July 2021 Intelligence News

US raises concern with top Israeli officials over Israeli spyware Pegasus: Report Press TV 31 Jul 2021 -- The United States has raised concern with senior Israeli officials regarding the accusations that spy software known as Pegasus sold by the Israeli surveillance company NSO Group has been used by governments around the world to carry out surveillance on journalists, activists, and political leaders, potentially those government officials with close ties to Washington.
Navy Conducts First MQ-4C Triton Test Flight with Multi-Intelligence Upgrade US Navy 29 Jul 2021 -- The Navy conducted its first test flight of the MQ-4C Triton in its upgraded hardware and software configuration July 29 at NAS Patuxent River, beginning the next phase of the unmanned aircraft's development.
US intervenes in ousted Saudi spymaster's case in Canada to protect national interests Press TV 28 Jul 2021 -- The United States is intervening in a court case related to an ousted Saudi spymaster, citing protection of its national interests.
Remarks by President Biden at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence The White House 27 Jul 2021
Iranian Intelligence Ministry strikes Mossad terrorist agents IRNA 27 Jul 2021 -- Forces of Iranian Intelligence Ministry have dealt a heavy blow to Mossad terrorist network, according to a senior intelligence official with the knowledge of the issue.
Iran thwarts Mossad's terrorist sabotages ISNA 27 Jul 2021 -- Director-General of Counterintelligence of Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced on Tuesday that the plan of Mossad's terrorists to carry out acts of sabotage and to create chaos in Iran was thwarted.
Iran arrests Mossad agents plotting urban riots, terror; huge cache of weapons seized Press TV 27 Jul 2021 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry has arrested a network of agents with the Israeli Mossad spy agency at the Western borders, confiscating a large cache of weapons and ammunition that they were planning to use to provoke riots and terror inside the country.
Biden Accuses Russia of Already Interfering in 2022 Election VOA 27 Jul 2021 -- Russia is already interfering in next year's midterm U.S. elections, President Joe Biden said Tuesday in a speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
Former Intelligence Analyst Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Disclosing Classified Information to Reporter US Dept. of Justice 27 Jul 2021 -- A Tennessee man was sentenced today to 45 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally obtaining classified national defense information and disclosing it to a reporter.
US whistleblower sentenced to 45 months in prison amid outcry from human rights activists Press TV 27 Jul 2021 -- US intelligence analyst Daniel Hale has been sentenced to 45 months in prison over leaking classified information about drone warfare to the press.
Hungarians Protest Against Alleged Government Surveillance With Pegasus Spyware RFE/RL 27 Jul 2021 -- About 1,000 Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest on July 26 to protest over allegations that the government used Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to illegally spy on public figures in Hungary.
Lithuanian Court Sends Politician To Six Years In Prison For Spying For Russia RFE/RL 27 Jul 2021 -- A Lithuanian court has sentenced politician Algirdas Paleckis to six years in prison after finding him guilty of spying for Russia.
US moves to drop charges of visa fraud against Chinese researcher ahead of talks Press TV 23 Jul 2021 -- The US Justice Department has moved to drop all charges against a Chinese researcher who was arrested last year by the US authorities over visa fraud and hiding her military credentials.
Pakistan urges UN to probe India's use of Israel's Pegasus to spy on Imran Khan Press TV 23 Jul 2021 -- Pakistan has urged the United Nations (UN) to investigate whether India has spied on Prime Minister Imran Khan using the Israeli Pegasus spyware.
Macron changes phone in wake of Israeli spyware reports Press TV 23 Jul 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has changed his phone and phone number in light of allegations that Israel's Pegasus spyware might have targeted him, a presidency official has said.
DOD to Modernize Intelligence Information Apparatus With 'Back to Basics' Approach DoD News 22 Jul 2021 -- The Defense Department's information technology capacity provides intelligence information to leaders and warfighters to give them a decision-making advantage.
Nine Individuals Charged in Superseding Indictment with Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the People's Republic of China US Dept. of Justice 22 Jul 2021 -- PRC Prosecutor Allegedly Traveled to the United States, Directed Stalking of U.S. Residents, and Obstructed Criminal Investigation
9 Indicted in US for Being Illegal Agents of China VOA 22 Jul 2021 -- Nine people have been indicted on charges of operating in the United States as illegal agents of China.
