Sanctions Archives

U.S. Phones, Telecom Companies Still Subject to Spying

4Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Domestic Politics: United States, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Phones, Telecom Companies Still Subject to Spying

Trump Scraps Proposed Sanctions on China’s Spy Agency December 4, 2025—A year after it became known that the Chinese government hacked into the U.S. telecommunications systems, gaining access to millions of phones, the systems remain vulnerable to spying, according to senators, a panel of experts, and officials at the Federal Communications Commission. “Our nation’s communications networks are facing rapidly evolving threats ranging from fraud and espionage to sabotage,” said Sen. Deb Fischer at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday. In late 2024, U.S. officials became aware of a Chinese government cyberespionage operation targeting global telecommunications systems. That became known as the “Salt Typhoon” attack, the worst telecommunications compromise in the nation’...

United Kingdom Faces Calls to Impose Sanctions on Israel

28May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

United Kingdom Faces Calls to Impose Sanctions on Israel

Over 800 Prominent U.K. Lawyers Call for Immediate Sanctions and Other Actions May 28, 2025—Under mounting evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the strong likelihood of genocide by Israel against Palestinians, the United Kingdom is facing pressure to act to uphold international law. On Monday, over 800 lawyers signed a letter calling on U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to take decisive steps, including sanctions, to uphold the rule of law. “All States, including the UK, are legally obliged to take all reasonable steps within their power to prevent and punish genocide; to ensure respect for international humanitarian law; and to bring to an end violations of jus cogens norms of international law. The UK’s actions to date have failed to meet those standards,” the ...

G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War

25Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War

Photo of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio meeting with G7 counterpart on Feb. 24, 2023. Japan is chairing the G7 in 2023. Leaders Announce 'New Sanctions To Condemn Russia's Illegal 'Unwavering Support' For Ukraine February 25, 2023—The G7 countries of Japan, the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and France issued the harshest statement yet condemning Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. "Russia’s heinous attacks over the last 365 days have laid bare the cruelty of the ongoing aggression," the G7 leaders said Friday. "We condemn Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovokedwar, disregard for the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and indifference to the impacts that itswar is having on people worldwide." The G7 leaders promised to give "unwavering suppor...

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

17Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Arms Sales, Military Industry, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

U.S. Government Warns About Secondary Sanctions To People Or Entities Supporting Russia's War October 17, 2022—As Russia has waged war against Ukraine and Ukraine fought back, Western governments have carefully weighed in on the battle through the global financial system. It's a powerful economic coalition that comprises 37 countries. The U.S. government alone issued roughly 1,500 new sanctions and amended 750 more. They target Russia's defense industrial base, the aerospace sector, the microelectronic industry, financial institutions, elites and oligarchs, luxury goods, and oil refining. The sanctions are having an impact on the Russian economy. But is it enough to have an impact strong enough to end the war? Impact of Sanctions On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department rele...

As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds

17Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Communism, Dictatorship, Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds

U.S. Treasury Sanctions State-Owned Gold Mining Firm June 17, 2022—Citing Nicaragua's closer ties with Russia and political oppression at home, the U.S. Treasury issued new sanctions today targeting a Nicaraguan mining company and a government official. Specifically, it targets Empresa Nicaraguense de Minas (ENIMINAS), a state-owned gold-mining company, and Ruy Lopez Delgado, the head of the enterprise. Nicaragua Welcomes Russian Military The sanctions action comes just days after Nicaragua's parliament approved a decree to allow Russian troops to enter the Central American country. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega invited Russian troops into his country to carry out law enforcement duties and conduct joint military exercises, ABC News reported earlier this month. On J...

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

31May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: Europe, EU, Eurozone, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

European Council Plans To Accelerate Transition To Alternative Energy May 31, 2022-The 27 heads of government of the European Union agreed today to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to accelerate a transition to alternative sources of energy. The decision sets the EU on a course to ban up 90 percent of Russian oil imports by the end of the year. It is part of the sixth round of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to Russia's war against Ukraine. "The European Council is committed to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus to thwart Russia’s war against Ukraine," the Council said in an 11-page document. "The European Council calls on all countries to align with EU sanctions. Any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means must be s...

Biden Takes More Economic Actions Against Russia

11Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Trade, Globalization, Disintegration, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

Biden Takes More Economic Actions Against Russia

De-Globalization Continues As Congress Targets Most-Favored Trade Status March 11, 2022—U.S. President Joe Biden announced additional economic and trade measures today that further divide U.S.-Russian business relations. Specifically, Biden said he is working with Congress to deny Russia its most-favored-nation trade status, which gives its goods preferential treatment. Congressional Trade Bills Hill lawmakers have introduced bills in the House and Senate, H.R. 6835, S. 3717 and S. 3722, to withdraw the Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia. It's fair to say the bills have bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, a high-ranking member of the tax committee, is the lead sponsor of one of the bills. "Russia must be denied the benefit of the ...

As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank

28Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Globalization, Disintegration, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank

The Russian Ruble fell Monday to its lowest level on record. February 28, 2022--The United States added Russia's central bank to its list of targeted sanctions against that country's war on Ukraine. As a result, Americans are barred from doing any business, such as purchasing bonds, with Russia's central bank. The block on the secondary market for ruble or non-ruble denominated bonds for U.S. investors goes into effect immediately. Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia's National Wealth Fund, its Ministry of Finance, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, its CEO and two of its subsidiaries. Global Sanctions in Action Banks around the world started implementing sanctions imposed not only by the United States, but also the European Union, United Kingdom, Ca...

United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session

28Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CdY7t5VKIY February 28, 2022--In only the 11th time in its history, the United Nations is holding an emergency special session in its 193-member General Assembly today. It comes on the fifth day of Russia's war on Ukraine. Members are not only discussing Ukraine's territorial integrity and Russia's breach of that, they are meeting to uphold the UN Charter. As a result of the emergency session, 141 countries voted to condemn Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. Read more: In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia's Military Actions in Ukraine.

South Korea Joins G7 Countries In Condemning Russian Invasion

25Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

South Korea Joins G7 Countries In Condemning Russian Invasion

February 25, 2022--South Korea's Foreign Ministry today condemned Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine and promised to respond with economic sanctions against Russia. Up until today, the country stopped short of outright condemning the actions even while voicing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. "As a responsible member of the international community, the Korean government will support and join the international community’s efforts, including economic sanctions, to curb armed invasion and resolve the situation peacefully," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said today in a press release. Previously, South Korean Spokesperson Choi Youngsam had expressed "serious concern" and directed people to a Feb. 22 statement in which the ministry urged the parties "to continue to seek a p...