On June 25, 2008, the Federal Maritime Commission was briefed by industry representatives of the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) and the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA). The industry presentation focused on economic conditions affecting capacity and equipment availability in the U.S. export trade. (FMC press release, NR 08-008, dated 06/26/08, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=248)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a press release announcing plans for construction work and the deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve 39 major entry points (354 vehicle lanes) along the U.S borders with Canada and Mexico over the coming months.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has revised the following CBP Trade Virtual Private Network (VPN) documents to provide updated contact information for Verizon: Connectivity Recommendations, which provides VPN connectivity recommendations; and Deciding Which VPN Solution is Best for Your Company, which provides four scenarios that need to be considered when deciding which method to use to connect to the CBP Trade Partner VPN Infrastructure.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message stating that on June 24, 2008, ACE experienced a nationwide problem impacting both CBP and the Trade; however, ACE service was restored at 13:20 EDT on June 24, 2008. While the access problem occurred, all users were unable to access ACE. Additionally, Trade users were not able to submit e-manifests via the Portal. However, EDI messages were able to be sent to ACE. (Original CSMS message announcing the problem is available here.) (CSMS 08-000109, dated 06/24/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17117&page=&srch_argv=08-000109&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
Michigan Secretary of State Terri Land announced a program to curb teen drivers’ use of cellphones on the road. Under the program, drivers under age 19 could face having a “no cellphones” restriction placed on their license if their cellphone use contributed to a traffic violation or auto accident. If applied to a teen driver, the restriction will bar that person from using any type of cellphone including hands-free models while behind the wheel. Teen drivers caught using a cellphone in violation of a no-cellphone license restriction could face driver re-education or even a license suspension until they turn 19. “Many traffic mishaps involving inexperienced drivers also involve cell phones,” Land said. Cellphone use by teen drivers with clean records won’t be restricted, she said, noting the optional license restriction gives law enforcers and parents another tool for reinforcing with teens the importance of safe, courteous driving. Bills to restrict cellphone use by teen and adult drivers have stalled in the legislature.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing that its Annual Trade Symposium is scheduled for October 29 - 31, 2008 at the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. Further information regarding registration procedures and symposium details will become available within approximately 8 weeks of the event. (Notice, dated 06/18/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/trade_symposium_2008.xml)
Much like democracy, ICANN’s U.S.-centric model is the worst for Internet governance except for all the others that have been proposed, lawyers told the American Bar Association’s CyberLaw conference in Washington Thursday. The chance of an independent ICANN finding itself in scandals such as plague other international bodies argues against that model, said Michael Froomkin, University of Miami law professor and founding editor of ICANNWatch.org. “For all its faults, today’s ICANN is the best it’s ever been,” as is the organization’s board, Froomkin said, encouraged by “some signs of glasnost but not perestroika.”
On June 17, 2008, Los Angeles City Council approved the Port of Los Angeles' Clean Truck Program (CTP), the plan designed to help cut port-related, diesel truck emissions by 80%. This vote adds further momentum to the Port's transition to a License Motor Carrier-based truck concession system beginning October 1, 2008. (LA port release dated 06/17/08, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/newsroom/2008_releases/news_061708ctp.asp)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to incrementally increase user fees for import- and export-related services that APHIS provides for animals, animal products, birds, germ plasm, organisms, and vectors in fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
TIA said it urged the FCC to reauction the D Block quickly in order to implement an interoperable public safety network with broadband technologies and Land Mobile Radio Systems.