CIA picks Bin Laden hunter to head 'Havana syndrome' task force as more diplomats fall ill Press TV 22 Jul 2021 -- The CIA has picked a US veteran officer who took the lead in the decade-long hunt for Osama Bin Laden to investigate the so-called "Havana syndrome" afflicting US spies and diplomats overseas.
Israeli spyware Pegasus used to capture Dubai ruler's missing daughter Princess Latifa: Report Press TV 22 Jul 2021 -- An investigation has revealed that Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum – also known as Princess Latifa – who was running away from her father, the ruler of Dubai, when her escape was thwarted after a dramatic raid of her yacht in 2018, was captured using the Israeli phone hacking spyware Pegasus.
French President Emmanuel Macron Changes His Phone and Number Amid Pegasus Spyware Scandal Sputnik 22 Jul 2021 -- The president's phone was on a list of 50,000 possible targets of the spyware program that was developed for state espionage on terrorists and criminals. According to a large-scale media investigation, some governments purportedly used the Israeli-made spy tool to wiretap human rights activists, journalists, and even foreign politicians.
Merkel Urges to Restrict Spyware Sales to Countries With 'No Oversight' After Pegasus Scandal Sputnik 22 Jul 2021 -- A major report, published by various media platforms and rights groups on Sunday, said that a spyware programme, made by an Israeli cyber company had been used to hack the phones of political leaders, journalists, and activists across the globe.
Phones of Two Dubai Princesses Reportedly Hacked by Pegasus Spyware Sputnik 22 Jul 2021 -- Last Sunday, several prominent media outlets and rights groups released a report that revealed how an Israeli cyber company's spyware programme had been used to hack the phone numbers of journalists, rights activists, and even political leaders across the world.
Pakistani Prime Minister Among World Leaders Possibly Targeted By Israeli Spyware RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Jul 2021 -- The fallout from an investigation into the use of an Israeli firm's Pegasus spyware deepened on July 20 as it emerged that more than a dozen current or former world leaders appear to be among thousands of potential targets.
Israel spyware used to target France's Macron, Iraq's Salih, Morocco's King Mohammed Press TV 21 Jul 2021 -- An Israeli spyware used to snoop on human rights activists and journalists worldwide has also targeted the phones of top French, Iraqi, and Moroccan leaders and 15,000 Mexicans, reports say.
South Africa 'Not Happy' About Pegasus Surveillance Scandal, Presidency Says Sputnik 21 Jul 2021 -- The South African government said on Wednesday it was "not happy" over reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa's phone was targeted by Pegasus spyware, calling it an infringement of both personal privacy and the country's sovereignty.
South African Presidency Declines to Comment on Reports of Being Targeted by Pegasus Sputnik 21 Jul 2021 -- The South African president's office is not commenting on reports that Cyril Ramaphosa's mobile phone was targeted by the Pegasus spyware, the official statement obtained by Sputnik said.
Morocco Demands Evidence of Involvement in State Surveillance Using Pegasus Spyware Sputnik 21 Jul 2021 -- Morocco has denied accusations of involvement in spying on foreign officials using controversial Pegasus spyware and demands that the authors of the investigation provide evidence of their claims, Moroccan government said in a statement.
President Macron Orders Probes Into Pegasus Spyware Case, Prime Minister Castex Says Sputnik 21 Jul 2021 -- French newspaper Le Monde reported that President Emmanuel Macron's phone has been identified as a possible target of Pegasus spyware, which recently made headlines after a journalistic investigation found that it had been used to spy on thousands of politicians, businesspeople, and journalists worldwide.
Trump Confidant Accused of Illegally Advancing UAE Interests VOA 21 Jul 2021 -- The Justice Department has accused Thomas Barrack, a longtime friend of former President Donald Trump and his 2017 inaugural committee chairman, of engaging in a wide-ranging scheme to favorably influence U.S. policy toward the United Arab Emirates without registering as a foreign agent as required by U.S. law.
