November 13, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

Release Date: November 13, 2008

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Fact Sheet: DHS Announces Security Standards
for Freight and Passenger Rail Systems
Rail Transportation Security Final Rule (PDF, 204 pages - 801 KB)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials.

“By striking a sensible balance of security guidelines with certain regulatory requirements, we’re enabling the rail and chemical industries to be stronger partners,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The results are sound security measures without excessively burdening owners and operators.”

The Rail Security final rule will require freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The rule also will codify TSA’s broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule will ensure the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establish security protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1226590026515.shtm

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November 13, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

On 13 November 2008 a group of gunmen abducted an Iranian diplomat in the city of Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan. Authorities stated that the suspected militants stopped the diplomat’s vehicle in the Hayatabad neighborhood and killed his bodyguard before quickly leaving the scene. Police investigators cordoned off the area and shut down surrounding streets in an attempt to track down the perpetrators. Representatives of the Iranian Consulate confirmed that the attack occurred and stated that no group has claimed responsibility. The abduction came one day after a U.S. humanitarian aid worker was shot and killed in Peshawar.

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