Policy
Bill establishing Firefighter Cancer Registry signed into law
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will establish a Firefighter Cancer Registry to evaluate whether firefighters’ exposure to toxins and dangerous fumes is linked to cancer under a bill that was signed into law on Monday. Under the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, the CDC... Read More »
DHS S&T to conduct tests for first responders in Harris County, Texas
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is partnering with public safety agencies from Harris County, Texas, to conduct operational tests for first responders. The Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) – Harris County Operational... Read More »Artificial intelligence use during critical incidents explored
The United States and Canada launched last week an initiative designed to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and situational awareness technologies during critical incidents. Officials representing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)... Read More »
SAFETY Act Program grants 1,000th anti-terrorism technologies through DHS S&T
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has now approved more than 1,000 anti-terrorism technologies used in public places for legal protections over the last 15 years. Established under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective... Read More »
Boeing, Embraer propose strategic partnership
Boeing and Embraer recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a strategic partnership to accelerate growth in global aerospace markets. The agreement, which is non-binding, proposes a joint venture comprising the commercial aircraft and services business of Embraer and the... Read More »
Numbers reflect Southwest Border migration decline
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said recently released numbers reflect June showed a decline in Southwest Border apprehensions and inadmissibles by 18 percent compared to May. In June, a total of 34,114 individuals were apprehended between ports of entry on the Southwest Border,... Read More »
Department of Justice seeks to revoke naturalized citizenship status of man convicted in 2009 terrorism case
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) filed a lawsuit on July 3 to revoke the naturalized U.S. citizenship of an Indian national convicted of providing material support to ISIS and traveling abroad with intent to murder or maim U.S. service members. Khaleel Ahmed, 37, pleaded guilty to the... Read More »
Enhanced anti-phishing mobile security platform available on iOS, Android operating systems
The Mobile Endpoint Security platform developed by Lookout, Inc. with funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is now on iOS and Android operating systems. DHS S&T announced the transition of the enhanced endpoint and anti-phishing... Read More »
CBP seizes fake Super Bowl rings in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials recently seized a shipment of 108 counterfeit Super Bowl rings that, if authentic, had a retail value of $1,080,000. Officials said the seizure stemmed from an express consignment parcel that arrived in June from Hong Kong manifested as... Read More »
Senate panel concurs with Intelligence Committee Assessment on Russian meddling in 2016 election
Russian cyber operations went beyond the hack of Democratic National Committee emails during 2016 elections, and the Intelligence Committee Assessment (ICA) on Russian activities is “well-supported,” according to a summary released on Tuesday by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.... Read More »
IAEA concludes Austria is committed to nuclear, radiation safety
After a nine-day legal and regulatory review, a team of International Atomic Agency (IAEA) researchers has concluded that Austria is committed to nuclear and radiation safety and made recommendations for improvements. The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) team recommended steps to... Read More »
Ronald Vitiello named ICE deputy director, acting director
Ronald Vitiello has been tapped to serve as the deputy director and acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) effective June 30, replacing retiring ICE Acting Director Tom Homan. In making the announcement, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen noted that... Read More »
Rhode Island delegation backs bill to crack down on “lie-and-buy” gun purchases
Amid reports that federal authorities have been unable to take action against irresponsible gun owners due to vague gun licensing regulations, members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation backed legislation on Monday that aims to enhance accountability. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse... Read More »
University of Wisconsin develops Neighborhood Atlas research tool
A new online tool called the Neighborhood Atlas has been launched to help researchers to view socioeconomic data on communities. The platform, developed at the University of Wisconsin, allows researchers to rank and map neighborhoods according to income, education, employment, housing quality... Read More »
Symposium unites female chemists, encourages chemical science voice
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Canadian government recently joined forces to gather female chemists, during the Symposium on Women in Chemistry in Ottawa, Canada. OPCW officials said the two-day effort involved discussing how the women support each other... Read More »
Up to $25 million in federal grant funding now available for school security
School districts can now apply for resources to enhance coordination with local police, install metal detectors and other protective measures, and provide additional training to prevent student violence through the School Violence Prevention Program. The School Violence Prevention Program’s... Read More »
US-Lebanon Joint Military Commission meets in capital
A meeting of the U.S.-Lebanon Joint Military Commission held in Washington, D.C., last week focused on the partnership between the two nations to secure regional security, to counter terrorism and to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security... Read More »
Federal authorities arrest three dozen darknet vendors, seize millions in cash and drugs
