CNBC Here’s Why Coronavirus Is Being Classified As A Biological Agent by José Sepulveda and Lindsey Jacobson Bad actors have defied stay-at-home orders and are threatening to spread the coronavirus by coughing or spitting on essential workers.Under new direction from Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, these actions could be punishable by law under terrorism charges.In a March 24 memo, Rosen wrote that “Because coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of a “biological agent” under 18 U.S.C § 178(1), such acts could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statues.” After charging similar offenders with lesser crimes, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewall charged a man named George Falcone with making terroristic threats after he allegedly coughed on a Wegmans employee and claimed he had coronavirus. If convicted, Falcone could face 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.Since bringing up charges against Falcone, Grewall’s office has charged more than 30 others...

Defence Connect By Dylan NicholsonThe international security zeitgeist is moving away from the war on terror and shifting more towards great power competition between China, the US and Russia, and the gaze of the media and the public it informs is keenly focused on the coronavirus pandemic. What does this mean for the state of terrorism both within the crisis now and in the near future?Firstly, we will look at the effects of the shift in strategic focus away from global terrorism towards great power competition. The rest of this text will be focused on the effects of COVID-19 on the state of the terrorism landscape at this time.Shift away from global terrorism as top priorityThe current US administration is seeking a vast shift away from its endless wars in the Middle East and secret wars in the African continent and looking to realign its capabilities toward competition against the...

The Brookings Institute Preventing Violent Extremism During And After The COVID-19 Pandemic by Eric Rosand, Khalid Koser, and Lilla Schumicky-Logan While the world’s attention appropriately focuses on the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, the threat of violent extremism remains, and has in some circumstances beenexacerbated during the crisis. The moment demands new and renewed attention so that the gains made to date do not face setbacks.Headlines over the past few weeks have suggested that violent extremist and terrorist groups ranging from Colombian hit squads to ISIS affiliates in sub-Saharan Africa to far-right extremists in the United States are watching the disruption caused by COVID-19. Many are at least aware of the potential to benefit from that disruption, and in some cases they are already taking advantage. As with so much reporting on and analysis of the pandemic, however, there is a shortage of data and evidence to support the...

CBS Chicago 424 Members Of Chicago Police Department Have Now Tested Positive For COVID-19, 223 Officers Have Recovered CBS Boston / WBZ| CHICAGO (CBS) — A total of 424 members of the Chicago Police Department had reported positive tests for COVID-19 as of Tuesday.Of those 424 members, 401 sworn officers and 20 civilian members have had their tests confirmed by the department’s Medical Section, while three had yet to be confirmed.As of Tuesday night, a total of 223 officers had recovered from COVID-19 and had returned to work on the force.Three Chicago Police officers have died of COVID-19.Officer Ronald Newman, 59, died of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus infection after spending three weeks in the hospital. Read more: https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/04/28/424-members-of-chicago-police-department-have-now-tested-positive-for-covid-19/...

  Combating China, Cuba and Venezuela's COVID-19 Propaganda War in Latin America by Joseph M. Humire  •  Gatestone Institute China and its Latin American allies are aggressively attempting to convince the world that the U.S. is secretly the original source of the virus and that China is the only country that can save us. This state propaganda is enforced through a digital army of upwards of two million state-backed internet trolls dubbed the "Wu Mao" or "50 cent" army, named after how much the PRC reportedly pays per pro-China post. China and Cuba have been complementing their propaganda with "medical diplomacy", which appears to serve as a gateway to enhance their strategic positioning in Latin America. Efforts include aggressive propaganda, such as the fake news that Cuba has the cure for the coronavirus. The message is then spread in Spanish through social media and messaging platforms. Meanwhile, Cuba has been...

