AP Newsbreak: Homeland Security adds cities, regions to terrorism high-risk list

“More cities across the country are considered at high risk of a terror attack, according to a new list of spending priorities from the Homeland Security Department.

Last year the department made 45 cities or regions eligible for a competitive counterterror grant program. This year, the list has been expanded to 60 areas that can apply for the nearly $782 million (€525.9 million) available, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.” (International Herald Tribune)

Pentagon not ready for attack response in U.S.

“The Pentagon is not prepared to respond to a catastrophic chemical, biological or nuclear attack within the United States, placing Americans at risk, an independent panel reported to Congress on Thursday.

While the Defense Department conducts exhaustive planning for operations overseas, its planning for possible action inside the United States in response to attacks is inadequate, said the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves.” (Reuters)

U.S. officials: CIA kills top al Qaeda terrorist in Pakistan

“Abu Laith al-Libi, a wanted al Qaeda terrorist, was killed in Pakistan by a CIA airstrike, three U.S. officials told CNN Thursday.

Al-Libi was described as a senior al Qaeda leader believed to have plotted and executed attacks against U.S. and coalition forces, including a February 2007 bombing at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney.” (CNN)

Tighter U.S. Border ID Rules Begin

“New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn’t cause significant delays and won’t be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said.

Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, said Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” (AP)

Indonesia: Epicenter of bird flu

“The rooster started to crow at the unusually early hour of 3 a.m. and Partoparmin, a farmer in this small hillside village, went into his yard to look. All around him, chickens were lying on the ground, twitching and shaking.

“A few minutes later they were dead,” said Partoparmin, 60. “Right away I thought, this might be bird flu.”

Partoparmin, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, buried the chickens as he had learned to do from televised announcements, and no tests were done to confirm the cause of their death.” (International Herald Tribune)

Terror tag weighs down travellers

“Does the security drill at US airports really make you wonder? Chances are high that if you are routinely subjected to extra airport security or unable to print boarding passes for airline flights at US airport kiosks, your name has somehow got mixed up with those on Uncle Sam’s bulging terrorist watch lists.

Ann Davis, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), says the agency is sensitive to the problems travellers face when they are “misidentified”. The Terrorist Screening Database now has over 700,000 names, including many common Indian and South Asian names.” (Daily News & Analysis)

On Thursday, documents are needed to enter U.S.

“Starting Thursday, telling a customs agent you’re a citizen will no longer be enough to enter the United States.

For years, customs agents have accepted verbal declarations at border crossings, but a new rule taking effect this week requires documents to prove identity and citizenship. The simplest way to comply is to carry a passport or a driver’s license and birth certificate, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept combinations of about two dozen valid documents.” (Arizona Republic)

ODNI releases standards for suspicious-activity reporting

“The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has released for the first time a set of standards for how state, local and federal law enforcement officials should share information on suspicious activity with potential links to terrorism.

The Common Terrorism Information Sharing Standards place state and local intelligence fusion centers at the center of how information on perceived terrorist threats or tips flows among all departments and agencies that use terrorism or homeland security information.” (FCW)

Agencies deny they covered up formaldehyde in FEMA trailers

“House Democrats accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday of covering up the long-term health hazards — possibly including cancer — that are linked to formaldehyde in hurricane trailers.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said at a committee hearing it is “unacceptable” that FEMA did not begin testing formaldehyde levels in travel trailers and mobile homes until last month.” (Federal Times)

Law chief, Democrats face clash on waterboarding

“The top U.S. law enforcement official faces a clash on Wednesday with Senate Democrats after he rejected demands to rule on the legality of an interrogation technique known as waterboarding.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who is to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, told chairman Patrick Leahy in a letter on Tuesday that he had reviewed the CIA’s current techniques for interrogating terrorism suspects and found them lawful.” (Reuters)

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