The US Pledged to Rein in China’s Tech Ambitions. It’s Struggling

Breadcrumb Trail LinksPMN BusinessOn today’s Big Take Asia podcast, how China has made key technological advances despite the US’s effort to curb it.Author of the article:Bloomberg NewsK Oanh Ha, Yang Yang, Naomi Ng and Jessica BeckPublished Oct 30, 2024  •  10 minute readAn employee inspect integrated circuit boards at the Smart Pioneer Electronics Co. factory in Suzhou. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg Photo by Qilai Shen /BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take Asia podcast today.China is making steady progress in its quest to dominate key industries of the future, despite years of US tariffs, export controls and sanctions. On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks to Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins about how the US is struggling to curb Beijing’s technological advances, and whether the upcoming election could change the dynamic.Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentFurther listening:How China’s BYD Became King of the Affordable EVOn Friday, Odd Lots will dig into Bloomberg’s research on the Made in China plan, and why it largely succeeded in spite of US efforts. Subscribe here.Listen and follow The Big Take Asia on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcastsTerminal clients: Click here to subscribe Below is a lighted edited transcript of the conversation:K. Oanh Ha: The US presidential election is a week away, and the contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris could not be tighter. The two candidates are going head-to-head on everything from the economy to immigration. But one area they agree on is the need to curb China’s rise.Donald Trump: We got hundreds of billions of dollars just from China alone. And I hadn’t even started yet. But tariffs are two things, if you look at it, number one is for protection of the companies that we have here…Kamala Harris: A policy about China should be in making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century, which means focusing on the details of what that requires. Focusing on relationships with our allies. Focusing on investing in American-based technology.Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: So how is the US doing versus China? Which superpower is leading the race for dominance of the 21st century? Rebecca Choong Wilkins, Bloomberg’s Asia Government and Politics correspondent says a good way to try to answer this question is by looking at the key emerging technologies that China identified as its priority — back in 2015 when it announced its Made in China 2025 plan. And when you look at that plan now — nearly a decade later, new research by Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Intelligence shows that Made in China 2025 has largely been a success.Rebecca Choong Wilkins: So of the 13 key technologies tracked by Bloomberg researchers, China has achieved a global leadership position in five of them and is catching up fast in seven others.Ha: Welcome to the Big Take Asia from Bloomberg News. I’m Oanh Ha. Every week, we take you inside some of the world’s biggest and most powerful economies, and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive this ever-shifting region. Today on the show: How did China get ahead in key technological advances – despite US efforts to prevent that from happening. And would a Harris or Trump administration change that? Top StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Rebecca says back in 2015 when the Made in China plan was announced by the Chinese Communist Party – it was all about helping the country achieve two big goals.Choong Wilkins: One is this self-sufficiency, not wanting to be reliant on other countries and is preparing for any kind of scenario where, for example, China might be cut off from, say, its energy supply or whatever it might be, and China more broadly does have a sort of preoccupation or prevailing concern with preserving its own security. So standing on its own two feet. And the second is becoming increasingly competitive and, in fact, a global leader in some of these key strategic areas. So there’s both a sort of inward and an outward element to the Made in China plan.Ha: The plan highlighted 10 priority sectors for the nation to focus on, including aerospace equipment, energy-saving cars, bio medicine and high-end machine tools and robots. And now almost 10 years later – according to the analysis by Bloomberg – China has in fact become a global leader in many of these key areas. Choong Wilkins: So those sectors include solar panels, unmanned aerial vehicles — those are drones – graphene, which is a coating material that’s used in tons and tons of sectors, high speed rail, and electric vehicles. Advertisement 5Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Now does China have any natural advantages that makes it possible that it’s been able to take leading positions in these sectors? Or is this simply by design and the will of Beijing?Choong Wilkins: Well it’s worth saying that even in 2015, China, as we determine, was already a global leader in three of these sectors – in graphene and solar panels and in unmanned aerial vehicles. So, they had a sort of, somewhat of a head start in any case. But the other important element here to remember, I think, is that when Beijing does signal out an area for support, when it signals out a key policy priority, it really is able to throw the full weight of its economy, essentially, behind that.So for example, if it decides that electric vehicles are a priority, say, it can ask banks to lend it credit cheaply. It can get local governments to lease it land cheaply or perhaps even at no or low cost. It can also get large state-owned enterprises to use the sort of full force of its resources, its talents and direct it towards those industries. So you know, Beijing has an incredibly sort of powerful basis here, an incredibly powerful set of resources to direct towards these industries when it has selected these priorities.Advertisement 6Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: But there is one key area where China hasn’t caught up to the US – and that’s in advanced semiconductors. That’s in part because of some key things the US has done to keep its rival from catching up.Choong Wilkins: There’s sort of three big tools for economic statecraft that we’ve seen. One of them is tariffs, imposing these high costs for imports coming into the US, sometimes prohibitively high. The second are export controls, essentially trying to prevent the transfer of US technology, goods, services overseas to other parts of the world. And the final part of that are financial sanctions.The big area where we can say that some of the US export controls and so on have been more effective is in sort of high, advanced semiconductors. And it’s important to remember in this context, there’s just a handful of companies involved in this kind of really advanced semiconductor tech