News
Researchers hoping to bring Internet of Things to first-responder technology
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are researching Internet of Things (IoT) as it relates to emergency communications for first responders. S&T is testing a multicomponent communications system... Read More »
Proposed Air Force budget includes $10B boost
The U.S. Air Force will see a $10 billion budget increase in fiscal year 2020 under the White House spending plan unveiled this week. With the proposed increase, the Air Force’s budget would rise to $165 billion in fiscal year 2020, which begins Oct. 1, 2019. It includes funding for new... Read More »
Lawmakers seek Venezuelan TPS designation
Citing ongoing violence, deteriorating security, and humanitarian crisis circumstances, a group of lawmakers recently requested that the Trump Administration designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Dick Durbin... Read More »
NATO launches Innovation Challenge
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) officials recently launched this year's initial Innovation Challenge, which organizers said seeks to find ways for NATO to respond to security challenges and crises. NATO officials said they are seeking solutions from entrepreneurs, designers,... Read More »
INTERPOL, UNCCT train regional investigators to combat terrorist internet exploitation
INTERPOL and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) held a three-day workshop last month for law enforcement from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, meant to train them on means of countering internet and social media use by terrorists. In all, 15 participants... Read More »
Senators ask officials to review Trump Administration’s compliance with security clearance protocols
Several U.S. senators are asking federal security officials to review the Trump Administration’s compliance with security clearance policies and procedures. This request comes following reports that President Donald Trump ignored objections from White House Counsel Donald McGahn and Chief... Read More »
North Carolina lawmakers seek funding to combat gangs, violent crime
As a means of targeting gangs and violent crime, a pair of North Carolina lawmakers are advocating additional funding for the Middle District of the state's U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) recently forwarded correspondence to Jim Crowell, director of... Read More »
CBP intercepts alleged cocaine smuggling effort
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers in Laredo, Texas, recently intercepted an alleged cocaine smuggling effort yielding a $109,000 forfeiture. The March 5 seizure at the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge stemmed from a CBP officer referring a... Read More »
CDC forecasting challenge yields collective improvements to flu predictions
An influenza season forecasting challenge issued annually by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown the value of cooperation among international researchers working to forecast influenza outbreaks. The influenza season forecasting challenge is one issued annually by... Read More »
Secretary of the Air Force announces resignation
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson announced Friday her resignation, which will go into effect in May. As secretary, Wilson oversees the welfare, organizing, training and equipping of active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian employees and their families. Wilson also oversees the... Read More »
Bill to thwart violent extremism introduced in Senate
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill to support the U.S. government’s efforts to reduce violent extremism and address global fragility. The Global Fragility Act requires the Secretary of State, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the... Read More »
Bill targets Russian influence, promotes European security
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to combat Russian influence while creating economic opportunities at home and abroad. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) said the European... Read More »
Measure expedites CBP hiring process
Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) recently introduced the Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act, which she said is designed to quicken the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hiring process. McSally said the bill eliminates the polygraph test, which officials said is a requirement in the CBP hiring... Read More »
New computer-designed vaccine could neutralize RSV
A new vaccine candidate for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been designed from nanoparticles, and its efficacy against the illness in mice and monkeys has opened the path to human trials. RSV is respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, and has a relatively... Read More »
DARPA seeking technology capable of making subterranean maps
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative technologies and methodologies to map and survey subterranean environments for its Subterranean Challenge. Most underground environments are either uncharted or inadequately mapped. The technologies could improve... Read More »
House committee approves bill to fight human trafficking
A bill designed to help law enforcement and financial institutions identify and report suspected human traffickers was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. The End Banking for Human Traffickers Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bill Keating (D-MA),... Read More »
Bill seeks to repeal 1991, 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force against Iraq
Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced Wednesday a measure designed to repeal a pair of Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq and end Gulf and Iraq war authorizations. Specifically, the legislation will repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. “There is no... Read More »
Chicago CBP sets new seizure record
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agency's Chicago Field Office (CFO) set a record number of seizures during fiscal year 2018. CBP authorities said in fiscal year 2018, the CFO intercepted more than 24,000 packages of narcotics while weighing more than 30,000 pounds in mail... Read More »
GAO finds gaps in Defense Department’s efforts to create a dedicated Cyber Mission Force
Gaps have emerged in the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) efforts to create and maintain a cyber operation, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which has released a series of recommendations on the topic. The DOD Cyber Mission Force (CMF) is dedicated to defending U.S.... Read More »
House hosts roundtable on Valley Fever
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), co-chairman of the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, held a Valley Fever roundtable on Wednesday, hosting scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), doctors, patient... Read More »
Israel-US partnership seeks proposals for homeland security related technologies
The Israel – U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation is seeking proposals for advanced technologies related to homeland security. The BIRD Foundation is seeking proposals in six areas: Advanced first responder technologies; Border protection, including... Read More »
Cell site bolsters Baltimore public safety
Baltimore County personnel are espousing the benefits of a new, purpose-built cell site designed to deliver increased coverage and capacity to first responders across the state. Officials said public safety communications is receiving a critical upgrade with the cell site launch of a new,... Read More »
Oklahoma earns emergency preparedness, implementation marks
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) readiness review site visit of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has resulted in the agency receiving stellar reviews. The CDC assessment determined the OSDH ranks in the top 14 percent of all medical countermeasure supply... Read More »
Oxford-led researchers use statistical mapping to predict mosquito spread
An international team of researchers have statistically predicted where mosquitoes will spread through the use of 35 years of data and 17 climate change models. That spread data includes everything from short to long-term timeframes and, the scientists note, is precise within 5x5 kilometers.... Read More »BARDA awards $10M contract to Public Health Vaccines LLC for Marburg vaccine
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently announced a new, $10 million partnership with Public Health Vaccines LLC to study potential vaccine treatments for the Marburg virus. Through the Biomedical Advanced research and Development Authority (BARDA), the DHHS will work... Read More »Software a potential solution for air cargo screening issues
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have collaborated to develop the Opacity and Complexity Analysis Software Tool (OCAST). OCAST will be used to assist X-ray operators in determining possible... Read More »
House advances bill to expand background checks for gun purchases
The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bill last week that would expand federal background checks for gun purchases and transfers. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 was approved by a vote of 240-190 with only 8 Republicans supporting it. It now moves to the Senate for action.... Read More »
Lockheed Martin MAPS-enabled systems test lauded
Lockheed Martin and industry partners are touting the results of a recent Army Modular Active Protection Systems (MAPS)-enabled systems test demonstrating the effectiveness of the active protection system. The effort supported the Army’s integration of three countermeasures and a cueing... Read More »
Lawmakers tout benefits of Singh’s Law
A group of lawmakers recently introduced Singh’s Law, a measure designed to prevent known gang members and those convicted of dangerous crimes from entering the country. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA)... Read More »
Texas Biomed researchers developing spray-delivered TB vaccine
Scientists from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute are developing a new approach to tuberculosis (TB) protection -- one that provides a better, safer defense and is deliverable by spray instead of shot. These represent major changes to the vaccine, but the scientists are seeking to... Read More »
CBP encourages Spring Break travelers to plan ahead, enroll in programs
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ports of entry in Arizona are urging travelers to prepare for the upcoming Spring Break by enrolling in trusted traveler programs and using Ready Lanes. Non-immigrant visa, passport holders are urged to apply for tourist permits online. To use... Read More »
Battelle sends representatives to Congo to help first responders combat Ebola outbreak
Battelle, an applied science and technology nonprofit company, recently sent two employees to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to provide training to local healthcare officials in dealing with the Ebola Virus. Ebola remains a significant health issue in Africa. The nation is currently... Read More »
Legislation offers cyber enhancements
A group of legislators introduced last week a measure designed to bolster greater cyber transparency, security, and data privacy initiatives. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) said the Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2019... Read More »
Air Force restructures cyber domain elements
Air Force officials said cyber domain restructuring efforts will aid in achieving the overarching goal of streamlining oversight, policy, and guidance. The branch is merging its headquarters staffs to integrate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with cyber effects operations. The... Read More »