October 2014 Security News

Ebola: UN envoy says response must be sustained 'until every last case is contained and treated' UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- The Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Ebola, David Nabarro, appealed today for the global response to the deadly virus to be sustained "until every last case is contained and treated," as the United Nations health agency recommended more protective measures for health workers battling the disease on the frontlines of the outbreak.
New Ebola Treatment Center Opens in Liberia VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- One of the largest Ebola treatment centers opened Friday in Liberia, as the death toll from the disease continues to rise in West Africa.
Overcoming Ebola stigma takes time IRIN 31 Oct 2014 -- Ebola survivors in Liberia and Sierra Leone are facing mixed reactions as they return home after contracting the deadly virus. While some have been welcomed back into their communities, most are facing discrimination and stigmatization, or have even been shunned.
18 suspected ISIL militants indicted in Lebanon Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Lebanon has indicted 18 suspected members of the ISIL Takfiri militant group on charges of planning to set up an emirate in the north of the Arab country.
China to Send Army Medics to Liberia to Fight Ebola: Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- China has promised to keep sending assistance to countries in West Africa fighting the Ebola virus outbreak and has trained 480 medical staff from the Chinese army to work on the disease in Liberia, the Director of Chinese Foreign Ministry's African Affairs Department said Friday.
Afghanistan Turning Into Narco-State: Russian Drug Control Chairman RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- Afghanistan is rapidly turning into a narco-state, Russian Federal Drug Control Service Chairman Viktor Ivanov said Friday.
Foreign Fighters Stream to Syria Despite US Campaign Against Islamic State RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- Over 1,000 foreign fighters have come to Syria every month despite US-led efforts to destroy the Islamic State (IS), the Washington Post reports, citing US intelligence and counterterrorism officials.
China to Open Ebola Treatment Center in Liberia Within Month: Official RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- China is going to open an Ebola treatment center in Liberia in a month's time to help fight the deadly outbreak, the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Africa Department said.
WHO Updates Guidelines on Ebola Protective Gear VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization is issuing updated guidelines on proper use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, used in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 31 Oct 2014 [PDF]
UN Ebola response in West Africa to be bolstered by increase in World Bank funding UN News Centre 30 Oct 2014 -- The World Bank has announced it is boosting its efforts in assisting health workers fight the deadly Ebola outbreak in the three most-affected countries in West Africa as part of the wider United Nations Ebola crisis response.
Research Institute Targets Ebola, Other Infectious Diseases AFPS 30 Oct 2014 -- Ebola virus disease is a big focus among scientists at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, where the mission since 1969 has been to protect warfighters from biological threats and to investigate disease outbreaks and other public-health threats.
In Many Countries, Distance From Ebola Brings A Sense Of Safety RFE/RL 30 Oct 2014 -- 'I don't think that infected people will come to our country,' a resident of Yerevan, the Armenian capital, tells RFE/RL. 'I don't think we have a lot of visitors from Africa.' But the same sentiment is widespread across vast stretches of Eurasia where people feel the threat of Ebola is far away and somehow confined to Africa.
U.S. Watchdog Says 'No Unified Strategy' For Afghan Counternarcotics RFE/RL 30 Oct 2014 -- The United States' watchdog for Afghanistan is warning that the country's lucrative opium economy is threatening reconstruction efforts, and the United States is not adequately addressing the problem.
Australian Anti-Terror Law to Violate Citizens' Personal Privacy RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2014 -- Australian officials adopted an anti-terror law Thursday prohibiting citizens from traveling to countries where terrorism is prevalent in order to join terrorist groups, the Australian reports.
US Envoy: 'Alarming Gaps' Remain in Fighting Ebola VOA 30 Oct 2014 -- The international community must do more to fill 'alarming gaps' in the fight against the Ebola epidemic, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said to an audience in Brussels as she headed home from a visit to the three hardest-hit countries in West Africa.
Chinese military joins anti-Ebola aid efforts: DM spokesman People's Daily 30 Oct 2014 -- The Chinese military has joined the government's efforts to help African countries' fight against the Ebola virus, a defense ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 30 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Cybercom Chief Calls Partnerships Vital to Network Security AFPS 29 Oct 2014 -- Cyber is the ultimate team sport, and it will take true partnerships between defense and industry to protect the nation's information systems, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command told an audience at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here yesterday.
Signs of Ebola decline in Liberia offer 'glimmer of hope' – UN UN News Centre 29 Oct 2014 -- The spread of Ebola in Liberia may be slowing, as demonstrated in the decline in burials and sickbed occupancy rates, as well as a plateau in lab-reported new cases in the West African country hardest hit by the virus, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported today, while cautioning against drawing premature conclusions.
WHO: Liberia’s Ebola Infection Rate Declines VOA 29 Oct 2014 -- After months of near-futile battle with Ebola, a World Health Organization official said a glimmer of hope is beginning to emerge in the worst-affected country, Liberia.
US Diplomat Promises Sustained Response to Ebola Outbreak VOA 29 Oct 2014 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power has promised a sustained response to the West African Ebola crisis.
Kerry: US to Intensify Law Enforcement, Intel Sharing With Canada to Counter Terrorism RIA Novosti 29 Oct 2014 -- The United States will intesify the security control on the border with Canada, following the recent shooting in the country, Secretary of State John Kerry announced.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 29 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Remarks by the President on Ebola The White House 28 Oct 2014
'The only way to stop Ebola is at its source' – UN chief UN News Centre 28 Oct 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged countries that have imposed travel bans or closed their borders in response to the Ebola outbreak of the need to convey a sense of urgency without inciting panic, saying "the only way to stop Ebola is to stop it at its source."
Obama Warns Against Ebola Quarantines VOA 28 Oct 2014 -- President Barack Obama says American health workers who volunteer to fight Ebola in West Africa should be applauded and not discouraged. His remarks come as some U.S. states go against federal recommendations on how to handle workers who have had contact with Ebola patients.
WHO: Pyongyang's Ebola Travel Ban Unnecessary VOA 28 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization says North Korea did not need to impose a ban on foreign tourists because of fears of the Ebola virus.
Britain Hosts Emir of Qatar Amid Accusations of Terror Funding VOA 28 Oct 2014 -- The emir of Qatar will visit Britain this week amid accusations his country has financed extremist Islamist groups in Syria. Qatari officials deny any links with extremist groups and say they are working with the West to support moderate opposition groups in Syria.