  The Diplomat The Islamic State Remains Alive In Afghanistan In early April, Afghan forces captured the latest head of ISKP — but will it matter? By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska Akhmad, 26, was exhausted and dizzy. Kandahar was hot and for the past six days and nights his unit of 50 men had been working around the clock. The National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s primary intelligence agency, had been planning the operation for a while and Akhmad realized that the stakes were high. Intelligence sources suggested that in early April, the leadership of the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), the local branch of the Salafist armed group, was gathering in Kandahar to discuss the movement’s future. In the previous months, after a prolonged U.S. and Afghan military operation, ISKP had lost its main stronghold in Nangarhar, close to the Pakistani border. Much of the group’s leadership was killed or captured...

The Jerusalem Post Islamic State Cell Planned To Murder Critic Of Islam In Germany The German authorities arrested a total of five Islamic State members involved in the plots to carry out attacks against US forces in Germany, Amir Masoud Arabpour M, and an assassination in Albania. By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL BERLIN — An Islamic State terrorist cell planned to execute a critic of Islam in Germany, the German paper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported in mid-April. The now-arrested Islamic State cell, made up of Tajiki members, “planned to assassinate the Islam critic Amir Masoud Arabpour M. from Neuss,” the paper said. “The ex-Muslim, who converted to Christianity, repeatedly questioned the teaching of the Koran in YouTube clips. M. has been a considered an enemy of the radical Islamic Salafist scene since the beginning of 2019.”   Read more: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/islamic-state-cell-planned-to-murder-critic-of-islam-in-germany-625992...

Sahara Reporters Exclusive: Boko Haram Terrorists Ambush Convoy Of Ex-Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Kill Three Policemen, Two Others Boko Haram has created an economy based on careful control of the international trade on smoked fish as well as red pepper in Lake Chad. But they make big breaks as often as they overrun towns and military bases to stock their weapons, supplies and, of course, abduct for ransom. by Ahmad Salkida Among the major economic activities disrupted by the insurgency in Lake Chad were commercial fishing and farming of red pepper. These were major trading products upon which the local economy of a vast array of communities in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly Borno state in Nigeria, was dependent.But in 2015 the insurgents took strategic steps to control and re-order trade in both products. They encouraged local fishing among the communities by the banks of the lake and created...

Eurasia Review INTERPOL Arrests Hundreds In Crackdown On Terrorist Routes In Southeast Asia by Eurasia Review An INTERPOL-led operation codenamed ‘Maharlika III’ saw law enforcement from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP) deploy to strategic points along known terrorist transit routes in Southeast Asia in a series of simultaneous law enforcement and border control actions.The coordinated move – from February 24 to March 20 in the midst of the global COVID-19 outbreak – resulted in the arrest of more than 180 individuals for various offences, including one suspected member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).The operation saw 82 victims of human trafficking, mainly young women aged between 20 and 30, rescued by Philippine authorities. In addition, Indonesian authorities identified and rescued a further 35 adults and 17 children (12 boys and five girls), aged between 10 and 15 years, arriving from Malaysia. Read more: https://www.eurasiareview.com/27042020-interpol-arrests-hundreds-in-crackdown-on-terrorist-routes-in-southeast-asia/...

Egypt Today Libyan Army Arrests Most Dangerous Egyptian Terrorist In Libya By Egypt Today staffCAIRO - 23 April 2020: Spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA)Ahmed al-Mismari announced on Wednesday the arrest of the most dangerous terrorist in Libya, called Mohammad Mohammad al-Sayyid, known as Mohamed al-Sanbakhti or “Abu Khaled Munir”.Sayyid was the assistant of executed Egyptian terrorist Hisham Ashmawy and was involved in committing terrorist crimes in Egypt, ashe participated in the bombing of several Coptic churches. According to the official spokesman of the armed forces, Al-Qaeda terrorist belongs to an Egyptian family convicted of terrorism, as he has two brothers in Egyptian prisons.He noted that Abu Khaledis Ashmawy's successor in Libya.On March 2, Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Egyptian terrorist Hesham Ashmawy and 36 members of Ansar Bait al-Maqdes terror group to death over multiple crimes including assassinating policemen. Read more: http://egypttoday.com/Article/1/85022/Libyan-Army-arrests-most-dangerous-Egyptian-terrorist-in-Libya...

