The State Department issued a Travel Warning for Niger on July 15, advising U.S. citizens to consider personal security implications of travel to the country. Last month the U.S. approved authorized departure status for embassy staff and families in Niger. That status has since been revoked, reflecting security improvements. The State Department noted the rise in militant and extremist activity in neighboring Nigeria as a cause for concern. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb continues to pose a threat to Western individuals and interests in Niger.

The State Department issued on July 12 a state-by-state Travel Warning for Mexico, informing U.S. citizens on additional U.S. government travel restrictions. The warning emphasized instability in border regions but said the security situation in tourist destinations was generally positive. According to the State Department, Transnational Crime Organizations (TCOs) continue to operate in Mexico. There is no evidence, however, that TCOs target U.S. citizens, the warning said. The number of U.S. citizens murdered in Mexico registered at 71 in 2012, a decrease from the 2011 figure of 113. U.S. citizens continue to be victims of a wide array of criminal activity though, including kidnappings and carjackings.

The Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) will hold a meeting on July 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Harry S. Truman Building at the State Department. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Jose Fernandez, and Committee Chair Ted Kassinger will host the meeting. The meeting will examine efforts aimed at strengthening the U.S. economic relationship with Mexico, as requested by President Obama and Mexican President Nieto. The formation of a High Level Economic Dialogue is on the meeting agenda.

The State Department issued travel warnings on July 5 for Kenya and the Philippines, noting escalating terrorism and insurgency threats in both countries. State advises U.S. citizens intending to travel to Kenya to evaluate personal security situations, in light of a spike in attacks on Kenyan and Western targets over the past 18 months. Local and global authorities blame militants linked to Somalia’s Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda.

The U.S. State Department on July 3 issued a Travel Warning for U.S. citizens planning to travel to Egypt. The announcement supersedes another warning for Egyptian travel issued on June 28. The July 3 warning advised U.S. citizens to depart the country. The State Department ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families.

The Department of State will consider allowing non-radioactive hazardous materials to across the World Trade Bridge between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, after receiving an application from the City of Laredo. The change would require an amendment to the existing permit that was issued by the State Department on Oct. 7, 1994. Comments are due by Aug. 7.

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued two name or address change notifications June 28:

The State Department is seeking comment on data collection requirements for the Shrimp Exporter's/Importer's Declaration, it said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for July 2. Comments are due by Aug. 1. The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of Marine Conservation estimated there would be 3,000 entities using the mandatory form about 10,000 times, with an average time for each form of 10 minutes. Form DS-2031 is necessary to document imports of shrimp pursuant to the State Department's implementation of Section 609 of Public Law 101-162, which prohibits the entry into the U.S. of shrimp harvested in ways which are harmful to sea turtles.

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued two name or address change notifications June 26:

The State Department is lifting chemical and biological weapons proliferation sanctions on several Chinese entities, as well as their sub-units and successors, effective June 27. Sanctions are being lifted for the following entities: