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BC, MT say no mines, oil or gas in the Flathead
Associated Press Financial Wire, February 10, 2010 Wednesday 1:16 AM GMT
Leaders of Montana and British Columbia said Tuesday they will ban drilling and mining in a remote valley along the US-Canada border that companies have tried to develop for more than a quarter-century.

Fun things to do in the Northeast
El Paso Times (Texas), February 4, 2010 Thursday
Northeast Fun things to do in the Northeast:Bowlero Lanes, 8941 Dyer. 755-7676.El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Trans Mountain, offers museum tours with reservations for a party of 12 or more from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. 755-4332.National Border Patrol Museum, 4313 Trans Mountain, www.borderpatrolmuseum.com. Exhibits cover the history of the U.S. Border Patrol from the Old West to contemporary operations through paintings, photographs, equipment, weapons, documents, artifacts and hands-on exhibits, which include a helicopter, jeep, snowmobiles, ATVs and a boat. Free. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays. Open to the public. 759-6060.Fort Bliss Old Ironsides Museum, at a reconstructed site of the original fort. Displays include 35 tanks and 10 armored vehicles.

GAO Says Border Communities Need Better Drinking Water
Targeted News Service, February 9, 2010 Tuesday 10:19 PM EST
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Communities near the United States-Mexico border are plagued with the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation systems, posing health risks like waterborne diseases, according to a Government Accountability Office report titled, "Improved Coordination and Funding Processes Could Enhance Federal Efforts to Meet Needs in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region." Many federal programs provide affected communities grants, loans and other assistance. The GAO determined the level of financial support given as well as effectiveness of efforts to serve the communities. Analyzing agency financial data, reviewed legislation, policies and procedures and interviewed federal, state and local officials were among its activities, the GAO said.

The Washington Daybook
February 11, 2010

The Alternative Awards
Air Transport World, February 1, 2010
The Baghdad Bob Award for Best News Spin US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano By declaring that "the system worked" two days after an al Qaeda-trained terrorist was prevented from exploding a bomb on a Northwest Airlines flight only by equipment failure and the desperate actions of nearby passengers, Secretary Napolitano demonstrated an ability to "spin" bad news worthy of the best of them. The Inspector Clouseau Award

Border Patrol Seizes 2 Tons of Marijuana in South Arizona
Homeland Security Department Documents and Publications, February 4, 2010
(Thursday, February 4, 2010) Tucson, Ariz. -- U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than 4,300 pounds of marijuana in the last two days and assisted the Douglas Police Department in seizing another 300 pounds Monday.

Implant Sciences gets SAFETY act listing
UPI, February 9, 2010 Tuesday 2:39 PM EST
The U.S. Homeland Security Department has certified two portable explosive threat detection systems designed by Implant Sciences Corp. U.S. company Implant Sciences says its QS-H100 and QS-H150 Quantum Sniffer explosive detection technology variants have been certified for the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technology Act.

The Washington Daybook
February 10, 2010

Metal Township Fire and Ambulance Company lands federal security grant
Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), February 7, 2010 Sunday
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, a senior member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has approved funding for several fire companies in central Pennsylvania.

Manuel Flores runs for sheriff
Alamogordo Daily News (New Mexico), February 9, 2010 Tuesday
Manuel Flores, a U.S. Border Patrol agent who retired from federal service in 2007, is running as a Republican for the office of Otero County sheriff. Flores said he decided to run four years ago, but he was not ready for the previous election as he was still working for the Border Patrol. He decided to wait until 2010 to run. Flores said he believes the sheriff's department can achieve much higher performance levels. If elected, he said he would provide better training for deputies and obtain more resources for the department by aggressively pursuing federal grants.

Contract Awards: Emerson Network Power Wins $53,124 Federal Contract for Maintenance Services
US Fed News, February 9, 2010 Tuesday 10:37 PM EST
PORTSMOUTH, Va., Feb. 1 -- Emerson Network Power, Westerville, Ohio, won a $53,124 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Coast Guard, to provide maintenance services for uninterruptible power supply units. The contract date was Feb. 8 and posted on Feb. 8. The original document can be viewed at: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=f06072d5c2ff83cdb9167f3005466182&tab=core&_cview=1For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Homeland Security and You; Snowmageddon's Reprise
CNN, SHOW: CNN NEWSROOM 10:00 AM EST
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: The Department of Homeland Security wants to hear from you. Yes, officials want to know what could be done better. What can they do to keep you safe without wasting your money and they have put a suggestion box online and they want your ideas. Homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve is at the security desk with this story. They really want to hear from us? JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: It's true, Betty. You know just about everybody wants to say something to the department at one point or another. Just about everybody has a complaint. Now you can go online to dhs.gov/open.

