December 2018 Intelligence News

Russia arrests suspected American spy Press TV 31 Dec 2018 -- Russia's domestic security apparatus has arrested an American citizen in Moscow on suspicion of espionage, starting a court action against him.
Russia's FSB Says It Has Detained A U.S. Citizen For Suspected Spying RFE/RL 31 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has detained a U.S. citizen in Moscow over suspected spying.
Russia Formally Notifies US of Detention of American Citizen - State Dept. Sputnik 31 Dec 2018 -- Earlier on Monday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Paul Whelan, an American citizen, who was charged with espionage against the Russian Federation.
Russia's FSB Detains US Citizen in Moscow During Spy Action Sputnik 31 Dec 2018 -- A criminal case under the article "espionage" has been initiated against an American citizen, the press service of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement.
Russia Launches Criminal Probe of US Citizen VOA 31 Dec 2018 -- Russia has detained an American citizen in Moscow on accusations of spying, according to Russian state media.
U.K. Says 'No Change' On Position On Russian Diplomats RFE/RL 28 Dec 2018 -- Britain has rejected comments by Russia's ambassador to London claiming the two countries have agreed to gradually reinstate dozens of diplomatic personnel who were expelled by both sides following the Novichok poisoning in the English city of Salisbury, Russia's state-run TASS news agency reports.
Russian Envoy Says Moscow, London Agreed To Partially Restore Diplomatic Missions RFE/RL 28 Dec 2018 -- Russia's ambassador to Britain says the two countries have agreed to gradually reinstate dozens of diplomatic personnel who were expelled by both sides following the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury.
Russian Embassy in UK Says It Is Due to Reinstate Half of Its Staff in 2019 Sputnik 28 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Embassy in London said earlier in December that the UK authorities are trying to create a hostile image of Moscow in order to hinder the Russian diplomats' interaction with the country's general public.
Rusal Names New Chairman As Part Of Deal To End U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 28 Dec 2018 -- Russian aluminum giant Rusal says Jean-Pierre Thomas has been elected by the board of directors as the company's new chairman as part of restructuring moves made in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
High-Ranking Chinese Intelligence Officer Jailed For Life in Corruption Case Sputnik 27 Dec 2018 -- Ma Jian, the former deputy head of China's Ministry of State Security, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after being found guilty of taking huge bribes, using his position to exert influence on business deals and insider trading.
Ex-spymaster in China jailed for life over corruption Press TV 27 Dec 2018 -- A provincial court in China has handed down a life sentence to a former deputy head of the country's Ministry of State Security over corruption.
Commentary: U.S. renews farce by accusing China of cyber espionage People's Daily 26 Dec 2018 -- The United States has once again embarrassed itself by indicting two alleged Chinese hackers for breaking into computers of U.S. government agencies, companies as well as other nations.
China Demands Explanation From US on Embassies Buying Spy Equipment Sputnik 24 Dec 2018 -- The statement comes after papers released by WikiLeaks exposed the "US Embassy Shopping List" database with more than 16,000 procurement requests by US embassies around the globe, including those related to spying equipment.
WikiLeaks exposes US embassies efforts to procure spying gadgets Press TV 23 Dec 2018 -- US embassies and other diplomatic posts across the world have been purchasing considerable number of spying gadgets such as spy cams masked as ties, caps, pens, buttons and watches, Whistleblower website WikiLeaks has revealed by releasing copies of purchase order documents.
US spy chief accuses Russia, Iran, China of attempted midterm poll meddling Press TV 23 Dec 2018 -- The top US intelligence official has accused Russia, China and Iran of running election meddling campaign during American mid-term polls last November in an official report to the White House but insisted that no election systems were compromised.
WikiLeaks: US Acquires Forensic Phone Data Kits Through Consulate in Germany Sputnik 23 Dec 2018 -- Earlier WikiLeaks published the "US Embassy Shopping List" database, where it revealed more than 16,000 procurement requests by US embassies around the globe.
