Federal Newscast

Thursday federal headlines – December 24, 2015

In Thursday's Federal Headlines, CBP's top seizures of 2015 include drugs shaped like watermelons and cocaine inside fried fish.

Federal News Network Staff

December 24, 2015 9:25 am

1 min read

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive.

Customs and Border Protection has released its list of top 10 seizures of 2015. Our three favorites here in the newsroom are drugs shaped like watermelons, cocaine inside fried fish, and a cloned Border Patrol vehicle used in an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants which was seized just three weeks ago. (CBP)
Families of U.S. military contractors kidnapped and killed in Iraq have urged the Supreme Court to take up their case over the government’s contractor and hostage negotiation policies. Law360 reports the petition they filed said they want to be able to pursue claims of allegedly unpaid contract benefits, life insurance payments and other benefits in federal court. The suit is being pursued by the parents of three Crescent Security contractors who were kidnapped in 2006 and executed in 2008. (Law 360)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology wants to fund up to two institutes as part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. It will provide up to $140 million over 5 to 7 years, to be matched by private and other non-federal sources. It’s interested in proposals that can help improve methods to produce robotic systems and biopharmaceutical drugs. (Commerce Department)