Former Advisor to Presidential Candidate Among Three Defendants Charged with Acting as Agents of a Foreign Government US Dept. of Justice 20 Jul 2021 -- A seven-count indictment was unsealed today in a New York federal court relating to the defendants' unlawful efforts to advance the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the United States at the direction of senior UAE officials by influencing the foreign policy positions of the campaign of a candidate in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and, subsequently, the foreign policy positions of the U.S. government in the incoming administration, as well as seeking to influence public opinion in favor of UAE interests.
Trump ally arrested, charged over working for UAE Press TV 20 Jul 2021 -- An ally of former President Donald Trump has been arrested over working for the United Arab Emirates.
Longtime Trump Ally, Adviser Thomas Barrack Indicted Over Illegal UAE Lobbying Sputnik 20 Jul 2021 -- The longtime Trump confidant had been placed under federal investigation for at least two years after authorities grew concerned about his business practices following a May 2016 speech by the former president that appeared to praise the United Arab Emirates.
Bachelet: Misuse of Spyware Imperils Human Rights VOA 20 Jul 2021 -- The U.N. high commissioner for human rights has issued a warning about the misuse of surveillance technology in the wake of reports spyware was used to hack smartphones of human rights activists, business executives and journalists. Michelle Bachelet says the illegitimate use of the tools could undermine people's human rights and subvert democratic societies.
Saudi crown prince used Israeli spyware Pegasus to spy on Lebanese, Hezbollah officials: Report Press TV 20 Jul 2021 -- An Israeli software company is revealed to have helped Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) take over the smart phones of high-ranking Lebanese authorities, senior figures of Hezbollah resistance movement as well as journalists, and spy on their communications.
France Opens Probe Into Spyware As Global Scandal Over Israeli Program Grows RFE/RL 20 Jul 2021 -- French prosecutors have opened an investigation into allegations that journalists of a local investigative news website had been spied on using an Israeli program at the center of an international scandal.
Pegasus' Maker Reportedly Got Extensive Support From Israeli Government in Selling Spyware Abroad Sputnik 20 Jul 2021 -- The Israeli security software maker is at the center of an international scandal after media investigations revealed that at least 50,000 phones, including those of 600+ senior politicians and officials and hundreds of journalists, had been targeted by its military-grade spyware.
Morocco Reportedly Tried to Use Pegasus Spyware to Tap Macron's Phone Sputnik 20 Jul 2021 -- On Sunday, media discovered that the phones of at least 50,000 people around the world had been targeted using the powerful Israeli-made military-grade spyware. Paris called the revelations "shocking," with the Paris prosecutor's office opening a formal investigation after receiving complaints from French journalists who said they'd been targeted.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Removal and Retention of Classified Material US Dept. of Justice 20 Jul 2021 -- A Hawaii woman pleaded guilty today to one count of knowingly removing classified information concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States and retaining it at an unauthorized location.
Responding to the PRC's Destabilizing and Irresponsible Behavior in Cyberspace US Dept. of State 19 Jul 2021 -- The United States and countries around the world are holding the People's Republic of China (PRC) accountable for its pattern of irresponsible, disruptive, and destabilizing behavior in cyberspace, which poses a major threat to our economic and national security.
The United States, Joined by Allies and Partners, Attributes Malicious Cyber Activity and Irresponsible State Behavior to the People's Republic of China The White House 19 Jul 2021
Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Malicious Cyber Activity Attributable to the People's Republic of China The White House 19 Jul 2021
China Spy Agency Blamed by US, Others of Using Contract Hackers VOA 19 Jul 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said he is to receive a detailed report Tuesday about the role China's civilian intelligence agency played in using ransomware to extort American businesses.
US for first time accuses China of cyberattacks, including Microsoft hack Press TV 19 Jul 2021 -- The United States has formally accused the Chinese government of widespread destabilizing activities in cyberspace, including through a massive breach of Microsoft email systems used by many of the world's big companies.
US Forms Global Coalition to Shame China on Malicious Cyber Activities Radio Free Asia 19 Jul 2021 -- The U.S. has formed a coalition with its allies and other partners to identify and condemn malicious cyber activities orchestrated by China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), the White House said Monday, warning it is weighing additional measures to hold Beijing accountable for its actions.
