ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 26, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 26, 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

• Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan, Leaving 38 dead, 29 Survivors
• U.S. Launches New Chinese Chips Trade Investigation
• Ecuador's Vice-President Assumes Presidency Until February 2025 Election

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan, Leaving 38 dead, 29 Survivors

An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people on board crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 people. Emergency responders rescued 29 survivors, including two children, with 11 in critical condition. The flight, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau. The survivors have been hospitalized, and a search team has reportedly found the plane’s black box. Kazakhstan has launched an investigation, and Russian authorities have sent medical support to the site.

U.S. Launches New Chinese Chips Trade Investigation

The United States started an investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors, which are older chips used in various consumer goods like automobiles, washing machines, and telecom equipment. The investigation, initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act, aims to protect U.S. semiconductor manufacturers from China's state-supported chip production. U.S. officials expressed concerns that two-thirds of U.S. semiconductor products include Chinese-made legacy chips, with some companies unaware of their origins. Legacy chips are not technologically advanced, but China can produce them much more cheaply than other countries, and they make up the bulk of most semiconductor chip sales.

Ecuador's Vice-President Assumes Presidency Until February 2025 Election

A judge reinstated Vice President Verónica Abad to her official duties after she had been suspended by President Daniel Noboa. Ecuador's constitution requires the president to cede his authority to the vice president during campaigning. Ecuador's presidential and legislative campaigns begin on January 5, 2025, first round election to be held February 9. A second and final round of presidential elections will then likely be held in April.