DHS Agencies Support Super Bowl LIX Security - Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON – Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to New Orleans this week to observe DHS security operations for Super Bowl LIX. More than 690 employees representing 12 DHS agencies are in New Orleans, providing air security resources; venue, cyber, and infrastructure security assessments; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives detection technologies; intelligence analysis and threat assessments; intellectual property enforcement; and real-time situational awareness reporting as part of a 20-year partnership with the National Football League and state and local law enforcement.
“Around 100,000 people will be celebrating the Super Bowl in and around the Superdome in New Orleans this weekend,” said Secretary Noem. “We will give law enforcement every resource they need to ensure a safe event. Thank you to our partners, Governor Landry, Mayor Cantrell and the New Orleans Police Department. If you see something, say something!”
“Since day one, we have stood steadfast in our mission: to protect what matters most,” said Eric DeLaune, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Special Agent in Charge and lead federal coordinator for Super Bowl LIX. “From securing critical infrastructure to providing real-time threat analysis, we are committed to safeguarding our communities. With over 690 DHS personnel deployed, we bring cutting-edge security resources and technologies to ensure every aspect of this event is protected.”
DHS has assessed this year’s Super Bowl as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 event. For more information, visit the SEAR Fact Sheet webpage. Although no specific, credible threats related to this year’s game have been identified, the U.S. remains in a heightened threat environment, as evidenced by the recent terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
DHS security efforts for Super Bowl LIX include the following:
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP): Air and Marine Operations (AMO) will enforce temporary flight restrictions around Caesars Superdome, providing “eye in the sky” intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight operations in and around key venues, including the Superdome, airport, Bourbon Street and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Additionally, CBP will provide video surveillance capabilities and non-intrusive inspections by scanning the cargo entering the stadium for contraband such as narcotics, weapons, and explosives. CBP will also work to intercept counterfeit NFL merchandise such as NFL jerseys, championship rings, T-shirts, caps and all sorts of souvenirs and memorabilia, which are often used to fund criminal organizations.
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): An HSI Special Response Team is standing by to provide interior stadium tactical support, and HSI’s special agents will support will also CBP, local law enforcement agencies, and other private partners in identifying an investigating any flea markets, retail outlets, street vendors and online marketplaces selling counterfeit goods during the week leading up to the Super Bowl to protect consumers, who are expected to spend over $16.5 billion nationwide. HSI will also oversee the coordination of DHS assets with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure essential public safety measures and resources are in the right place, at the right time.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): On Super Bowl Sunday, CISA will also deploy advisors and emergency communications coordinators to support local law enforcement, emergency responders, and private partners in New Orleans. Ahead of the event, the agency conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments, planning exercises, and bomb safety workshops with state and local partners.
• Office of Intelligence &Analysis (I&A): I&A worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assess the threat landscape leading up to the Super Bowl, including sharing timely and actionable information and intelligence with their state and local partners.
• Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD): CWMD provided surge support from its Mobile Detection Deployment Program and its BioWatch program in coordination with the City of New Orleans.
• U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): USCG Pacific Strike Team is supporting the Mobile Detection Deployment Program to bolster DHS’s ability to detect and interdict chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and Canine Explosive Detection teams will support the safety and security of the event.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA): A TSA Supervisory Federal Air Marshal will staff the Fusion Watch Center during the event, and will use its National Deployment Force to increase the number of transportation security officers working at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to screen the increased number of departing passengers after the Super Bowl. TSA’s explosive detection canines and Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams will also work during Super Bowl week events at key venues.
• Science & Technology Directorate (S&T): S&T will deploy easy-to assemble, expandable security barriers that can be installed quickly to provide critical asset protection and intrusion prevention.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA will help keep fans safe by providing communication tools for state and local responders.
• DHS Blue Campaign: This public awareness campaign is disseminating digital and out-of-home advertising in the New Orleans area to raise human trafficking awareness among visitors, local residents, and those working in industries, such as hotels, hospitality, and transportation, where frontline employees are more likely to be in a position to identify and report human trafficking. The campaign’s Blue Lightning Initiative is also partnering with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to raise awareness and train staff to recognize and report human trafficking.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review and Join Annual Inquiry Service List
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review
• Thermal Paper From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Steel Threaded Rod From China; Institution of a Five-Year Review
• Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains From China
• Certain Electrolyte Containing Beverages and Labeling and Packaging Thereof (II); Notice of Institution of Investigation
• Refined Brown Aluminum Oxide From China; Institution of a Five-Year Review
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Chlorinated Isocyanurates From Spain: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Circular Welded Non-Alloy Steel Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Antidumping Administrative Review; Notice of Amended Final Results
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Mattresses From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review of Antidumping Duty Order
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Brake Drums From China and Turkey; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Investigations
• Active Anode Material From China
• Certain Liquid Transfer Devices With an Integral Vial Adapter; Notice of a Commission Determination Finding a Violation of Section 337; Issuance of a Limited Exclusion Order and a Cease and Desist Order; Termination of the Investigation
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During the Month of January Louisville CBP Officers Seized Over $27M of Counterfeit Jewelry - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
LOUISVILLE, Ky — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville had a very busy month of January seizing 28 shipments of counterfeit designer jewelry worth an average Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) over $975,000, had the good been genuine.
