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- OSINTSUM: Thursday 18 July 2024
OSINTSUM: Thursday 18 July 2024
The world's most pressing geopolitical developments
OSINT Ltd
July 18, 2024
In partnership with
OSINTSUM
Global Situation Update
Thursday 18 July 2024
International
Semiconductors: A report indicating the Biden administration could be about to further increase restrictions on exports of semiconductor equipment to China has caused technology stocks around the world to fall.
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Africa
Kenya: Police have banned protests in the heart of Nairobi, claiming they have been infiltrated by gangs. At the same time, the government has appealed for the protests, which have been taking place for weeks, to stop, saying they have cost the country $46m so far.
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Zimbabwe: Rights groups have criticised a decision by Zimbabwe’s High Court to uphold the denial of bail to the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party leader Jameson Timba and 78 activists who were arrested last month.
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Parents today face unprecedented challenges as kids spend upwards of 8 hours per day in front of screens, leading to poor sleep, high blood pressure, obesity, and mental health issues. Cybercrimes against children have risen by 20% in 2022, and home networks are increasingly prone to cybercrime.
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Recent accomplishments:
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3x growth in paid subscribers over the past 2 years.
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10 patents awarded covering advanced network protection.
Featured in Forbes, Tom's Guide, PC Mag, and Wall Street Journal.
Americas
Haiti: An additional 200 Kenyan police officers have arrived in Haiti to bolster the UN-backed security mission aimed at quelling gang violence there which has led to multiple humanitarian crises. The arrivals bring the total number of Kenyan officers on the Caribbean nation to 400.
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US: The US is launching a programme which will see semiconductor manufacturing in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama expanded. The friend-shoring plans, which are aimed at protecting US access to semiconductors in case other major manufacturing hubs are disrupted, may also be expanded to include other countries in the Americas.
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US: Google and Microsoft are offering Chinese companies access to Nvidia’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips by providing data centre services outside of China in what appears to be a loophole aimed at getting around a ban on supplying Chinese firms with US technology that can be used to advance their AI capabilities.
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Asia/Oceania
China: President Xi Jinping has appeared on television at the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCP) following reports he fell down some stairs after suffering a stroke. The reports of Xi’s alleged stroke have yet to be officially confirmed or denied.
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China/Philippines: China and the Philippines have set up a direct line of communication between their presidential offices to help prevent any future confrontations in the disputed South China Sea getting out of hand.
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Europe
Belarus: Belarusian authorities have expanded visa-free travel for residents of 35 European countries, including members of the EU and the UK, in an effort to improve its relations with the West. The country’s foreign ministry described the move as a reflection of the country’s “openness and peacefulness”.
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Cyprus: Defence minister Vasilis Palmas said his country is planning to build a major naval base on the southern coast capable of hosting large ships from the EU and other nations in a move he said would “contribute decisively” to policy implementation in the region.
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Czech Republic: South Korea’s KHNP has won a public tender to build at least two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic as the country attempts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and become more self-reliant. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said KHNP’s bid was better “in practically all criteria” than the competing bid by France’s EDF.
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EU: Incumbent Ursula von der Layen has been elected for a second five-year term as European Commission president after pledging to create a continental “defence union” and continue pushing forward with Europe’s transition to green energy.
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UK: Prime Minister Kier Starmer has called for closer cooperation in Europe to improve support for Ukraine and tackle what he described as the continent’s most pressing problems: illegal migration, climate change, and energy security.
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Middle East
Iraq/Syria: US Central Command reported that the number of attacks claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is on track to more than double last year’s total, indicating the group is regrouping following several years of decreased capability.
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Suez Canal: The Suez Canal’s annual revenue has dropped by almost 25% to $7.2bn due to shipping companies choosing to use alternative routes in light of attacks on merchant vessels by Yemen’s Houthis.
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Invest and Help Keep Kids Safe with Gryphon Security
Parents today face unprecedented challenges as kids spend upwards of 8 hours per day in front of screens, leading to poor sleep, high blood pressure, obesity, and mental health issues. Cybercrimes against children have risen by 20% in 2022, and home networks are increasingly prone to cybercrime.
Gryphon offers an AI-powered network protection service with a robust mesh WiFi system and an intuitive mobile app, safeguarding families online easily.
Recent accomplishments:
Over $12M in total revenue since launch.
3x growth in paid subscribers over the past 2 years.
Over 80K Gryphons sold protecting families and small businesses.
10 patents awarded covering advanced network protection.
Featured in Forbes, Tom's Guide, PC Mag, and Wall Street Journal.
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