Latest news with #diplomaticsecurity
Al Jazeera
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Microsoft accuses Russia's FSB of using malware against foreign embassies
Microsoft has accused one of the Russian government's premier cyber-espionage units of deploying malware against embassies and diplomatic organisations in Moscow by leveraging local internet service providers. In a blog post on Thursday, Microsoft Threat Intelligence said the campaign by Russia's Federal Security Service, also known as the FSB, 'has been ongoing since at least 2024'. The effort 'poses a high risk to foreign embassies, diplomatic entities, and other sensitive organizations operating in Moscow, particularly to those entities who rely on local internet providers', Microsoft said. The analysis confirms for the first time that the FSB is conducting cyber-espionage at the ISP level, according to Microsoft's findings. 'This means that diplomatic personnel using local ISP or telecommunications services in Russia are highly likely targets of [the campaign] within those services,' the blog post reads. Microsoft tracked an alleged FSB cyber-espionage campaign that in February targeted unnamed foreign embassies in Moscow. The FSB activity facilitates the installation of custom backdoors on targeted computers, which can be used to install additional malware, as well as steal data, Microsoft said. The findings come amid increasing pressure from Washington for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in its war in Ukraine and pledges from NATO countries to increase defence spending surrounding their own concerns about Russia. Microsoft did not say which embassies were targeted by the FSB campaign. The US Department of State, as well as Russian diplomats, did not respond to requests for comment from the Reuters news agency. Russia has denied carrying out cyber-espionage operations. There was no immediate comment from Moscow on Microsoft's report on Thursday. The hacking unit linked to the activity, which Microsoft tracks as 'Secret Blizzard' and others categorise as 'Turla', has been hacking governments, journalists and others for nearly 20 years, the US government said in May 2023.
Al Arabiya
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Croatian consul and wife injured in Iran strikes on Tel Aviv
Croatia's consul in Israel and his wife were lightly injured in Iran's missile strikes on Tel Aviv, Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Saturday. 'I am shaken by the news that our consul and his wife were injured in the attack on Tel Aviv. The building they live in was hit,' he said on X, formerly Twitter. 'I spoke with them and, fortunately, their injuries are minor and they are not in any life-threatening condition.' Grlic Radman added that his ministry was in constant contact with the Croatian embassy in Israel and was taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its staff. 'We strongly condemn attacks on civilians and diplomatic facilities. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,' Grlic Radman said. Israel on Friday launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, hitting scores of targets across the country, including nuclear and military sites and residential buildings. Iran said 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in the first wave of Israeli strikes. Iran retaliated with barrages of drones and missile at Israel, killing three people and wounding dozens.
Sky News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Trump team will worry about Washington attacker being glorified
Why you can trust Sky News There are multiple layers to this shocking act of extreme violence. The presence of the US attorney general at a midnight news conference is a clear indication of the Trump administration's shock and swift reaction. Pam Bondi had already visited the scene of the attack. The president himself was quick to comment on social media, calling it out as antisemitism and saying: "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA." There will be immediate questions for the US authorities about the security of Israeli diplomats. The shooting happened in the downtown area of DC, not far from the FBI field office and the FBI headquarters. The two victims are understood to be junior aides and so probably not considered particular targets. But the shooting will prompt a fresh look at diplomatic security arrangements. A video has emerged online said to show the gunman calmly shouting "free free Palestine" as he was detained by museum security. 2:48 Pro-Palestinian protests have been intense on college campuses, outside embassies and elsewhere; the Israeli embassy in Washington has been a particular focus of protesters. Last year, a 25-year-old active duty US airman immolated himself in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington to protest the war in Gaza. Israel's diplomatic relations with close allies, including the UK, France and others, have become increasingly strained over the methods used in its continuing war in Gaza. Authorities will also be braced for how this incident plays in the days ahead. There will be a concern within the Trump administration that this man's actions will be given some glorification in parts of society, mainly online, in the same way Luigi Mangione became not just infamous but famous for allegedly shooting dead a healthcare executive in protest of corporate greed. Expect prompt condemnation from the White House of any such glorification. There is also a deeply tragic twist to this shooting. The two young victims were a couple and were due to travel to Jerusalem in the days ahead to become engaged.
Sky News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Concerns Israeli embassy staff shooting could be glorified in same way as Luigi Mangione
Why you can trust Sky News There are multiple layers to this shocking act of extreme violence. The presence of the US attorney general at a midnight news conference is a clear indication of the Trump administration's shock and swift reaction. Pam Bondi had already visited the scene of the attack. The president himself was quick to comment on social media, calling it out as antisemitism and saying: "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA." There will be immediate questions for the US authorities about the security of Israeli diplomats. The shooting happened in the downtown area of DC, not far from the FBI field office and the FBI headquarters. The two victims are understood to be junior aides and so probably not considered particular targets. But the shooting will prompt a fresh look at diplomatic security arrangements. A video has emerged online said to show the gunman calmly shouting "free free Palestine" as he was detained by museum security. 2:48 Pro-Palestinian protests have been intense on college campuses, outside embassies and elsewhere; the Israeli embassy in Washington has been a particular focus of protesters. Last year, a 25-year-old active duty US airman immolated himself in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington to protest the war in Gaza. Israel's diplomatic relations with close allies, including the UK, France and others, have become increasingly strained over the methods used in its continuing war in Gaza. Authorities will also be braced for how this incident plays in the days ahead. There will be a concern within the Trump administration that this man's actions will be given some glorification in parts of society, mainly online, in the same way Luigi Mangione became not just infamous but famous for allegedly shooting dead a healthcare executive in protest of corporate greed. Expect prompt condemnation from the White House of any such glorification. There is also a deeply tragic twist to this shooting. The two young victims were a couple and were due to travel to Jerusalem in the days ahead to become engaged. I've been in touch with contacts at the Israeli embassy where the entire team is in shock and reeling at the loss of two of their own on the streets of Washington.
Al Arabiya
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
China voices concern for diplomatic security after Israeli troops gunfire in West Bank
China said on Thursday it firmly opposes actions that threaten the safety and security of diplomatic personnel following reports of Israeli soldiers opening fire near a diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank. China also urged relevant parties, particularly Israel, not to take 'escalatory moves,' spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press conference, saying that China was closely monitoring the incident.
