The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network this week reminded banks and other financial institutions to monitor and report any suspicious transactions related to the illegal trade of fentanyl and the trafficking of other “synthetic opioids.” FinCEN, which issued the reminder to mark Overdose Awareness Week, noted that it published a June advisory urging banks to file suspicious activity reports if they suspect a transaction involves the sale of illegal chemicals and published a range of red flags for banks to monitor (see 2406200018).

The State Department last week announced what it called a "significant" new military assistance package for Ukraine, providing counter-unmanned aerial systems equipment and munitions, rocket systems munitions, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor missiles and other weapons and equipment. The items will be provided under a drawdown from Department of Defense stocks. "We will deploy this new assistance as quickly as possible to bolster Ukraine’s defense of its territory and its people," the State Department said.

The State Department approved possible military sales to Australia, India, Norway and Romania, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced last week.

The Federal Maritime Commission is asking for public comments on an information collection related to ocean common carriers that are subject to the FMC’s regulations. The notice said controlled carriers must ensure that they don’t maintain rates or charges in their tariffs and service contracts “that are below a level that is just and reasonable; nor establish, maintain, or enforce unjust or unreasonable classifications, rules, or regulations in those tariffs or service contracts that result or are likely to result in the carriage or handling of cargo at rates or charges that are below a just and reasonable level.” Public comments are due Oct. 22.

The State Department approved possible military sales to Denmark and Tunisia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Aug. 20. The sale to Denmark includes $121 million worth of “Excalibur Projectiles” and related logistics and program support, and the principal contractor will be RTX Corp. Tunisia would buy $110 million worth of “65' SAFE Archangel Boats” and related logistics and program support, and the principal contractor is Safe Boats International.

The State Department approved possible military sales to South Korea, Australia, Finland and the Netherlands, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Aug. 19.

Senior officials from the Treasury Department, the People’s Bank of China and others convened in Shanghai last week for the fifth meeting of the U.S.-China Financial Working Group, where they discussed beneficial ownership information, anti-money laundering efforts -- including updates on potential revisions of China’s AML law -- "and other topics," Treasury said Aug. 19. Biden administration officials "also raised areas of disagreement during the conversations," Treasury said. The meeting also included a roundtable with private Chinese and U.S. firms " to exchange views on a range of topics related to climate financing, including transition planning and carbon markets."

The State Department approved a possible $264.6 million military sale to Canada, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Aug. 16. The sale includes “AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ and Block II Tactical Missiles and related elements of logistics and program support." The principal contractor will be RTX Corp.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls last week released its notifications to Congress of recently proposed export licenses. The notifications cover licenses submitted from October to December and January through March, and include exports to Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel, Canada, the U.K., Ukraine, Norway, Germany, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

The State Department recently approved three potential military sales, to Germany, Italy and Denmark, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced last week.