News
CBP’s Simplified Arrival debuts at LAX
Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Simplified Arrival initiative recently debuted at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with officials touting the endeavor's varied benefits. In partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the inaugural implementation is an enhanced international... Read More »
New Mexico Congressional delegate presses feds for stockpiled PPE transparency
New Mexico is one of many areas throughout the United States currently facing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, and in response, the New Mexico Congressional delegation called on federal agencies this week to provide a full accounting of the state’s share of stockpiled PPE. Federal Emergency... Read More »
University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University to study AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine candidate
In a phase three clinical trial, University Hospitals (UH) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) will study AstraZeneca’s vaccine candidate -- AZD1222 -- for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Approximately 80 clinical investigation sites across the country will enroll up to... Read More »
Data shows overdose deaths in Rhode Island up sharply
Data compiled by the Rhode Island Department of Health’s (RIDOH) Office of the State Medical Examiners show the state saw a sharp increase in the number of accidental drug overdose deaths in the first seven months of 2020. Between January and July 2020, the state tallied 233 accidental drug... Read More »
Washington, Oregon, and Nevada join California in effort to review COVID-19 vaccine safety
The states of Washington, Oregon, and Nevada have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. “California has led with science and data through the COVID... Read More »
Sanofi, GSK sign agreement to make vaccine candidate available to COVAX
Sanofi and GSK have signed an agreement with Gavi, the legal administrator of the COVAX Facility, to make available 200 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, if approved by regulators, to the COVAX Facility. “To address a global health crisis of this magnitude, it takes unique partnerships.... Read More »
HHS, DoD purchase 300,000 doses of COVID-19 therapeutic from Eli Lilly
Over the next two months, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) will provide $375 million to Eli Lilly and Company in exchange for 300,000 doses of its investigational COVID-19 therapeutic, LY-CoV555. These will be the first doses of the drug available. If... Read More »
BARDA requests abstract submissions for development of repurposed therapeutics
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) began this month soliciting support for repurposing therapeutics into medical countermeasures against chemical threats. The organization is now accepting abstract submissions for potential funding through its Division of... Read More »
Rule targets American worker protections
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are espousing the benefits of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) designed to protect American workers while also strengthening the economy. The revision would prioritize the selection of H-1B registrations based on corresponding wage levels to... Read More »
Air Force, Lockheed advance airlifters assessment
Lockheed Martin has secured a $25 million contract from the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) Office to assess airlifters potential to deliver large volumes of air-launched weapons. The initiative would involve the next phase of the Palletized Munitions... Read More »
GAO offers recommendations on DHS efforts to improve workforce
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) three recommendations regarding the department's efforts to improve workforce planning and monitoring. The GAO analysis stemmed from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within DHS increasing its... Read More »
Lawmakers seek information on DoD’s role in Operation Warp Speed
A group of lawmakers is requesting the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to conduct a hearing regarding the Department of Defense's (DOD) role in Operation Warp Speed (OWS). Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the SASC), forwarded correspondence to SASC... Read More »
Republican Congressmen introduce bill to reinforce border, transportation and cybersecurity
With the introduction of the Commitment to American Security Act (H.R. 13), U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) seek to bolster technology and manpower for security operations across various federal government aspects. “This bill will secure our southern border, strengthen... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine efficacy should be based on standardized methods, Oxford scientists say
A collaborative paper from researchers at the University of Oxford, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal this week, argued that meaningful comparison between potential COVID-19 vaccines will need standardized methods and ongoing studies to determine efficacy. The authors of the... Read More »
Sens. Van Hollen, Young urge Trump to extend New START arms agreement with Russia
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN) are urging the Trump Administration to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The senators said it's vital to preserve the New START agreement for national security and nuclear stability with Russia.... Read More »
Rep. Katko introduces bill to restore axed DHS program to assess impact of pandemics on critical infrastructure
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation to restore a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program designed to assess a pandemic's potential implications on critical infrastructure. The bipartisan Analyzing Disaster Vulnerabilities and Applicable National Capabilities for... Read More »
Congressional lawmakers urge leadership top develop pandemic policy plans
A group of Congressional lawmakers recently urged House and Senate leadership to develop policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In a letter signed by 134 senators and members of the House, the lawmakers pointed out that the United States leads the world with more... Read More »
Michigan system tracks opioid overdoses in real time, shows rise after COVID-19 arrival
