ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 25, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 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

• China to Step up Fiscal Support for Consumption in 2025
• Egypt to Contribute Troops to African Union's Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia
• Venezuelan Presidential Inauguration on January 10, 2025

China to Step up Fiscal Support for Consumption in 2025

On December 24, 2024, China’s Ministry of Finance confirmed that it would increase stimulus support by raising pensions and medical insurance subsidies for residents and expanding consumer goods trade-ins, hoping to get Chinese consumers to purchase more. The measures hope to improve livelihoods and the policy system to support population growth and strengthen the social security network and health care system. The Chinese authorities also agreed to issue CNY 3 trillion (USD 411 billion) worth of special treasury bonds next year. China plans to raise the budget deficit to a record 4 percent of GDP next year and maintain an economic growth target of about 5 percent.

Egypt to Contribute Troops to African Union's Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia

Egyptian officials have announced plans to contribute troops to the African Union's Somalia peacekeeping mission to help prevent counterterrorism. Somalia and Egypt have recently obtained closer relations due to heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal that Somali officials claimed violates their territorial sovereignty. Egypt has supplied Somalia with weapons, military aid, and troops in recent months. An agreement was struck between Ethiopia and Somaliland, whereby Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country in exchange for access to a stretch of coastal land off the coast of the Red Sea. The agreement has increased militarization with Ethiopia and Somalia, but the countries have agreed to resume negotiations in February 2025 to mediate the tensions.

Venezuelan Presidential Inauguration on January 10, 2025

On January 10, 2025, President Nicolas Maduro will be inaugurated for a third five-year term despite the United States and Europe recognizing his opponent, Edmundo González, as the rightful winner of the July 2024 elections. González has fled to Europe, and it is almost certain Maduro will be inaugurated despite a strong opposition protest movement that once threatened Maduro's hold on power. The United States could agree to interact with Maduro in exchange for concessions on accepting migrants from the United States.