Australia Visa Ban for Ebola-affected Countries Is Criticized VOA 28 Oct 2014 -- Humanitarian groups in Australia are criticizing the government's policy to impose a blanket ban on visas for citizens of the three West African nations affected by the Ebola virus outbreak.
Does Ebola Reveal WHO Shortfalls? VOA 28 Oct 2014 -- As the Ebola outbreak rages in three West African countries – and raises fears abroad – some are questioning whether the World Health Organization is being stretched too thin. A proposal for a new global agency to deal strictly with infectious diseases is gaining some support.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 28 Oct 2014 [PDF]
New Ebola Guidelines for Health Workers Issued in US VOA 27 Oct 2014 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a new set of guidelines on how to handle health care workers returning from Ebola-affected countries of West Africa. The new guidelines come as the Obama administration clashes with state governments that have recently imposed quarantines on doctors and nurses who have been in Ebola zones.
Turkey-Denmark Relations Tense Over Deal With IS VOA 27 Oct 2014 -- There is a growing diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Denmark over the release of a Turkish man suspected of shooting a Danish writer and anti-Muslim activist. The man, who was released from police custody in September as part of an alleged exchange for 49 hostages held by the Islamic State, is now believed to have joined the radical group in Syria.
Ebola: Experienced doctors still rare IRIN 27 Oct 2014 -- The difficulty of finding doctors with field experience is hampering international medical intervention to help curb Ebola in West Africa. Fear of contracting the virus and restricted air travel have also slowed the response.
Zarif urges regional cooperation for fighting terrorism ISNA 27 Oct 2014 -- Iran has called on Middle Eastern countries to strengthen collective efforts made to fight terrorist groups, particularly ISIL Takfiri militants, under the present complicated circumstances in the region.
Ebola: UN mission concludes visits to affected countries. Presents 'robust' recovery plan UN News Centre 27 Oct 2014 -- The head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has wrapped up his visits to the three West African countries battling the Ebola outbreak as part of the Organization's ongoing efforts to drum up international support in tackling the deadly crisis, it was announced today.
US Isolates Troops After Ebola Efforts in West Africa VOA 27 Oct 2014 -- U.S. troops returning from West Africa are being placed under isolation at a base in Italy, even though none of the soldiers has symptoms of Ebola, as a precaution to prevent the potential spread of the virus, the Pentagon said on Monday.
China to Amend Anti-terror Law and to Set Up National Anti-terrorism Intelligence System RIA Novosti 27 Oct 2014 -- Beijing will set up a national anti-terrorism intelligence system and amend the country's anti-terror law in a move that it hopes will improve intelligence gathering and the sharing of information across government departments, China's Xinhua news agency reports.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 27 Oct 2014 [PDF]
US Doctor: Ebola Quarantine May Deter Volunteers VOA 26 Oct 2014 -- A top U.S. medical official has warned that mandatory quarantines of health care workers returning from Ebola-affected parts of West Africa could discourage people from volunteering in the region.
Divisions on Ebola Quarantine Procedures Emerge in US VOA 26 Oct 2014 -- Divisions have emerged between top U.S. health officials and two state governors who imposed rigorous quarantine protocols for American medical professionals returning from Ebola-stricken African nations.
Ebola cases top 10,000: WHO Iran Press TV 25 Oct 2014 -- The number of the people infected with Ebola virus has exceeded 10,000, the World Health Organization's (WHO) figures show.
Ebola Death Toll Nears 5,000 as Virus Advances VOA 25 Oct 2014 -- The Ebola epidemic's death toll has climbed to at least 4,922 out of 10,141 known cases in eight countries, the World Health Organization reported Saturday.
Ebola: industry leaders meet to discuss vaccine trials, as UN agencies continue aid push UN News Centre 24 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has convened a meeting with top Government officials from Ebola-affected countries, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and funding agencies to discuss and agree how best to best fast-track testing and the deployment of vaccines in sufficient numbers to halt the spread of the deadly virus.
Mali confirms first case of Ebola Iran Press TV 24 Oct 2014 -- Mali has become the latest country in West Africa to be hit by the deadly Ebola virus as its officials have confirmed that a two-year-old girl, who had recently been in Guinea, was diagnosed with the disease.
Sierra Leone says will contain Ebola by end of 2014 Iran Press TV 24 Oct 2014 -- Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma says his country will have the deadly Ebola virus contained by the end of the year.
With First Case, Mali Boosts Anti-Ebola Efforts VOA 24 Oct 2014 -- Mali became the sixth African country to report a case of Ebola, one week after the U.N.'s health agency warned that more needs to be done to prevent the disease from spreading to other West African nations.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 24 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Jordan's Battle With Islamic State Militants Carries Domestic Risks VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- Gains by Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria and Iraq are heightening concerns in neighboring Jordan, which is struggling to shelter 600,000 refugees from Syria's civil strife and dealing with a backlash from Islamist groups within its own borders.
Ebola: Is Bushmeat Behind the Outbreak? VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- Bushmeat is believed to be the origin of the current Ebola outbreak. The first victim's family hunted bats, which carry the virus. Could the practice of eating bushmeat, which is popular across Africa, be responsible for the current crisis?
Work to Prevent Ebola Virus Brisk in DPRK KCNA 23 Oct 2014 -- The DPRK has been making state efforts to prevent Ebola virus now on rapid spread around the world.
Primary focus must be to halt spread of Ebola virus in hard-hit West Africa - UN UN News Centre 23 Oct 2014 -- As the international community mobilizes on all fronts to combat the unfolding Ebola outbreak, the primary emphasis must continue to be on stopping the transmission of the virus within Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three hardest-hit countries, United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) experts said today.
Yale Researchers Project 90,000 Ebola Deaths In Monrovia Alone VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- The latest figures from the World Health Organization show that Ebola epidemic has claimed nearly 5,000 lives, mostly in West Africa. But as we hear, that number could be 18 times greater in just one county in Liberia within two months.
Physicians Call on African Leaders to Step Up in Fight Against Ebola VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- While the Ebola outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria were recently declared over, transmission of the disease remains persistent and widespread in the three most affected countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Health experts from countries that have dealt successfully with past Ebola say that the leaders of those currently-affected nations must switch their focus in order to start seeing some positive changes.