manufacturing. And it’s fair to say, the Biden administration, they have been successful in building consensus among allies, among other countries trying to contain China’s access to semiconductors. And so we saw Dutch companies, Japanese companies essentially falling in line in preventing China from accessing the actual products needed to manufacture these types of chips.Advertisement 7Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: And in light of that of the US having allies to support its approach to trade on China and its approach to contain China. What has China done to make sure it has access to the technologies it needs?Choong Wilkins: China essentially has been stockpiling like mad. That’s a sort of fundamental basis of this. They’re stockpiling a record amount of semiconductor equipment, and that includes these high-end Nvidia chips. It’s preparing essentially, for a number of further curbs. It’s looking further out thinking, if we see these kind of moves accelerate, if they’re expanded, where will we be? And how do we try and future proof against that?  Ha: But it’s not just semiconductors where the US is trying to use export controls to slow China down. After the break: a look at the other tools the US is using and will a new administration keep them going.Ha: The US has leaned on its allies to limit China’s access to advanced technologies like semiconductors. Meanwhile, the US is also concerned about its ability to be a leader in other sectors as well. Some of these areas were outlined back in 2022 by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.Advertisement 8Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentJake Sullivan: Computing-related technologies, biotech, clean tech are true “force multipliers” through the tech ecosystem. And leadership in each of these areas is a national security imperative. We’re investing in the industries of the future and strengthening the resilience and security of our supply chains.Ha: Sullivan calls these technologies a “national security imperative”. Bloomberg’s Rebecca Choong Wilkins says that’s an important thing to take note of, because over time she’s seen a change in the way the US talks about the need to restrain China.Choong Wilkins: Yeah, I think in the early days of the trade war, a lot of the focus was on the sort of, wrongdoing as they alleged of Chinese companies. But over time that has really morphed into this whole discussion over national security and increasingly this focus on China’s preparedness for a war. And in fact we’ve almost seen the true real concerns at the heart of some of these economic policies, over sort of military might essentially.It’s this question of deterrence, whether or not Beijing and Washington will essentially adopt this idea that the costs of this trade conflict and trade war and the cost of this increasing competition are worth it or not. It comes, sort of, I suppose, to this fundamental question of to what extent both sides feel that their own national security is fundamentally at risk.Advertisement 9Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: On the campaign trail, Trump and Harris have advocated different approaches toward China, even as both agree on the need to thwart its rise. I asked Rebecca what Trump currently has in mind here.Choong Wilkins: Well, we just, in a way, have just seen an amplification, perhaps unsurprisingly, of some of his previous policies. He’s mentioned this possibility of 60% tariffs across all Chinese imports into the US. Ha: That would be crazy high. Choong Wilkins: That would be crazy high, and it would really hurt the Chinese economy. One bank, for example, estimates that it could essentially halve Chinese GDP growth. So it would really be a significant hit to China, but also a significant hit to the US if that then results in a higher cost of goods.Ha: Bloomberg’s Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait pressed Trump on that point in an interview earlier this month.John Micklethwait: …You’re talking about 60% trade on that, 60% tariffs on that. You’re talking, as you said, 100, 200% on things you don’t really like. You’re also talking about 10, 20% tariffs on the rest of the world. That is going to have a serious effect on the overall economy. And yes, you’re going to find some people who will gain from individual tariffs. The overall effect could be massive in terms of the economy.Advertisement 10Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentTrump: I agree. I agree, it’s going to have a massive effect. Positive effect. It’s going to be a positive, not a negative.Micklethwait: Well just… Trump: Let me just no, no..Micklethwait: Give me an example. Trump: I know how committed you are…Choong Wilkins: The other thing to remember with Trump is that he has taken a more protectionist stance writ large. He’s not just concerned about Chinese imports, but he’s concerned about imports from everyone, including, for example, the European Union.Ha: What do we know about Harris’s approach if she wins?  Choong Wilkins: Well Harris’s approach, we expect to be more consistent with the Biden administration’s. I will say she too has focused on this idea of jobs and sort of American industrial policy, trying essentially to build up some of those manufacturing bases again. She’s been critical of Trump’s proposed tariffs. But she has been quite firm on some of the national security risks that the US faces. Ha: So Rebecca, is either approach really doing a great job in containing China’s tech development? Choong Wilkins: Well if we look at the success of the Biden administration, and we look, just going back to the beginning at some of those Made in China targets, for example, we can see that actually, they aren’t successful, or they haven’t been successful in certain key areas. If we exclude semiconductors, actually, trade has found a way to get through. Sanctions haven’t been hugely successful. So that’s one question for Harris that this need to perhaps recalibrate the approach.Advertisement 11Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentHa: Despite the US efforts to slow down China, the world outside the US is increasingly driving Chinese EVs, surfing on Chinese smartphones, and powering their homes with Chinese solar panels. And Rebecca says there might be better approaches for the US to maintain its competitiveness.Choong Wilkins: One approach to thinking about what would be more effective than sanctions is this idea that Adam Posen from the Peterson Institute has mentioned, which is suction, not sanctions. Essentially that the US should be making use and taking up talent, resources, innovation coming from China and partnering with it in order to advance its own industries and its own key sectors. Ha: So basically, taking away all the talent so that the US makes use of it. Choong Wilkins: Taking the best of what China has developed and then building on that to develop and innovate at a faster pace.(Updated the transcript)Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

