WhatsApp banned on US House of Representatives devices
Meta Platforms
' WhatsApp messaging service has been banned from all U.S. House of Representatives devices, according to a memo sent to all House staff on Monday.
The notice said the "Office of
Cybersecurity
has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored
data encryption
, and potential security risks involved with its use."
The memo, from the chief administrative officer, recommended using other messaging apps, including Microsoft Corp's Teams platform, Amazon.com's Wickr, Signal, and Apple's iMessage and FaceTime.
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Meta disagreed with the move "in the strongest possible terms," a company spokesperson said, noting that the platform provides a higher level of security than the other approved apps.
In January, a WhatsApp official said Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions had targeted scores of its users, including journalists and members of civil society.
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The House has banned other apps from staff devices in the past, including the short video app TikTok in 2022 due to security issues.
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Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ceasefire in Words, Missiles in Air: Rising tensions between Israel and Iran threaten India's billion-dollar Middle East trade
Despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran, the two warring sides continue to trade deadly missiles targeting each other's cities. This has put the Indian trading community in a state of uncertainty regarding the fate of their shipments into the region, which is a market for the country. Traders say that with Iran now launching rockets—most recently the attack on the Al Udeid base in Qatar—the situation remains volatile and uncertain for them. 'Freight costs are going up—now by 20-25% for all major trading destinations. For the Gulf (Jebel Ali port of Dubai), a 40-ft container shipment, which was previously $50, now costs $550. And it's not just Dubai; this holds true for all neighbouring ports,' says Ghaziabad-based home textile exporter Ananat Srivastava , describing the acute toll on his Middle East-bound shipments in the wake of the widening Iran-Israel conflict. Even before the US bombed key Iranian nuclear sites, Srivastava, who is also Director of the Home Textile Exporters Association, says Indian traders were already facing disruptions. 'Lots of apparel and home textile products go to Israel. Transit time has increased by 30%, and freight rates are up by 50%. Vessel planning for containers has gone haywire. When the vessel will arrive, nobody knows. This applies to all routes, including Europe and the US, and holds particularly true in the case of the Middle East. Whatever schedule I get from the forwarder or vessel, it's now showing a delay of 2-3 weeks.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ödeme? Dieses simple Haushaltsmittel reduziert Flüssigkeit Venen Kompass Weiterlesen Undo According to Srivastava, Israel-bound shipments are facing highly erratic port scheduling. He notes that shipping lines are no longer able to provide reliable schedules. Another key point he highlights is that while freight costs have increased, insurance costs remain unchanged. The reason: war and war-related damages are not covered under any policy. Rajat Mehra, Co-convenor of the CII UP MSME Panel and Director at Rajat Chemicals Industry, affirms the increase in costs, noting that in addition to sky-high freight charges, he is also witnessing significant delays. 'A consignment that the importer had assured would be shipped to us last week is now reportedly delayed by another week as of this morning,' he says. Live Events The escalation of the war is already impacting shipping freight rates and insurance coverage for shipments, according to Sumit Jain, Managing Director of New Delhi-based Kanin Originals, an MSME manufacturing cotton garments. As things escalate further, the burden of increased supply chain costs will have to be borne by traders and end consumers, he cautions. 'A lot of India's exports move via Dubai's free zones, which serve as warehousing hubs for the Middle East, Africa, and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nations. Traders catering to Gulf-bound markets are bound to suffer a blow due to this disruption. Any potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz will also cripple energy supply lines, particularly oil, used by Indian firms,' Jain adds. India's strategic trade ties with the region India's bilateral trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Iran, and Israel accounts for a significant share of its global trade . In FY 2024-25, India-GCC bilateral trade reached $178.56 billion, accounting for 15.4% of India's total global trade. The UAE is India's top GCC trading partner, followed by Saudi Arabia, with both countries contributing the bulk of this trade through energy imports, gems and jewellery, machinery, electronics, and food products. The GCC, as a bloc, is also a major source of foreign direct investment into India. Trade with Iran, though diminished by sanctions, remains important. India was the third-largest importer of Iranian goods in 2023, with exports to Iran, mainly basmati rice, bananas, soya meal, Bengal gram, and tea, totalling $1.24 billion in FY 2025. Imports from Iran have sharply declined since 2019 due to US sanctions, but Iran remains a strategic partner, especially for agricultural exports and as a transit hub through the Chabahar Port. With Israel, India's trade has grown steadily, reaching $6.53 billion in FY 2024 (excluding defence), with India exporting $4.53 billion worth of goods (including chemicals, machinery, and agricultural products) and importing $2 billion in high-tech, electronics, and defence-related items. India is now Israel's second-largest trading partner in Asia and seventh globally. Shipping companies forecast cost increases With Iran's parliament approving the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a new worry point has emerged for the Indian trading community. This is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints for global trade, especially for energy supplies. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil—about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption—pass through the Strait every day, making it the single most important route for seaborne oil exports. About 60-65% of India's crude oil imports transit through Hormuz, making energy security the most vulnerable sector. Disruptions would drive up oil and LNG prices, increase shipping and insurance costs, and trigger inflation across the Indian economy. Sectors heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy—refining, chemicals, fertilisers, and transport—would be directly hit. Additionally, agricultural exports to Iran (notably basmati rice, bananas, and tea) are already being affected, with large consignments stranded at ports due to payment and shipping disruptions. Overall, any escalation would cascade through India's trade with the entire West Asian region, impacting both energy and non-energy sectors. Hector Patel, Chief Operating Officer–Sea, at Jeena and Company, is of the view that oil shipments may need to be re-routed, and international shipping lanes could be severely disrupted if tensions rise. 'While only 2-3% of global container volumes pass through the Strait of Hormuz waterway, a direct container market impact would primarily affect the Middle East. This will affect the redirection of transshipment volumes, particularly impacting Dubai's Port of Jebel Ali, the busiest hub in the Gulf. This could cause congestion in alternative South Asian ports and elevate freight rates.' Jitendra Srivastava, CEO of Triton Logistics & Maritime, is of the view that the escalating Israel-Iran tensions are driving a sharp surge in marine insurance premiums and disrupting lifeline shipping routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. 'It can double insurance rates for a Rs 50 crore bulk cargo shipment from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh when war risk cover is needed to transit through risk-prone zones such as the Red Sea. Regular marine premiums are 0.3% of cargo value, of which war risk is 0.1%. This rise in insurance costs, combined with greater security risk, is compelling freight rates to jump by 30–50% as shipping lines transfer costs to customers.' According to Srivastava, countries such as India, with extensive trade links with West Asia, are facing higher logistics costs and supply chain disruption risks. 'Exporters are now using alternative, longer routes to avoid risk zones, adding once more to transit time and cost.' Notably, ratings agency Crisil has cautioned that a prolonged or escalating conflict, especially if it disrupts energy supplies, could aggravate risks, raise inflation, and pressure margins in oil-dependent sectors. Energy-intensive sectors and those with exposure to global shipping and insurance costs should be monitored closely for any escalation or supply chain disruptions, it stated in its latest report.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Intelligence leaders are set to brief Congress on Trump's Iran strikes
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Members of Congress will hear directly from President Donald Trump 's intelligence leaders Tuesday, receiving classified briefings just three days after Trump directed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and a day after Iran struck a US base in briefings also come the day after Trump proclaimed on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed that there will be an "Official END" of their in Congress, along with some Republicans, have questions about Trump's unilateral decision to launch military action, arguing he should have come to Congress for approval - or at least provided more justification for the attacks."We expect them to explain to the American people what were the results in terms of actually thwarting Iran's capacity to become a nuclear power and what are the Trump administration's plans to avoid another potentially disastrous war in the Middle East, where thousands of American lives are potentially at risk," said House Democratic Leader Hakeem separate briefings for the House and Senate will be led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, along with Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and deputy secretaries of state Christopher Landau and Steve meetings could turn contentious as many lawmakers feel they have been left in the dark on what led to the strikes and amid escalating tensions between the White House and Congress over the role of the United States internationally - disagreements that don't always fall along party have been generally suspicious of Trump's strategy, and his motives abroad, but some believe the U.S. could have a role in supporting Israel against Iran. Others strongly believe the U.S. should stay out of of Trump's strongest Republican supporters agree with the Democrats, echoing his earlier arguments against "forever wars." But many others in the party enthusiastically backed the strikes, saying he should have the power to act on his own."President Trump deserves all the credit," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., after Trump said there would be a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. "This is what peace through strength looks like."Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, suggested in a post on X that Trump should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., posted: "Historic! The President of Peace!"Democrats said they would be looking for more information about the ceasefire that Trump claimed on social media. Israel and Iran did not immediately acknowledge any Iran's retaliation on the U.S. base in Qatar on Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he wanted an additional classified briefing "laying out the full threat picture, the intelligence behind Iran's retaliation, and the details, scope, and timeline of any US. response."Senate Democrats are also forcing a vote as soon as this week on a resolution by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., requiring congressional approval for specific military action in Iran."You have a debate like this so that the entire American public, whose sons and daughters are in the military and whose lives will be at risk in war, get to see the debate and reach their own conclusion together with the elected officials about whether the mission is worth it or not," Kaine said between the White House and Congress about Iran has been limited for most members. Trump sent congressional leaders a short letter Monday serving as his official notice of the strikes, two days after the bombs said the attacks were "limited in scope and purpose" and "designed to minimize casualties, deter future attacks and limit the risk of escalation."Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, said he wants to ask the intelligence officials what they know about the damage done by the bombings, and how successful they were."There's a reason why the Constitution requires the Congress to be informed and the president to seek approval in beginning a war, which is the founders thought that the people should have a say, that the president shouldn't act alone," Blumenthal said.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Taiwan's China Airlines postpones retirement of older planes due to Boeing 787 delays
Taiwan 's China Airlines is postponing the retirement of some of its older aircraft due to delays in getting Boeing 787-9 jets that may result in compensation payments from the planemaker, the carrier's newly appointed chairman said. Taiwan's oldest airline , established in 1959, is in the midst of a fleet renewal, last year splitting an order for new long-haul aircraft worth almost $12 billion at list prices between Boeing and European rival Airbus. China Airlines has also ordered 24 Boeing 787s for regional and some longer-distance routes, including 18 787-9s and six of the stretched 787-10 variant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chi phí cấy ghép răng là bao nhiêu vào năm 2025 (kiểm tra giá) Cấy ghép răng | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But Chairman George Kao said China Airlines' fleet renewal plan to replace ageing Airbus A330s and Boeing 737-800s with 787-9s and A321neos was being hit by delays in getting new aircraft delivered, especially the 787-9s. "We are at present being greatly impacted. Some aircraft that were scheduled to be phased out, or handed back at the end of their lease, as some are leased, will remain and have their leases extended," he told Reuters in an interview at the airline's headquarters in Taoyuan, home to Taiwan's main international airport. Live Events Boeing has not given China Airlines an exact timeframe for the 787-9 delays, though it has said deliveries will "basically" start from the end of 2025, added Kao, a pilot by training who started out as a flight attendant and became chairman in March. "This is written into the contract," he said, when asked whether China Airlines would seek compensation. "For example, if it's in the supply chain , the responsibility is Boeing's, and Boeing has to provide some compensation. But if it's not, then there is no compensation. It's all recorded in the contract." Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Other airlines are facing similar issues. International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh, whose group represents airlines globally, this month called predictions of aircraft delivery delays throughout this decade "off-the-chart unacceptable". Still, Kao was upbeat about expansion plans, pointing to the more fuel-efficient 777-9s and A350-1000s ordered last year that will enable more capacity to be added to routes like New York and London, and a new third terminal at Taoyuan airport, the first section of which is expected to open later this year. He signalled further aircraft additions ahead for subsidiary Mandarin Airlines , which flies almost exclusively domestic routes with ATR-72 turboprops and is getting a revamp to focus on regional routes from southern and central Taiwan with new jet aircraft. "I can talk about this with aircraft lessors," he said, without disclosing the jet models it could add. "We have this plan, to let Mandarin Airlines grow up." China Airlines faces competition at home not only from long-established rival EVA Air but also rapidly growing Starlux Airlines, which last week placed an order for 10 more A350s. Kao said while the Taiwan market itself was small, transit traffic, which all three airlines are focusing on, meant supporting three full-service airlines was not an issue. Seoul's Incheon airport is too big, meaning passengers can get lost, Tokyo's landing fees are too expensive and Hong Kong has "political issues", whereas Taoyuan airport's new terminal will greatly improve the travel experience, he said. "Our passengers are not all Taiwanese; many are transit. Because Taiwan's location, connecting the Pacific to all of Asia, is really very convenient."
