August 2018 Security News

Worldwide flu outbreak killed 45,000 American Soldiers during World War I Army News 31 Aug 2018 -- In September 1918 there were two killers in the world.
UN food relief agency airlifts aid to DR Congo province hit by Ebola outbreak UN News 30 Aug 2018 -- Emergency food aid is being delivered to people affected by the Ebola virus in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Thursday.
U.S. Soldier Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 29 Aug 2018 -- "Ikaika Erik Kang, 35, a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army stationed at Schofield Barracks, pleaded guilty today in federal court to four counts of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Kang was indicted on terrorism charges on July 19, 2017."
Deadly swine fever threatens Asia, UN agriculture agency warns, urging regional collaboration UN News 28 Aug 2018 -- The rapid onset of the deadly African Swine Fever (ASF) in China has been detected in areas a thousand kilometres apart – posing an imminent threat to other Asian countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday.
US Casts Doubt on Islamic State's Staying Power VOA 28 Aug 2018 -- A top U.S. military official is pushing back against the Pentagon's own estimates which suggest the Islamic State terror group has retained significant capabilities in Iraq and Syria, and is "well-positioned" to rebuild its lost caliphate.
WHO: Rapid Response Needed to Stem Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo VOA 28 Aug 2018 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) reports the next seven to 10 days are critical in controlling the spread of the Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its latest update reported 111 cases of Ebola, with 83 confirmed and 28 probable, including 75 deaths.
As children in Ebola-affected areas of DR Congo head back to school, UNICEF ramps up support UN News 28 Aug 2018 -- As the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) gears up for the upcoming academic year – with some 250 schools in Ebola-affected health zones – the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is scaling up education; health and water; sanitation; and hygiene programmes to assist children and their teachers.
Wisconsin National Guard continues sandbagging in Madison Army News 27 Aug 2018 -- Approximately 85 Wisconsin National Guard troops continue to assist local emergency crews with sandbagging operations in Monona and Madison today as floods resulting from heavy rain early last week continue to affect the city.
AFCYBER move streamlines ACC warfighting efforts AFNS 24 Aug 2018 -- With the addition of 24th Air Force/Air Forces Cyber to Air Combat Command, new cyber outcomes are available to America's warfighting commanders.
Cyber readiness evaluation keeps military info, systems safe Army News 24 Aug 2018 -- In today's high-tech military, cybersecurity plays a critical part of defending information and computer systems from hackers. U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz demonstrated its technology protection proficiency during a U.S. Army Europe Cyber Readiness Evaluation, Aug. 13-17.
Colo. and Minn. National Guard troops assist in fire battles Army News 24 Aug 2018 -- The Colorado National Guard completed aviation firefighting in support of the incident commander overseeing the Cache Creek Fire in Garfield County, Colorado.
ISIL continues to pose a 'serious challenge' worldwide: UN IRNA 24 Aug 2018 -- Despite serious military setbacks, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) may still have around 20,000 fighters and is continuing its dangerous transformation into a covert global network, while focusing on the activities of its regional offshoots, the United Nations Security Council was told.
Treasury Sanctions Three ISIS Recruiters from Southeast Asia US Treasury 24 Aug 2018 `-- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today by designating three senior Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) recruiters: Mohamad Rafi Udin (Udin), Mohammed Karim Yusop Faiz (Faiz), and Mohammad Reza Lahaman Kiram (Kiram). Udin, Faiz, and Kiram have urged individuals in Southeast Asia to join ISIS and were featured in an official ISIS beheading video, where they executed captives held by ISIS.
DR Congo: Ebola outbreak spreads to eastern 'no-go' zone surrounded by rebels UN News 24 Aug 2018 -- Rebel violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is escalating inside the vast country's Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Friday.
ISIL continues to pose a 'serious challenge' worldwide – UN counter-terror chief UN News 24 Aug 2018 -- Rebel violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is escalating inside the vast country's Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Friday.
