News published on Federal Newswire in January 2025

News from January 2025


Labor Department introduces relief on missing participant retirement benefits

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration has announced a new enforcement relief policy aimed at assisting retirement plan fiduciaries in managing small benefit amounts owed to individuals who cannot be located.


Biden administration restricts Chinese and Russian connected vehicle imports

President Biden has announced new measures to protect the United States from national security risks linked to connected vehicle technology originating from China and Russia.


Blinken meets Armenian foreign minister; signs strategic partnership commission charter

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, they signed the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Commission charter.


Stratford man pleads guilty to child abuse charges in federal court

Yesterday, Donaven Lee Notaro, a 24-year-old resident of Stratford, pleaded guilty to charges of child abuse in federal court.


Biden administration announces steps to support Cuban people

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced new measures aimed at supporting the Cuban people, focusing on empowering them to determine their own future and advancing human rights.


Labor Department updates fiduciary correction program with new self-correction tool

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced updates to its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) through the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).


NFIB outlines top legislative priorities for new Congress

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has outlined its legislative priorities for small businesses to the new Congress.


Biden-Harris administration allocates $210M for tech hub expansion

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced plans to distribute approximately $210 million in grants to six Tech Hub Designees.


Biden-Harris administration awards $100M for affordable housing initiatives

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the allocation of $100 million in grants to 18 recipients across 15 states.


Repeat gun offender receives federal prison sentence

Clarence Minor, a 30-year-old resident of Washington D.C., has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.


U.S. and Norway release report on critical mineral supply chain transparency

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries have released a report focusing on non-market policies and practices (NMPPs) affecting critical mineral markets.


US takes down China-backed hackers' malware in global cyber operation

United States authorities, in collaboration with international partners, have conducted a law enforcement operation to delete malware from thousands of computers globally.


Altoona residents plead guilty in meth trafficking case following wiretap probe

Two Altoona residents have admitted guilt in a federal court concerning methamphetamine trafficking charges.


NFIB challenges federal ownership reporting rules in Supreme Court

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is engaged in a legal battle to maintain an indefinite hold on beneficial ownership reporting requirements.


WhatsApp introduces new features including selfie stickers and camera effects

WhatsApp has announced a series of new features aimed at enhancing user experience in 2025.


Middlesex County man pleads guilty to defrauding South Koreans

A Middlesex County man has admitted to defrauding victims in South Korea through a fraudulent investment scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna.


LeFlore County man pleads guilty to failure to register as sex offender

The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has announced that Brian Jene Sullivan, a 66-year-old resident of Shady Point, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender.


Federal sentences announced for drug trafficking offenses

The U.S. Attorney's Office has recently reported several sentences in cases involving drug trafficking and illegal re-entry into the United States.


New York man sentenced for role in cocaine trafficking conspiracy

A New York man has been sentenced in Boston for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that transported cocaine from Puerto Rico to the northeastern United States.


Minnesota man sentenced for self-reported COVID-19 relief fund fraud

Jacob Schneider, a 42-year-old resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison.