An attempt by a Chinese academic to infiltrate a prestigious institution has been foiled by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). ASIO chief Mike Burgess made the revelation during a Five Eyes summit in California on Oct. 18, saying his intelligence agency “detected and disrupted” the plot in September. “The plot involved a visiting professor, a genuine academic who had also been recruited by Chinese intelligence,” Mr. Burgess said. “Their spymaster gave them money and a shopping list of intelligence requirements and sent them to Australia.” “The academic even set his PhD students research assignments in line with his intelligence requirements.” Mr. Burgess said he took a personal interest in the case upon discovering that one of the research topics was none other than himself....Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/australian-spy-agency-thwarts-espionage-attempt-by-chinese-linked-academic-5513042
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on Oct. 18, exchanging warm greetings, referring to each other as “old” and “dear” friends, hailing their deepening “political mutual trust.” Furthermore, the Russian leader commended Mr. Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its supposed role in promoting a “fairer, multi-polar world”—a new world order. At the end of the talks, Mr. Putin said at a press briefing that the three-hour meeting covered various issues, from the economy to political engagement. The discussion included “the situation in the Middle East at length,” Mr. Putin told reporters in Beijing. “I informed [Xi Jinping] about the situation in Ukraine in detail.”...
The Pentagon released footage on Tuesday of some of the more than 180 instances of Chinese military aircraft endangering U.S. planes while in international airspace over the past 2 years. Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, says such actions from the Chinese communist regime’s air force were “coercive and risky,” and that such behavior can cause accidents that can “lead to inadvertent conflict.” ...
The Middle East, Ukraine, and energy—two “no-limits” partners are due for in-depth talks in Beijing. A trade forum there is bringing together world leaders, including Taliban officials. Stanford is willing to pay the Justice Department over $1.9 million. We look at the controversy behind the settlement. Chinese fighter jets soared too close for comfort as a Canadian plane carried out a mission. Officials in Ottawa called the 15-foot near-miss “aggressive” and “unsafe.” Wealthy Chinese nationals are sending their money out of China for safety, despite strict regulations. What does the money outflow mean for the global economy? Topics in this episode:...