Obama, Hagel Offer Canada Assistance after Attacks AFPS 23 Oct 2014 -- President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel have offered condolences, assistance and continuing close partnership to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the people of Canada and the family and friends of two soldiers killed in attacks there this week.
North Korea bans foreign tourists over Ebola fears Iran Press TV 23 Oct 2014 -- North Korea has reportedly decided to close its borders to all foreign tourists in an attempt to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
North Korea Closes Border to Tourists Over Ebola Fears RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2014 -- North Korea is to close its borders to foreign tourists from Friday because of fears about the Ebola virus, say travel agencies with links to the country.
Canadian Prime Minister Says Soldier's Killer Was Terrorist RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2014 -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called the gunman who killed a soldier guarding the National War Memorial a terrorist, and linked his actions to the murder of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent on Monday.
WHO: Anti-Ebola Efforts Should Focus on West Africa VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization said the fight against Ebola should remain focused on the three West African countries where the outbreak has killed nearly 4,900 people.
Analysis: Concerns Rise About US Intel Capabilities on IS VOA 23 Oct 2014 -- Concerns about the capabilities of U.S. intelligence agencies have been steadily rising, sparked in part by comments from President Barack Obama that they "underestimated" the rise of the group known as Islamic State.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 23 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Amid ongoing Ebola outbreak, UN ramps up Organization-wide response UN News Centre 22 Oct 2014 -- A United Nations health committee has met for the third time in three months to evaluate the Organization's ongoing response to the global Ebola crisis amid broader agency-wide efforts in confronting the deadly disease, UN officials confirmed today.
Exporting Ebola - who's really at risk? IRIN 22 Oct 2014 -- More than 50 percent of Americans report being afraid of a mass Ebola outbreak on US soil, according to a Harvard poll earlier this month, but health experts say the true risk is further spread of the virus within the West African region.
Returning Islamist Fighters Considered Serious Threat for European Countries RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2014 -- The United Kingdom considers fighters returning from Syria and Iraq a serious threat for the country's security as they are likely to commit terrorist acts in their homeland after their return, Sky News reports.
Opium in Afghanistan Reaches All-Time Highest Level, Despite US Counternarcotics Efforts RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2014 -- Despite spending over $7.6 billion of taxpayer money on counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan, opium poppy cultivation reached its highest levels in 2013, according to an October report from John F. Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).
Gunfire Erupts in Canadian Parliament After Soldier Fatally Shot VOA 22 Oct 2014 -- Dozens of gunshots rang out in Canada's parliament buildings in Ottawa after a gunman shot and killed a soldier guarding the nearby National War Memorial.
CDC: Anyone Entering US From West Africa to Be Monitored VOA 22 Oct 2014 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday announced new measures to monitor for Ebola anyone entering the United States from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea for a 21-day period.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 22 Oct 2014 [PDF]
As Ebola response accelerates, UN health agency prepares for arrival of trial vaccines UN News Centre 21 Oct 2014 -- Amid positive developments in the global fight against Ebola, including a growing response to the Secretary-General's appeals for the more funding to tackle the outbreak, the United Nations health agency today announced the expected delivery of Ebola candidate vaccines, as the UN system continues to ramps up efforts to quell the spread of the deadly virus.
Ebola Best Controlled at Source VOA 21 Oct 2014 -- Researchers said the best way to prevent Ebola from spreading from West Africa is to do a better job of controlling it at the source. They said while exit and entry screening at airports is helpful, it cannot replace stemming the number of new infections.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 21 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Al-Qaida Militants Kill 18 Houthi Rebels in Yemen Violence VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Al-Qaida militants have killed at least 18 Shi'ite rebels in a suicide bomb attack and other attacks near Yemen's capital, Sana'a.
Ebola no longer 'localized emergency,' UN health officials tell regional summit in Cuba UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Ebola is no longer a localized public health emergency, top UN officials said in Havana today as they commended Cuba for sending doctors and nurses to the affected countries in West Africa, and addressed regional leaders gathering to discuss ways to resolve the emergency and halt spread of the virus to regional States.
Community, religious leaders must condemn ISIL 'atrocities' – UN rights official UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Civilians continue to suffer atrocities and "dramatic" human rights violations at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), warned United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Mr. Ivan Šimonović, as he concluded his week-long mission to Iraq.
Europe Vows to Step Up Aid for Ebola Crisis VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- European Union foreign ministers have called for more money, more coordination and more health workers on the ground to respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. EU leaders will consider a pledging goal of $1.27 billion for Ebola when they meet later this week.
US Sets New Protocols for Ebola Health Workers VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The United States is tightening its guidelines for health workers treating patients with the Ebola virus, calling for new competency training, a buddy system for donning and doffing personal protective equipment, and total coverage of eyes, hair and skin.
Fighting terrorism needs united front, says Rouhani ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said sustainable security and stability must be restored to the Middle East, calling on regional countries to consolidate their unity to put an end to terrorism.
Iran's General Suleimani: US invasion, ISIL measures in region doomed to fail ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Commander of Iran's Quds Force General Qassem Suleimani said the US invasion of the region and the approaches of the terrorist group known as the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fail to succeed.
Ebola hits West Africa food security IRIN 20 Oct 2014 -- West Africa's Ebola outbreak, which has been disrupting agricultural and market activities, threatens to erode food security and negatively affect the livelihoods of millions of already vulnerable people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone unless more is done to meet their immediate food and nutritional needs, say aid agencies.
Iran's General Suleimani: US invasion, ISIL measures in region doomed to fail ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Commander of Iran's Quds Force General Qassem Suleimani said the US invasion of the region and the approaches of the terrorist group known as the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fail to succeed.
Ashton: EU Countries Contribute $638Mln to Fund Fight Against Ebola RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The EU member states have already allocated 500 million euros ($638 million) to combat the Ebola virus outbreak, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said Monday.
WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-free VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization said Nigeria is free from Ebola after 42 days with no new cases reported.
