News
National Institutes of Health scientists develop model to study Zika transmission in mice
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently developed a mouse model to study the transmission of the Zika virus through sexual contact and vertically from mother to fetus. The scientists from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will use the model to... Read More »
Bill to strengthen border security infrastructure, enhance personnel efforts
A bill that aims to increase the resources available at the nation’s borders, boost trade through ports of entry, and strengthen the enforcement of existing laws was recently introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Cornyn (R-TX), and John Barrasso (R-WY). “The first... Read More »
DHS develops threat assessment of US-Canada border
A report that details the current threat landscape along the U.S.-Canada border and provides an assessment on threats across the air, land, and maritime domains was recently delivered to Congress by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report’s publication was mandated as part... Read More »
Bill to increase transparency of ownership of shell corporations to cut down on financial crimes
A bipartisan bill that aims to prevent individuals from using anonymous shell corporations to engage in illicit activities such as fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing or sex trafficking was recently introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). “For... Read More »
Homeland Security, NYPD join forces to test public safety communications
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently began working closely with local first responders to test new technologies, and the New York Police Department (NYPD) has benefited. The directorate’s First Responder Group (FRG) recently engaged in several... Read More »
Officers seize 78 pounds of cocaine at Laredo Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently seized an alleged $601,000 in cocaine in one enforcement action at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge, which connects Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. After a CBP officer referred a 2008 Volvo commercial for further... Read More »
Governments, Silicon Valley faces problems in combating terrorist exploitation of cyberspace, cybersecurity expert says
The United Kingdom’s Home Secretary Amber Rudd is set to face an uphill battle this week as she meets with leading tech companies in Silicon Valley to discuss issues related to terrorist exploitation of information and communications technologies (ICT), according to a recent blog from David P.... Read More »
Senate advances legislation to extend grants for first responders
The U.S. Senate advanced legislation Wednesday that would reauthorize grant programs that provide funds for training, equipment and staffing to fire and emergency services personnel. The bill, co-sponsored by John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE),... Read More »
Anthrax spores posing serious threat to wildlife populations in Africa, study finds
Anthrax is posing a serious threat to wildlife in the Ivory Coast’s Taï National Park and could soon even lead to the extinction of local chimpanzee populations, according to a recent study from the Robert Koch Institute, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the University of... Read More »ISIS Khorasan leader killed in US airstrike, according to Homeland Security terror snapshot
ISIS’ branch in Afghanistan, known as ISIS Khorasan, was dealt a major blow when their leader, Abu Sayed, was killed by a U.S. airstrike on the organization’s headquarters on July 11, according to a recent terror threat “snapshot” for the month of August published by the House Homeland... Read More »
European Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases experts promote use of antibiotic stewardship teams
In the face of continued evolution among infections and diseases, experts from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) is urging the development of plans and funding for antibiotics promotion. The proposal, which had a lead author in Professor Céline... Read More »
DOD could improve how it monitors cyber strategies implementation progress, GAO says
The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) progress in implementing cybersecurity strategies could be strengthened, according to a recent report published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In recent years, the DOD has acknowledged that malicious cyber intrusions of its networks... Read More »
TSA sees record numbers of passengers screened during summer travel season
The number of travelers expected to pass through security checkpoints at the nation’s airports during the summer season is expected to surpass a total of 2.5 million passengers per day, according to recent estimates by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Additionally, a record... Read More »
CBP, DHS officials hold meeting with privacy advocates to discuss implementation of biometric exit system at airports
Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently met with representatives from the privacy community to discuss issues with CBP’s biometric exit system and individual privacy rights. The meeting was the first of multiple planned... Read More »
New Mexico to become eighth state to opt-in to FirstNet’s nationwide public safety broadband network
Gov. Susana Martinez (R-NM) recently announced that New Mexico will become the eighth state in the country to opt-in to the nationwide public safety broadband network that is currently being developed by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T. As part of the agreement,... Read More »
International Falls official drug dog retires from service
This past week saw the retirement of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) narcotics detector Miky--an official drug dog of the port of entry in International Falls, Minnesota. Miky has served for five years. CBP K-9 dogs typically last no longer than eight years. Such animals were first... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee likely to approve Kadlec as nominee for preparedness and response at HHS
Dr. Robert Kadlec of Alexandria, Virginia, who was nominated last month by President Donald Trump to be assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is expected to be approved on Wednesday by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and... Read More »
