Internet

Andrea Ngombet remembers the moment he saw the internet go dark from afar. It was March 2016, and presidential elections in the Republic of the Congo were underway. Ngombet, an outspoken Congolese human rights advocate who lives abroad, was monitoring the situation from his home base in France, checking in regularly with democracy activists on the ground. Then, suddenly, his contacts’ internet and mobile connections went dead and their communication came to a halt. He knew their tenuous virtual connection had flickered out. After the digital blackout, Ngombet held his breath for updates — to make sure “everyone was ok, not arrested, or, worse, killed.” When he finally heard back from everyone, he felt a rush of relief. “It was a blur,” he recalls of their time in the digital dark. Five years later, Ngombet has similar concerns about the vulnerability of the country’s internet and mobile networks as it heads into another presidential election. Non-military voters ... » Learn More about Digital rights activists fear internet blackouts as voting kicks off in the Republic of the Congo

SEOUL: A North Korean hacking group known as Kimsuky broke into the network of South Korea's state-run nuclear think tank last month, the latest in a series of cyberattacks by the North, a South Korean lawmaker said on Friday (Jun 18). The breach of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) took place on May 14 involving 13 Internet addresses including one traced to Kimsuky, said Ha Tae-keung, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, citing an analysis by Seoul-based cybersecurity firm IssueMakersLab. Affiliated with North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau spy agency, the group had previously targeted South Korean COVID-19 vaccine developers and a state-run nuclear reactor operator, among others. "The incident could pose serious security risks if any core information was leaked to North Korea, as KAERI is the country's largest think tank studying nuclear technology including reactors and fuel rods," Ha said in a statement. North Korea has been ... » Learn More about North Korea hackers target South Korea nuclear think tank

Thailand- The fourth phase of Thailand opening and unlocking closed and restricted businesses that were shut due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation officially takes effect today across the country. According to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, spokesperson Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, with the implementation of this phase of easing restrictions 95% of the overall businesses in the country are now approved to open by the Thai government. Borders and inbound international traffic, except for rare exceptions like Thai nationals being repatriated from overseas and foreigners with work permits, are still closed. Enjoy our real, local, self written news? Consider a small donation to support our independent local journalism and keep us writing. Notably, nightlife related venues like bars, pubs, nightclubs, karaokes, entertainment venues and similar places remain closed, despite the lifting of the national curfew yesterday evening. Some other ... » Learn More about Phase Four of Thailand’s unlocking closed businesses and restrictions starts today