Have you ever wondered where the government stores its most precious documents and artifacts, or where they process top secret information and carry out military attacks on the enemy? This is a list of 15 of the most secret and secure facilities on the planet, many of which you probably have never even heard of because their locations are classified. Many of these secret bases are hidden beneath the ground, inside of a mountain or located in the middle of nowhere, so it is difficult to establish exact information on them. However, it is intriguing to get a glimpse into these hidden and murky worlds, even if it is only from the outside.

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In what could be viewed as history in the making, the UK government has made it mandatory for all domestic travellers between Northern Ireland and the mainland to carry and display ID cards to the authorities. The rule applies to all flights, ferries and all other modes of transportation from January 2008.

This exercise is on to curb the rise in terrorist activity that’s on a high for the past few years. Carrying ID cards and being validated helps the authorities track down possible suspects or illegal immigrants.

Here’s the rationale as provided by the Home Office publication: “It is often the case that domestic travel forms part of a journey beginning or ending overseas.”

“For example, having arrived in the Republic or Northern Ireland from overseas, terrorist targets may then use domestic air and sea routes for travel to…the UK mainland.”

“The lack of data on the domestic leg of such journeys creates a critical gap in the intelligence picture.”

I have a feeling that the Muslim community might face the wrath as the ID cards make them identifiable.

This process will possibly be a bottle neck for travellers between the two states. A lot of inconvenience and delays will be a direct resultant. Heathrow is a practical example of such security checks.

Meanwhile MPs from Northern Ireland have shot down the new rule stating that the new exercise make the people from Northern Ireland look like second class citizens. There are reports that the ID card rule might be challenged in the courts.

via BNP

For many people, travelling with a Rottweiler is an inconvenient and inefficient method for staying secure. And, as you would have to struggle to get your CCTV system through customs, it’s always useful to have a few tips at hand in order to stay a step ahead of petty hotel thieves.

Although much of these tips seem like common sense, there are still a staggering number of people who treat their hotel room like a casino safe - they leave everything they have on show while they tan by the pool and are surprised to come back and see their valuables gone. So be patient, and you just might save yourselves a lot of hassle, as well as a small fortune.

So here are a few tips to help you avoid getting your identity stolen when on the road!

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The news about security getting beefed up isn’t new anymore to UK residents and travellers to UK. It has become routine and everybody seems to accept the fact that travellers coming in to the country or leaving have to go through the arduous lengthy process of security checks.

The British government in its ditch effort has decided to get more details about every traveller to UK. They are planning on obtaining 53 pieces of information on every tourist entering and leaving the country. Airlines and ships are expected to provide basic details like name, sex, date of birth, nationality, type of travel document, issuing state, date of reservation, passenger address, contact numbers of tourists and agents along with the hotels they plan on residing.

This whole exercise of comprehensive checks is expected to cost the government a whopping £1.2b. The cost of security checks may be levied on airlines and carriers which may in turn charge the traveller.

via IR News Agency

Terrorists try to target public places where the damage to human lives would be maximum. If there are long lines for people to clear the security checks, this itself could be potential targets, according to a report tabled by the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

The Government is unnecessarily creating new volatile spots for terrorists to carry out their attack by accumulating tons of people in one small area.

Professor Alan Hatcher of the International School for Security and Explosives Education said: “One of my concerns is that we are creating new targets. We have lines of people in terminals now, 200, 300 people in a queue, your bag is not searched when you go in or out, you can take 23 kg of baggage with you and 23 kg of ammonium nitrate mix would… make a good impact.”

Although the report didn’t provide a solution to the reminiscent problem, detection of a problem is as good as averting yet another suicide attack. There’s always a way out; for everything.

via Jane’s

Recent terror bombings on Glasgow airport have set to change the face of travel to UK. New rules and policies are set to be imposed on travellers within and outside UK. The latest suggestion is to capture fingerprints of all travellers to the UK including tourists.

Every person seeking to enter the UK from countries outside the European Union, including India, will be fingerprinted prior to being issued a visa, if a proposed law that aims to tighten UK’s borders is passed by British MPs.

This bill along with the banning of UK criminals from travelling is pending in the parliament and is bound to be decided upon at the earliest.

But if the visa applicant has all the required documents like purpose of travel, finances in order, personal interview may not be mandatory.

via Times of India

Criminals in the UK including those with petty charges may be banned from travelling to countries like Pakistan that harbour terrorists. This move is aimed at minimising the terror strikes against the UK.

This travel ban contemplation comes in the wake of a 2005 bomber who was allowed to head to Pakistan despite facing minor charges in the UK. There has been news of people getting trained in the tainted countries. Kafeel Ahmed, the main person charged for Glasgow bombing was reportedly sent to Pakistan for ammunition training.

This will be deemed as a good policy especially during this era. But, there will always be some innocent who could be affected by the ban.

via RTT News

Heathrow airport will start tagging the luggage leaving the airport in an effort to avert passengers missing their luggage. The baggage will be tagged using the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The tagging is expected to start from October for bags leaving the Heathrow airport.

Computer chips in bag labels will emit a signal detailing the owner’s name and destination. In theory, sensors could be pointed at a mound of bags and a baggage handler will be able to download the details of every piece of luggage in the pile.

Previously, the RFID technology was used at UK airports, not on luggage but on people on their boarding passes. It was done to prevent flight delays due to missing passengers at Manchester airport.

Experts feel that the electronic tagging of baggage should have been done simultaneously at two airports as the bags flying from other destinations are not secured as the ones leaving Heathrow airport.

via Guardian

Security has been beefed up throughout the UK following a Jeep Cherokee crashing into the Glasgow airport’s main terminal bursting into flames. Two other cars were found loaded with petrol, gas tanks and nails at London West End which was meant to be weapons of terror.

All cars and taxis have been barred from entering many terminals at airports in the UK and the vehicle searches at train stations have increased as well.

Police have requested travellers to use public transportation over personal vehicles to save time owing to security checks.

Although Glasgow airport is back to normal, there could be some delays and cancellations. Other airports have seen congestion on the approach roads.

via BBC News