Florida man sentenced for acting as agent of Chinese intelligence
A Florida man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiring to act as an unregistered agent for China’s intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS). Ping Li, 59, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China, admitted to providing information to the MSS over a decade while employed at major U.S. companies.
He also shared internal cybersecurity materials from his employers, including a major telecommunications company and an international IT firm.
Prosecutors revealed Li used anonymous online accounts to communicate with MSS handlers and traveled to China multiple times to meet with them. In one instance, Li provided biographical details about a Falun Gong member in Florida just days after being asked by his handlers. He also shared company information, including cybersecurity training materials, in response to specific requests.
Police arrested Li in July 2023. He initially denied involvement but later admitted to sharing information after being presented with email evidence.
The judge also ordered Li to pay a $250,000 fine. Li will serve three years of supervised release after his prison time.
The FBI led the investigation, which highlighted foreign intelligence activities targeting U.S. businesses and individuals. U.S. officials continue to monitor threats from espionage operations.
Trump plans new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China over drugs, migrants
President-elect Donald Trump vows to hit Canada, Mexico and China with new tariffs on their products coming into the U.S. And TSA is laying out its expectations as the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
Trump plans new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China over drugs, migrants
President-elect Donald Trump has announced some of the first executive orders he plans to issue on day one of his administration. Trump said he will make good on a campaign promise by raising tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico – the latter two being the top trading partners of the U.S. – due to illegal border crossings and drugs entering the country.
Trump made the announcements Monday night, Nov. 25, on his Truth Social platform. He targeted Canada and Mexico first.
The president-elect said on his first day in office, he will impose a 25% tariff on all products coming into the United States from those two countries, which account for 30% of trade volumes. Trump said the tariffs will remain in effect until drugs, specifically fentanyl, and illegal immigrants stop crossing into the U.S.
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 26, 2024
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” Trump said. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
In a second post on Truth Social, Trump turned his attention to China, saying he’ll charge China an additional 10% above any other tariffs on all their products coming into the U.S.
While he said he has had many talks with Chinese officials about drugs being sent into the U.S., Trump said nothing has changed. He added, “Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through, and drugs are pouring into our country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before.”
Reaction has been coming in from the countries affected by Trump’s tariff plans.
Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Liu Pengyu said, “China believes that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade or a tariff war.”
In a joint statement, Canada’s deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, and public safety minister, Dominic LeBlancr, said, “Canada and the United States have one of the strongest and closest relationships – particularly when it comes to trade and border security. Canada places the highest priority on border security and the integrity of our shared border.”
Ricardo Monreal, Mexico’s lower house leader for the ruling party, responded in a post on X, saying, “The imposition of a possible tariff on Mexican products goes against the United States–Mexico–Canada agreement and does not solve the common problems of the border between Mexico and the United States…escalating trade retaliation would only hurt the people’s pocketbooks.”
Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee for treasury secretary — who says tariffs would not add to inflation — supports the move, but many economists forecast tariffs would increase prices for U.S. consumers.
The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimated over the summer the tariff plan Trump promised on the campaign trail, which included 60% tariffs on Chinese goods, would cost the typical U.S. household more than $2,600 a year.
A CNBC analysis said retail chains like Five Below and Dollar Tree, along with online outlet Wayfair, would be some of the most vulnerable companies when it comes to a trade war.
Meanwhile, multiple reports said President-elect Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday night following the social media posts. The reports said the two had a “good conversation” about trade and border security.
Federal judge dismisses Trump’s 2020 election interference charges
Special Counsel Jack Smith has dropped all federal charges against President-elect Trump in connection with attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. He filed the motion Monday and a federal judge granted it within hours.
A different judge had already dismissed the federal charges against Trump for mishandling classified documents. Smith was appealing that decision before he dropped those charges as well on Monday.
The Justice Department’s longstanding position that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime is set to apply to Trump once he takes office again in January, which is why Smith decided to give up the cases against him.
On Truth Social, Trump posted, “I persevered, against all odds, and won.”
FBI agent acquitted in 2020 shooting arrested on sexual assault charges
An FBI agent has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting two women, according to police in Montgomery County, Maryland. Authorities there also said they believe there might be other victims out there.
