The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of two entities in Mexico whose property and interests in property have been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective July 22, 2010.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has issued a proposed rule to implement certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Comments are due by October 26, 2010.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice of filing and request for comments on a petition by Hainan P O Shipping Co., Ltd., an ocean common carrier, for exemption from Section 9(c) of the Shipping Act of 1984 so that it can lawfully reduce its tariff rates, charges, classifications, rules or regulations, when the rule on tariff exemption is finalized.
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comment on its draft Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2010-2015.
As part of his remarks at a July 27, 2010 symposium on Cybersecurity and Innovation in the Information Economy, Commerce Secretary Locke stated that malicious activity is increasingly flowing out of countries where broadband and information technology penetration is growing the fastest. He also stated that the Commerce Department is helping the Department of Defense to better manage cyber security risks stemming from an insecure global supply chain. They have been working with experts in industry and across government to standardize both government and commercial supply chain best practices.
On July 27, 2010, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Sánchez addressed the link between government and local efforts to promote exports, job creation and economic growth, stating that a recent Brookings study of the 100 top metropolitan areas found that increasing the nation’s exports has the potential to generate a significant number of good-paying jobs throughout the U.S. The largest 100 metropolitan areas produce most of the nation’s exports, and strong manufacturing and patent producing metropolitan areas generate the highest share of exports from their output.
The new Administrator for the Transportation Security Administration, John S. Pistole, visited Boston Logan International Airport on July 16, 2010 where he announced his top goals and priorities as including (1) improving TSA’s counterterrorism focus through intelligence and cutting edge technology (2) supporting the TSA workforce, and (3) strengthening the agency’s relationships with stakeholders and the traveling public.
The Transportation Security Administration states that after August 16, 2010, U.S. citizens born outside of the U.S. and non-U.S. citizens will not be allowed to enroll for a TWIC unless the required identity and immigration documents are presented during enrollment. See list of required documents at www.tsa.gov/twic.
Secretary of Labor Solis visited the DOL-funded ENTERATE project during her July 26, 2010 visit to the coffee plantation Los Potrerillos in Jinotega. "Ending child labor is not something that can be accomplished through a single law. These are the types of initiatives that need to be recognized and expanded to work toward this goal," Secretary Solis said. Twenty coffee producers in the region signed an agreement on June 12 of this year, World Day Against Child Labor, affirming their commitments to combat child labor.
On July 26, 2010, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the President’s commitment to double U.S. exports by 2015. Responding to a call for comments on the National Export Initiative (NEI), AAFA highlighted a ten-step plan to help make the NEI’s goal of doubling U.S. exports a reality.