China Working to Prevent Ebola at Home, Providing Aid to Africa VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- China has not yet confirmed any cases of Ebola within its borders, but the country is taking steps to help fight the disease in West Africa, and prevent it from entering its borders.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 20 Oct 2014 [PDF]
China says it's hard to resume cyber security talks with US Iran Press TV 19 Oct 2014 -- China says resuming cyber security cooperation between Beijing and Washington will be difficult as a result of "mistaken U.S. practices", a senior Chinese official has told the US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Ebola: UN to consult West African governments on coordinating global crisis response UN News Centre 18 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations concluded today a meeting on strengthening the international community's support to efforts by the Governments of countries at the forefront of efforts to turn back the unfolding Ebola outbreak in West Africa, on tackling the crisis.
'ISIL must be defeated', declares Security Council, urging 'common effort' to halt militants' offensive UN News Centre 18 Oct 2014 -- The Security Council has urged the world to step up measures to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after the terrorist group carried out a spate of brutal attacks in Baghdad and Anbar over the past few days, calling for "a common effort" among governments and institutions to "stamp out" the violence and intolerance ISIL espouses.
German Hostages Released in Southern Philippines VOA 18 Oct 2014 -- Two Germans who were held for six months in the southern Philippines by suspected members of a notorious group formerly tied to al-Qaida were released late Friday. The military is stepping up operations against Abu Sayyaf, but a ransom payment was key.
Obama: Do Not Give in to Ebola 'Hysteria' VOA 18 Oct 2014 -- President Barack Obama has urged Americans not to give in to Ebola 'hysteria or fear,' urging people to keep the situation in perspective.
Readout of the International Working Group Meeting on Sanctions Targeting ISIL, al-Nusrah Front, and the Assad Regime US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2014
Remarks on the U.S. Response to Ebola for Members of the Diplomatic Corps US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2014
Ebola: back from outbreak epicentre, UN official says survivors now helping with care UN News Centre 17 Oct 2014 -- Survivors of Ebola who have developed immunity to the virus are being trained to care for children in Liberia and Sierra Leone, a United Nations official today announced.
US Names 'Ebola Czar' VOA 17 Oct 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has named a former White House official as Ebola 'czar' to coordinate U.S. efforts to fight the deadly virus.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 17 Oct 2014 [PDF]
UN chief stresses need for urgent global action as Ebola continues deadly rampage UN News Centre 16 Oct 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the international community to step up its efforts to respond to the Ebola crisis and turn pledges into action, while the United Nations health agency warned of continuously deteriorating situation in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Apple, FBI Battle Over High-Tech Privacy Turf VOA 16 Oct 2014 -- What began as a software tweak by Apple to increase security on devices running iOS 8 has spilled into a heated debate between the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and high-tech corporations over how much personal information law enforcement agencies can demand to see.
Texas Health Official: 'We Made Mistakes' in Ebola Case VOA 16 Oct 2014 -- A senior official of the Texas hospital system that treated a Liberian national with Ebola said on Thursday 'we made mistakes' in diagnosing the man who later died and in giving inaccurate information to the public, adding that he was "deeply sorry."
EU Pledges to Toughen Ebola Screening VOA 16 Oct 2014 -- European Union nations have promised to toughen screening measures for Ebola, and to forge a common approach in fighting the deadly virus at exit and entry points.
Is Freetown fighting a losing battle against Ebola? IRIN 16 Oct 2014 -- On the return trip to Freetown from Kenema a couple of days later we meet Laventa Konneh in Moyambo town, the only person allowed to leave her house because the town is in lockdown and she is a contact tracer.
Briefing: Holding ISIS to account IRIN 16 Oct 2014 -- The international outcry to the openly advertised atrocities committed in Iraq by the jihadist group calling itself Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS or ISIL) has led to calls for investigations and punishment, with US President Barak Obama saying "justice will be done" after the killing of journalist James Foley.
AU: Infrastructure, Worker Shortages Are Hurdles in Ebola Battle VOA 16 Oct 2014 -- The African Union chief said limited infrastructure and not enough human resources are the main challenges when it comes to tackling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 16 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Remarks to the Press on Countering ISIL - Special Briefing by John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL US Dept. of State 15 Oct 2014
Ebola response in 'high-gear' as UN official warns 'things will get worse before they improve' UN News Centre 15 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations continues to ramp-up its Ebola response, reaching more than 530,000 people with food assistance in hard-hit Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, and, in the latter country, gathering survivors for a meeting to help deal with the psychological aftermath and stigma they face re-entering their communities.
Obama: Risk of Widespread US Ebola Outbreak 'Very, Very Low' VOA 15 Oct 2014 -- President Barack Obama says the risk of a widespread Ebola outbreak in the United States is 'very, very low,' if all the proper protections are taken.
Remarks by the President After Meeting on the Government's Response to Ebola The White House 15 Oct 2014
On World Day, UN spotlights handwashing as vital tool in fight against Ebola UN News Centre 15 Oct 2014 -- As the world celebrates the seventh annual Global Handwashing Day, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is spotlighting how the simple practice not only saves lives, but is also instrumental in the fight against Ebola.
Qatar Plays Delicate Role in Coalition Against IS Group VOA 15 Oct 2014 -- With American jets launching bombing raids on militant targets in Iraq and Syria from one of its bases, Qatar is playing a crucial role in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group. Doha also provides logistical support for the effort and expresses a strong backing for Washington's efforts.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 15 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Obama: Fight Against ISIL 'Long-term Campaign' AFPS 14 Oct 2014 -- The fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists will be a "long-term campaign," President Barack Obama said today.
Remarks by the President After Meeting with Chiefs of Defense The White House 14 Oct 2014
Obama: No 'Quick Fixes' Battling IS Militants VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he is 'deeply concerned' about Kobani, the key Syrian city that Kurdish fighters are struggling to keep from falling into Islamic State hands.
US, Russia to Share Counter-IS Intel VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday agreed to share intelligence information about Islamic State militants during talks in Paris that also touched on Ukraine and Iran's nuclear program.
In race against time, Member States must increase efforts to stop Ebola outbreak - UN official UN News Centre 14 Oct 2014 -- The Ebola outbreak is "winning the race" against attempts to contain it, the head of the United Nations mission working to stop the deadly virus warned the Security Council today as he urged the international community to help expand on-the-ground efforts across the affected nations in West Africa.
CDC Vows Quicker, More Robust Ebola Response VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that starting now, any U.S. hospital with a confirmed case of Ebola will have a CDC response team on the ground 'within hours.'
