The US on Tuesday urged UN members to prosecute cyber-criminals in the wake of a series of ransomware attacks on US infrastructure that caused billions of dollars of damage.
Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, told the UN Security Council that governments must get tough on hacking gangs that encrypt computer systems and demand a ransom to unlock them.
Several US companies, including the global meat giant JBS, the Colonial oil pipeline and the software firm SolarWinds recently suffered ransomware attacks. The FBI blames them on Russia-based hackers.
“Countries need to take action against criminals who conduct ransomware activities on their territory,” Ms Thomas Greenfield told the council.
“When a state is notified of harmful activities, emanating from its own territory, it must take reasonable steps to address it, given the transnational nature of cyberspace.”
She spoke during the UN council’s first formal public meeting on cybersecurity. The 15-nation body has tackled cyber-threats in the past, but only informally, both in public or behind closed doors.
“The risk is clear: our infrastructure online and off is at stake,” said Ms Thomas Greenfield.
“Our most basic and critical services from the food we eat to the water we drink to the health care services we all rely on during the pandemic, are targets.”
The online meeting came on the heels of talks between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Russia-based hackers striking major American firms and infrastructure.
At a summit earlier this month in the Swiss city of Geneva, Mr Biden set out red lines for Moscow, which is often linked to major hacks on countries' key infrastructure.
The US president laid out 16 “untouchable” entities, ranging from power stations to water distribution.
UN members agreed in a disarmament committee in 2015 to refrain from malicious cyber-attacks on each other’s key infrastructure.
But cyber-strikes have become commonplace and some are linked directly to governments.
Other famous state-linked hacks include North Korea’s alleged digital strike on Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2014 and the malicious computer worm Stuxnet, reportedly created by the US and Israel to damage Iranian nuclear centrifuges.
Tuesday’s meeting was called by Estonia, which heads the Council for the month of June and which in 2007 had its government servers frozen in an early example of cyber warfare amid a dispute with Russia.
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said cyber-attacks continued during the coronavirus pandemic, with hackers presenting a “real and tangible threat” to hospitals and healthcare systems.
“The humanitarian effects of tampering with critical infrastructure could be devastating,” said Ms Kallas.
“Imagine what would happen if, in the middle of a drought, a country’s water supply chain stopped operating or during the cold winter months, a nation’s power grid was disrupted.”
The ministerial-level meeting was held online and suffered from repeated technical glitches.
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Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
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4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
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Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Turkish Ladies
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