Cambodia, Thailand to peaceful solve border issue: U.S. official
Xinhua General News Service, February 9, 2010 Tuesday 10:25 AM EST
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of States Scot Marciel said on Tuesday that Washington wanted to see Phnom Penh and Bangkok to solve their border disputes through peaceful talks for the benefits of the two nations.

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: WILLIAM J. FOX, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT AFFILIATION: BANK OF AMERICA Statement of William J. Fox Senior Vice-President Global Anti-Money Laundering and Economic Sanctions Executive Bank of America Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations February 4, 2010 Chairman Levin, Ranking Member Coburn and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am here today representing Bank of America to provide information relating to this Subcommittee's investigation into the financial transactions of certain politically exposed persons. We have worked closely with the staff of the Subcommittee over the past several years to assist this investigation.

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: WIECHER MANDEMAKER, DIRECTOR AFFILIATION: HSBC BANK USA, N.A. Statement of Wiecher Mandemaker Director, General Compliance HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations February 4, 2010 Good morning Chairman Levin, Ranking Member Coburn, and subcommittee members. My name is Wiecher Mandemaker and I am the Director of General Compliance responsible for anti-money laundering compliance in the personal financial services division of HSBC Bank USA, N.A. I previously served as a Vice President in HSBC's Government and Institutional Banking Department, focused on Embassy and Foreign Government accounts.

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: TOM COBURN, SENATOR AFFILIATION: UNITED STATES SENATE Opening Statement of Tom Coburn Senator United States Senate Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: DAVID T. JOHNSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY AFFILIATION: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE Statement of Ambassador David T. Johnson Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs United States Department of State Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations February 4, 2010 Mr. Chairman, Senator Coburn, and other distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the impact of foreign corruption on the United States, and why combating it is a key U.S. objective. We at the Department of State are grateful for your leadership and the awareness that today's hearing brings to this important national security issue. I'd like to thank the Committee for inviting a truly interagency panel, as our nation's efforts to address foreign corruption requires a whole of government effort here at home. CORRUPTION TRANSCENDS BORDERS

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: CARL LEVIN, SENATOR AFFILIATION: UNITED STATES SENATE Opening Statement of Carl Levin Senator United States Senate Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations February 4, 2010 Corruption is a cancer that corrodes the rule of law, undermines economic development, and eats away at the fabric of civil society. In extreme cases, corruption can destabilize communities, and lead to failed states, lawlessness, and terrorism. For the United States, which has so much riding on global stability, corruption is a direct threat to our national interests.

KEEPING FOREIGN CORRUPTION OUT OF UNITED STATES; COMMITTEE: SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS; SUBCOMMITTEE: PERMANENT INVESTIGATIONS
CQ Congressional Testimony, February 4, 2010 Thursday
TESTIMONY-BY: JANICE AYALA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AFFILIATION: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Statement of Janice Ayala Assistant Director, Office of Investigations U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department of Homeland Security Committee on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations February 4, INTRODUCTION Chairman Levin, Ranking Member Coburn, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of Secretary Napolitano and Assistant Secretary Morton, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pursue corrupt foreign officials who plunder state coffers for personal gain, and then attempt to place those funds in the U.S. financial system. I commend the Subcommittee for its recently released staff report detailing many years of hard work in holding corrupt foreign officials accountable by denying them the enjoyment of their ill-gotten gains. I assure you that ICE shares this goal. ICE FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS

Palestinians want peace talks to focus on borders
The Daily Star (Lebanon), February 9, 2010 Tuesday
Palestinian officials demanded on Monday that any US-backed peace talks with Israel focus on border issues and be given a deadline of up to four months. Washington has proposed circumventing a dispute preventing the resumption of talks, stalled for more than a year since a war in Gaza, by reconvening in the form of "proximity talks" on an indirect basis, under closer US mediation

FEMA Publishes New Flood Risk Maps for Fannin County Texas
Targeted News Service, February 8, 2010 Monday 7:59 PM EST
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is presenting preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to communities and unincorporated areas in Fannin County, Texas. The FIRMs will help county officials and local residents identify known flood risks and will be used for insurance and development decisions.

Secretary Napolitano Launches Public Engagement Website
Targeted News Service, February 8, 2010 Monday 7:57 PM EST
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the launch of a new online public engagement tool designed to solicit input from the public on ways to enhance transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation at the Department--part of President Obama's Open Government Directive.