News
NTI report calls for de-escalation of dangerous military confrontation between the West and Russia
A coalition of international statesmen, including former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger and Igor Ivanov, publicly called on Western and Russian leaders to de-escalate the risks of dangerous military confrontations by adopting measures outlined in a new report issued by... Read More »Carper releases memo detailing federal government efforts to curb gun violence
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) released this week a minority staff memorandum detailing federal support for public health research on gun violence and revealing a setback in federal efforts due to a lack of funding The memo was released on the four-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary... Read More »
FirstNet outlines first 100 days for nationwide public safety broadband network, operational readiness
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) released this week an outline for a public-private partnership to deploy the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (Network), with provisions to ensure progress on key network components within the first 100 days of the new partnership. The... Read More »
CBP swears in Robert White as new DFO for Chicago Field Office
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently held a command ceremony to swear in Robert White as director of field operations (DFO) for CBP’s Chicago Field Office. White replaces DFO William Ferrara, who recently transferred to CBP’s Boston Field Office. From 2015 to 2016, White... Read More »
Congress passes reauthorization act for Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
The reauthorization of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Reform and Improvement Act of 2015 recently passed both houses of Congress and has been sent to the President’s desk for signature. The reauthorization bill ensures that federal law enforcement officials and first... Read More »OPCW to search allegations of chemical weapons use in Hama Governate, Syria
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently began a fact-finding mission in Syria in the wake of allegations that chemical weapons have been used in the area of Uqayribat in the Hama Governate in Syria. The area in question has been linked to the control of the... Read More »Treasury sanctions ISIL financier, two money services for links to terrorist organizations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently took action to disrupt the financial infrastructure of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by designating the Iraq-based Selselat al Thahab Money Exchange as well as ISIL financier Fawaz Muhammad Jubayr al-Rawi and his company, the Hanifa... Read More »Democratic House members call for investigation into potential Russian interference during presidential election
A coalition of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently called for a comprehensive investigation into potential 2016 presidential election interference carried out by individuals working for the Russian government. “The first duty of the United States government is to... Read More »
New legislation aims to increase travel preclearance facilities, increase border security
The U.S. Senate passed this week the Promoting Travel, Commerce and National Security Act of 2016. The bill will allow travelers to pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspections prior to traveling to reduce overall wait times and aid in identifying individuals who represent a threat... Read More »
International cybercrime operation results in 34 arrests across 13 different countries
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in coordination with Europe’s European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3), arrested approximately 34 individuals in connection with an international cyber crime investigation across 13 different countries. The operation was aimed at users who offered services... Read More »
TSA begins notifying travelers of 2018 REAL ID Act requirements for security checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently began posting notices at airports to inform travelers that the agency will begin enforcing REAL ID requirements at airport security checkpoints beginning in Jan. 2018. The REAL ID program stipulates that any traveler suing their... Read More »
Yuma Sector agents make series of arrests, seize more than 1,000 pounds of narcotics
Agents with the Yuma Sector Border Patrol recently apprehended multiple individuals over separate incidents in connection with cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana trafficking. On Dec. 10, Blythe Station agents seized more than 30 pounds of cocaine and 15 pounds of methamphetamine, which... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Carter introduces bill to improve airport screening procedures
U.S. Rep. Earl L. Carter (R-GA) on Monday introduced the TSA Screening Transparency and Accountability Act, which will analyze cost effectiveness, efficiency and customer satisfaction of the screening partnership program (SPP) compared to the screening procedures of the Transportation Security... Read More »
Interpol hosts training course on financial crimes and cocaine trafficking in Colombia
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) recently held its 17th Global Programme on Anti-Corruption, Financial Crimes and Asset Recovery in Colombia, which focused on combating financial crimes associated with cocaine trafficking in Latin America. The course drew more than 40... Read More »Smiths Detection opens new facility in Hemel Hempstead, UK
Smiths Detection recently opened its new United Kingdom centre of excellence for trace detection, which provides the company improved customer operations, new amenities for employees and the opportunity for future growth and development. Built specifically for Smiths Detection, the 67,000... Read More »Health Canada approves Emergent BioSolutions’ botulism antitoxin
Health Canada recently approved a new drug submission from Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. for its botulism antitoxin, BAT, which is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism. BAT is administered following documented or suspected exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A through G in... Read More »Trump selects John Kelly as nomination for DHS Secretary
