The Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, is consulting on a new cybersecurity strategy to protect individuals, businesses, and Ireland's national security. The strategy aims to ensure the resilient operation of networks and infrastructure and protect against threats like hacking and cyber espionage. The consultation opened on March 19, seeking responses to 10 specific questions regarding the focus and objectives of the strategy, protection of critical infrastructure, electoral integrity, government IT systems security, public information campaigns, development of the cybersecurity industry, skilled worker availability, academia-industry relationships, government understanding of cybersecurity developments, and Ireland's role in international cybersecurity discussions. Submissions are accepted for 30 working days before finalizing the strategy.

An international investigation involving U.S., German, and Dutch authorities led to the takedown of Wall Street Market, one of the largest dark web marketplaces, and the arrest of three German nationals who administered it. The marketplace, available in six languages, allowed vendors to sell illegal narcotics, counterfeit goods, and hacking software. The administrators conducted an exit scam, diverting about $11 million in virtual currency to their own accounts. A fourth individual, Marcos Paulo De Oliveira-Annibale of Brazil, was also charged for his role as a moderator and public relations representative for the marketplace. Additionally, the Silkkitie (Valhalla Marketplace) was seized by Finnish Customs with the help of the French National Police.

State and local officials are increasingly taking sides in the national immigration debate due to local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities and rising partisan pressures. The Bipartisan Policy Center's report, based on 2017 and 2018 bipartisan roundtables with National Association of Counties and National Conference of State Legislatures members, reveals the challenges states and communities face in the absence of federal immigration reform. Officials seek Congressional action to end the divisive debate and allow them to serve their constituents effectively. There is a consensus on the importance of immigrants to local workforces and the need for Congress to reform immigration laws. However, there is disagreement on whether localities should cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The roundtable discussions highlighted the negative impact of federal polarization and external influences on state and local immigration policy-making, with a unanimous call for Congress to address immigration reform to provide clarity and support for local governments.

The Government Accountability Office reported that the EPA delayed assessments of toxic chemicals and reduced the number of chemicals being assessed in 2018. Despite improvements in the IRIS Program's timeliness and transparency, EPA leadership halted the release of IRIS-associated documentation and redirected staff to support the implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Industry representatives expressed concerns that delays in the review process are pushing companies to introduce chemicals in foreign markets, particularly Europe. The GAO also found that the EPA has made progress in implementing TSCA, responding to statutory deadlines and finalizing rules for prioritizing and evaluating chemicals. However, proposed budget cuts have raised concerns about the future resources available for expanding assessment work. Congress has maintained funding at fiscal year 2017 levels, rejecting the proposed cuts.

The UK government plans to proscribe Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization, subject to Parliament's approval. This decision includes Ansaroul Islam and JNIM, which operate in Africa's Sahel region. Membership or support for these groups will carry a sentence of up to 10 years' imprisonment. The move is based on the inability to distinguish between Hezbollah's military and political wings. Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt have expressed that Hezbollah's actions destabilize the Middle East and threaten UK's national security. The US and Israel have commended the UK's decision. Additionally, several aliases of already proscribed organizations have been added to the UK's list of terrorist organizations.