May 2019 Security News

Exile: Data Dump Shows More Russian Political Meddling VOA 31 May 2019 -- A prominent exiled Russian opposition figure says recently leaked documents show Russian meddling in U.S. affairs was more sophisticated, ambitious and potentially more dire than the social media influence campaigns during the 2016 election.
U.S. Judge Finds Alleged Russian Hacker Nikulin Competent To Stand Trial RFE/RL 31 May 2019 -- A U.S. judge has ordered that Yevgeny Nikulin, a Russian man extradited from the Czech Republic and charged in one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, is mentally competent to stand trial, paving the way for the beginning of formal proceedings.
Mexican President: US Coercion Won't Fix Migration Problems VOA 31 May 2019 -- Mexico's president responded to U.S. tariff threats with caution again Friday, urging "dialogue" over "coercive measures" in the latest conflict over the two countries' migration policies.
Statement from the President Regarding Emergency Measures to Address the Border Crisis The White House 30 May 2019
DOD Centers share best practices on 'Securing Borders against Traveling Terrorists' Army News 30 May 2019 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Regional Centers in the Indo-Pacific and Europe teamed up to host the first collaborative global counterterrorism alumni workshop here from May 13 to 17.
UK Special Forces Sent to 'Capture or Kill' Daesh Leader Al-Baghdadi – Reports Sputnik 30 May 2019 -- The world's most wanted man – Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – has on numerous occasions been reported to have been killed or seriously wounded, but is believed to be alive and on the run.
DRC's Ebola Battle Fraught With Security Risks VOA 29 May 2019 -- The World Health Organization says success in ending the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo hinges upon improving security in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The region has been engulfed in conflict for many years, and many locals do not trust outsiders, even the ones trying to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
US Removing Eritrea from Counterterror Non-Cooperation List VOA 28 May 2019 -- Eritrea is being removed from the United States government's list of countries deemed not to be cooperating fully with U.S. counterterror efforts.
Oklahoma National Guard supports local communities following severe weather Army News 28 May 2019 -- The Oklahoma Army National Guard has been mobilized to parts of Northeastern and Central Oklahoma in response to flood and tornado damage beginning May 23.
Oklahoma National Guard supports local communities following severe weather Army News 28 May 2019 -- The Oklahoma Army National Guard has been mobilized to parts of Northeastern and Central Oklahoma in response to flood and tornado damage beginning May 23.
New York National Guard Soldiers hone domestic nuclear disaster response skills Army News 28 May 2019 -- 160 New York Army National Guard Soldiers spent May 8-16 honing their emergency response skills during exercise Guardian Response 2019.
SecDef Names New Convening Authority DoD 28 May 2019 -- The Department of Defense announced the selection of Christian L. Reismeier to serve as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions and Director of the Office of the Convening Authority for Military Commissions.
DR Congo: Strengthened effort against Ebola is paying off, but insecurity still major constraint – UN health agency UN News 28 May 2019 -- Although the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to make headway thanks to the determination of health workers on the ground, insecurity is still hampering the response, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. This has led the UN to establish a new coordination structure in the hopes that access to at-risk areas can be improved.
Security Beefed Up After Intel of Daesh Presence in Coastal India Sputnik 28 May 2019 -- Indian authorities have been on high alert since 23 May, following intelligence reports of 15 terrorists being on their way to the Lakshadweep group of islands in the southeastern part of the Arabian Sea in boats from neighbouring Sri Lanka.
French Police Arrest 4 Suspects in Last Week's Lyon Explosion VOA 27 May 2019 -- French authorities say four suspects have been arrested in connection with a bombing that injured 13 people last week in the city of Lyon.
NSA cyber weapon leaked, now turned against US cities: Report Press TV 26 May 2019 -- US National Security Agency's most powerful cyber weapon has reportedly fallen into enemy hands and is being used against American cities with "alarming frequency" by the very foreign hackers it was designed to counter.
China's new cybersecurity rule indicates possible retaliation against US Global Times 26 May 2019 -- A new draft regulation on cybersecurity could set the stage for Chinese regulators to take necessary action against US technology companies if their products and services are found to pose a threat to China's national security, an industry analyst said on Sunday.
US City of Baltimore Under Attack by NSA Cyber Weapon – Report Sputnik 26 May 2019 -- The cyber weapon was developed by the US tech spying agency to break into foreign computers, but now the US itself is under attack by the malware, and tech experts say it's the handiwork of the NSA.
US judge orders Trump to stop building border wall Press TV 25 May 2019 -- A US federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump must temporarily halt the use of some funds from the Defense Department for a wall on the US-Mexico border.
US Judge Rules Trump Can't Use Emergency Declaration Money For Wall - Reports Sputnik 25 May 2019 -- A federal judge in California has blocked President Donald Trump from building sections of his long sought after border wall with money secured under his declaration of a national emergency, AP reported.
UN Strengthens Measures to Combat Ebola Epidemic in DR Congo VOA 25 May 2019 -- The United Nations has drawn up new measures to strengthen its response to the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and put an end to the spread of this deadly virus, which already has claimed more than 1200 lives.
Bomb attack injures 13 in France's Lyon Press TV 24 May 2019 -- A bomb attack has wounded at least 13 people in France's southeastern city of Lyon.
NATO warns Russia, other foes of 'full range' of responses Press TV 24 May 2019 -- NATO has warned Russia and other perceived foes that the US-led military alliance is prepared to use all its resources to respond to any cyber attacks, after the UK claimed that 16 member-states had been targeted by Moscow.
India Declares Bangladesh Based Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen as Terror Outfit Sputnik 24 May 2019 -- The decision was taken in view of the arrests of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) operatives by the Indian police from different parts of West Bengal in the last few months. Kolkata Police, during interrogations, said that the outfit is active in recruiting cadres for the group in bordering districts of the state.
Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Cyber Defence Pledge Conference, London NATO 23 May 2019
UK to warn NATO allies of Russian cyber attack campaign Press TV 23 May 2019 -- Britain is providing information to 16 allies in the NATO military alliance about Russia's cyber activities in their territories over the last 18 months, Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt will announce later on Thursday, a statement that is expected to further muddy the waters between London and Moscow.
Hunt: Britain Has Helped 16 NATO Allies Tackle Russia Hacking Attempts RFE/RL 23 May 2019 -- Britain has shared information on Russian cyberactivities with 16 NATO allies, helping them counter malicious threats against their countries over the past year and a half, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce on May 23, AFP and other media outlets reported.
Al-Qaeda Linked Terrorist Zakir Musa Killed in Kashmir Gunfight -Report Sputnik 23 May 2019 -- The gunfight broke out when Zakir Musa – a local terrorist popular in the Kashmir valley – opened fire after the security forces approached the house where he was hiding. Since the Pulwama attack, around 90 terrorists have been killed in gun-battles with Indian security forces in Kashmir.
NATO Cyber Defence Pledge conference: Foreign Secretary's speech UK FCO 23 May 2019 -- Speaking at the National Cyber Security Centre, the Foreign Secretary said NATO must work together to deter Russia's malicious global cyber campaign.
DR Congo: 'No time to lose' says newly appointed UN Ebola response coordinator UN News 23 May 2019 -- With the Democratic Republic of the Congo's worst ever Ebola outbreak now in its tenth month, the United Nations on Thursday announced measures to strengthen its response, with the Organization's newly appointed Emergency Coordinator (EERC) declaring there is "no time to lose".
Migrant Surge Accelerates at US-Mexico Border VOA 23 May 2019 -- The Trump administration on Thursday said a surge of migrant arrivals at the southern U.S. border continues to accelerate, with more than 300,000 mostly Central American undocumented immigrants apprehended or requesting asylum so far in the current fiscal year, which began last October.
New Jersey Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Hamas, Making False Statements US Dept. of Justice 22 May 2019 -- Also Charged with Making Threats against Pro-Israel Supporters
Cyber innovation at the forefront of UK's approach to modern warfare UK MOD 22 May 2019 -- Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced £22 million in funding for Army cyber operations centres
US Lawmakers Turn Focus to Full Range of Russian Influence Ops VOA 21 May 2019 -- With all the focus on Russian efforts to sway U.S. elections with social media, there are fears other aspects of Moscow's influence operations are being overlooked.
WHO: Ebola Strategies Need Adjusting in Congo VOA 21 May 2019 -- A panel of World Health Organization experts says strategies must be strengthened to combat the worsening Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The WHO's latest report counted 1,738 cases of Ebola in Congo, including 1,218 deaths.
Islamic State in Afghanistan Growing Bigger, More Dangerous VOA 21 May 2019 -- The collapse of the Islamic State's self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq is doing little to slow down the terror group's branch in Afghanistan.
5,000 Daesh terrorists amassed in Afghanistan: Russia Press TV 21 May 2019 -- Russia's top intelligence official has warned that thousands of militants belonging to a Daesh affiliate and with battle experience in Syria have converged in areas in northern Afghanistan bordering post-Soviet Central Asian republics.
Russian FSB Chief Warns Of IS Threat From Afghanistan RFE/RL 21 May 2019 -- The head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says that militants from the extremist group Islamic State (IS) have been amassing in northern Afghanistan, near its borders with former Soviet republics in Central Asia.
Kremlin Says Russia Denies Any Prior, Future Involvement in Cyberattacks Sputnik 20 May 2019 -- Russia neither has been nor will ever be involved in cybercrimes, whereas the involvement of the United States has been officially confirmed, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a statement on Monday.
Bomb targets tourists on bus near Giza pyramids in Egypt Press TV 19 May 2019 -- A tourist bus near the new Grand Egyptian Museum close to the famed Giza pyramids in Egypt has been the target of a bomb attack that has left multiple casualties.
16 Hurt in Egypt Tour Bus Attack Near Giza VOA 19 May 2019 -- At least 16 people were injured in a blast targeting a bus near Egypt's Giza pyramids Sunday, security sources said.
Ebola Containment Efforts in DRC Threatened by Insecurity, Underfunding VOA 18 May 2019 -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could spread to urban areas and across international borders because of heightened insecurity and a serious shortage of money. DR Congo Ministry of Health reports 1,739 cases of Ebola, including 1,147 deaths, which indicates a 66 percent fatality rate.
Ali Kourani Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization US Dept. of Justice 17 May 2019 -- Ali Kourani Was Trained by Hizballah's External Terrorist Operations Component and Gathered Intelligence in New York City in Support of Attack-Planning Efforts
EU Approves New Cyber-Sanctions Regime Ahead Of Parliament Elections RFE/RL 17 May 2019 -- The European Union has adopted a new legal tool to slap penalties on those found responsible for cyberattacks on the bloc's member states, as well as third countries and international organizations.
Cyber criminals face new EU sanctions UK FCO 17 May 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomes new EU cyber sanctions regime pushed for by the UK.
Reeling in Syria, Iraq, Islamic State Tries to Surge Online VOA 17 May 2019 -- While Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq have largely been forced underground, the terror group's other fighters along with its media operatives appear intent on surging, combining an increase in attacks with ramped-up output on social media.
Repatriation of extremist fighters and families to Kazakhstan, welcomed by UN rights expert UN News 17 May 2019 -- Stressing the need for some Governments to reform their laws and policies on fighting terrorism and extremism, an independent UN human rights expert welcomed on Friday Kazakhstan's repatriation of 231 of its citizens from conflict sites in Syria and Iraq, earlier this month.
Pentagon Awards $787Mln for Border Wall Construction Projects Sputnik 16 May 2019 -- Two US construction firms won more than $787 million combined to help build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, the Defence Department said in a press release.
Nine Islamic State Militants Killed In Southwest Pakistan Raid RFE/RL 16 May 2019 -- Pakistani security forces have killed nine Islamic State militants during an hours-long operation near the city of Quetta in the southwestern Balochistan Province where repeated militant attacks occurred this month, officials said on May 16.
Florida Governor Says Russian Hackers Accessed Voter Databases RFE/RL 15 May 2019 -- The governor of Florida has said Russian hackers gained access to voter databases in two of the southern state's counties ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee Designation of ISIS-Khorasan US Dept. of State 15 May 2019 -- The United States welcomes yesterday's action by the United Nations Security Council's 1267 ISIL and al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee to designate ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), an ISIS affiliate that has carried out terrorist attacks primarily in Afghanistan.
Islamic State Announces 'Pakistan Province' VOA 15 May 2019 -- The Islamic State group says it has established a "province" in Pakistan, days after the terrorist organization used the name "Hind Province" for an attack it claimed in the India-ruled portion of the disputed Kashmir region.
Cybercom, NSA Senior Enlisted Leader Discusses Troops, Training, Mental Health DoD News 14 May 2019 -- U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are key organizations needed in a world challenged by great power competition, the organizations' senior enlisted leader said recently.
Persistent Engagement, Partnerships, Top Cybercom's Priorities DoD News 14 May 2019 -- As it embarks on its second year as a unified combatant command, U.S. Cyber Command is taking stock of its first year and looking toward the future.
Pentagon pulling funds from nuclear missile, spy planes projects to fund Trump's promised border wall Press TV 13 May 2019 -- The Pentagon has relocated funds from nuclear missile and spy plane-related projects, among other defense cuts, in a bid to fund United States President Donald Trump's promised border wall in the south of the country.
