Counterterrorism

IS Leader Blows Up Self, Family as US Attacks Syria Hideout

The leader of the Islamic State group blew himself up along with members of his family as American forces raided his Syria hideout Thursday, the U.S. said — the second time in three years the United States has taken out a leader of the violent group that has been struggling…

Florida Man Gets 16 Years for Spreading Terrorist Propaganda

A Florida man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for distributing Islamic terrorist propaganda videos online. Jonathan Guerra Blanco, a Cuban-born naturalized U.S. citizen, was sentenced last Friday in Miami federal court, according to court records…

U.S. Designates Indonesia-Based Organization for Support to Terrorism

The United States is designating World Human Care, an Indonesia-based organization that has provided financial support to Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI), an Indonesia-based terrorist group. World Human Care provides financial support for MMI activities in Syria…

Military & Defense

Training to Resume C.Africa if Soldiers 'Stop Working for Wagner': EU

The European Union said Thursday it would resume its military training mission in the Central African Republic providing the country's soldiers stop working for the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. French General Jacques Langlade de Mongros, the mission's…

US Gives Military Helicopters to Croatia, Russia Arms Serbs

The United States on Thursday delivered two Black Hawk military helicopters to Croatia, which is engaged in a mini arms race with neighboring Russian ally Serbia amid simmering tensions in the post-war Balkan region. The U.S. Embassy in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb…

Ottawa Police May Seek Military Assistance as ‘Freedom Convoy’ Protesters Dig In

Canada’s capital is bracing for a resurgence of “Freedom Convoy” demonstrators this weekend — and the possibility that they will be challenged by counter-protesters — as Ottawa’s top cop admits police alone may not be able to resolve a situation that is drifting into an occupation…

Cybersecurity

European Oil Facilities Hit by Cyber-Attacks

Multiple oil transport and storage companies across Europe are dealing with cyber-attacks. IT systems have been disrupted at Oiltanking in Germany, SEA-Invest in Belgium and Evos in the Netherlands. In total dozens of terminals with oil storage and transport around the world…

Hacking Team Tied to Russia Targeted 'Western Government Entity' in Ukraine -Researchers

A hacking team that Ukraine says is controlled by Russian intelligence targeted a "western government entity" currently in the country, based on new research published by Palo Alto Networks on Thursday. The U.S. and other allies sent military advisers and cybersecurity…

Critical Cisco Bugs Open VPN Routers to Cyberattacks

The company’s RV line of small-business routers contains 15 different security vulnerabilities that could enable everything from RCE to corporate network access and denial-of-service – and many have exploits circulating. Critical security vulnerabilities in Cisco’s Small Business…

Counterintelligence & Espionage

US Says New Intel Shows Russia Plotting False Flag Attack

The U.S. accused the Kremlin on Thursday of an elaborate plot to fabricate an attack by Ukrainian forces that Russia could use as a pretext to take military action against its neighbor. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the scheme included production of a graphic…

Ex-Navy Captain Pleads Guilty in Massive Bribery Case

A former U.S. Navy captain pleaded guilty to bribery Wednesday for accepting nearly $68,000 in dinners, hotels, parties and prostitutes from a Malaysian defense contractor, prosecutors said. Donald Hornbeck, who entered the plea in San Diego federal court, acknowledged…

iPhone Flaw Exploited by Second Israeli Spy Firm

A flaw in Apple's software exploited by Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group to break into iPhones in 2021 was simultaneously abused by a competing company, according to five people familiar with the matter. QuaDream, the sources said, is a smaller and lower-profile Israeli…

Transnational Organized Crime

17 People Charged, Over $5M Worth of Drugs Seized in Organized Crime Sting: Police

A two-year long organized crime sting led by Hamilton police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yielded 17 arrests and more than $5 million in drugs seized. Hamilton police said the service formed Project Skyfall with the RCMP in September 2019…

Police Smash Lagos-Ibadan Highway Kidnap Syndicates, Gang Members Flee

The police have arrested 33 suspected criminals, including members of different kidnapping gangs terrorising motorists and travellers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The suspected kidnappers, who were arrested by men of the Oyo State Police Command, included those…

Colombia Launches New Strategy to Tackle Drug Trade

Colombia has launched a new strategy to fight drug trafficking, aiming to control cyberspace to tackle criminal groups involved in the cocaine trade, as well as block their financial transactions, Defense Minister Diego Molano said on Thursday. The "Esmeralda" initiative…