March 2017 Security News

State Department Terrorist Designations of Tarek Sakr and Farah Mohamed Shirdon US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Tarek Sakr and Farah Mohamed Shirdon as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
Powerful Bomb in Northwest Pakistan Kills 22, Wounds Dozens VOA 31 Mar 2017 -- Officials in Pakistan say a powerful bomb Friday ripped through a busy market in a northwestern tribal town on the Afghan border, killing at least 22 people and wounding more than 50 others.
Trump Administration Appeals Latest Travel Order Stay VOA 31 Mar 2017 -- The Trump administration is appealing the stay placed on President Donald Trump's executive order banning entry to people from six majority-Muslim countries and halting refugee admissions.
In Rare Video In Persian, IS Threatens To Conquer Iran RFE/RL 30 Mar 2017 -- The militant group Islamic State (IS) has vowed in a rare video message in Persian that includes the apparent beheading of four captured soldiers that it will conquer Iran.
Hawaii judge extends order blocking Trump's Muslim ban Press TV 30 Mar 2017 -- A federal judge in the US state of Hawaii has placed a stronger hold on Donald Trump's revised travel ban, striking another legal blow against the president's repeated attempts to bar people from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
Security Spokesman of Interior Ministry Announced Killing of Two Terrorists, Arresting Four, and Confiscating Explosives, Arms and Ammunition During a Raid on A Farm in Qatif Province SPA 29 Mar 2017 -- The Ministry of Interior today announced the killing of two terrorists, arresting of four, and confiscating explosives, arms and ammunition during a raid on farm in Qatif province early yesterday, with no fatalities or injuries among security personnel or citizens.
Islamabad court stops extradition of US citizen of Pakistani origin Press TV 29 Mar 2017 -- A Pakistani court has temporarily barred the extradition of a US citizen of Pakistani origin who is blamed for plotting a terrorist attack in New York.
Fears of Islamic State's Long Game Persist as Caliphate Crumbles VOA 28 Mar 2017 -- Across much of Iraq and parts of Syria, the Islamic State terror group is in retreat. Yet, Iraqi and U.S. officials tell VOA they have a creeping fear that the larger war is still very much undecided.
Bahrain Says It Dismantles 14-Member 'Terrorist' Cell RFE/RL 27 Mar 2017 -- Bahrain says it has broken up a 14-member "terrorist" cell suspected of a bomb attack on a bus in February and of plotting to assassinate senior government officials.
Britain Wants Social Media Sites Cleared of Jihadist Postings VOA 27 Mar 2017 -- Islamic State propagandists are seeking to capitalize on last week's terror attack in London, which left five people dead and 40 injured, by flooding YouTube with hundreds of violent recruitment videos.
British Police Release Six Of 10 Held In London Terror Attack RFE/RL 25 Mar 2017 -- British police say they have released without charges six of the 10 people being held in the investigation of the deadly attack near Parliament and said the birth name of the assailant, Muslim convert Khalid Masood, was Adrian Russell Ajao.
British Police Make Two 'Significant' Arrests In London Terror Attack RFE/RL 24 Mar 2017 -- British police say they have made two more "significant" arrests in the investigation of the deadly attack near Parliament and said the birth name of the assailant, Muslim convert Khalid Masood, was Adrian Russell Ajao.
US State Department Memos Shed Light on 'Extreme Vetting' for Visas VOA 24 Mar 2017 -- The U.S. State Department has asked American embassies and consulates around the world to identify certain groups that should get extra scrutiny when they apply for visas.
2 New Arrests in London Terror Attack VOA 24 Mar 2017 -- London police said Friday they have made two more arrests in connection with the attack near Parliament.
Police Name London Suspect As 52-Year-Old British-Born Khalid Masood RFE/RL 23 Mar 2017 -- London police have named the suspected assailant in the March 22 Westminster terrorist attack as 52-year-old Khalid Masood, a British-born man thought to have resided most recently in the West Midlands, a metropolitan county that includes the city of Birmingham.
Trump's Travel Order Mired in Multiple Courts VOA 23 Mar 2017 -- While President Donald Trump's second executive order restricting travel is still on court-ordered hold, it continues to work its way through multiple courts.
Police Identify Britain Parliament Attack Assailant VOA 23 Mar 2017 -- London police have identified the person who carried out Wednesday's attack near the British Parliament as Khalid Masood.
IS Claims Responsibility for Britain Parliament Attack VOA 23 Mar 2017 -- Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack near the British Parliament in London, which killed three people and ended when an officer shot dead the attacker.
