News
Homeland Security Committee debates bill on denying foreign fighters entry into US
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday marked up a bill that requires a stress test of various U.S. government protection and prevention programs against potential terrorist attacks. The Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2017 was introduced by U.S. Rep.... Read More »
DHS private sector cooperation necessary for success of nation’s cybersecurity efforts
More work needs to be done to strengthen the alliance between the private sector and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in combating cyber attacks, private stakeholders testified at a House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing Wednesday. “In the cyber domain, we are constantly learning... Read More »
Laredo CBP officers seize almost 50 pounds of cocaine, arrest driver at World Trade International Bridge
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed near the Laredo Port of Entry recently seized a shipment of alleged cocaine worth approximately $365,000. The incident occurred on Mar. 2, as agents stationed at the World Trade International Bridge in Texas referred a 2006 Wentworth... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee releases March terror threat snapshot
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, released this week a terror threat snapshot for the month of March, which stated that homegrown jihadist cases hit a new high since the Sept. 11 attacks. “This month marked a grim milestone, as we surpassed 200... Read More »Research teams capture first 3D images of operating high explosive detonators
Researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) recently captured 3D images of operating high explosive detonators for the first time. For the study, the research teams utilized state-of-the-art imaging systems with computed... Read More »
New study finds Zika virus symptoms in Canadian travelers more severe than originally expected
According to a recent study conducted by the University of Toronto and Public Health Ontario, Canadians who reported travel-related illnesses after returning from the Americas were commonly diagnosed with dengue, but actually were infected with cases of Zika virus that were more severe than... Read More »ICE agents apprehend Colombian National Army commander wanted for human rights abuses
Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit recently arrested a former Colombian National Army battalion commander who was wanted for charges of forced disappearance, homicide of a protected person, and weapons and ammunition... Read More »
KSU’s Biosecurity Research Institute launches fellowship to study highly-contagious epidemic animal diseases
Kansas State University (KSU) recently launched a new research fellowship aimed at studying highly-contagious epidemic animal diseases and the threats they pose to national security. The fellowship is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is administered through... Read More »
Interpol, Council of Europe launch new cybersecurity investigation project
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), in conjunction with the Council of Europe, recently launched a new initiative aimed at building capacity and enhancing cooperation amongst cybersecurity investigators around the world. The Global action on Cybercrime extended (GLACY+)... Read More »Perry introduces TSA employee misconduct accountability bill
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced this week the Strengthening Oversight of TSA Employee Misconduct Act, which requires senior Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials to oversee the review of disciplinary actions given in response to employee misconduct. Under current rules,... Read More »FLIR Systems received a more than $50 million order from DOD for DR-SKO systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. recently received a delivery order valued at $54.2 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for 50 U.S. Army chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear dismounted reconnaissance sets, kits and outfit (CBRN DR-SKO) systems. The order is part of a five-year... Read More »
Carter introduces bill to increase cooperation between ICE, local law enforcement
U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) recently introduced a bill that aims to strengthen immigration enforcement by targeting undocumented migrants who have a criminal record and bringing them into law enforcement custody. The bill, titled the Assuring Law Enforcement Requests are Timely... Read More »
Capito, Boozman tour CBP Advanced Training Center at Harpers Ferry
U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and John Boozman (R-AR) received a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leadership last week, regarding a number of training programs during a tour of CBP’s Advanced Training Center at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. “I share the... Read More »
House bill aims to ensure safety of nation’s food supply from agro-terrorism
U.S. Reps. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), David Young (R-IA) and Dan Donovan (R-NY) recently introduced a bill to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply by combating the threat of potential agro-terrorism. The Securing our Agriculture and Food Act would require the Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
MEPs urge adoption of full visa reciprocity for all EU member states, US
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) recently adopted a resolution urging the European Commission to take measures to temporarily reintroduce visa reciprocity for citizens of the United States and all states within the European Union (EU). Currently, citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,... Read More »
Sandia National Labs ensure functionality of nation’s nuclear weapons
In the years since the United States ceased developing new nuclear weapons systems, Sandia National Laboratories have been conducting and developing a series of assessments for each nuclear weapons system to detect or anticipate potential functionality issues as the weapons themselves continue to... Read More »
DARPA completes radiation-detection test throughout Washington, D.C.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) SIGMA program, a project aimed at preventing attacks from radiological or “dirty” bombs, recently completed its biggest test deployment of vehicle-mounted radiation detectors in Washington, D.C. The test, which began last July and... Read More »
PennVet researchers identify targets to treat effects of leishmaniasis infection
A research team at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (PennVet) recently identified new therapeutic targets for the tropical disease leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that can cause painful skin ulcers that can become metastatic after a period of time. The... Read More »
AM General receives $1.4 million grant from Michigan Strategic Fund
AM General, a manufacturer of military, commercial and consumer vehicles, recently received a $1.4 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund to support a $9.5 million capital investment, and the creation of 55 new jobs in Auburn Hills.... Read More »
Smith, Abraham introduce cybersecurity bill for federal agencies
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, along with U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA), recently introduced a bill to examine the cybersecurity capabilities of various federal agencies and require regular audits of their progress as more... Read More »Ernst receives fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) recently selected Kacey Ernst, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, as a 2017-2018 public engagement fellow. As part of her fellowship, Ernst will... Read More »
With some biological threats mitigated, BARDA shifts focus to combat highly pathogenic viruses, chemical agents
Since its creation in 2006, the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA) has taken a lead role in helping to procure an arsenal of medical countermeasures that the agency says should serve as a deterrent to anthrax, smallpox and botulism being weaponized in a future biological... Read More »
MEPs vote for stronger protection, shorter data retention periods for non-EU nationals traveling to member states
Civil Liberties Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted for stronger entry protections and a shorter retention period for traveler data stored in the new European Union (EU) entry/exit system, which aims to modernize checks on non-EU nationals traveling to EU member countries. The move... Read More »
Walden, Murphy seek additional information from CDC regarding Laboratory Response Network capabilities
Two members of the House Republican Caucus recently sent a public letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an effort to examine the agency’s Laboratory Response Network (LRN), a system established to boost the government’s preparedness for bioterrorism. U.S. Rep.... Read More »McSally introduces bill to require “stress test” exercise of government agencies against potential terrorist travel
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced legislation last week to require a “stress test” of U.S. government programs against potential terrorist travel. The Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, on which McSally served, made the stress test recommendation to help... Read More »
Roberts, McCaskill introduce bill to help protect the nation’s food supply from agro-terrorism
U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced legislation last week to help protect against a terror-style attack on the nation’s agriculture industry and ensure food safety for American consumers. The Securing our Agriculture and Food Act would require the Secretary of... Read More »
Bipartisan bill introduced to helps state, local, tribal governments combat the rise of cyber threats
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced a bill last week to help state, local, and tribal governments to identify, detect, protect, respond and recover from various cyber threats. The State Cyber Resiliency Act establishes a cybersecurity grant program to provide the... Read More »Heller, Heinrich push for hearings on threats made against faith-based community centers
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently sent a public letter to the Senate Homeland Security Committee, urging the committee to conduct hearings on the growing number of threats and attacks against faith-based community centers in the United States. U.S. Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Martin... Read More »
Grant awarded for study of the body’s immune response to bioterrorism agent
Meenakshi Malik, associate professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, was recently awarded a $480,000 grant to expand her study into Francisella tularensis, the bacteria that causes the potentially fatal disease tularemia. The three-year grant was funded by the National... Read More »
GAO report find progress in biometric exit system implementation, but problems persist
According to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made progress in planning for a biometric air exit system and reporting traveler overstays, but certain challenges have persisted in its efforts. GAO conducted the... Read More »
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons holds training on emergency response in Sri Lanka
Fifteen member states of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) took part in a training course last month aimed at preparing each member in handling emergency response to chemical incidents. The course was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from Feb. 6-10 and was the fifth... Read More »
Utah’s Davis Chamber of Commerce recognizes BAE Systems Air Force Strategic Programs as business innovator
Utah’s Davis Chamber of Commerce recently named BAE Systems Air Force Strategic Programs at the Hill Air Force Base as its Innovation Business of the Year at its annual awards banquet. The award is given to businesses that “demonstrate the ability to drive innovation in their business... Read More »