Posts by Riah Stelmack
China approved more than 90 per cent of overseas data transfers in 2024: top regulator
China approved more than 90 per cent of data exports in 2024, the country’s top internet regulator said. The less than 10 per cent blocked were either deemed as unnecessary or did not meet security standards, according to the update from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). “Most projects failed the assessment primarily because the…
Read MoreChina Introduces New Forex Rules To Tighten Crypto Oversight and Target Illegal Cross-Border Transactions
China Introduces New Forex Rules To Tighten Crypto Oversight and Target Illegal Cross-Border Transactions On Dec. 31, 2024, China’s foreign exchange regulator announced new rules aimed at tightening oversight of cryptocurrency activities. These rules require banks to monitor and report risky trades, including those involving digital assets like Bitcoin. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange…
Read MoreRussia just lost one of its weirdest wartime income streams
Even while at war, Ukraine has been piping gas for Russia to European customers. But that arrangement, which dates back to the fall of the Soviet Union, has now expired. Russia was estimated to rake in $5 billion in 2024 from the gas transits, with Ukraine getting up to $1 billion. Russia is no longer…
Read MoreThe new Great Wall: China’s $70 billion, 2,700-mile water transfer mega-project
Throughout history, China has reshaped its geography to meet its growing needs. And now, it is undertaking what may be the largest infrastructure project ever, the South-North Water Transfer Project. This ambitious initiative aims to redistribute billions of cubic meters of water annually across one of the world’s largest countries, spanning 2,700 miles. To understand…
Read MoreUkraine ends transit of Russian gas to Europe in ‘historic event’
The transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe has been suspended as planned, authorities said on New Year’s Day. Russia’s Gazprom has no legal or technical means to pump gas through Ukraine after Kiev allowed the existing contract to expire on Wednesday, the company wrote on Telegram. Transit has therefore been suspended since 6…
Read MoreOver 1,000 pounds of space debris crash in south Kenya village
MAKUENI COUNTY, Kenya – Investigations are ongoing as southern Kenya experienced falling debris from the sky around 3 p.m. on Monday. Fragments of space debris fell within a village in Makueni County, Kenya. The object was determined to be a separation ring from a rocket, weighing over 1,000 pounds and eight feet in diameter. A…
Read MoreAlmost 1,000 cars set ablaze during New Year celebrations in France
Despite nearly 1,000 cars being set ablaze, hundreds of thousands of people in France welcomed the New Year with largely peaceful celebrations, according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Retailleau announced late on Wednesday that 984 cars went up in flames across the country. Some 420 people were arrested, 310 of whom were taken into police…
Read MoreRussia warns of severe environmental damage as oil from damaged tankers washes up on beaches
Russian officials warned of severe environmental damage Wednesday as thousands of people came out to clean up tons of fuel oil that spilled out of two storm-stricken tankers more than two weeks ago in the Kerch Strait, near Moscow-occupied Crimea. More than 10,000 people, largely volunteers, raced to rescue wildlife and remove tons of sand…
Read MoreFCA Issues Warning on Unauthorized Meme Coin Project as Illegal Ads Persist
FCA Issues Warning on Unauthorized Meme Coin Project as Illegal Ads Persist Illegal crypto advertisements remain prevalent in the United Kingdom, even after multiple warnings issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). A recent report from the Financial Times highlighted that only 54% of the 1,702 alerts sent by the FCA between October 2023 and…
Read MoreMoldova faces energy crisis as flow of Russian gas ends
On New Year’s Day, Russian gas stopped flowing through Ukraine. Kyiv is calling it a “historic” day as its refusal to extend a transit agreement with Russia’s Gazprom has halted the return flow of cash to fund the full-scale invasion of Ukraine But in neighbouring Moldova, the move threatens to cause a crisis. Heat off…
Read MoreBrazil’s Amazon saw highest number of fires in 17 years: agency
Brazil’s Amazon rainforest experienced its highest number of fires in 17 years in 2024, government data published Wednesday showed, after the vast biome suffered months of a lengthy drought. There were 140,328 fires detected by satellite imaging over the year, according to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). That was 42 percent more than…
Read MoreFive killed in New Year accidents across Germany, hundreds arrested
Five people were killed in accidents, many others were severely injured and hundreds were arrested throughout Germany as the nation celebrated the turn of the year. The celebrations were described as largely peaceful, though severe damage was also caused by fireworks containing spherical shells. In North Rhine-Westphalia, a 24-year-old died when a firecracker exploded, while…
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