Chinese intelligence hackers target U.S. government network, DHS says
Hackers linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security are engaged in cyberattacks against U.S. government networks, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.
infrastructure
DHS Combats Potential Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to prepare against ever-evolving threats against the American homeland, most recently highlighting efforts to combat an Electromagnetic Pulse attack which could disrupt the electrical grid and potentially damage electronics. Today, the department is releasing the Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Program Status Report as part of an update on efforts underway in support of Executive Order (E.O.) 13865 on Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses. E.O. 13865 establishes resilience and security standards for U.S. critical infrastructure as a national priority.
IDF strikes Hamas targets amid continued tensions
The Israeli military (IDF) has confirmed in a statement that it struck Hamas terrorist group targets in Gaza early Friday morning, in response to six rockets fired from the Strip toward southern Israel during the night, the Jerusalem Post reports. The IDF confirmed that tanks and IAF aircraft struck underground Hamas infrastructure and militia posts early Friday.
With drones, robots and sensors, IDF readies Ground Forces for future war
The Israeli military sees its Ground Forces — tanks, infantry, combat engineering and artillery — as in desperate need for a makeover if it is to be prepared for the types of battles it is likely to encounter in future wars.
US Border officials intercept nearly 20,000 fake driver’s licences in first half of 2020
In the first half of 2020, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials intercepted almost 20,000 false driver’s licenses that were sent mostly from China and Hong Kong, but also from the UK and South Korea, Just the News reported Monday. The licenses were sent in 1,513 shipments between January 1 and June 30, CBP officials said in a statement.
Israel has taken out 1/3 of Syrian air defenses in last two years
Israel has destroyed one-third of Syrian air defenses in the past two years, and close to a thousand surface-to-air missiles have been launched towards Israel Air Force jets during missions for its “war-between-wars” campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure in the war-torn country.
IDF fighter jets attack Hamas targets after explosive balloon attacks
IDF fighter jets attacked a Hamas underground infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip late Thursday, the IDF Spokesperson confirmed.
IDF strikes Syrian military targets in response to attempted border attack
The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on Syrian military targets late Monday night in response to an attempted attack on the border in the Golan Heights the night before, the Israel Defense Forces said.
After rocket attack, Israel hits ‘underground’ Hamas targets in Gaza
Israeli warplanes hit several Hamas sites in central and southern Gaza Strip early Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said, hours after Palestinians fired a rocket into Israel from the coastal enclave.
Revolutionary microchip hailed as ‘generational’ breakthrough that will upend defense tech
An energy-efficient microchip under development combines different types of processors into one chip and is expected to revolutionize commercial and defense technology, the advanced semiconductor’s inventor says.
Cyber-attacks against Israel’s water infrastructure
Israel’s Water Authority has confirmed that two cyber-attacks were carried out against the country’s water infrastructure in recent weeks, Ynet News reported Thursday. These attacks follow an alleged attack by Iran on Israel’s drinking water in April. In a statement, the water authority said no damage had been caused in the latest attacks.
Iraqi Christian community under threat of extinction
An international humanitarian aid organization has said Christians living in the formerly ISIS-controlled Nineveh Plains of Iraq are now in danger of extinction, the Christian Post reports. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) published a report this week in which it states that political and sectarian tensions are driving Christians out of the area.
Pompeo warns of potential restriction of Chinese TikTok app; US users may be ceding info to ‘Chinese Communists’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the Trump administration is considering restricting United States’ users’ access to the Chinese social media application TikTok over concerns it is potentially being used by the Beijing government as a means to surveil and propagandize people.
Democrat-controlled House approves large infrastructure bill
The Democrat-controlled House approved a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan Wednesday that would not only rebuild failing roads, railways, ports and transit systems but also fund schools, health care, public utilities, and housing, PBS reported.
House Democrats pass $1.5 trillion ‘green’ infrastructure bill filled with climate policies
The House passed a $1.5 trillion “green” infrastructure package on a partisan basis Wednesday by a 233-188 vote, as Democrats signaled their commitment to combating climate change through multiple avenues, a key issue for their voting base.
Trump is reportedly considering a new $1 trillion infrastructure stimulus plan to boost the US economy
US President Donald Trump is considering an infrastructure plan worth $1 trillion to help revive the economy from the fallout of coronavirus and push ahead with his longstanding goal of spending big on US infrastructure, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.
Russia Expands Possible Use Of Nuclear Arms
In a warning to Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new nuclear policy that allows him to use atomic weapons even in response to a non-nuclear attack.
Pompeo: Russia using Open Skies Treaty for data on cruise missile targets
Russia is using intelligence obtained from U.S. and European overflights under the Open Skies Treaty to plan future cruise missile strikes on infrastructure targets, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed yesterday.
Record-Breaking $1.3 Billion Contract Awarded to Build Section of Border Wall
A North Dakota construction company has received a massive $1.3 billion contract to build a section of President Trump’s US-Mexico border wall, the Arizona Daily Star first reported. The award to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. is the largest border wall contract to date.
Samaritan’s Purse among volunteer health workers required to pay New York income tax for helping during pandemic
Having been asked to come to New York City to help with the COVID-19 crisis, disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has been told it must pay state taxes for the time it spent running its free-of-charge field hospital in Central Park.