How American tech giants are aiding Israel’s AI-powered genocide in Gaza

By Maryam Qarehgozlou  

Microsoft, a multinational tech giant headquartered in Washington, fired two employees last week after they organized a vigil at the company’s headquarters for Palestinians killed in the year-long Israeli-American genocidal war on Gaza.

Abdo Muhammad and Hossam Nasr, the two dismissed Microsoft employees of Egyptian descent, were both actively involved in an employee coalition called “No Azure for Apartheid.”

This group has been vocal for months in opposing Microsoft’s sale of its cloud-computing technology to the Israeli regime, citing concerns over gross human rights violations and the company’s support of Israel’s genocidal practices and war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

Microsoft, a global leader in cloud services, computer software, and hardware, confirmed the termination of several employees “in accordance with its internal policies” without providing specific details regarding the dismissals.

“So I guess the cat is out of the bag. I was fired from Microsoft on Thursday, hours after a vigil we organized to honor and remember the lives of Palestinians killed by American-funded and Microsoft-empowered Israeli genocide,” Nasr wrote in a thread of posts on X, formerly Twitter.

Nasr, however, emphasized that his dismissal, as well as the unfair treatment of other Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim employees at Microsoft, is not an isolated incident.

He said it is part of a larger pattern of discriminatory and repressive behavior that has been ongoing since at least 2021 against anyone with opposite views.

“This did not come out of nowhere, but follows a pattern stretching back to 2021 of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, silencing, and repressing against me and our Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities at Microsoft, for daring to humanize Palestinians,” he wrote.

Nasr asserted that his dismissal from Microsoft will not silence his voice or deter him from continuing to speak out on issues related to Palestinian rights and Microsoft’s complicity in perpetuating war crimes.

“If they think firing me will silence me, they couldn’t be more wrong. The more they try to silence us, the louder our voice gets. We will not stop, we will not rest!”

Google, the California-headquartered multinational tech company, fired more than 50 workers earlier this year for protesting the company’s contract with the Israeli regime, known as “Project Nimbus.”

This $1.2 billion deal was signed in 2021 by Google and Amazon to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the regime in Tel Aviv.

Cloud computing helps the Israeli military in Gaza as well as in the occupied West Bank and Lebanon by providing advanced data storage and processing capabilities.

Reports indicate that the Israeli military has utilized cloud services to store vast amounts of surveillance information on individuals in Gaza as well as Lebanon.

Furthermore, these cloud providers supply AI capabilities and services that have enhanced the military’s efficiency since the onset of the war on Gaza.

Amazon, Google, Microsoft fueling Israeli genocide

In July, at the “IT for IDF“ conference in Rishon Lezion, near Tel Aviv, Col. Racheli Dembinsky, commander of the Israeli military’s Center of Computing and Information Systems, confirmed that Israel is using cloud storage and artificial intelligence services provided by these US-based tech giants in its devastating war against the Gaza Strip.

Dembinsky’s lecture slides featured the logos of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, indicating the Israeli military’s overwhelming reliance on their technology for data processing and management.

This revelation again highlighted the collaboration between these tech companies and the Israeli military amid the genocidal war on Gaza, which has already claimed more than 43,100 innocent lives, most of them women and children.

Dembinsky said in her speech that working with these companies has granted the Israeli military “very significant operational effectiveness” in the Gaza Strip.

Google

In 2021, when Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS) entered into the $1.2 billion Project Nimbus, they agreed to provide the Israeli regime and its military with cloud computing services, AI, and machine learning capabilities.

A year later, Google established a cloud center in the Israeli-occupied territories as part of this collaboration.

Through Project Nimbus, Google offers advanced AI capabilities such as facial detection, automated image categorization, object tracking, and sentiment analysis to evaluate the emotional content of images, speech, and text.

Under this agreement, Google grants the Israeli war ministry a secure “landing zone” within its cloud infrastructure for data storage and processing, as well as access to Google’s AI services.

Google has consistently maintained that its Nimbus contract only provides commercial services for Israeli ministries, such as finance, healthcare, transportation, and education.

However, documents and statements made by Israeli officials reveal a different story.

Despite concerns raised about Israel’s deployment of AI in warfare, particularly the carnage in Gaza, a company document viewed by TIME in April showed that Google expanded its partnership with the regime in March 2024, allowing multiple units to utilize Google’s automation technologies.

Moreover, Israel has long used Google-provided biometric surveillance, including facial recognition technology, to maintain control over Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds.

Following the Israeli military ground invasion of Gaza in October last year, the army expanded this surveillance to Gaza, with soldiers employing Google Photos for biometric identification.

On November 19, 2023, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha was misidentified and arbitrarily detained by Israeli forces at a checkpoint while fleeing North Gaza, due to this system.

He reported being blindfolded, interrogated, beaten, and later released without explanation.

Since October 7, 2023, The Israeli regime also has been running ads on Google’s search engine and YouTube, disseminating false information about the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

These ads featured unsubstantiated claims that UNRWA is linked to Hamas and employs “terrorists” to discredit UNRWA and undermine its work in supporting Palestinians in Gaza.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

A recent investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call uncovered that the Israeli army employs Amazon’s cloud service to store surveillance data on individuals in Gaza while obtaining AI tools from Google and Microsoft for military operations.

AWS provides Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate with extensive data storage capabilities, allowing for the collection of mass surveillance information on “almost everyone” in Gaza.

According to the investigation, AWS services have occasionally played a role in confirming airstrike targets for the Israeli military.

Furthermore, through Project Nimbus, Amazon’s subsidiary AWS established a cloud region in Israeli-occupied territories in August 2023, enabling the regime to transfer significant workloads to the cloud.

One major client of this cloud service is Bank Leumi, a prominent Israeli bank criticized for funding war crimes and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

AWS also collaborates with Palantir, an American data analysis firm that provides militaries with artificial intelligence models, assisting customers in enhancing their war-fighting capabilities.

In January, Palantir agreed to a strategic partnership with the Israeli ministry of military affairs to supply technology to help the Zionist regime in its war effort.

Microsoft

Microsoft has also had a long-standing business relationship with Israel’s military and spying establishments, which has only become stronger since October 7 last year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once described this partnership as “a marriage made in heaven but recognized here on Earth.”

Microsoft Azure, the company’s primary cloud computing platform, has been extensively used by Israel’s military and was considered the Tel Aviv regime’s main cloud provider.

Last year, almost a month into the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, Microsoft introduced a new cloud region in Israel and has provided AI and cloud services for military purposes.

Microsoft also supports various Israeli initiatives by offering services used for the expansion of illegal settlement, military, police, and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS).

As of October 2024, there are over 10,000 Palestinians held illegally in Israeli detention centers, almost all of them held without charges or trial.

According to the UN Human Rights Office as well as verified testimonies provided by rights groups, Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, including hundreds of medical professionals, UN staffers, women, and children, face torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence while in prolonged, secret, and incommunicado detention.

