WorldBridge service goes live in Germany

A new visa application service, known as WorldBridge, is being rolled out across the globe to provide applicants for UK visas with visa and immigration information and assistance.

Bundesdruckerei and IZM open futuristic document lab

Bundesdruckerei and Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration will open a futuristic SecurityLab in Berlin

Sagem Orga inks e-healthcare deal

German health service provider Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) and Sagem Orga have inked a deal for the German smart card manufacturer to provide policy holders with electronic health cards (eGK).

Official German ePassport testing report released

The long-awaited official report covering Germany’s ePassport interoperability testing has been released

New record set for SESAMES entries

A record 211 applicants have entered this year’s SESAMES awards. Winners will be announced at Cartes in November 2007.

Nigeria takes new passport steps

Nigeria’s immigration service has finalised plans to introduce the harmonised Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) passport in addition to issuing an ePassport.

Silicon Trust calls for EU lead

The Silicon Trust has called on Europe to take the lead in recommending interoperable solutions for registered traveller programmes (RTPs), following a workshop with EU representatives.

LaserCard wins order for laser engravable passport

LaserCard Corporation announces the receipt of a purchase order for secure laser engravable passport data pages

PM states case for ID cards at borders

In his first Prime Minister’s Questions since taking over as UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has said that ID cards must be part of any future border control solution.

Assa Abloy ITG snaps up Irish inlay producer

AA ITG snaps up Aontec, a manufacturer of inlays for secured electronic documents

LaserCard scoops US$1.5 million order

LaserCard has received US$1.5 million in follow-on orders for its optical/smart-card based technology for a national ID project in a Middle Eastern country.

Full steam ahead for Kenyan passport

Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has confirmed its involvement in Kenya’s new passport system.

DHS and DOS to tighten up land and sea borders

DHS and DOS tighten up land and sea borders by eliminating most of the 8000 ID documents currently accepted

Precise increases hold on Chinese firm

In a move aimed at strengthening its position in the Chinese market, Swedish security firm Precise Biometrics is increasing its holding in Smart Unicorn Solutions (SUS) to 38%.

Chip developments for Atmel

Atmel’s AT90SC12872RCFT secure microcontroller is certified as complying with ICAO and ISO 14443 specifications by independent laboratory FIME.

New PIV configuration for GlobalPlatform

GlobalPlatform has published a new configuration of its Messaging Specification v1.0 to support personalisation of Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, for use by US government employees and contractors.

Thumbs up for miSense trials

Coordinated biometric registered traveller trials that took place at Heathrow, Hong Kong and Dubai airports, have received a positive response from passengers.

Senture wins GSA stamp of approval

Senture is that latest company to complete the US General Services Administration (GSA) evaluation for HSPD-12, SIN 132-62 vendor certification for deployment services.

Europeans still upbeat about biometrics

A new pan-European survey on electronic ID has revealed that citizens still feel positive about the introduction of biometrics and anticipate a wide range of benefits in the future, including better protection against ID theft.

Oberthur set for reorganisation

In a bid to overcome a ‘difficult competitive environment’ which has affected prices and profitability, Oberthur Card Systems has said it will reorganise its industrial sites.