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Man arrested after allegedly flying drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base

December 11, 2024
Authorities arrested a Brentwood, California, man after they said he was flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said he also took photos of the site.

Vandenberg Space Force Base is a critical facility for U.S. military and space operations, known for satellite launches and missile testing. Its restricted airspace makes unauthorized drone activity a significant security concern.

Police arrested Yinpiao Zhou, 39, at San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday, Dec. 10, as he prepared to board a flight to China. He faces charges of failing to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violating national defense airspace. Zhou is expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in San Francisco federal court.

According to an affidavit, drone detection systems at Vandenberg identified a drone flying over the base on Nov. 30. The drone reportedly flew for nearly an hour, reached an altitude of almost one mile and originated from Ocean Park, a public area near the base.

Security personnel located Zhou at Ocean Park with another individual and discovered the drone concealed in his jacket.

Federal agents later searched the drone and found aerial photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base. A review of Zhou’s cellphone revealed a prior search for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” and messages discussing modifications to allow the drone to fly higher than its normal altitude limits.

Zhou, a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States, had returned from China in February 2024. Authorities said the person accompanying Zhou at Ocean Park arrived in the U.S. from China on Nov. 26, just days before the incident.

If convicted, Zhou faces a maximum sentence of four years in federal prison. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
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NATO to protect undersea cables with ‘sea drones’ amid global tensions

December 10, 2024
Suspected sabotage in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas is pushing new technology forward to protect undersea infrastructure. The unmanned fleet will have a surveillance system to record activity below the water’s surface.

NATO is preparing to launch sea drones this summer to monitor the globe’s cable supply. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet is behind the technology. Task Force 59 has spent months performing experiments to bring aquatic drones to the Middle East and push rivals out of allied waters.

Tensions began in November when two cables were severed in what investigators said was a clear act of sabotage. According to authorities, a Chinese vessel dragged an anchor for more than a hundred miles as they left a Russian port. The vessel cut the line between Sweden and Lithuania, and another line was severed between Germany and Finland the next day.

Officials believe Western countries were the target due to their aid and support of Ukraine throughout the war. They believe Russian intelligence agencies were behind the incident.

NATO’s Intelligence Chief David Cattler said earlier this year that evidence showed Russia was mapping out undersea infrastructure. Currently, Russia uses land-based internet connections rather than undersea cables like many countries.

“You can see that they are signaling that they have the intent and capability to take action in this domain if they choose.”
Statement by NATO Intelligence Chief David Cattler

The owner, a Chinese national, is working with the European authorities, while Russia denies any involvement. A Russian sailor was also reportedly onboard the ship.
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Nvidia dragged into US-China tit-for-tat over chip restrictions

December 9, 2024
The world’s second-most valuable company is caught in the back-and-forth between the United States and China. Beijing announced on Monday, Dec. 9, it launched an antitrust investigation into chipmaker Nvidia.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said it suspects the company, crucial to the proliferation of artificial intelligence, is violating a promise it made during its $7 billion acquisition of Israeli networking company Mellanox Technologies. Regulators approved the deal under the contingency that Nvidia wouldn’t discriminate against Chinese competitors. Since that promise in 2020, the U.S. has restricted Nvidia from sending its most advanced chips to China.

Beijing’s investigation into Nvidia comes one week after the Biden administration further restricted exports of chips to China. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security said the policy affects semiconductors that “can be used in the next generation of advanced weapon systems and in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, which have significant military applications.” The rule added an additional 140 Chinese entities to the trade blacklist.

“NVIDIA wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, and customers can choose whatever solution is best for them,” an Nvidia spokesperson told Straight Arrow News in response to China’s investigation. “We work hard to provide the best products we can in every region and honor our commitments everywhere we do business. We are happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business.”

Beijing banned Micron chips from being used in infrastructure projects last year. That move came after previous chip restrictions implemented by Washington.

Nvidia briefly became the world’s most valuable company with the AI boom. But the company’s stock fell as much as 3% Monday morning on news of the investigation. Apple is currently in the top spot as the world’s most valuable company.