A Michigan system that tracks suspected opioid deaths and naloxone use by first responders gives a better picture of how opioid overdoses rose after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The real-time tracking system developed by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center (IPC), in... Read More »
NTI touts ratification of Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) said the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has been ratified by 50 nations and will enter into force early next year. The initiative serves as a call to action, accelerating progression to a world without nuclear weapons. NTI CEO Ernest J.... Read More »
NIST initiates efforts to strengthen technological resilience
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has crafted Cybersecurity Framework guidelines addressing positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data - to strengthen critical infrastructure. The new guidelines are designed to help mitigate cybersecurity risks endangering systems... Read More »
University of Maryland research shows diversity in hate crime offenders’ backgrounds, motivations
New research from the University University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) found tremendous diversity in hate crime offenders' backgrounds and motivations. Researchers determined that these criminals are a diverse group, varying... Read More »
McGill University researchers create real-time, online COVID-19 vaccine development tracker
Researchers from McGill University are tracking the global race for a COVID-19 vaccine with a new online tool that tracks real-time progress on the development of the more than 50 candidates currently in human trials. "Our goal with the vaccine tracker is to help the public find and access... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine chiefs eye January launch
Leaders of the effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine said Tuesday more than 60,000 Americans have volunteered to participate in clinical trials at six different pharma companies with the goal to begin distributing a vaccine by January. Operation Warp Speed, created by the Trump administration... Read More »
DARPA conducts sensor testing in Indianapolis
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) SIGMA+ program conducted a test of advanced chemical and biological sensing systems in the Indianapolis area this past August. DARPA collected more than 250 hours of daily life background atmospheric data in the city that helped train... Read More »
US-Mexico law enforcement arrest two for lasing an aircraft near border
Law enforcement authorities in the United States and Mexico are seeking to identify individuals lasing aircraft along the U.S.-Mexico border from Del Rio, Texas/Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila to Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras. During multiple evening operations earlier in October, aircraft operated by the... Read More »
Rep. McKinley: Congress must continue to combat opioid crisis
On the second anniversary of the passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Community Act, U.S. Representative David B. McKinley (R-WV) urged fellow legislators not to overlook the opioid crisis facing the country during the Covid-19 epidemic. On Friday, McKinley said that Congress must continue... Read More »
States laying deployment plans of 100 million federally distributed COVID-19 tests
A month after the federal government announced it would provide 150 million Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests throughout the United States, states have begun detailing how they, in turn, will utilize those tests for maximum effect. For most of the 32 states and the District of Columbia, which have... Read More »
USAID offers $20M in aid to CEPI for infectious diseases vaccine development
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) gained a $20 million investment from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) last week to support the development of vaccines targeting emerging infectious diseases. These funds will be provided over a five year period,... Read More »
Sens. Markey, Merkley introduce SAUDI WMD Act
U.S. Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation that seeks to restore oversight of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear capabilities and impede access to technologies that could pave the way to Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear weapon. The Stopping Activities Underpinning... Read More »
Florida Reps. Murphy, Waltz request more information on Russia and Iran hacking
U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) are seeking a briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director of National Intelligence, and the Attorney General on Russian and Iranian interference in the 2020 election. The request follows an announcement last week by FBI... Read More »
National Guard wildfire readiness assessment sought
A group of lawmakers is seeking the National Guard’s assessment of wildfire readiness as a means of aiding states in preparing, fighting, and recovering from such occurrences. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recently joined... Read More »
CBP opens New York processing facility
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and General Services Administration (GSA) personnel are touting the opening of a new commercial land crossing facility at the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry. “This new facility truly fits the needs of the current times as the United States continues to stand... Read More »
Roche backs Atea Pharmaceuticals’ oral antiviral for COVID-19
Roche and Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are now collaborating on the development, manufacture, and distribution of AT-527, an Atea-created investigational oral antiviral for use on COVID-19. The drug, which is currently in phase two clinical trials for hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19,... Read More »
Remdesivir approved as first official COVID-19 treatment for hospitalized patients
While the pursuit of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 is ongoing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a major milestone last week with the approval of the first treatment for the deadly disease: Gilead Sciences Inc.’s Veklury, also known as remdesivir. The approval is... Read More »