News
Sen. Rubio seeks foreign terrorist, criminal organization designations
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) forwarded correspondence last week to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin seeking specific Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) designations. In his letter, Rubio, chairman of the... Read More »
Defense industry companies initiate cybersecurity task force
As a means of protecting controlled unclassified information throughout the supply chain, Defense Industrial Base Sector Coordinating Council (DIB SCC) officials have established a Supply Chain Cybersecurity Industry Task Force. Founding members of Task Force are BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed... Read More »
G7 ministers call for increased law enforcement cooperation with INTERPOL
INTERPOL took center stage in recent discussions between G7 Interior Ministers, who determined that increased cooperation and data sharing with the international police organization is critical to increased law enforcement efforts throughout the world. “INTERPOL has the experience and the... Read More »
TSA launches public awareness campaign about new ID requirements
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently launched a public awareness campaign to educate travelers on the agency’s new identification requirements. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, anyone who flies will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, or another... Read More »
Rep. Burgess reintroduces bill to reduce aid for Central American nations
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), reintroduced legislation last week that would reduce foreign aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras by $30,000 for each of its unaccompanied alien children placed in U.S. federal custody. The Unaccompanied Alien Children Assistance Control Act is designed to... Read More »Vaccine research targets African Swine Fever
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said they are expediting efforts to develop an African Swine Fever vaccine and diagnostic initiatives. African Swine Fever is a viral disease capable of wreaking havoc in a pig’s body, causing... Read More »
FDA, CBP bolster safety, health protections
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel have reached an agreement designed to bolster public health and safety protection efforts. The collaboration would maximize inspection and detection capabilities as a means of preventing illegal and... Read More »
Universal influenza vaccine candidate reaches human trials
A new, investigational and universal influenza vaccine candidate reached an important milestone this week, beginning its first human trial under the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). That test will examine its safety and tolerability, along with its ability to do... Read More »
GAO issues recommendations for dealing with radioactive materials
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued three recommendations for the director of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in regards to determining security measures for radioactive material. The GAO is required to review NRC's security requirements for high-risk... Read More »
Senate bill would prevent war with Iran without Congressional approval
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that would prohibit the United States from expending funds which could lead to war with Iran without express approval from Congress. The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 underscores that Article 1, Section 8 of the... Read More »
GAO recommends nine actions to improve TSA security, screening
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is constantly working to identify screening issues, but while covert tests have improved, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) attests that operations could be bettered, especially since one new process used by TSA is not working... Read More »
Bill seeks to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers
Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently introduced a measure designed to enhance the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to reflect the daily work of 9-1-1 dispatchers. The Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act, also known as the 9-1-1 SAVES Act,... Read More »
CALS training initiative deemed successful
Applied science and technology development company Battelle has deemed the recent three-week testing of its Common Analytical Laboratory System (CALS) with users a success. CALS, described as three variants of mobile laboratories providing on-site analytical capabilities to any incident... Read More »
Five-year, international project to target viruses through antibody therapies
A new, $22 million grant-driven project will lead an international consortium of scientists to develop antibody-based means of combating Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Andes virus (ANDV), Sin Nombre virus (SNV) and the Puumula virus (PUUV) over the next five years. The effort,... Read More »
Joint Strike Fighter Caucus urges support for stealth aircraft program
The House Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus recently sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Armed Service Committee and the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee urging them to support the F-35 Lightning II program. The F-35 is a stealth military aircraft.... Read More »
Sen. Rounds expresses support for Singh’s Law
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) spoke out about his support of a bill that would bar aliens associated with a criminal gang and convicted of a crime from entering the United States. Singh’s Law was introduced earlier this year by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security touts new 3-D crime scene tool
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is joining Israeli Police in espousing the benefits of a new 3-D crime scene investigation tool. Officials said 3D-Hawk can turn a crash or crime scene into an interactive 3D model within minutes, based... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Menendez question US-Saudi nuclear cooperation