US Sanctions Senior IS Recruiters From Southeast Asia VOA 24 Aug 2018 -- The United States on Friday designated three individuals from Southeast Asia as terrorists for allegedly recruiting people to join the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
Former Indiana Resident Charged With Providing and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 23 Aug 2018 -- Samantha Marie Elhassani, aka Samantha Sally, 32, formerly of Elkhart, Indiana, was charged on Aug. 22, in a two count indictment with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated terrorist organization, and aiding and abetting individuals in providing material support to ISIS.
'U.S. Won't Tolerate Election Meddling,' Bolton Tells Russia's Patrushev RFE/RL 23 Aug 2018 -- White House national security adviser John Bolton said he warned Moscow in talks in Geneva on August 23 that the United States "wouldn't tolerate meddling" in the upcoming midterm elections.
US Democrats Correct Record: Reported Database Hack Alarm Was False - Official Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has walked back its announcement about a suspected attempt to hack into its voter systems, saying the incident was actually an unauthorized test, according to a statement released by the committee's security chief Bob Lord on Thursday.
Alive Not Dead? Daesh Releases New Recording Allegedly by Leader Al-Baghdadi Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Despite numerous reports of his death or injury, Daesh's* shadowy leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears to be more alive than dead, even though his whereabouts are unknown, and he has not been heard from in almost a year.
CIA-Backed Firm Tipped Off Facebook to 'Inauthentic' Accounts Sputnik 23 Aug 2018 -- Facebook removed 652 pages, groups and accounts on Tuesday for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" after it was tipped off to the accounts by FireEye, a cybersecurity firm bankrolled by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Bolton Says He Warned Russia Against Meddling in November Elections VOA 23 Aug 2018 -- U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton says he warned his Russian counterpart not to interfere in the U.S. mid-term elections in November.
Daesh ringleader urges terror attacks in purported audio recording Press TV 23 Aug 2018 -- Daesh ringleader Ibrahim al-Samarrai, aka Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has called on followers of the Takfiri outfit to keep up their terror attacks after the militant group suffered a crushing defeat in Iraq and Syria and lost all the territories it had seized there.
Washington's 10th CST builds partners during Konfitma 18 Army News 22 Aug 2018 -- The Washington National Guard's 10th Civil Support Team participated in an exercise that included an active shooter, biological weapons manufacturing and hostages on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Approximately 100 personnel from various government agencies of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) responded to the scenarios during the period of Aug. 14-17.
Facebook kills 650+ accounts 'linked to Iran, Russia' Press TV 22 Aug 2018 -- American social media giant Facebook has targeted hundreds of accounts allegedly tied to Iran and Russia under the pretext of fighting what it calls "misinformation" campaigns.
Facebook Deletes Political Misinformation Sites Linked To Iran, Russia RFE/RL 22 Aug 2018 -- Facebook says it has removed 652 accounts and web pages linked to Russia and Iran for spreading political misinformation ahead of the November U.S. congressional elections.
IS Issues New Message From Group's Reclusive Leader VOA 22 Aug 2018 -- The secretive leader of the Islamic State terror group is speaking out after nearly a year of silence, urging his supporters to persevere while warning of "dark days" for his enemies.
Democrats Thwart Hacking Attempt on DNC Voter Database VOA 22 Aug 2018 -- The U.S. Democratic National Committee has notified the FBI that it had thwarted a hacking attempt on its voter database.
Fleet Cyber Command, Information Warfare Training Group Synchronize Cybersecurity Inspections NNS 21 Aug 2018 -- U.S. Fleet Cyber Command's Office of Compliance and Assessment (OCA) and the Information Warfare Training Group (IWTG) are working together toward ensuring Navy cyber assessments and inspections are aligned, synchronized and provide greater value to operational commanders through the Command Cyber Operational Readiness Inspections (CCORI) program.
Russian hackers targeted Senate, US think tanks: Microsoft Press TV 21 Aug 2018 -- US-based tech giant Microsoft has accused Russia of seeking to launch cyber attacks on the US Senate in the run-up to the November's congressional elections.
We are taking new steps against broadening threats to democracy Microsoft 21 Aug 2018 -- "It's clear that democracies around the world are under attack. Foreign entities are launching cyber strikes to disrupt elections and sow discord. Unfortunately, the internet has become an avenue for some governments to steal and leak information, spread disinformation, and probe and potentially attempt to tamper with voting systems. We saw this during the United States general election in 2016, last May during the French presidential election, and now in a broadening way as Americans are preparing for the November midterm elections."
Microsoft Reveals Russian Hacking Attempts Ahead Of U.S. Elections RFE/RL 21 Aug 2018 -- Microsoft says it has uncovered new Russian hacking attempts to target U.S. political groups ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.
Indiana Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Distributing Information on Explosives and Poisons for Use in a Terror Attack US Dept. of Justice 20 Aug 2018 -- Marlonn Hicks, 31, of Crown Point, Indiana, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distributing information regarding the manufacture and use of explosives, with the intent that the information be used for and in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Multiple Daesh-claimed attacks injure policemen in Chechnya Press TV 20 Aug 2018 -- Several officers have sustained injuries in multiple terrorist attacks in various locations in Russia's Chechnya Republic, the region's leader says.
Several Police Wounded In Chechnya Attacks Claimed By IS RFE/RL 20 Aug 2018 -- Russian investigators say they have launched investigations into three separate attacks that wounded several police officers in the North Caucasus region of Chechnya.
Financial Task Force Monitor Pakistan's Progress on Anti-Terror Financing VOA 18 Aug 2018 -- A delegation from the global financial watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has held meetings with Pakistani authorities to review the country's measures against money laundering and terror financing.
Security Issues Constrain DR Congo Ebola Operation VOA 17 Aug 2018 -- The World Health Organization says security issues could hamper efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak is in conflict-ridden North Kivu province, where some areas are too dangerous for health care workers to go.
Ebola Outbreak Death Toll in DRC Rises - UN Spokesman Sputnik 17 Aug 2018 -- The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased to 44 people, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a news briefing on Friday.
Child victims of DRC Ebola outbreak need 'special attention and care': UNICEF UN News 17 Aug 2018 -- An ongoing deadly Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has particularly affected children, the UN's children agency, UNICEF, said on Friday.
UN chief encourages victims of terrorism to 'raise up their voices' UN News 17 Aug 2018 -- Victims of terror attacks have and important and powerful role to play in combatting the "global menace" the United Nations chief said on Friday, launching an exhibition at UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the first International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Guardsmen Bring Combat Skills to Fighting Western Fires AFPS 16 Aug 2018 -- Fighting wildfires is "like being in a combat zone, just we're not getting shot at," said Army Sgt. Julian Ross, one of the California National Guardsmen called up to battle the wildfires in his state.
New York, Pennsylvania Guardsmen Assist Flood Response Efforts AFPS 16 Aug 2018 -- Two hundred New York National Guard soldiers and airmen were placed on state active duty yesterday after nearly seven inches of rain fell on parts of the state's Finger Lakes region Aug. 14.
Tajikistan Arrests Five, Seeks Others In Russia, In Probe Of Foreign Cyclist Attack RFE/RL 16 Aug 2018 -- Tajik authorities say they have arrested five men in connection with the July 29 attack that killed four foreign cyclists, as Dushanbe widened its investigation.
Terror attacks strike people 'from all walks of life, the UN included' UN News 16 Aug 2018 -- The terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003 that claimed the lives of 22 people should serve as a reminder that the organization's locally recruited staff often face the greatest dangers in the world's most hostile places, amid increasing attacks on humanitarians, the head of the United Nations in Geneva said on Thursday.
Islamic State 'Well-Positioned' to Rebuild Caliphate VOA 16 Aug 2018 -- Destroying the Islamic State is proving more difficult than the United States and its allies envisioned, with the most recent intelligence assessments warning that the self-declared caliphate is well-positioned to rise again.
British Citizen From Sudan Held in London Car Attack VOA 15 Aug 2018 -- British counterterrorism police searched several properties Wednesday as they tried to determine what made a 29-year-old Sudan-born man crash a car outside Britain's Parliament in what police were treating as an act of terrorism.
Thousands of Guardsmen Battle Western U.S. Wildfires AFPS 14 Aug 2018 -- Calling up the soldiers and airmen of the National Guard has become an unfortunate ritual of summer.
