October 2013 Security News

New Leaks Highlight Internet Security Weakness VOA 31 Oct 2013 -- The latest revelations from exiled former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden highlight security weaknesses in some of the world's most popular Internet networks.
Former al-Shabab Member to Testify Against Alleged Recruiter VOA 31 Oct 2013 -- Kenya's anti-terror police have carried out dozens of arrests in the last few weeks, targeting suspects in the coastal city of Mombasa. One man allegedly trained by the Somali militant group al-Shabab is ready to testify in court against an accused recruiter.
Al-Shabab Camp 'Destroyed' After Airstrike VOA 31 Oct 2013 -- The African Union force in Somalia has attacked an al-Shabab training camp as part of ongoing efforts to weaken the militant group.
China Defends Position on Tiananmen Attack VOA 31 Oct 2013 -- China is calling for a unified front against what it says is the country's fight against terrorism, following Monday's incident in Tiananmen Square that killed five people. After rounding up five suspects linked to the alleged attack, China says it was a pre-mediated and carefully organized act of terrorism.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 31 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Alexander: Defending Against Cyberattacks Requires Collaboration AFPS 30 Oct 2013 -- Catastrophic cyberattacks loom in the nation's future, and only collaboration among government agencies, Internet service providers and U.S. allies worldwide can help citizens prepare for them, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command said this afternoon.
Flu Drug Under DOD Development Completes Second Clinical Trial AFPS 30 Oct 2013 -- The successful completion of a Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for the anti-influenza drug T-705a clears the way for Phase 3 clinical trials to begin in November.
Keeping remittances to Somalia flowing IRIN 30 Oct 2013 -- Never has the UK's Somali community taken so much interest in a court case. Dahabshiil Holdings Ltd, by far the biggest company remitting money from the UK to Somalia, has taken Barclays to court to try to prevent the bank closing down its account, without which the company says it cannot legally continue to operate. Other remittance companies have already had their accounts closed, because of what banks say are security concerns about money laundering and terrorism.
China Arrests 5 for Tiananmen 'Terror Attack' VOA 30 Oct 2013 -- Chinese authorities say terrorists were responsible for carrying out an attack Monday in China's Tiananmen Square that left five dead and injured 40.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 30 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Chinese Officials Suspect Xinjiang Link to Beijing 'Attack' VOA 29 Oct 2013 -- Reports from Beijing say Chinese authorities believe a car crash that killed five people Monday in Beijing's Tiananmen Square was a deliberate act by people from the troubled region of Xinjiang.
China Suspects Tiananmen Vehicle Fire was a Suicide Attack VOA 29 Oct 2013 -- The Chinese government suspects that Monday's incident in which a vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, killing five including the three people in the vehicle, was a suicide attack.
Army looks to blend cyber, electronic warfare capabilities on battlefield Army News 29 Oct 2013 -- As new technologies emerge and new cyber and electronic warfare threats plague Soldiers in the field, U.S. Army scientists and engineers continue to define next-generation protocols and system architectures to help develop technology capabilities to combat these threats in an integrated and expedited fashion.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 29 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Army bolsters nation's cybersecurity through STEM outreach Army News 28 Oct 2013 -- Computer networks face persistent cyber threats from the nation's adversaries. The future defenders of cyberspace, America's students, honed their skills this summer as they learned from U.S. Army scientists and engineers who are experts in the field.
Army Engineers Complete, Continue Sandy-related Projects AFPS 28 Oct 2013 -- In the 12 months since Hurricane Sandy struck the northeastern United States, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed repairs on 30 Sandy-damaged navigation channels and structures, completed restoration of the six most urgent and compelling engineered beach projects along the coast, and is actively working nearly 200 other projects to reduce the risk of future coastal storm damage.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 28 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Spaniards protest court ruling freeing ETA members Iran Press TV 27 Oct 2013 -- Thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets in the capital Madrid to express their anger over a European court ruling for the release of two imprisoned members of the Basque separatist group, ETA.
New S&T Roadmap Sets Course for Biological Response and Recovery Office of Science and Technology, The White House 25 Oct 2013 -- Today, OSTP released a Biological Incident Response and Recovery Science and Technology Roadmap to help ensure that decision makers and first responders are equipped with the information and tools needed to effectively respond to and recover from a biological incident—whether naturally occurring (such as an influenza pandemic), accidental (such as a laboratory spill), or intentional (such as a bioterror attack).
