News
New joint task force collaborates on rapid development of diagnostic tests for emergencies
Recognizing the potential for public health emergencies to be exacerbated by lack of cooperation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have created a joint task force to make... Read More »
Bill enhances universal flu vaccine investment
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) recently reintroduced a measure designed to bolster the financial support for a universal influenza vaccine protecting against multiple strains and offering longer protection. The Flu Vaccine Act targets a total investment of $1 billion,... Read More »Judge sentences man to more than 15 years in jail for providing support to ISIS
Amer Sinan Alhaggagi was recently sentenced to 188 months in jail for providing support to ISIS and identity theft charges. “Alhaggagi wanted to carry out deadly terrorist attacks in the United States in the name of ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General John Demers said. ... Read More »
DHS extends deadline for submitting first-responder technologies
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has extended the deadline for submitting first-responder technologies for assessment in the Next Generation First Responder – Birmingham Shaken Fury Operational Experimentation (OpEx). The original deadline was... Read More »
Chairman of House Homeland Security Committee prioritizes oversight of domestic terrorism
Federal lawmakers are focused on deterring domestic terrorism, which now ranks alongside — or possibly even eclipses — the prevention of global extremist threats against the nation, said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. “What’s on our minds a lot now is... Read More »
Rep. Collins introduces Mass Violence Prevention Act
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) has introduced the Mass Violence Prevention (MVP) Act, which is designed to prevent firearm violence by improving response to threats and reducing illegal firearm street sales. “It’s cruel to advance legislation that ignores the factors contributing to gun violence... Read More »
TSA fast-tracks hiring for Boston Logan International Airport
A total of 50 full-time and part-time positions with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will see applicants fast-tracked during a one-day event at the Boston Logan International Airport in March. The move, undertaken in advance of increased travel generally seen during the summer... Read More »
House bill seeks to use billions forfeited by El Chapo for border security
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow assets seized from Mexican drug lords, including Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, to be used to secure the southern border. The Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (EL CHAPO) Act would set... Read More »
RGNext signs contract to operate missile test site
RGNext recently signed a $502-million, 10-year contract to operate the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which tests missiles on islands in the 750,000-square-mile Pacific Ocean range. The company will maintain systems such as radar, telemetry and optical sensors on... Read More »
Senators urge DOE, DHS to ban inverters made by Huawei
A bipartisan group of senators recently sent a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen urging them to ban the use of inverters made by the Chinese-owned company, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, citing cybersecurity concerns. “Huawei has recently... Read More »
CBP intercepts $19 million cocaine shipment
Savannah, Georgia-based Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers recently thwarted a narcotics smuggling effort resulting in the seizure of cocaine valued at $19 million. Officers working at the Savannah seaport last November encountered a Cartagena,... Read More »
DHS secretary working on plan for humanitarian crisis
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen met Feb. 20 with Northern Triangle security ministers in El Salvador to discuss the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis caused by the formation of migrant caravans and irregular migration. During the meeting, the officials agreed to a plan... Read More »
DoD funds target manufacturing’s digital future
The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) has secured a $10 million Department of Defense (DoD) award to lead the digital future of manufacturing. Officials said the agreement includes an option of $20 million more over the upcoming five years and is part of a new... Read More »
CEPI awards $31 million Nipah vaccine contract to Univ. of Tokyo
A vaccine contract potentially worth as much as $31 million was recently awarded to the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to counteract the bat-borne Nipah virus. Nipah is a highly virulent disease, with a fatality rate that, according... Read More »
Automated robotic demilitarization system touted
Sandia National Laboratories officials are espousing the benefits of an automated robotic system that has resulted in 700,000 Multiple Launch Rocket System submunitions being demilitarized. The automated system, considered the most complex, automated robotic demilitarization system Sandia has... Read More »BAE wins $74 million Army contract
The U.S. Army recently awarded BAE Systems a $74.7 million contract to design, construct and commission the Recrystallization and Slurry Coating Formulation facility at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) in Tennessee. BAE Systems has been the plant’s operating contractor since... Read More »Worsening crisis in Venezuela threatens disease surge
As the political situation in Venezuela deteriorates and a humanitarian crisis blooms, health experts warn that epidemics could push beyond the nation’s borders and potentially bring a hemisphere-wide health emergency. Such were the conclusions of a review published in a recent edition of The... Read More »Researchers update guidance for first responders on treating chemical exposure
Researchers have developed a new tool and updated guidance to help first responders and emergency managers determine how best to decontaminate a massive number of people after chemical exposure. The updated guidance on chemical decontamination, called Primary Response Incident Scene Management... Read More »
Services discuss bilateral training opportunities
Leaders representing the General Royal Marines and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command recently met to discuss future bilateral training opportunities. Commandant General Royal Marines Maj. Gen. Charlie R. Stickland and Commanding General of MARFORCOM Lt. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis said the meeting... Read More »
Sen. Markey expresses support for continued nuclear agreement oversight
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) is lending full support to the Committee on Oversight and Reform’s effort to continue oversight of the U.S. / Saudi Arabia civil nuclear cooperation agreement. Committee officials recently released a report calling for increased Congressional direction in the... Read More »
Sen. Kaine investigating Trump plan to raid DoD construction budget for border wall funds
With President Donald Trump’s stated intention to use an emergency declaration to shift funds from other projects for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) has written the Acting Secretary of Defense demanding a list of projects put at risk by the effort. A number of military... Read More »
Cyber Innovation Lab hosts grand opening
The Cyber Innovation Lab on the University of Central Florida campus held its grand opening last week. The lab, a collaboration between the university and Lockheed Martin, will address the need for cybersecurity experts. By 2026, security analyst positions will increase 28... Read More »
DHS advocates a community-led approach to terrorism prevention
The U.S. government has changed course in terrorism prevention efforts since Sept. 11, 2001, relying more on community networks at the local level rather than a top-down approach from federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. That was part of the message delivered... Read More »
Lawmakers tout Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act
Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) recently praised the benefits of the Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act, which they said is designed to ensure federal firefighters equal access to retirement benefits. The measure would balance federal firefighter retirement benefit... Read More »
Air Force links preparedness, training initiatives
Air Force officials are touting the benefits of rigorous training as a means of yielding the branch's desired preparedness and force lethality results. Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew P. Donovan recently visited Sheppard AFB to learn more about the manner in which the Air Force’s... Read More »
IDSA, HIV Medicine Association laud Congressional passage of 2019 spending bill for increased health funding
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association praised last week the 2019 spending bill recently passed by the House and Senate, stating that it offers positive forward steps in combatting infectious diseases globally. The 2019 spending bill includes an... Read More »
Border agents seize 221 pounds of cocaine
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in collaboration with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations seized 221.7 pounds of cocaine last month. The narcotic was concealed in produce cargo vessels arriving to Port... Read More »
Republican senators urge Trump to fully fund F-35 fighter jet
A group of Republican senators recently urged President Donald Trump to fully fund the F-35 fighter jet as opposed to investing in F-15X. “We are extremely concerned that, over the last few years, the DoD (Department of Defense) has underfunded the F-35 Program and relied on Congress to fund... Read More »
Potential bioterrorist use of smallpox should put world on notice, experts say
Smallpox, although eradicated, has joined the growing list of potential biosecurity threats, according to experts, who say preparedness for the possible return of the virus should be prioritized around the world. Smallpox, a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease, was eradicated... Read More »
Report examines future terrorism prevention efforts
Assistant Secretary for Threat Prevention and Security Elizabeth Neumann recently released report findings examining past terrorism prevention efforts and future measures. The analysis stems from the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), which is operated for the Department of... Read More »
Kansas State University study shows African swine fever spreading through feed
As an African swine fever outbreak has moved rapidly through China and threatens to spread through new European countries, a Kansas State University researcher has studied possible routes for disease transmission and introduction, including primarily through shared feed. Megan Niederwerder, a... Read More »
New DARPA program would create real-time responsive AI
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence, with a new program designed to make them more effective partners with human operators. The program is called Science of Artificial Intelligence and Learning for Open-world... Read More »
House bill would create Cyber Incident Response Teams at DHS
A bill was released in the U.S. House of Representatives that would codify the creation of Cyber Incident Response Teams within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These cyber response teams would protect the nation’s information technology networks and critical infrastructure and... Read More »
Legislators urge application of full travel safety law
Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) are imploring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enforce their travel safety law, which they maintain is not currently being applied as required. The Saracini Aviation Act requires the installation of a secondary cockpit barrier between the... Read More »