Federal authorities arrested last week more than three dozen darknet vendors across the country, seizing drugs, weapons, and more than $23.6 million in cash and cryptocurrency. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection... Read More »
International Atomic Energy Agency reviews UAE infrastructure for nuclear power
A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) went on an eight-day mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to review its infrastructure to develop a nuclear power program. The UAE is building its first nuclear power plant at the Barakah site in Abu Dhabi. The IAEA’s... Read More »
Defense spending bill includes funding for Arizona military programs
The fiscal year 2019 Defense Appropriations Act, which the House advanced last week, includes increased funding for several Arizona military programs and installations. The package includes $144 million for new A-10 wings which will re-wing between 14-20 planes, Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) said.... Read More »
Curtiss-Wright lands submarine parts contract
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation has secured a $28 million government contract to provide valves for the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. The global innovative company’s role supports ship construction and spare parts procurement, noting the contract includes FY18 orders for two ship sets of... Read More »
House advances Defense Appropriations Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced last week the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019, which marks a roughly 2.5 percent increase over 2018 funding levels. The bill provides $674.6 billion for the Department of Defense, including $606.5 billion in base discretionary funding... Read More »
House E&C subcommittee members advance draft PAHPA bill to combat biological threats
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on June 27 passed the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2018 (PAHPRA), sending it to the full committee along with four other public health bills under consideration. “The mark up of these five important bills... Read More »
New York lawmakers thwart effort to shift 9/11 health program for first responders
Four New York lawmakers led an effort to defeat a proposal to separate the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides treatment services for first responders and survivors with 9/11-related health conditions, from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, according to a June... Read More »
GAO recommends how CBP can help better retain employees
While U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has tripled the number of applications it has received for law enforcement positions in recent years, it has had problems retaining employees. To address this issue, CBP asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office to examine CBP’s efforts to... Read More »
Measures seek to bolster border security efforts
A pair of bills introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) designed to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border security efforts garnered House approval Monday. The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) Authorization Act seeks to establish the OBIM as the primary biometric... Read More »
DARPA Summit to include future electronics investment initiatives
Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) officials are incorporating the organization’s Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) into a three-day gathering designed to galvanize industry professionals. The ERI, introduced in June 2017, is a multi-year, $1.5 billion investment in... Read More »Bipartisan effort urges president to support bans on Chinese telecom companies
Citing significant threats to national security, U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Warner (D-VA) urged the president on Tuesday to reconsider lifting a ban on Chinese telecommunications company ZTE and to support banning government purchases of Huawei equipment. The senators noted in a... Read More »
House approves 10 bills to secure homeland security, identify cyber threats
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved seven bills this week that aim to help the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better identify cyber threats, secure the nation’s borders, shore up transportation security and improve reporting systems for suspicious activity. U.S. Rep.... Read More »
New study shows skills gap exists among cybersecurity professionals
New research from BAE Systems finds a gap between the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals and the number of available positions in corporate America. The BAE study says 50 percent of businesses claim there is a lack of staff with the required security skills and expertise. Further, 40... Read More »
House approves bill aiming to secure industrial control systems against cyberattacks
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be directed to secure information and operational technologies used in critical applications to address vulnerabilities under a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities... Read More »
LA Sheriff’s Department deploys UrgentLink disaster communications network
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office will use Rockwell Collins’ UrgentLink disaster communications network as a backup if primary communication infrastructure fails during natural or man-made disasters. As a beyond-line-of-sight communications system that operates on the high-frequency... Read More »
DHS S&T, new innovators seek to partner smart cities technologies with first responders
Thirteen companies have been selected to take part in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Smart Cities Internet of Things Innovation (SCITI) Labs program, which aims to enhance first responder situational and building security. DHS S&T issued a... Read More »
Congress approves bill to establish firefighter cancer registry
A national registry would be created to collect data on the prevalence of cancer in firefighters to better understand how smoke inhalation and other occupational hazards contribute under a bill that cleared Congress on Friday. The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, H.R. 931 would require... Read More »