Latest news with #China-backed
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First Post
14 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
No limits, no trust: China mounts secret cyberwar on Russia, says report
Experts believe that while China is far wealthier than Russia, it feels its armed forces lack battlefield experience. Now, Beijing is likely seeking intelligence on Russia's activities in Ukraine read more In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping attend a concert marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China and opening of China-Russia Years of Culture at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on May 16, 2024. (Photo via AFP) China-backed groups have intensified hacking attempts on Russian companies and government agencies since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the New York Times has reported, citing 'cyberanalysts'. This cyber warfare has persisted despite both leaders, Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, publicly hailing their 'no limits' ties. Just last year, TeamT5, a Taiwan-based cybersecurity research firm, established that one of China-backed groups was behind a cyberattack on a major Russian engineering firm in the hunt for information on nuclear submarines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts believe that while China is far wealthier than Russia, it feels its armed forces lack battlefield experience. Now, it might be hoping to plug some holes using Russia's experience in the Ukraine war. 'China likely seeks to gather intelligence on Russia's activities, including on its military operation in Ukraine, defence developments and other geopolitical manoeuvres,' the Times quoted TeamT5's Che Chang as saying. 'Leaked' Russian document dubs China as an 'enemy' The Times cites a classified counterintelligence document from Russia's domestic security agency, known as the FSB, to throw light on how the Russia-China partnership is plagued with deep mistrust. The document refers to China as an ' enemy ' and says that Beijing was actively looking for defence expertise and technology and is trying to learn from Russia's military experience in Ukraine. Notably, Russia has never acknowledged these concerns in public. 'Rostec targeted' The Times report says that even Rostec, which is Russia's state-owned powerful defence conglomerate, was targeted by one of China's state-backed group to seek information on satellite communications, radar and electronic warfare. Citing Palo Alto Networks, the paper notes that some groups use malicious files, intended to exploit vulnerabilities in Microsoft Word, to penetrate Russian aviation industry targets. In 2023, Positive Technologies, a Russian cybersecurity company, reported that multiple Russian entities, including those in the aerospace, private security, and defence sectors, were targeted by cyberattacks. The attacks utilised Deed RAT, a tool commonly associated with Chinese state-sponsored hackers. According to cybersecurity experts, Deed RAT is a 'proprietary' malware, exclusive to these groups and not available for purchase on the dark web, unlike other malicious tools. Notably, the reports of China-backed cyberattacks on Russian companies had emerged before the Ukraine war too. For example, Beijing hackers carried out a cyberattack on Russian submarine designers in 2021. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Sent to lap of China": BJP's Nishikant Dubey 'blames' Congress for overthrow of Nepal monarchy
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nishikant Dubey on Monday held the Congress responsible for ending the monarchy in Nepal, calling it the 'only Hindu nation in the world.' Dubey repeated a claim by a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) intelligence officer, Amar Bhushan, who was tasked with unseating King Birendra and helping former Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, to come to power. 'Congress's foreign policy is nepotistic, and India is suffering the consequences of this. The only Hindu nation in the world ended today,' Dubey said in a post on X. Dubey claimed that in the 1980s, India sent Nepal on the 'lap of China,' by imposing customs duty and imposing sanctions on goods going to Nepal. He said that the economic pressures increased after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited the Pashupatinath temple in the country, but his family was refused entry by the temple management. 'Entry of any non-Muslim is prohibited in Mecca Masjid or the city; similarly, entry of non-Hindus is prohibited in the Pashupatinath temple of Nepal. In 1988, the then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi went to Nepal; he wanted to visit the temple, but the temple management refused. India increased customs duty on all goods going to Nepal against the religious sentiments of King Birendra,' Dubey's post read. Citing a news article which quoted former RAW officer Amar Bhushan, Dubey said that the officer was given the responsibility of dethroning King Birendra and making 'China-backed' Prachanda as the PM. 'Due to fear of war, King Birendra made an agreement with China for arms and food items, meaning Nepal went into the lap of China. Under the guise of this agreement, India imposed an economic blockade against Nepal in 1989. The matter did not end here. RAW intelligence officer Amar Bhushan, who is still alive, was given the responsibility of removing King Birendra and making Prachanda, the leader of the China-backed party, the Prime Minister. Nepal is no longer a Hindu nation,' he added. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi visited Nepal in December 1988 with his daughter and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, where she was denied entry into the temple. Following his visit, Nepal's External Affairs Minister also visited Delhi in January 1990, and later an official-level delegation visit comprising of the Nepalese Foreign Secretary and the Defence and Commerce Secretaries in February of the same year. Notably, there have been multiple protests in Nepal which are demanding the reinstatement of the royalty, with the royalists launching a new round of the protest on May 30. Nepal transitioned from a monarchy to a republic just 17 years ago, on May 28, 2008. Encouraged by rising frustration with the incumbent system, the royalist group of about 40 different factions has been demanding restoration of the Hindu kingdom, abolition of federalism, and a directly elected prime ministerial system, among other things. Restoration of the constitutional monarchy has been their main demand. The royalist group claims to have started a 'joint people's movement' had formed a committee and attempting to block the roadways for the parading cadres of the ruling parties, and the police held the royalists on the side until the ruling party's parade passed by. The royalist right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fifth largest party in the lower house of parliament, claimed that it would bring 25000 people onto the streets. As per the Nepal Police estimate, about 3000 protestors hit the streets of Kathmandu. Countering the protests, the ruling CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist) held a march on the streets of Kathmandu in defence of the republic. The PM KP Sharma Oli-led party organised a march in Kathmandu on Republic Day, entitled 'Republic Mahotsav.' (ANI)
