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TSA to slash half the names from terror watch lists
Confusion between singer Cat Stevens and the wife of senator Ted Stevens emblematic of the problem; ongoing problems cause a loss of confidence in DHS procedures; new Secure Flight program may also help; complaints and corrections about DHS databases will now be centralized
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HSC installs video surviellance at major U.S. dam
The protection of critical infrastructure assets offers businesses major opportunities, and a Nashville-based company is eager to take advantage of these opportunities
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Cernium's video analytics to protect San Diego light rail
Developer of the Perceptrak system teams up with Electro Specialty; rail seen a major challenge for security planners; company is also expert in protecting airports
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EU prepares a massive critical infrastructure campaign
All twenty-seven capitals will cooperate in listing Europe’s most valuable sites; energy and communications seen as vital, considering the continent’s growing interdependance; industry will lend a hand, but rules in place ensure that they implement best practices regardless
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U.K. to spend £1.7 million on urban flooding projects
Urban flooding caused by limited drainage system and ancient infrastructure; overlapping and conflicting government authorities make the problem difficult to solve; global warming has British government anxious
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U. Washington robot to help survey damaged underground cables
Drone is able to traverse cables within pipes and tunnels; neoprene wheels and a gyroscope help it navigate while three onboard sensors look for signs of wear and tear
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ICRC delivers first responder vehicles to Michigan National Guard
Heavy-duty truck is first to incorporate IRCS’s national guard vehicle information system for interoperability and networking; flexible communications, NBS detection, and nighttime surveillance among the features of this interesting vehicle
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New Jersey to build railway fence along "Chemical Alley"
A 2.6 mile stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike has security planners worried; ten-foot-high fence will obtruct view of the track from both drivers and would-be terrorists; motion sensors and CCTV to be deployed as well; contract award is imminent
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Magal subsidiary signs a $1.3 million contract with Scottish hospital
Senstar-Stellar to provide FLARE Emergency Locating System to the State Hospital Facility in Scotland; system uses RF technology to locate both indoor and outdoor events
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DHS announces 2007 grant levels for Infrastructure Protection Program
Transit Security Grant Program, the Port Security Grant Program, the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program, the Trucking Security Program, and the Buffer Zone Protection Program see mostly gains
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DHS releases 2007 state and municipal grant funding levels
Urban Areas Security Initiative and Citizen Corps Program receive mild funding boosts; other programs see minor losses; DHS gives risk assessment the old college try
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Coast Guard suggests driver's licenses for boaters
Program would help authorities keep track of small boats; idea challenged by state planners already upset by REAL-ID Act; uniformity of IDs could lead to uniformity of sporting laws; Coast Guard concerned about smuggling, critical infrastructure
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Restrictions imposed on Nokia-Siemens deal
One result of last year’s storm over the DPW deal is the greater scrutiny now being imposed on deals involving sensitive U.S. technologies and companies; CFIUS is showing growing assertiveness in scrutinizing and imposing restrictions on deals involving communication infrastructure companies
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UPDATE: NNSA chief fired for Los Alamos security lapses
Linton Brooks gets the axe after a series of breaches expose the weakness of lab cyber-security; failure to do away with removable storage devices in weapons-related computers cited; Energy Department starts the hunt for a replacement
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Coast Guard struggles with maritime surveillance program
Port of Miami once again provides a sorry case study; Maritime Domain Awareness program confuses waves for boats; Coast Guard stops following the radar after too many problems; Automated Identification System a cause for criticism
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The long view
Scientists Map Loss of Groundwater Storage Around the World
Global water resources are stretched by climate change and human population growth, and farms and cities are increasingly turning to groundwater to fill their needs. Unfortunately, the pumping of groundwater can cause the ground surface above to sink. A new study maps, for the first time, the permanent loss of aquifer storage capacity occurring globally.