The Department of State issued a Presidential Permit to NOVA Chemicals Inc. to connect, operate and maintain natural gas pipeline facilities for export to Ontario, Canada. State initially endorsed the permit on Aug. 16 and publicly disclosed the decision on Aug. 28. The NOVA facilities are located in St. Clair County, Mich.

The State Department on Aug. 26 issued an interim final rule to amend International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) provisions related to brokers and brokering activities. The action finalizes a December 2011 proposed rule, with some changes (see 11121910). The amendments make alterations to the definition of “broker”, the scope of “brokering activities”, “broker” eligibility and other requirements. The interim final rule is set to take effect Oct. 25. Interested parties may submit additional comments by Oct. 10.

The Department of State on Aug. 23 issued Travel Warnings for Algeria and Afghanistan, urging U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to both countries. The department says (here) the risk of terrorist attack in Algeria remains high, in the wake of a January 2013 hostage-taking incident near In Amenas, Algeria that resulted in the death of three Americans. The department says al-Qaida in the Islamic Magreb is active throughout the country. Kidnappings and insurgent attacks continue to pose a risk to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan, according to a State Department release (here). The warning says al-Qaida and remnants of the Taliban remain active and operational in the country.

The State Department issued an interim final rule that amends provisions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that relate to brokers and brokering activities. The interim final rule, which is set for publication in the Aug. 26 Federal Register, includes provisions on broker registration requirements, the scope of brokering activities, prior approval requirements and exemptions, procedures for obtaining prior approval and guidance, and reporting and recordkeeping. State made some changes from its December 2011 proposed rule (see 11121910). The interim final rule is set to take effect Oct. 25. Interested parties may submit additional comments by Oct. 10. See 13082601 for more on the interim rule.

The State Department on Aug. 7 declared Mohamed Lahbous, also known as Lahbous Mohamed, also known as Mohamed Ennouini, also known as Hassan, also known as Hocine, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The department publicizes the decision on Aug. 21. The declaration provides the ability to block Lahbous’ interests without prior notice. The State Department said Lahbous committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

The State Department’s International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) scheduled a closed meeting on Sept. 19 to discuss classified material related to arms control, disarmament, political-military affairs, international security and related aspects of public diplomacy, it said. The meeting will be at the State Department in Washington D.C. More information: Richard Hartman at, 202-736-4290.

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued an address change notification Aug. 15:

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) released (here) on Aug. 15 the Official International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), originally published April 1. The DDTC also included amendments implemented since publication.

The State Department on Aug. 15 issued a Travel Warning for Egypt, warning U.S. citizens to defer travel to the country and urging U.S. citizens living there to depart immediately due to political and social unrest. On Aug. 14 the Egyptian government declared a State of Emergency and imposed a curfew, in the wake of a military-sponsored forcible dispersion of protests camps that resulted in hundreds of deaths. The department cautions against U.S. citizens attending any demonstrations, saying U.S. citizens could be subject to harassment or worse. On June 28, a U.S. student was killed at a demonstration in Alexandria, Egypt. The State Department ordered the departure in early July of non-emergency U.S. government personnel.

The Department of State issued on Aug.13 a Travel Warning for Haiti, urging U.S. citizens to exercise caution in Haiti due to the country's precarious security situation. The department says hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti annually but poor infrastructure and emergency response capacity pose risks. The warning also notes U.S. citizens have been the victims of crimes, including murder and kidnappings, primarily in the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti. The U.S. Embassy imposes a 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew on embassy personnel. There are also restrictions on Embassy staff travel in certain areas or times. The department notes this may restrict the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Port-au-Prince.