Rappler's latest stories on sanctions
Trump says he held off on Xinjiang sanctions over China trade deal
When asked by news site Axios why he held off on imposing direct US Treasury sanctions on Chinese officials linked to Xinjiang, Trump says: 'Well, we were in the middle of a major trade deal'
Trump strips Hong Kong privileges, restricts entry of some Chinese students
The US president attacks China over its treatment of the former British colony, saying it was 'diminishing the city's longstanding and proud status'
Iran unveils budget of 'resistance' against U.S. sanctions
'Despite sanctions, we will manage the country, especially in terms of oil,' says Iran's President Hassan Rouhani
6 European countries join barter system for Iran trade
The entry of the new members 'further strengthens INSTEX and demonstrates European efforts to facilitate legitimate trade between Europe and Iran,' say founding shareholders France, Germany and UK
EU extends sanctions against Venezuela for a year
An embargo on arms and equipment that could be used for political repression is extended to November 14 next year, along with asset freezes and travel bans on 25 senior members of the Maduro regime blamed for rights abuses
U.S. sanctions threaten Iranians' right to health, says Human Rights Watch
Officially, the US sanctions make exceptions for food, medicine and other humanitarian goods, but most companies are unwilling to do any trade with Iran for fear of repercussions in the world's largest economy
U.S. curbs China officials' visas, demands end to Uighur 'repression'
(UPDATED) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweets: 'China must end its draconian surveillance and repression, release all those arbitrarily detained and cease its coercion of Chinese Muslims abroad'
U.S. blacklists 28 Chinese entities over abuses in Xinjiang
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announces the move, saying the United States 'cannot and will not tolerate the brutal suppression of ethnic minorities within China'
Moscow vows to retaliate over new 'anti-Russian' U.S. sanctions
The Russian foreign ministry says the new US sanctions on several Russians – including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election – 'will not go unanswered'
U.S. ramps up Iran pressure as European summit bid flounders
On US President Donald Trump's last scheduled day at the annual UN summit of world leaders, his administration says it is imposing sanctions on Chinese companies that have purchased Iranian oil
Trump orders government to 'substantially increase' Iran sanctions
The United States already enforces widespread sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy, including attempting to shut down its major oil export industry
Iran to unveil details on nuclear commitment cuts
Iran's atomic energy organization is set to announce Tehran's third round of cuts in its nuclear commitments since May
U.S. penalizes shipping firms said to help N.Korea circumvent U.N. sanctions
The US Treasury says the companies are helping North Korea with 'illicit ship-to-ship transfers to circumvent United Nations sanctions that restrict the import of petroleum products'
Iran says sanctions show U.S. 'afraid' of top diplomat
The US Treasury says the sanctions will freeze any of Mohammad Javad Zarif’s assets in the United States or controlled by US entities, as well as squeeze his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat
Trump warns Iran sanctions will 'soon be increased substantially'
'Remember, that deal was to expire in a short number of years. Sanctions will soon be increased, substantially!' says President Donald Trump
Iran demands Britain release oil tanker held in Gibraltar
(UPDATED) A senior foreign ministry official describes the UK move as 'unacceptable' in a meeting with the British ambassador, who has been summoned to hear a formal protest
U.S. hails as 'excellent news' detention of tanker loaded with Iranian crude
White House National Security Advisor John Bolton tweets: 'Excellent news: UK has detained the supertanker Grace 1 laden with Iranian oil bound for Syria in violation of EU sanctions'
U.S. hits Iran's supreme leader Khamenei with sanctions
(UPDATED) 'We will continue to increase pressure on Tehran,' Donald Trump says as he signs the order in the Oval Office. 'Never can Iran have a nuclear weapon.'