Spy Mania: MI5 Reportedly Makes Secret List of MPs With 'Links' to Russia, China Sputnik 23 Dec 2018 -- Russia and China have on multiple occasions faced accusations of interference in domestics affairs from a number of Western countries. Both Moscow and Beijing denied the allegations, citing lack of evidence as well as the West's own attempts to meddle in third countries' affairs around the world.
US fabricated cyber espionage charges, Beijing says People's Daily 22 Dec 2018 -- Beijing said on Friday that it firmly opposes Washington and its allies slandering China's cybersecurity, and urged the United States to withdraw cyber espionage charges against two Chinese nationals.
U.S. Intelligence Chief Says Russia, Iran Sought To Influence 2018 Midterm Voters RFE/RL 21 Dec 2018 -- The top U.S. intelligence official says that Russia, China, Iran, and other foreign powers sought to influence voters in the 2018 midterm elections, but there were no signs that the results were comprised by the attempts.
Report Puts Russia, China and Iran in Line for Sanctions for Election Meddling VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Voters who went to the polls last month in the United States' midterm elections can rest assured that their votes were registered and counted properly.
Australia, US Accuse China Of Global Cyber Espionage VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Australia says its companies are among the global victims of an extensive campaign of cyber espionage attacks believed to have been backed by the Chinese government.
DNI Coats Statement on the Intelligence Community's Response to Executive Order 13848 on Imposing Certain Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election Director of National Intelligence 21 Dec 2018 -- "Today I submitted the Intelligence Community's report on foreign interference in the 2018 midterm elections to the President and appropriate executive departments and agencies, as directed by Section 1(a) of the Executive Order 13848, Imposing Certain Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election."
US Intelligence Report: Russia, China, Iran Sought to Influence 2018 Elections VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Russia, China and Iran sought to meddle in the recent U.S. midterm election, but their actions did not compromise the "nation's election infrastructure that would have prevented voting, changed vote counts, or disrupted the ability to tally votes," according to a report released Friday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Chinese National Charged with Committing Theft of Trade Secrets US Dept. of Justice 21 Dec 2018 -- Hongjin Tan, a 35 year old Chinese national and U.S. legal permanent resident, was arrested on Dec. 20 and charged with theft of trade secrets. Tan is alleged to have stolen the trade secrets from his employer, a U.S. petroleum company.
Attribution of Chinese cyber-enabled commercial intellectual property theft Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs 21 Dec 2018 -- "Today, the Australian Government joins other international partners in expressing serious concern about a global campaign of cyber-enabled commercial intellectual property theft by a group known as APT10, acting on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security."
China accuses US of fabricating facts with cyber-attack accusations Press TV 21 Dec 2018 -- China has strongly rejected "slanderous" accusations recently made by the United States over massive hacking efforts around the world, accusing Washington of "fabricating facts."
New Latvian Archives Show Ex-PM, Top Judge Had Ties To KGB RFE/RL 21 Dec 2018 -- Newly released archive files in Latvia show that a former prime minister and the current Supreme Court chief justice are among those who collaborated with the Soviet KGB during the Cold War.
Riyadh Reforming Intelligence Service After Khashoggi Murder – Reports Sputnik 21 Dec 2018 -- Saudi Arabia is conducting the major reform of its General Intelligence Presidency after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, local media reported Thursday.
Two Chinese Hackers Associated With the Ministry of State Security Charged with Global Computer Intrusion Campaigns Targeting Intellectual Property and Confidential Business Information US Dept. of Justice 20 Dec 2018 -- The unsealing of an indictment charging Zhu Hua (??), aka Afwar, aka CVNX, aka Alayos, aka Godkiller; and Zhang Shilong (???), aka Baobeilong, aka Zhang Jianguo, aka Atreexp, both nationals of the People's Republic of China (China), with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft was announced today.
Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein Announces Charges Against Chinese Hackers US Dept. of Justice 20 Dec 2018
US Justice Department charges Chinese nationals for 'extensive' global hacking campaign Press TV 20 Dec 2018 -- The US Justice Department has announced the indictment of two Chinese nationals who allegedly hacked dozens of companies in multiple countries, including the US.
Joint Statement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen: Chinese Actors Compromise Global Managed Service Providers US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2018 -- Since at least 2014, Chinese cyber actors associated with the Chinese Ministry of State Security have hacked multiple U.S. and global managed service and cloud providers.
UK and allies reveal global scale of Chinese cyber campaign UK FCO 20 Dec 2018 -- The UK government and its allies are holding responsible elements of the Chinese government for an extensive cyber campaign
US Charges Two Hackers Linked to Chinese Intelligence VOA 20 Dec 2018 -- U.S. prosecutors unsealed charges on Thursday against two hackers linked to Chinese intelligence, accusing them of engaging in a campaign of computer intrusions over a 12-year period targeting technology firms that businesses and government agencies around the world hire to store, process and protect their data.
Iranian Intelligence Ministry rejects Israeli PM's 'delusional' claims Press TV 20 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry rejects the Israeli premier's claim that Tel Aviv's agents routinely visit the country for spying on its nuclear program, saying such "delusional remarks" are merely meant to ease the pressure on him over recent revelations about the Islamic Republic's successful infiltration of the regime's espionage services.
US House Intel Committee Votes to Give Roger Stone Transcripts to Mueller Probe Sputnik 20 Dec 2018 -- The House Intelligence Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to hand over transcripts of Roger Stone's congressional testimony to special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone is a longtime ally of US President Donald Trump.
US Treasury Sanctions 15 GRU Members for Alleged Election Interference Sputnik 20 Dec 2018 -- The United States has sanctioned 15 members of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) for taking part in alleged malign activities, including the 2016 US election meddling, hacking the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, the US Treasury Department said Wednesday.
Treasury Targets Russian Operatives over Election Interference, World Anti-Doping Agency Hacking, and Other Malign Activities US Treasury 19 Dec 2018 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action in response to Russia's continued disregard for international norms. Specifically, OFAC designated a former officer of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) for having acted on behalf of sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska (Deripaska). OFAC also issued new designations related to the Internet Research Agency (IRA), an entity previously sanctioned for its efforts to interfere in U.S. elections.
U.S. Targets GRU Officers Linked To Hacking, Skripal Poisoning With New Sanctions RFE/RL 19 Dec 2018 -- The United States has imposed new sanctions on more than a dozen current and former Russian military intelligence agents, including two tied to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England earlier this year and one linked to Kremlin-connected oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
US Sanctions More Russians for 'Malign Activities' VOA 19 Dec 2018 -- The Trump administration is slapping more sanctions on Russian officials and entities for election interference and what the Treasury Department calls other "malign activities."
Lithuania Arrests Several Citizens Suspected Of Spying For Russia RFE/RL 19 Dec 2018 -- Several Lithuanians have been arrested and charged with spying for Russia, the Baltic state's chief prosecutor said, drawing an angry reaction from Moscow.
Russian Businessman Perepilichny Likely Died Of Natural Causes, U.K. Inquest Finds RFE/RL 19 Dec 2018 -- A Russian businessman who was found dead in southern England six years ago likely died of natural causes, a British inquest has found.
Report Describes Thousands of Hacked EU Diplomatic Cables VOA 19 Dec 2018 -- The New York Times reported late Tuesday that hackers, using methods similar to ones long used by an elite unit in the Chinese military, gained access to European Union diplomatic communications networks for three years. The breach allowed the infiltrators to download thousands of sensitive cables.
Al-Assiri made clandestine visits to Israel to discuss purchase of spyware: Report Press TV 19 Dec 2018 -- A report reveals that a high-ranking Saudi intelligence official, who was fired over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, made clandestine trips to Israel on behalf of Crown Prince bin Salman over the purchase of an Israeli spy tool that is said to have helped the kingdom track dissidents abroad.
