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Google Uncovers New Russian Malware ‘LOSTKEYS’ Linked to Cold River Hacking Group

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Google’s Threat Intelligence Group announced Wednesday the discovery of a new malware strain called “LOSTKEYS”, which has been linked to the Russia-based hacking group Cold River, believed to have ties to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

According to Google researcher Wesley Shields, the malware marks a significant expansion in Cold River’s cyber toolkit, with capabilities that include file theft and system reconnaissance, enabling attackers to gather intelligence on high-profile individuals and institutions.

“LOSTKEYS represents a new development in the toolset used by Cold River,” Shields stated in a blog post.

Recent Targeting Activity:

  • Attacks observed in January, March, and April 2025

  • Targets include current and former advisers to Western governments, military personnel, NGOs, journalists, think tanks, and individuals connected to Ukraine

  • Cold River continues to pursue espionage goals in line with Russian strategic interests

Background on Cold River:

Cold River gained notoriety for targeting:

  • Three U.S. nuclear research labs in 2022

  • Private email leaks of former British spymaster Richard Dearlove and other pro-Brexit figures

  • Credential theft campaigns targeting NATO governments and NGOs

The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The revelation underscores ongoing concerns about state-sponsored cyber threats emanating from Russia, particularly amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and heightened geopolitical tensions.

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan, Killing 38

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An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 passenger jet crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, claiming 38 lives and leaving 29 survivors hospitalized. The crash occurred after the plane diverted from its scheduled route between Azerbaijan and Grozny, Russia, crossing the Caspian Sea before descending rapidly and bursting into flames near the shoreline.

The flight, J2-8243, was reportedly forced to reroute due to an emergency situation that may have been caused by a bird strike, according to Russia’s aviation watchdog. However, aviation experts, including Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory, questioned this explanation, noting that bird strikes typically result in landings at the nearest airfield rather than significant deviations from the flight path.

Video footage of the crash, verified by Reuters, showed the aircraft crashing into the seashore and erupting in flames. Emergency responders extinguished the fire and transported survivors, including two children, to a nearby hospital. Efforts to recover the bodies of the deceased are ongoing.

Kazakhstan’s transport prosecutor, Timur Suleimenov, confirmed the recovery of the plane’s black box, which will aid in determining the cause of the crash. Preliminary flight tracking data indicated the plane had veered off its course along the west coast of the Caspian Sea before disappearing and later reappearing near Aktau, where it circled before crashing.

Officials have not clarified why the plane diverted across the sea. However, the crash follows reports of Ukrainian drone strikes in southern Russia’s Chechnya region earlier this month. These strikes led to temporary closures of several Russian airports, including Makhachkala, the nearest airport on the flight’s original route.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences, describing the tragedy as a “tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people.” He stated that while poor weather might have influenced the flight’s deviation, the crash’s cause remains under investigation. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Baku to Chechnya until the probe is complete.

Kazakhstan’s government has formed a commission to investigate the incident and provide support to the victims’ families. Both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan pledged cooperation in the investigation. Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, extended condolences. Kadyrov noted that some injured passengers remain in critical condition.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, the maker of the crashed jet, also expressed its sympathies and pledged support for the investigation.

 

G20 Summit Kicks Off with Global Pact to Fight Hunger and Poverty

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Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opened the Group of 20 (G20) summit on Monday with the launch of a groundbreaking global alliance aimed at combating hunger and poverty. A total of 81 countries have agreed to support this initiative, which emphasizes coordinated efforts to address these challenges globally.

  • Alliance Backed by Major Entities: The alliance is supported by the African Union, European Union, international organizations, development banks, and major philanthropies such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Lula’s Message: In his opening remarks, Lula, who rose from poverty and organized a metalworkers union, stressed that hunger and poverty are political decisions, not the result of scarcity or natural events.

G20 Agenda Amid Global Shifts

As leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro for two days of talks, their discussions on trade, climate change, and international security are expected to clash with shifting U.S. policies under President-elect Donald Trump.

  • U.S. Policy Changes: Trump’s stance on tariffs, the war in Ukraine, and other issues is set to reshape the global agenda once he takes office in January.
  • Escalating Ukraine Conflict: A recent Russian airstrike on Ukraine and a new U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to target deeper into Russia have created challenges for diplomats trying to reach consensus on the war.

Tensions and Security Concerns in Rio

Security in Rio has been heightened with the presence of Brazilian troops and police reinforcements. Despite this, a Brazilian army patrol came under gunfire near a slum in Rio de Janeiro, though no one was injured.

  • Geopolitical Tensions: Amid these tensions, the summit is being held against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, with discussions focused on the global governance system and economic inequalities.

New White House Priorities and China’s Role

While U.S. President Joe Biden is seen as a lame duck with only two months left in office, China’s President Xi Jinping is poised to play a central role at the summit.

  • Biden’s Contributions: Biden is expected to announce a significant pledge to the World Bank’s International Development Association fund and launch a clean energy partnership with Brazil.
  • China’s Economic Influence: Xi is expected to promote China’s Belt & Road initiative, although Brazil has opted not to join.
  • U.S.-China Tensions: The G20 summit’s trade talks are also set to be impacted by Trump’s plans to escalate the U.S.-China trade war.

Brazil’s Push for Reform Faces Obstacles

Brazil’s efforts to push for reform in global governance and multilateral financial institutions could face challenges under Trump’s administration, particularly in areas like taxing the super-rich, an issue close to Lula’s agenda.

  • Opposition from Allies: Argentine President Javier Milei, a new ally of Trump in Latin America, has already rejected including a mention of taxing the wealthy in the summit’s joint communique.