US National Guard unit was 'extensively' hacked by Salt Typhoon in 2024, memo says
WASHINGTON - A U.S. state's Army National Guard network was thoroughly hacked by a Chinese cyberespionage group nicknamed "Salt Typhoon," according to a Department of Homeland Security memo.
The memo obtained by Property of the People, a national security transparency nonprofit, said the hackers "extensively compromised" the unnamed state Army National Guard's network between March and December 2024 and exfiltrated maps and "data traffic" with counterparts' networks in "every other US state and at least four US territories."
The National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security's cyber defense arm, CISA, did not immediately return messages. News of the memo was first reported by NBC News.
Salt Typhoon has emerged as one of the top concerns of American cyber defhen Coatesenders. U.S. officials allege that the hacking group is doing more than just gathering intelligence; it is prepositioning itself to paralyze U.S. critical infrastructure in case of a conflict with China. Beijing has repeatedly denied being behind the intrusions.
The memo, which said it drew on reporting from the Pentagon, said that Salt Typhoon's success in compromising states' Army National Guard networks nationwide "could undermine local cybersecurity efforts to protect critical infrastructure," in part because such units are often "integrated with state fusion centers responsible for sharing threat information—including cyber threats." REUTERS
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Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- Straits Times
'Japanese First' party shakes up election with alarm over foreigners
FILE PHOTO: Sanseito Secretary General Sohei Kamiya speaks during a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2025. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo TOKYO - An upstart party is gaining support ahead of elections in Japan by railing against a 'silent invasion' of immigrants, pushing the government to tackle fears about foreigners as it drags into the mainstream rhetoric once confined to the political fringe. Birthed on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party, Sanseito, is widening its appeal with a 'Japanese First' campaign ahead of Sunday's upper house vote. And while polls show it may only secure 10 to 15 of the 125 seats up for grabs, it is further eroding the support of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's shaky minority government increasingly beholden to opposition parties as it clings to power. "In the past, anyone who brought up immigration would be attacked by the left. We are getting bashed too, but are also gaining support," Sohei Kamiya, the party's 47-year-old charismatic leader, told Reuters in an interview. "The LDP and Komeito can't stay silent if they want to keep their support," Kamiya added, referring to Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for most of the past seven decades, and its junior coalition partner. Kamiya's message has grabbed voters frustrated with a weak economy and currency that has lured tourists in record numbers in recent years, further driving up prices that Japanese can ill-afford, political analysts say. The fast-ageing society has also seen foreign-born residents hit a record of about 3.8 million last year, although that is still just 3% of the total population, a tiny fraction compared to numbers in the United States and Europe. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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It remains to be seen whether he can follow the path of other far-right parties with which he has drawn comparisons, such as Germany's AFD and Reform UK. Yet the ingredients are there, said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Tokyo's Kanda university who has studied Japan's right-wing politics, pointing to their online following, appeal among young men and warnings about immigration eroding indigenous cultures. "Anti-foreign sentiment that was considered maybe taboo to talk about so openly is now out of the box," he added. With immigration emerging as a top election issue, Ishiba this week unveiled a new government taskforce to fight "crimes and disorderly conduct" by foreign nationals and his party has promised to pursue "zero illegal foreigners". Polls show Ishiba's ruling coalition is likely to lose its majority in the upper house vote, in a repeat of elections last year in the more powerful lower house. While he is expected to limp on, his government may have to broaden its coalition or strike deals with other parties on policy matters, analysts say. 'HOT-BLOODED' Kamiya, who won the party's first seat in 2022 after having gained notoriety for appearing to call for Japan's emperor to take concubines, has tried to tone down some controversial ideas formerly embraced by the party. His election manifesto, for example, includes plans to cut taxes and increase child benefits, policies promoted by a raft of opposition parties that led investors to fret about Japan's fiscal health and massive debt pile. While Sanseito is the latest in a string of small far-right parties that have struggled for a foothold in Japan's staid politics, its online support suggests it may have staying power. Its YouTube channel has 400,000 followers, more than any other party on the platform and three times that of the LDP, according to There are still hurdles. Like right-wing parties in the U.S. and Europe, Sanseito support skews heavily toward men in their twenties and thirties. Kamiya is trying to widen its appeal by fielding several female candidates such as the single-named singer Saya seen as likely to clinch a seat in Tokyo. Earlier in the campaign, Kamiya faced a backlash for branding gender equality policies a mistake, as they encourage women to work and keep them from having children. "Maybe because I am hot-blooded, that resonates more with men," Kamiya replied to a question on the party's greater appeal to men. REUTERS
AsiaOne
14 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
Ukraine celebrates Trump's weapons reversal, but the 'devil's in the details', World News