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First Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Who's calling? Trump picks up calls from unknown numbers, vulnerable to scams: Report
President Trump's reported use of his personal phone to answer unknown calls, along with aides relying on unsecured devices, has exposed his administration to spoofing, impersonation, and foreign surveillance, according to a report read more President Donald Trump's reported habit of answering unknown callers on his personal cell phone, along with top aides frequently using unsecured personal devices, is sparking renewed concerns among cybersecurity experts and federal officials. According to an Axios report, citing The Atlantic, the practice has left the Trump administration vulnerable to basic security threats such as spoofed calls, impersonation attempts, and foreign surveillance. While there is no public evidence that Trump has fallen victim to such schemes, federal investigations and intelligence reports suggest the risk is real and growing, added the report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ongoing investigations According to The Wall Street Journal report, federal authorities are currently probing a scheme in which someone spoofed the phone number of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to impersonate her in calls to senators, governors, and CEOs. The impersonator's identity and intent remain unclear. Meanwhile, a Bloomberg investigation found that Chinese hackers gained access to US telecom networks as early as summer 2023, a full year earlier than previously disclosed. That access, according to The New York Times, was exploited by a China-backed cyber group known as 'Salt Typhoon' to monitor communications involving Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other high-ranking officials. Adding to the concerns, former national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others in the administration have been embroiled in separate controversies related to their use of the encrypted messaging app Signal on personal devices, bypassing official communication protocols. History of lax security Trump's disregard for secure communications isn't new. During his first term, he carried two phones — a secure one for calls and a less secure one for social media, according to Politico. Despite security officials urging him to replace the latter device monthly, reports suggest he sometimes went months without checks. It remains unclear how much of that protocol has changed during Trump's current term. 'I think people gave up on that years ago,' a current adviser told The Atlantic. In a written statement, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung declined to detail any specific security measures, saying, 'President Trump is the most transparent and accessible President in American history.' 'World leaders, heads of state, elected officials, and business titans all reach out to him because they know America is back under President Trump's leadership,' Axios quoted Cheung as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also took aim at Trump's predecessor, adding, 'Joe Biden was hidden and sheltered by his handlers because he was a total embarrassment and bumbling idiot during his time in office.' The bigger picture Since returning to office, the Trump administration has faced mounting criticism over its handling of digital security, with experts warning that convenience is being prioritised over protection, reported Axios. The administration's widespread use of personal devices and encrypted messaging apps like Signal has raised red flags, especially as traditional security protocols appear to be sidelined. Reports indicate that the federal cybersecurity apparatus has also taken a hit, with nearly a third of staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) having departed. Concerns have been compounded by the actions of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has championed several controversial technology initiatives. One such effort involves deploying a still-buggy AI tool designed to comb through sensitive government data—sparking fears about vulnerabilities and potential misuse, added the report. The broader threat landscape is also shifting rapidly. The FBI recently warned that artificial intelligence tools are now being used to clone voices using just seconds of audio, making it easier than ever for scammers or bad actors to impersonate senior officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Spoofing phone numbers has become a low-cost, easily accessible tactic thanks to free apps, a method already exploited in a scheme impersonating Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles. These developments underscore a troubling reality: security is increasingly being compromised in favour of speed and direct access, creating new openings for deception, surveillance, and manipulation at the highest levels of government. With inputs from agencies
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First Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘Need your help': FBI chief Kash Patel reaches out to India to combat China's fentanyl supply chain