Sentencing of Former Trump National Security Chief Flynn Delayed VOA 18 Dec 2018 -- A U.S. judge in Washington on Tuesday sternly rebuked President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for lying to investigators about his contacts with Russia in the weeks before Trump assumed power in early 2017, but delayed his sentencing.
Sentencing Of Ex-Trump Security Adviser Postponed RFE/RL 18 Dec 2018 -- A federal judge has delayed sentencing for U.S. President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, who had pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents about his conversations with Russia's ambassador.
Russia rejects new US reports on 'election meddling' Press TV 18 Dec 2018 -- The Kremlin has rejected two new US reports on purported Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, saying they lacked details and evidence to prove the allegation.
Russia Rejects Reports Alleging Extensive US Election Meddling VOA 18 Dec 2018 -- The size and scope of Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election was far more extensive and thorough than previously understood, according to two newly released reports.
Chinese Shipbuilding Exec Accused of Leaking Secrets Might Face Death Penalty Sputnik 18 Dec 2018 -- A senior manager at China's state-owned shipbuilding organization who has been convicted of bribery may be sentenced to death, the South China Morning Post reports.
Two Men Charged with Conspiracy and Acting as Agents of a Foreign Government US Dept. of Justice 17 Dec 2018 -- An indictment was unsealed today charging Bijan Rafiekian, aka Bijan Kian, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Kamil Ekim Alptekin, 41, of Istanbul, and a Turkish national, with conspiracy, acting in the United States as illegal agents of the government of Turkey, and making false statements to the FBI.
Bijan Rafiekian charged over conspiracy to act as foreign government agent Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- Bijan Rafiekian, a former business partner of ex-US national security adviser Michael Flynn, has been charged by federal prosecutors with illegally lobbying for the extradition of Turkish dissident Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of having masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt against the Turkish leader.
US Alleges Illegal Turkish Influence Scheme VOA 17 Dec 2018 -- The United States is accusing two former business associates of one-time Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn of illegally carrying out a Turkish lobbying campaign in the United States.
Michael Flynn's Former Associates Face Charges of Illegal Lobbying for Turkey Sputnik 17 Dec 2018 -- Two of former US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's business associates are facing charges in the United States over illegal lobbying for Turkey, the Justice Department announced in a statement on Monday.
US Senate to detail Russian election meddling: Report Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- The US Congress will publish a report this week detailing Russia's alleged disinformation campaign surrounding the 2016 presidential election campaign, US media have reported.
Senate Report: Russian Social-Media-Interference Operations 'Active And Ongoing' RFE/RL 17 Dec 2018 -- The Russian influence campaign on social media in the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign sought particularly to deepen divisions in society and suppress turnout among Democratic voters, according to a report produced for the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Washington Post: Senate Report Details Vast Russian Meddling Campaign RFE/RL 17 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. Senate is preparing to publish a report this week documenting the enormous breadth of a Russian disinformation campaign that sought to help President Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election, The Washington Post reports.
Russia's 2016 Election Meddling More Comprehensive Than Realized VOA 17 Dec 2018 -- Two new reports on Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections are shedding more light on the size and scope of the campaign, showing it was far more extensive and thorough than previously understood.
Russian Spy's Guilty Plea Illustrates Danger Facing US VOA 15 Dec 2018 -- Former top U.S. intelligence officials are warning the guilty plea by a former Russian graduate student and self-proclaimed gun-rights advocate should serve as a wake-up call about the Kremlin's brazen desire and ability to interfere with the American political system.
Artificial Intelligence Can Free Imagery Analysts to Focus More on the Unknown AFPS 14 Dec 2018 -- Analysts at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency may spend as much as half their time poring over satellite imagery of activities they're already familiar with, taking place in locations where everybody is already looking.
