🔥 Support for TikTok Ban

Good Morning. Lithuania accused Moscow of orchestrating an attack on Leonid Volkov, an exiled top aide to the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, outside his home in Vilnius.

The attack, involving a hammer-wielding assailant, resulted in Volkov sustaining a broken arm and injuries from hammer blows. The Lithuanian State Security Department suggested the attack aimed to prevent Russian opposition influence on Russia's presidential election.

Despite the assault, Volkov vowed to continue working and not surrender, emphasizing the danger posed by Putin to opposition members both inside and outside Russia.

THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

The House Passed the Bill That Could Ban TikTok—and It Wasn’t Close

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to potentially ban TikTok by requiring Chinese-owned ByteDance to divest from the app, amidst ongoing national security concerns. This measure, part of a broader scrutiny on foreign-controlled tech applications, reflects bipartisan anxiety over data privacy and the influence of foreign powers, notably China. Critics, including TikTok users and creators, argue the move may not effectively safeguard American data and could negatively impact the U.S. digital ecosystem and small businesses reliant on the platform.

Security Concerns. Lawmakers cite risks of data access by Chinese employees and the potential spread of pro-China propaganda.

Mixed Reactions. Some oppose the bill as an ineffective approach to protecting data privacy, while others emphasize the need to counter foreign influence. TikTok creators express concerns over the bill's potential effects on small businesses and digital freedom.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where leaders express strong bipartisan support for addressing TikTok's security threats.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & DIPLOMACY

As Russia gears up for a presidential election featuring President Vladimir Putin and three "officially permitted" opponents, the country reports facing "massive" cyberattacks targeting its electoral systems. These cyber threats, attributed by Russian officials to "Western countries," are described as attempts to disrupt the election process, emphasizing the resilience of Russia's electoral system against such external pressures.

• Cybersecurity Measures: Electronic voting is restricted to regions where security is "guaranteed" due to concerns over cyberattacks. Russian cybersecurity agencies warn of increased cyber threats, including phishing attacks and malware, urging caution among online voters.

• Media Targeted: Independent Russian media outlet Meduza also reports being hit by an "unprecedented" cyber campaign ahead of the election.

In other news…

🇪🇸 Spanish authorities have dismantled a network accused of exploiting the families of deceased migrants by charging them for often misleading information about the repatriation of their loved ones' remains.

🚣‍♂️ The U.S. military is gearing up to counter an expected mass migration from Haiti to Florida, driven by worsening gang violence and political instability in Haiti, with Navy vessels and other resources prepared for deployment.

⚓ Over 50 Chinese vessels, including China Coast Guard ships, small fishing boats, and maritime militia ships, are occupying waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, raising tensions in the ongoing territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing.

🛩️ Japanese fighter aircraft intercepted two Chinese strategic bombers and a maritime surveillance plane above contested waters during a long-range patrol, highlighting increased military activities by China in the region.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Japan's quest to advance its position in the global space race faced a setback as Space One's Kairos rocket exploded seconds after its launch. The incident underscores the challenges Japan faces in the competitive satellite launch market, despite increasing government support and commercial interest.

• Launch Mishap: The Kairos rocket, carrying an experimental government satellite, self-destructed five seconds after takeoff from Kushimoto town in Wakayama prefecture.

• Company Response: Space One pledges an investigation but remains optimistic, viewing the event as a source of valuable data and experience. Despite the explosion, the company is determined to pursue its goal of providing "space courier services," planning to launch 20 rockets annually by the late 2020s.

In other news…

🤖 Ukraine is advancing its military technology by integrating modern ground robotic platforms through the UNITED24 procurement program, aiming to enhance operational effectiveness with tasks such as intelligence, weaponry, and mine clearance.

📱 Cerebras Systems has launched its third-generation CS3 system, employing TSMC's 5nm process and featuring a partnership with Qualcomm to optimize inference costs.

🧠 OpenAI has recently recruited Ben Bartlett, a former quantum systems architect at PsiQuantum, hinting at a strategic move towards leveraging quantum computing to enhance AI.

👨‍✈️ Honeywell announced a significant advancement in the F-35's Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS), successfully demonstrating an upgrade to 80kW cooling capacity, far exceeding the current 32kW requirement.

DEALS & FUNDING

The U.K. is joining forces with the European Union's "Chips Joint Undertaking," securing an opportunity for British organizations to access €1.3 billion (about $1.4 billion) for semiconductor research and development. This collaboration, marked by the U.K.'s contribution of £35 million ($44 million) to fund domestic efforts, represents a significant step in bolstering the U.K.'s semiconductor industry in the post-Brexit era.

• Industry Impact: The initiative opens doors for "tens of thousands of U.K. companies" eligible for average grants of £450,000, fueling innovation and development. The U.K. aims to leverage its rich talent and experience in semiconductor R&D, contributing to Europe's goal of reducing dependency on semiconductor imports.

• Global Strategy: Reflecting on broader alliances with countries like Korea, Canada, and the U.S., the U.K. aims to fortify its position in the tech world amid rising geopolitical tensions affecting the semiconductor supply chain.

In other news…

🚀 The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the approval of nearly $3.7 billion in missile purchases by the Polish military from U.S. manufacturers, enhancing Poland's defense arsenal with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.

☀️ Europe's solar industry is facing a dire situation as the European Union has indicated it won't adjust subsidy rules to aid struggling manufacturers, despite China's overwhelming dominance in the solar market.

🚁 The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $455 million contract to Bell, a Textron division, for supplying Nigeria with 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, aimed at enhancing Nigeria's defense capabilities and regional security cooperation.

🌊 Taiwan is set to enhance its maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare capabilities with the procurement of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the U.S.