'I literally just got off the phone with the Indian government… I said, I need your help. This stuff's coming into your country and then they're moving it from your country because India is not consuming fentanyl,' said Patel read more FBI Director Kash Patel has said that the US administration has sought the help of Indian law enforcement agencies to take down a China-backed global fentanyl network. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Patel said that although India is not a major consumer of fentanyl, it is increasingly being used as a transit hub for chemical precursors produced in China and shipped to Mexican drug cartels. 'They're going to places like India, and I'm also doing operations in India,' Patel was quoted as saying on the podcast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They're having the Mexican cartels now make this fentanyl down in Mexico still,' he added. China evading scrutiny Patel accused Chinese suppliers of evading scrutiny by routing fentanyl precursors through third countries like India to avoid direct enforcement. He claimed this tactic is part of a calculated effort by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to target the US population, saying suppliers are 'getting cute' with their smuggling routes. 'You don't hear fentanyl deaths in India. You don't really hear fentanyl deaths in England, Australia, New Zealand, or Five Eyes partners in Canada,' he said. 'The CCP have used it as a directed approach because we are their adversary.' 'Why don't we go and take out generations of young men and women who might grow up to serve in the United States military, or become a cop, or become a teacher?' he added. FBI, India coordinating on crackdown Patel said the FBI has established direct lines of communication with Indian authorities to curb the flow of fentanyl precursors. 'I literally just got off the phone with the Indian government' he said. 'I said, I need your help. This stuff's coming into your country and then they're moving it from your country because India is not consuming fentanyl.' 'We're going to find these companies that buy it and we're going to shut them down,' he added. Patel confirmed that joint operations between the FBI and Indian law enforcement are already underway. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We're going to sanction them. We're going to arrest them where we can. We're going to indict them in America if we can. We're going to indict them in India if we can,' he added. According to a Times of India report, several Indian chemical manufacturers have been named in US indictments. Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited and two of its senior executives have been charged with conspiring to ship four metric tons of NPP, a fentanyl precursor, to the US and Mexico. Two other firms, Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt Ltd, were also indicted for allegedly supplying similar chemical precursors. India outreach personal, strategic Patel, the son of Gujarati immigrants, said his dealing with India was driven by both personal connections and strategic priorities. 'India is not the problem,' he said. 'But if we don't get ahead of it, it could become one,' he added. He also alleged that Mexican cartels have rerouted their trafficking channels through Canada, using Vancouver as a new hub. 'They're flying it into Vancouver,' he said, adding, 'They're taking the precursors up to Canada, manufacturing it up there, and doing their global distribution routes from up there because we were being so effective down south.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strategic threat Patel said China's role in the fentanyl trade isn't driven by profit. 'They're not making a ton of money off it,' he said. 'So it's really just for that purpose.' He warned that chemical precursors have already appeared in Five Eyes countries and claimed the Chinese Communist Party is 'just waiting to deploy' the finished product. 'The fentanyl itself isn't being deployed into your country, but it's there being manufactured,' he said. 'The CCP just hasn't directed it at you yet, and they know that,' he added. Patel estimated that synthetic opioids caused over 74,000 deaths in the US in 2023, calling the fentanyl crisis 'a tier one national security threat.' With inputs from agencies
Axios
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump might be the most accessible president ever — for spies or scammers
President Trump reportedly picks up when his cell rings even if he doesn't know who's calling. Senior members of his team also love chatting on their personal devices. That makes the administration uniquely vulnerable to basic scams like spoofed calls and impersonation attempts. Why it matters: If Trump is willing to answer unknown numbers, as The Atlantic reported this week, there's no guarantee a scammer, impersonator, or even a foreign intelligence operative couldn't have a chat with the president. There's no evidence that has actually happened. But recent reports involving Trump and other top officials have raised red flags about the security of their communications. Driving the news: Federal authorities are investigating a scheme where someone spoofed the phone number of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to impersonate her in calls to senators, governors, and CEOs, per the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Chinese hackers reportedly penetrated U.S. telecom networks as early as summer 2023, according to Bloomberg — a year earlier than previously known. That access has been used by China-backed group Salt Typhoon to spy on Trump, Vice President Vance, and other officials, the NYT reported. Then there are the series of Signal-related scandals involving former national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others. Between the lines: Eavesdropping on world leaders isn't new — but it's a lot easier if the leader in question is using a personal phone and eschewing standard cybersecurity practices. Flashback: In 2017, Trump had two phones — one issued through the White House and only capable of making phone calls, and a less secure phone equipped just for social media. At the time, he was urged to swap out his Twitter phone at least once a month. Politico reported he'd instead go months without security checks. It's unclear how many of those security protocols were brought back in this time around. "I think people gave up on that years ago," one adviser told The Atlantic. In a written statement, White House communications director Steven Cheung said the administration would "not discuss or disclose security measures regarding the President." "President Trump is the most transparent and accessible President in American history," Cheung said. "World leaders, heads of state, elected officials, and business titans all reach out to him because they know America is back under President Trump's leadership. "Whereas, Joe Biden was hidden and sheltered by his handlers because he was a total embarrassment and bumbling idiot during his time in office," Cheung added. The big picture: Since returning to office, the Trump administration has: Ignored basic security norms, including heavy reliance on Signal and personal numbers. Gutted existing federal cybersecurity leadership, with one-third of CISA's staff already gone. Empowered security-weakening tech initiatives through Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been pursuing projects like using a buggy AI tool to crawl sensitive government data. Threat level: AI tools can clone a voice using just a few seconds of audio, and the FBI warned last month that scammers are already using them to impersonate senior officials.
