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The State Department has announced that certain culturally significant objects are being imported from abroad for temporary display in the exhibition “Hockney-Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature” at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. These objects might also be exhibited at other locations yet to be determined. The import and exhibition of these objects are considered to be in the national interest. This decision is backed by authority from various legislative acts and executive orders.

The Secretary of State has placed sanctions on Saqr Rustom and the National Defense Forces for their role in disrupting a ceasefire in northern Syria. This decision, made effective on November 9, 2020, blocks their property and interests in the United States, preventing any transactions involving such assets. The action is in accordance with Section 2(a)(i)(A) of Executive Order 13894, highlighting their involvement in obstructing peace efforts.

In a notice published by the State Department, Muhammad Abbatay, also known as Mohamed Abbatay or Abd al-Rahman al-Maghrebi, is designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist due to his leadership role in al-Qa'ida. This decision is made under the authority of several Executive Orders, including Executive Order 13224, which blocks the property and interests of such individuals linked to terrorist activities. The State Department determined that no prior notice would be given to individuals subject to this ruling who might be in the United States, to prevent the undermining of these sanctions. This designation became official and was documented in the Federal Register on January 13, 2021.

The Secretary of State has delegated authority to C.S. Eliot Kang to handle responsibilities related to arms control and international security, as granted to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. This arrangement will start on December 31, 2024, and will last until a new Under Secretary is confirmed, unless revoked earlier. This decision is documented in the Federal Register and doesn’t affect current delegations of authority.

The State Department has announced that various culturally significant objects are being brought to the U.S. for display in the exhibition “Americans in Spain: Painting and Travel, 1820-1920.” This exhibition will be held at the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum, with the possibility of additional venues. These objects have been recognized as significant to cultural heritage and their display is considered to be in the national interest. The decision follows established legal authorities and procedures, and public notice of this determination has been mandated.

The Cultural Property Advisory Committee's meeting initially set for February 4-6, 2025, has been postponed. This meeting was intended to discuss several matters, including import restrictions on materials from Vietnam and the extension of cultural agreements with Chile, Italy, and Morocco. Once a new date is set, another announcement will be made in the Federal Register. For further details, contact Allison R. Davis Lehmann at the Cultural Heritage Center.

The State Department has made determinations regarding the temporary exhibition of certain culturally significant objects from abroad in "World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century." These artifacts will be displayed at the Bowers Museum in California and the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Texas, and possibly at other venues. The decision to exhibit these objects is deemed to be in the national interest, and public notice of this has been published in the Federal Register. Interested individuals can contact Reed Liriano, Program Coordinator at the State Department, for more information.

The U.S. Department of State has determined that certain culturally significant objects are being temporarily imported from abroad for display in the exhibition “Facing America: Mario Schifano 1960-1966” at the Center for Italian Modern Art in New York. These objects are considered important to the nation's interest. The determinations are supported by various legal authorities, and public notice has been ordered to be published in the Federal Register. For more information, interested parties can contact the Program Administrator at the Department of State.

The State Department has officially designated Ansarallah (also known as Houthi group) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This decision came after consulting with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, concluding there is enough evidence to support the designation. The announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and takes effect upon its publication in the Federal Register.

The State Department is proposing to extend the current agreement between the United States and Morocco, known as the "Morocco Agreement." This agreement involves imposing import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological materials from Morocco. The extension is suggested under the authority of U.S. laws concerning cultural property. More details about this proposal, including a list of restricted materials, can be found on the Cultural Heritage Center's website.