President-elect Donald J. Trump recently selected General John Kelly as his nomination for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While serving as Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Kelly oversaw U.S. military operations in Central and South America as well as the... Read More »
House passes Collins’ Boko Haram response bill, sent to president for approval
The U.S. House passed this week a bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) aimed at strengthening the response to acts of terrorism perpetrated by the militant group Boko Haram. The bill requires a new five-year U.S. government strategy to counter the threats posed by Boko... Read More »NTI report: Organizations must accelerate development of effective cybersecurity measures as threats continue to develop
According to a recent report by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), governments, industry and international organizations alike must accelerate response efforts to protect against cyberattacks to protect against catastrophic consequences. The report, titled Outpacing Cyber Threats: Priorities... Read More »Senate passage of 2016 National Defense Authorization Act praised
The U.S. Senate passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) earlier this week to bipartisan approval and applause from the bill’s co-sponsors, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). The bill, which authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Defense, passed the... Read More »Lynch, Johnson host third U.S.-China Dialogue on Cybercrime
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson hosted this week a coalition of Chinese government officials for the third U.S.-China High-level Joint Dialogue on Cybercrime and Related Issues to discuss a range of topics related to international cybercrime... Read More »Emergent Biosolutions secures $911 mln contract to supply anthrax vaccines to Strategic National Stockpile
Emergent Biosolutions said on Thursday it signed a $911 million contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to supply vaccines to the Strategic National Stockpile to bolster U.S. national preparedness efforts in the event of a biological attack. The global biopharmaceutical... Read More »
OFAC identifies supporters and front charity assisting AQAP
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action earlier this week to impede financial support networks of the terrorist group al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The department designated AQAP leaders Al-Hasan Ali Ali Abkar and Abdallah Faysal... Read More »Holding facility responds to surge in unaccompanied migrant children, family units in South Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently opened a temporary holding facility near the Donna-Rio International Bridge as a response to the recent surge in unaccompanied migrant children and family units arriving in South Texas. The facility is located approximately 16 miles east of... Read More »
Alliance for Biosecurity praises Senate passage of 21st Century Cures Act
The Alliance for Biosecurity commended the U.S. Senate’s passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which contains provisions to promote innovation and efficiency in the development of new medical countermeasures. A key issue the organization cited in the bill was a provision for the development... Read More »Air Force signs off on Lockheed Martin’s new SBIRS ground system
The United States Air Force (USAF) recently signed off on the newly-upgraded Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) ground system from Lockheed Martin, which will enhance the constellation’s ability to deliver infrared data critical to early missile warning and defense. The new SBIRS ground... Read More »McCaul releases December Terror Threat Snapshot
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the December Terror Threat Snapshot earlier this week. The “snapshot” is a monthly assessment, which describes the growing terrorist threats the United States and its allies face from ISIS and other... Read More »MEPs, EU ministers agree to increase mandatory checks at EU external borders
Under a recent draft law by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and European Union (EU) ministers, all EU citizens and third country nationals entering or leaving the EU will be checked against databases, such as lost or stolen documents. The draft law comes in the wake of recent terror... Read More »
States Parties meet at OPCW headquarters to discuss effective CWC implementation
Representatives from 114 States Parties convened at the 18th Annual Meeting of National Authorities last month at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague to discuss a variety of topics related to the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention... Read More »House passes bill to enhance security at foreign embassies
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the State Department Authorities Act, a bill to strengthen embassy security, enhances congressional oversight and advances multiples reforms within the U.S. State Department. Much of the bill centers on the use of “best value” criteria when... Read More »DARPA awards contracts to Raytheon BBN for power grid infrastructure cybersecurity solutions
The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently awarded Raytheon BBN Technologies multiple contracts to research and develop technologies to detect and respond to cyber attacks on U.S. power grid infrastructure. The company will be developing... Read More »Lynch, Johnson host EU representatives for Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting
At a United States-European Union Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs this week, officials reaffirmed the strong bonds between the two governmental bodies and committed to continue working together to combat terrorism and in other areas. The event was hosted at the U.S. Department of... Read More »Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity releases assessment of nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure
The Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity recently released an assessment of the current state of U.S. cybersecurity and provided a series of recommendations that the government and private sector could take to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. “The commission... Read More »