Trade tensions are expected to only escalate as the White House changes hands. President-elect Donald Trump had a highly publicized trade war with China during his first term in office. And he’s promised even higher tariffs on China as he prepares to return to the White House.

But Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the company will navigate the environment within the rules.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with the new administration, but whatever happens, we’ll balance simultaneously compliance with laws and policies, continue to advance our technology and support and to serve customers all over the world,” Huang said in Hong Kong in November 2024. “We’ll continue to do that and we’ll be able to do that just fine.”

Nvidia previously dominated the AI chip market in China before U.S. government restrictions. Now, the company is facing increased competition from domestic Chinese firms like Huawei.
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Taiwan on alert as China deploys 90 ships in military exercise

December 9, 2024

Taiwan is reporting one of the largest Chinese naval deployments near its waters in recent months, with nearly 90 vessels and reserved airspace zones near the island sparking fresh concerns about regional security and military posturing. The seven airspace zones are near its Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, which Taiwan said could signal upcoming military exercises.

Taiwan is on high alert after China deploys naval fleets and coastguard vessels for military exercises across a broad swath of region's waters pic.twitter.com/oNyxBUMnjB
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 9, 2024

These zones will remain active until Wednesday, Dec. 11, though China has not announced specific tests or drills.

Taiwan described these moves as “unilateral provocations” intended to intimidate the region. Officials said Chinese aircraft and balloons have also been spotted over the Taiwan Strait. In response, Taiwan’s military initiated combat readiness exercises and is closely monitoring the situation.

Chinese state media suggest the maneuvers follow Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent trip to Guam and Hawaii. Beijing opposes any official interactions between Taiwan and the United States, calling such engagements an infringement on its sovereignty.

China continues to view Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to assert control. Taipei accuses Beijing of using “grey-zone tactics,” such as frequent military patrols, to pressure the island without escalating to direct conflict.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to sailors aboard the USS George Washington in Japan on Monday, Dec. 9, the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

DVIDS

Austin downplayed the possibility of an imminent attack on Taiwan but emphasized China’s intent and growing capability to challenge international norms.

“There’s a lot of speculation about when Mr. Xi will decide to do one thing or another,” Austin said. ” would just say from my vantage point at this point in time, I don’t think, you know, an attack is either imminent or unavoidable. So, again, our goal is to make sure that we continue to work with like-minded partners and allies to ensure that we maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. And we’ve been pretty successful at that thus far.”
Pentagon warns of China-Russia alliance threatening Arctic security

December 6, 2024

The Arctic is shifting from a region of international cooperation to a battleground for global power. China is expanding its presence, pursuing influence in Arctic governance and tapping into economic opportunities created by climate change.

Its growing partnership with Russia—spanning trade, science and military cooperation—is reshaping regional dynamics. The Pentagon warned that this unprecedented collaboration poses potential security threats near Alaska and could alter the strategic balance in the Arctic.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Iris Ferguson said joint patrols by Chinese and Russian warships, bombers and coast guards have become more frequent, including a notable large-scale operation off Alaska’s coast in July. Ferguson calls these moves a significant shift, giving China new and concerning access to the Arctic.

“The PRC I think is one of the newer entrants on the scene, relatively speaking I think over time,” Ferguson said. “The strategic interest that they have in the region… or what are giving us pause… and how their long-term vision for the region… could affect our interests is giving us pause. And I think especially what we’re seeing—the increasing levels of collaboration between Russia and the PRC and unprecedented styles of collaboration, especially in the military domain—give us, again, pause.”

China, which does not border the Arctic, has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and sees the region as key to advancing its military and economic goals. Meanwhile, Russia’s war in Ukraine has strengthened its ties with Beijing, opening new opportunities for collaboration.

The Pentagon’s latest Arctic Strategy highlights growing threats from both nations, including China’s use of dual-purpose icebreakers for underwater drone testing and aircraft operations. Ferguson says the U.S. is ramping up Arctic exercises with allies to deter further aggression.