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) forwarded correspondence Tuesday to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry seeking clarity regarding the nation's nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia. In the letter, Rubio and Menendez expressed concern and sought clarification about the... Read More »
DARPA seeking proposals for OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking proposals for the fourth swarm sprint in its OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program. “With OFFSET, we are expanding the tactics available to warfighters, leveraging advances in autonomous systems to address complex... Read More »
International studies suggest combining data could improve malaria tracking
A pair of studies conducted by scientists from the United States, United Kingdom, Thailand, Bangladesh, Namibia and Norway suggest that combining data of parasite genetics and human movement could improve efforts at tracking and fighting malaria transmission. "Countries and regional blocs are... Read More »
Nonimmigrant visa applications decreased in 2017
The number of nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications issue by U.S. State Department consular officers decreased in fiscal year 2017 to 880,000 after increasing annually from fiscal years 2012 through 2016, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. Applications... Read More »
Sens. Cotton, Jones introduce bill to create scholarship program for pilots
U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced a bill to create pilot scholarship programs for qualified members of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). The Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited (CAVU) Act is named after the renowned pilots' acronym to describe ideal... Read More »
Raytheon, Lockheed Martin partnership to aid radar system upgrades
Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation officials said the firms are partnering to pursue a contract focusing on consolidating and modernizing the nation's surveillance and air traffic control radars. The effort involves the Spectrum Efficient National Surveillance Radar (SENSR)... Read More »
DOD, Republic of Korea officials meet
Department of Defense (DOD) and Republic of Korea (ROK) officials met recently to discuss efforts supporting denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and ROK Minister of National Defense Jeong Keyong-doo said the session was on the heels... Read More »
Philippine, US, and Australian forces join for 35th Balikatan training exercise
A training exercise known as Balikatan is underway in the Philippines this week, assembling forces from the Philippines, United States and Australia to address a multi-faceted range of operations. Balikatan, which marks the partnership between the Philippines and United States specifically, is... Read More »
START names new executive director
The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) recently named Amy Pate as its new executive director. Pate is a political scientist with a doctorate in government and politics specializing in international relations and comparative politics. She will... Read More »
Rep. Fitzpatrick named to Helsinki Commission
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or the Helsinki Commission. The Helsinki Commission, founded in 1976, was created to advance democracy and human rights through military, economic, and environmental... Read More »
FDA’s final rule ensures safer, better tests to detect anthrax-causing bacteria
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday issued a final rule that restricts both the use and distribution of Bacillus bacteria detection devices, which are prescribed to preliminarily identify and diagnose cases of anthrax and other infectious diseases. “The FDA plays a critical... Read More »
Smiths Detection wins $96.8M computed tomography contract from TSA
A $96.8 million computed tomography (CT) systems contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was awarded last week to Smiths Detection, Inc. The contract will cover the next five years, over which 300 CT systems and their affiliated equipment will be deployed at various... Read More »
FirstNet bolsters Mississippi ambulance coverage
A Mississippi-based ambulance company is espousing the benefits of partnering with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to enhance communication and coverage. AAA Ambulance Service in Hattiesburg, Miss., subscribed to FirstNet to aid in connecting its 24-hour emergency and... Read More »
Training exercise aids disaster preparedness
Marine Corps Logistics Base personnel in Barstow, Calif., recently conducted a training exercise designed to enhance both man-made and natural emergency preparedness. The Exercise Haber Rail effort involved a simulated rail tanker car carrying thousands of cubic feet of chlorine gas... Read More »
AMO drug bust yields more than three tons of marijuana off Central American coast
A mission by agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) seized more than three tons of drugs from a vessel off the coast of Central America last week. The drugs, estimated to be worth $17 million, were plucked from a moderately-sized, open-bed fishing... Read More »
Tennessee residents affected by 2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire asked to participate in survey
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is asking Sevier County, Tenn., residents who were affected by the November 2016 Chimney Tops 2 Fire to participate in a survey. The goal of the survey is to identify the factors that influenced people to... Read More »
Republican senators urge budget committee leaders to support defense funding request
A group of Republican U.S. senators sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Budget Committee expressing their support for the $750 billion defense request in President Donald Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget. The senators – including Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Marsha... Read More »