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Espionage

A woman walks outside the British embassy building in Moscow. Photo: TNS
Russia

Russia expels British diplomat for spying, escalating tensions

The envoy was accused of activities threatening Russia’s security, straining already tense relations between the countries.

US-China relations

China says hi-tech study tours targeted by foreign governments

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Technology

Beware of deepfakes used by foreign spies to target China: security ministry

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US presidential election 2024

Elon Musk’s China ties ‘a profound threat’ to US national security: senator

The SpaceX and Tesla CEO’s business interests could be exploited by Beijing, according to testimony at cybersecurity hearing.

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Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla makes half of its cars in China, which also accounts for one-third of its sales. Photo: Aly Song

China’s anti-espionage agency warns spies could steal surveillance camera data

Ministry of State Security advises tightened management of nation’s vast camera network after receiving tip from citizen.

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Nordic nations

Undersea cables in Baltic Sea cut, Germany and Finland fear sabotage

Probes launched after communication cables between new Nato members Finland and Sweden and alliance partners Germany and Lithuania were damaged.

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Cybersecurity

Russian extradited to US from South Korea to face cybercrime charges

Evgenii Ptitsyn allegedly extorted US$16 million from schools and hospitals using ransomware program, the Justice Department said.

A Russian national has been extradited to the US to face charges he distributed ransomware. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

US accuses China of vast cyber-espionage against telecoms

Hackers stole call records and compromised communications belonging to a ‘limited number’ of people in US government and politics.

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United States

Pentagon secrets leaker sentenced to 15 years in US prison

Jack Teixeira, 22, pleaded guilty to six criminal counts and said ‘I’m sorry for all of the harm’.

Britain

UK ex-soldier facing spying charge escaped from prison by hiding under truck

He was broke out of prison by using a sling made out of trousers from the prison kitchen to tie himself to the underside of a catering truck.

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A wanted sign featuring an image of Daniel Abed Khalife, a former soldier who is suspected of terrorism offences, is displayed near Wandsworth prison in London in 2023. Photo: Reuters
China’s Communist Party

China’s top spy agency crowdsources help to track foreign military buoys at sea

Ministry of State Security says unnamed foreign powers are repurposing marine and weather observation buoys as spy tech.

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China’s Ministry of State Security says foreign powers are repurposing observation buoys into covert spy instruments. Photo: Shutterstock
Germany

Germany arrests US citizen over accusations of spying for China

He had contacted Chinese government agencies, offered to send sensitive information from the US military to a Chinese intelligence service.

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Russia

Russia suspected of plotting to send US incendiary devices through air cargo

Poland flags alleged sabotage effort without naming Russia, as officials cite attempt to send incendiary devices via DHL.

US-China relations

Amid China concerns, US boosts scrutiny of land sales near military bases

The US Treasury has, however, rejected a push to retroactively apply the rule to a proposed battery plant by Chinese firm Gotion in Michigan.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting in Washington in April. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Explainer | The heated US-China cable competition under the seas

Vital for data transmission and communications between continents, lines are vulnerable to sabotage and a stage for global power rivalry.

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A partially buried undersea cable. Image: Shutterstock
China-South Korea relations

First South Korean held in China under expanded spy law

Canada

Indian minister authorised plots to target Sikh separatists in Canada, official alleges

Canada’s deputy foreign minister told a US-based newspaper that India’s Amit Shah was behind alleged campaign on Canadian soil.

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Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Hong Kong’s civil servants get the app safety message

More secure services are needed for Hong Kong staff with the removal of unauthorised communication tools from work computers.

WhatsApp and other apps have been banned from the mobile phones of Hong Kong’s civil servants. Photo: Shutterstock
Canada

Sikh separatist claims Indian ‘spy network’ operates in US and Canada

Activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accused India of silencing dissidents abroad, but did not elaborate on his claims of an alleged spy network.

US presidential election 2024

Chinese hackers collected audio from unnamed Trump campaign adviser: report

The Washington Post reported that the hackers intercepted calls and texts of Trump team adviser.

US presidential election 2024

China accuses US of ‘disinformation’ hacking attempt report

Perpetrators are said to have tapped into Verizon’s network in bid to access devices used by the Republican nominee and his running mate.

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Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in Austin, Texas, on Friday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Concerned about China’s AI plans, US releases new strategy to harness such tech

Washington is ‘willing to engage in dialogue’ with China ‘to better understand risks and counter misperceptions’ about AI, says official.

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In the lead-up to the White House releasing a memo on AI, a senior official said that if national security agencies do not adopt AI technologies in appropriate ways, the US will be at “risk of a strategic surprise by our rivals, such as China”. Image: Shutterstock
China’s Communist Party

China’s space programme under threat from spies, anti-espionage agency says

Ministry of State Security warns that foreign agents are targeting space scientists and researchers to steal information from China.

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US-China relations

TSMC challenges report US is probing whether it made chips for Huawei

Possible export-controls violation benefiting mainland-based tech titan hit by American sanctions could lead to penalties.

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US presidential election 2024

Russia, China and Iran could stoke post-election violence: US intelligence

Foreign actors may also use cyberattacks and espionage to spread disinformation, promote confusion about the results and divide Americans.

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Supporters carry flags ahead of a Donald Trump campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

US unveils new rules to block China, Russia and Iran from accessing bulk US data

Proposal implements executive order that aims to keep foreign adversaries from accessing US data for cyberattacks, espionage and blackmail.

US Justice Department has proposed rules to protect federal government data or citizens’ personal data from getting into the hands of countries such as China, Iran and Russia. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS
Germany

Germany opens Nato naval command centre on Baltic Sea

Commander Task Force Baltic will coordinate naval activities in the region’, provide Nato with ‘maritime situation picture around the clock’.

United States

US charges ex-Indian spy service officer in foiled Sikh separatist murder plot

Vikash Yadav allegedly directed the attempted assassination scheme against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen.

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Espionage
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Espionage. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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