British Police Search Three Addresses After London Incident RFE/RL 14 Aug 2018 -- British police investigating a man who drove into pedestrians outside Parliament early on August 14 say they are searching three addresses in central England as part of their inquiries.
UN: Up to 30,000 Islamic State Extremists In Syria, Iraq RFE/RL 14 Aug 2018 -- Despite the military defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and most of Syria, the extremist group still has around 20,000 to 30,000 militants in the two countries, according to a United Nations report.
Ebola in DR Congo: conflict zones could constitute 'hiding places' for the deadly virus - WHO chief UN News 14 Aug 2018 -- Following a two-day mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday repeated his call for warring parties in conflict-riven North Kivu to stop fighting, and allow health teams access to areas affected by the recent Ebola outbreak in the region.
State Department Terrorist Designation of Qassim Abdullah Ali Ahmed, AKA Qassim al-Muamen US Dept. of State 13 Aug 2018 -- The Department of State has designated Qassim Abdullah Ali Ahmed, AKA Qassim al-Muamen, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism.
Free and secure access needed in DR Congo conflict zone to tackle Ebola – WHO UN News 12 Aug 2018 -- After seeing first-hand the complexities of the Ebola response in the conflict-affected region of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called for "free and secure" access to the disease-affected people.
UN Stepping Up Ebola Screening of Refugees Fleeing DR Congo VOA 12 Aug 2018 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports it is stepping up efforts to reduce the risk of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus as refugees flee DR Congo. Latest estimates put the number of confirmed and probable cases of Ebola in eastern DRC at 49, including 38 deaths.
MAFFS: Colorado reservists activated to support fire suppression efforts in Western U.S. AFNS 09 Aug 2018 -- Air Force reservists and one Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing deployed to California August 8.
Air Force, Army, Navy Cyber Techs Participate in Exercise Patriot Warrior AFPS 09 Aug 2018 -- Exercise Patriot Warrior featured airmen, sailors and soldiers practicing their cyber defense skills in highly challenging environments.
Russian Operatives Have Penetrated Florida's Election System, U.S. Senator Says RFE/RL 09 Aug 2018 -- Russian operatives have penetrated the election system of one of the largest U.S. states, and could delete voters' registration documents ahead of the November elections if the systems are not adequately protected, the state's U.S. senators are warning.
Dissent in IS Ranks; Al-Baghdadi Still in Charge? VOA 09 Aug 2018 -- In an extraordinary breach of the Islamic State's culture of unquestioning obedience, an IS writer calling himself Ibn Jubayr has penned a series of five scathing articles leveling direct and unprecedented criticism at the militant group's leadership, according to a respected monitoring group.
South Carolina Teen Convicted for Attempting to Join ISIS US Dept. of Justice 08 Aug 2018 -- Zakaryia Abdin, 19, of Ladson, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
After Deadly Cyclist Attack, Tajik Minister Turns To Drama To Warn About Islamic State RFE/RL 08 Aug 2018 -- In official meetings and speeches in recent months, Tajikistan's interior minister has frequently warned about the dangers of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group.
Army Engineers to Battle Western Wildfires AFPS 06 Aug 2018 -- Two hundred active-duty soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, will join firefighting lines as early as Aug. 13, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning III told reporters today.
California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 Aug 2018 -- Everitt Aaron Jameson, 27, of Modesto, California, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, and a life term of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
New Severe Ebola Outbreak Hits Eastern Congo Killing at Least 33 - Reports Sputnik 05 Aug 2018 -- An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo is believed to have killed 33 people so far, the nation's health ministry said Saturday, cited by Reuters.
Congolese Refugees Risk Infecting Neighboring Countries with Ebola VOA 04 Aug 2018 -- U.N. officials warn the deadly Ebola virus could be spread by refugees leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province. Officials are urging neighboring countries to increase surveillance at border crossings.
Washington State National Guard Musters for Wildfire Support AFPS 03 Aug 2018 -- Nearly 150 Washington National Guardsmen have been activated to support wildland firefighting efforts in the state of Washington.