“We really just need to be clear-eyed about some of their intentions in how we can be thinking about their long-term interests and how we can best protect ours,” Ferguson added.

Earlier this week, U.S. Army forces increased their presence in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, deploying High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in what officials described as a show of strength. U.S. B-52 bombers also conducted Arctic live-fire drills alongside Norway and the U.K.

Ferguson emphasized the need for renewed investment in Arctic infrastructure. She noted that during the Cold War, the U.S. heavily fortified the region, but much of that capability was scaled back over the decades. Now, officials are calling for a stronger, more permanent presence to meet the growing challenges posed by China and Russia.
Temu and Shein suspended in Vietnam for lack of registration

December 6, 2024
A popular online shopping platform must cut through red tape after Vietnamese authorities suspended their operations in the country. According to the country’s trade ministry, Temu missed its registration deadline.

According to a Vietnamese news agency, Temu was warned it would be blocked if the company didn’t register by the end of November, which is required for companies with more than 100,000 annual sales per year.

Authorities with the trade ministry said that Temu’s application is being reviewed, but as of Thursday, Dec. 5, all Vietnamese language options were no longer available on the company’s website.

Temu says it is currently working with officials to register its services and restore operations through a notification on its website.

Parent company PDD Holdings launched Temu in Vietnam in October. As the website entered the Vietnamese market, it drew the attention of the deputy trade minister, who called for an investigation into the low-priced products and possible counterfeits.

The cheap goods have risen to popularity since 2022 but have started to face challenges as they enter other markets. In the U.S., a Florida state senator is calling on the Department of Commerce to investigate Temu’s labor practices, privacy of data and the safety of products currently sold by the company.

Europe has opened its own investigation into the sale of illegal products officials believe are being sold on the platform. The European Commission cited the union’s Digital Services Act, which aims to keep internet users safe. If found guilty, the company could face hefty fines.

Temu’s fast fashion competitor Shein also faces challenges in Vietnam. The website is unavailable to Vietnam shoppers for failure to register its operations as well.
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Appeals court upholds federal government ban on TikTok

December 6, 2024
Millions of TikTok users could be in for a bit of shock come late January 2025. A federal appeals court ruled the ban or forced sale of TikTok by the Justice Department is constitutional and can move forward.

Back in April 2025, The Biden Administration argued that the law is necessary to protect national security interests from TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance. Such threats include data security breaches and possible foreign influence on American political campaigns.

TikTok lawyers countered and appealed, claiming the law infringes on free speech rights of millions of users on the popular app. They deny it could be used by the Chinese government to spy on, or manipulate, Americans.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. on Friday, Dec. 6, sided with the Biden administration. The court ruled that the first amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States. It determined the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.

TikTok now has until Jan. 19, 2025 to find a buyer and break ties with its China-based parent company or get an extension from the Biden administration if there is progress toward a sale. Ultimately, the social media platform could become unavailable in the United States.

This high profile case could wind-up in front of the U.S Supreme Court. It’s worth noting that President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail that he is against a ban on TikTok, having initially been in favor of one.
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NBA to return to China after yearslong rift

December 6, 2024
The NBA announced it will return to China for the first time in more than five years. The decision comes years after the league and Beijing had a falling out over an executive’s tweet.

The league announced Friday, Dec. 6, that two preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will take place in Macao next October at the Venetian Arena, owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

Macao is the only region in China where casino gambling is legal.

“NBA basketball is a global sport that attracts people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures. It creates exciting experiences that connect people while playing a positive role in communities. Sands is honored to bring the NBA China games to Macao so that the most elite level of basketball can be experienced directly by the fans who are so passionate about it.”
Statement by Sands President Patrick Dumont

These will be the first NBA games played in the country since a tweet by the then-general manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, on Oct. 4, 2019, set off a rift between the league and China. Morey, who is now general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, posted an image in support of ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

Morey’s controversial 2019 tweet

At the time, the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers were in China. Chinese officials responded to Morey’s comments by preventing the teams from holding pre-game and post-game press conferences.