Press Conference by Special Rapporteurs on Executions, Human Rights while Countering Terrorism United Nations 25 Oct 2013
Law Passed in Russia to Punish Terrorists' Relatives RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2013 -- Russian legislators unanimously passed a law Friday forcing the relatives of terrorists to pay for the damages caused by their attacks.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 25 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Alert Watchstanders Aboard USS Pearl Harbor Spot Drugs Adrift NNS 24 Oct 2013 -- U.S. Navy landing dock ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) recovered a bale of marijuana Oct. 23 found adrift while conducting training exercises off the Southern California coastline.
Army building cyber forces through talent management Army News 24 Oct 2013 -- The Army must learn to dominate the cyber domain in the same way it excels at land operations, Army leaders say.
Russia's Female Suicide Bombers: Well-Organized and Hard to Stop RIA Novosti 24 Oct 2013 -- Investigators say that moments after Naida Asiyalova, a wan 30-year-old from Russia's violence-plagued republic of Dagestan, boarded a public bus one afternoon this week in the city of Volgograd, the bomb she was carrying exploded, claiming six lives.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 24 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Africom Helps Partners Stand Up to Violent Extremism AFPS 23 Oct 2013 -- Citing progress in helping African partners countering violent extremist organizations, the commander of U.S. Africa Command said the terrorist attack last month at a mall in Nairobi, Kenya, actually shows that U.S. efforts and policies are working.
Army looks to blend cyber, electronic warfare capabilities on the battlefield Army News 23 Oct 2013 -- As new technologies emerge and new cyber and electronic warfare threats plague Soldiers in the field, U.S. Army scientists and engineers continue to define next-generation protocols and system architectures to help develop technology capabilities to combat these threats in an integrated and expedited fashion.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 23 Oct 2013 [PDF]
War Eagles assume authority for Task Force Platinum Army News 22 Oct 2013 -- 93rd Military Police Battalion assumed authority of Task Force Platinum an organization that provides essential support through detainee and detention facility operations for Joint Task Force Guantanamo on October 16, 2013 at Bulkeley Field.
Libyan Islamists Call for Independent Inquiry into American Raid VOA 22 Oct 2013 -- Islamist opponents of Libya's hard-pressed prime minister are calling for an independent investigation into whether he gave approval for a U.S. Special Forces team to snatch an al-Qaida suspect from the streets of Tripoli. The demand for the probe is just the latest addition to Ali Zeidan's many political woes.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 22 Oct 2013 [PDF]
At Least 6 Killed in Attack by Female Suicide Bomber in Russia – Official RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2013 -- Investigators in Russia said at least six people were killed Monday after a suspected female suicide bomber detonated an explosive device on a bus in the southern city of Volgograd.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 21 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Former drug lord killed in attack in NW Mexico Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2013 -- A former leader of Mexico's once-powerful Tijuana Cartel has been killed in a sting operation by gunmen in northwestern part of the country.
Uganda Increases Vigilance after US Embassy Security Alert VOA 20 Oct 2013 -- Uganda's government spokesman says the US embassy has shared intelligence with the administration warning of a possible terrorist attack, similar to the one on Kenya's Westgate mall nearly a month ago.
USS Rentz Disrupts a Ton of Cocaine Worth $80 Million NNS 18 Oct 2013 -- Less than a week after arriving on station following a port visit in Panama, USS Rentz (FFG 46) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and helicopter squadron disrupted a shipment of 1,000 kg. of cocaine off the coast of Colombia in coordination with the Colombian navy Oct. 9.
Obama Nominates Former Pentagon Lawyer for Homeland Security Post VOA 18 Oct 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday nominated a former Defense Department lawyer, Jeh Johnson, to be the next secretary of Homeland Security. Johnson played a major role in explaining Obama administration legal justifications on the use of unmanned drones and lethal targeted strikes, and U.S. detention policies.
Remarks by the President at Nomination of Jeh Johnson to be Secretary of Homeland Security The White House 18 Oct 2013
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 18 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Russian Government Calls for FSB to Tackle Cyber Crime RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2013 -- The Russian government has submitted amendments to state lawmakers that would give the country's Federal Security Service (FSB) the authority to investigate and fight hacker attacks.
NSA Involved in US Drone Strikes, Snowden Leaks Show – Report RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2013 -- Emails and other communications secretly monitored by the US National Security Agency (NSA) play a crucial role in American overseas drone strikes against accused terrorists, The Washington Post has reported, citing documents disclosed by fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 17 Oct 2013 [PDF]
Russian Security Services Foil Chemical Terror Attack – Officials RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2013 -- Russian authorities said that they have detained two men suspected of planning a terrorist attack at a chemical weapons storage facility.
Russian Parliament to Consider Toughening Terrorism Law RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2013 -- Russian lawmakers will consider in the first reading a presidential bill outlining punishments for a number of terror-related offenses, including criminal liability for training in terrorist camps.
