Un Sanctions
France, UK, Germany likely to restore UN sanctions on Iran next month
The United Kingdom, France and Germany have agreed to restore tough UN sanctions on Iran by the end of August if there has been no concrete progress on a nuclear deal, two European diplomats said on Tuesday. The three countries' ambassadors to the United Nations met Tuesday at Germany's UN Mission to discuss a possible Iranian deal and reimposing the sanctions. The matter also came up in a phone call on Monday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of the three countries, according to two US officials. The State Department said after the call that the four had spoken about ensuring Iran does not develop or obtain a nuclear weapon. The officials and diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The UK, France and Germany are part of an agreement reached with Iran in 2015 to rein in its nuclear programme, from which President Donald Trump withdrew the US during his first term, insisting it wasn't tough enough. Under the acco
US pushes bipartisan bill on Russia sanctions; brief EU allies, Ukraine
The co-sponsors of a new bipartisan U.S. sanctions package targeting Russia briefed European allies and Ukraine on the legislation Thursday, in an effort to show continued resolve to help Kyiv and force Moscow to the negotiating table through what they describe as a game-changer bill. The bill backed by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal calls for a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports targeting nations like China and India, which account for roughly 70% of Russia's energy trade and bankroll much of its war effort. Graham and Blumenthal told The Associated Press in Rome that they hope to bring the legislation to a vote in the Senate before the August recess. They said Thursday they are convinced that it would give President Donald Trump the tools and flexibility he needs to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war. We're not gonna play whack-a-mol
Lack of new US sanctions allows Russia to replenish its war chest
President Trump has issued no new restrictions on Russia this year, in effect allowing Moscow to acquire the money and materials it needs in its conflict with Ukraine
China imposes sanctions on US companies selling weapons to Taiwan
China on Wednesday announced sanctions on American companies selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and threatens to annex by force. Chinese state media made the announcement, citing the Foreign Ministry, but gave no details on the companies involved. Taiwan is awaiting deliveries of F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks and a range of missiles from the US. China has been upping its threats to attack Taiwan, whose 2.3 million citizens overwhelmingly favour their current status of de-facto independence. Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties, the US has long been a key provider of armaments and is legally bound to ensure the island can defend itself. Along with buying weapons from the US, Taiwan has also been reviving its domestic arms industry. A fleet of submarines is underway, while mandatory military service for men has been extended to one year. China has previously demanded US companies end cooperation with Taiwan's armed ...
UN approves transparent procedures for people to get off sanctions lists
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved more transparent procedures Friday for the hundreds of individuals, companies and other entities who are subject to UN sanctions and want to get off the blacklists. The resolution, co-sponsored by Malta and the United States, also authorizes the establishment of a new informal working group by the Security Council to examine ways to improve the effectiveness of U.N. sanctions. Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier told the council before the vote that the resolution is a clear signal of this council's commitment towards due process. It authorises a new focal point to directly engage with those seeking to get off sanctions lists and gather information from a variety of sources to share with the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions, which makes the decisions on delisting, she said. And it requires the reason for the committee's decision to be given to the petitioner. After the vote, U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood
TMS Ep637: India at WTO, hybrid vs EV cars, markets, economic sanctions
Why does India want investment agenda out of WTO talks? Why are hybrid cars racing ahead of EVs? What will be on markets' radar this week? What are economic sanctions? All answers here
US extends sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to buy electricity from Iran
The Biden administration has extended by four months a sanctions waiver that will allow Iraq to continue to purchase electricity from Iran and give Iran limited access to the proceeds to buy humanitarian goods. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the 120-day waiver extension and it was transmitted to Congress on Tuesday, US officials said. The move is likely to draw criticism from Iran hawks on Capitol Hill and elsewhere who believe the extension will reward Iran at a time when it is coming under increasing pressure to end its support for proxy groups, including Hamas, that are destabilising the Middle East. There is roughly USD 10 billion in Iraqi payments for Iranian electricity currently being held in escrow accounts in Iraq, and the waiver will allow Baghdad to maintain its energy imports without fear of US penalties for violating sanctions on Iran. It will also keep in place a provision included in the last 120-day waiver under which portions of the electricity proceeds