Haaretz Emirati police deploy smart tech in coronavirus fight Like other countries around the world, Gulf states have deployed technology in the struggle to rein in the virus, including smartphone apps that track sufferers Reuters Police in the United Arab Emirates are deploying smart helmets that can scan the temperatures of hundreds of people every minute in their effort to combat the new coronavirus.The helmets, which need less time and less contact than traditional thermometers, can measure temperatures from five metres (16 ft) away and scan up to 200 people a minute, triggering an alert if a fever is detected.Chinese company KC Wearable says it has sold more than 1,000 of the temperature scanning helmets and has received orders from the Middle East, Europe and Asia."We’ve implemented the smart helmet during this time of crisis, with COVID-19, across all police stations in Dubai, as well as at patrolling stations whose...

  The Mercury News ‘The threat from within’: How the coronavirus spread through San Jose’s fire department As the pandemic reached the Bay Area, first responders quickly realized that they were facing a threat on multiple frontsBy Fiona Kelliher and David DeBolt | Bay Area News Group The virus did not creep toward San Jose firefighters. It lurked among them.It was March 6, a week after the country’s first community-transmitted COVID-19 case at a Vacaville hospital. Exposure to the virus remained largely linked to overseas travel. California’s case count had just scraped triple-digits.Quietly and without realizing it, a busy San Jose firefighter had carried coronavirus to his fire station. He covered a shift for a buddy at another firehouse, exposing colleagues there. He attended a career development course at the department’s training center — and the disease spread further.Within the week, about 10 percent of the workforce had been exposed....

The Guardian Fears Of Rise In UK Terrorist Recruits As Anti-Radicalisation Referrals Collapse by  Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondent Counter-terrorism officials fear a rise in terrorist recruits after a collapse in referrals to the UK’s main anti-radicalisation scheme during the lockdown, as extremists pump out propaganda urging British attacks.The Guardian understands referrals to Prevent are down by more than 50% since the lockdown started on 23 March, according to official figures yet to be made public.Counter-terrorism officials fear a crucial defence is being weakened with young people spending more time online alone and unsupervised since schools and colleges closed.Ch Supt Nik Adams, the national coordinator for Prevent, said: “What concerns me greatly is that the decline in the number of referrals doesn’t mean that there are fewer people that need our help, but that fewer people are able to access the support they need. Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/22/fears-of-rise-in-uk-terrorism-recruits-after-anti-radicalisation-referrals-collapse-coronavirus...

ABC 7 Coronavirus: LA County opens COVID-19 testing for first responders Frontline workers in Los Angeles County can now get tested for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms. By John Gregory LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Frontline workers in Los Angeles County can now get tested for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms.Those eligible for testing are defined as workers who come in contact with the public, including first responders, health care professionals, grocery stores workers or critical government personnel.The Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department have been plagued with cases. Officials say 71 LAPD employees and 20 LAFD members have contracted the virus.LAPD Chief Michael Moore said the testing will give frontline workers a peace of mind. Read more: https://abc7.com/frontline-workers-coronavirus-testing-los-angeles-county-first-responders-covid19-covid-19/6124517/...

Stars And Stripes Suspected Head Of ISIS Shadow Court Arrested In Afghanistan, Officials SayBy PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN KABUL, Afghanistan — A senior member of the Islamic State’s Afghanistan affiliate has been arrested, the latest high-profile member of the group to be detained this month, local officials said Wednesday.Muneeb, a fighter with several aliases, was captured by forces from the National Directorate of Security, the country’s main intelligence agency said in a statement.The Pakistani national, a former al-Qaida member who shifted allegiance to Islamic State – Khorasan Province, was a member of ISIS-K’s central council and headed its shadow court, Afghan officials said. Read more: https://www.stripes.com/news/suspected-head-of-isis-shadow-court-arrested-in-afghanistan-officials-say-1.626937...

