Category: Security Intelligence

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CISA and Partners Release Asset Inventory Guidance to Strengthen Operational Technology Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NL), and New Zealand’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ), released new guidance to help operational technology (OT) owners and operators across all critical infrastructure sectors create and maintain comprehensive OT asset inventories and taxonomies. OT systems are vital to the core functionality of the nation’s critical infrastructure to safely and reliably operate by powering process automation, instrumentation, cyber-physical operations, and industrial control systems.

“OT systems are essential to the daily lives of all Americans and to national security,” said Madhu Gottumukkala, Acting CISA Director.  “They power everything from water systems and energy grids to manufacturing and transportation networks. As cyber threats continue to evolve, CISA through this guidance provides deeper visibility into OT assets as a critical first step in reducing risk and ensuring operational resilience.” 

“Operational technology is foundational to the operations of the nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Chris Butera, Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA. “Securing operational technology and industrial control systems has been a priority for CISA for many years and remains a priority into the future. The joint asset inventory guide we published with our U.S. and international government partners is a valuable resource that helps organizations effectively identify and secure their most vital assets, reduce the risk of cybersecurity incidents, and ensure the continuity of their mission and services.” 

All organizations are encouraged to review the guidance to understand how to build and maintain OT asset inventories and implement the recommended actions. These practices align with the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals and can help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture and reduce the risk of compromise in operational environments. 

The new guidance can be found here.

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

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ICE Arrests Two Illegal Aliens and Foreign Fugitives Wanted for Multiple Murders in Mexico

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

70% of ICE arrests have been of criminal illegal aliens convicted or charged with a crime in the U.S, those who committed crimes in foreign countries are not counted in that statistic

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico on July 31—Pedro Luis Ortiz-Mendez and his brother, Jose Vicente Ortiz- Mendez during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Arlington, TX. Both brothers are wanted for multiple murders in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

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Pedro Luis Ortiz-Mendez

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Jose Vicente Ortiz-Mendez

These murders occurred on May 24, 2024, at a patron saint festival in San Luis Potosi, where at least one victim was shot and another victim was attacked with a machete.  

These arrests are part of ICE targeting the worst of the worst. 70% of ICE arrests have been of criminal illegal aliens convicted or charged with a crime in the U.S. This 70% statistic does not include many of the criminals and foreign fugitives who do not have a rap sheet in the U.S. This means criminal illegal alien gang members, terrorists, human rights abusers, and child sexual predators who have committed crimes in other countries are excluded from the statistic. 

“Thanks to ICE law enforcement these monsters who are wanted for multiple murders in Mexico are off our streets. These two cold-blooded killers are representative of who media often refer to as ‘non-criminals,’ because they only have heinous convictions in their home country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “70% of ICE arrests have been convicted or charged with a crime in the United States. The actual arrests of public safety threats and criminals is much higher. From foreign fugitives, gang members, and terrorists, ICE is getting the worst of the worst off our street and out of our country.” 

These criminal illegal aliens entered the U.S. at an unknown date and unknown location and without inspection by an immigration officer. 

 DHS encourages Americans – of any age – with a commitment to public safety, national service, and upholding the rule of law to apply today to join ICE today and help DHS remove the worst of the worst: join.ice.gov.  

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Advances in Nuclear Medicine Mean Patient Protection Needs Strengthening

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The meeting was attended by health professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines and professions involving the medical use of ionizing radiation, as well as regulators, educators and researchers from 35 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and eight international organizations. 

Experts highlighted the importance of optimizing hybrid imaging protocols as well as patient dosimetry practices in therapeutic nuclear medicine. They noted the promising role of artificial intelligence in improving the accuracy and speed of dose calculations, which can be applied to enhance radiation protection. 

“We will work together on developing new IAEA publications and training materials to make sure radiation protection practices, guidance and training materials stay relevant and fully implemented, in particular with respect to new radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical trials and daily practice,” said IAEA Radiation Protection Specialist Vesna Gershan.  