100 Indians Among 600 Terror Suspects Deported From Sri Lanka - Report Sputnik 13 May 2019 -- The deportations come as part of the island nation's endeavour to restructure its security apparatus as promised by President Maithripala Sirisena following serial terror attacks that rocked Sri Lanka on 21 April, leaving 253 killed and over 500 injured.
Pentagon to Redirect Money From Ballistic Missiles to Border Wall - Reports Sputnik 13 May 2019 -- The US Defence Department's funding for the construction of a wall on the border with Mexico will partially come from programmes related to the modernisation of a ballistic missile and an airborne warning and control system, The Washington Post reported, citing a document prepared by the department.
Pentagon chief visits US-Mexico border, vows long-term troop stay Press TV 12 May 2019 -- Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has revisited the US-Mexico border, vowing to develop a longer-term plan to support President Donald Trump's immigration policies and maintain troops in the area until the border is secured.
Daesh Reportedly Claims it Has Established a "Province" in India Sputnik 12 May 2019 -- This comes after a series of deadly blasts hit Sri Lanka in April, leaving hundreds of people dead and injured. The Daesh* terrorist group claimed responsibility for the wave attacks which rocked the island nation.
Lebanon-Based Media Claims Blasts Rock Fujairah Port, UAE Officials Deny Reports Sputnik 12 May 2019 -- Several heavy explosions occurred early on Sunday in the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, a number of media reports say. The reports, citing eyewitnesses, further suggested that American and French warplanes have been seen flying over the port at the time of the incident.
Acting Defence Sec Shanahan Vows Military Won't Leave "Until Border is Secure" Sputnik 12 May 2019 -- On Friday the Pentagon transferred $1.5 billion from other programs including funding for an Afghanistan-program to fund the construction of a US-Mexico border wall, to stop the surge in numbers of migrants arriving at the US border that Donald Trump has called a crisis and declared a national emergency over.
5 Dead in Attack on Luxury Hotel in China-Run Pakistani Port VOA 12 May 2019 -- Officials in Pakistan say the death toll from the overnight militant raid on a luxury hotel near the China-run strategic port of Gwadar has risen to at least five, including four hotel employees and a Pakistani navy soldier.
Pakistani Hotel Cleared After Insurgent Attack Kills Five RFE/RL 12 May 2019 -- The Pakistani prime minister has condemned a deadly assault by insurgents in a luxury hotel in southwestern Pakistan, saying the attack was part of an effort to "sabotage" the country's economic development.
Pakistani forces kill all militants involved in Gwadar attack Press TV 12 May 2019 -- All the three attackers who stormed a five-star hotel in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan on Saturday have been killed by security forces, military sources have announced.
Britain's air force hunting Daesh leader al-Baghdadi in Libya: Report Press TV 12 May 2019 -- After entering Syria to allegedly fight Daesh, Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) is now in Libya on a mission to "capture or kill" the leader of the Takfiri terrorist group who has apparently fled to the North African country, according to a new report.
Gunmen storm luxury hotel in Pakistan port city of Gwadar Press TV 11 May 2019 -- Three gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Pakistan's southwestern port city of Gwadar on Saturday, killing at least one guard and battling security forces inside, officials and the army said.
Daesh claims setting up branch in Indian Kashmir Press TV 11 May 2019 -- The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group has claimed it has established a new branch in the India-controlled Kashmir region.
Pentagon shifting $1.5 billion from Afghan forces to border wall construction Press TV 11 May 2019 -- The US Defense Department is shifting $1.5 billion in funds originally targeted for support of the Afghan security forces and other projects to help pay for construction of nearly 80 miles (130 kilometers) of wall at the US-Mexican border.
Ebola Outbreak Could Spiral Beyond DRC, WHO Warns VOA 11 May 2019 -- Armed attacks, misinformation and a growing funding gap continue to impede the response to the Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with the World Health Organization warning that the situation could spiral out of control.
Iraqi Foreign Fighters Lurk in Syrian Shadows VOA 11 May 2019 -- By late February and early March, it had become a common scene on the far outskirts of the northeastern Syrian town of Baghuz: evacuees from the Islamic State terror group's final scrap of territory huddled on the desert floor, empty water bottles littering the ground as they waited to be vetted and taken to a displaced persons camp.
Threat of More Islamist Militant Attacks Contained - Sri Lanka Army Chief Sputnik 10 May 2019 -- The Sri Lankan Army chief has said there was an international link to the Easter Sunday bombings, adding that the country's security services have dismantled most of the terror network responsible for the attacks.