DoD, Homeland Security Work Together to Protect U.S. AFPS 14 Oct 2014 -- Cooperation between the Army and the Department of Homeland Security must get closer to combat the threats to America, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said here today.
Ebola workers urge safety, solidarity IRIN 14 Oct 2014 -- Hanna Majanen summed it up best: 'It is the things you do automatically that are difficult. People will touch their face, rub their eyes and bite their fingernails. These are the things you forget."
10,000 Ebola cases per week feared: WHO Iran Press TV 14 Oct 2014 -- The fatal Ebola epidemic's infection rate is likely to exceed 10,000 new cases per week in the next two months, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns.
Pakistani Taliban Split Emerges Over IS Loyalties RFE/RL 14 Oct 2014 -- A Pakistani Taliban spokesman has reaffirmed his allegiance to Islamic State militants and said five other Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders have also declared loyalty to IS.
WHO: W. African Ebola Rate Underreported VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- A United Nations medical worker who contracted Ebola while working in Liberia has died at a German hospital, contributing to a death rate that a World Health Organization official said had risen to 70 percent.
International Ebola Support is Lethargic, MSF Says VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- South Africans working for Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, are calling on their fellow citizens to support efforts to stem the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. More than 4,000 people have died and the number of new infections is doubling every three weeks. Yet there is a severe shortage of medical facilities, contact tracing, surveillance and education on Ebola in affected communities.
WHO: Ebola Cases to Top 9,000 Soon VOA 14 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization reported the number of cases in the West Africa Ebola outbreak will top nine-thousand this week. The official death toll stands at nearly four-thousand-450, but it's believed to be a conservative figure.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 14 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Strong community engagement, activism key to defeating Ebola in West Africa - UN official UN News Centre 13 Oct 2014 -- Community engagement and activism are critical in Sierra Leone's ongoing battle against the spread of Ebola, a United Nations official declared today, adding that only with the support of the local population could the country and the wider region of West Africa defeat the economic and health crises caused by the deadly virus.
British Govt. Criticized Over 'Indecisive' Policy on Ebola VOA 13 Oct 2014 -- With a large West African diaspora population - and tens of thousands of travelers passing through its airports every day - health professionals say it's highly likely that Britain will soon see cases of Ebola. But there's been criticism of the British government's response to the crisis, with policy U-turns and conflicting advice.
Airmen train for 'new wild, wild west' in cyber domain AFNS 13 Oct 2014 -- On any given day, the Defense Department defends itself against numerous cyber-attacks at installations throughout the world. To help combat this growing threat, Airmen from the 39th Information Operations Squadron train to defend computer networks against invisible ordnance in the operational domain of cyberspace.
US efforts against ISIL not real: Leader Iran Press TV 13 Oct 2014 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says efforts by the US and its allies against the ISIL Takfiri terrorists are not genuine.
Islamic State Calls for Spontaneous Attacks Against US-Led Coalition RIA Novosti 13 Oct 2014 -- The Islamic State (IS) has called on its followers to carry out spontaneous attacks against the citizens of countries, which are supporting the US-led anti-IS military campaign, an article published in the latest edition of the terrorist group's propaganda magazine Dabiq said.
Algeria troops kill eight ISIL-linked militants Iran Press TV 12 Oct 2014 -- Algerian troops have reportedly killed eight suspected militants in the country's eastern Bouira region amid search for an al-Qaeda splinter group involved in the beheading of a French tourist.
Liberia Medical Workers Threaten Strike VOA 12 Oct 2014 -- Medical workers in Liberia are set to go on strike over a pay dispute, a move that could deliver a serious blow to the fight against the deadly Ebola virus.
Explainer: What Makes Islamic State So Formidable? RFE/RL 10 Oct 2014 -- From the use of suicide car bombs against enemy front lines to slaughtering prisoners of war to frighten opponents, Islamic State militants have proven brutally effective on the battlefield.
Cyber expansions create security considerations AFNS 10 Oct 2014 -- Technological advances have put the world at the fingertips of anyone with connection to the Internet and during cyber security awareness month, Airmen and their families are reminded to remain vigilant when posting personal information.
'We are late, but not too late to fight and win this battle,' against Ebola – UN UN News Centre 10 Oct 2014 -- Declaring that the world has never seen anything like current Ebola outbreak ravaging West Africa, senior United Nations officials today warned that the virus is "far ahead" of the global response as it is morphing from a local to an international crisis requiring all countries to scale up efforts and financial commitments to bring an end to the scourge.
Marburg virus disease - Uganda WHO 10 Oct 2014 -- On 5 October 2014, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Uganda notified WHO of a confirmed case of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Kampala, Uganda.
Ebola situation 'complex, difficult': Spanish premier Iran Press TV 10 Oct 2014 -- Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has described the Ebola situation in his country as "complex and difficult," amid criticism over the country's handling of a case of the deadly virus infection.
UK to screen major transport hubs for Ebola virus Iran Press TV 10 Oct 2014 -- Britain says it will screen all passengers upon arrival at London's two main airports and the Eurostar high-speed railway terminals for possible cases of the Ebola virus.
Macedonia Says Unlikely Briton Who Died In Skopje Had Ebola RFE/RL 10 Oct 2014 -- Macedonian authorities say there is a 'small probability' a Briton who died in the capital, Skopje, had the Ebola virus.
Some 146 Suspected Marburg Disease Cases Identified, Monitored in Uganda: WHO RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified some 146 contacts in Uganda, which are currently being monitored for signs and symptoms of Marburg virus disease (MVD), the organization reported on Friday.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 10 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Ebola crisis 'permeates every aspect of people's lives' in Guinea, UN warns UN News Centre 09 Oct 2014 -- Urgent support is needed to avert an "economic meltdown" in Guinea, where the Ebola crisis is destroying lives, jobs and essential services, leaving exports of fruits and vegetables down 90 percent, the airport two-thirds empty and container traffic to its key port down by a third, according to the United Nations.
West African Economies Hard-Hit by Ebola VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- In 2013, the World Bank ranked Sierra Leone and Liberia as second and sixth respectively among the top 10 countries with the fastest-growing GDPs. But the ongoing Ebola outbreak is threatening to change that. As the numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise, financial institutions like the World Bank say the economies of the three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, are being hit hard - and the impact could grow if the Ebola epidemic is not quickly contained.
