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Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Bush administration and Senate Republican leaders are currently pushing for an updated version of the Patriot Act that would expand the ability of law-enforcement agencies to demand business records without a warrant. (WSJ, dated 05/26/05, www.wsj.com )

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1. Push for New Version of Patriot Act That Would Expand Ability of Government to Demand Business Records without a Warrant

2. New FAST, SENTRI Lanes to Open at US/Mexico Border in Coming Months

According to a DHS press release, under the U.S.-Mexico Border Partnership and its action plan, in the coming months, eight FAST lanes will be functioning in Nogales Nogales, Piedras Negras, Eagle Pass, Juarez City Santa Teresa, Acuna City and Del Rio, Camargo Rio Grande City, Tecate Tecate, Agua Prieta-Douglas, and San Luis Rio Colorado and San Luis. In addition, six new SENTRI lanes will be opened in Tijuana San Ysidro, Juarez City and El Paso, Mexicali and Calexico, Nuevo Laredo and Laredo, Nogales Nogales, and Matamoros Brownsville. (DHS release, dated 05/31/05, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4527 )

3. USTR Seeks Comments on Environmental Review of Proposed UAE FTA

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice seeking comments on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) with regard to the environmental review of the proposed U.S.-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The environmental review is available at http://www.ustr.gov/Trade_Sectors/Environment/Environmental_Reviews/Section_Index.html(FR Pub 05/31/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-10774.pdf)

4. NOAA Proposes to List Elkhorn & Staghorn Corals as Threatened Species

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a proposed rule to place elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals on the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. NOAA notes that all corals are already listed under Appendix II of CITES, which regulates international trade of species to ensure survival. Four hearings will be held in June 2005 and comments must be received by August 8, 2005. (D/N 050304058-5113-02, FR Pub 05/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-9222.pdf)

5. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses

The FMC has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) - ocean transportation intermediary (OTI), or NVOCC/ocean freight forwarder (FF) - OTI or FF - OTI:

NVOCC-OTI

SCM Global, Inc. (NJ)

United Cargo International, Inc. (CA)

United Logistics (LAX) Inc. (CA)

NVOCC/FF-OTI

Consumers Shipping & Travel (CT)

Shore Line International LLC (NY)

K & R Logistics Inc. (CA)

FF-OTI

Transnuclear, Inc. (NY)

Oconca Shipping (N.Y.) Inc. (NY)

Transphere, Inc. (MI)

Trans Global Services, L.L.C. (VA)

Nations Express, Inc. (NC)

(FR Pub 06/02/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-10978.pdf)