Reckoning with the essential nature of temporary visa-based workers to the United States economy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rulemaking this week that would update H-2 visa programs to strengthen worker protections and more.
These efforts target two... Read More »
Holloman Air Force Base received a new High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) item for testing this week from Bell Textron Inc., to begin testing its folding rotor, integrated propulsion and flight control technologies at representative flight speeds.
At the end of these sled test... Read More »
As a companion to House-passed legislation H.R. 2, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) last week introduced the Secure the Border Act of 2023, proposing a resumption of border wall construction, harsher asylum and visa standards, and more Border Patrol agents.
Known as S. 2824, the Senate version of the... Read More »
In a national first, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appointed a Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer last week and called for responsible use of AI by the department, based on several newly announced policies.
“Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool we must... Read More »
The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) last week chose the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) to handle a study that would inform a new national maritime strategy for the industry at large and revitalize the U.S. merchant marine.
CNA is an independent, nonprofit Federally Funded... Read More »
In its freshly released 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that a high risk of foreign and domestic terrorism remains largely unchanged, alongside predatory economic practices and misinformation campaigns.
“Sharing information with... Read More »
The Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act (H.R. 3389) passed the last of its hurdles in the House this week, advancing out of the chamber on a bipartisan vote and raising the potential that firefighters may soon gain increased assets for wildfire emergencies.
Originally introduced by U.S.... Read More »
A first-of-its-kind-facility in the United States – the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) – received a best project award from Engineering News-Record (ENR) Midwest this week.
That award, centered... Read More »
With the launch of the Rapid Experimental Missionized Autonomy (REMA) program this week, within the next 18 months DARPA intends to create ways for commercial drones to work autonomously on predefined tasks after connection with their operators is lost.
“REMA is focused on creating autonomous... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Defense announced two new agreements this week meant to shore up domestic manufacturing and mining operations for critical metals: lithium and nickel.
For lithium, that resulted in a $90 million agreement with Albemarle Corporation to support the expansion of domestic... Read More »
Worried about the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to disrupt cyber infrastructure and compromise critical data, U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) recently wrote to Acting National Cyber Director (ONCD) Kemba Walden seeking information and action.
Foremost,... Read More »
As part of a four-year effort under DARPA’s Glide Breaker program, Boeing will develop and test technologies for a hypersonic interceptor prototype.
“Hypersonic vehicles are among the most dangerous and rapidly evolving threats facing national security,” said Gil Griffin, executive... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Fugitive Safe Reauthorization Act last week to renew the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which allows U.S. Marshals to work with local faith organizations and get those with warrants to turn themselves into law enforcement.... Read More »
A recent guilty plea in U.S. court from Suez Rajan Limited marked the criminal resolution of a case that involved millions of dollars, more than 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It marked the first time a company was accused of and... Read More »
Charges against Russian nationals in three federal jurisdictions were unsealed last week, revealing indictments for cybercrimes committed through Trickbot malware and Conti ransomware in recent years.
“The Justice Department has taken action against individuals we allege developed and deployed... Read More »
