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Iran's Foreign Minister to Visit Beirut Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Iran's Foreign Minister to Visit Beirut Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is set to visit Beirut following a formal invitation from Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Youssef Raji. This visit comes after Raji declined an invitation to Tehran, citing 'current conditions' as the reason for his inability to travel. Despite this, Raji emphasized that his decision does not signify a rejection of dialogue with Iran. The visit by Araghchi is seen as a continuation of diplomatic efforts between the two nations, amidst broader regional tensions. The discussions are expected to address various bilateral issues, including the political situation in Lebanon and the influence of Hezbollah, a group aligned with Iran.

Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems Face Increased Cyberattack Risks

Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems Face Increased Cyberattack Risks

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks from nation-state and criminal groups, according to a white paper by Brattle Group and Dragos. The report highlights that as BESS deployments are projected to grow significantly over the next five years, driven by demand from data centers and other sectors, they become attractive targets for cyber threats. The paper warns that the current pace of deployment is outstripping the ability to secure these systems effectively, posing risks of significant economic and operational disruptions. The report also notes that a single outage in a 100 megawatt system could result in substantial financial losses, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures.

Germany Summons Russian Ambassador Over Alleged Hybrid Attacks Amid Rising Tensions

Germany Summons Russian Ambassador Over Alleged Hybrid Attacks Amid Rising Tensions

Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador in response to what it describes as a significant increase in hybrid threats, including disinformation campaigns, espionage, cyberattacks, and attempted sabotage. According to a German foreign ministry spokesperson, these activities have been attributed to Russian-backed groups, notably the hacker collective APT-28, also known as Fancy Bear. This group has been linked to a cyberattack on German air traffic control in August 2024. Additionally, attempts to influence German elections have been connected to Storm-1516, a pro-Russian influence operation previously observed in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The German government has expressed its intent to monitor Russia's actions closely and take necessary measures.

Venezuela's Nobel laureate Machado says she aims for peaceful transition after Maduro

Venezuela's Nobel laureate Machado says she aims for peaceful transition after Maduro

OSLO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado said on Friday that Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro would leave power, whether there was a negotiated changeover or not, adding that she was focused on achieving a peaceful transition.

Hong Kong's legal clampdown on tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai

Hong Kong's legal clampdown on tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai

By Jessie Pang and James Pomfret HONG KONG, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's High Court will hand down a verdict in the trial of media tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai on Monday.

Another Canadian Conservative lawmaker joins Carney's governing Liberal Party

Another Canadian Conservative lawmaker joins Carney's governing Liberal Party

A Canadian Conservative lawmaker has defected from his party and joined Prime Minister Mark Carney’s governing Liberals

U.S. Charges Ukrainian Hacker for Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure Backed by Russian Groups

U.S. Charges Ukrainian Hacker for Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure Backed by Russian Groups

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, a Ukrainian national, for her alleged involvement in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure as part of Russian-backed operations. Dubranova is accused of working with CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR) and NoName057(16), groups that have targeted water systems, food processing facilities, and government networks in the U.S. and allied countries. The groups are said to have received support from Russia's GRU and have conducted numerous attacks since 2022. Dubranova faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to damage protected computers, and has pleaded not guilty.

Saudi-Israel Cooperation Against Iran Reshapes Middle East Dynamics

Saudi-Israel Cooperation Against Iran Reshapes Middle East Dynamics

Saudi Arabia and Israel are aligning to reshape regional hegemony in the Middle East, focusing on countering Iran's influence. This cooperation aims to ensure stability in a post-Iran order, with both nations taking decisive steps to strengthen their strategic partnership. The alignment is expected to lead to increased collaboration in various sectors, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape of the region.

Israel's Cyber Chief Warns of Increasing Threats in Digital Warfare

Israel's Cyber Chief Warns of Increasing Threats in Digital Warfare

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Karadi, head of Israel's National Cyber Directorate, has issued a warning about the growing threat of digital warfare. Speaking at the Cyber Week conference, Karadi described a scenario where cyberattacks could disrupt essential services like power, water, and communications, effectively crippling a nation. He highlighted recent cyber incidents targeting Israel, including attempts to alter water chlorine levels and attacks on hospitals, attributing these to state-backed actors using proxy gangs to mask their involvement.

WinRAR Vulnerability CVE-2025-6218 Exploited by Multiple Threat Groups

WinRAR Vulnerability CVE-2025-6218 Exploited by Multiple Threat Groups

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added a vulnerability in the WinRAR file archiver, identified as CVE-2025-6218, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. This path traversal bug, which affects Windows-based builds, allows attackers to execute code by tricking users into opening malicious files. Despite being patched in June 2025, the flaw is actively exploited by threat groups such as GOFFEE, Bitter, and Gamaredon. These groups have used the vulnerability in targeted attacks, including phishing campaigns against Ukrainian entities, to deploy malware and conduct espionage operations.

Israel's Cyber Chief Warns of Digital Siege Threatening National Security

Israel's Cyber Chief Warns of Digital Siege Threatening National Security

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Karadi, head of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, has highlighted the increasing threat of cyber warfare at the Cyber Week conference in Tel Aviv. He described a scenario termed 'digital siege,' where critical infrastructure such as power stations, traffic systems, and water supplies could be disrupted remotely. This marks a shift from traditional cyber espionage to more aggressive tactics aimed at civilian disruption. The evolution of cyber warfare was traced back to the Stuxnet worm in 2010, which targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. Recent incidents, such as the attempted alteration of chlorine levels in Israel's water system by Iranian hackers, underscore the growing threat. The use of proxy cyber gangs by states like Iran and Russia complicates attribution and response, as these groups blur the lines between criminal activity and state-sponsored attacks.

Key Reforms Proposed to Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity

Key Reforms Proposed to Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity

A new op-ed outlines ten key reforms aimed at closing cybersecurity gaps in the United States. The proposed measures emphasize the need for collaboration between government and private sectors, prioritizing the security of critical infrastructure, and adopting memory-safe programming languages. The reforms also advocate for the use of formal methods to enhance software security, the establishment of zero trust architectures, and the improvement of data resilience. Additionally, the op-ed suggests proactive threat hunting and the creation of regional resilience districts to manage cybersecurity risks. The authors highlight the importance of leveraging emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to bolster both offensive and defensive cybersecurity capabilities.