logo
Chinese woman becomes third person charged under Australia's foreign interference laws

Chinese woman becomes third person charged under Australia's foreign interference laws

Washington Post20 hours ago
MELBOURNE, Australia — A Chinese citizen was charged Monday under Australia's recent foreign interference laws with covertly collecting information about an Australian Buddhist association, police said.
The woman, an Australian permanent resident based in the capital Canberra, is only the third person charged since the laws were passed in 2018 and the first to be accused of interfering with the general population, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt police said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aussies warned of $330,000 fine after 500 ants discovered in Australia Post parcels
Aussies warned of $330,000 fine after 500 ants discovered in Australia Post parcels

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Aussies warned of $330,000 fine after 500 ants discovered in Australia Post parcels

Aussies have been warned of $330,000 fines after an unprecedented number of parcels containing native insects were seized by authorities in New South Wales. Since April this year, a record 27 packages destined for foreign countries have been confiscated after the Australian Border Force and Australia Post discovered 500 ants and nine burrowing cockroaches concealed in children's toys, cushions, TicTac containers, and inside an air fryer. The insects were bound for Canada, France, and Hong Kong, where ant queens can be sold for up to AU$3,000. The Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt, said in a statement: 'It's concerning that we've seen a sharp increase in native insects being dug up from their natural habitats and smuggled overseas illegally. Anyone found to be exporting regulated native species without a permit can face up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines of up to $330,000.' Video transcript Aussies have been warned of $300,000 fines after an unprecedented number of parcels containing native insects were seized by authorities in New South Wales. Since April this year, a record 27 packages destined for foreign countries have been confiscated after the Australian Border Force and Australia Post discovered 500 ants and 9 burrowing cockroaches concealed in children's toys and cushions, tic-tac containers, and inside an air fryer. The insects were bound for Canada, France, and Hong Kong, where ant queens can be sold for up to $3000. The Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt, said in a statement, it's concerning that we've seen a sharp increase in native insects being dug up from their natural habitats and smuggled overseas illegally. Anyone found to be exporting regulated native species without a permit can face up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $330,000.

Far-right German MP's ex-aide on trial for spying for China
Far-right German MP's ex-aide on trial for spying for China

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Far-right German MP's ex-aide on trial for spying for China

A German court will on Tuesday launch the trial of two suspected spies for China, one of whom worked as an assistant to the far-right lawmaker Maximilian Krah. The German national, partially identified as Jian G., allegedly worked for Chinese intelligence from 2002, including while he was an aide to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Krah between 2019 and 2024. Jian G. is accused by prosecutors in Dresden of using that position to pass on information about debates and decisions at the European Parliament, as well as some documents deemed highly sensitive. He is also suspected of being the handler for a second alleged operative, Chinese national Yaqi X., who is accused of spying on elements of the German arms industry. Jian G. is also suspected of gathering intelligence on leading AfD politicians and spying on Chinese dissidents in Germany. This included posing as an opponent of the Chinese government on social media in order to gain contacts in the opposition scene. The second defendant, Yaqi X., worked at a company which provided Leipzig airport with logistics services and is accused of helping Jian G. access information on flights and passengers. The information she passed on focused on flights transporting defence equipment and "people with links to a German arms company". According to German media reports, she particularly targeted arms giant Rheinmetall, which is involved in making Leopard tanks and which uses Leipzig airport for cargo flights. - AfD 'power struggle' - Both defendants have been in detention since they were arrested last year. The trial could be particularly embarrassing for the AfD if it leads to the information Jian G. collected on the party becoming public. According to news weekly Der Spiegel, investigators have seized records that Jian G. kept of conversations with Krah and other AfD politicians in which they discussed the private life of party co-leader Alice Weidel and alleged power struggles with her colleague Tino Chrupalla. Krah denied to the magazine ever having discussed such matters with Jian G. Krah was the AfD's top candidate in last year's European elections, but was excluded from its delegation after comments in which he minimised the crimes of the Nazis' notorious SS. However, he was welcomed back into the AfD fold for this year's German general election and now sits as one of the party's MPs in the Bundestag. The trial is expected to last until the end of September and Krah himself has been called to appear as a witness. Krah is also being investigated by prosecutors in Dresden on suspicion of money laundering and corruption during his time as a member of the European Parliament. According to Der Spiegel, between 2019 and 2023 he received more than 50,000 euros ($57,900) in payments from firms linked to Jian G. Krah denies all wrongdoing and says the accusations against him are "politically motivated". jsk/fz/sbk

Men critically injured in worksite incident
Men critically injured in worksite incident

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Men critically injured in worksite incident

Two men have suffered critical injuries after a serious workplace incident in Sydney's northwest. Emergency crews were called to the worksite on Pennant Hills Rd near Shirley St in Carlingford at about 9am on Tuesday, following reports of a workplace incident. It is believed to have involved concrete pumping equipment. The two men were treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. One man, aged in his 40s, was taken to Westmead Hospital. The other, in his 30s, was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. NSW Police said a crime scene had been established and investigations were under way. The incident has also been referred to SafeWork NSW for further investigation. More to come.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store