The shipments were mostly from China and Hong Kong and were heading to locations across the U.S. The shipments contained counterfeit designer watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings. CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, inspected the items and deemed them to be counterfeit. All the items were seized for infringing on the designer’s protected trademarks. Had these items been genuine, they would have had a combined MSRP value of almost $27.5 million.
“Counterfeit goods are poor quality products that cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars a year while robbing our country of jobs and tax revenues,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director, Field Operations, Chicago Field Office. “CBP officers throughout my field offices remain committed to stopping counterfeit smuggling, taking profits from organized crime, and helping protect our communities from potentially hazardous knockoffs.”
For the last three years, the top commodities seized for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) infringement with the highest total MSRP have been (1) Jewelry, (2) Watches, and (3) Handbags/Wallets. Additionally, China and Hong Kong are consistently the top two source countries for IPR seizures. In Fiscal Year 2024, seizures from China and Hong Kong accounted for approximately 90% of the total quantity seized.
There are many ways consumers can protect themselves from spending their money on fakes:
• Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.
• Know the market value of the item you are purchasing. If the item is priced well below what it should be, it could be counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
• Look for legitimate web sites that offer customer service contact information and return policies.
• Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
“Our officers are highly skilled at identifying packages that represent a higher level of risk through visual examination, based on their knowledge and awareness of ever-changing trends employed by the individuals and organizations seeking to illegally import contraband,” said Louisville’s Port Director, Philip Onken.
Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers. To combat the entry of counterfeit and pirated goods into America, CBP targets and seizes imports of counterfeit and pirated goods and enforces exclusion orders on patent-infringing and other IPR violative goods.
The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren’t always obvious to consumers. Particularly, when shopping online, beware of counterfeit goods. Fake goods can lead to real dangers. For more information, visit The Truth Behind Counterfeits page.
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USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Certain Shapewear Garments - U.S. International Trade Commission
The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) voted to institute an investigation of certain shapewear garments and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Spanx, LLC of Atlanta, Ga., on December 31, 2024. A supplement to the complaint was filed on January 22, 2025. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain shapewear that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following respondents in this investigation:
• Guangzhoushi Cedong Shangmao Youxiangongsi, Guangzhou, China
• Bingrong Co., Ltd Shenzhen Shi, China
• Dolce Vita Intimates LLC, Harrison, N.J.
• Honeylove Sculptwear, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
• Guangzhoushi Chiping Dianzi Maoyi Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, China
• Daerwene Inc., Boulder, Colo.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1436), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Laminated Woven Sacks from China - U.S. International Trade Commission
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on laminated woven sacks from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of these products from China will remain in place.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report on Laminated Woven Sacks from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-450 and 731-TA-1122 (Third Review), USITC Publication 5589, February 2025) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by March 13, 2025; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
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Restoring a Tough U.S.-Cuba Policy - U.S. Department of State
Within the first two weeks of President Trump’s term, the State Department took decisive action to rescind major last-minute policy changes on Cuba announced by the previous administration on January 14.
The President acted on his first day in office to keep Cuba on the SST list, where it belongs. The Cuban regime has long supported acts of international terrorism. We call for the regime to end its support for terrorism, and to stop providing food, housing, and medical care to foreign murderers, bombmakers, and hijackers, while Cubans go hungry and lack access to basic medicine.
In a January 29 letter to the appropriate Congressional committees, I withdrew the prior administration’s letter regarding the LIBERTAD Act. The Trump Administration is committed to U.S. persons having the ability to bring private rights of action involving trafficked property confiscated by the Cuban regime.
