Daily SumUp

Myanmar’s newly enacted cybercrime law has triggered widespread concerns among analysts and rights groups, who warn it could severely stifle freedom of expression and access to information. Critics argue that the sweeping provisions of the legislation grant authorities unchecked power to control online activity, raising fears of increased censorship and surveillance.The law, which was passed despite international condemnation, criminalizes a wide range of online activities, including the dissemination of “false information,” vaguely defined in the legislation. Analysts have pointed out that such ambiguous wording could be weaponized against dissenting voices, journalists, and activists critical of the military-led government.“This law is a direct attack on free speech and digital privacy,” said a representative from Human Rights Watch. “It’s clear that the intent is to silence opposition and tighten control over the flow of information.”The cybercrime law also mandates the registration of online platforms and allows authorities to demand access to user data, a provision that has raised alarms among tech companies and digital rights advocates.Myanmar has been under a state of political turmoil since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. Since then, the junta has sought to consolidate its authority by curbing public dissent, including imposing internet blackouts and targeting journalists.The passage of the cybercrime law has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, with calls for its repeal. Observers warn that its implementation could further isolate Myanmar and undermine efforts to restore democracy and human rights in the country.Rights groups and activists are urging global tech companies to stand against the law by refusing to comply with its provisions, calling it a critical test of corporate responsibility in the face of authoritarianism.As Myanmar’s citizens brace for the potential consequences of the law, many fear it marks the beginning of a new era of digital repression.

Elon Musk, the enigmatic billionaire and head of X (formerly Twitter), has found himself at the center of a political firestorm as European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, publicly criticized his handling of online content moderation and adherence to local laws.The backlash comes amid escalating concerns over X’s perceived leniency in curbing misinformation and hate speech on its platform. Macron, speaking at a global summit on digital safety, did not mince words, accusing Musk of prioritizing profit over responsibility. "Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to incite violence or spread harmful lies," Macron asserted.Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, highlighting the platform's growing influence in shaping public discourse. "We must hold tech giants accountable. The rules of society apply online as much as they do offline," Starmer said, drawing applause from European lawmakers.This united front from European leaders reflects growing frustration with Musk's approach to compliance with the EU's stringent Digital Services Act (DSA). The legislation, which took effect this year, mandates social media platforms to act swiftly against harmful content or face heavy penalties. Reports suggest that X has fallen short in meeting these obligations, prompting threats of fines or even platform restrictions across the continent.Musk, known for his combative and unfiltered responses, has defended his stance, arguing that X is committed to free expression while taking significant steps to moderate content. "Censorship under the guise of safety is still censorship," Musk tweeted, triggering further debate.The controversy raises broader questions about the balance between free speech and regulation in the digital age. With Europe leading the charge, the stakes are high not just for X but for the tech industry as a whole.As the battle unfolds, all eyes are on Musk to see whether he will adapt to Europe’s firm regulatory landscape or double down on his laissez-faire approach, potentially risking his platform's standing in one of the world's largest markets.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday referred to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "friend" whom he respects.He made the remarks during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida when asked about the potential withdrawal of US troops from Syria once he takes office later this month."I won't tell you that, because that's part of a military strategy, but I will say it was Turkey," Trump said. "President Erdogan is a friend of mine. He's a guy I like, respect. I think he respects me also."“But if you look at what happened with Syria, Russia was weakened, Iran was weakened. And he's a very smart guy, and he sent his people in there through different forms and different names, and they went in and they took over,” Trump added. The US has nearly 2,000 troops stationed in Syria.

It was cold. It was chaotic. It was D.C.’s annual snowball fight.Hundreds of bundled-up Washingtonians showed up, and if there were rules, many didn’t seem to know them.“I mean, you just make a snowball and throw it,” said Ethan Wise, a 31-year-old teacher.Monday delivered the Washington region’s biggest snowstorm so far this season and provided an opportunity for the resurgence of the quintessentially wintertime-in-D.C. tradition of rolling up balls of snow and tossing them at strangers. People stomped over snowy sidewalks, trudged through slushy streets and climbed slippery steps to Meridian Hill Park — also known as Malcolm X Park — in Northwest Washington.

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened "very high" tariffs on Denmark if it resists his effort to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.Asked during a news conference Tuesday if he would rule out using military or economic force in order to take control of the strategically-important island, he said: "No, I can't assure you on either of those two.""I can say this, we need them for economic security," he said.Trump also said he would use "economic force" against Canada and called the US-Canada border an "artificially drawn line".Trump's remarks came as his son, Donald Trump Jr, visited Greenland.Before arriving in the capital Nuuk, Trump Jr said he was going on a "personal day trip" to talk to people, and had no meetings planned with government officials.When asked about Trump Jr's visit to Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish TV that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders" and that only the local population could determine their future.She agreed that "Greenland is not for sale", but stressed Denmark needed very close co-operation with the US, a Nato ally.Greenland lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe and is home to a large American space facility. It also has some of the largest deposits of rare earth minerals, which are crucial in the manufacture of batteries and high-tech devices.

