SubscribePadilla Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison
January 22, 2008
“Jose Padilla, the Brooklyn-born convert to Islam who was once accused by the government of plotting to detonate a “dirty bomb” in the United States, was sentenced on Tuesday to 17 years and four months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to help Islamic jihadist fighters abroad.” (NYT)
New trial for six accused of Sears Tower plot
January 22, 2008
“Six men went on trial in Miami on Tuesday for a second time on charges they plotted to blow up the tallest American skyscraper, Chicago’s Sears Tower, and several government offices on behalf of al Qaeda.
A jury failed in December to reach a verdict on the six and acquitted one co-defendant in a first trial, leading District Judge Joan Lenard to declare a mistrial.” (Reuters)
CDC, Partners Publish Agenda for Public Health Legal Preparedness
January 22, 2008
“CDC and partners have issued the National Action Agenda for Public Health Legal Preparedness as a resource that public health officials, policy makers, and partners may use in assessing and improving their jurisdictions’ legal preparedness for public health emergencies.” (Occupational Health & Safety)
Air Force working on cheaper plug-and-play satellites
January 22, 2008
“Satellites represent an extremely impressive technological achievement, serving as communications relays in orbits as high as 22,600 miles above the Earth or providing precise location information to handheld Global Positioning System receivers priced at as little as $100.
At the same time, satellite development and manufacturing seems stuck in the pre-automation age, with each bird laboriously handcrafted in a process that takes years and with costs for new Defense Department satellite systems routinely measured in the billions of dollars.” (GovExec)
Northrop Grumman Achieving C-MANPADS Milestones
January 22, 2008
“Northrop Grumman says its Guardian infrared aircraft missile defense system exceeded expectations in live-fire tests in late 2007 and would top reliability goals if eventually installed on commercial air transports.
The live-fire ground tests and aircraft installations were carried out as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing Counter-MANPADS (C- MANPADS) program. The flight program is evaluating the system’s compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and maintenance.” (Trading Markets)
Hypothetical attack on U.S. outlined by China
January 22, 2008
“In a hypothetical future scenario, the U.S. and China are poised to clash — likely over Taiwan.
The democratic Republic of China, commonly called Taiwan — which America backs and the communist People’s Republic of China considers part of its territory — frequently irritates Chinese leaders with calls for greater independence from the mainland. But while the American military mulls its options, Chinese missiles hit runways, fuel lines, barracks and supply depots at U.S. Air Force bases in Japan and South Korea. Long-range warheads destroy American satellites, crippling Air Force surveillance and communication networks. A nuclear fireball erupts high above the Pacific Ocean, ionizing the atmosphere and scrambling radars and radio feeds.” (Air Force Times)
The security badge for the future
January 22, 2008
“It could be years before agencies realize the full capabilities of the new personal identity verification cards that Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 requires” (FCW)
Goodbye anonymity. Hello ID superiority.
January 22, 2008
“When federal agencies finish issuing computer-readable personal identity cards, it will mark the end of a difficult four-year process and the beginning of a new era.
The new federal ID cards will indicate who belongs in federal buildings and who has permission to access federal networks. For the first time, identity cards for federal employees and contractors will contain more than information about who they are. The smart cards will store information about their organizational roles and access rights to information and information systems.” (FCW)
The List: The World’s Top Spy Agencies
January 22, 2008
“With the Cold War long over, the CIA no longer faces any real competition, right? Wrong. The world’s top espionage agencies are as busy as ever. This week, the FP List looks at the countries that best know how to wield a cloak and dagger.” (Foreign Policy)
Israel launches new satellite to spy on Iran
January 21, 2008
“Israel today launched a powerful spy satellite to keep watch on Iran, its main threat in the region.
The TecSar satellite has an advanced radar system that should allow Israeli intelligence officials to gather material at night and in cloudy weather, a capacity beyond current Israeli satellites.” (Guardian)
