A subsea fiber optic cable connecting Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland was deliberately cut for the second time in December 2024, requiring extensive repairs by a specialized ship. Bell, the cable’s owner, suspects an anchor or fishing gear was used to bring the cable to the surface before it was intentionally severed. The company is cooperating with the RCMP investigation and exploring preventative measures, including burying the cable and employing satellite surveillance. While the RCMP lacks sufficient evidence for the first incident, the investigation into the second continues.
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Ukrainian drone strikes have reportedly triggered fires at several major oil and gas facilities within Russia. This development underscores the escalating conflict and the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by Ukraine in its resistance against the ongoing invasion. The fires, ignited by falling drone debris, highlight the vulnerability of Russia’s critical infrastructure, despite its vast size and military capabilities.
The targeting of oil refineries, specifically the distillation columns—those tall, distinctive towers crucial to the refining process—suggests a strategic approach. These columns are not easily replaced, and their destruction could significantly impact Russia’s oil production and refining capacity. The inability to easily manufacture replacements domestically further exacerbates the situation for Russia, potentially hindering their war effort and economic stability.… Continue reading
Escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, fueled by the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, have prompted warnings of potential Russian retaliation. Moscow is reportedly poised to launch attacks against critical national infrastructure in NATO countries, including power grids. This threat coincides with a surge in cyberattacks attributed to Russian state-aligned groups, totaling at least nine incidents in the past year. The UK and its allies are actively monitoring Russia’s actions and working to prevent these attacks.
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The suspected China-linked hack on US telecoms is being called the worst in the nation’s history, a staggering revelation that underscores the vulnerability of our critical infrastructure. This isn’t just about data breaches; it’s about potential compromise of national security and the erosion of public trust.
The sheer scale of the intrusion is alarming, raising concerns about the depth of access gained by the attackers. It highlights a critical gap in our cybersecurity defenses and the urgent need for comprehensive upgrades and improved preventative measures. The fact that such a significant breach could occur points to a profound lack of preparedness and foresight.… Continue reading
A damaged undersea telecommunications cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden, resulting in a one-third reduction of internet bandwidth, has been repaired by rerouting traffic. The incident, occurring near a similarly damaged cable linking Finland and Germany, raises concerns beyond accidental damage, given the cables’ close proximity and recent US warnings of increased Russian military activity near such infrastructure. The damaged Lithuania-Sweden cable is older and has experienced prior issues, typically attributed to accidental damage from ships. However, the simultaneous failures suggest a more serious cause.
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As I sit here reflecting on the recent news of Cuba’s electrical grid collapsing once again, just as a hurricane looms on the horizon, I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness and frustration. The fact that power had been restored to only 160,000 clients in Havana before the collapse is truly disheartening, especially considering that Cuba has a population of over 11 million people. It must be incredibly challenging to restore an entire island with outdated equipment and a lack of resources.
The state of Cuba’s electrical grid seems to be a reflection of the larger issues plaguing the country.… Continue reading
I recently came across some shocking news that President Biden has announced a 10-year deadline to remove all lead pipes nationwide, with a whopping $2.6 billion allocated for this monumental task. As a plumber in NYC, I have seen firsthand the dangers and risks associated with lead mains and pipes. It truly is a major health hazard that should have been tackled a long time ago. The fact that we still have lead pipes in the 21st century is quite alarming and shameful.
Lead poisoning is a serious issue that can have detrimental effects on public health, especially for young children.… Continue reading
As a Finn, I am quite relieved to hear about the plans to ban Russians from buying property in Finland. The security concerns associated with these purchases near critical infrastructure have been a cause for worry for a while now. Reports of shady Russian-owned properties situated next to military airfields, depots, harbors, and important supply lines have been on the rise, raising suspicions about the intentions behind these acquisitions.
The uncovering of loss-making hotels, strange fortifications, and questionable land deals only adds to the already mounting concerns about Russian involvement in Finnish real estate. The fact that some of these properties were found to have helipads, secret compartments with cash and encrypted devices only amplifies the need for immediate action to address these security risks.… Continue reading
I don’t always test my code. But when I do, I do it in production. This is a saying that many in the tech industry can relate to, and it seems like the recent incident involving United, Delta, and American Airlines grounding all flights worldwide due to a global technology issue is a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the chaos and frustration that ensues when critical systems fail, the impact of this outage goes beyond just inconvenience—it disrupts lives and businesses on a global scale.
Truck Driver. Dispatch system is down. No freight is moving.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood