Randall Conwel, Author at Rueblaes

China-backed hackers breach US Treasury workstations in ‘major incident’

04

Jan

Crime

China-backed hackers breach US Treasury workstations in ‘major incident’

The US Treasury Department has revealed that hackers, allegedly backed by the Chinese government, infiltrated its workstations in what officials are calling a “major cybersecurity incident.” The breach, which the department disclosed to lawmakers on Monday, involved the use of a stolen security key to access certain Treasury systems and unclassified documents. According to a letter reviewed by CNN, the Treasury was notified of the intrusion on December 8 by BeyondTrust, a third-party software service provider. The hackers reportedly exploited the stolen key to override security measures and remotely access several departmental workstations. Aditi Hardikar, the Treasury’s assistant secretary for…

South Korean president faces arrest warrant amid deepening political crisis

04

Jan

By Randall Conwel

Politics

South Korean president faces arrest warrant amid deepening political crisis

South Korea’s embattled president, Yoon Suk Yeol, now faces an arrest warrant issued by a Seoul court on Tuesday, marking the first time in the country’s history that a sitting president has been subject to such legal action. Yoon, who plunged the nation into turmoil with his surprise declaration of martial law on December 3, has been stripped of his presidential powers following his impeachment earlier this month. The Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant on allegations of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion, charges that carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The…

Montenegro mourns after gunman kills 12 in one of the nation’s worst mass shootings

04

Jan

By Randall Conwel

Crime

Montenegro mourns after gunman kills 12 in one of the nation’s worst mass shootings

A quiet New Year in the small town of Cetinje, Montenegro, was shattered when a gunman went on a deadly rampage, killing 12 people, including two children, before succumbing to self-inflicted injuries early Thursday. The tragedy, one of the worst mass killings in Montenegro’s history, has left the Balkan nation in shock and mourning. The attacker, identified by police as 45-year-old Aleksandar Aco Martinovic, began his spree on Wednesday afternoon following a brawl at a local restaurant. According to authorities, Martinovic killed four people at the restaurant before moving to three other locations, where he shot and killed eight more,…

South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president amid heated standoff

04

Jan

By Randall Conwel

Corruption

South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president amid heated standoff

Efforts to detain South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, were dramatically halted on Friday after a tense standoff between investigators and the president’s security forces at the presidential compound in Seoul. The attempted arrest deepens the political chaos that has gripped the country since Yoon declared martial law in December, a move that led to his impeachment. Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), accompanied by 80 police officers, entered the presidential compound early Friday morning to enforce an arrest warrant issued earlier this week. However, they were blocked by a “human wall” of approximately 200 soldiers and members…

Fire devastates Kantamanto market in Ghana, displacing thousands of traders

03

Jan

By Randall Conwel

Crime

Fire devastates Kantamanto market in Ghana, displacing thousands of traders

A massive fire swept through the Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, on January 2, 2025, destroying hundreds of stalls and upending the livelihoods of thousands of traders. The market, one of the largest secondhand clothing hubs in the world, was engulfed in flames during the early morning hours, leaving behind widespread devastation but no reported injuries or fatalities. The Ghana National Fire Service announced on Friday that the blaze had been fully extinguished and that investigations were underway to determine its cause. Videos shared by the fire service on social media showed large sections of the market consumed by roaring…

H-1B visa approvals hit record highs, but Trump’s return could bring stricter policies

29

Dec

By Randall Conwel

Politics

H-1B visa approvals hit record highs, but Trump’s return could bring stricter policies

Foreign workers seeking employment in the U.S. experienced unprecedented success in securing H-1B visas during the 2024 fiscal year, with over 97% of applications gaining approval, according to the National Foundation for American Policy. This near-perfect approval rate marks the second-highest level in over a decade. However, immigration advocates warn that this trend may face significant changes if President-elect Donald Trump reinstates restrictive visa policies from his previous administration. Such a shift could profoundly impact U.S. businesses and institutions that heavily depend on skilled foreign workers, particularly those from India. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations for the American…

Cybercriminal networks increasingly aligned with Russia, China, and Iran in global hacking campaigns

19

Dec

By Randall Conwel

Corruption

Cybercriminal networks increasingly aligned with Russia, China, and Iran in global hacking campaigns

Governments like Russia, China, and Iran are increasingly collaborating with criminal hacking groups to carry out cyber espionage and cyberattacks against adversaries, including the United States, according to a digital threat report released by Microsoft on Tuesday. This growing partnership between authoritarian regimes and cybercriminals is raising concerns among security experts and officials, who warn that it is becoming harder to distinguish between state-sponsored cyber operations and independent criminal activities aimed at financial gain. The Microsoft report highlights how these alliances are being leveraged to both disrupt rivals and generate profit for cybercriminals. By aligning with criminal hacking networks, these…

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders show strong support for legal immigration

18

Dec

By Randall Conwel

Politics

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders show strong support for legal immigration

A recent survey reveals that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are significantly more likely than the general American population to view legal immigration as a valuable asset to the United States economy and workforce. However, their stance on illegal immigration aligns more closely with the broader public, highlighting a nuanced perspective within this growing demographic group. The poll, conducted jointly by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that around 8 in 10 AAPI adults believe legal immigration provides substantial benefits to the country’s economic growth. By comparison, only 4 in 10…

E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter-pound burgers sickens 49 across 10 states

18

Dec

By Randall Conwel

Crime

E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter-pound burgers sickens 49 across 10 states

An outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has spread across 10 U.S. states, leaving 49 people ill, 10 hospitalized, and one dead, according to health officials. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Tuesday that an elderly man in Colorado succumbed to the infection, while a child remains hospitalized with severe kidney complications linked to the outbreak. The illnesses were recorded between September 27 and October 11, with cases reported in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Colorado has the highest number of infections, with 26 cases,…

Kamala Harris defends Biden administration’s record in contentious TV interview

18

Dec

By Randall Conwel

Corruption

Kamala Harris defends Biden administration’s record in contentious TV interview

In a tense interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration, defended President Joe Biden’s mental fitness, and responded to questions about her support for gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates. The exchange, led by host Bret Baier, highlighted key political flashpoints as Harris fielded tough questions on immigration, policy decisions, and her potential future as a presidential candidate. The vice president faced pointed criticism over the administration’s approach to the ongoing crisis at the southern border. When pressed about the decision to roll back some of former President…