Counterterrorism
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Duduble, Somalia, February 22. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in…
A New York man who sent more than 20 letters threatening the LGBTQ community, including an attack at New York City's pride march, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday, prosecutors said. Robert Fehring, 74, of Bayport on Long Island, around 50 miles…
Military & Defense
Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's military to put its deterrence forces, which include nuclear weapons, on "special alert". He told defence chiefs it was because of "aggressive statements" by the West, amid widespread condemnation of his invasion of Ukraine…
North Korea said a test conducted on Sunday was for the development of a reconnaissance satellite system, state news agency KCNA reported on Monday, a day after a missile launch was detected from the country. KCNA's report did not elaborate on what type of rocket had…
Cybersecurity
The Russian government said it was partially limiting access to Facebook for restricting some pro-Kremlin news media accounts, a move that could make it harder for Russians to share their anger over their country’s invasion of Ukraine. The Russian telecommunications…
A member of the Conti ransomware group, believed to be Ukrainian of origin, has leaked the gang’s internal chats after the group’s leaders posted an aggressive pro-Russian message on their official site, on Friday, in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…
Counterintelligence & Espionage
As head of the German soccer federation, Theo Zwanziger was among his sport’s most prominent critics of the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. He publicly attacked the energy-rich Gulf nation’s human rights record. He questioned the wisdom of staging the…
Russia’s long-anticipated military invasion of Ukraine Thursday morning could make efforts to free Michigan’s Paul Whelan from a Russian prison much more difficult for his family and U.S. diplomats. Whelan, 51, of Novi, traveled to Moscow in December 2018 to attend a…
Transnational Organized Crime
The UK is fast-tracking legislation to target money-laundering by foreign oligarchs. The government's move follows Russia's decision to invade Ukraine. As part of the measures, foreign property owners will have to declare their identities rather than using companies…
Albanian gangs are cornering the market in cannabis farms as they exploit modern slavery laws to avoid prosecution, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned. NCA investigators say Albanians have brought a ruthless professionalism to cannabis farming that has displaced…