Sierra Leone Military Constructing Ebola Treatment Centers VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- Sierra Leone's national army has teamed up with British medics and engineers to construct Ebola treatment centers across the country, especially in areas worst hit by the disease as part of a bid to combat the disease, according to Col. Michael Samura, spokesman for Sierra Leone's military.
China urges U.S. to stop 'fabricating stories' on cyber security People's Daily 09 Oct 2014 -- The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday urged the United States to stop 'fabricating stories' and 'mudslinging' after a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official accused China of stealing secrets from U.S. firms.
Liberia Suspends Senate Elections Amid Ebola Outbreak: Reports RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2014 -- Senate elections have been suspended in Liberia after the election commission of the Ebola-hit country admitted it would not be able to ensure voters' safety, organizers of the Liberian elections said Thursday.
Ban urges international community to escalate Ebola response amid worsening outbreak UN News Centre 09 Oct 2014 -- The international community must "step up" its response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa before it gets much worse, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today , adding that a range of measures – from extra financing to increased medical assistance – were essential in helping the countries afflicted by the disease.
CDC Chief: Ebola Is Worst Outbreak Since AIDS VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- A top U.S. health official says Ebola is the biggest world health crisis since HIV/AIDS.
US Speeds Up Aid to West Africa in Ebola Crisis VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- As the Ebola crisis mushrooms in West Africa, the Obama administration is expanding its efforts to help defeat the deadly virus.
Western Women New Face of Radical Islam VOA 09 Oct 2014 -- As the battle against Islamic State group unfolds, many nations are increasingly worried about casualties closer to home.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 09 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Ebola: UN agency launches initiative to tackle growing food security threat in West Africa UN News Centre 08 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today is launching a programme that will assist 90,000 vulnerable households in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon separately announced the appointment of the respective UN Crisis Managers in the three countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Column: 'Islamic State' Benefits From Opponents' Conflicting Agendas VOA 08 Oct 2014 -- Vice President Joe Biden got into hot water over the weekend when he accused Turkey and other U.S. allies of complicity in the rise of the group calling itself the Islamic State (IS).
Ebola: New World Bank Group Study Forecasts Billions in Economic Loss if Epidemic Lasts Longer, Spreads in West Africa World Bank 08 Oct 2014 -- With the latest death toll from Ebola now at 3,439 in the three worst-affected countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, a new economic impact assessment from the World Bank Group says that if the epidemic was to significantly infect people in neighboring countries, some of which have much larger economies, the two-year regional financial impact could reach US$32.6 billion by the end of 2015.
The Economic Impact of the 2014 Ebola Epidemic: Short and Medium Term Estimates for West Africa World Bank 08 Oct 2014 -- In a follow-up to its recent report on the economic impacts of the Ebola epidemic on Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone—the countries most heavily affected by the Ebola crisis–the World Bank Group on Wednesday released new figures citing the possible costs of the disease on the wider West African region.
Ground Operation Against IS Must Have UN Peacekeeping Mandate: Russia RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2014 -- Russia would back a possible UN resolution on the use of ground forces against Islamic State militants only if the document includes a peacekeeping mandate approved by Iraq and Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Wednesday.
Russia Does Not Need to Be Invited to Fight Terrorism: Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2014 -- The United States has been knocking on 'all doors' in attempts to put together an alliance to fight the Islamic State (IS) extremists under the US aegis, but Russia joined the fight against terrorism long ago and does not need to be invited again, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Wednesday.
Kerry: Anti-Islamic State Strategy Is 'Evolving' VOA 08 Oct 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday the strategy of the anti-Islamic State coalition is 'evolving,' with decisions about the role of Turkey and other countries coming within 'hours or days.'
Ebola effect reverses gains in maternal, child mortality IRIN 08 Oct 2014 -- Maternal and infant deaths in Liberia and Sierra Leone are set to rise above their current alarming rates as fear of Ebola keeps pregnant women away from hospitals and makes already-scarce health workers reluctant to deliver babies.
Official denies ISIL approaching Iran borders IRNA 08 Oct 2014 -- General Director of Political and Security Affairs of Kermanshah Governor Generals Office on Wednesday rejected reports about movement of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) toward Irans borders.
Ebola could cost West Africa's economy $32bn: WB Iran Press TV 08 Oct 2014 -- The World Bank has warned that the deadly Ebola virus could cost the West African countries more than USD 32 billion if it is not contained over the next year.
Liberian Man Infected With Ebola Dies at Texas Hospital VOA 08 Oct 2014 -- The Liberian man who became the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States died Wednesday in a Texas hospital, as U.S. officials announced new airport screening measures in a bid to keep the deadly virus from spreading.
Liberian Health Workers to Strike over Ebola Hazard Pay VOA 08 Oct 2014 -- In Liberia and Sierra Leone, the two countries hardest hit by the Ebola epidemic, local staff working on the front lines are demanding hazard pay. Bodies are being left in the streets in Sierra Leone as burial teams stop working, saying they haven't been getting their weekly allowances. In Liberia, thousands of health workers are threatening to strike starting Monday.
Analysts: Beating IS Hinges on Not Making New Enemies VOA 08 Oct 2014 -- While U.S.-led coalition forces continue to attack Islamic State group and other Islamist militants in Syria and Iraq, some analysts say one of the key elements of beating IS is avoiding making new enemies among the warring parties and handing the group more allies.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 08 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Rodriguez in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 07 Oct 2014 -- Presenters: Commander, U.S. Africa Command General David M. Rodriguez
Rodriguez Pledges Every Effort to Protect Military From Ebola AFPS 07 Oct 2014 -- Everything possible will be done to mitigate risks of exposure to Ebola by U.S. military personnel deployed to Liberia to contain the epidemic, the commander of U.S. Africa Command said today.
UN budget committee approves funding for UN Ebola response mission UN News Centre 07 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations committee that deals with administrative and budgetary issues today adopted a resolution allocating funding for the newly established UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Ebola.
