensors in locations around the United States and its territories. According to the document, which ShotSpotter's parent company authenticated, the sensors, which are used by police departments in dozens of metropolitan areas in the United States, are largely located in low-income and minority communities, according to WIRED’s analysis, adding crucial cont
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Southeast Asian countries’ varied reactions to China’s “Two Mountains” framework
23Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, World

Southeast Asian countries’ varied reactions to China’s “Two Mountains” framework

China has long been propagating its “Two Mountains” concept and has expanded it into the Green Silk Road concept as a sustainable climate governance framework. But many Southeast Asian countries have tailored the concept according to their own needs. As the world confronts global climate change, China has advanced the “Two Mountains” concept and expanded it into the Green Silk Road concept as a sustainable climate governance framework. President Xi Jinping has proposed this as a bridge to the global south, including Southeast Asia. Instead of adopting China’s climate frameworks wholesale, however, countries in the region have adapted it piecemeal, in line with their own needs. Green Silk Road conceptThe Two Mountains concept argues that “aqua-clear water and green mountains” are a c
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Huge leak reveals Chinese company compromised global governments and activists: experts
22Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, World

Huge leak reveals Chinese company compromised global governments and activists: experts

The trove of documents from I-Soon, a private contractor that competed for Chinese government contracts, shows that its hackers compromised more than a dozen governments, according to cybersecurity firms SentinelLabs and Malwarebytes. I-Soon also breached "democracy organisations" in China's semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong, universities and the NATO military alliance, SentinelLabs researchers wrote Wednesday. The leaked data, the contents of which AFP was unable to immediately identify, was posted last week on the online software repository GitHub by an unknown individual. "The leak provides some of the most concrete details seen publicly to date, revealing the maturing nature of China's cyber espionage ecosystem," SentinelLabs analysts said. I-Soon was able to breach govern...
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India’s Active Involvement in the Development of Bangladesh’s Infrastructure, Economy, Energy, and Capacity Building Sectors
22Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia

India’s Active Involvement in the Development of Bangladesh’s Infrastructure, Economy, Energy, and Capacity Building Sectors

Bangladesh is considered an important country within India’s sphere of influence, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has significantly stepped up partnership with Bangladesh. An important avenue of partnership between the two countries is that of development cooperation. India has been actively involved in the development of various regions in Bangladesh, including some of the more remote areas. India's role has manifested itself in numerous ways, such as increased connectivity, economic and energy cooperation with Bangladesh. New Delhi has extended 4 Lines of Credits (LOC) to Dhaka in the last eight years amounting to around US$ 8 billion for development of infrastructure in various sectors including roads, railways, shipping and ports. India’s Contribution towards Mega-
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Thailand’s “double standards” and Thaksin’s parole are causing ire among political parties.
19Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
Politics, World

Thailand’s “double standards” and Thaksin’s parole are causing ire among political parties.

Critics are concerned that conflict could ensue if Thaksin remains ‘above the law’ amid mounting speculation of his return to politicsLast year’s poll appears to show Thailand is moving away from old-style populism associated with Thaksin and his family The parole of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is proving as divisive as his time in power, with critics on the left and right of Thai politics saying justice has not been served by the release of a man who has turned the wheels of the kingdom’s chaotic politics more than any other figure over the last 20 years.The 74-year-old’s circuitous journey from a political star and champion of the poor to a fugitive nemesis of the elite – and now an elderly returnee to Thailand allowed to live at home – was captured in an Instagram post by h
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<strong>Philippines and Vietnam join hands against the assertiveness of China</strong>
12Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
China

Philippines and Vietnam join hands against the assertiveness of China

Joint defense against CCP, Philippines and Vietnam enhanced cooperation, Japan and Germany signed military treaty. The strategic partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam is based on “amity, equity, mutual respect, and cooperation.” Both countries are committed to peacefully resolving territorial disputes and ensuring a rules-based international order in the South China Sea. They aim to increase defense cooperation to combat security threats. This partnership sends a clear signal that small claimant states can converge to strengthen their collective stance against China’s assertive actions in the region. Additionally, Japanand Germany have recently signed a military treatyaimed at intensifying their defense cooperation. The treaty, known as the Re
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<strong>Maldives’ Economic Downfall Under President Muizzu’s Choices.</strong>
5Feb By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia

Maldives’ Economic Downfall Under President Muizzu’s Choices.

As the Maldives approaches a critical juncture in its economic trajectory, the decisions made by President Mohamed Muizzu are coming under intense scrutiny. The nation, composed of around 550,000 people  stands at a crossroads, grappling with economic challenges exacerbated by a series of decisions that have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns. The recent reports indicating that the Maldivian government under President Muizzu is living beyond its means send a clear signal that the economic health of the country is in jeopardy. The recurring expenditure is on the rise, and capital expenditure is being funded through external debt, notably from India and China, or by resorting to deficit-financing closer to home. This financial tightrope walk raises questions about the sustainability ...
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Dynamics in India-Maldives relations: The influence of China
31Jan By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, World

Dynamics in India-Maldives relations: The influence of China

Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of the Maldives, seems to be pivoting away from India and moving closer to other sources of support, such as the Arab countries and China. With a wary eye on China's ambitions in the Indian Ocean, India is expected to push back strongly. “We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the license to bully us.” This was the jibe taken at India by Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of the Maldives, who has brought Male’s ties with New Delhi down to its lowest point. In a geopolitical landscape where the Maldives has traditionally acknowledged India as a longstanding ally and a development partner, the recent statement reflects strong ripples in bilateral ties. In the past, other smaller countries in India’s periphery, including Nepal
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31Jan By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, World

‘Unilateral’ China alters aircraft path in strait, which Taiwan attacks

TAIPEI – Taiwan's government has expressed anger after China "unilaterally" changed a flight path close to the sensitive "median line" in the Taiwan Strait, saying it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to change the status quo for possible military means.China's civil aviation administration said in a short statement late Tuesday that from Thursday it was cancelling an "offset measure" for the southbound operation of the M503 flight route, which is just west of the strait's median line. The median line had for years served as an unofficial barrier between Chinese-claimed Taiwan and China, but China says it does not recognize its existence and Chinese warplanes now regularly fly over it as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty claims. China also said it was open
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Maldives: The opposition is getting ready to remove President Muizzu from office
30Jan By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

Maldives: The opposition is getting ready to remove President Muizzu from office

The two main Opposition parties have a two-thirds majority in parliament needed to oust pro-China Muizzu. The Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party is preparing an impeachment motion against the country’s President Mohamed Muizzu, local reports said on Monday. The Maldivian Democratic Party has a majority in the island nation’s Parliament. The main Opposition party, led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has 43 members in the 80-seat People’s Majlis. Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s The Democrats party has 13 seats. The impeachment motion needs to be passed with a two-thirds majority in the unicameral House. The two Opposition parties have 56 parliament members, more than the required number of 54. The Muizzu-led alliance comprising the Progressive Party of Maldives
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