Trump's aides say Russia still meddling in US elections Press TV 03 Aug 2018 -- Senior intelligence and national security officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump claim that Russia is behind "pervasive and ongoing" attempts to influence upcoming US elections, a threat Trump has repeatedly dismissed and played down.
Tajik Authorities Identify Five Suspects In Attack On Foreign Cyclists RFE/RL 03 Aug 2018 -- Officials in Tajikistan have released the names of five men they say carried out a July 29 attack that left four foreign cyclists dead and three injured.
Conflict in new Ebola zone of DR Congo exacerbates complexity of response: WHO emergency response chief UN News 03 Aug 2018 -- Protecting vulnerable people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from the latest Ebola Virus outbreak is going to be "very, very complex", given the huge logistical challenges and ongoing conflict there, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
WHO: Congo's Newest Ebola Outbreak Poses Huge Challenge VOA 03 Aug 2018 -- Preparations are being made to send thousands of Ebola vaccines next week to North Kivu, the site of the latest outbreak of this deadly disease.
National Security Agency, Cybercom Defend Against Election Meddling AFPS 02 Aug 2018 -- Russia and other malign actors continue to try to subvert American elections, and the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community are working together to prevent foreign interference in the mid-term elections, officials said at the White House this afternoon.
Iran summons Tajikistan ambassador to protest terrorist attack claims Press TV 02 Aug 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned Tajikistan's ambassador to protest the allegation of Tehran's links to a recent attack that killed four Western tourists in the Central Asian country.
Intelligence, Security Officials Warn Of Russia's 'Pervasive Methods' To Weaken, Divide U.S. RFE/RL 02 Aug 2018 -- Leaders of the U.S. intelligence and security community told a briefing at the White House that Russia is continuing to use "pervasive methods" to exploit and intensify differences in U.S. society and that they remain concerned about U.S. election security.
Tajik Police Appear To Keep Lid On Reporting About Suspects In Deadly Attack On Cyclists RFE/RL 02 Aug 2018 -- Days after a deadly attack on a group of foreign cyclists in a remote region of Tajikistan, information remains scarce on the possible road to radicalization of the suspects -- at least some of whom were said to have died in a shootout with security police and subsequently turned up in a video pledging loyalty to the militant group Islamic State (IS).
Iran Protests 'False' Claims Over Tajikistan Attack On Foreign Cyclists RFE/RL 02 Aug 2018 -- The Iranian government has summoned the Tajik ambassador to Tehran to protest allegations linking Iran to an attack that killed four foreign cyclists in Tajikistan.
UN-backed meeting of African States targets terrorism, violent extremism UN News 02 Aug 2018 -- Regional security topped the agenda of a United Nations-backed joint summit on Central and West Africa searching, among other things, for a practical approach to fighting terrorism.
US Security Chiefs Express Alarm About Election Meddling VOA 02 Aug 2018 -- Top U.S. national security leaders made a rare joint appearance in the White House briefing room Thursday to express concern about efforts by Russia – and potentially others – to meddle in upcoming elections here, and to reassure the public that strong countermeasures are being taken.
President Donald J. Trump is Strengthening the Security of Our Elections The White House 02 Aug 2018
US 10th Fleet Breaks Ground to Compete in Cyberspace with New Reserve Unit NNS 01 Aug 2018 -- As Navy leaders envision the future of the fleet, cyberspace is top of mind.
Facebook Finds 'Sophisticated' Effort To Influence U.S. Election; Russia Suspected RFE/RL 01 Aug 2018 -- Facebook says it has discovered "sophisticated" efforts, possibly linked to Russia, to manipulate U.S. politics ahead of November's congressional elections, setting off a fury among politicians in Washington.
New cluster of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - World Health Organization UN News 01 Aug 2018 -- The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Wednesday that preliminary laboratory results indicate a new cluster of cases of the deadly Ebola virus in North Kivu province.
Deadly Ebola Outbreak Confirmed in Eastern DRC VOA 01 Aug 2018 -- Four cases of the Ebola virus have been confirmed in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials confirmed Wednesday.

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August 2018 Security News