Tuesday☕️

31 Dec 2024 — 5 min read

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Yesterday, December 30th, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a cyberattack by APT31, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group linked to China’s Ministry of State Security. The attack was discovered on December 8th and involved a vulnerability in third-party software provided by BeyondTrust. The hackers used this vulnerability to steal a security key, allowing them to remotely access several Treasury computers and view unclassified documents.

The Treasury took the affected system offline, and investigators confirmed that the attackers no longer had access. The U.S. Treasury stated that this incident is part of broader cyber activities linked to Chinese state-sponsored groups targeting government systems and infrastructure. APT31 has previously been associated with attempts to gather sensitive information and disrupt systems. This case highlights the importance of securing third-party software used by government agencies to protect against similar breaches in the future.

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Politics:

Today, December 31st, the Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had been impeached and suspended from office earlier in the month. This is the first time in South Korea’s history that an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting president. The warrant stems from Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which led to his impeachment on December 14. He is under investigation for potential charges of insurrection.

The request for an arrest warrant came after Yoon failed to appear for three summonses related to the martial law declaration. Yoon had claimed that martial law was necessary to address what he called overreach by the opposition-dominated legislature. Several of Yoon’s key allies, including his defense minister and police chief, have also been arrested in connection with the incident. While Yoon remains suspended, the Constitutional Court is reviewing his impeachment, with a decision expected within the next 180 days.

Environment & Weather:

A geomagnetic storm is expected today, December 31, and January 1, 2025, caused by two large bursts of energy from the Sun, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs), heading directly toward Earth. The NOAA has issued a G3 (Strong) storm watch for December 31, meaning stronger effects, and expects G1 (Minor) to possibly G2 (Moderate) storm conditions on January 1. These storms happen when the Sun releases plasma and magnetic energy, which can shake up Earth’s magnetic field.

During these storms, the Northern Lights (auroras) can be visible in places further south than usual. Geomagnetic storms can also disrupt technology, such as causing power grid fluctuations, messing with GPS, and interfering with radio signals. Historically, stronger storms, like the Carrington Event in 1859, have caused major disruptions. NOAA will continue monitoring the situation to give updates on how these storms might affect us and whether conditions could change.

Space:

On December 30, 2024, India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), launched its first space docking mission called SPADEX. This mission sent two small spacecraft, named Chaser and Target, into orbit about 470 kilometers above Earth. The goal is for these two spacecraft to move closer together and connect on their own, testing technology that will be important for repairing satellites, building space stations, and future human space missions.

The mission also includes other important tasks. One spacecraft has a camera to take detailed pictures, while the other carries sensors to study Earth’s vegetation, natural resources, and space radiation. These tools will provide data for both space and Earth research. ISRO also turned part of the rocket into a small space lab carrying 24 experiments, including projects from Indian startups.

Science & Technology:

Recently, NASA has made progress with the X-59, its experimental supersonic aircraft designed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin to reduce the loud sonic booms that have limited supersonic flight over land. In late 2024, NASA successfully completed the X-59’s first engine tests, including operating at maximum afterburner, with its first flight expected in 2025. The X-59 aims to produce a quieter “sonic thump,” paving the way for future supersonic aircraft that comply with noise regulations and can operate more widely over populated areas.

This development aligns with a growing global push to accelerate next-generation aircraft, both manned and unmanned. Companies like Hermeus are advancing hypersonic technologies with prototypes like the Chimera engine, capable of powering aircraft at speeds up to Mach 5. Meanwhile, Boom Supersonic is focusing on commercial supersonic planes, and Venus Aerospace is working on hypersonic concepts targeting speeds as high as Mach 9. From NASA to private companies like Lockheed Martin and Hermeus, the effort to build faster and more efficient aircraft reflects a shared vision of transforming Earth-to-Earth travel with groundbreaking advancements aerospace technology.