Valdivia is now suspended from the FBI pending the outcome of this case.
This is not his first brush with the law. In 2020, prosecutors charged Valdivia with attempted murder in an off-duty shooting on a metro train in Bethesda, Maryland. A Montgomery County jury found him not guilty in that case in 2022.
Macy’s says employee hid $154M in expenses, delays Q3 report
Macy’s said one employee intentionally created so many accounting inconsistencies it had to delay its quarterly report.
While the department store chain said it saw stronger-than-expected sales from July to October this year, it also discovered a now-former employee hid up to $154 million in expenses over nearly three years. The company said the issue was related to delivery expenses in one of its accrual accounts.
Macy’s delayed its third-quarter earnings report after the retailer said an employee hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses over several years, prompting an investigation https://t.co/7PlNTb2qp0
While the questionable expenses only account for a small fraction of the $4.36 billion in delivery expenses during that almost three-year period, the company found the errors to be significant enough to delay reporting its full quarterly earnings.
That report was originally set to be released Tuesday, Nov. 26. It has now been pushed back until Dec. 11.
TSA preparing for ‘busiest Thanksgiving ever’ for air travel
Thanksgiving travel is taking off and this year is expected to be another for the record books. The Transportation Security Administration said it’s ready for the rush and expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports from Tuesday through next Monday, Dec. 2.
Today we kick off our busiest travel week of the year! Flying to visit with family or friends? Start your packing with an empty bag. Leftover items from past adventures often include prohibited items. Unsure what’s allowed in your carry-on or checked bag? Send a DM to our @AskTSA… pic.twitter.com/kduiVqKY5a
The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Dec. 1, is expected to be the busiest day for air travel. The TSA estimates more than three million people are likely to pass through their checkpoints that day alone.
The word went viral after a video was posted on TikTok by user @JoolsLebron in August. Dictionary.com said demure saw a nearly 1,200% increase in usage in digital web media alone from January to the end of August, mainly attributed to the video.
The website said while demure was traditionally used to describe those who are reserved and quiet, the new usage seen on social media is meant to describe refined and sophisticated appearance or behavior.
NATO official urges businesses to prepare their supply chains for war
A top NATO military official is telling businesses in the U.S. and Europe to be ready for a wartime scenario. Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, the head of the organization’s military committee, told the European Policy Centre this approach would be key to avoiding countries being vulnerable to Russia and China.
“I’ve been going around boardrooms, finance conferences and even philanthropic institutions in Europe and America to persuade people to think about two questions,” Bauer said. “One: Is my company or organization ready for war? And two: What can my company or organization do to prevent war?”
Bauer said that deterring war was about more than just weapons. He warned businesses about becoming overly dependent on countries that could shut off access after starting a war.
This became an issue after Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago. A deal allowing Russian gas to flow through pipelines in Ukraine will expire at the end of the year and no new agreement has been reached.
Bauer mentioned China’s dominance in producing and processing things like rare earth metals and chemicals for medications.
The global supply chain is still recovering after disruptions at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bauer urged companies to be ready if any future war rattles it again.
“Businesses need to be prepared for a wartime scenario and adjust their production and distribution lines accordingly,” Bauer said. “Because while it may be the military who wins battles, it’s the economies that win wars.”
More than 1,000 fake news websites removed in Google’s latest crackdown
Google removed hundreds of fake news websites linked to a pro-China influence operation called Glassbridge. The sites posed as independent news outlets but published propaganda aligned with Beijing’s political interests.
The tech giant’s Threat Analysis Group identified four companies, Shanghai Haixun Technology, Haimai, DURINBRIDGE and Shenzhen Bowen Media, responsible for creating and operating these fake domains. Since 2022, Google has blocked more than 1,000 websites and domains from appearing in its search results, including Google News and Google Discover, for violating policies against deceptive behavior and lack of editorial transparency.
Shanghai Haixun Technology was the most prolific offender, operating over 600 policy-violating domains targeting audiences in countries such as Brazil, India, Kenya and Vietnam. The sites often republished articles from Chinese state media or included politically charged content on topics like the South China Sea, Taiwan, Xinjiang and COVID-19.