The Independent Coronavirus: Terror Threat To Hospitals As Extremists Call For Attacks During LockdownExclusive: Security advice issued to hospitals amid concerned lockdown could cause rising online radicalisationby Lizzie Dearden, Security Correspondent Terrorists are calling for attacks on UK hospitals and other “vulnerable places” during the coronavirus outbreak, a senior police officer has revealed.Protective security advice is being distributed to NHS trusts by counterterror officers, amid warnings that extremists are exploiting the pandemic to radicalise new recruits.The national coordinator for the Prevent counter-extremism programme told The Independent that Isis supporters were “encouraging people to target the places that appear most vulnerable”.Chief Superintendent Nik Adams said jihadis were calling for attacks during lockdown in the hope that police and security services would be “distracted and overwhelmed”. Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-lockdown-hospitals-nhs-terror-threat-5g-conspiracy-theory-a9476066.html...

The National Europe's Most Wanted ISIS Terrorist Used Coronavirus Masks To Hide British extremist Abdel Majed Abdel Bary has been captured in Spain. One of Europe’s most wanted ISIS terrorists, British former rap artist Abdel Majed Abdel Bary, has been caught in Spain.Spanish anti-terror police raided a rental apartment in Almeria on Tuesday and arrested Abdel Bary, who had recently entered the country.He and two associates used the coronavirus outbreak to sneak into the country and wore surgical masks to disguise their appearance, officials said.Video of the raid shows armed police outside the apartment before apprehending the men and leading them out with their heads covered. Read more: https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe-s-most-wanted-isis-terrorist-used-coronavirus-masks-to-hide-1.1009192...

Daily Mail Navy deploys TWO warships to the South China Sea amid China's saber-rattling aimed at Malaysia over drilling rights Amphibious assault ship USS America and the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill have both been deployed and are operating in the South China Sea China is keen to show that its military power has not been affected by the virus and that things have returned to normal  The United States has warned China not to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to assert itself in the South China Sea  USS America headed to intercept a Chinese government survey ship and several of its Coast Guard ships in a contested stretch of the South China Sea  Chinese government research ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 has been deliberately patrolling close to Malaysian oil platforms in the South China Sea  On land, China is flexing its also flexing its muscle and arrested 15 people...

Maine Public Maine Launches Support Line For COVID-19 First Responders By Patty WightMaine has launched a toll-free telephone support service, or “warmline,” to help frontline workers manage the emotional challenges of responding to COVID-19.The so-called FrontLine WarmLine is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for doctors, nurses, emergency responders, law enforcement and others who are providing direct response to the pandemic.It is staffed by volunteers and is a joint effort of state agencies and mental health organizations.You can call the warmline at 207-221-8196 or 866-367-4440. Read more: https://www.mainepublic.org/post/maine-launches-support-line-covid-19-first-responders...

InHomelandsecurity.com Germany Arrests 4 IS Suspects Planning Attack On US Bases BERLIN (AP) — German authorities say police have arrested four suspected members of the Islamic State group alleged to be planning an attack on American military facilities.Federal prosecutors said the suspects were arrested by tactical police units early Wednesday at various locations in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.Start a Homeland Security degree at American Military University.They identified the men as Azizjon B., Muhammadali G., Farhodshoh K. and Sunatullokh K. — all citizens of Tajikistan. The suspects’ surnames weren’t released for privacy reasons.The men’s alleged leader, a 30-year-old Tajik man identified only as Ravsan B., has been in jail since March 2019 on unspecified charges.All suspects will be charged with membership in a terrorist organization. Read more: https://inhomelandsecurity.com/germany-arrests-4-is-suspects-planning-attack-on-us-bases/...