State Department warns sanctions can follow if Venezuela doesn’t release political prisoners

Comment on this storyCommentAdd to your saved storiesSave Inside her home in Caracas, Venezuela, a mother’s heart swelled with hope — an optimism so tangible, it brought her down to her knees. “Gracias, dios mío,” — thank you, God — Wendelin Peña repeated as tears streamed down her face that Oct. 18 afternoon. The Biden … Read more

West Africa court refuses to recognize Niger’s junta, rejects request to lift coup sanctions

West Africa’s top court has rejected a request by Niger’s junta for a lifting of coup-related sanctions imposed by its neighbors ByCHINEDU ASADU Associated Press December 7, 2023, 9:54 AM FILE – Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of Niger’s ruling junta in Niamey, Niger, Sunday, Aug. … Read more

China raises concerns with US over export controls, sanctions, tariffs

By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s commerce minister expressed concern over U.S. curbs on semiconductor exports to China, as well as sanctions on Chinese firms and tariffs on Chinese imports, when he met U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Thursday, his ministry said Friday. Wang Wentao told Raimondo in San Francisco: “it is very important … Read more

Malaysia’s Leader Rebuffs U.S. Sanctions on Hamas Supporters

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated Palestine’s right to defend itself, and said the Southeast Asian nation will continue its relationship with Hamas irrespective of U.S. pressure. U.S. efforts to restrict external parties from supporting Hamas are unilateral and Malaysia will not recognize it, Anwar told Parliament on Tuesday. “Whatever happened is the legitimate right … Read more

Malaysia says won’t recognise unilateral sanctions on supporters of Palestinian groups

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia said on Tuesday it will not recognise unilateral sanctions in response to a proposed U.S. law to level sanctions against foreign supporters of Hamas and other militant groups operating in Palestine. The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, aimed at cutting off international financing to the groups, was passed by the U.S. … Read more

US sanctions Russian accused of laundering Ryuk ransomware funds

The U.S. government has sanctioned a Russian national for allegedly laundering millions of dollars worth of victim ransom payments on behalf of individuals linked to the notorious Ryuk ransomware group. According to an announcement from the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Ekaterina Zhdanova, 37, is accused of using virtual currency exchange transfers … Read more

North Korean art sells in China despite UN sanctions over nuclear program

BEIJING — For sale at a recent Beijing art exposition was a painting with an asking price of $2,460 that depicted the snow-capped Mount Baekdu, 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 colorful … Read more

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar applaud new sanctions targeting gas revenues

BANGKOK — A U.N.-appointed human rights expert and opponents of Myanmar’s military government have welcomed the latest sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada on companies providing financial resources to the army-installed regime and high-ranking officials. The move is linked to rising violence and human rights abuses in the Southeast Asian … Read more

Huawei reports its revenue inched higher in January-September despite US sanctions

HONG KONG — Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies said its revenue edged higher in the first three quarters of the year, even as it grappled with U.S. sanctions that have hindered both its sales and its purchases of advanced technology. The Shenzhen-headquartered firm said Friday that it generated 456.6 billion yuan ($86.3 billion) in … Read more

Many in Niger are suffering under coup-related sanctions. Junta backers call it a worthy sacrifice

NIAMEY, Niger — Hamsa Diakite can’t remember the last time her family of eight had a good meal. She once sustained them by selling fried bread until a coup in Niger three months ago resulted in sanctions against the West African nation, squeezing incomes in one of the world’s poorest countries and leaving millions like … Read more