Officials Detail Progress on Security Clearance Investigations, Transfer to DOD AFPS 14 Dec 2018 -- Defense Department and Office of Personnel Management officials continue to make progress on the security clearance backlog even as they move forward with merging the National Background Investigations Bureau into DOD.
Kremlin Says Allegations Against Accused Russian Agent Butina Groundless RFE/RL 14 Dec 2018 -- The Kremlin says that allegations against Maria Butina, a Russian woman accused of acting as an agent of Russia's government in the United States, are "groundless."
US Navy Contractors Massively Targeted by Chinese Hackers – Report Sputnik 14 Dec 2018 -- Neither the US Navy, nor Chinese officials, has commented on the report yet, but Washington has earlier accused Beijing on multiple occasions of using its hackers for corporate espionage against American companies.
Russia: Allegations Against Butina Are 'Unfounded' VOA 14 Dec 2018 -- The Kremlin said Friday that the allegations against the Russian woman who pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to being a spy are "unfounded."
India Gets First Private UAV Production Facility with Israeli Support Sputnik 14 Dec 2018 -- The 20-acre facility will start operations with the manufacturing of complete carbon composite aerostructures for the Hermes 900 UAV, followed by the Hermes 450 UAV, catering to the global markets.
Russian National Butina Pleads Guilty To U.S. Charge Of Foreign-Agent Conspiracy RFE/RL 13 Dec 2018 -- A Russian woman has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to act as a foreign agent in a case that the U.S. government said highlighted Moscow's efforts to influence Washington's foreign policy.
Russian National Butina Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Against US Sputnik 13 Dec 2018 -- Russian national Maria Butina has pleaded guilty in US court on Thursday to one count of conspiracy against the United States.
Accused Russian Agent Pleads Guilty to Conspiring Against US VOA 13 Dec 2018 -- A Russian woman pleaded guilty Thursday in Washington to acting as a Kremlin agent to conspire to build ties with the powerful National Rifle Association gun rights group in the U.S. and infiltrate Republican Party circles to pass information back to Moscow.
Russia Expels Slovak Diplomat In Spy Dispute RFE/RL 13 Dec 2018 -- Russia has declared a Slovak military diplomat persona non grata following Bratislava's expulsion of a Russian diplomat suspected of spying last month.
Russia expels Slovak diplomat in apparent tit-for-tat move Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has declared a military attaché in the Slovak Embassy in Moscow as "persona non grata" and ordered the diplomat to leave Russia.
Accused Russian agent to plead guilty, help prosecutors Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- Maria Butina, who is charged and detained in the United States over conspiracy to act as a Russian government agent by developing ties with American citizens and infiltrating political groups, has reportedly agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with federal prosecutors.
CIA still investigating killing of Khashoggi, Pompeo says Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has noted that CIA investigations regarding the death of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi still continued.
Pompeo: US Still Investigating Saudi Journalist's Killing VOA 12 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that U.S. authorities are still investigating the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul.
Court in Ecuador to Consider Appeal of WikiLeaks Founder Assange on Wednesday Sputnik 12 Dec 2018 -- An Ecuadorian court will consider on Wednesday the appeal submitted by the defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange against the demand of the country's government to comply with a protocol containing rules specially developed for him, Assange's lawyer in Ecuador, Carlos Poveda, told Sputnik.
US Officials: China Tops List of Security Threats VOA 12 Dec 2018 -- Top U.S. officials are sounding new alarms about China, warning that Beijing, more than Russia, poses the most serious long-term threat to the United States.
Putin Says He Only Heard Of Alleged Agent Butina After Her Arrest RFE/RL 11 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he had never heard of a woman who is accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent in the United States until her July arrest.
Former Russian Navy Officer Sentenced To 14 Years On Charge Of Spying For Ukraine RFE/RL 11 Dec 2018 -- Retired Russian navy officer Leonid Parkhomenko has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after a military tribunal in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don found him guilty of passing classified documents to Ukrainian intelligence.
