Security & Safety Briefs - April 21 - April 27
The Latest Headlines:
- U.S. Reportedly Not Heeding 9/11 Commission Findings
- Senate Approves Negroponte as Intelligence Chief
- Worldwide Terrorist Attacks on Rise, Paper Says
- DHS Awards $9.6 Mln. in Bus Security Grants
- Senate Approves Negroponte as Intelligence Chief
U.S. Reportedly Not Heeding 9/11 Commission Findings
U.S. government agencies have not implemented many recommendations from the 9/11 Commission report, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.Among proposals set by the commission were freeing up more radio frequencies for emergency calls, tightening Congressional oversight of intelligence operations and allocating more anti-terrorism funds to immediate risks, the paper reported.
The government also has not yet set up a single, reliable data base network to track suspected terrorists, the Journal said.
Senate Approves Negroponte as Intelligence Chief
The Senate Thursday approved John Negroponte to become the first U.S. national intelligence director, a job created last year to better coordinate U.S. spy agencies.The Senate voted 98-2 to give the career diplomat and former Iraq ambassador the job. Negroponte, 65, called the post his most challenging assignment in more than 40 years of government service, the Associated Press reported.
e will oversee, among other agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration.
In announcing Negroponte's nomination in February, President Bush said he created the new post to ensure that U.S. intelligence agencies work together. Transport Topics
Worldwide Terrorist Attacks on Rise, Paper Says
The number of serious international terrorist incidents more than tripled last year, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.The Post cited a State Department report that said “significant” attacks worldwide grew to about 655 last year, up from 175 in 2003.
The paper said in its front-page story that the State Department was not planning to make the figures public in its congressionally mandated annual report to Congress, due this week. Transport Topics
DHS Awards $9.6 Mln. in Bus Security Grants
The Department of Homeland Security announced about $9.6 million in intercity bus security grants.The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program is aimed at enhancing security for the millions bus travelers, DHS said.
The program places a strong emphasis on providing resources that will help intercity bus systems better prevent and detect possible explosive devices, as well as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents, the department said.
The program was designed in coordination with federal partner agencies including the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. Transport Topics
