News
University of Mississippi Medical Center receives grant for first responder training and research
The federally backed Broadband Opportunity Program recently awarded a $33 million grant to allow the state of Mississippi to build infrastructure to enhance communication and coordination among first responder emergency providers. “The goal is to increase the care provided to patients, and to... Read More »
MEP’s reject EU Commission blacklist of states at risk of money laundering and terrorist financing
Ministers of the European Parliament (MEPs) recently voted to return to the European Union (EU) Commission a blacklist of countries that were determined to be at risk of money laundering and terrorist financing, citing the list’s limited nature and a need to include territories that facilitate... Read More »
Pakistani Centre for Excellence of Nuclear Security enters into partnership with IAEA networks to bolster training
The Pakistani Centre for Excellence for Nuclear Security recently entered into a partnership with the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSC Network) to build national capacity through training courses and strengthening technical and scientific support... Read More »
CBP officers seize more than $2 mln of illicit narcotics
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents last week seized more than $2 million worth of illicit narcotics over separate incidents. The first incident occurred on Jan. 18 as officers stationed at the Port of Hidalgo, Texas, encountered a white 2012 Ford Mustang driven by a 27-year-old U.S.... Read More »
CBP reports successes with task force for curbing human smuggling on Otay Mountain
In response to continued illegal border crossings through Otay Mountain near San Diego, the U.S. Border Patrol in October launched an enforcement strategy, called Task Force Otay, which focused criminal organizations that exploit various human smuggling routes along the mountain. Since the task... Read More »
CBP AMO to conduct UAS operations at San Angelo for second time
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) Predator B returned to San Angelo Regional Airport for a 14-week deployment on Jan 17. The first UAS deployment at a civilian airport occurred in Jan. and Feb. 2016 for a four-week... Read More »
Cruz introduces bill to release information on terrorist activities of detainees released from Guantanamo Bay
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently introduced a bill to require the declassification and release of information pertaining to past terrorist activities of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) who have been transferred or released since Nov. 8, 2016. Cruz said in a statement that former... Read More »Ratcliffe introduces bill to reverse 1033 Program restrictions for law enforcement
U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) called on President Donald Trump to prioritize law enforcement safety, specifically advocating for a reversal of former President Barack Obama’s decision to restrict access to the 1033 Program, which provided surplus military equipment to state and local law... Read More »Battelle offers recommendations to defense manufacturers for countering CBRNE threats
Battelle, a nonprofit research and development institute, said the key to preparing for the rapidly growing threat of biological or chemical weapons is by developing countermeasures with technology that is tested against live agents. Battelle’s recommendation was directed toward defense... Read More »Ernst selected to chair Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) was recently chosen as chair for the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities for the 115th Congress. Ernst's responsibilities as chair include overseeing hearings and policy decisions pertaining to intelligence, counterterrorism, and... Read More »Senate Armed Services Committee names chairs, ranking members for new Congress
The Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), recently appointed three senators to ranking membership on three different armed services subcommittees. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) will chair the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces for the 115th Congress. In this... Read More »Senate Armed Services Committee launches new subcommittee on cybersecurity
In response to the rapid increase in attacks on the nation’s cyber infrastructure, the Senate Armed Services Committee recently formed a new subcommittee on cybersecurity for the 115h Congress. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) was named as the subcommittee’s chair, while U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson... Read More »
CBP, TSA provide security for presidential inauguration events
As President Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided assistance in securing for the inauguration, along with the inaugural parade. The inauguration was notable... Read More »
Colorado lays groundwork for nationwide high-speed network for public safety
States across the nation are making preparations ahead of the development of a new Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in the coming months will select a private vendor to develop and deploy a national network dedicated to first responders... Read More »
Researchers develop faster test for diagnosing Zika virus
Research teams at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center recently developed a new detection test for Zika virus that is faster and more accurate than contemporary tests. “The new diagnostic test was designed to more... Read More »Birk named as Bavarian Nordic COO
Bavarian Nordic A/S announced the appointment of Henrik Birk this week as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO). Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated biotechnology company that focuses on the manufacturing and commercialization of cancer immunotherapies and vaccines for infectious... Read More »
Heinrich expresses concern over lack of high-ranking NNSA, DOD officials during presidential transition period
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently sent a public letter to President-elect Donald Trump expressing concern over the continuity of government operations for national security positions in the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).... Read More »
