US Court Cancels Sanctions on Crypto Mixer Linked to N. Korea Hack
A federal appeals court has ruled that the US Treasury Department exceeded its authority by sanctioning cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash after a North Korean hacking group used the software to launder more than $455 million. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals sided with six users of crypto-mixing services who argued that the software […]
Joint statement from the G7 on diamond sanctions
Botswana and the G7 have announced plans to increase transparency in the diamond trade. A new certification node will help prevent diamonds of Russian origin from entering G7 markets. The G7 import ban on diamonds of Russian origin began on 1 January 2024. On 1 March 2024, Russian diamonds processed in third countries were also […]
Russia Sells Shares in Angolan Diamond Mines due to sanctions
A government official in Angola announced that Russian stakes in the country’s two major diamond mines have been sold to an Oman-backed fund as a result of international sanctions. Russia’s diamond giant Alrosa was until now co-owner of Angola’s Catcoa mine, the world’s fourth largest, and Luele mine in partnership with the South African country’s […]
US sanctions 21 senior Venezuelan officials over election pressure
In the US, the Joe Biden administration has sanctioned 21 Venezuelan officials for their role in the suppression of protests following the disputed presidential election in July. According to a senior representative of the administration, this group, which targeted innocent civilians for repression and retaliation, includes 15 leaders from the Bolivarian national guard, national police, […]
Switzerland to vote on neutrality after accepting Russia sanctions
Switzerland is in the midst of a new debate following the country’s decision to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The public wants a referendum on neutrality, which they see as a break with the country’s long-standing neutrality. Activists and the right-wing People’s Party, the largest party in parliament, want to enshrine […]
Yellen to Chinese banks: We’ll sanction them if they help Russian war machines
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the US could impose sanctions on Chinese banks and companies as well as the Beijing government if they help the Russian military. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen gave an interview to CNBC’s Sara Eisen and said, “We are prepared to take action if we see significant violations, particularly […]
UN expert to EU: Sanction Israel, not individuals
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese compared the West’s outrage over aid workers in Gaza to its reaction to murdered Palestinians and accused the West of racism. Albanese says the EU should sanction the state of Israel, not just extremist settlers. “Settlers operate as part of Israel’s expansionism over what is left of historic Palestine,” Francesca […]
China sanctions 2 US companies over Taiwan
China has sanctioned two US defense companies for supporting arms sales to Taiwan, which China says it can take back by force if necessary. This is a rare development. It includes freezing the assets of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems in China. It also bans company management from entering the country. […]
2 Russian billionaires win the case: They got EU sanctions canceled
Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven were sanctioned by the European Union for their alleged role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They won their lawsuit and succeeded in having the sanctions against them annulled. The EU General Court ruled that the evidence was insufficient. It upheld their request to be removed from the list […]
Embezzlement sanctions in Alberta: Pay $3.4 million
More than 200 people had invested in Summerside Plaza, which opened in 2015 south of Edmonton, Canada. The Alberta securities watchdog found that a Calgary man violated the province’s laws and ordered him to pay $3.4 million. Last year, a panel from Alberta’s Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) found that Ali Ghani and five entities he […]