Rescue workers are searching for survivors after a major earthquake killed dozens of people and damaged more than 1,000 buildings in a remote region of Tibet, near Everest.At least 126 people were killed, with another 188 injured, after the earthquake hit the foothills of the Himalayas at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, according to Chinese state media.A large-scale rescue operation was launched, with survivors under additional pressure as temperatures were predicted to fall as low as -16C (3.2F) overnight.Earthquakes are common in the region, which lies on a major geological fault line, but Tuesday's was one of China's deadliest in recent years.The magnitude 7.1 quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), according to data from the US Geological Survey, was also felt in Nepal and parts of India, which neighbour Tibet.Videos published by China's state broadcaster CCTV showed destroyed houses and collapsed buildings in Tibet's holy Shigatse city, with rescue workers wading through debris and handing out thick blankets to locals.Temperatures in Tingri county, near the earthquake's epicentre in the northern foothills of the Himalayas, were already as low as -8C (17.6F) before night fell, according to the China Meteorological Administration.Sangji Dangzhi - whose supermarket was damaged in the earthquake - said the damage to homes had been extensive."Here the houses are made from dirt so when the earthquake came... lots of houses collapsed," the 34-year-old told news agency AFP by phone, adding that ambulances had been taking people to hospital through out the day.A hotel resident in Shigatse told Chinese media outlet Fengmian News that he was jolted awake by a wave of shaking. He said he grabbed his socks and rushed out onto the street, where he saw helicopters circling above."It felt like even the bed was being lifted," he said, adding that he immediately knew it was an earthquake because Tibet recently experienced multiple smaller quakes.Both power and water in the region have been disrupted. There were more than 40 aftershocks in the first few hours following the quake.

Donald Trump threatened military action to secure the Panama Canal and economic force against neighboring Canada, in a meandering press conference Tuesday a day after Congress certified his election victory.The Republican president-elect had gathered reporters at his home in southern Florida to announce a $20 billion Emirati investment in US technology, but his remarks quickly became a rally-style rant as he returned at length to familiar campaign themes."Since we won the election, the whole perception of the whole world is different. People from other countries have called me. They said, 'Thank you, thank you,'" Trump said as he set out his agenda for the coming four years.The billionaire announced he was going to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" and threatened the US's southern neighbour again with massive tariffs if it does not halt illegal border crossings."We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring," he told reporters, adding that "It's appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country."He refused to rule out using military force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal -- both of which he has long coveted -- criticizing recently deceased Jimmy Carter for permitting a handover to local control of the Central American waterway when he was president.Asked if he would use military force to bring Canada to heel, the incoming president said "no -- economic force," but added that eliminating the "artificially drawn" US-Canada border would be a boon to national security.As with many of Trump's pronouncements, it was difficult to separate humor or bombast from genuine policy, but the remarks will be seen as an escalation of his rhetoric on territorial expansion and drew a dismissive response from across the border.There is a "snowball's chance in hell" that Canada will merge with the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded, while Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said it would "never back down" over Trump's threats.

President-elect Donald Trump warned that if the hostages whom Hamas is still holding in Gaza are not released by his inauguration on January 20, “all hell will break out in the Middle East” – offering one more stark indication of how much the incoming president would prefer to avoid inheriting the Israel-Hamas war as he prepares to take office in less than two weeks.“It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don’t have to say anymore, but that’s what it is,” Trump said in remarks at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday, adding that “there should have never been” the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.Steve Witkoff, Trump’s pick to serve as the special envoy to the Middle East, struck an optimistic note about the state of negotiations to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would secure the release of the hostages, saying negotiators are “making a lot of progress.”“It’s the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it’ll all work out and we’ll save some lives,” Witkoff added.Witkoff added that “it’s the president, his reputation, the things that he has said that are driving this negotiation, and so hopefully it’ll all work out and we’ll save some lives.” CNN has previously reported that Biden administration officials are taking the lead in the talks, while their incoming Trump counterparts are being closely updated on developments.But a senior Biden administration official struck a much more cautious tone following Trump and Witkoff’s comments, telling CNN that the negotiations remain “difficult.”The official – who declined to comment further on the status of the talks – insisted that despite Witkoff appearing to suggest that a deal before January 20 was realistic, the talks are challenging. The Biden administration continues to work in “close coordination” with the incoming Trump national security team, they added.One senior Democrat close to the White House also told CNN this week that Joe Biden’s top national security officials are not optimistic that a deal can be reached before the president leaves office. “They’re all skeptical,” this person said.

A strong flood hit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, January 7. The city of Mecca has already been submerged, and streams of water are sweeping cars off the roads, The Daily Mail informs.According to media reports, Saudi Arabia was struck by a heavy rainstorm, which caused flooding. The holy cities of Mecca, Madinah, and Jeddah were the most affected.Photos and videos from the scene are spreading on social media, showing that the streets of the cities have turned into rivers. Due to the heavy rainfall, cars are nearly completely submerged, and the water streams are so strong that they are sweeping cars off the roads. Local residents are either evacuating or seeking shelter in safe places.Saudi Arabia's Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mecca, Madinah, and the port city of Jeddah. Forecasters warn that the rainfall is likely to continue until January 10.There have also been delays at the airport in Jeddah, and due to the weather, passengers are being advised to check for flight updates before traveling.Furthermore, another natural disaster occurred today in Tibet. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake caused nearly 100 died victims. The epicenter was located 181 km north of the Indian city of Darjeeling and 87 kilometers northeast of Everest.