China: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union urging Chinese authorities to take action against malicious cyber activities undertaken from its territory EC/CEU 19 Jul 2021 -- Today, the EU and its member states, together with partners, expose malicious cyber activities that significantly affected our economy, security, democracy and society at large. The EU and its member states assess these malicious cyber activities to have been undertaken from the territory of China.
EU Commission slams use of spyware against journalists as 'completely unacceptable' Press TV 19 Jul 2021 -- The European Commission has denounced as "completely unacceptable" the use of spyware programs against journalists and individuals working in the media, following reports that an Israeli spyware application was used to hack the smartphones of journalists, government officials and rights activists worldwide.
Statement by the North Atlantic Council in solidarity with those affected by recent malicious cyber activities including the Microsoft Exchange Server compromise NATO 19 Jul 2021
Biden Admin Accuses China of Perpetrating Massive Microsoft Exchange Email Hack Sputnik 19 Jul 2021 -- US intelligence agencies have released a joint advisory accusing China of malicious cyber activities and exposing more than 50 tactics allegedly used by hackers thought to be affiliated with Beijing.
UK accuses China of 'hacking' Microsoft Exchange servers Press TV 19 Jul 2021 -- In yet another rhetorical escalation against China, the UK has accused the rising world power of "systematic cyber sabotage".
UK and allies hold Chinese state responsible for a pervasive pattern of hacking UK FCDO 19 Jul 2021 -- UK joins likeminded partners to confirm Chinese state-backed actors were responsible for gaining access to computer networks via Microsoft Exchange servers.
Four Chinese Nationals Working with the Ministry of State Security Charged with Global Computer Intrusion Campaign Targeting Intellectual Property and Confidential Business Information, Including Infectious Disease Research US Dept. of Justice 19 Jul 2021 -- Indictment Alleges Three Defendants Were Officers in the Hainan State Security Department (HSSD), a provincial arm of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS)
US Charges 4 Chinese Nationals in Hacking Campaign VOA 19 Jul 2021 -- The U.S. Justice Department on Monday announced charges against three Chinese intelligence officers and a Chinese computer hacker in connection with an unlawful cyber campaign that pilfered trade secrets and confidential information from dozens of companies, universities and government entities in the United States and 11 other countries between 2011 and 2018.
DOJ Formally Adopts New Policy Restricting Use of Compulsory Process to Obtain Reporter Information US Dept. of Justice 19 Jul 2021 -- The U.S. Department of Justice today formally adopted a new policy that restricts the use of compulsory process to obtain information from, or records of, members of the news media acting within the scope of newsgathering activities. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the new policy, effective immediately, in a memo to Department leadership.
Outrage Builds Over Report Of Alleged Use Of Spyware On Press, Activists RFE/RL 19 Jul 2021 -- Politicians and media rights groups across the world have voiced outrage after a new report alleged several governments, including EU-member Hungary, used an Israeli program to hack the smartphones of journalists, officials, and rights activists worldwide.
Pegasus: Human rights-compliant laws needed to regulate spyware UN News 19 Jul 2021 -- The UN human rights chief on Monday said the apparent widespread use of Pegasus spy software to illegally undermine the rights of those under surveillance, including journalists and politicians, was "extremely alarming" and confirmed "some of the worst fears" surrounding the potential misuse of such technology.
Report: Journalists at top media outlets picked by UAE as targets of Israeli malware Press TV 19 Jul 2021 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is believed to have selected the editor of the UK's Financial Times newspaper as well as journalists at The Economist and The Wall Street Journal to be spied on using Israeli spyware, according to a sweeping investigation.
Private Israeli Spyware Used Against Activists, Journalists Worldwide, Reports Suggest Sputnik 19 Jul 2021 -- The software Pegasus, developed by Israel's NSO Group and used by government agencies to track criminals and terrorists, was deployed by state services to hack private phones of activists, journalists, and opposition figures around the world, according to an investigation by The Washington Post and 16 other media outlets.
Smartphones of Rights Activists, Journalists Hacked With Private Israeli Spyware VOA 18 Jul 2021 -- Spyware developed by an Israeli firm and licensed to governments for tracking terrorists and criminals was also used to hack smartphones of human rights activists, business executives and journalists, according to a global investigation by 17 media partners.
