The State Department approved a potential $30 million military sale to Ukraine, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said May 10. The sale includes “High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems” and related logistics and program support, and the sale will from U.S. Army inventory.

While the U.S. should look to counter China with export controls, tariffs and outbound investment restrictions, it also needs to better incentivize trading partners to diversify their supply chains away from China, the Atlantic Council said this week.

The White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy this week issued a new policy framework and implementation guidance for the oversight of certain dual use research and pathogens that can be used to cause a pandemic. The policy, which the White House said will take effect one year after its May 6 release date, is meant to “strengthen oversight of life sciences research with biological agents and toxins” by defining a broader scope of research subject to “additional oversight” by the government; outlining the roles and responsibilities of research institutions, federal agencies and others that conduct, fund or oversee this research, and more. The White House said agencies have until the effective date to “update, modernize, or promulgate applicable implementing guidance.”

TikTok asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit May 7 to overturn a recently enacted law that will ban the popular social media application in the United States if China’s ByteDance doesn't sell the app to an entity that isn’t controlled by a foreign adversary.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company denied allegations by the Federal Maritime Commission that it knowingly violated U.S. shipping laws, calling a proposed $63.2 million FMC penalty "excessive and unlawful.”

CMA CGM charged unfair detention and unfair chassis, storage, stop-off and redelivery fees, Access One Transport said in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission March 1. The California-based motor carrier said CMA CGM violated the Shipping Act by charging unfair fees when the containers couldn't be returned due to lack of appointments, dual transactions and specific actions by CMA CGM and its terminals.

The State Department has approved the possible foreign military sale to Saudia Arabia of “Blanket Order Training” and related elements of logistics and program support for $250 million, the agency announced April 30. The principal contractor(s) will be determined after contract competition and award.

The State Department has approved possible foreign military sales, to Poland and to the Netherlands, the agency announced April 24. A $1.275 billion sale to Poland includes “Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles - Extended Range and related elements of logistics and program support.” A $700 million sale to the Netherlands includes “Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles - Extended Range and related equipment.” The principal contractor for both sales will be Northrop Grumman Systems.

The Biden administration expects by the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2025 to finish reviewing criteria for approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) export applications, an Energy Department official said last week.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reminded financial institutions on Earth Day April 22 to remain vigilant about environmental crimes, which often involve illicit financial activity. FinCEN said in November 2021 that environmental crimes were on the rise (see 2111220018).