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Questions raised anew about ATS
DHS’s Automated Targeting System (ATS) assigns a “risk assessment” score to travelers entering the U.S. to determine whether they pose a security threat; is the program legal?
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Elbit, Electronica in joint development of systems to defend aircraft
Governments are casting about for affordable and effective systems to defend civilian aircraft from shoulder-mounted missiles; two companies with experience in the field have joined hands to offer a solution
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Baggage scanners at Bangkok airport paralyzed by computer virus
Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand spent a lot of money to buy 26 GE CTX scanners to screen baggage; last night, 17 of them stopped working owing to a virus infection of the server
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Radar, connectivity problems delay full operation of SBInet
Radar problems with nine towers along the U.S.-Mexico border, and problems with connecting one tower to another, delays operation of Project 28 in southern Arizona
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Spain imposes new travel security regime
As of yesterday, Spain requires that Spain-bound travelers provide the same personal information and travael plans the U.S. has required since 2004; travel industry anxious
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Canada launches terrorist no-fly list today
The U.S. has about 45,000 names on its no-fly list; Canada has about 1,000 on a list launched today; Canadian transportation and security experts question list’s vale
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Growing interest in autonomous undersea vehicles
UAVs are already widely used by the military, homeland security, and, increasdigly, law enforcement; could AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) be far behind?
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DHS moves to tighten control over small planes, recreational boats
The U.S. has invested billions of dollars in beefing up security of commercial airlines and freight containers; DHS is moving to monitor and impose security requirements on smaller vehicles
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U.S.-bound travelers to notify DHS of travel plans ahead of departure
DHS is tightening travel restirctions on travelers from visa waiver countires: They will have to file travel plans 48 hours before departure
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Russia approves shooting down hijacked planes without warning
The Russian government allows its security forces more lattitude in the fight against terror; hijacked planes or sea vessles may now be destroyed without warning
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U.S. delays e-passport requirement to mid-2009
In second passport rules relaxtion in as many weeks, U.S. delays e-passport deadline to June 2009
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Autonomous see-shoot systems drawing interest
Remotely controlled weapon systems are deployed in the DMZ and around the Gaza strip; we may soon see humans taken out of the see-shoot chain, and such systems deployed around critical infrastructure facilities
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TWIC misses yet another deadline
TSA was supposed to implement TWIC in 10 ports by July, but delay-plagued program misses this deadline, too
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MiSense requires airport redesign to be effective
Identity access and management tools may not only add security, but also reduce queues at airports — but there is a need to redsign the airports first
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New full-body scanner reveals hidden objects without embarassing passengers
EMIT introduces low-energy microwave full-body scanner which identifies hidden objects without offering an anatomically correct image of passengers’ bodies; technology suitable for civilian applications
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The long view
Calls Grow for U.S. to Counter Chinese Control, Influence in Western Ports
Experts say Washington should consider buying back some ports, offer incentives to allies to decouple from China.