News
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 »
Bolster U.S. missile defense system, ‘massively retaliate’ if needed, Sen. Sullivan says
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch on Friday by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un that landed roughly 200 miles from Japan’s coast, and reports this week that North Korea was threatening an ICBM strike against the United States, are fresh warnings that the country continues to... Read More »
OPCW director calls for ethics in science during Australia visit
Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, the director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), recently visited Australia to meet with leaders of various agencies to discuss continued efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons. “Every science holds the potential for... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee advances bill to aid first responder terrorism preparations
The Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series Act of 2017 was advanced by the House Homeland Security Committee this week in effort to coordinate preparations for terrorist attacks between first responders. The bill targets first responders at all levels--federal, state and local--by... Read More »
Rep. McSally introduces bill to require DHS threat assessment for southwest border
A bill that directs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a full mile-by-mile analysis of threats to the nation’s southern international border with Mexico was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ). The bill, titled the Southwest Border... Read More »
Reps. Pallone, Engel call for Trump Administration to fully staff CDC
U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) recently called upon the Trump Administration to immediately staff up the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cautioning that neglecting the agency presented a grave risk to both global health and the nation’s... Read More »
New Sandia National Lab Fellowship named after first female nuclear security lab director
Sandia National Laboratories established this week a new fellowship program, which it named after Jill Hruby, its immediate past director and the first woman to direct a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory. The Jill Hruby Fellowship Program will provide postdoctoral candidates... Read More »
Customs agents seize 74 pounds of narcotics at Laredo Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a huge bust in Laredo, Texas this week after seizing more than $1 million worth of narcotics. In total, two captures on the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge netted officers 48 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of cocaine, and one pound... Read More »Emergent Biosolutions secures Valneva’s Zika virus vaccine technology
Emergent Biosolutions said on Wednesday it has entered into a licensing agreement with Valneva SE for the global exclusive rights to the company’s Zika vaccine technology, ZIKV. “Emergent is focused on providing preparedness solutions to public health threats and emerging infectious... Read More »
Additional actions needed by CBP to assess effectiveness of land-based surveillance technology, according to GAO report
Additional actions are needed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen management and assess the effectiveness of land-based surveillance technologies for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, according to a recent report published by the U.S. Government... Read More »
FirstNet’s nationwide project gains another state amid ongoing challenges
FirstNet’s deployment of an interoperable National Public Safety Broadband Network for first responders is an unprecedented undertaking, CEO Michael Poth testified last week on Capitol Hill. “Every step forward presents new challenges and requires identification of innovative solutions,”... Read More »