ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 22, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 22, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• China to Open New Sea Link Highway Between Shenzhen and Zhongshan
• Europe Introduces New Packet of Sanctions on Russia, Limits Some LNG Shipments
• Violent demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya, Continue

China to Open New Sea Link Highway Between Shenzhen and Zhongshan

China will open a new mega bridge between Shenzhen and Zhongshan at the end of June 2024 in Guangdong province. China hopes the bridge will increase economic integration in the mega-city cluster that includes Hong Kong and Macao. After seven years of construction, the 24 km (15 mile) Shenzhen-Zhongshan bridge, two artificial islands, and one underwater tunnel were completed. The mega link will cut the drive from two hours to less than 30 minutes between Shenzhen, the tech hub of China bordering Hong Kong, and Zhongshan, a cheaper manufacturing alternative to Shenzhen. The link is also expected to help solve the imbalance in economic development between the eastern and western parts of the Pearl River Delta, where GDP is five times higher on the east side bank, represented by Shenzhen and Dongguan, than on the west side bank, represented by Zhongshan and Zhuhai.

Europe Introduces New Packet of Sanctions on Russia, Limits Some LNG Shipments

On June 20, the European Union introduced its fourteenth package of sanctions against Russia. The measures notably ban transshipments of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to third countries, which marks the EU's first move to restrict Russian LNG. However, the bloc will still allow shipments of Russian LNG for use within Europe. EU leaders are concerned an outright ban on Russian LNG would negatively impact Europe's already tight energy market and significantly increase prices.

Violent demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya, Continue

On June 20, 2024, police officers fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters in the capital Nairobi after they gathered to oppose a finance bill that proposed several tax increases. At least 39 people were reportedly injured in the demonstration and dozens more were arrested. Violent demonstrations began on June 18 in Nairobi after the bill was proposed and resulted in the arrest of more than 200 participants. Several taxes were temporarily tabled in Parliament in response to the event; however, authorities claimed that the protests were unauthorized. Violent disruptive activities over the bills are expected to continue in the coming days in Nairobi, while smaller protests have begun to spread to other cities, such as Mombasa and Kisumu. Significant disruptions to transportation and business operations across Kenya are anticipated.