The Roundup

  February 1, 2024 (Thursday) Asia Pacific 1.        Philippine Island Facing Taiwan Eyed for Next Exercises with US . An island in the northernmost Philippines is being eyed as the next location of an annual US-Philippines joint military exercise known as “Balikatan.”     2.        Hackers Linked to Chinese Govt are Targeting US Infrastructure: FBI Chief . Hackers linked to the Chinese government are targeting critical infrastructure in the United States, preparing to cause “real-world harm” to Americans, FBI Director Christopher Wray plans to tell a House of Representatives panel. Russia/Europe/West 3.        Russia Defense Minister Shoigu Urges Faster Artillery Production . Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has told military manufacturers to “stop fooling around” and further increase the production of self-propelled artillery systems. 4.        UK Lawmakers Warn Russia Skirting Oil Sanctions with ‘Shadow’ Tankers . There is “growing evidence” that Russia is using

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  World in Brief The Economist Roundup February 1, 2024 Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Meta, apologised to families of children who had suffered abuse on his company’s social-media platforms . He made his remarks during a congressional hearing over online safety in America. The heads of TikTok, Snap and X were also grilled by Democratic and Republican senators. Lawmakers are considering introducing several bills to protect children online.   The FBI said it had shut down “Volt Typhoon”, a network of Chinese hackers targeting important public infrastructure in America , including the power grid and water systems. Testifying to a congressional committee, Christopher Wray, the head of America’s intelligence agency, said the state-sponsored outfit had been preparing to “wreak havoc” in the event of a war between the two countries.   Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, urged the UN to shut down its refugee agency operations in Gaza . Israel has accused UNRWA staff of be

  World in Brief The Economist Roundup The British government published the details of a deal which could lead to the resumption of a devolved government in Northern Ireland , which has been without one for two years. The Democratic Unionist Party walked out in protest at the creation of a trade border with the rest of Britain. Under the new deal there would be no routine checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the mainland.   Germany’s annual inflation rate was 3.1% in January, down from 3.8% in December. The slowdown was driven by a decline in energy prices. The inflation rate in France also slowed to 3.4% in January, down from 4.1% in December. The figures will increase pressure on the European Central Bank to cut rates soon.   An anti-corruption court in Pakistan convicted Imran Khan of selling gifts he received when he was prime minister, from 2018 to 2022, and sentenced him to 14 years in jail. On Tuesday another court sentenced him to ten years for sharing s

  January 31, 2024 (Wednesday) Asia Pacific 1.        China Warns Against ‘Cycle of Retaliation’ after US Troops Killed in Jordan . China warned against a “cycle of retaliation” in the Middle East after the United States vowed to respond to a drone attack on a base in Jordan that killed three American troops, which it blamed on Iran-backed militants. 2.        Vietnam, Philippines Seal Deals on South China Sea Security . Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to boost cooperation among their coast guards and to prevent untoward incidents in the South China Sea, in an announcement during a state visit to Hanoi by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Russia/Europe/West 3.        Kremlin Calls for de-Escalation Following Strike on US Base . The Kremlin, asked about potential US strikes on Iranian interests, said tensions in the Middle East were high and that steps were needed to de-escalate rather than destabilize the wider region. 4.        Czech Republic to Acquire 24 F-35 Fighter Jet

  DAWN EDITORIALS January 31, 2024 (Wednesday) Day’s Vocabulary Dysentery . An intestinal infection Grotesque . a very ugly or comically distorted figure, creature, or image Elusive .        difficult to find, catch, or achieve Despicable .             deserving hatred and contempt Eking out .               to make up for the deficiencies of Concocting .           make (a dish or meal) by combining various ingredients Propped up .           lean something against something else Murkier .      dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist Lacklustre .             lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring Portentous .            a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen Palpable .     (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible Sway .             rule; control Connivance .          willingness to secretly all