Partnership between Mexican university, Chinese firm drive Yucatan's tech transformation

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, long known for tourism and Mayan heritage, is emerging as a growing hub for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), with a partnership between a local university and a Chinese tech company contributing to the region's tech transformation.

Nineteen educational institutions across the state now offer cybersecurity training. Among them, Yucatan Polytechnic University is working with Chinese tech firm Hikvision to promote an artificial intelligence and video surveillance laboratory in the region.

The university's rector emphasized that preparing talent for today's digital landscape requires global collaboration.

"Today, more than ever, everything that is connected is at risk. That's why we have dedicated ourselves to developing specialized talent to help democratize cybersecurity," said Aaron Rosado, rector of Yucatan Polytechnic University.

The program is also opening doors for many in the region, particularly for women to enter the field.

"When we started, there were very few women. In my class, there were only three girls and 17 boys. Engineering isn't just for men, it's for women too, and everyone has the same capabilities to do great things," said Genesis Canul, a cybersecurity student.

Iranian media on Tuesday released a handwritten condolence letter from Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, addressed to fallen naval soldiers.

The release came as Israeli officials claimed Larijani had been killed. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike the previous evening. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Larijani was the target of the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on social media Tuesday that the Israeli leader had ordered the elimination of senior Iranian officials.