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has finally found a way to like arming Ukraine: ask European allies to donate their weapons, and sell them American replacements. Now comes the hard part — agreeing on who will actually give up their prized systems, including the Patriot missile batteries that Kyiv has been desperately seeking. "We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to Nato," Trump said in the Oval Office on Monday. Some Patriot missile defence systems should arrive in Ukraine "within days," added Trump, who faces resistance from some high-profile figures in the MAGA movement who oppose US support for Ukraine. The costly Patriot systems — in high demand among US allies — have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles aimed at Ukraine's cities. The US has also signalled willingness under the proposed arrangement with European allies to send additional offencive weapons, said one source familiar with the matter, though Trump has said that Ukraine should refrain from attacking Moscow. The plan, which Trump and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte hatched in recent days, according to two sources familiar with the discussions, has been received positively by Ukraine and its allies. Leaders in Kyiv and elsewhere have celebrated a major tonal shift from Trump, who had until recent weeks spoken glowingly of Russian President Vladimir Putin. But since the announcement, it has become clear Trump presented a framework — not a fleshed-out plan. How material any support ends up being for Ukraine will depend on coming negotiations about who provides which equipment, according to 10 officials in the US and Europe. "As always with these things, the devil is in the details," said one northern European ambassador in Washington. The central question is who would donate the Patriot batteries, and when. Spare a patriot? During his Oval Office meeting with Trump on Monday, Rutte mentioned six Nato countries — Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada — that were willing to participate in the weapons-purchasing scheme. High-ranking sources at two of those countries' embassies in the US told Reuters they personally learnt of the plan as it was announced. Even close US allies appeared to learn of the proposal in real time. "It is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance, and I also suspect that internally in the administration they are only now beginning to sort out what it means in practice," said a separate European ambassador. Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to Nato, said Trump found a way to balance support for Ukraine with the political realities of the Republican Party. Having the European allies underwrite US arms supplies is "very consistent with what he (Trump) said during the campaign," he said. Throughout the campaign, Trump said he would push European countries to spend more on defence, to great applause from MAGA crowds. "You gotta pay," he said. "If they're not going to pay, we're not going to protect, ok?" Volker said Ukraine could ultimately receive 12 to 13 Patriot batteries but it could take a year for them all to be delivered. Asked for comment, a Nato official said the defence alliance would coordinate weapons deliveries through a mechanism known as the Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, a Nato mission located in Germany that is responsible for coordinating Western military aid for Kyiv. "Several European countries have already committed to support this initiative including Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada and Finland," the official said. "Details are still under discussion." In response to a request for comment, the Pentagon referred Reuters to Trump's Monday remarks announcing his agreement with Rutte. The White House did not respond to a request for comment, nor did the Ukrainian or Russian embassies in Washington. 'We are ready' The rapid hardening of Trump's rhetoric toward Moscow in recent weeks has come amid an increasingly firm belief that Putin is not engaging in good-faith negotiations, according to two US officials. "At a certain point, you know, ultimately talk doesn't talk. It's got to be action. It's got to be results," Trump said during his meeting with Rutte on Monday. One of the officials said Trump came to realise that Putin's ambitions extend beyond Crimea and four eastern regions of Ukraine, a point Kyiv and European allies have publicly and frequently made. Three Russian sources close to the Kremlin said Putin will not stop the war under pressure from the West and believe that Russia — which has survived the toughest sanctions imposed by the West — can endure further economic hardship, including Trump's Monday threat to impose US tariffs targeting buyers of Russian oil. Now, three US officials involved in weapons matters said, the real work begins. US officials are now talking with Nato allies and gauging who is willing to send what to Ukraine. European officials have been broadly receptive. "We are ready to participate," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of European Union ministers. [[nid:720198]] One official cited Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain as good candidates to send a Patriot battery to Kyiv, either because they had multiple batteries or the threats they face are relatively remote. Some, including Greece and Spain, have previously resisted appeals from allies to give some of their Patriot systems to Ukraine, arguing that they are essential to defend their own countries and Nato as a whole. Trump's move to take credit for the additional weapons headed to Ukraine has created some mild friction in Europe. "If we pay for these weapons, it's our support," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking after the Brussels meeting, adding that she welcomed Trump's decision. "So it's European support, and we are doing as much as we can to help Ukraine... If you promise to give the weapons, but say that somebody else is going to pay for it, it's not really given by you, is it?" One of the officials said that the Trump administration has been going through Nato inventories to see what's available. Their next effort is to attempt to persuade the allies to gift the equipment to Ukraine in exchange for a "trade" of some sort, the official said. The trade could be a variety of things, the official said, including giving up an impending acceptance of a piece of military equipment through the Foreign Military Sales programme, or sending munitions to Ukraine in exchange for an earlier replenishment date. Trump told reporters there was one country with 17 Patriots, some of which would go directly to Ukraine. The figure has caused widespread confusion among European allies and on Capitol Hill — many of whom have not been briefed — according to the US and European officials. No Nato member except the US has that number of Patriot systems, said two sources familiar with the matter, causing speculation that Trump may have been referring to particular Patriot components, like launchers or missiles. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who visited the Pentagon on Monday, said the Germans would discuss sending Patriot batteries to Ukraine with the US in the coming days or weeks. But no Patriot system would arrive in Kyiv for months, he said, likely delaying any receipt until after the tactically crucial summer months. Another official said Trump was engaged directly in negotiations, though talks so far were "squishy." "So far folks have said, 'We can help,'" that official said. "Now, what that means, we don't know." [[nid:720234]]
Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business Times
Indonesia bends to Trump's trade terms to avoid 32% tariff blow
[JAKARTA] In a move that underscores the bargaining power of the US under President Donald Trump's trade-first agenda, Indonesia has agreed to eliminate tariffs on American goods and commit to billions in US purchases in exchange for reduced tariffs on its own exports. The deal, which has helped South-east Asia's largest economy avoid a major trade setback, will see the US reduce tariffs on Indonesian exports from a threatened 32 per cent to 19 per cent. Earlier this month, Vietnam also reached a deal with Washington that lowered tariffs on its exports to 20 per cent; in return, it granted the US tariff-free access to its market. While the agreement secures Indonesia's continued access to the US market, analysts warn the deal is heavily skewed in favour of the US, requiring significant trade-offs. David Sumual, chief economist at Bank Central Asia, described the deal as 'a necessary compromise' to preserve Indonesia's competitiveness in the US market. The 19 per cent tariff is just below Vietnam's 20 per cent and Bangladesh's 35 per cent, two key rivals in major export sectors such as textiles, footwear and apparel. 'What matters most is preserving jobs at home,' Sumual said. 'Indonesia's labour-intensive industries rely heavily on the US market.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Under the deal, announced by Trump on Truth Social late Tuesday (July 15), apart from removing tariffs on US goods, Indonesia has also pledged to purchase US$15 billion worth of American energy products and US$4.5 billion in agricultural goods, and increase orders for Boeing aircraft. The US imposition of a 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian exports, though lower than the previously threatened 32 per cent, still marks an increase from the current baseline of around 10 per cent. Sector-specific tariff details have yet to be disclosed. The Indonesian government has yet to release an official statement, though a spokesperson from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs said a joint announcement is forthcoming. Brian Lee, economist at Maybank, said it's no surprise that the trade deals being struck by Trump are so-called 'unequal' given the US wields significant leverage given its large consumer market. 'Trump is likely in less urgency to strike additional deals given that higher US inflation has been slow to materialise and agreements had been struck to lower tariffs on China and Vietnam, the two key sources of consumer goods imports to the US,' he said. Throw a lifeline Indonesia is the second member of Asean, after Vietnam, to seal a trade deal following the White House's tariff notification letters to more than 20 countries. Trump claimed he spoke directly by phone with President Prabowo Subianto to finalise the agreement. The deal guarantees key Indonesian exports, including textiles, footwear, electronics and commodities, retaining access to the US – which is Indonesia's second-largest trading partner. Indonesia ran a US$17 billion trade surplus with the US last year. Meanwhile, the US may seek increased access to Indonesia's strategic natural resources such as copper. The concessions by Indonesia to secure continued access to the US market are sparking anxiety among local industry players. On pins and needles Redma Gita Wirawasta, chairman of the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers Association, expressed mixed feelings about the deal. 'A 19 per cent tariff is still a burden, but manageable. It helps us stay competitive, which is a relief, especially for downstream industries.' However, he warned that Indonesia's competitive edge could disappear quickly, depending on how the US finalises trade deals with other major exporters – especially China, the world's largest textile producer and exporter. 'If China secures a lower tariff than us, we'll be at a disadvantage. If their tariff is higher, we could capture some of their market share but that also brings risks, like transshipment problems or dumped Chinese goods flooding our own market.' While the trade deal provides Indonesia some relief through lower tariffs, analysts caution that the gains come with serious risks. Harry Su, managing director and research and digital production at Samuel Sekuritas, said the agreement heavily tilts in favour of the US, leaving vulnerable sectors – particularly poultry and corn – exposed to a flood of cheaper American imports. Without protective measures, he said millions of Indonesian jobs could be at stake. Indonesia is a major corn importer, with annual imports averaging around US$250 million, primarily for animal feed. These imports have placed pressure on small-scale and vulnerable local farmers, who struggle to compete with cheaper foreign corn. 'If American corn can freely enter Indonesia, our local farmers will also perish as our production costs are much higher than in the US,' he said. The Indonesian negotiation team, led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, has visited the US twice to meet with the US Trade Representative. Indonesia has pledged to address the trade imbalance by increasing purchases of American energy, cotton and wheat, as well as streamlining import licensing processes. The US highlighted Indonesia's non-tariff barriers, among other issues, as major sticking points during the negotiations. Lee from Maybank said easing barriers to US investments could be a positive for Indonesia if it improves the business environment and attracts more foreign direct investment to Indonesia over time, possibly in the strategic minerals space such as copper and nickel smelting. The timing of the deal also reflects Indonesia's attempt to secure certainty ahead of the Aug 1 deadline, while other countries, such as India and China, remain in negotiations. Lee said it may be too early to gauge the relative competitiveness of Indonesia's 19 per cent tariff compared to the US' other trading partners. Su from Samuel Sekuritas highlighted that Indonesia's new agreement with the US raises important questions about how China, its closest and largest trading partner, will perceive this shift. 'It's the elephant in the room', he added.
