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NYPD wants to expand anti-terror program to midtown
NYPD wants to duplicate in midtown the measures under way near Ground Zero; these measures will allow allow police to do everything they do downtown — scan license plates, monitor surveillance video cameras, and use radiation and bioterrorism detectors — between 34th and 59th streets, from river to river
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Lawmakers to add $550 million to Mexico border security
The two leaders of the Senate homeland Security Committee introduce legislation to channel another $550 million for more federal agents, investigators, and technological improvements
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Securing the homeland: Asset tracking in a layered security environment // by Ted Langhoff and Nishant Pillai
The need to effectively secure and track cargo, not just at the port, but throughout the supply chain — long before its arrival in the United States — has become an important priority and factors significantly into efforts to ensure U.S. national security
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UAV relies on alternative energy for silent performance
U.S. Navy researchers merge two separate efforts — UAV technology and fuel cell systems — to develop UAV with stealthy characteristics: small size, reduced noise, low heat signature, and zero emissions
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Soldiers' helmets serve as sniper location system
Commodore researchers develop a networked helmet that help soldiers and first responders fighting in a hazardous urban environment pin-point and display the location of enemy shooters in three dimensions and accurately identify the caliber and type of weapons they are firing
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New RFID technology tracks nuclear materials
Argonne National Lab’s researchers develop RFID-based method to monitor the environmental and physical conditions of containers of nuclear materials in storage and transportation
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Global UAV sales boom, but South Africa's UAV sector flounders
South Africa was among the world’s leaders in designing and manufacturing UAVs; UAVs are the most dynamic segment growth sector in the global aerospace industry; South Africa could have benefited from the growing interest in UAVs, lack of investment in R&D and in finished products may cause South Africa to abdicate the UAV lead it once held
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U.K. government plans to monitor online social networks
For the last three years, intelligence services in the United States and the United Kingdom have been examining the idea of keeping a close tab on communications made among members of social networks; the U.K. Home Office denies having plans for such monitoring, but critics are not convinced
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Tiny sensors form robust intruder detection system
Tel Aviv University researcher develops tiny sensors — each the size of dew drop; the sensors can be programmed to monitor sounds, metals, temperature changes, carbon monoxide emissions, vibrations, or light
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Total RFID revenue to exceed $5.6 billion in 2009
ABI Research says that “The recession has had an undeniable effect on deployment plans… but despite some project deferrals and terminations, there will be market growth, albeit fragmented”
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Swimming pool game inspires robot detection
Researchers use the Marco Polo game to solve a complex problem — how to create a system that allows robots not only to “sense” a moving target, but intercept it
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Military reliance on UAVs grows; safety, shortness of pilots an issue
The U.S. military has 167 UAVs in its arsenal in 2001; it now has 5,500; the growing demand for UAVs for both surveillance and operational missions creates safety problems and exposes shortness of trained controllers
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Critics: Commercially driven deep packet inspection (DPI) is akin to wiretapping
New technology now allows third parties to engage in deep packet inspection (DPI), a technique that makes it possible to peer inside packets of data transmitted across the Internet; data collected is then sold to other companies to allow them more targeted advertising
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Spyware big seller in China
The Chinese government no longer has a monopoly over domestic spying; sales of James Bond-like hidden surveillance tools such as cameras disguised as pens or buttons to companies and individuals soar
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Canada's next UAVs will carry bombs
The UAVs Canadian forces are using in Afghanistan will soon do more than surveillance duty; Canada has leased Heron UAVs from Israel for the purpose of using them in offensive operations
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The long view
How DHS Laid the Groundwork for More Intelligence Abuse
I&A, the lead intelligence unit of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) —long plagued by politicized targeting, permissive rules, and a toxic culture —has undergone a transformation over the last two years. Spencer Reynolds writes that this effort falls short. “Ultimately, Congress must rein in I&A,” he adds.