SubscribeAnti-terror rules for trains rapped
March 14, 2008
“New anti-terrorism rules aimed at stopping companies from sending railway cars packed with toxic chemicals through cities may still leave large populations vulnerable, according to members of Congress and security experts.” (USA Today)
US Capitol evacuated, no threat: Homeland Security
March 13, 2008
“The US Capitol building was partly evacuated Wednesday after a plane violated its airspace, but there was no imminent threat, a spokeswoman for the Homeland Security Department said.” (AFP)
Germany, US deepen anti-terror cooperation
March 11, 2008
“The United States and Germany agreed Tuesday to share more information on terror suspects in a deal that Washington hopes will be a model for cooperation with other countries.
The agreement, initialled in Berlin by US Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff and US Attorney General Michael Mukasey and their German counterparts, also covers serious crimes other than terrorism, a statement said.” (Agence France Presse)
Focus widens in Times Square attack
March 7, 2008
“The search for a bicyclist who bombed the Times Square military recruiting office expanded quickly yesterday as the probe’s focus turned to photos of the attack site sent to Capitol Hill and possible connections to previous attacks on two city consulate buildings.
The early morning bombing by a hooded bicyclist, at arguably the armed forces’ most visible presence in the nation’s largest city, rattled windows and nerves but caused little damage and no injuries.” (Newsday)
Small explosion hits New York’s Times Square
March 6, 2008
“A small explosion caused minor damage to a U.S. military recruiting center in New York’s Times Square area in the early hours of Thursday but there were no injuries, police said.
The Homeland Security Department said it was investigating whether there was a terrorism link to the explosion.” (Reuters)
DHS Tests of Radiation Detectors Were Inconclusive, Report Says
March 5, 2008
“Department of Homeland Security tests of new radiation detection machines last year did not show whether the costly devices performed well enough to be used as planned at ports and borders to protect the country against nuclear attacks or dirty bombs, according to a new report about the process.” (Washington Post)
Guns, ‘Anarchist Book’ Found With Ricin
March 1, 2008
“Firearms and an “anarchist type textbook” were found in the same motel room where several vials of the deadly toxin ricin was found, police said Friday.
The room was most recently occupied by a 57-year-old man who has been in critical condition with breathing problems at a hospital for more than two weeks.” (AP)
Man critical in Las Vegas after poison ricin found
March 1, 2008
“An unidentified man is in critical condition with suspected ricin poisoning after staying in a Las Vegas hotel room where the potentially deadly substance was found, police said on Friday.” (Reuters)
Terrorism: Action Needed to Protect Research Nuclear Reactors
February 28, 2008
“There are 37 research reactors in the United States, mostly located on college campuses. Of these, 33 reactors are licensed and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Four are operated by the Department of Energy and are located at three national laboratories. Although less powerful than commercial nuclear power reactors, research reactors may still be attractive targets for terrorists.” (Canada Free Press)
New Way to Test Nuclear Detectors Urged
February 28, 2008
“The government needs to develop a better way to evaluate the effectiveness of technology to detect nuclear and radiological material at U.S. ports, according to a report commissioned by the Homeland Security Department.
Congress and its investigative arm, the Government Accountability Office, have been skeptical about the department’s testing of such systems. As a result, the department called for an independent audit into its testing.” (AP)