The United States, Britain and New Zealand have accused Beijing-backed cyber groups of being behind a series of attacks against lawmakers and key democratic institutions. The allegations prompted angry Chinese denials.

Washington

The United States, Britain, and New Zealand have collectively accused China-backed cyber groups of conducting a series of cyberattacks. These attacks were specifically aimed at lawmakers and significant democratic institutions within these nations. The accusations have led to strong denials from China, expressing their discontent and disagreement with the claims made by the three countries.



U.S., U.K., New Zealand accuse China of cyber attacks

Beijing stands accused of conducting a years-long campaign of hacking of Western countries, targeting politicians, journalists and businesses. The US charged seven Chinese nationals on Monday with hacking, targeting perceived critics of China and US businesses and politicians. The UK also announced sanctions against two hackers and a Chinese front company linked to the cyber espionage group APT31 for hacking the country's electoral commission. This is the latest in a clear pattern of hostile activity originating in China, including the targeting of democratic institutions and parliamentarians in the United Kingdom and beyond. Critics of China inside the British Parliament say it is time for Western countries to take the perceived Chinese threat seriously. The West has to wake up to the fact that this is a challenge to the very way that we live our lives, to our belief in democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of worship. On Tuesday, New Zealand also said another Chinese hacking group identified as APT40 was behind attacks on computers linked to its parliamentary network. Our analysis enabled us to confidently link the actor to the People's Republic of China, specifically the Ministry of State Security. This link has been reinforced by analysis from international partners of similar events in their own jurisdictions. Beijing said it had launched a march against the US and the UK in response to the allegations and urged both countries not to politicise national security issues.

The Russian and Turkish flags were lowered to mark the closure of a center set up to monitor a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, as Russian peacekeepers ended a multi-year deployment in the strategic South Caucasus region.

Baku

Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire center closes as Russia withdraws

Britain's King Charles will return to public duties next week for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer as he makes good progress following treatment and a period of recuperation, Buckingham Palace said.

London

King Charles to resume public duties after cancer diagnosis

Students blocked access to Paris' prestigious Sciences Po university over the war in Gaza on Friday (April 26), demanding the institution condemn Israel's actions, in a protest that echoed similar demonstrations on U.S. campuses.

Paris

Israel-Gaza War

Pro-Palestinian protesters still occupying Sciences Po campus

The number of people killed in floods in Kenya due to heavier than usual rainfall since the start of the monsoon in March has risen to 70, a government spokesperson said Friday. Kenya and other countries in East Africa, a region highly vulnerable to climate change, have been pounded by heavier than usual rainfall in recent weeks, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern.

Nairobi

Climate Crisis

Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70

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New York

U.S. Presidential Election

The Australian journalist caught up in Trump trial

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Council of the City of Sydney

Reserve Bank set to raise interest rates, expert predicts

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Marsden Park

Mourners farewell Bondi security guard Faraz Tahir

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U.S. Supreme Court weighs arguments on Trump immunity case

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Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned

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Jerusalem

Israel steps up airstrikes on Rafah ahead of ground operation

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Port-au-Prince

Haiti interim transition council to be sworn in

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Beirut

Israel says forces carrying out 'offensive action' in south Lebanon

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Doha

Ukraine Invasion

Russia and Ukraine to exchange dozens of displaced children

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Phoenix

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Geographe

Mass whale stranding in southwest WA

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Kokoda

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Wakeley

Teenagers face court over terrorism offences

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Sderot

U.N. calls for inquiry after unmarked graves found in Gaza

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Athens

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Thousands of veterans take part in ANZAC Day marches

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Pyongyang

North Korea delegation visits Iran in rare public trip

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Berlin

Germany to resume funding UNRWA Palestinian agency

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