The U.S. warned World Trade Organization members this week against adjudicating national security matters, saying in a communication that they should instead bring a "non-violation claim" that would allow for the rebalancing of trade concessions and avoid "dragging" members into debates over political issues.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has added three butterfly species from Brazil to the agency's endangered species list, according to a notice. FWS determined that the butterfly species -- the Fluminense swallowtail (Parides ascanius), Harris’ mimic swallowtail (Eurytides [Mimoides] lysithous harrisianus) and Hahnel’s Amazonian swallowtail (Parides hahneli) -- should be extended protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This change is effective in a final rule Jan. 9.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the Penasco least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus atristriatus) of New Mexico an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, according to a notice. The final rule declaring the designation is effective Jan. 9.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the swale paintbrush (Castilleja ornata) an endangered species, according to a notice in the Federal Register. The dwale paintbrush, a flowering plant, can be found in New Mexico as well as the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango. The rule is effective Jan. 6.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list all species of giraffes as endangered or threatened, following a 12-month study on the issue, it said in a notice.
The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking public comments on information collections related to marine terminal operator schedules, service contracts, non-vessel-operating common carrier service arrangements and negotiated rate agreements. Comments are due Jan. 21,
The agendas of both major presidential candidates would provide few incentives for other countries to negotiate new trade agreements with the U.S., a former Commerce Department official said Oct. 31.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has put the Ocmulgee skullcap (Scutellaria ocmulgee), a plant species from Georgia and South Carolina, on the endangered species list, it said in a Federal Register notice. The inclusion is effective Nov. 29.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is permanently placing the synthetic benzimidazole-opioids butonitazene, flunitazene and metodesnitazene in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a final rule. The substances had already been temporarily listed in Schedule I since 2022 (see 2204110029). The final rule takes effect Oct. 25.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has downgraded the red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates (= Picoides) borealis) from an endangered species to a threatened species. However, restrictions on imports and exports will remain in effect under a 4(d) rule adopted by the agency. The final rule is effective Nov. 25, FWS said in a notice.