China's Public Security Bureau, which handles visas, didn't comment on specific questions about visa runs, except to cite Chinese regulations.

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Lu Wen, deputy director of the Nanning public security bureau told the paper that the scam was unheard of in China due to its number of victims.

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In another phone interview moments later with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Weaver and her crew were in their car with a police officer, who was directing the driver to take them to the public security bureau at Hainan's civilian airport.

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People answering the phone at the Ankang public-security bureau and the Ankang Family Planning Propaganda Center both declined to discuss the case.

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Jamie Barnett, who retired as chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau earlier this year, questioned whether market forces are sufficient to push carriers to make their networks more reliable, given that ensuring better service in emergencies could end up costing consumers more.

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The merger is being investigated by the DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security for any potential impact on national security, public safety or law enforcement concerns.

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The merger is being investigated by the DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security, for any potential impact on national security, public safety or law enforcement.

FORBES: Could Sprint's Quest For Spectrum Lead To A Dish Compromise?