Statement by Ministers of the Global Coalition: Meeting on the Defeat of ISIS US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2017
Remarks at the Ministerial Plenary for the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2017
The Global Coalition - Working to Defeat ISIS US Dept. of State 22 Mar 2017
Cyber Firm at Center of Russian Hacking Charges Misread Data VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- An influential British think tank and Ukraine's military are disputing a report that the U.S. cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has used to buttress its claims of Russian hacking in the presidential election.
Policeman, Pedestrian Killed In Westminster Terrorist Attack RFE/RL 22 Mar 2017 -- The British Parliament has come under what police described as a terrorist attack -- with an assailant driving a car into a group of pedestrians, and a man who got out of the vehicle running inside the Parliament's security perimeter, where he fatally stabbed a police officer before he was shot by security.
Reports: IS Threat Led to US Laptop Ban VOA 22 Mar 2017 -- U.S. media reports say worries about an Islamic State bomb led U.S. authorities to ban passengers from carrying large electronic devices on inbound flights from some airports in the Middle East.
4 Dead in Vehicle, Knife Attack Near British Parliament VOA 22 Mar 2017 -- At least four people, including a suspected attacker and a police officer, have been confirmed dead in an attack near the British parliament that authorities are treating as a terrorist incident.
USS Laboon Makes Second Drug Bust in a Week NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- For the second time in five days, guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized 500 kilograms of Hashish, March 17.
U.S., Britain Ban Electronic Devices From Cabins Of Flights From Middle East RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- The United States and Britain announced on March 21 that they are banning electronic devices from the cabins of direct incoming flights from Middle Eastern and North African countries due to potential terrorist threats.
UK Joins US Ban on Large Electronic Carry-Ons on Some Flights VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- Britain said Tuesday that it would ban passengers from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices on flights into the country from six Middle Eastern nations, following a similar measure announced by the U.S.
Abe cabinet approves controversial anti-terror conspiracy bill amid public outrage People's Daily 21 Mar 2017 -- The Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday approved the submission of a contentious bill to parliament to criminalize the act of preparing for terrorism and other serious crimes, amid vast political and public opposition.
Natural Disaster Response Exercise Vigilant Guard To Begin, Spokesman Says AFPS 20 Mar 2017 -- During the joint natural disaster response exercise Vigilant Guard 2017, the Georgia National Guard and guardsmen from five surrounding states will simulate a hurricane to improve collaborative efforts in the region, Pentagon press operations director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
Colorado National Guard joins in aerial battle against Boulder County fire Army News 20 Mar 2017 -- Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, via a verbal executive order, authorized the Colorado National Guard to assist civil authorities in Boulder County with aerial firefighting support of the Sunshine fire.
Paris Orly Airport Attacker Said He Wanted 'to Die for Allah' VOA 19 Mar 2017 -- French authorities are still working to determine whether a man shot dead at Paris' Orly airport acted on impulse or carefully planned an attack.
Undercover FSB Officer Indicted By U.S. Worked For Moscow Investment Bank RFE/RL 18 Mar 2017 -- One of the two Russian FSB agents indicted by U.S. officials this week worked as an undercover officer at Renaissance Capital, a Moscow investment bank owned by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.
Trump's Daesh Strategy: Just Follow Obama's Plan but 'Try Harder' Sputnik 18 Mar 2017 -- US President Donald Trump's plan to defeat Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) looks much like that of Barack Obama, according to officials familiar with the matter. It also seems that Trump is unlikely to deliver on his election promise to consider joining forces with Russia in Syria.
Bangladesh police shoot dead militant armed with explosives Press TV 18 Mar 2017 -- Police in Bangladesh have shot and killed a suspected militant trying to cross a checkpoint in the country's capital, Dhaka.
White House Appeals Court Decision Blocking Trump Travel Order RFE/RL 18 Mar 2017 -- The U.S. government on March 17 announced it is appealing a court decision blocking President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration from taking effect.
Man Killed In Paris Airport After Attacking Soldier RFE/RL 18 Mar 2017 -- French security forces have shot dead a man who attempted to seize a gun from a soldier at Paris's Orly airport, authorities say.
Islamic Radical Suspected in Fatal Paris Airport Scuffle VOA 18 Mar 2017 -- A man fatally shot at a Paris airport Saturday after attempting to seize a rifle from a patrol soldier, was suspected to have ties to radical Islam, officials said.
State Department Terrorist Designations of Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi US Dept. of State 17 Mar 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
'Constant surveillance' needed to tackle resurgent outbreak of avian influenza - UN agency UN News 17 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations food security agency called today for rapid detection and response systems to address a new and potentially lethal outbreak of avian influenza in China.