Russia Jails Former Police Officer On High Treason Charge RFE/RL 11 Dec 2018 -- A Russian court has sentenced former police officer Aleksandr Zhitnyuk to 13 years in prison on high treason charges.
Putin: Russian Intelligence Services Know Nothing About Butina's Arrest in US Sputnik 11 Dec 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russian intelligence services knew nothing about Russian national Maria Butina arrested in the United States over alleged attempts to influence US policy towards Moscow.
China engaged in spreading fake news in Taiwan: NSB official CNA 10 Dec 2018 -- Although there is no evidence China meddled in Taiwan's Nov. 24 local elections, Beijing and foreign-based forces frequently spread fake news in Taiwan, a National Security Bureau (NSB) official said Monday.
Woman Accused By U.S. Of Working As Russian Agent May Plead Guilty RFE/RL 10 Dec 2018 -- A Russian woman accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent in the United States has reached a deal with prosecutors, a possible indication she may change her plea to guilty.
Russian National Butina Seeks Hearing to Plead Guilty - Court Filing Sputnik 10 Dec 2018 -- Russian national Maria Butina is seeking a hearing as soon as possible to change her plea on criminal charges of acting as a foreign agent for Russia in the United States, a newly published court filing showed on Monday.
Accused Russian Spy in US Reaches Deal to Plead Guilty VOA 10 Dec 2018 -- An accused Russian spy held by the United States on charges of infiltrating Republican Party circles to provide information to Moscow has reached a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty, court records showed Monday.
Launch of Delta IV Heavy Rocket With US Spy Satellite Canceled - Operator Sputnik 09 Dec 2018 -- The launch of the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle with a US military reconnaissance satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was called off seven seconds before launch, the launch's operator United Launch Alliance (ULA) reported.
Iran Holds Melbourne University Academic On 'Infiltration' Charge RFE/RL 09 Dec 2018 -- Iran has detained an Australian-based academic on charges of trying to "infiltrate" Iranian institutions, state media said.
Israeli Government Okayed Spyware Sale to Saudis to Track Khashoggi - Reports Sputnik 09 Dec 2018 -- A new report suggests that the Israeli authorities approved the sales of phone hacking spyware to Riyadh so that it could ensnare dissidents. Israel's alleged intentions were to forge an alliance with a major power in the Arab world in its fight with Iran for influence in the Middle East.
Israel authorized sale of spyware to Saudis: Report Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- A report in the Washington Post says the Israeli government was directly involved in the sale of sophisticated spyware to Saudi Arabia to help the kingdom purge and assassinate dissidents.
WikiLeaks founder Assange rejects UK-Ecuador deal to leave embassy Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has rejected a proposed plan by Ecuadorean president to leave the country's embassy in London with his lawyers insisting that the deal would not shield him against persecution and potential extradition to the US.
British Intel to Ratchet Up Pressure on Russian Businessmen - Reports Sputnik 08 Dec 2018 -- Britain-Russia relations have been in a downward spiral ever since early March, when former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal survived a purported nerve agent attack, which the UK blamed on Moscow. The accusations were followed by an announced crackdown on Russian money in Britain, which is apparently gaining momentum.
Australia Passes World's First Encryption-Busting Law VOA 08 Dec 2018 -- Security agencies will gain greater access to encrypted messages under new laws in Australia. The legislation will force technology companies such as Apple, Facebook and Google to disable encryption protections to allow investigators to track the communications of terrorists and other criminals. It is, however, a controversial measure.
Unmanned aircraft enhances Army Guard response capabilities Army News 07 Dec 2018 -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and during recent Northern California wildfires, Army National Guard members deployed two types of unmanned aircraft systems that allowed for greater coordination of response efforts.
Czech Intelligence Rejects President's Criticism On Reports Of Russian, Chinese Spies RFE/RL 07 Dec 2018 -- The Czech Security Intelligence Service (BIS) has rejected President Milos Zeman's accusations that it is giving him "wrong" data about intensification of spying activities in the country by Russia and China.