Azerbaijan Suspected Of Spying On Reporters, Activists By Using Software To Access Phones RFE/RL 18 Jul 2021 -- A new report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) alleges Azerbaijan has been spying on hundreds of local activists and journalists, including RFE/RL reporters, using sophisticated software that gave the government access to their phones.
Israel pushed spy tech firms to work with Riyadh despite Khashoggi murder: NYT Press TV 18 Jul 2021 -- The Israeli regime has continued to allow and encourage cyber-surveillance companies to secretly work with Saudi Arabia despite international condemnation of the kingdom's heavy-handed crackdown on dissent and the 2018 brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American daily newspaper says.
Chinese National Sentenced to More than Three Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Illegally Export Maritime Raiding Craft and Engines to China US Dept. of Justice 16 Jul 2021 -- A Chinese national was sentenced Wednesday to three years and six months in federal prison for conspiring to submit false export information through the federal government's Automated Export System and to export maritime raiding craft and engines to China fraudulently, and attempting to export that equipment fraudulently in violation of U.S. law.
Facebook Disrupts Iran-Based Espionage Hacking Group RFE/RL 15 Jul 2021 -- Facebook has disrupted a group of hackers in Iran behind "espionage operations" targeting mostly U.S. military personnel and companies in the defense and aerospace industries.
Estonia Expels Russian Diplomat After Moscow Accuses Consul Of Spying RFE/RL 15 Jul 2021 -- Estonia's Foreign Ministry has expelled a Russian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move against Moscow.
Director General Ken McCallum gives annual threat update 2021 MI5 14 Jul 2021-- MI5 Director General Ken McCallum gave his annual threat update today, 14 July 2021, which was filmed at our headquarters in Thames House, London.
Bosnian Intelligence Chief Arrested Over Money Laundering, Abuse Of Office RFE/RL 14 Jul 2021 -- Bosnia's intelligence chief has been arrested amid an investigation that includes money laundering and forgery.
Iranian Intelligence Officials Indicted on Kidnapping Conspiracy Charges US Dept. of Justice 13 Jul 2021 -- Iranian Intelligence Services Allegedly Plotted to Kidnap a U.S. Journalist and Human Rights Activist from New York City for Rendition to Iran
Estonian Consul in St. Petersburg Given 48 Hours to Leave Russia Amid Spying Scandal Sputnik 07 Jul 2021 -- On Tuesday, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) detained the Estonian diplomat when he attempted to obtain classified information from a Russian national.
US Military Urges Washington to Heed Warnings on China VOA 07 Jul 2021 -- A top U.S. military intelligence official is voicing concern that key policymakers and lawmakers may not be taking the threat posed by China seriously enough.
Russia Expels Estonian Consul On Spy Charges Baltic Country Calls 'Provocative' RFE/RL 07 Jul 2021 -- Russia says it has given an Estonian diplomat 48 hours to leave after briefly detaining him for allegedly receiving classified documents in what the Baltic state called a "setup."
Estonia Calls Russia's Detention Of Its Consul In St. Petersburg A 'Setup' RFE/RL 06 Jul 2021 -- Estonia says Russia's detention of its consul in St. Petersburg was a "setup" and "provocation."
Two Indian Army Personnel Arrested for 'Leaking' Hundreds of Classified Documents to Pakistan Sputnik 06 Jul 2021 -- The Indian Army asked its personnel to delete around 50 mobile applications from their phones last year to avert spying attempts by adversaries. There have been incidents where soldiers have been honey-trapped by foreign intelligence agencies and coaxed into divulging information.
Pakistan Intel Chief Gives 8-Hour Briefing on Afghanistan VOA 01 Jul 2021 -- Senior Pakistani military and intelligence officials told members of Parliament during a closed, eight-hour briefing Thursday that they are losing influence over the Taliban and building up border defenses for fear of increased violence in neighboring Afghanistan once the U.S. withdrawal is complete.

Russia Summons Czech Ambassador Over Ammo Depot Blast Row RFE/RL 01 Jul 2021 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Czech ambassador to Russia, Vitezslav Pivonka, after Prague demanded Moscow pay it compensation for a deadly 2014 ammunition depot blast in the Czech Republic that Prague has blamed on Russian intelligence agents.

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