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Elephant and mariachi band join forces to shame CBP
As part of a political stunt to highlight immigration issues, an enterprising congressional candidate tries to immitate Alexander the Great by crossing the Rio Grande with a herd of elephants; CBP fails to respond
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TSA no-fly list under scrutiny for over-enrollment
More than 30,000 people have asked to be removed due to error, yet TSA often fails to do so; DOJ is currently working to develop better procedures; linking the list to relevant biometric systems may be the best solution, if an enterprising company steps in to help
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Savi Technology to manage Virginia's cargo tracking services
Company’s SaviTrak RFID technology a growing favorite among port authorities worldwide; open technology platform can process barcodes and EPC-compliant passive and DPS systems
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Texas virtual surveillance plan is delayed
Intended to debut in June, the governor now says it will be soliciting bids shortly; plan will allow citizens to monitor surveillance cameras over the Internet; officials say at least four firms will be hired to handle the networking and infrastructure issues involved
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Smiths Detection, RedXDefense partner to create mass transit EDS
In Congress they debate whether or not to mandatory 100 percent inspection of U.S.-bound cargo containers; two explosive detection leaders are joining hands to produce a system which will make sure that 100 percent of subway passengers in the U.S. are screened for explosives
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Rapsican Systems wins $13 million phase two STIP contract
Following succesful tests, company will install its security networking software at airports nationwide; system monitors X-ray machines and metal and explosives detectors for maintenance and performance analysis; deal puts Rapsican in an enviable position for future security roll-outs
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SAIC announces roll-out of new port radiation detector
News comes at same time Congress demands widespread adoption of such technology; VACIS P 7500 ideal for ports and other infrastructure with limited space; system requires a lane only twenty-seven feet wide
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UAVs get congressional support in latest budget
Customs and Border Protection will receive $20 million for the acquisition of UAVs and related support systems; Coast Guard will get $5 million to supplement the ongoing Eagle Eye effort with Bell Helicopter
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Extensive testing behind new TSA liquid container rules
Officials attempted to replicate London bomb plot; by testing various quantities of explosive liquids, TSA officials found the level where damage could be done without imperiling an airplane; plastic-bag regulations to continue indefinitely
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TSA considers replacing airport X-rays with EDSs
Move prompted by spate of recent problems; ability to detect liquid explosives a key requirement, but technology is immature; cost an issue as well; recent TSA purchases include orders from Analogic and Reveal Imaging
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3M to supply new CARICOM visas
Cricket World Cup spurs Carribean nations to adopt more secure visas; IDIS system will manage everything from enrollment to printing; roll-out speed a major factor in contracting decision
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South Korea unveils armed guard robot for border, critical infrastructure sentry missions
Wait ‘til Representatives Steve King and Tom Tancredo hear about this: A South Korean consortium develops an armed robot for guard mission along border and around critical infrastructure facilities; the robot can identify moving targets from as far as a mile, and it has ‘ears” which understand passwords
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Smiths Detection to deploy chemical detectors at New York's Penn Station
$4 million deal follows 2004 installation at Grand Central; planners say reliability problems concerning dust and cleaning chemicals have been overcome; MTA considers further deployment at other heavily-trafficked stations
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U.S.-E.U. relations under strain over visa waiver program
U.S. refuses to allow new E.U. countries to participate citing security concerns; in response, the European Commission says it will recommend imposing visa requirements on U.S. diplomats
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MIT researchers model automated UAV deployment
The market for UAVs is exploding, but critical issues remain about reliability and tactics; a team at MIT uses model helicopters to simulate a constant surveillance system that automatically switches UAVs in and out of the swarm for refueling and maintenace
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More headlines
The long view
Prototype Self-Service Screening System Unveiled
TSA and DHS S&T unveiled a prototype checkpoint technology, the self-service screening system, at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, NV. The aim is to provide a near self-sufficient passenger screening process while enabling passengers to directly receive on-person alarm information and allow for the passenger self-resolution of those alarms.