Getty Images
Other companies involved targeted specific regions and audiences. Paperwall operated more than 100 websites masquerading as local outlets across 30 countries, while DURINBRIDGE managed over 200 domains. Shenzhen Bowen Media focused on presenting pro-China narratives in localized contexts.
Google noted these operations leveraged PR firms to obscure their connections to the Chinese government, allowing the actors behind the campaigns to maintain plausible deniability. Researchers also highlighted similarities to influence campaigns linked to Russia and Iran.
The use of fake news websites and repurposed content marks a shift in information operations, which have traditionally relied on social media platforms. Google warned that the rise of AI-generated content poses growing challenges in combating misinformation.
TikTok CEO contacts Elon Musk over Trump admin’s tech policies: Report
TikTok CEO Shou Chew has turned to Elon Musk for guidance amid growing uncertainty about the app’s future in the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal. Chew reportedly reached out to Musk for insight on the incoming Trump administration’s stance on tech policy, how it could impact TikTok and what regulatory changes might be on the horizon.
The bill would force TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent ByteDance. If the company refused to comply by January it would face a ban in the U.S.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential Chinese government influence on TikTok’s content. In response, TikTok filed a lawsuit, arguing that the law infringes on free speech.
Chew and Musk haven’t discussed specific ways for TikTok to remain operational in the U.S., according to the Journal. However, ByteDance executives are said to be “cautiously optimistic” a solution could be found.
TikTok executives have met with people close to both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the election. Now, the company is engaging with Musk and other influential figures as it works to stay connected to U.S. policymakers.
Musk’s influence has only grown since the election. He’s been staying at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and reportedly participated in key discussions about the administration’s transition, including weighing in on cabinet appointments.
Musk’s proximity to Trump has made him a valuable figure for business leaders. Many of those leaders have sought insight from Musk into the next four years of U.S. policy.
Researchers hope PigeonBot flying robot can inspire next generation of flight
A marriage of technology and biology could be the key to advances in autonomous flight. Researchers revealed in findings published on Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Science Robotics that they have developed the “PigeonBot II.”
The bird-like robot features an adaptive tail and wings capable of adjusting to wind conditions at a moment’s notice, just like its living counterpart.
Physicists believe that this technology could be the key to rudderless flight for unmanned aircraft, and fix stability issues long associated with planes by turbulence.
Tests conducted by the team of researchers reveal the bio-bot is capable of adjusting its tail and wings to any gust or powerful wind it encounters. The design of the aerial robot is exactly like it sounds, inspired by the pigeon, and it’s actually adorned with dozens of real pigeon feathers.
The skeleton of the machine is flexible, and its tail and wings can move like a bird. The robot runs with the help of a reflexive built in system, which uses nine motors with controls to mimic a pigeon in flight.
Researchers say the choice of a pigeon may seem like an odd choice when much faster bird designs are available, but they maintain pigeons are one of the more adaptable birds when it comes to flight maneuvers.
Researchers hope the PigeonBot II will lead to more reliable and stable flying robots.
The technology could even be adapted for military purposes, researchers say the bird-bots have a smaller radar signature than most aircraft and better performance.
Beijing is already reportedly on board with bird-like robots, revealing it’s testing the technology for spying with its military earlier this year. Other U.S. companies are also reportedly experimenting with the concept of bird robots.
China grants visa-free access to more countries to boost tourism
China is opening up visa-free access to more countries in an effort to kickstart its struggling economy through tourism. Beijing announced on Friday, Nov. 22, that it will expand the visa-free program to nine additional countries including Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia and Latvia.
China also announced it will be extending the possible length of stay from 15 days to 30 days for travelers from visa-free countries.
The new travel rules will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Only three countries had visa-free privileges previously and that access was rescinded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan was one of the three countries with visa-free access before the COVID-19 pandemic and had repeatedly asked for an early waiver to restart the program.
The countries have sparred over issues ranging from Taiwanese sovereignty to the release of treated yet still radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, travel agencies are reportedly preparing for an influx of tourists as the end of the month approaches.
From July through September of this year, China reported more than 8 million foreigners entering the country, and of those, nearly 5 million were from visa-free countries.