Discussions also covered the need for enhanced training, qualified personnel, increased access to high performance equipment and dedicated dosimetry software in radionuclide therapy, and for assessment of non-standardized practices in medical facilities worldwide. Addressing these challenges would support efforts to improve adherence to safety practices and reduce exposure risks for patients. 

The meeting summary report containing all findings, challenges, conclusions and recommendations can be found here.  

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Why more transparency around cyber attacks is a good thing for everyone

Source: United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre

Eleanor Fairford, Deputy Director of Incident Management at the NCSC, and Mihaela Jembei, Director of Regulatory Cyber at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), reflect on why it’s so concerning when cyber attacks go unreported – and look at some of the misconceptions about how organisations respond to them.

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U.S. Marshals Alert Public of Scam Spoofing Official Phones

Source: US Marshals Service

Alexandria, VA – The U.S. Marshals Service for the Eastern District of Virginia is alerting the public again of a phone scam where con artists are spoofing the district office’s real phone numbers to trick people into sending money.

The tactic is known as neighbor spoofing, where scammers use technology to modify what number appears on your caller ID to impersonate phone numbers from friends, local businesses, and law enforcement.

“Offices from the Eastern District of Virginia are receiving calls from people asking why the Marshals are requesting money from them,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Stalnaker of the Eastern District of Virginia. “We want people to know these calls are scams.”

The U.S. Marshals are urging people to report the calls to their local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which can detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.

During these calls, scammers attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty or other offenses. They then tell victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a store gift card or prepaid debit card and read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine. Scammers have also been requesting cryptocurrency payments to avoid arrest.

“Scammers use many tactics to sound credible. They sometimes provide information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials and federal judges” stated U.S. Marshal Shannon Saylor of the Eastern District of Virginia. “These calls are becoming more prevalent in our area, and we want to educate the public on these types of scams.”

If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI office and to the FTC.

Things to remember:

  • U.S. Marshals will never ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers for any purpose.
  • Don’t divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
  • Report scam phone calls to your local FBI office and to the FTC.
  • You can remain anonymous when you report.
  • If you believe that you are being scammed over the phone, hang up and call a verified number for
    the agency being represented by the caller. You can talk to an authentic employee of that agency
    about the caller’s claims.
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Texas Murder Suspect Captured by U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Colorado

Source: US Marshals Service

Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) located and arrested a Texas homicide suspect early Monday morning in Dacono, Colorado. 

Angel Lozano, 23, is wanted by the El Paso County (TX) Sheriff’s Office on a felony arrest warrant for murder in connection to a Mar. 20, 2025 shots fired/aggravated assault incident in the 100 block of Mezcla in Fabens, Texas. Responding deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as 26-year-old Aaron Villa. Investigators with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with the Texas Rangers identified Lozano as a suspect. A warrant for his arrest was issued on July 24. 

The following day, assistance was requested from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) – El Paso Division in locating and apprehending Lozano. Investigators developed information indicating Lozano had fled Texas after the shooting and returned to Colorado. That information was then relayed to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force who picked up the investigation. COVOTF investigators learned Lozano was likely residing at an address in a mobile home park near Hwy 52 and Glen Creighton Dr in Dacono.

Early Monday morning, Deputy U.S. Marshals from Denver and Task Force Officers from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Colorado Dept. of Corrections, and Golden Police Department set up surveillance on the mobile home where Lozano was believed to be residing. The COVOTF team was able to positively identify Lozano and safely take him into custody at the residence.
Lozano was transported to the Weld County Jail where he was booked on the outstanding homicide warrant from Texas. He is currently pending extradition.

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, El Paso County (TX) Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Colorado Department of Corrections, and Golden Police Department. 

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country.  Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 58 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.          

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. It can also be accessed online at https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on X (previously Twitter): @USMSDenver.

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Winners, Finalists and Honourable Mentions of the 2025 NuclearPop! Art Contest

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

“With this piece, I wanted to flip the narrative, because when it comes to nuclear energy, perception often overshadows reality. On the left, we see the classic fear: smoke, pollution, and the shadow of outdated ideas. On the right, we shift into colour, energy, innovation; where fission isn’t frightening, fusion is the future, and yes, even bananas have radiation (but no one’s scared of those!).”