Al Qaeda Operative Convicted of Multiple Terrorism Offenses Targeting Americans Overseas US Dept. of Justice 16 Mar 2017 -- Operating Under a Deputy of Usama bin Laden, the Defendant Participated in Attacks Against U.S. and Coalition Soldiers in Afghanistan Resulting in the Death of Two American Service Members and Conspired to Attack U.S. Diplomatic Facilities in Nigeria
Kansas Army National Guard deploys to fight fires in central Kansas Army News 16 Mar 2017 -- As wildfires burn in multiple counties across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor and coordinate assistance for the affected counties.
Trump Blasts U.S. Court Ruling Freezing Revised Travel Order RFE/RL 16 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump blasted a federal judge who suspended his revised travel order, accusing him of "unprecedented judicial overreach."
Kremlin Denies Any Russian State Involvement In Cyberattacks RFE/RL 16 Mar 2017 -- A day after U.S. authorities indicted two Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers over a massive hack targeting Yahoo, the Kremlin reiterated its claim that the Russian state has never been involved in any cyberattacks.
Judge Places Nationwide Block on Trump's Revised Travel Ban VOA 15 Mar 2017 -- An angry President Donald Trump promised to fight all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary, after a federal judge in Hawaii put his revised travel ban on hold Wednesday, hours before it was to take effect.
U.S. Charges Russian FSB Officers and Their Criminal Conspirators for Hacking Yahoo and Millions of Email Accounts US Dept. of Justice 15 Mar 2017 -- A grand jury in the Northern District of California has indicted four defendants, including two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), for computer hacking, economic espionage and other criminal offenses in connection with a conspiracy, beginning in January 2014, to access Yahoo's network and the contents of webmail accounts.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary B. McCord Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Charges Against Russian FSB Officers and Their Criminal Conspirators for Hacking Yahoo US Dept. of Justice 15 Mar 2017
U.S. Indicts Two Russian FSB Officers In Yahoo Hack; One Charged By Moscow With Treason RFE/RL 15 Mar 2017 -- U.S. authorities have indicted two Russian intelligence officers for the massive 2014 hack against Yahoo, one of whom was arrested earlier in Moscow as part a widening scandal involving Russia's top security agency.
US Charges 2 Alleged Russian FSB Officers, 2 Hackers Over 2014 Yahoo Attack Sputnik 15 Mar 2017 -- US Department of Justice announced Wednesday the indictment of two alleged Russian FSB officers and two alleged criminal hackers for 2014 theft of information on some 500 million Yahoo users.
Russian Spies Indicted in Massive 2014 Yahoo Hack VOA 15 Mar 2017 -- The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced indictments for two Russian spies and two other people suspected of stealing personal information from hundreds of millions of people in the 2014 hack of Yahoo.
Guard Members Aid First Responders During East Coast Storm AFPS 14 Mar 2017 -- The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.
National Guard troops assisting civilian authorities during Mid-Atlantic winter storm Army News 14 Mar 2017 -- The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.
National Guard called out as winter storm pummels Northeast Army News 14 Mar 2017 -- Winter storm Stella dumped up to two feet of snow Tuesday in portions of Pennsylvania and New York and was bearing down on New England with gale-force winds as four governors declared states of emergency.
USS Laboon Seizes Heroin on the High Seas; Second CTF-150 Seizure in Last Two Weeks NNS 14 Mar 2017 -- USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea March 13, seizing 270 kilograms of heroin.
Trump Gives CIA Power to Use Drones to Bomb Suspected Terrorists Sputnik 14 Mar 2017 -- On Monday, US President Donald Trump gave the CIA the green light to conduct drone strikes against suspected militants, according to the Wall Street Journal.
US loosening limits on Pentagon drone raids: Report Press TV 14 Mar 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to roll back limitations that tie the Pentagon's hands in carrying out lethal drone strikes around the world, officials say.
Peace efforts and sustainable development top agenda at UN agency's narcotics conference UN News 13 Mar 2017 -- The top United Nations panel dealing with all aspects of narcotic drugs opened its 60th session today with a focus on peace and security, as well as on helping Governments reach their sustainable development commitments.
Tajikistan's Deadly Export RFE/RL 12 Mar 2017 -- State suppression of unofficial Islam, the humiliation of having to work as migrant laborers abroad, and a former special-forces commander flipping to the Islamic State group: these are the main factors behind why Tajikistan finds itself the world's leading exporter of suicide bombers to Islamic State (IS) battlefields.
China opposes all forms of cyber attacks, urges US to stop such actions People's Daily 10 Mar 2017 -- China opposes all forms of cyber attacks, and urges the US side to stop eavesdropping, monitoring, spying and launching cyber attacks against China and other countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang stressed at a regular press conference on Thursday.