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta was quick to react at the time. He said Morey did not speak for the organization, and the teams were in China to promote the league internationally. Fertitta added the NBA was not a political organization.

Nets chairman Joe Tsai, also the co-founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, criticized the tweet in an open letter to NBA fans. He called the situation in Hong Kong a “third-rail issue.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Morey had the right to express himself. The NBA, in its statement, said it recognized that Morey’s views offended fans in China, calling it “regrettable,” and the league has “great respect for the history and culture of China.”

Silver’s response garnered bipartisan backlash from politicians in Washington, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., for the league not standing by Morey.

Fallout sparks protests

The tweet’s fallout sparked protests at NBA games. Demonstrators wore customized shirts and held up signs reading “Free Hong Kong.”

Morey issued a clarification a few days later, saying his tweets were his own and he did not intend to offend Rocket fans and his friends in China.

China, however, took action. NBA games were removed from airing on China’s state broadcaster for some time following the tweet. The league said the rift cost up to $400 million in lost revenue the following year.

Making amends

The league has since taken action to mend its relationship with China. NBA legend Yao Ming attended the memorial service for former commissioner David Stern in 2020. China thanked the NBA for sending more than $1 million in medical supplies to assist in COVID-19 relief efforts during the early days of the pandemic, and All-Star Stephen Curry visited China in the summer.

Now, with two games on the schedule, the NBA and China are looking to resume their partnership with a multiyear deal. The NBA said it will be holding a “Fan Day” during the week of the games.

Two more NBA preseason games are reportedly being planned in China for 2026.
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Chinese hack of 8 US telecom companies prompts FBI warning

December 5, 2024
There are new details in what’s being called one of the worst cyber hacks in history. Federal officials revealed the scope of the attack is wider than first thought, impacting multiple U.S. communication networks.

Chinese government affiliated hackers are accused of stealing records, intercepting voice calls and getting into the wiretap system used by the Justice Department to investigate people suspected of crimes or spying.

Officials said most of the private communication the hackers accessed involved people affiliated with the government or politics.

However, their access to at least eight American companies like Verizon and AT&T is prompting a warning to all Americans from the FBI.

They advise people to make calls or send messages over encrypted apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. That’s because the issue isn’t resolved.

Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger said the hackers are still believed to be lurking in some systems.

“There is a risk of ongoing compromises to communications until U.S. companies address the cybersecurity gaps, the Chinese are likely to maintain their access,” Neuberger said.

In addition to the U.S. companies, White House officials said the Chinese hackers infiltrated dozens of companies across Asia and Europe over the last one to two years.

The group allegedly responsible for the hack is Salt Typhoon. This is the same group behind the hacks of the Trump and Harris campaigns before the election.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. denied accusations that it’s responsible for the hack.
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Philippines says Chinese coast guard sideswiped, fired water cannon at ship

December 5, 2024
China is once again being accused of “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea. This time, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Wednesday, Dec. 4, Chinese coast guard ships attacked one of its boats with heavy-duty water cannons and intentionally sideswiped it in the disputed waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard says it was on patrol, providing security to Filipino fisherman at Scarborough Shoal, when several Chinese guard and navy ships approached. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, while one Chinese ship unleashed water cannon attacks and hit a Philippine vessel, other Chinese ships were blocking the way.

China claims the Philippine ships intentionally drifted into its territory, accusing the Philippines of using its assertion of protecting anglers as an excuse to provoke its military and “mislead international perception.”

The Chinese are also threatening the Philippines with more action if the claimed provocation continues. The United States condemned Beijing’s aggression, calling the incident illegal and saying it “put lives at risk.”

China’s actions come more than a month after storms prevented Philippine fishing and commercial vessels from traveling in rough water. Despite the incident. the Philippines says the “reckless” behavior will not stop it from continuing to protect fishing operations in what it calls the “West Philippine Sea.”

China claims virtually the entire waterway, even though it’s sweeping designation conflicts with the territorial waters of at least five other Indo-Pacific nations. Additionally, Beijing has also had confrontations with Indonesia in the open sea.
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