Reports also indicate that since the war began against Gaza, numerous Palestinians residing outside Gaza have had their Microsoft email accounts and Skype access suspended without explanation.

These suspensions have led to difficulties accessing bank accounts, disruptions to work, and further isolation from their families in Gaza, who have already been impacted by multiple internet outages in the past year.

#NoTechForGenocide

Tech companies’ provision of services to Israel has made them complicit in the perpetration of grave human rights violations, as they are contributing to Israel’s acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, according to anti-Israel tech workers and campaigners.

These grave violations are currently under investigation by both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Despite facing repercussions, including dismissal from their jobs, tech workers remain steadfast in their opposition to providing services to the apartheid Israeli regime.

These individuals continue to express their objections, underscoring their commitment to uphold ethical principles and respect for human rights even at the risk of personal and professional consequences.

Nasr on his thread of posts challenged those who ask about their fear of consequences for speaking out against Microsoft’s complicity in the Gaza genocide by turning the question back on them.

“I am often asked: are you not scared of being fired? Are you not scared of being deported? And my answer is always, are YOU not scared? Are you NOT scared of being complicit in the Holocaust of our time,” he wrote.

“Are YOU not scared of being silent in the face of one of the gravest moral tragedies of our time? Are YOU not scared of what you will tell your children and grandchildren when they ask you where you were when the Gaza genocide was happening?”

The Art and Science of Becoming A ‘Likeable Badass’

Be assertive – but not aggressive.

Speak up – but don’t be too loud.

Show confidence – but stay humble.

If you’re a woman in the workplace, you’ve likely heard these seemingly impossible-to-navigate pieces of advice. The underlying message? Walk an impossibly fine line between being powerful and being likeable.

But what if that supposed tension between assertiveness and warmth is actually the secret to success? That’s the groundbreaking premise behind professor Alison Fragale’s new book Likeable Badass.

In this interview, Fragale unpacks how women can leverage both their capability and their care to build lasting influence at work. Drawing from her background in psychology and behavioral science, she offers a fresh perspective on age-old workplace dilemmas, from imposter syndrome to self-promotion.

Melody Wilding: What inspired you to write this book? Is there a personal story behind it?
Alison Fragle: I often say that I didn’t so much find the women who inspired this book as they found me. For years, I worked in predominantly male spaces—teaching MBA students and professional audiences, often on topics like negotiation and influence. After nearly every class or presentation, I’d notice a line of women waiting to speak with me one-on-one. They shared their struggles around negotiating, advocating for themselves, and building their reputations without facing backlash.