Over 200 Kazakhs Linked To Islamic State Repatriated From Syria RFE/RL 10 May 2019 -- Kazakhstan's interim president says 231 Kazakh citizens have been repatriated during the past week from Syria, where they were believed to have joined the Islamic State (IS) extremist group or were children of IS fighters.
IS Foreign Fighters Dispersing Via Loosely Aligned Networks VOA 10 May 2019 -- It was Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, and the joy and serenity filling the country's churches were about to be shattered by a series of suicide bombings soon to be claimed by the Islamic State terror group.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization US Dept. of Justice 08 May 2019 -- A Fort Worth man today pleaded guilty to a federal terrorism charge, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas.
US Struggles to Staff Cyber Defenсe 'Red Teams' - Shanahan Sputnik 08 May 2019 -- The US military is having difficulty staffing so-called red teams, which conduct fake cyberattacks to expose vulnerabilities, because of competition from the private tech industry, acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan told Congress.
DR Congo: Ebola claims over 1,000 lives, Guterres commits 'whole' UN system, to help 'end the outbreak' UN News 08 May 2019 -- Now in its tenth month, the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed more than a thousand lives, prompting Secretary-General António Guterres to throw the support of "the whole United Nations system" into stemming the spread of the deadly virus.
Even in Defeat, Islamic State's Foreign Fighters Expanding VOA 08 May 2019 -- It was March 2018, approximately five months after U.S.-backed forces had declared victory in the battle for the Islamic State terror group's Syrian capital of Raqqa. And Afghan officials had reason to worry.
All Sri Lanka bombing attackers killed or arrested: Police Press TV 07 May 2019 -- Sri Lanka's police have announced that all the assailants involved in the deadly bomb attacks in the country last month have either been killed or arrested.
UN launches innovative programme to detect and disrupt terrorist travel UN News 07 May 2019 -- A new programme aimed at improving the tracking of suspected terrorists, using state-of-the-art software, was launched by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on Tuesday.
Sri Lankan President: '99 Percent' of Easter Bombing Suspects Arrested VOA 07 May 2019 -- Sri Lanka's president said Tuesday that almost all of the suspects who carried out the deadly Easter bombings on churches and hotels have been arrested.
Fears Grow Islamic State's Foreign Fighters Ready to Carry On VOA 07 May 2019 -- Even as the Islamic State's caliphate was clinging to life with its last defenders cornered in a small town in northeastern Syria, the terror group managed to shock those who would eventually see it die.
Pashteen: PTM Hurt Pakistan Military's Terror-Sponsoring Industry VOA 07 May 2019 -- In response to last week's accusation by the military that Pakistan's Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has been receiving funds from Afghanistan's and India's intelligence agencies, its leader, Manzoor Pashteen, blamed the country's most powerful institution of turning the war on terror into a lucrative business in their region.
Texas Man Found Guilty of Conspiring to Support ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 May 2019 -- A federal jury convicted a Dallas, Texas man on multiple terror charges, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas announced today.
DRC Ebola Outbreak 'Worsening;' Over 1,000 Dead VOA 04 May 2019 -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is "worsening" and has killed more than 1,000 people.
European Security Chiefs Alarmed at Threat From Far-Right Terrorism VOA 03 May 2019 -- When British police first visited 41-year-old Steven Bishop at his home in the ethnically-diverse London suburb of Thornton Heath he told them he was planning a fireworks display.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on America's Cybersecurity Workforce The White House 02 May 2019
UN Adds Pakistan-Based JeM Leader Azhar To Global Terror List RFE/RL 02 May 2019 -- The United Nations has added Masood Azhar, the leader of a Pakistan-based Islamist group, to its list of global terrorists after the organization claimed responsibility for a February suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian soldiers.
UN designates Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist IRNA 01 May 2019 -- The United Nations Sanctions Committee on Wednesday placed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar on its global terror list.
Iran criticizes U.S. plan to designate Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization ISNA 01 May 2019 -- Iran criticized U.S. plan to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, Iranian Foreign Minister said in Doha on Wednesday.
UN Lists Pakistani Cleric as Global Terrorist VOA 01 May 2019 -- A United Nations Security Council committee has designated the head of the Pakistan-based militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as a global terrorist after China withdrew its long-held objections to the designation.
'Warrantless & Suspicionless': US Border Searches of Devices Illegal - Lawsuit Sputnik 01 May 2019 -- The number of US government searches of travelers' cellphones and laptops at airports and border crossings has almost quadrupled since 2015, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

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May 2019 Security News