Assange's Lawyer Rejects Moreno's Deal to Leave Ecuadorian Embassy in UK Sputnik 07 Dec 2018 -- Barry Pollack, a lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has rejected a deal that Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said he struck with UK authorities, giving the whistleblower guarantees that he can leave the Ecuadorian Embassy in London without fearing that he would be put on death row outside the United Kingdom.
Australia's Controversial Anti-Encryption Law Passes Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The Australian Parliament passed a new anti-encryption bill compelling tech companies to grant the government access to encrypted information. Analysts say the bill has worldwide implications for digital privacy.
Ecuadorian President Pressures Assange to Leave Country's Embassy in London Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- The Ecuadorian president has earlier urged the WikiLeaks founder to give up his asylum at the UK embassy, but noted that it should happen only after British authorities give guarantees that Assange won't be extradited to the US.
Ecuador: Road Clear for Assange to Leave London Embassy VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno said "the road is clear" for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to leave Ecuador's London embassy, where he has lived for six years to avoid being arrested by British police and possibly extradited.
Slovak PM Says Russian Diplomat Expelled For Spying RFE/RL 05 Dec 2018 -- Slovakia has expelled a Russian diplomat as an alleged spy.
Slovakia Expels Russian Diplomat Allegedly Engaged in Espionage - Reports Sputnik 05 Dec 2018 -- This is not the first time European states have accused Russia of espionage. Earlier, the Austrian government announced on 9 November that they had launched an investigation into a 70-year-old retired colonel, suspected of working for Russian intelligence since the 1990s. Moscow has denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
Trump aide, Ecuador discussed returning Assange to US: Report Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- US President Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, had tried to convince Ecuador officials to detain WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and hand him over to America, according to a new report.
Britain warns Russia not to underestimate its intelligence capability Press TV 03 Dec 2018 -- The head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service, which is focused on foreign security threats, has warned Russia that it should not underestimate London's ability to deal with complicated sabotage cases, saying that the country is launching a new generation of espionage activities that could take the adversaries by surprise.
Czech Spy Agency Blames Russia For Cyberattacks On Foreign Ministry, Diplomats RFE/RL 03 Dec 2018 -- The Czech spy agency said it is "obvious" that Russia was behind two recent cyberattack campaigns against the Foreign Ministry and the country's diplomats.
British Spy Chief Warns Russia Against Covert Activity After Nerve-Agent Attack RFE/RL 03 Dec 2018 -- The head of Britain's foreign intelligence service has warned the Kremlin "not to underestimate" the West following a nerve-agent attack on a retired double agent in England that he attributed to covert Russian activity.
Russian TV Crew's 'Suspicious Behavior' Triggers Military Alert, Public Warning In Britain RFE/RL 02 Dec 2018 -- British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has called on the public to report suspicious activity near army sites after a Russian TV crew prompted an alert at a highly sensitive military facility, the Daily Mail newspaper reports.
Austrian Ex-Officer Suspected of Spying for Russia Arrested Sputnik 01 Dec 2018 -- An Austrian court said Friday that it ruled to arrest a retired Austrian officer suspected of spying for Russia.
UK Intel Alleges Putin Personally Behind Skripal Poisoning Order - Reports Sputnik 01 Dec 2018 -- Russian authorities have repeatedly refuted London's accusations of Moscow being behind the alleged March 4 chemical attack on the former Russian intelligence officer and his daughter as groundless. Moscow says that London has failed to present any proof confirming Russia's involvement in the case.
ACLU Sues CIA to Find Body of Man Agency Tortured to Death Sputnik 01 Dec 2018 -- The ACLU filed two lawsuits on Thursday against the Central Intelligence Agency to gain more information on the agency's torture program.
CIA finds MBS texted to Khashoggi hit squad leader Press TV 01 Dec 2018 -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent about a dozen messages to the leader of the team that killed dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in the hours before and after the journalist's death in October, according to a top secret CIA assessment.

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