International
Microsoft details Iran’s cyber operations to influence the US elections.
The American technology company Microsoft detailed this Friday in a report its latest findings on the cyber operations of the Iranian Government to influence the presidential elections of next November in the United States.
In the report, called ´Iran advances in the 2024 elections with cybernetically facilitated influence operations´, the company indicates that it has seen that activity in Tehran in the last three electoral cycles in the United States and “in recent months.”
Iranian operations are distinguished from Russian ones “because they appear later in the electoral season and use cyberattacks more inclined to electoral conduct than to influence voters,” explains the company, which also details activities of Russia and China.
Specifically, Iran has “laid the foundations” to make campaigns of influence on hot issues of the elections and has activated them to generate controversy among voters, “especially in hinge states”, key because they can lean towards one party or another.
For example, he cites websites “that pretend to be news” and that are “actively” attracting groups of voters at the extremes of the American political spectrum “with polarizing messages about presidential candidates, LGTBI rights or the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The group behind that activity, called Storm-2035, is part of a broad campaign that has been operating since at least 2020 and has a dozen undercover news websites that target audiences that speak French, Spanish, Arabic and English with social and political content, the report says.
Those false media, among which he cites EvenPolitics and Nio Thinker, use artificial intelligence (AI) and plagiarize part of their content from the country’s publications.
Another group, the company suggests, “could be preparing for even more extreme activities” such as intimidation or incitement of violence against political figures to induce chaos, “undermine the authorities and sow doubt about the integrity of the elections.”
It also cites a third group linked to the Revolutionary Guard that carried out “phishing” or phishing in emails in a presidential campaign, and a fourth group that hacked the account of a county official in a hinge state.
In its corporate blog, Microsoft explains that its objective in publishing the reports is to “underline the importance of combating ‘deepfakes’ (manipulated audiovisual material) and promoting education and learning about possible foreign interference.”
International
Trump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to halt federal funding for two public media outlets, PBS television and NPR radio, accusing them of being biased.
NPR and PBS are partially funded by American taxpayers but rely heavily on private donations.
Trump has long maintained a hostile relationship with most media outlets, which he has referred to as the “enemy of the people.”
An exception is the conservative Fox News channel, some of whose hosts have played important roles in the administration of the Republican magnate.
“National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB),” Trump said.
“Therefore, I direct the CPB board and all executive departments and agencies to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS,” he added.
The Republican leader argued that “neither of these entities provides a fair, accurate, or impartial portrayal of current events to the taxpayer citizens.”
At the end of March, Donald Trump called on Congress to end public funding for these two “horrible and completely biased networks.”
International
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.
The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.
An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.
Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.
Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.
Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.
Internacionales
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.
In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.
Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.
Trump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS
Nicaragua plummets to 172nd in RSF World Press Freedom Index
Lautaro Martínez doubtful for UCL semifinal second leg after thigh injury
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International4 days agoColombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International4 days agoConclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International5 days agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International4 days agoSpain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International5 days agoKing Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
International4 days agoMexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International4 days agoMadrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International2 days agoVatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International2 days agoKristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
-
Internacionales21 hours agoClashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
-
International21 hours agoMan arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
-
International3 hours agoTrump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS
-
Central America3 hours agoNicaragua plummets to 172nd in RSF World Press Freedom Index
-
Sports3 hours agoLautaro Martínez doubtful for UCL semifinal second leg after thigh injury