On January 31, I approved the re-creation of the Cuba Restricted List, which prohibits certain transactions with companies under the control of, or acting for or on behalf of, the repressive Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel. The State Department is re-issuing the Cuba Restricted List to deny resources to the very branches of the Cuban regime that directly oppress and surveil the Cuban people while controlling large swaths of the country’s economy. In addition to restoring the entities that were on the list until the final week of the previous administration, we are adding Orbit, S.A., a remittance-processing company operating for or on behalf of the Cuban military.
The State Department promotes accountability for the Cuban regime for oppressing its people and rejects Cuba’s malign interference across the Americas and throughout the world. We support the Cuban people’s human rights and fundamental freedoms and demand the release of all unjustly detained political prisoners. Our Embassy in Havana is meeting with families of those unjustly detained, as well as dissidents, so that they know the United States wholeheartedly supports them. We are steadfast in our commitment to the Cuban people and promote accountability for the Cuban regime’s actions..
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Scammers impersonate FTC officials, including Chairman Andrew Ferguson - Federal Trade Administration
Scammers lie and pretend to be someone they’re not to trick you into giving them money, access to your accounts, or your personal information. They pretend to be from a business you know or from a government agency — or both. In the latest twist on these constantly evolving schemes, scammers are claiming to be FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
The scam often starts with an unexpected call or message about a routine problem — like a suspicious purchase on your Amazon account, a virus on your computer, or an account breach. Then the scammer transfers you to someone they claim is with the government and can help with the problem.
The fraudsters go to great lengths to gain your trust. Some make up government agency names that sound real but aren’t. Others impersonate real government agencies, including the FTC. Some scammers use made-up employee names and fake employee ID badges. While others have the nerve to use the names of real FTC officials, including Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
No matter who they say they are, the helper does not work for the government, and they’re not there to help you. They’re in on the scam.
The scammer lies and says you must move your money to protect it. Then they tell you to transfer money from your bank or retirement account to a supposedly secure account. Or to deposit it at a cryptocurrency ATM. The problem is the scammer controls those accounts and quickly steals your money.
What to know
Someone who really works at the FTC won’t tell you to move your money to protect it. They won’t tell you to deposit your money into a cryptocurrency ATM. And they won’t tell you to give cash or gold to someone they’ll send to pick it up.
What to do
If you get an unexpected call or message about a problem with one of your accounts and you think it could be real, verify the story. Contact your bank, broker, investment advisor, or credit card company by using the number you find on your account statement, or logging into your account. Don’t use contact information you got in the unexpected message or call.
Report imposter scams and other attempts to steal your money or personal information to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain - Food & Drug Administration
If it’s First Drug Approved in New Class of Non-Opioid Pain Medicines; Agency Continues to Take Steps to Support New Approaches for Pain Management
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 milligram oral tablets, a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx reduces pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals reach the brain.
Journavx is the first drug to be approved in this new class of pain management medicines.
Pain is a common medical problem and relief of pain is an important therapeutic goal. Acute pain is short-term pain that is typically in response to some form of tissue injury, such as trauma or surgery. Acute pain is often treated with analgesics that may or may not contain opioids.
The FDA has long supported development of non-opioid pain treatment. As part of the FDA Overdose Prevention Framework, the agency has issued draft guidance aimed at encouraging development of non-opioid analgesics for acute pain and awarded cooperative grants to support the development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute pain conditions.
“Today’s approval is an important public health milestone in acute pain management,” said Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, J.D., M.D., acting director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “A new non-opioid analgesic therapeutic class for acute pain offers an opportunity to mitigate certain risks associated with using an opioid for pain and provides patients with another treatment option. This action and the agency’s designations to expedite the drug’s development and review underscore FDA’s commitment to approving safe and effective alternatives to opioids for pain management.”
The efficacy of Journavx was evaluated in two randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trials of acute surgical pain, one following abdominoplasty and the other following bunionectomy. In addition to receiving the randomized treatment, all participants in the trials with inadequate pain control were permitted to use ibuprofen as needed for “rescue” pain medication. Both trials demonstrated a statistically significant superior reduction in pain with Journavx compared to placebo.
The safety profile of Journavx is primarily based on data from the pooled, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trials in 874 participants with moderate to severe acute pain following abdominoplasty and bunionectomy, with supportive safety data from one single-arm, open-label study in 256 participants with moderate to severe acute pain in a range of acute pain conditions.
The most common adverse reactions in study participants who received Journavx were itching, muscle spasms, increased blood level of creatine phosphokinase, and rash. Journavx is contraindicated for concomitant use with strong CYP3A inhibitors. Additionally, patients should avoid food or drink containing grapefruit when taking Journavx.
The application received Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track and Priority Review designations by the FDA.
The FDA granted approval of Journavx to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.