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US Water Supply Targeted by Russian Hackers: Report

US Water Supply Targeted by Russian Hackers: A hacking group connected to the Russian military has been identified as responsible for cyberattacks on water systems in the United States, Poland, and France, signaling a possible escalation by Moscow to target adversaries’ infrastructure.

Quick Facts

• The hacking group, known as Sandworm, is linked to the Russian military intelligence agency GRU and has been involved in cyberattacks on water systems in the US, Poland, and France.
• Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm owned by Google Cloud, discovered that Sandworm has connections with several pro-Russia hacktivist groups, including the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR), which claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on water systems.
• The group’s aggressive manipulation of operational technology systems and its ties to Moscow’s war aims in Ukraine have raised concerns about the security of US water facilities.

A hacking group known as Sandworm, identified as Unit 74455 of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, has been linked to cyberattacks on water systems in the United States, Poland, and France. The group is connected to several pro-Russia hacktivist groups, including the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR), which has claimed responsibility for recent cyberattacks on water systems.

Sandworm’s aggressive manipulation of operational technology systems and its ties to Moscow’s war aims in Ukraine have raised concerns about the security of US water facilities. The group’s activities point to a possible escalation by Moscow to target adversaries’ infrastructure, with cybersecurity firm Mandiant warning about the group’s reckless behavior in targeting the United States.

The White House and the Environmental Protection Agency have urged US governors to enhance cybersecurity defenses on water facilities, following a history of hacking incidents targeting the US water supply. Experts have emphasized the need for heightened vigilance to protect critical infrastructure from potential cyber threats.

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Social Security Update Expands Benefits Nationwide

Quick Facts

• Some Social Security recipients may soon receive more money due to a change in eligibility criteria by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• The SSA is expanding its rental subsidy policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claimants, aiming to minimize the impact on SSI eligibility or payment amount.
• The new rule has been implemented in seven states and will apply to all 50 U.S. states by September 30, 2024.

Some Social Security recipients nationwide may soon get more money in their pockets after a change to eligibility criteria, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced.

The government agency has announced it is expanding its rental subsidy policy for those who claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Under the new rule, published last week, rental assistance, such as renting at a discounted rate, will become less likely to affect a person’s SSI eligibility or payment amount.

SSI gives monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, as well as to adults aged 65 and older who have limited income and resources. In January 2023, 7.4 million individuals received monthly SSI payments averaging $654, according to an SSA report.

The new rule has already been implemented in seven states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. This is because of local judicial decisions, but the upcoming change will apply to all 50 U.S. states.

For all other claimants nationwide, the change will not be immediate, but will come into force on September 30 this year.

The change will not affect how much the government agency pays per month, which runs to a maximum of $943 in 2024. However, it may increase amounts for current SSI recipients and expand eligibility to others, the government agency said in its April 17 press release. Newsweek has contacted the SSA for additional comment via email outside of normal working hours.

“Our mission is to continue to help people access crucial benefits, including SSI,” said Martin O’Malley, commissioner of Social Security. “Simplifying and expanding our rental subsidy policy nationwide is another common-sense solution that will improve program equality and will reduce agency time spent calculating and administering rental subsidy.”

The rental subsidy change is the second made to SSI benefits in recent months. In February, the SSA announced it would no longer include food in its In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculations. In-Kind Support and Maintenance calculates the amount of informal food assistance an SSI applicant or claimant received from friends, family and community support networks.

The SSA said the calculation changes mean applicants and recipients would be required to report less information to the government agency, and that it would reduce month-to-month variability in payment amounts and payment errors, which have been widely reported by Social Security recipients in recent months.

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Saudi Arabia experienced a glimpse of its future in the aftermath of Iran’s strike against Israel, revealing potential far-reaching consequences for the region. The major impact extends not only to Israel, Iran, and the United States but also to many Arab states, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Quick Facts

• The Iranian strike against Israel has significant implications for multiple countries including Saudi Arabia.
• The crisis presents an opportunity for the Biden administration to formalize a new U.S. security guarantee for Saudi Arabia.
• Riyadh seeks an ironclad U.S. security guarantee and is particularly interested in advanced missile defense systems.

The Israeli missile defense systems, Iron Dome and Arrow-3, along with allied efforts from the U.S., UK, France, and Jordan, demonstrated an advanced version of the future that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is eager to achieve. Riyadh has been striving for an ironclad U.S. security guarantee.

All countries’ foreign policies are influenced by their domestic agendas, but Saudi Arabia is particularly focused on ensuring the success of the economic transformation, especially in the context of the Vision 2030 project, Neom.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s determination to transition the Kingdom away from hydrocarbons and toward other industries drives the urgency to make Vision 2030 a success. However, the threat of potential attacks from Iranian or Iranian-backed proxies could significantly hinder the Kingdom’s economic and societal transformation.