It became clear to me, almost like a “lightbulb moment,” that women were grappling with challenges for which they weren’t finding answers elsewhere. I realized I was in a unique position to help, blending my background in psychology and behavioral science with my personal experiences. Through that combination, I could offer guidance on how women might regain control in environments where so much feels outside of their control, helping them pursue happier, more fulfilling lives.
One concept I discuss in the book is the importance of having others advocate for you—getting people to “say your name in rooms you’re not in.” As I often say, negotiation isn’t just for cars, houses, and salaries; it’s for anything you want. When you’ve earned someone’s respect, they’re usually happy to support you, especially if it’s as simple as talking up the good work you’ve done in conversations where their opinion is respected. Personally, I’ve never had anyone refuse when I asked them to mention my work, and I share an example in the book of doing this successfully with a colleague. I find people are thrilled to help, and sometimes, all we need to do is make the ask.
Wilding: What does it mean to be a likeable badass?
Fragle: A “likeable badass” is someone who shows up with a blend of two essential traits: capability and care. It’s about being both assertive and warm—demonstrating that you know what you’re doing, you’re good at it, and you genuinely care about others. This combination of assertiveness and warmth is powerful; it’s the surest way to earn respect from others.
When people meet us, they subconsciously assess two things: our ability to get things done and our concern for others. These judgments aren’t random—they’re based on whether we can control our environment and get results (assertiveness), and whether we care about more than just ourselves (warmth). This blend is crucial for respect, which opens doors to so many other good things in life.
In psychology, this concept is known as the “warmth-competence model,” or technically, the “interpersonal circumflex of person perception.” But let’s face it, “likeable badass” is a lot catchier!
Wilding: Tell me about task cues. How can we choose ones that balance assertiveness and warmth?
Fragle: Task cues are the signals we give off that help others judge our abilities and intentions. They reveal both our competence—how capable we are at completing a task—and our willingness to put effort into helping others. In essence, task cues are expressions of assertiveness and warmth.
For example, humor is a task cue that reflects both. Making people laugh is challenging, so it’s often seen as a sign of intelligence and assertiveness, but it also creates a sense of joy and connection, conveying warmth. Similarly, helping others by offering advice shows competence (since you’re in a position to share knowledge) and warmth (because you’re using that knowledge to benefit others).
Other cues, like eye contact, can reflect both assertiveness and warmth—it’s direct but also affiliative. Even the speed and quantity of speech matter; speaking frequently or quickly can signal competence, while a more tentative or collaborative speaking style, such as using hedges like “I think” or tag questions like “right?”, tends to come across as warmer.
Some cues naturally balance both qualities, while others lean more toward one side. Ideally, blending assertiveness and warmth creates a “magic combination.” However, it’s also beneficial to adjust based on the situation. For instance, when working with someone closely, warmth may matter more, while assertiveness might be more valued by those who work independently from you and primarily seek competence.
We also each have a natural tendency toward one of these dimensions. Personally, assertiveness comes easily to me because of my background in negotiation, so I don’t mind behaviors like apologizing that might lean more toward warmth. Ultimately, I encourage people to start with what feels authentic to them and then add cues mindfully rather than feeling pressured to change or hide their natural style.
Wilding: You offer several narratives that women should change – and new ones to embrace. What are one or two of your favorites?
Fragle: Two narratives that stand out for me are around imposter syndrome and the idea of “not caring what others think.”
First, imposter syndrome. It’s hard to build your reputation and confidence if you don’t believe in yourself. My perspective is that while imposter syndrome doesn’t feel good, it’s actually necessary. I compare it to the soreness you feel after lifting weights—you don’t love the feeling, but you know it means you’re growing stronger. Imposter syndrome often sits between our goals and our actual achievements. When we set high goals but don’t quite reach them, we can feel like we’ve fallen short. However, goal-setting research shows that ambitious goals actually drive us to perform better, even if we don’t hit the target exactly.
Think of it this way: if you set a goal to run a marathon in four hours but finish in 4:20, you’ll run faster than if you hadn’t set that challenging goal at all. Yet all you might see is, “I missed the four-hour mark,” which triggers imposter feelings. The only people who never feel like impostors are the real impostors. So, the discomfort of imposter syndrome is actually a sign of growth, much like those sore muscles after a workout. I want people to get comfortable with it and see it as a side effect of success, not a sign of failure.
The second narrative I encourage people to rethink is “I don’t care what people think of me.” This sentiment often comes up as a defense mechanism when we face disappointment, but I always say, “No one tells you not to care what people think when you’re receiving an award!” Our quality of life is deeply influenced by others’ opinions—what our loved ones, coworkers, and bosses think of us can have real impacts. Instead of seeing indifference as a strength, I encourage people to embrace what I call “the pride of effectiveness”—focusing on how we can influence others’ perceptions to reflect who we truly are.
This isn’t about obsessing over others’ opinions; it’s about realizing we have the power to shape them. The idea of not caring what people think is often well-intentioned, but it can lead us to disengage from those around us. Instead, if we focus on being effective and understood, we can create the outcomes we want.
Wilding: What are some overlooked or underutilized ways women can tell their story at work?
Fragle: Two techniques come to mind: “dual promotion” and using tools like out-of-office messages creatively.
With dual promotion, you share a success story about yourself while also highlighting the contributions of others. It’s a “praise me and I praise you” approach. Research shows that by acknowledging both your accomplishments and the roles others played, you come across as both competent and warm. For instance, if you’re sending a weekly update to your boss, you could include the team’s wins along with a special thanks to specific colleagues who supported the success. This method can feel safer for those who are hesitant about self-promotion, as it balances assertiveness with appreciation.
Another great, low-risk way to tell your story is through tools you’re already using—like your social media profiles or even your out-of-office message. Many people think of out-of-office replies as simple notifications, but they can be subtle storytelling opportunities. For example, instead of just stating when you’ll return, you might say something like, “I’m out of the office attending an industry conference to enhance my skills,” or “I’m accepting an award and will reply when I return.” This approach lets people know what you’re up to in a way that feels natural, and no one perceives it as self-promoting.
I actually came across this idea because I noticed others using it, and it was so effective that it inspired me to look deeper. Sometimes, leaning into a strategy you feel drawn to—whether or not it’s traditional—is the best way to share your story.
Wilding: You talk about the urge women often have to conserve their status. Any tips to help readers navigate risks?
Fragle: I think of losing status as taking actions that may risk being seen as less assertive or less warm. For instance, if I need to disagree with someone in a meeting, there’s a chance they’ll perceive me as less warm. Or, if I’m balancing family priorities—like taking a call while on the go for my child’s activity—someone might see me as a bit less organized or professional.
My advice is to view status as a resource, much like money or health. Just as you wouldn’t save every penny without ever spending it on meaningful things, it doesn’t make sense to simply conserve status if it doesn’t help you live the life you want. But, like money, it’s finite, so it’s important not to “spend” it frivolously.
A good way to manage this is by setting long-term goals and considering how today’s choices align with them. For example, one of my personal long-term goals is to have strong relationships with my children as they grow into adults. So, when deciding between work and family moments, I ask myself if this particular choice will matter to my future relationship with them. That helps me navigate the risk of momentarily appearing less “professional” in certain situations.
Similarly, in professional settings, if I disagree with someone, I’ll think about whether expressing that disagreement supports my larger goals. Often, I find that it’s not critical, and I can let it go without sacrificing my status for something that doesn’t truly impact my objectives.
Ultimately, it’s about finding confidence in spending a little of that “status capital” when it serves your long-term goals—just as you might think twice about a purchase in light of your financial goals. This way, you can take risks thoughtfully, knowing they align with what really matters.

N1bn defamation threat: Taraba cleric dares TY Danjuma, says book God’s words

A Taraba-based cleric and the International Director of the Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide, Paul Rika, has responded defiantly to former Defense Minister Theophilus Danjuma’s threat of a N1 billion lawsuit over alleged defamation.
The cleric asserted that his writings were divinely inspired messages and urged Danjuma to accept them as God’s words rather than pursue legal action.
Danjuma, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tayo Oyetibo, demanded on September 27 that Rika retract alleged defamatory statements in his book, “God’s Message to Kuteb Tribe and Indigenes of Taraba State.”
Danjuma’s letter claimed that sections of the book painted him as “a wicked, mischievous, evil, and anti-democratic person” and demanded N1 billion in damages within seven days.

