News
Customs and Border Protection seize $600k of meth, arrest imposter at Hidalgo Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo Port of Entry recently seized alleged methamphetamine valued at approximately $600,000 and arrested a man from El Salvador attempting entry posing as a U.S. citizen in separate, unrelated incidents. ... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative to expand focus on global biosecurity risks with new grant
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) recently received a $6 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project that will help strengthen its efforts to mitigate global biological threats that have increased as the world has become more interconnected. According to Dr. Elizabeth Cameron, NTI’s... Read More »
Homeland Security’s S&T unites with Israeli partners on numerous projects
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced this week that it will be working bilaterally with Israeli counterparts through five separate divisions on projects meant to aid public security. While the United States and Israel began annual bilateral... Read More »
Ohio man sentenced to 22 years for training with terrorist group in Syria, plotting US attacks
An Ohio man who traveled to Syria to train and fight with a known terrorist organization was sentenced to 22 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision on Tuesday in a U.S. federal court. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, 26, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to... Read More »
House approves bill to strengthen US cybersecurity diplomacy
The House of Representatives approved a bill on Tuesday that would clarify and codify State Department roles in advancing U.S. cybersecurity interests and require regular reports to Congress. The Cyber Diplomacy Act, H.R. 3776, would require State Department briefings on cyberspace policy... Read More »
Homeland Security Department issues waiver to expedite border construction project in Mexico
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday that it has issued a waiver to expedite the construction of barriers and roads near the international border near the Santa Teresa, New Mexico port of entry. The waiver covers a variety of environmental, natural resources and land... Read More »
Senate committee probes ongoing efforts to shore up surface transportation security
A congressional panel probed ongoing efforts to secure the nation’s transportation networks Tuesday in response to the rise of terrorist attacks around the world targeting rail, mass transit, and highways. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation... Read More »
House representatives question what DHS is doing about defunct election integrity commission
Democrats on the Congressional Task Force for Election Security are seeking answers from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristjen Nielsen regarding its responsibilities related to the now-defunct Presidential Commission on Election Integrity. The commission was established to... Read More »
PAHPA hearing witnesses question U.S. government’s preparedness, response commitment
Decreased and episodic funding from the United States government has stakeholders questioning the true commitment federal lawmakers have for sustaining the nation’s preparedness and response capabilities during a catastrophic event linked to infectious diseases, natural disasters or chemical,... Read More »
NetMotion sees growth in deployment of software to first responders
A Seattle-based software company that keeps police officers, firemen and other first responders connected to essential information while they’re working in the field has strengthened its hold on the public safety market. NetMotion Software Inc. has distributed its security, performance and... Read More »
Researchers develop long-acting malaria prevention drug
A long-acting therapy to prevent malaria could supplant the current daily oral dosing regimen that is susceptible to non-adherence, researchers at the University of Liverpool and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found. Researchers set out to manipulate the molecular makeup... Read More »
Brazilian authorities launch vaccination effort to prevent widespread yellow fever outbreak
With 35 confirmed cases of yellow fever and 20 deaths reported in Brazil from July 1, 2017, through Jan. 14, public health officials have launched an intensive vaccination campaign in an effort to head-off a widespread outbreak. Yellow fever cases have been confirmed in São Paulo, Rio de... Read More »
Sandia National Laboratories developing impact simulations to further understanding of battlefield blast injuries
Sandia National Laboratories announced Tuesday that a recent program to develop computer modeling and simulation methods for how blasts on the battlefield cause injury could help improve designs for helmets and body armor. The project focuses on improving understanding of how impacts from... Read More »
Nuclear Security Workshop in Oslo focuses on forensics, cybersecurity
Nuclear security experts from Scandinavia and the United States took part in a workshop hosted in Oslo last week that focused on leveraging international cooperation to enhance nuclear security and nuclear forensics. Page Stoutland, vice president of scientific and technical affairs at the... Read More »
Synthetic horsepox immunization shows promise in tests to counter smallpox
Mice immunized by a synthetic horsepox virus show promise in the development of an alternative smallpox vaccine, outside the boundaries of existing--often troublesome--vaccinia virus use. In a study published in the Open Access journal PLOS ONE, researchers from the University of Alberta,... Read More »Baltimore CBP seizes nearly 3,000 counterfeit stainless steel sinks
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Baltimore recently seized 2,990 stainless steel sinks for displaying a counterfeit UPC shield design that, if authentic, would have a suggested retail price of approximately $1.1 million. The shipment of sinks arrived in Baltimore from... Read More »
Missile warning satellite successfully launches, establishes communication
The U.S. Air Force's 460th Space Wing recently established communication with the fourth Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite following its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. United Launch Alliance launched an Atlas V rocket carrying... Read More »
CBP officers find 7 pounds of heroin in airport traveler’s luggage