With the latest expansion, 38 countries now have visa-free access since last year.
Chinese hackers listening to calls, reading texts of US government officials
Chinese hackers are actively listening to phone calls and reading the text messages of government and political workers in the Washington, D.C. region. In an interview with The Washington Post, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee called it the “worst telecom hack in our nation’s history — by far.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said the hackers are still in the networks, listening to calls in real time and have been able to move from one telecom network to another. The impacted companies include AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
The hackers are members of a group called “Salt Typhoon.”
The attack started more than a year ago. Warner told The Post to get the hackers out of the system, they’ll have to replace thousands of pieces of equipment across the country.
They targeted the phones of President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, members of the Harris campaign and State Department employees.
In total, there are only about 150 known victims, giving the Chinese access to millions of calls and text messages, a number that’s expected to increase.
Straight Arrow News spoke with Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., about the attack. He explained how China and the Chinese Communist Party uses data as a weapon unlike any other country or entity in history.
“They are experts at using data, piled upon data, piled upon data to put together some really exquisite weapons that we don’t even fully understand the capabilities of,” Johnson said. “But we know that no enterprise in the history of humankind has ever been able to use data as a weapon like the CCP has.
“I don’t know what they’re all doing. I know they clearly find some value with it if they’re going to spend tremendous resources in constantly probing our defenses to get in and steal that information.”
Warner said it’s crucial the public understand the intrusion wasn’t confined to Washington but was far broader and exposed critical vulnerabilities.
“Ongoing security council discussions about international engagement in Haiti’s security and stability to succeed the MSS highlight the need of the government of Haiti and the international community to have a long-term vision.” Miroslav Jenca, the U.N. assistant secretary general, said.
Haitian leaders have continually asked the partially deployed and under-resourced multinational security force to be transformed into a peacekeeping effort to enhance funding.
If approved, a lengthy process would begin. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would then be required to file a report of recommendations.
The United States and Ecuador presented a proposal for the transition in September. However, it failed after resistance from China and Russia. Both countries have veto powers within the U.N.
Moscow and Beijing are still refusing to get on board, despite most diplomats supporting the idea.
Russia and China argue a pause in violence is needed to rationalize sending a peacekeeping mission. They’ve also signaled a distrust of Haiti’s government.
Violence on the island nation rose dramatically this month as gangs opened fire on three commercial planes. The shootings caused the U.S. to pause flights into the country.
Just this past week, at least 150 people were reportedly killed in gang-related violence. After the violence, the charity Doctors without Borders suspended operations in Haiti.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety, basic needs and human rights of people residing in gang-controlled areas, in particular those of women and children,” Jenca said. “Predatory gangs systematically attack communities using extreme forms of violence including sexual violence as a weapon to subjugate them.”
A Haitian health official, whose son was reportedly kidnapped, warned if more isn’t done by the international community, “the alternative will be a massive genocide that has already started.” He said only the U.N. has the power to stop it.
Chinese nationals ask Trump for asylum as hundreds of others get deported
Hundreds of Chinese nationals are asking President-elect Donald Trump to let them stay in the United States. This comes as large groups of fellow migrants from China are being deported.
It’s the third largest chartered removal flight to China within six months as more than 100 migrants got sent back to China in June and a further 130 in October.
“This removal flight is yet another example of the department’s ongoing cooperation with the People’s Republic of China and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration through enforcement of immigration law,” the DHS said in a statement.
Trump is pledging to start a mass deportation of migrants once he’s in office. Sources told NBC News undocumented Chinese nationals of military age are high on Trump’s list to get deported, citing the potential risk to national security.
The City reported a large group of Chinese asylum-seekers in New York wrote an open letter to Trump pleading with him to let them stay. They plan to send it to him on inauguration day with signatures that they are working to collect.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says 78,000 undocumented Chinese nationals have been caught crossing the border this year. That’s up from 23,000 three years earlier.
The group Information for Chinese Immigrants says a large percentage of migrants are leaving China for political and economic reasons.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, the Biden administration is on track to deport as many people as Trump did. Under Biden there have been 1.1 million removals since the beginning of 2021 through February 2024.
During Trump’s first term, there were 1.5 million deportations.