In a letter obtained by journalists on Wednesday, Rika stood firm, advising the retired general to heed what he described as a divine warning and to consider the message for spiritual reflection.
“God’s message may appear damaging but if we listen, they will change us into what he desires us to be before our death,” Rika stated.
The cleric sent additional books to Danjuma to help him understand the context, explaining that God does not seek to “massage egos” but to convey truth.
Rika said, “I want you to know the certainty of the message the Lord has sent to you, the Kuteb people and the Indigenes of Taraba State. You know that God is your Creator as much as He is the Creator of other people. He loves you as much as He loves other people and will not want you to oppress them.
“God has no respect for persons; He is the Lord of all. He has the liberty to speak to anybody at any time and in the manner He wants. He is the one who will bring everyone to judgment. Should He speak to you in your lifetime on earth or after your lifetime, when there would be no chance anymore to show you mercy? Judge it yourself.
“As the Lord sent a message to King Ahab concerning the wickedness he did to Naboth and his family, so the Lord has sent you the message contained in the book on the evil you have done to the Kuteb tribe from your youth to this day, which you are planning to continue, even after your lifetime on earth, as revealed by God in the book.” Related News
He likened his book to the letter sent to Theophilus in the Book of Luke, saying “I have no doubt that this is true of you because the revelation came from God. Your argument against this truth has no meaning, because of your practical … deeds against the Kuteb tribe and against Taraba State at large, which are still ongoing.
“The revelation message in the book is true and many people bear witness to it, both in Taraba State and in the world around it.”
The cleric admonished the retired general, “Please Sir, acknowledge your iniquity, both as God revealed it in that book and as men testify practically in your hearing. I want you to know your need for genuine repentance through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, your Creator, Saviour and the great Judge over your life both now in your lifetime and after your death.
“This involves genuine confession of your sins to Him and confession, apologies, and restitution to the Kuteb tribe … Be informed that the Kuteb nation is crying to God against you for vengeance against you …
“You will need to do the same to Taraba State and all that you have offended as much as you can remember. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
“I want to believe that your sins have not gone beyond the boundary of being forgiven by God because He is a great God of mercy. Even when men get angry because of what you have done over the years, God will still forgive you and grant you heaven, if you genuinely repent and walk in the newness of life. You need to humble yourself and forget your greatness, riches, honour and popularity among men,and accept Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour.”
Enclosed with Rika’s letter were additional publications he offered to supply for Danjuma’s “spiritual edification,” along with titles like “Escaping Hellfire and Entering Heaven Made Simple” and “The Doctrine of Christian Restitution for Your Holiness and Heaven.”
He added, “If truly you are taking this matter to court, having taken a lawyer for it, then, it shall be you and Jesus, your advocates and the Angels that shall be involved in the court proceedings before the judge which I cannot tell now, while I and those with me may be witnesses. Hence, he that rejects the message of the Lord which He sends through His servant also rejects Jesus and the Father.
“It will be sin and rebellion against God to me, to retrieve from the society the Lord’s message meant to save humanity because a mortal man, who today is and tomorrow is not commands me to do so. We need money for evangelism and soul-winning and to prepare the church for Christ’s return. Is it sensible, therefore, that we should give man money because he said we have offended forgiving him God’s message?
“I am not by this writing stopping you from taking the matter to the court because every man is entitled to his opinion, but I am showing you the implication especially at this age when you should be seeking forgiveness, salvation and grace to escape hell and enter heaven”

Synagistics debuts as publicly traded company following business combination with HK Acquisition Corporation

Synagistics Limited is now listed on the HKEX under stock code 2562.HK. The listing marks Hong Kong’s first successful De-SPAC transaction. With the resources and platform of a public company, Synagistics aims to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia and accelerate its expansion into the greater China region and Europe. HONG KONG, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Shares in Synagistics Limited (“Synagistics”), a leading data-driven digital solutions platform in Southeast Asia, officially commenced trading today on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) under stock code 2562.HK, following the completion of Hong Kong’s first De-SPAC transaction. The listing represents a historic milestone for Hong Kong’s capital markets landscape following the introduction of the SPAC framework in 2022. The listing follows the approval by the shareholders of HK Acquisition Corporation of the business combination between Synagistics Pte. Ltd. and HK Acquisition Corporation at the EGM held on 25 October 2024. As a publicly traded company, Synagistics is poised to drive further growth across Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding digital economy and extend its presence into new territories, beginning with Hong Kong and Spain. The transaction attracted HK$551 million in PIPE (Private Investment in Public Equity) investment from a diverse group of institutional investors, including Celestial Link (an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of HKT Trust and HKT Limited) and China Orient Enhanced Income Fund, underscoring strong market confidence in Synagistics’ growth prospects. Mr. Clement Lee, Chairman of Synagistics Limited, commented, “Today marks a significant new chapter for Synagistics. Becoming a publicly listed company grants us greater access to capital markets and strengthens our visibility and credibility in the global marketplace, enabling us to expand faster and to bring more innovative digital solutions to our brand partners. We are deeply committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders and are confident in executing our ambitious growth strategy in the region’s fast-evolving digital economy.” Dr. Norman Chan, Chairman and Executive Director of HK Acquisition Corporation, remarked, “We are delighted to have partnered with Synagistics to achieve this historic De-SPAC transaction. This is a pivotal moment not only for the company but also for Hong Kong’s capital markets, reinforcing the city’s status as an international financial center. We believe Synagistics will be a strong contributor to the growth of Southeast Asia’s digital economy and look forward to its continued success.” Acting Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR Mr. Michael Wong (fourth left), with the management of Synagistics and HK Acquisition Corporation during the listing ceremony to mark the successful public debut of Synagistics Limited. Mr. Clement Lee, Chairman of Synagistics (second right), and Dr. Norman Chan, Chairman of HK Acquisition Corporation (third left), hit the gong at today’s listing ceremony. About Synagistics Limited Synagistics Limited (2562.HK) operates the Synagie Platform, a data-driven digital solutions platform in Southeast Asia. It was among the top ten digital solutions providers in Southeast Asia, having served more than 600 brand partners. It provides integrated digital solutions to its brand partners via two core propositions: (1) its direct-to-brands model helps brands to manage the full spectrum of their e-commerce business, while creating a unified experience for customers throughout the entire consumer journey, and (2) its direct-to-consumers model sells brands’ products directly to consumers through online stores owned by Synagistics and operated under the name of its brand partners across various e-commerce channels. For information, visit www.synagie.com. These materials are not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction where such distribution is not permitted. These materials do not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933.

