New York-based Aventura Technologies sold Chinese-made surveillance equipment to the U.S. military for over a decade, the New York Times reports, and federal prosecutors say the company lied about the origin of its products.
The big picture: Aventura Technologies sold surveillance, night-vision and body cameras, automated turnstiles and other security equipment to various government agencies, including the Department of Energy, prosecutors said. The equipment "was vulnerable to hacking ... raising the possibility that American government agencies had installed software in their security networks that could be used for spying by China."
In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Naftali Bennett, leader of a small conservative party, as defense minister.
Why it matters: This move is purely political. Netanyahu was worried Bennett would agree to join a coalition led by Benny Gantz, giving Gantz the majority he'd need to displace Netanyahu and form a government. Gantz has another 10 days to form a government before he loses his mandate.
Cue & Co., a Chinese digital marketing agency, reportedly hired bankers for a U.S. IPO that could seek to raise upwards of $400 million at a $2 billion valuation.
Why it matters: This is the latest in a flurry of U.S. IPO activity by Chinese companies, reflecting how no one in either country is taking Washington's de-listings threat seriously.
The death of a 22-year-old college student has stoked tensions in Hong Kong as protests continue to call for democracy, reports the Washington Post.
Why it matters: Chow Tsz-lok's death may be the first directly tied to police confrontations with Hong Kong's protesters, sparking a new phase in the conflict as some marchers brandished signs calling for revenge.
Fake meat is the latest American industry vying for access to China's massive market of 1.4 billion consumers.
Why it matters: The global fake meat market is expected to grow to around $140 billion within the next 10 years as consumers move away from real meat due to health and environmental concerns — and the fastest-growing market is Asia, Axios' Erica Pandey reports.
China has rapidly become one of the most cashless countries in the world. That's a big problem for foreigners who don't have a Chinese bank account, because outside the major tourist hubs few merchants accept credit cards.
The big picture: Two private payments systems dominate the Chinese market: Alipay and WeChat. But until now, you had to have a Chinese bank account in order to be able to use either of them.
Russia's late October summit with African leaders in Sochi took place amid a renewed global scramble among foreign powers for influence on the continent.
Why it matters: Increased competition holds promise for Africa. Not only will foreign investment — which rebounded last year after a recent downturn — rise, but African countries can be more selective about deal terms while diversifying their partnerships beyond currently dominant powers such as China.
Internet freedom is in decline around the world, with governments using social media to monitor their citizens and spread disinformation at home and overseas, according to an annual Freedom House report.
The big picture: "What was once a liberating technology has become a conduit for surveillance and electoral manipulation," the authors write of social media. "Sophisticated mass surveillance that was once feasible only for the world's leading intelligence agencies is now affordable for a much broader range of states."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised the possibility that Iran is preparing for "a rapid nuclear breakout" in a Thursday statement, highlighting the escalating crisis between Iran and the rest of the international community.
Why it matters: Since President Trump decided to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal last year and engage in a pressure campaign against the country, the Iranian government took steps to reduce their commitment to the 2015 deal.
When French President Emmanuel Macron wants to take European concerns to the world stage — climate, trade, Iran — he no longer calls Washington. He flies to Beijing, the AP reports.
Why it matters: Macron's visit to China this week suggests that the U.S. risks being sidelined on the global stage. One moment spoke volumes: Chinese President Xi Jinping sampled French wines, which the Trump administration recently slapped with heavy tariffs.
In a rare public appearance in New York, Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defended his father's legacy, claiming "Israel had nothing but oranges" before he became PM in 1996 and attacked what he called the "extreme left-wing media."
Why it matters: In the past year, he's been trying to position himself as a leading populist right-wing voice in Israel and abroad. Through his Twitter account and growing number of public speeches to conservative audiences, he is trying to be the Israeli version of President Trump's eldest child, Donald Trump Jr. Indeed, on many days it seems both men are using the exact same talking points.
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