Islamic State Said to Issue Rules for Reporters VOA 07 Oct 2014 -- Islamic State militants are said to have issued a detailed list of requirements for journalists in Deir al-Zour, Syria. The media group Syria Deeply quotes a reporter identified as 'Amer' as having attended a meeting between Islamic State media staff and the few local journalists who stayed after the IS advance into Deir al-Zour. The list could not be independently confirmed.
IS Attack on Turkey Would Challenge NATO VOA 07 Oct 2014 -- The advance of militant Islamic State fighters in Syria to within a few kilometers of the Turkish border is raising concerns the group might attack inside Turkey, a NATO member, possibly requiring a response by the alliance.
Obama: Countries Must Step Up Aggressively to Ebola Fight AFPS 07 Oct 2014 -- The nation is profoundly grateful to U.S. medical, development and military personnel who are serving in the fight against Ebola in West Africa, and other nations must step up more aggressively to stop the deadly epidemic at its source, President Barack Obama said yesterday.
Gitmo hunger striker appeals to court Iran Press TV 07 Oct 2014 -- A Syrian hunger striker at Guantanamo Bay prison has appealed to a US court in order to stop his force-feeding process.
IS Poses Threat to Singapore: Deputy Prime Minister RIA Novosti 07 Oct 2014 -- Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the country's Interior Minister, said Tuesday that the Islamic State (IS) poses a threat to the country, Business Standard reported.
Troops prepare for Sierra Leone Ebola duty UK MOD 07 Oct 2014 -- Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois has praised military personnel going through medical training to help tackle Ebola in west Africa.
Officials Probe How Spanish Nurse Caught Ebola VOA 07 Oct 2014 -- Spanish officials are investigating how a nurse in Madrid contracted the Ebola virus, becoming the first person known to catch the virus outside West Africa, the flashpoint of the current outbreak.
Pakistan, Afghanistan Confront IS Threat VOA 07 Oct 2014 -- There are signs the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization is making inroads among militants operating in Pakistan.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 07 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Remarks by the President After Meeting on Ebola The White House 06 Oct 2014
FACT SHEET: The U.S. Response to the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa The White House 06 Oct 2014 -- Since the first cases of Ebola were reported in West Africa in March 2014, the United States has mounted a whole-of-government response to contain and eliminate the epidemic at its source, while also taking prudent measures at home. The President last month outlined a stepped-up U.S. response, leveraging more thoroughly the unique capabilities of the U.S. military to support the civilian-led response in West Africa. Domestically, we have prepared for the diagnosis of an Ebola case on U.S. soil and have measures in place to stop this and any potential future cases in their tracks.
Smuggling of migrants tops agenda at opening of conference on organized crime UN News Centre 06 Oct 2014 -- The two main routes of smuggling of migrants to Europe and North America generate nearly $7 billion a year to the smuggling networks, according to an estimate today released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
US Considering Additional Ebola Screening at Airports VOA 06 Oct 2014 -- President Barack Obama says the United States is considering additional measures to screen passengers for Ebola. The measures would be taken at airports both in West Africa and at U.S. points of entry.
Islamic State Militants First Seen in Derna, Eastern Libya: Reports RIA Novosti 06 Oct 2014 -- Islamic State (IS) militants have appeared in the eastern Libyan city of Derna for the first time, shouting out extremist slogans and displaying IS flags, Sky News Arabia reported Monday.
Ebola Strains Sierra Leone Healthcare VOA 06 Oct 2014 -- The Head of World Hope International says Sierra Leone has a shortage of ambulances and isolation centers, making it much more difficult to contain the Ebola outbreak. The virus has killed more than 600 people in the country.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 06 Oct 2014 [PDF]
US Health Official: Widespread Ebola Outbreak Unlikely VOA 05 Oct 2014 -- America's top disease prevention official says he remains confident the United States will not experience a significant outbreak of Ebola, but that containment in Africa is critical to reducing risks elsewhere in the world.
Islamic State Document Reveals Plans to Steal Iranian Nuclear Program Data: Reports RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2014 -- The Sunni extremist group, the Islamic State (IS), outlined plans to obtain information on Iran's nuclear technology in a document allegedly written by Abdullah Ahmed Meshedani, The Sunday Times reported Sunday.
US Court Orders Declassification of Guantanamo Bay Prisoner Videos: Reports RIA Novosti 04 Oct 2014 -- A US Federal District Court judge ordered the public disclosure of 28 previously classified videos, showing a Guantanamo Bay prisoner on hunger-strike being force-fed and forcibly removed from his cell, the New York Times reported.
Pakistani Taliban says ready to help ISIL militants Iran Press TV 04 Oct 2014 -- The pro-Taliban group in Pakistan says it is ready to send militants to assist ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
Family of Islamic State Captive Makes Plea VOA 04 Oct 2014 -- The parents of the U.S. aid worker threatened in Islamic State's latest beheading video have appealed to his captors to 'show mercy' and let him go.
What's In a Name: The ISIS/ISIL Debate VOA 04 Oct 2014 -- Three months ago, Omar Al-Baghdadi, the leader of the militant Islamist group that has captured cities and towns in Syria and Iraq, announced a restored "Islamic State." But debate continues over how to refer to the jihadist movement.
Belgium Proves Vital Jihadist Recruiting Hub VOA 04 Oct 2014 -- This week, the trial of dozens of Sharia4Belgium members began in the Belgian city of Antwerp, ground zero of a very successful effort to recruit jihadists.
French Ebola Patient Recovers VOA 04 Oct 2014 -- The health ministry of France says a French nurse who contracted Ebola in Liberia while working for Doctors Without Borders has recovered.
Press Briefing on Government Response to the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa, 10/3/2014 The White House 03 Oct 2014
Airstrikes Causing ISIL to Change Tactics AFPS 03 Oct 2014 -- Operations against the so-called Islamic State continue apace with 334 airstrikes against the terror group, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon today.
DoD May Deploy up to 4,000 Troops to Combat Ebola AFPS 03 Oct 2014 -- The Defense Department could deploy up to 4,000 service members to Liberia as part of Operation United Assistance against Ebola, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon today.
Ebola outbreak 'running' ahead of world's response, UN warns as funding lags UN News Centre 03 Oct 2014 -- As the head of the United Nations mission working to stop the Ebola outbreak continued his visit to hard-hit countries in West Africa today, the world body's humanitarian wing said funding for the international response is lagging, with only 26 per cent of the $988 million needed having been received thus far.