Desay SV Unveils Cutting-Edge Automotive Technologies at IZB 2024

WEIMAR, Germany, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) took place in Wolfsburg, Germany, from October 22nd to 24th, under the theme “Empowering Partnerships.” This year, 830 exhibitors from around the globe came together to present the latest innovations in technology and products. Desay SV (002920.SZ), a leading mobility technology company, showcased over 50 advanced products from three business lines: Smart Cabin, Smart Drive, and Smart Service. This highlights its strategic vision of becoming the preferred partner in mobility transformation. Intelligent Connected Vehicles Products for Global Customers Desay SV showcased its range of mature products alongside cutting-edge innovations at the exhibition. Notable displays included various cabin products, such as the high-performance intelligent cabin G9SH, heads-up display (HUD), and intelligent surface (control panels). Additionally, Desay SV also featured various cameras, including OMS (Occupant Monitoring System), front-view, side-view, and other intelligent driving sensor solutions. Desay SV at 2024 IZB Among the various offerings, Desay SV’s intelligent driving solutions stood out and captured significant attention. The highlight was the latest intelligent driving domain controller, the IPU14. Powered by the NVIDIA Thor chip, the IPU14 supports L3 conditional autonomous driving and L4 autonomous driving in specific scenarios. With its exceptional performance, safe and redundant design, and the ability to personalise driving efficiency and comfort through algorithmic enhancements, the IPU14 has already attracted pre-orders from several OEMs. Desay SV Enhances Localised Services in the European Market Yang Yong, Executive Vice President of Desay SV and General Manager of Desay SV Europe, shared insights in an interview during the IZB, highlighting that the true indicator of an enterprise’s internationalisation lies in its ongoing success with localisation efforts. The European market plays a crucial role in Desay SV’s plans for future growth and development. In the future, we plan to increase physical investment, optimise resource allocation across supply chains, manufacturing, management, and R&D, and fully guarantee supply chain security to provide local customers with more comprehensive and efficient services along the whole order cycle from R&D to manufacturing. While enhancing the local customer service capabilities, we also seek to strengthen local industrial partnerships and actively uphold corporate social responsibility. Gao Dapeng, Chairman and President of Desay SV, who was invited to participate in the IZB Livestage “Electrification and Connectedness” seminar, said: “Through deep cooperation with global partners, Desay SV remains committed to a customer-orientated approach, aligning our services with customers’ developing strategies. Industrial transformation doesn’t happen overnight; each region has its own development pace and unique needs. Desay SV is eager to collaborate with customers to provide tailored solutions based on local demands, helping them lead the way in the automotive industry’s transformation.” Desay SV at 2024 IZB Recently, Desay SV has accelerated its European market strategy by establishing a new tech park in Weimar, Germany, opening the first office in Paris, France, and initiating an intelligent factory project in Spain. With these advancements, Desay SV has significantly strengthened local production capabilities, enabling it to better serve the vast European automotive market with shorter delivery times, quicker responses, and solutions that better match local expectations. About Desay SV Desay SV is a leading mobility technology company with R&D and service branches in Germany, Japan, Singapore, Spain, USA, etc. The company focuses on efficiently integrating smart cabin, smart drive, and smart service. Relying on 38 years of accumulation, Desay SV has excelled in R&D, design, quality management, and intelligent manufacturing. Desay SV’s continuous innovation and comprehensive capabilities earn the long-term trust of global customers, including Chery, Geely, SAIC, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, etc., and have helped it rank 74th in the Automotive News 2024 top 100 global auto parts suppliers. For more information, please visit Desay SV online at www.desaysv.com or follow us on: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13690363

Book review – The great Indian food trip: Around a subcontinent à la carte

[This is an excerpt from an article in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs.]
From the title and publisher’s blurb I was expecting something like A History of the World in 100 Dishes, preferably with recipes. This book is both more and less than that, part travelogue, part food writing with numerous anecdotes and interesting byways. (It is worth exploring the endnotes for these. Footnote 7 on pp. 294-5, for example is particularly informative on the history and taste of and attitudes to eating dogs.) These ‘tummy chronicles’ (p. xiv) abound in descriptions of food ranging from the mouth-watering to the stomach churning. The author is Swedish by birth, Indian by adoption and he wrote up his journals during and just after the pandemic, a ‘panegyric to Indian hospitality, to eating and travelling and to enjoying food’ (p. xxiv).
The writing is, as a whole, too slangy for my taste but is relieved by occasional witticisms and some nice turns of phrase – for example ‘Mopping it [bheja fry, seasoned brain] with a soft naan, I relish every morsel like a zombie tasting IQ for the first time’. (p. 120). Some terms such as ‘GI tags’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geographical_indications_in_India) sent me to the internet for an explanation. A glossary would have helped.
The first chapter is a paean to the author’s adopted home and setting for his detective fiction. Bengaluru (Bangalore) – bookshops, cinema, beer, eating offal (not for the faint hearted), goldfields. Chapter 2 is a voyage around the writer R.K. Narayan – his books and their adaptations for cinema and television, his haunts and his food preferences. Chapter 3 is a gastronomic tour of Kerala (seafood and spices) with cultural references including Somerset Maugham, the Duke of Wellington, Herman Hesse and heavy metal.
Commonwealth Bookshelf by Terry Barringer
And so the journey round India proceeds: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, Goa, Maharashtra (with a digression on Gandhi and his ideas on nutrition and diet), Rajasthan (plus palace hotels and cave art), Delhi, Chandigarh, Bihar, Bengal, Kolkata, Bhutan….
There is virtually nothing on politics, not much on religion, a bit of history and a lot of literature (from both Indian and European writers).
Terry Barringer is the Assistant Editor and Books Editor of the Round Table Journal.
The great Indian food trip: around a subcontinent à la carte by Zac O’Yeah, London, Hurst, 2024.
Find out more about The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs

Imperial launches new California tech hub

Imperial College London has launched a new hub in California to “supercharge” science and technology collaborations between British and US partners.Based in San Francisco, Imperial Global USA will be the university’s first physical presence in the US, and the first permanent science and tech base in the country of any UK institution.
The highly ranked university announced that the new hub will advance its pursuit of convergence science, by making it easier for scientists to come together to “create solutions to some of the hardest global challenges”.
Speaking ahead of a launch event at Intrinsic, part of Google’s parent company Alphabet, Hugh Brady, president of Imperial, said the university aimed to create more than 100 new science and tech partnerships between the US and UK next year.