Trump vows new Iran sanctions, Tehran warns U.S. against attack
'We are putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday, (June 24). I look forward to the day that sanctions come off Iran, and they become a productive and prosperous nation again,' tweets US President Donald Trump
US grants energy-hungry Iraq new Iran sanctions waiver – source
Iranian energy imports are vital to Iraq, one of the world's hottest countries, which faces chronic blackouts that often leave homes without power for up to 20 hours a day
Iran warns over 'economic war' waged through U.S. sanctions
(UPDATED) 'The only way to decrease tensions in the region is to stop the economic war,' says Mohammad Javad Zarif
Iran says new US sanctions show talks offer 'hollow'
US President Donald Trump says he would be willing to reopen talks as long as Iran agrees to give up nuclear weapons
U.S. oil sanctions take effect on Venezuela as crisis intensifies
The United States will take action against anyone who deals with state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA
Russia calls U.S. tightening of Iran oil sanctions 'aggressive and reckless'
A Russian foreign ministry statement says: 'The rest of the world perfectly understands that Washington's policy is becoming more and more aggressive and reckless'
Russia slams 'hypocrisy' of new Western sanctions
Russia also accuses United States and Canada of 'Russophobia'
Huawei pleads not guilty to Iran sanctions violations – report
The company also pleads not guilty to other charges including bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the US
Iran's Rouhani: U.S. sanctions are 'economic terrorism'
'We are facing an all-out assault which is not only threatening our independence and identity but also is bent on breaking our longstanding ties,' says Iran's President Hassan Rouhani
U.S. urges sustained sanctions pressure on North Korea
In remarks at the opening of a meeting with Southeast Asian leaders, Vice President Mike Pence says America's regional 'partnership also includes our pressure campaign regarding' the North
U.S., China meet to explore path forward from tensions
Donald Trump is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina
U.S. prepares more Russia sanctions over Britain nerve gas attack
Three months after the Untied States declared Russia violated a US law that seeks the elimination of chemical and biological weapons, the State Department tells Congress in a legally-mandated follow-up Moscow had not come into compliance
U.N. court tells U.S. to ease Iran sanctions in blow for Trump
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague hands Iran a major victory, saying that the stinging economic sanctions put Iranian lives at risk
North Korea says 'no way' it will disarm without trust in U.S.
'The recent deadlock is because the US relies on coercive measures which are lethal to trust-building,' North Korea Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho tells the UN General Assembly
China summons U.S. ambassador over military sanctions
Washington has placed financial sanctions on a department in the Chinese Defense Ministry, and its top administrator, for its recent purchase of Russian fighter jets and surface-to-air missile systems
International Criminal Court 'undeterred' after US sanctions threat
'The ICC, as a court of law, will continue to do its work undeterred, in accordance with those principles and the overarching idea of the rule of law,' the tribunal says in a statement
U.S. sanctions Myanmar military commanders over Rohingya abuses
Four Myanmar military and border guard commanders are accused by the US of leading violent campaigns against the Muslim Rohingya
Trump endorses call for boycott of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
The US President is mad that the Wisconsin-based manufacturer – once a presidential favorite – announced it is moving some production out of the US
South Korean firms caught importing coal, iron from North – Seoul
News of the apparent breach comes after a UN report last week accused the North of evading sanctions by continuing to export coal, iron, and other commodities
Trump warns world against business with Iran as sanctions return
(3rd UPDATE) 'The Iran sanctions have officially been cast. These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level,' Trump writes in an early morning tweet
U.S. reimposes tough, unilateral sanctions against Iran
The first of two rounds of US sanctions kicked in at 12:01 am Tuesday, August 7, targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries, including cars and carpets
Carandang dismissal, Ivanka Trump, CJ Ramos arrest | Evening wRap
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UN moves to unblock humanitarian aid to North Korea
North Korea's humanitarian crisis has left about 10 million people – nearly half of the population – undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production in 2017
Germany drops sanctions on Turkey, relaxes travel advice
Germany's foreign ministry also remove a warning on its website about its nationals facing a high risk of arrest when visiting Turkey
U.S. Senate Republicans drop bid to block Trump's ZTE deal
Senators who pushed hard for tougher sanctions criticize Senate Republicans for agreeing to keep the watered-down version
3 dead in Nicaragua clashes as U.S. slaps sanctions on gov't
More than 220 people have been killed in the ongoing unrest since mid-April
Iran urges foreign firms to resist U.S. sanction 'threats'
Sanctions on the automobile sector are set to be reinstated on August 6, following Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal
ZTE petitions U.S. government to lift sanctions
The telecom equipment and handset maker in a filing on Sunday, May 6, says it has submitted a request to the US commerce department for a stay of the export ban, along with supplemental information
Sanctions force Russia to cut defense spending – study
Russia's military expense last year came in at $66.3 billion, 20% lower than in 2016, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says
Cayetano on Villa, Roque on Boracay, Duchess Catherine in labor | Evening wRap
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Maute assets probed as AMLC focuses on terror financing
The Bureau of Internal Revenue investigates an unnamed individual who tried to claim the P52-million worth of Maute loot
Russia promises 'tough response' to U.S. sanctions
Russia responds to the new US sanctions against their most influential oligarchs