A passenger arriving at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport from Amsterdam last month was detained after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents discovered more than 7 pounds of heroin hidden in a piece of luggage. The traveler, a 56-year-old Canadian citizen, was selected for... Read More »
DHS begins enforcement of REAL ID requirements for state-issued driver’s licenses, identification cards
All 50 states and all but one U.S. territories are on schedule to meet “REAL ID” requirements for driver’s licenses and identification cards to prevent fraud by terrorists and other perpetrators, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week. DHS began to enforce... Read More »
Social Media leaders testify about efforts to curb terrorist recruiting, propaganda online
Leaders of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube recently appeared before a Senate panel to highlight efforts to curb terrorist recruitment, to ban users with extremist ideology, and to remove “how-to manuals” and other terrorism-related content. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation... Read More »
Florida delegation seeks DOD input to prevent military impact from potential coastal drilling
Every member of the Florida congressional delegation signed a letter spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) seeking Defense Department (DOD) Secretary Jim Mattis’ support in making sure that a recent Department of Interior proposal does not impair military... Read More »
Reps. Roskam, Cheney introduce Iran Freedom Policy and Sanctions Act
U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY) led a group of 20 other Republicans in introducing the Iran Freedom Policy and Sanctions Act (H.R. 4821). H.R. 4821 aims to increase pressure on Iran for human rights abuses, support for terrorism and ballistic missile program. It would also... Read More »
DOD Research and Engineering Nominee pledges to advance directed energy weapons program
The directed energy weapons program, meant to upgrade the military with high energy laser and high powered microwave weapons technology, has received a commitment of support from a nominee within the Department of Defense. Michael Griffin, nominated for Under Secretary of Defense for Research... Read More »
CBP officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry seize $350K in cocaine, arrest imposter
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge, in two separate incidents recently seized approximately $356,000 of alleged cocaine and arrested an imposter attempting to enter the United States without valid entry documents. “CBP... Read More »
Genetic sequencing of monkeypox outbreak highlights need for local surveillance, researchers find
A monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria probably originated from within the country recently highlighted the need for local surveillance and advanced genetic characterizations to help pinpoint the origins of outbreaks, a team of multinational researchers said. From Sept. 4 to Dec. 9, 61 cases of... Read More »
Cold weather adds wrinkle to public safety, security planning for Super Bowl LII
Following two years of planning to ensure public safety at Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, the FBI recently hosted a preparation exercise with officers from every local, state and federal agency involved in security for the 10 days of planned events. During the in-person exercise at the city’s... Read More »
IDSA calls for emphasis on research and development of microbial drugs in PAHPA reauthorization bill
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recently called on senators to take a series of steps in reauthorizing the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) to ensure that states, local communities, and medical providers can protect against threats to public health. IDSA’s... Read More »
National disaster health care system needed, experts tell Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense
A stratified biodefense hospital system would provide the United States with a protective shield in the event the country experiences a man-made or natural biological catastrophe, panelists told members of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense. The suggestion is one the panelists strongly... Read More »
Sen. Barrasso declares support for investigation into effects of uranium imports
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released Tuesday a statement in support of the petition by multiple uranium producers for an investigation into the effects of uranium imports on U.S. national security. On Monday, American uranium... Read More »
‘Cocaine Cowboys’ era fugitive arrested in Miami after 4 years on the run
A man with ties to Miami’s “cocaine cowboys” drug-smuggling era was arrested by federal and local officers in South Florida on Jan. 12 after spending four years on the run as a “high-risk fugitive.” The U.S. Marshall Service for the Southern District of Florida Special Operations Group... Read More »
DoJ seeks extradition of alleged al Qaeda associate accused of conspiring to kill US nationals
A 51-year-old Polish national, who has been imprisoned on terrorism charges in France since 2003, faces four counts in U.S. federal courts, including conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, under a superseding indictment that was unsealed on Wednesday. Christian Ganczarski is also charged with... Read More »
Over 550 pounds of cocaine seized at Miami Seaport
Agents of the U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) service raided a cargo vessel at the Miami Seaport this week, confiscating $6.25 million worth of cocaine. The 550 pounds of illegal narcotic were hidden in bags hidden behind metal tubing aboard the vessel. In all, those bags contained... Read More »
Researchers test millimeter wave imager for public transportation security screening
Researchers recently tested a millimeter wave imager designed to discreetly scan for potential threat items at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s (MBTA) emergency training center in Boston. In partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
New law gives CBP more resources to curb fentanyl trafficking
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will soon have access to new resources to detect fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that are being trafficked into the United States under a bill that was signed into law last week. Under the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response... Read More »