ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 25, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 25, 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

• Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall as It Hits Odisha, India
• China’s President Xi Calls for International Finance Reform During BRICS Summit
• Political Violence Ahead of Georgia Election

Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall as It Hits Odisha, India

Cyclone Dana made landfall along Odisha’s coast on Thursday night local time, with winds reaching speeds of 100 to 110 kmph (62.1 to 68.3 mph) and causing extremely heavy rain in the coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore. There were no casualties or injuries and flight operations have resumed. West Bengal also experienced similar storm conditions. The cyclone moved north-northwest at around 15 kmph (9.3 mph), before making landfall. The storm, categorized as "severe," is expected to gradually weaken as it moves further inland, continuing to bring heavy rains across much of the state through Friday. Authorities are on high alert to manage the storm's impact on affected regions.

China’s President Xi Calls for International Finance Reform During BRICS Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS nations to deepen cooperation and lead international financial reform. BRICS, named after the founding members Brazil, Russia, India, and China, covers more than 40 percent of the world’s population after Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates joined earlier this year. The bloc represents more than a quarter of global GDP, which could allow them to challenge the current U.S. and European-dominated international order, including dollar dominance in financial settlements. The dominance of the U.S. dollar, which is used to settle most energy payments, can be used to effectively sanction other states. Since Russia's war in Ukraine, there have been growing calls to use alternative currencies to dilute the impact of the U.S. dollar. While there is some evidence that states are conducting more trade in alternative currencies, no currency seriously threatens the U.S. dollar. Even BRICS members like India would very likely prefer to have excess U.S. dollars than Russian Rubles or Chinese Yuan, even if they share China and Russia's goals to better challenge the United States elsewhere.

Political Violence Ahead of Georgia Election

The leader of the "For Georgia" party, Giorgi Gakharia, announced that a member of his team was attacked in Tbilisi by a group of Georgian Dream supporters. This incident comes just days before Georgia's parliamentary elections on October 26. There have been several reports of political violence targeting the opposition figures over the past few months as the elections draw nearer.