Islamic State Claims Beheading of British Hostage VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- The Islamic State terrorist group says it has executed British hostage Alan Henning.
Islamic State Not in South Asia, but Supporters Carry the Baton VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- When Islamic State propaganda material and flyers turned up in parts of South Asia last month, they were accompanied with news headlines like these: "ISIS Makes Inroads in Afghanistan, Pakistan," from Foreign Policy magazine, and, "Ultra-Radical Islamists Move to Take Over From 'Tired'Taliban, al-Qaida Leaders," from Canada's CBC News website.
Airport Ebola-Screening Procedures Keeping 'Dozens' Off Planes VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- The White House says that a ban on travel to Ebola-affected countries in West Africa would be counter productive. Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco said that a travel ban would 'actually impede the response' to Ebola cases in affected countries and that airport screening procedures are keeping ill people off planes.
Lawmakers Express Concern about US Readiness to Deal with Ebola VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- The first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States has caught the attention of a number of lawmakers, who are asking whether federal and local health systems are equipped to stop the spread of the deadly disease.
US judge rejects govt. plea to close Gitmo hearing Iran Press TV 03 Oct 2014 -- A US federal judge has rejected government plea to close a hearing into the force-feeding of a hunger striker in Washington's military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Washington-Area Hospital Admits Possible Ebola Case VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- A patient with Ebola-like symptoms has been admitted to a Washington, D.C.-area hospital.
Thai Researchers Claim Breakthrough in Ebola Treatment VOA 03 Oct 2014 -- A day after Thai medical scientists claimed they made a breakthrough in the search for a treatment for the Ebola virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health have offered to assist Thailand in vetting and testing the experimental treatment.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 03 Oct 2014 [PDF]
Islamic State Receives $5Mln Daily From Oil Sales: Iraqi Communist Party RIA Novosti 02 Oct 2014 -- Islamic State (IS) militants receive some $5 million daily from oil sales, Iraqi Communist Party Secretary General Hamid Majid Musa told International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya on Thursday.
FBI Informant Led Cyberattacks Against 30 Countries, Including US Allies: Reports RIA Novosti 02 Oct 2014 -- A computer hacker-turned-informant for the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Hector Xavier Monsegur was an alleged mastermind behind cyberattacks against 30 countries, including US partners, The Daily Dot reported.
Amid ongoing outbreak, head of UN Ebola response mission begins work with visit to Liberia UN News Centre 02 Oct 2014 -- Despite "good results" in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, much still remains to be done in order to extinguish the threat posed by the virulent disease, the head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) confirmed today.
Texas: Up to 100 People Could Have Had Contact With Ebola Patient VOA 02 Oct 2014 -- Up to 100 people may have had direct or indirect contact with the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus in the United States, and four of his relatives have been quarantined in their homes as a precaution, Texas health officials said Thursday.
Tajikistan's 'Jihadist' Village On The Defensive RFE/RL 02 Oct 2014 -- Small-town hospitality has given way to guardedness in this northern Tajik village. Residents appear wary of people asking questions, passersby turn away when they spot a person they don't know, and homeowners speak to unknown visitors over the fence rather than open the gate. That's how it's been in Chorqishloq ever since the village gained the unwanted reputation of being a jihadist hotbed.
Texas Monitoring 80 People Connected to Ebola Patient VOA 02 Oct 2014 -- Texas health officials are monitoring 80 people for possible exposure to Ebola, including up to 18 who had direct contact with a Liberian man who is the first patient in the U.S. to be diagnosed with the virus.
Competing Goals Could Frustrate Efforts to Fight Islamic State VOA 02 Oct 2014 -- Islamic State militants are considered so great a threat to so many countries that former enemies are now essentially on the same team. But as alliances shift and countries re-define themselves, analysts say the long-standing goals of some key players in the Middle East may soon compete with Western goals. They also say this could ultimately threaten efforts to defeat Islamic State fighters.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 02 Oct 2014 [PDF]
U.S. Delegation Assessing Progress Against Ebola AFPS 01 Oct 2014 -- U.S. officials are in Liberia to assess progress against the spread of Ebola in the West African nation, where the U.S. government is setting up treatment centers to help victims of the deadly disease.
UN, Liberia assessing food security impact of Ebola outbreak, planning response UN News Centre 01 Oct 2014 -- The Liberian Government, along with key United Nations agencies, is set to carry out a rapid field assessment on food security and livelihoods in the wake of the Ebola outbreak, as the top UN envoy on curbing the spread of the virus in West Africa arrived today in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
DARPA Director Discusses Cyber Security Challenges AFPS 01 Oct 2014 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on new ways to protect information and systems that use the Internet, said Arati Prabhakar, the agency's director.
Ebola crisis batters Liberia economy: Minister Iran Press TV 01 Oct 2014 -- Liberia's minister of commerce and industry says the Ebola crisis is taking a severe toll on the economy of the country, which has been struggling to recover from a 14-year civil war.
Russian Classified Information Secure Against Cyber Attacks: Communications Minister RIA Novosti 01 Oct 2014 -- Russian classified information is secure from potential cyber attacks, Russian Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov said Wednesday.
London Court Clears Ex-Guantanamo Inmate of Terror Charges RIA Novosti 01 Oct 2014 -- A London court on Wednesday ruled to release former Guantanamo inmate Moazzam Begg from a high security prison in the capital's southeast after the prosecution said it did not have evidence to support terrorism charges, the UK's Guardian newspaper reported.
Australia Expands Scope of Anti-Terror Legislation: Reports RIA Novosti 01 Oct 2014 -- The parliament of Australia has expanded the scope of the country's anti-terror legislation by introducing amendments that speculate, among other things, a 10-year imprisonment towards illustration of unauthorized intelligence information, The Sydney Morning Herald reported Wednesday.
Putin: Russia Needs Additional Cyber Security Measures RIA Novosti 01 Oct 2014 -- Russia needs additional measures to boost its information security amid a surge in cyber attacks against its websites, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
Turkey Faces Pressure Over Alleged Oil Smuggling With IS Group VOA 01 Oct 2014 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday that the fight against the Islamic State group and other extremist groups has become Turkey's top priority.
DHS-IAIP Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report 01 Oct 2014 [PDF]

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October 2014 Security News