Campus resources on research management

“Opening a physical presence in San Francisco is going to supercharge our capabilities to support world-leading British science and tech to collaborate with American partners,” added Professor Brady.
“Our new hub will be a front door in the heart of the Bay Area to help spin-outs, academics and innovators create the kind of partnerships that will lead to world-changing scientific discoveries.”
The news follows the announcement earlier this year of the establishment of Imperial Global: Singapore – its first overseas research centre in the Asian country.
Five female founders of Imperial start-up tech companies are among the first to benefit from the new San Francisco base. They will be working with Imperial staff in San Francisco to secure partnerships and collaborators to support, fund and scale their start-ups. 
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, said the hub will be a “win-win” because the state is a “gateway for innovation and entrepreneurship”.
“This illustrates the power of international partnerships, bringing together top minds in science and technology to tackle the world’s toughest challenges – from climate solutions to advanced healthcare,” he added.
Imperial also announced the creation of a new external advisory board, which has been tasked with ensuring that the venture is “well connected into the rest of the San Francisco tech ecosystem from day one”.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s secretary of state for science, said the hub represents a “hugely exciting opportunity” to bring together UK and US research in driving forward discoveries that benefit both nations.
“By building on existing successful partnerships, like advancing AI in healthcare and scaling up clean energy solutions, this hub can play a key part in accelerating new technologies that will fuel economic growth and deliver real-world solutions to global challenges for years to come.”
[email protected]

South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test and appears to be preparing to test a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test and is close to test-firing a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States. In a closed-door hearing, the agency also said some advance units of North Korean troops sent to Russia may have arrived at battlefronts as the forces prepare to move to the Kursk region, where Russia has struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion, according to two lawmakers who attended the meeting. Earlier this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told The Associated Press that he expected North Korea to stage major provocations like nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests around the U.S. election to dial up pressure on Washington and its allies. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has also flaunted his military nuclear program in recent months, testing various missile systems and disclosing a secretive facility for producing weapons-grade uranium in September.

The agency believes that North Korea has finished preparations to conduct a nuclear test at its testing ground in the northeastern town of Punggye-ri, with the detonation likely to be carried out at tunnel No. 3, said Lee Seong Kweun, one of the lawmakers who attended the hearing. North Korea conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in 2017.

The agency also said it’s detecting signs that the North will soon be ready to test launch an ICBM designed to reach the U.S. mainland, including the placement of a launch vehicle and a missile, said Lee and fellow lawmaker Park Sunwon. The agency believes the ICBM test could take place some time in November.

“We cannot specify the exact location but the transporter-erector launcher has been deployed at a certain area where it could be anticipated that an ICBM test aimed at verifying atmospheric re-entry technology could be conducted,” Lee added.

All of North Korea’s ICBM tests since 2017 have been conducted at a high angle to avoid the territory of neighbors. Experts have said the North may eventually seek to flight test its weapons at an angle closer to a normal ballistic trajectory to verify whether the warhead would survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry. The re-entry vehicle technology is considered one of the few remaining technological obstacles North Korea needs to overcome to obtain functioning long-range missiles. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have worsened since 2022 after Kim used Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the growth of his nuclear weapons and missile program.

South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test and appears to be preparing to test a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea has likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test and is close to test-firing a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States. In a closed-door hearing, the agency also said some advance units of North Korean troops sent to Russia may have arrived at battlefronts as the forces prepare to move to the Kursk region, where Russia has struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion, according to two lawmakers who attended the meeting. Earlier this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told The Associated Press that he expected North Korea to stage major provocations like nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests around the U.S. election to dial up pressure on Washington and its allies. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has also flaunted his military nuclear program in recent months, testing various missile systems and disclosing a secretive facility for producing weapons-grade uranium in September.

The agency believes that North Korea has finished preparations to conduct a nuclear test at its testing ground in the northeastern town of Punggye-ri, with the detonation likely to be carried out at tunnel No. 3, said Lee Seong Kweun, one of the lawmakers who attended the hearing. North Korea conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in 2017.

The agency also said it’s detecting signs that the North will soon be ready to test launch an ICBM designed to reach the U.S. mainland, including the placement of a launch vehicle and a missile, said Lee and fellow lawmaker Park Sunwon. The agency believes the ICBM test could take place some time in November.

“We cannot specify the exact location but the transporter-erector launcher has been deployed at a certain area where it could be anticipated that an ICBM test aimed at verifying atmospheric re-entry technology could be conducted,” Lee added.

All of North Korea’s ICBM tests since 2017 have been conducted at a high angle to avoid the territory of neighbors. Experts have said the North may eventually seek to flight test its weapons at an angle closer to a normal ballistic trajectory to verify whether the warhead would survive the harsh conditions of atmospheric re-entry. The re-entry vehicle technology is considered one of the few remaining technological obstacles North Korea needs to overcome to obtain functioning long-range missiles. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have worsened since 2022 after Kim used Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the growth of his nuclear weapons and missile program.