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to attain new security guarantees and support from the United States are driven by the necessity to safeguard its economic and societal transition, particularly in light of potential regional conflicts.

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Crime on college campuses reverts to pre-pandemic levels as students fear for safety

At least three **female Arizona State University students** were allegedly sexually assaulted by a “random stranger” in public areas of the Tempe campus in a 30-minute span. It was described as “an isolated incident” on April 11 by the university in a statement to Fox News Digital, but it’s an isolated incident for ASU, not the country, where a national spike in on-campus crimes has reverted to pre-pandemic highs, according to the Department of Education statistics. 

Quick Facts

• College campuses across the country are experiencing a surge in on-campus crimes, reverting to pre-pandemic levels.
• In 2022, there were 38,303 reported criminal offenses at colleges and universities, according to the federal government’s latest data.
• Experts attribute the spike to a full return to school post-pandemic and overseas hostilities, such as the Hamas invasion of Israel.

Crime on college campuses has seen a resurgence, with a national spike in on-campus crimes reverting to pre-pandemic levels. This trend is evident in recent incidents, including the alleged sexual assaults at Arizona State University and the surge in violent crime at the University of California, Berkeley. Department of Education statistics indicate a significant increase in reported criminal offenses at colleges and universities, pointing to a concerning rise in on-campus criminal activity post-pandemic.

Experts have not reached definitive conclusions about the factors fueling this surge in college and university crimes. However, many attribute the spike to a full return to in-person learning post-pandemic, coupled with overseas hostilities, such as the Hamas invasion of Israel. While violence and murder have declined in the U.S., the reverse trend is observed in educational institutions, prompting concerns among parents and communities. The recent surge in on-campus crimes has led to the emergence of initiatives like SafeBears, reflecting the growing need for enhanced safety measures and accountability at universities.

As the debate continues on the causes and potential solutions for the surge in on-campus crimes, the safety and security of college students remain a pressing concern for educational institutions and communities nationwide. It remains to be seen whether measures like SafeBears will become more common, and if on-campus crimes will eventually stabilize.

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Biden’s Education Secretary Vows to Close Largest Christian University in the US

**Biden’s Education Secretary** Miguel Cardona has pledged to shut down Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in the U.S. This move has sparked a heated debate, with GCU officials accusing the Department of Education of bias. The crackdown was announced during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on April 10.

Quick Facts

• Cardona vows to shut down Grand Canyon University, labeling it a “predatory for-profit school.”
• GCU officials push back, claiming the crackdown is based on “deeply held bias.”
• GCU appealed a $37.7 million fine imposed by the Department of Education in November.

During the hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., questioned Cardona about the administration’s efforts to shut down GCU, referring to it as “a predatory for-profit school.” Cardona openly embraced the enforcement methods, emphasizing the need to crack down on institutions preying on students.

Cardona highlighted the Department’s actions against GCU, citing the school’s failure to accurately disclose its cost to students, resulting in additional expenses for continuation courses. The Department imposed a $37.7 million fine on GCU for misleading students about the cost of its doctoral programs over several years, a significantly larger fine than those given to other institutions for different violations.

Cardona emphasized the need to hold higher education institutions accountable, particularly for-profit colleges that engage in deceptive practices to increase enrollment and student costs. GCU officials have vehemently opposed the Department’s actions, claiming that the comments made by Cardona do not reflect the factual record in the case.

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Good news for China-menaced Taiwan: Japan’s F-35B jump-jet aircraft carriers are coming

Quick Facts

• The Japanese navy is close to completing its first aircraft carriers since World War II, with plans to have them ready for combat duty by 2027.
• The carriers, Izumo and Kaga, are being converted into full-fledged aircraft carriers compatible with the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35B stealth jump jet.
• The Japanese navy’s strategic shift is a response to China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness, with the aim of enhancing its defensive and offensive potential in the region.

The Japanese navy is nearing completion of its first aircraft carriers since World War II, with plans to have them ready for combat duty by 2027. The carriers, Izumo and Kaga, are being converted into full-fledged aircraft carriers compatible with the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35B stealth jump jet. This strategic shift is a response to China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness, with the aim of enhancing Japan’s defensive and offensive potential in the region.

The first phase of the conversion work on Kaga has been completed, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s efforts to bolster its naval capabilities. By 2027, the Japanese air force is expected to have 42 F-35Bs to fly from the two new aircraft carriers, significantly reinforcing the allied fleet around Taiwan. The move comes as the US Navy faces challenges in growing its fleet to match the expansion of the Chinese navy, making the support of allies like Japan crucial in maintaining regional security.

The Japanese navy’s decision to revive its dormant carrier capability reflects the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, with China’s naval expansion raising the stakes for regional security. As the United States looks to its allies for support in defending Taiwan, Japan’s reemergence as a carrier-capable naval force is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the collective defense posture in the region.

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