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NATO Secretary General to participate in virtual meetings of leaders on Ukraine

Source: NATO

On Wednesday, 13 August 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate in the virtual meetings of European leaders, the US and Ukraine, hosted by the Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz to discuss Ukraine.

There will be no media opportunity.
Photographs will be available on the NATO website.

For more information:
For general queries: Contact the NATO Press Office
Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress

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ICE Receives 100,000 Applications from Patriotic Americans Who Want to Help Remove Murderers, Gang Members, Pedophiles, and Terrorists from the U.S.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

In less than 2 weeks, ICE received 100,000 applications  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced it has officially received over 100,000 applications from patriotic Americans who want to join ICE and help remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States.  

“Our country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland. JOIN.ICE.GOV.” 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced ICE waived age limits for new applicants so even more patriots qualify to join ICE in its mission to arrest murderers, pedophiles, gang members, rapists, and other criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets. All ICE law enforcement recruits are required to go through medical screening, drug screening, and complete a physical fitness test. 

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APPLY NOW: JOIN.ICE.GOV 

Backed by significant new funding through the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE is offering a robust package of federal law enforcement incentives. You may be entitled to these benefits:

  • A maximum $50,000 signing bonus
  • Student loan repayment and forgiveness options
  • 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents
  • Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUI) for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers  

Enhanced retirement benefits  

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ICE Houston Arrests more than 350 Gang Members in First 6 Months of Trump Administration

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

In six months of Trump, ICE Houston arrested more than three times the amount of, or a 375% increase in, gang members than in all of 2021

WASHINGTON – In the Houston, TX area alone U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 356 criminal illegal alien gang members during the first six months of the Trump administration. In the first six months of the Biden administration, just 75 gang members were arrested in the Houston, TX area. To put these figures into perspective, it’s a 375% increase in arrests of gang members under the Trump administration in this area. In 2021, the ICE Houston field office arrested 115 gang members during the entire year. 

These 356 gang members were collectively convicted of 1,685 criminal offenses including murder, child sex crimes, sex trafficking, arson, and theft.  

In total, ICE arrested members of more than 40 different gangs including 39 MS-13 gang members, 25 Tren de Aragua gang members, six Latin Kings gang members, 159 Paisas gang members, and 26 Tango Blast gang members. 

“Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, these illegal alien gang members are off America’s streets. Across the country, ICE law enforcement is targeting these vicious gangs that rape, maim, and murder Americans for sport,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to dismantle transnational criminal terrorist gangs. In Houston area alone, we have already arrested more than three times as many gang members as the Biden administration arrested in Houston in all of 2021. The days of unchecked gang violence are OVER.”  

Some of the criminal illegal alien gang members arrested in Houston are below.

On May 8, 2025, ICE arrest Herson Barrera Vasquez, a Latin Kings gang member. His criminal history includes seven assault convictions, fraud, damaging property, drug trafficking, larceny, multiple DWIs, and disorderly conduct. ICE deported him on May 19, 2025. That was his FOURTH deportation.

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On April 4, 2025, ICE arrested Olvin Giovani Lara Lario, a Paisas gang member. His criminal history includes robbery, larceny, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault of a police officer. He was previously deported to Honduras SIX times.

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On July 15, 2025, ICE arrested Jesus Duran-Morales, a Paisas gang member. ICE deported him on July 17, 2025. This was his FIFTEENTH deportation.

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On June 30, 2025, ICE arrested Miguel Torres-Chavez, a Paisas gang member. Since 2003, he’s racked up convictions for drug possession, kidnapping, multiple drug trafficking offenses, illegal reentry, and assault. ICE deported him on July 1, 2025. It was his SIXTH deportation.

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On February 12, 2025, ICE arrested Jose Antonio Carbajal-Soto, a Pasias gang member.  Carbajal-Soto has been convicted of invasion of privacy, illegal reentry, battery and sexual assault. ICE deported him on March 4, 2025. This was his FOURTH removal.

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