EDM Thursday Briefing: Questions Remain in Brussels, Cyber Attacks Increase in U.S., Hospitals Hit With Ransomware

Emergency and disaster management briefing for March 24, 2016: Belgium authorities are still searching for possible suspects in the Brussels bombings, the U.S. government sees a rise in cyber attacks, and three U.S. hospitals are hit with ransomware.

1. Authorities continue to investigate the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium that [link url=”http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/24/europe/brussels-investigation/index.html” title=”killed 31 people and wounded 270 others.“] What is known at this time: Officials said that two brothers had a main role in the bombings. [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/brussels-attacks-el-bakraoui-brothers-were-jailed-carjackings-shootout-n544241″ title=”Ibrahim El Bakraoui“] reportedly detonated a suicide bomb at Brussels Airport while brother [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/brussels-attacks-el-bakraoui-brothers-were-jailed-carjackings-shootout-n544241″ title=”Khalid El Bakraoui“] reportedly detonated a suicide bomb on a train near the Maelbeek metro station.

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2. There are still [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/brussels-attacks-many-questions-few-answers-after-suicide-bombings-n544636″ title=”more questions than answers“] in Brussels. The key outstanding question is how many suspects may be involved in all. Officials are [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/brussels-attacks-many-questions-few-answers-after-suicide-bombings-n544636″ title=”searching for a possible accomplice“] to the two brothers who reportedly blew themselves up, and said that [link url=”http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/reports-2nd-suspect-believed-brussels-subway-attack-37890308″ title=”a second attacker from the subway bombing may still be at large.“] Belgian authorities believe that [link url=”http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/reports-2nd-suspect-believed-brussels-subway-attack-37890308″ title=”at least four people were involved“] in the two bombings.
3. The U.S. government [link url=”https://amuedge.com/u-s-government-sees-rise-in-cyber-attacks/” title=”fended off a total of 77,183 cyber incidents in 2015“], according to a recent report from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The total number of incidents last year represents an approximate 10 percent increase from 2014, and a 27 percent rise from total events in 2013.

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4. Three separate U.S. hospitals were [link url=”http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35880610″ title=”hit by a ransomware attack“] in recent days. All three hospitals — Kentucky Methodist Hospital, Chino Valley Medical Center in California, and Desert Valley Hospital in California — are reportedly [link url=”http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35880610″ title=”back online“] and none is believed to have paid the ransom. The FBI is still investigating the incidents.

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5. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant [link url=”http://www.sunherald.com/news/state/mississippi/article67751532.html” title=”asked for a federal disaster declaration“] to help the state recover from recent flooding in southern parts of the state. Officials have called flooding damage [link url=”http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2016/03/23/miss-delegation-seeks-disaster-declaration/82186346/” title=”the worst since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.“] Disasters have already been declared in both [link url=”http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/03/19/president-obama-declares-disaster-in-southeast-texas/” title=”Texas“] and [link url=”http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/update-president-obama-adds-16-more-parishes-to-federal-disaster-declaration/38529088″ title=”Louisiana“] due to flooding in that region of the country.
6. [link url=”http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-nuclear-idUSKCN0WP320″ title=”South Korea is on high alert“] after North Korea claimed that it conducted a [link url=”http://www.newsweek.com/north-korea-successful-solid-fuel-engine-test-440208″ title=”successful test of a solid-fuel engine“] yesterday. This latest claim is another indication that North Korea is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at a rapid pace [link url=”https://amuedge.com/qa-analysis-of-recent-events-in-north-korea/” title=”in defiance of U.N. sanctions“] and raised concerns that the country may soon conduct another nuclear test.

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7. Flint, MI officials [link url=”http://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-water-idUSKCN0WN1G8″ title=”released a plan“] this week to help the city recover from its drinking-water contamination crisis. The plan includes state health official support for children under 6 with high levels of lead in their blood, the replacement of drinking water faucets and fixtures in public facilities, and continued replacement of lead service lines in the city’s water system.

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8. Scientists in England are working to [link url=”http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/innovation/scientists-develop-flying-rob7ots-ca7n-pri7nt/#read” title=”develop robots for use in disaster zones.“] The robots in development, which combine multiple technologies, would be able to fly into disaster zones and even potentially [link url=”http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/innovation/scientists-develop-flying-rob7ots-ca7n-pri7nt/#read” title=”build life-saving structures“] in areas that are too dangerous and/or difficult for humans to reach.

Scientists to develop flying robots that can #3dprint buildings in disaster zones https://t.co/rSTDWC7I4z #drones pic.twitter.com/tglWHfQmU4

— GCR (@globalconreview) February 19, 2016

9. President Barack Obama [link url=”http://abc27.com/2016/03/23/president-obama-declares-disaster-allows-funds-for-pa-blizzard/” title=”signed a disaster declaration for Pennsylvania“] to help the state recover from the blizzard that hit the state on January 22. Winter Storm Jonas [link url=”http://www.phillyvoice.com/obama-declares-fema-disaster-winter-storm-jonas-pennsylvania/” title=”dropped up to two feet of snow“] in some parts of the state. Federal aid is now available in 23 counties.

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10. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker [link url=”http://wsau.com/news/articles/2016/mar/23/state-of-emergency-declared-due-to-winter-storm/” title=”declared a state of emergency“] as a huge snowstorm descended on the state. Heavy snow, strong winds, and potential blizzard conditions are all expected, as forecasts call for up to a foot of snow for central Wisconsin.