Counterterrorism

Authorities: Hate against Taiwanese led to church attack

A gunman in a deadly attack at California church was a Chinese immigrant motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, authorities said. The shooter killed Dr. John Cheng, 52, and wounded five others at a Southern California church, authorities said at a Monday news…

The Buffalo shooting suspect could face domestic terrorism charges, the district attorney handling the case says

The Buffalo, New York, mass shooting suspect may face possible domestic terrorism charges, the local district attorney's office prosecuting the case told Insider on Monday. The suspect, identified by police as an 18-year-old white man, has already been charged with first-degree…

Military & Defense

Why Turkey dissents on Finland and Sweden joining NATO and why it matters

Finnish and Swedish officials have declared in recent days their intention to join NATO, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But their acceptance to the alliance requires unanimous consent among members, and the leader of one such state — President Recep Tayyip…

Reversing Trump, Biden acts to deploy US troops to Somalia

President Joe Biden signed an order Monday to redeploy hundreds of U.S. troops to Somalia to counter the Islamic extremist rebel group al-Shabab, an effort that American military leaders said had been hampered by President Donald Trump’s late-term decision to withdraw…

Cybersecurity

U.S. charges Venezuelan doctor with selling ransomware used by Iranian group

A Venezuelan cardiologist who taught himself computer programming sold software that was used by an Iranian hacking group to attack Israeli companies, U.S. prosecutors said on Monday in bringing criminal charges against him. Moises Zagala, 55, licensed his software…

Ransomware gang threatens to ‘overthrow’ new Costa Rica government, raises demand to $20 million

The ransomware group behind an attack on several Costa Rican government ministries levied several violent warnings against the country this weekend, raising the ransom demand to $20 million and threatening to “overthrow” the government of new President Rodrigo Chaves…

Counterintelligence & Espionage

Could Russia and China be keeping tabs on US military families?

Anew Pentagon contractor is beset with what a government report described as “extensive foreign exposure” in “high risk areas.” The national security implications are worrisome. The report from the Government Accountability Office, released just a few weeks ago, dismissed…

Chinese spy ship spotted off Australian coast could collect intel on US warships in the region: experts

The deployment of a sophisticated Chinese navy spy ship to sail close to a naval communication station on the west coast of Australia last week would help Beijing collect information about the United States' active warships in the region, analysts said…

Transnational Organized Crime

Ecuador's Police Being Assassinated in Record Numbers

Ecuadorian gangs are taking another page from the playbook of crime groups in Mexico and Colombia, stepping up targeted killings of police officers in drug trafficking hotspots. In a single week, three officers were recently slain while two others were injured in a series of hits…

US bans 600 people with suspected links to Kinahans

Some 600 people with suspected links to the Kinahan organised crime group have been barred from entering the United States by American authorities, according to Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll. Speaking during a trip to the US, Mr O’Driscoll said…