NIAID researchers examine how immune system can affect Ebola virus development
A team of scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently studied a new mouse model that shows how early responses of the immune system can affect the development of the Ebola virus disease (EVD). Researchers said the model could help identify protective... Read More »McSally, McCain introduce legislation to improve border technology acquisition procedures
Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) introduced the Border Security Technology Accountability Act this week, which seeks to improve the management of new border technology acquisitions. The bill originally advanced through the House of Representatives in July 2015, and... Read More »Saldaña retires as director of ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah R. Saldaña recently announced her retirement from the federal government. ICE, along with employees from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), joined Director Saldaña’s family at a retirement ceremony held last week in... Read More »
NIAID officials call for increased research into Zika virus
Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), along with colleague Catharine I. Paules, recently published an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association calling for continued research into the Zika virus even as individual diagnoses... Read More »
BIRD Foundation issues call for proposals of advanced technologies for first responders
The U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation recently issued a call for proposals of next-generation first responder technologies to promote joint development ventures for first responder training and development. "The BIRD Foundation is happy to accelerate... Read More »
DOE announces centrifuge removal from Fordow facility on anniversary of the Iran Nuclear Deal
On the one year anniversary of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that Iran had removed excess centrifuges and infrastructure from the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. “The JCPOA... Read More »
Denver Police Department to receive $240,000 grant to counter violent extremism
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) recently announced that the Denver Police Department will receive a $240,000 Countering Violent Extremism Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the exclusive use of training and engagement. The grant is part of an effort by DHS for activities that... Read More »
Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma returns to homeport after 49-day drug interdiction operation
Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma returned to its homeport on Friday after completing a 49-day operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, where it conducted a series of drug interdiction efforts. The crew’s operations centered on strategically intercepting and boarding suspected... Read More »
Ross reintroduces bill to complete 700-mile fence along Southwest U.S. border with Mexico
Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL) recently reintroduced the Finish the Fence Act, which would amend the Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete a 700-mile border fence between the United States and Mexico by Dec. 31, 2017.... Read More »
CBP, ICE report record number of intellectual property seizures for FY2016
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in conjunction with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported a record number of seizures of shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights throughout FY2016. The agencies reported a nine percent increase in total... Read More »
OPCW, World Customs Organization sign memorandum to enhance cooperation on toxic chemical trade
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), along with the World Customs Organization (WCO), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that enhances cooperation to tighten national and international controls on the trade of toxic chemicals. The MOU was signed by... Read More »
Dept. of Treasury’s OFAC designates Syrian officials on findings of use of chemical weapons on civilians
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently implemented sanctions in response to findings that the Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad used industrial chlorine as a weapon against its own people. OFAC’s conclusions were based on a... Read More »
Health experts speak on planning for global pandemics
At a recent gathering of students, academics, and government officials at Georgetown University, a group of world health experts spoke on the need for the incoming Trump Administration to plan for an inevitable pandemic. The event was organized by the Center for Global Health Science and... Read More »Deal reached to reauthorize, reform Department of Homeland Security
A group of committee chairman with jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently submitted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a plan to regularly reauthorize, reform and improve the department in the 115th Congress. DHS was established in 2002 in the wake of the... Read More »GAO report: Border Patrol must improve oversight of post-apprehension consequences
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report on U.S. Border Patrol’s Consequence Delivery System (CDS), a process that identifies what practices are most effective and efficient to deter illegal border activity, and how useful the system is for assessing department... Read More »
Collins questions Pompeo on cybersecurity initiatives during confirmation hearing
During a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on the nomination of Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) to be the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) asked Pompeo a series of questions on cybersecurity and the danger it poses to national... Read More »
Case study published on first locally acquired Zika infection
Physicians at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine published a case study this week on the first locally-transmitted case of Zika virus. The study, titled Cutaneous Eruption in a U.S. Woman with a Locally Acquired Zika Virus Infection, focused on the skin rash associated with the... Read More »