British police claim to have foiled terror attack after seizing 4 suspects PressTV 15 Oct 2013 -- The British police have announced that they have managed to foil a terror attack plot similar to the assault on Kenya’s Westgate Mall, after they captured four suspects this weekend.
Libi rejects terror charges in New York hearing PressTV 15 Oct 2013 -- A Libyan man abducted in his home country by US Special Forces has pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges after appearing before a court in New York.
Al-Qaeda Suspect To Appear In U.S. Court RFE/RL 15 Oct 2013 -- A suspected senior Al-Qaeda figure captured in Libya by U.S. special forces earlier this month is expected to appear in a U.S. court on October 15.
Russian Court Jails Notorious N.Caucasus Warlord for Life RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2013 -- A Russian military court sentenced North Caucasus militant warlord Ali Taziyev, also known by his alias Magas, to life imprisonment on terrorism charges.
Burmese Authorities Arrest 3 for Bombings VOA 15 Oct 2013 -- Burmese authorities have arrested three men in connection with a series of bombings and attempted bombings around the country that have killed two people since late last week.
Army announces Cybersecurity Collaborative Research Alliance to explore underlying cyber science Army News 15 Oct 2013 -- Cybersecurity is critical to protecting Army systems from sophisticated attacks on military networks.
WHO says two more men fall victim to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) IRNA 15 Oct 2013 -- WHO said it has been informed of an additional two laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection in Saudi Arabia.
US Lab in Georgia at Center of Storm Over Biological Warfare Claims RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2013 -- A US-funded laboratory in the former Soviet republic of Georgia has been repeatedly touted by US officials as a key tool in guarding the region against dangerous infectious diseases.
Analysts: An Evolution in US Counterterrorism VOA 14 Oct 2013 -- The United States recently launched two raids on suspected terrorist hideouts in Somalia and Libya. In Somalia, Navy SEALS attempted to seize a senior leader of the radical terrorist group al-Shabab. In Libya, U.S. forces captured a senior al-Qaida figure wanted in the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania 15 years ago. Analysts from the RAND Corporation in Washington say the raids show an evolution in US policy - away from killing terrorists with a drone strike to taking them alive.
Al-Qaida Suspect's Capture Sparks Libyan Outrage VOA 14 Oct 2013 -- Libya remains in turmoil over last week's brief kidnapping of the prime minister by Islamist militiamen, but that is not the only abduction roiling the country - there's equal outrage over the snatching by American commandos of an al-Qaida suspect, a man his family says is innocent of terrorist crimes.
Local, Utah Guard Members Aid Colorado Flood Response AFPS 11 Oct 2013 -- The 36th Infantry Division's Domestic All-Hazards Response Team-West continues to coordinate assistance requests and support for the Colorado flood relief effort.
South Dakota National Guard Continues Storm Aid AFPS 11 Oct 2013 -- South Dakota National Guard members continue to support the state after the Oct. 4 winter storm that crippled western South Dakota.
Libyan prime minister 'released' Iran Press TV 10 Oct 2013 -- Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has reportedly been freed just hours after he was kidnapped by gunmen from a hotel in the capital, Tripoli.
Libyan Prime Minister Freed After Kidnapping VOA 10 Oct 2013 -- Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan returned unharmed to government headquarters in Tripoli Thursday, soon after he was released by former rebel militiamen who had abducted and held him for several hours.
Periodic Review Board Process Underway DoD 09 Oct 2013 -- The Department of Defense announced today that the Periodic Review Board (PRB) process is underway. The PRB process was established to review whether continued detention of certain detainees held at Guantanamo Bay remains necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to U.S. national security.
Airman killed conducting operations in Colombia AFNS 09 Oct 2013 -- United States Southern Command officials today confirmed the identity of an Airman killed in a plane crash Saturday in Colombia.
Obama: U.S. Will Continue to Pursue Terrorists Overseas AFPS 08 Oct 2013 -- Just days after U.S. forces carried out raids in Libya and Somalia to bring wanted terrorists to justice, President Barack Obama made clear today the United States will continue to carry out similar strikes overseas as long as threats to the nation exist.
Hagel Appoints Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure AFPS 08 Oct 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced the appointment of Paul M. Lewis as special envoy for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Secretary Hagel Announces Appointment to Key Defense Post DoD 08 Oct 2013-- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced the appointment of Paul M. Lewis to the position of Special Envoy for Guantanamo closure.
Libya calls in US envoy over abduction of al-Libi Iran Press TV 08 Oct 2013 -- Libya has summoned the United States' envoy over the abduction of a Libyan citizen by American military forces in Tripoli.