North Korean art sells in China despite UN sanctions over nuclear programme
For sale at a recent Beijing art exposition was a painting with an asking price of $2,460 that depicted the snow-capped Mount Paektu, the mythical birthplace of the Korean people. A portrait of a prim young lady in bright brushstrokes was being sold for $5,190. For buyers on a budget, there were colourful landscapes being offered for less than $100. The dealer hawking the art made no effort to disguise who produced the pieces, despite stiff UN sanctions prohibiting the sale of such goods: They were painted over there," the dealer said, in North Korea. The dealer, who had salt-and-pepper hair and refused to divulge his name, was a representative of an art gallery that trumpets itself as China's premier seller of North Korean art. The gallery, The Paintings Say Arirang, also operates a studio for North Korean artists in the outskirts of Beijing. Housed in a fenced and heavily surveilled compound, the North Koreans paint glorified, idyllic visions of life back home. For the right pric
Russia vetoes UN Security Council resolution on sanctions against Mali
Russia has vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution, drafted by France and UAE, on sanctions against Mali, TASS has reported.Thirteen Security Council members voted in favour of a resolution to extend the UN sanctions and independent monitoring for another year. Russia cast a veto, while China abstained from voting on Wednesday.The sanction regime, which has been in place since 2017, was proposed to be extended until August 31, 2024. Russia is adamant that this extension should be the final one.Before the vote, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stated that it would be counterproductive to adopt the resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates and France "not only in terms of ensuring the efficiency of the sanction regime but also for the peace process in Mali" given Bamako's official request to lift the sanctions regime, as reported by TASS, the Russian news agency.Later on Wednesday, the Security Council's 15 members cast votes on the two ...
Afghanistan's acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi terms world's sanctions 'cruel'
Muttaqi said, "The world countries should listen, they should not pursue their cases under the pretext that these people are being harmed here"
Efforts to sanction 26/11 perpetrators blocked for political reasons: India
India has said its efforts to sanction perpetrators and facilitators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks have been blocked in the past for political reasons that enabled them to organise further cross-border assaults against the country, an apparent reference to China's repeated moves to block New Delhi's efforts to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, said terrorism continues to pose a "grave threat" to international peace and security, as ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliated and inspired groups, particularly in Asia and Africa, continue to operate and target civilians and security forces. "Lest we forget, in November 2008, 10 terrorists entered the city of Mumbai through sea route from Pakistan, ravaging the city for 4 days, killing 166 people, including 26 foreign nationals, she said on Wednesday in her remarks to the UN Security Council Joint Briefing by the Chairs of the 1267/1373/1540 Committees to the ...
Russia likely to flood Asia with fuel as Europe ramps up sanctions
India and China took a combined 2.7 million barrels a day of Russian crude and products last month, 54% higher than a year earlier
UN Security Council renews travel ban, asset freeze under Mali sanctions
"The situation in Mali continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region," the Council said on Tuesday in the resolution
Security Council split spells end of an era for US-led sanctions on N Korea
The two countries on Thursday vetoed a US-led push to impose more UN sanctions on North Korea over its renewed ballistic missile launches
China, Russia veto new UN sanctions on N Korea over recent missile launches
The vote in the 15-member SC was 13-2 and marked a first serious division among the five veto-wielding permanent members of the U.N.'s most powerful body on a N Korea sanctions resolution
G7 mulling Russian asset seizures to help rebuild Ukraine - German FinMin
Russians assets can be seized in order to rebuild Ukraine and mitigate the damage of the extensive war during the escalated conflict between Ukraine and Russia
West's economic sanctions on Taliban won't reform outfit: Report
Prior to August, international aid accounted for three-quarters of Afghan government spending but this was halted overnight, causing a severe liquidity crisis, the Europe Asia Foundation report said
'Empire of lies', says Putin as US freezes assets of Russian central bank
Russia bans citizens from transferring money abroad
UN warns of 'colossal' collapse of Afghan banking system, seeks solution
Finding a way to avert a collapse is complicated by international and unilateral sanctions on Taliban leaders.
Iran declares official termination of travel, arms embargo imposed by UN
The attempt to "reinstate terminated Security Council resolutions against Iran failed when 13 members and three consecutive presidents of the Council rejected the U.S. claim," it said
