The U.S. this week said it won’t be prosecuting a NASA contractor for export control violations because the organization quickly self-reported the breaches and demonstrated “exceptional and proactive” cooperation with DOJ’s National Security Division. The announcement came after one of the contractor’s employees pleaded guilty to illegally exporting flight control software to a Chinese company on the Entity List and embezzling at least $161,000 in software license sales from those exports.

John Varesi, a senior engineer and licensing officer with the Bureau of Industry and Security, is retiring from the agency this week, he said during an April 29 Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Varesi had been with BIS since 2006.

The U.K. this week published a plan to reform its system for streamlining imports of goods that benefit from duty-free entry because they’re being imported temporarily, part of a broader package of tax updates released by the country’s revenue and customs agency. The changes will help businesses that import goods for short-term projects, exhibitions or events, the agency said, and “reflect the government’s commitment to a modern customs regime which supports businesses and responds to global trade and complex supply chains.” It’s also expecting the updates to “improve the customer experience for businesses engaging with customs.”

The EU this week updated its guidance about what types of Russia-related services are prohibited or exempt by sanctions. One new FAQ says EU nationals aren't necessarily barred from working for a Russian company as long as they aren't providing any of the EU's "listed" restricted services or software to the Russian government. "EU persons can still provide all services that are not prohibited in their capacity as employees," the guidance said.

The State Department has approved a possible $280 million military sale to Romania, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said April 28. The sale includes a “PATRIOT Air Defense System" and related equipment, and the principal contractors will be RTX Corp. and Lockheed Martin.

The Senate voted 67-29 on April 29 to confirm former Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., to be U.S. ambassador to China. Perdue has said he will seek to “increase the dialogue pace” on U.S.-China trade and press China to improve its human rights record, curb its purchase of Iranian oil and stem its export of fentanyl precursor chemicals (see 2504030045).

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Commerce Department April 29 to improve its efforts to prevent the illegal diversion of U.S. firearms exports.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., introduced a bill April 28 that would codify former President Joe Biden’s February 2024 executive order allowing the U.S. to sanction those who undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said April 29 that Azerbaijani officials, including President Ilham Aliyev, should face sanctions for recent human rights abuses, such as a growing number of political prisoners.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned six entities and six people based in Iran and China for their ties to a network that buys ballistic missile propellant ingredients for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. OFAC said the network has specifically provided Iran with sodium perchlorate, which is used to produce ammonium perchlorate, a substance subject to export controls by the multilateral Missile Technology Control Regime. The network has also supplied Iran with dioctyl sebacate, a chemical used in ballistic missiles.