Press Secretary: U.S. Will Continue Confronting Terrorist Threat AFPS 07 Oct 2013 -- The U.S. military can put pressure on the al-Shabaab terrorist organization's leadership whenever it so chooses, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on U.S. Operations in Somalia DoD 07 Oct 2013 -- Late Friday night, U.S. military personnel conducted a targeted operation against Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, known as 'Ikrima', a Kenyan of Somali origin.
Preparing for MERS virus ahead of Hajj pilgrimage IRIN 07 Oct 2013 -- Public health officials in the Gulf states are playing down fears about an outbreak of the deadly MERS coronavirus among pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia this month, though doctors are advising the elderly, people with existing health conditions, pregnant women and young children to stay away.
Turkey denies role in US attack in Somalia Iran Press TV 07 Oct 2013 -- Turkey has denied al-Shabab's allegations about Ankara's involvement in a recent operation by the US Navy's special operation forces in Somalia.
Kerry: Al-Qaida Operative's Capture in Libya 'Legal' VOA 07 Oct 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is defending the special forces raid to capture a senior al-Qaida operative in Libya, saying the operation was 'legal and appropriate.'
US Names Target of Somalia Raid VOA 07 Oct 2013 -- A U.S. official says the target of Saturday's special forces raid in Somalia was a Kenyan man working with the militant group al-Shabab.
Hagel Praises U.S. Troops for Capture of Terrorist in Africa AFPS 06 Oct 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel commended U.S. troops here today for the capture of what he described as one of the world's most sought after terrorists.
Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on the Capture of Abu Anas al Libi DoD 06 Oct 2013 -- On Oct.5, the Department of Defense, acting under military authorities, conducted an operation to apprehend longtime Al Qaeda member Abu Anas al Libi in Libya. He is currently lawfully detained under the law of war in a secure location outside of Libya.
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY HAGEL ON OPERATIONS IN LIBYA AND SOMALIA DoD 06 Oct 2013 -- On Oct.5, the Department of Defense, acting under military authorities, conducted an operation to apprehend longtime Al Qaeda member Abu Anas al Libi in Libya. He is currently lawfully detained under the law of war in a secure location outside of Libya.
Kenya police: Samantha Lewthwaite not involved in Nairobi attack Iran Press TV 06 Oct 2013 -- British woman Samantha Lewthwaite was not among those involved in a deadly siege on a shopping center in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, Kenya police has confirmed.
Remarks at a Visit to Benoa Port US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2013
US Forces Conduct Two Major Anti-Terrorist Operations in Africa VOA 06 Oct 2013 -- U.S. special forces have launched major anti-terror operations in Libya and Somalia.
Kerry: US Africa Raids Show Al-Qaida 'Can Run, But Can't Hide' VOA 06 Oct 2013 -- After separate raids by U.S. military forces in Libya and Somalia, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has repeated America's commitment to pursuing wanted terrorists, saying they 'can run, but can't hide.'
Libya demands US explanation on military raid in Tripoli Iran Press TV 06 Oct 2013 -- Libyan government has strongly condemned a recent military operation by the US Special Forces
UK denies involvement in al-Shabab raid Iran Press TV 06 Oct 2013 -- Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has denied the involvement of British special forces in a strike on a coastal town in southern Somalia against al-Shabab.
Tunisian Extradited to US Over Bomb Plot VOA 04 Oct 2013 -- A Tunisian national has been extradited to the United States to face charges that he conspired to carry out a suicide bomb attack against Americans in Europe.
Honduras Police Turn to Military For Help VOA 04 Oct 2013 -- Authorities in Honduras will soon deploy a new weapon to fight a rise in crime and violence in the Central American nation.
Al-Shabab threatens to escalate attacks in Kenya PressTV 02 Oct 2013 -- Somalia’s al-Shabab militant group has threatened to increase its deadly attacks against Kenya, days after they killed tens of people at a mall in the Kenyan capital.
NMCB 133 Seabees Help Border Patrol Secure Homeland NNS 02 Oct 2013 -- Homeland security enforcement efforts along the U.S./Mexico border in South Texas were dramatically improved thanks to a recently completed construction project.
Air Force auxiliary to continue missions during government shutdown AFNS 01 Oct 2013 -- Members of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, will continue to perform emergency and disaster response missions authorized by Air Force officials.
Care Continues for Navy Yard Victims NNS 01 Oct 2013 -- The Federal Occupations Health and Employee Assistance Program will continue to provide support to personnel affected by the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 01 Oct 2013 [PDF]

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October 2013 Security News