The Government Accountability Office has sent a letter to Congressional requestors1 on firms reported in open sources to have sold Iran refined petroleum products between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a warning to ship operators of anticipated increase in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden region from October through early December due to the end of monsoon season. More favorable weather conditions allow for small boat activity in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and waters off the Horn of Africa region. Recent attacks have occurred off the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts, the Southern Red Sea, Seychelles, and Maldives.
The State Department has designated Jemaah Islamiya (JI and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.
The Government Accountability has issued its report examining the connection between minerals trade with the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and human rights abuses, and the efforts to help control the trade.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson will travel to China from October 9-14, 2010. This is the administrator’s first official visit to China, where she will highlight and build on a wide range of joint efforts aimed at addressing current and emerging environmental challenges, from sustainability to greenhouse gas pollution.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that revokes an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:
The Foreign Agricultural Service announces that the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the U.S. Trade Representative, is considering modifying the existing structure of both the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Planting Seeds and in Grains, Feed and Oilseeds. The Secretary is also soliciting comments as to whether or not there are current interests not adequately represented in the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee System. Comments are due by November 8, 2010.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
On October 4, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget approved a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed rule that addresses distracted commercial motor vehicle drivers.
On October 1, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Nursery Stock Restrictions Manual. This Manual summarizes the entry status of regulated plant materials capable of and intended for propagation.