Officials warn of Daesh expansion after train blast in India Press TV 08 Mar 2017 -- A recent blast on a passenger train in central India and the subsequent confrontation with a gunman have raised suspicions that the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group may be expanding its footprint across the South Asian country.
UN Rights Chief Decries Trump's U.S. Immigration Policies RFE/RL 08 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations human rights chief has warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies could lead to collective expulsions of migrants that would amount to a breach of international law.
Trump Considering Security Funding Cuts to Pay for Mexico Border Wall VOA 08 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing funding cuts for the country's Coast Guard, its natural disaster emergency agency, and airport security arm so he will have money to start building a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and crack down on illegal immigration.
US Spy Agency Staggers, But Still Standing After Latest WikiLeaks Dump VOA 07 Mar 2017 -- The latest alleged bombshell meant to send shockwaves through the U.S. intelligence community is stoking renewed fears about the ability to secure classified information. But former intelligence officials say, at least for now, it is unlikely the apparent leak will do significant damage to U.S. cyber capabilities.
Wikileaks says it has published CIA hacking secrets Press TV 07 Mar 2017 -- The whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks says it has obtained and published thousands of documents by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that reveals the US spy agency's hacking secrets, including its ability to penetrate encrypted communications.
WikiLeaks Claims Exposure of CIA Hacking Program in New Document Dump VOA 07 Mar 2017 -- The online whistleblower organization WikiLeaks has published thousands of pages of what it says are confidential CIA documents that expose a massive hacking program employed by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Trump Accuses Obama of Releasing 'Vicious Prisoners' From Guantanamo VOA 07 Mar 2017 -- President Donald Trump lashed out again at his predecessor, using Twitter Tuesday to criticize former president Barack Obama for allegedly releasing 122 "vicious prisoners" from the Guantanamo Bay military detention center who "returned to the battlefield."
Revised US Travel Ban Triggers Mixed Reaction VOA 07 Mar 2017 -- Iraq, now removed from U.S. travel restrictions, praised the new executive order President Donald Trump signed Monday, while Sudan, still included in the ban, reaffirmed its opposition to the measure.
US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill Former Gitmo Detainee VOA 06 Mar 2017 -- A former Guantanamo Bay detainee was among several al-Qaida operatives killed in recent U.S. airstrikes on terror targets in Yemen, a Pentagon spokesman said on Monday.
Trump signs new executive order on immigration Press TV 06 Mar 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order on immigration banning citizens of six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US, but removing Iraq from the original list.
Trump Signs Revised Travel Order RFE/RL 06 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a revised executive order that temporarily bars entry into the United States of citizens from six Muslim-majority countries after his original order was blocked by U.S. federal judges.
Trump Signs New Executive Order on Immigration Sputnik 06 Mar 2017 -- US President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on immigration after after his January order suspending immigration from seven predominantly-Muslim nations, all of which are considered to be hot spots for terrorism, was frozen by the courts.
Trump Signs New Travel Ban Order VOA 06 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order Monday, barring travelers from six countries to the United States for three months, and all refugees for four months, after federal appeals judges blocked a similar order last month.
German Army, Police to Stage First Ever Joint Anti-Terror Drills Sputnik 06 Mar 2017 -- The first ever joint exercise to train cooperation between German police and military in anti-terror scenarios will begin in several states on Tuesday, the German Interior Ministry announced Monday.
Jordan executes 10 over links to terrorist groups Press TV 04 Mar 2017 -- Jordan has executed 10 people on terror convictions in the largest round of executions in the kingdom in recent memory.
Jordan Executes 15 Prisoners, 10 Convicted of Terrorism Sputnik 04 Mar 2017 -- Jordan has executed 15 prisoners, 10 convicted of terrorism charges, in the largest mass execution in the country in years.
Premier orders establishment of influenza response center CNA 02 Mar 2017 -- Premier Lin Chuan (林全) on Thursday ordered the establishment of an emergency operations center under the Executive Yuan for epidemiological studies of influenza, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease, according to Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇).
Briefing on the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2017-- Special Briefing by William R. Brownfield, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Analysis: Should US Return North Korea to Terrorism List? VOA 01 Mar 2017 -- Amid calls by U.S. lawmakers for North Korea to be relisted as a state sponsor of terrorism following the apparent assassination of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, there's an apparent lack of consensus among experts on whether his death is a terrorist attack.
US Vice President Says Trump Will Defend Original Travel Ban VOA 01 Mar 2017 -- President Donald Trump will continue to defend his original travel ban even after a revised executive order limiting travel to the United States is finalized in the coming days, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday.

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March 2017 Security News