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Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reintroduced two pivotal pieces of legislation aimed at reinforcing sanctions against Russian aggression and U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and safety.
The "Sanction Russian Nuclear Safety Violators Act of 2025" (H.R. 475) would:
Target individuals and entities who endanger the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility. Russian forces have occupied the site since 2022, raising grave concerns about the plant's stability and Rosatom's involvement. The January 15 sanctions package announced by OFAC included these measures.
The "No Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act" (H.R. 476) would impose sanctions on any foreign actor who knowingly supports the construction, maintenance, or repair of tunnels or bridges connecting the Russian mainland to Crimea.
In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the app by January 19, 2025, citing national security concerns over data collection and links to China.
If ByteDance fails to divest, service providers like Apple and Google must block TikTok updates, effectively disabling the app. TikTok currently has 170 million U.S. users, with a sale potentially valued at $40–$50 billion, according to CFRA Research.
It looks as though President Trump's Cabinet will be confirmed as nominated, with the exception of course of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, currently the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the Florida Bar.
Pam Bondi, Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent appear to be tracking to confirmation, although Lutnick's confirmation paperwork is reportedly incomplete, creating a delay. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. Marco Rubio, the President's nominee for Secretary of State, called for the continuation and potential expansion of sanctions, particularly targeting the energy sector, to pressure Moscow over its activities in Ukraine.
OFAC is sanctioning Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (Burhan), the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition.”
This action follows the designation of the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa , on January 7, 202 .[13310]. In addition, OFAC is sanctioning one company and one individual involved in weapons procurement on behalf of the Defense Industries System (DIS), a procurement arm of the SAF that OFAC sanctioned in June 2023.
The United States today designated eight individuals who organized and executed the commemoration of Republika Srpska (RS) Day on January 8-10, 2024 in support of RS President Milorad Dodik’s secessionist agenda. Seven of those sanctioned today also helped plan and organize the 2025 commemoration. RS commemorations have been determined to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. Directed and overseen by Dodik, they are emblematic of Dodik’s longstanding efforts to undermine the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, a cornerstone for regional peace and security.
In cooperation with the Vatican, the Biden Administration made several meaningful diplomatic concessions in a negotiation for the release of political prisoners by the Havana regime.
"We are taking several steps to support the Cuban people as part of an understanding with the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis and improve the livelihood of Cubans," said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Cuba has announced that it will release from prison 553 people “convicted of various crimes.
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