Sean's Daily Digest

Taiwan discloses AI-assisted cyberattack on government agencies as war games add mobile internet throttle

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs confirmed on Thursday that AI-assisted cyberattacks targeted government agencies in July, with hackers using a hybrid approach combining manual operations and AI agent tools; Israeli cybersecurity firm Dream separately reported that AI agents stole passwords and personnel records from Taiwan's justice ministry and scanned its nuclear safety agency over four days. The disclosure came as Taiwan approached the end of its 10-day-long annual Han Kuang war games, during which it held its first-ever anti-blockade naval drill and again throttled mobile internet speeds for 30 minutes to simulate a Chinese attack.

Iran-US war pushes Iraq to the brink of a state payroll crisis

Iraqi oil exports fell roughly 83% in March compared with a year earlier after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, and by May seaborne crude exports were down 97%, slashing government revenue to between $2 billion and $2.3 billion a month — far below the $6.5 billion to $8.2 billion needed each month to pay public sector workers, pensioners, and welfare recipients. University and ministry employees have already begun protesting delayed salaries, and the government's estimated $83 billion in reserves is projected to cover only 10 to 11 months of salary payments. A UK advisory firm estimated Hormuz traffic is unlikely to return to normal levels until at least 2028.

Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands; threatens to seize European vessels over shadow-fleet seizures

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup island in the disputed Kuril chain on Thursday — his first-ever visit — meeting the regional governor and touring local facilities, prompting Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to call the trip "absolutely unacceptable" and Japan's foreign minister to formally protest. Putin also warned Russia will seize European vessels in retaliation for Western seizures of Russian shadow-fleet tankers; Britain's Royal Marines had boarded and seized the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, and more than 630 shadow-fleet vessels are now sanctioned by the EU.

Ebola on track to surpass 2014–16 death toll as health workers reach only 30% of cases

Ongoing · day 6

The WHO director-general said Thursday that the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared on May 15, has caused more than 2,000 deaths and at least 4,300 cases, and is on pace to exceed the deadliest outbreak ever — the 2014–16 epidemic that killed at least 11,000 people. The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists; ongoing regional instability means health workers are reaching only about 30% of cases. The UK's medicines regulator has cleared the first human trials of a Bundibugyo vaccine developed by Oxford researchers.

Zambia votes with incumbent Hichilema favoured but cost-of-living anger high

Zambia voted Thursday in a general election in which President Hakainde Hichilema seeks a second five-year term; 8.7 million voters are registered and results are expected by August 17. Hichilema, who led Zambia through a debt default and restructuring since 2021, faces main challenger Brian Mundubile backed by an opposition alliance, amid widespread frustration that economic improvements — including inflation falling to 6.8% and a stronger kwacha — have not reached daily life for the more than 70% of Zambians living on under $3 a day.

US ambassador calls settler siege of West Bank Palestinian homes 'horrific act of terror'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee — a long-standing supporter of Israeli settlements — condemned the multi-day siege by Israeli settlers of Palestinian homes in the village of Qusra near Nablus as a "horrific act of terror", after settlers blocked three families from food, water and electricity since Sunday. Israel dispatched troops at US request and dismantled two settler outposts, detaining one Israeli, but settlers reportedly remained in surrounding areas. The siege is occurring as Israeli officials simultaneously celebrated the reopening of the Ganim settlement in the northern West Bank, dismantled more than 20 years ago.

Anthropic investors target $2 trillion valuation in what would be a record IPO

Investors in Anthropic are seeking a $2 trillion valuation in an anticipated IPO, which would be the biggest listing in history, according to reports. Anthropic is also separately reported to be in talks to acquire AI startup Decart AI.

North Korea earns billions from Russia war support as Kim expands Pyongyang and eyes more troops

North Korea earns between $7.7 billion and $14.4 billion from selling munitions to Russia and deploying troops, according to a South Korean think-tank report, while Bloomberg Economics estimated more than $14 billion from military support between 2022 and 2025. The earnings have funded visible development in Pyongyang, while Zelensky says North Korea is planning to transfer to Russia an additional missile unit and reportedly intends to send a further 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers. Ukraine says North Korea supplied about half of Russia's front-line munitions in 2024 and 2025.

Zhu Rongji, architect of China's market opening and WTO accession, dies at 97

Ongoing · day 2

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, widely credited as the architect of China's economic modernization and the country's 2001 accession to the World Trade Organization, has died at the age of 97 following an illness. Tributes poured in highlighting Zhu's unusually candid and outspoken style, with observers contrasting his openness with the more rigid political atmosphere under current leader Xi Jinping. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee led tributes from the city, honoring Zhu for his support of Hong Kong during challenging periods including the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

France records its longest-ever heatwave as 80 departments go on orange alert

France's current heatwave became the longest ever recorded in the country on Thursday, with 17 consecutive days of high temperatures as of August 13 — surpassed in the historical record only by a July 2006 wave that lasted 21 days and the deadly 2003 wave. Eighty departments are under orange vigilance alert.