NYC Homes Raided in Terrorism Probe

Proposal to ax port, transit security sparks bipartisan ire

(NEWSER) - Bush plans to cut counterterror funds in half next year, nixing port and transit security plans altogether, the AP reports. The drop from $3.2 billion to $1.4 billion would slash police, fire, and rescue budgets nationwide—and run counter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's vow of less "bean-counting" after New York and Washington dollars were cut 40% in 2005. More»

OptaSense can identify footsteps, vehicles from miles away

(NEWSER) - Major oil companies are relying on a new fiber-optic technology to keep an underground ear on intruders, the Independent reports. Devised by a British defense firm, the OptaSense system consists of microphones placed along sensitive fiber-optic cables already laid underground. The cables sense vibrations, the mics pick it up, and OptaSense compares the signals with other sound samples to identify what's afoot. More»

Academy recruits prepare for Mumbai copycat attacks

(NEWSER) - The New York Police Department is preparing for the possibility of a Mumbai-style terrorist attack on multiple targets by training all 1,000 of its latest recruits to use M4 automatic machine guns, the New York Post reports. The 2,000 officers in the Organized Crime Control Bureau will get the training as well. The new trainees should be ready to wield the weapons by New Year's, the commissioner said. More»

(NEWSER) - Anti-terrorism measures planned for New York City have civil liberties groups worried, the Guardian of London reports. Operation Sentinel calls for cameras to be placed at every bridge and tunnel into Manhattan to photograph every vehicle entering and leaving. Details would then be kept on a huge city database. More»

Security stepped up on nation's rail system

(NEWSER) - Amtrak is stepping up security, with random screening of carry-on bags and security teams packing machine guns and leading bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains, reports AP. The new system, beginning this week, echoes stricter security procedures at the nation's airports. Amtrak insists there should be no additional departure delays . More»