Report outlines challenges to implementing Trump’s immigration, border hiring order
A recent special report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified challenges to implementing the immigration and border officer hiring surge mandated by President Trump’s Executive Orders. In January, President Trump ordered DHS to hire an... Read More »
Florida researchers examine link between mosquito species, chikungunya virus
University of Florida (UF) scientists recently published a paper in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, which investigates the ability of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to transmit the emergent Asian and Indian Ocean strains of the Chikungunya Virus. The virus was... Read More »
IARPA launches Morgoth’s Crown chemical identification security challenge
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), recently launched a new challenge in August aimed at developing algorithms to accurately predict the changes seen in a chemical’s infrared (IR) spectrum caused by... Read More »
DHS issues waiver to expedite process of border security measures near San Diego
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a waiver this week regarding specific legal requirements and regulations in order to ensure the expedited construction of physical barriers and roads within the vicinity of the U.S. international border near San Diego, California. According... Read More »
OPCW begins nine week-long chemical capacity building program
Thirty-two participants representing 31 Member States of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently convened at the organization’s headquarters in The Hague for the 18th edition of its flagship chemical capacity-building associate program. In his opening speech,... Read More »
IAFC names Arkansas’ Chief Jenkins as president
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) named Chief Tom Jenkins, from the fire department of Rogers, Arkansas as their new president and chairman last week. In his new role, Jenkins will serve as the organization’s spokesman and dignitary. He will also be responsible to testify for... Read More »
Emergent Biosolutions awarded $23 million contract for the development of multi-drug auto injector device
Emergent Biosolutions said on Monday it has been awarded a contract worth approximately $23 million from the Medical Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Consortium (MCDC) for the development of an innovative multi-drug auto injector for nerve agent antidote... Read More »
K-9 Team to Help Screen Passengers During Projected Busiest Month Ever at Seattle Airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Port of Seattle are enlisted a K-9 team to help screen passengers during what TSA projects will be Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (Sea-Tac) busiest month to date. TSA projects that it will screen 2 million departing passengers... Read More »
Rep. McSally bill reauthorizes, modernizes global supply chain security program for ports of entry
A bill that aims to increase security and decrease wait times at the nation’s ports of entry was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ). The legislation specifically addresses issues with the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, a global... Read More »
Rep. McCaul introduces expansive border security enhancement bill
Legislation that aims to address a variety of issues related to illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, law enforcement officer safety, and overall security along the nation’s international borders was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX).... Read More »Unnecessary use of social security numbers persist in federal government, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a new report that found that use of social security numbers (SSNs) in the federal government is still widespread despite requirements to eliminate the unnecessary collection and use of SSNs. House Ways and Means Social Security... Read More »
Advanced imaging technology introduced at Niagara Falls International Airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently introduced new state-of-the-art screening technology equipment at Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG). The Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scans for potential threats and highlights the location of potential threats in yellow on... Read More »
Port of Galveston collaborating with TelaForce on drone detection project
The Port of Galveston, Texas, announced earlier this month that it would soon be working with TelaForce to implement a system to detect, identify, track and protect against drone incursions around maritime infrastructure. The technology, according to TelaForce, can identify and locate unmanned... Read More »
Regional meeting held to discuss implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention among African State Parties
Representatives of National Authorities from African State Parties recently convened at a regional meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Banjul, Gambia to discuss successes and challenges related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention... Read More »Bill to deploy new technology to help secure southern US border introduced in House
A bill that mandates the deployment of practical and effective security technologies in order to achieve full situational awareness of the southern U.S. border with Mexico was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), David Valadao (R-CA), Steve Knight... Read More »
West Virginia to become seventh state to opt-in to FirstNet’s nationwide public safety broadband network
Gov. Jim Justice (D-WV) recently announced that West Virginia will become the seventh state in the country to opt-in to the nationwide public safety broadband network that is currently being developed by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T. As part of the agreement,... Read More »
Researchers seek participants for Zika virus tracking mobile app
Researchers at the University of Arizona (UA) are seeking more users of Kidenga, a community-based participatory science mobile app created by the researchers that tracks potential instances of the Zika virus. The app encourages users to report symptoms such as the sudden onset of fever, joint... Read More »