Australia bans Huawei from selling 5G tech
Beijing, Aug 23 : Chinese tech company Huawei said on Thursday that the Australian government has blocked it from providing 5G technology for the country's wireless networks.
Huawei, one of the world's biggest makers of smartphones and telecommunications equipment, said that the government had informed it of the decision, reports CNN.
"This is an extremely disappointing result for consumers. Huawei is a world leader in 5G," the Chinese company said on Twitter.
The announcement follows reports that the Australian national security agencies were concerned about alleged ties between Huawei and the Chinese government.
The Australian government said in a statement on Thursday that the involvement of telecom equipment suppliers "who are likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law" could mean the country's wireless carriers are unable "to adequately protect a 5G network from unauthorised access or interference".
The statement however, did not mention China or Huawei by name.
Huawei has repeatedly rejected the security concerns, insisting that it is "a private company, owned by our employees with no other shareholders".
Australia's relationship with China has come under considerable strain in the past 18 months as Canberra's focus on Beijing's influence in domestic affairs has increased, the Guardian reported.
In March 2017, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop gave a speech in Singapore in which she warned China that "democracy and democratic institutions are essential for nations if they are to reach their economic potential".
That December, Australia introduced its foreign interference and espionage bills to parliament, both of which were explicitly tied to fears of Chinese influence.
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'NATO air defences intercept third ballistic missile over Turkiye since start of Iran war'
Istanbul (AP): NATO defences on Friday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran over Turkiye, the Defense Ministry said.
It marked the third such incident since the start of the Iran war.
Turkiyes Defence Ministry said the missile was destroyed by NATO air defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. Residents in the southern city of Adana reported hearing a loud explosion and sirens sounding at Incirlik Air Base, which is used by US forces, in the early hours of Friday.
No casualties were reported.
This week, NATO deployed an additional Patriot air defense system in the southeastern province of Malatya, where the Kurecik radar station is based.
The Defence Ministry stressed Thursday that Incirlik is a Turkish base – and that the foreign troop presence doesn't alter the base's status – in an apparent response to warnings from Tehran to regional countries not to host US military bases.
