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OFAC Issues Amended Venezuela General License and Updates Sanctions Lists

OFAC Issues Amended Venezuela General License and Updates Sanctions Lists

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued Venezuela-related General License 5Z, which authorizes certain transactions related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or after November 5, 2026. Concurrently, OFAC has also released an amended Venezuela-related Frequently Asked Question (FAQ 595) to provide further clarification. In addition to these Venezuela-specific actions, OFAC has updated its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. These updates include deletions from the SDN List, such as individuals and entities previously designated under Russia-related sanctions and counter-narcotics programs. The actions reflect ongoing efforts by the Treasury Department to adjust and enforce U.S. sanctions policies in response to evolving geopolitical and economic circumstances.

Kremlin welcomes Trump's idea of energy truce with Ukraine, calls for sanctions removal

Kremlin welcomes Trump's idea of energy truce with Ukraine, calls for sanctions removal

MOSCOW, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed a U.S. proposal for a Russia-Ukraine moratorium on attacking each other's energy infrastructure, while saying it was also necessary to protect seaborne exports and remove "illegal" sanctions on Russia. U.S.

President Trump Blames Ukraine for Record U.S. Diesel Prices

President Trump Blames Ukraine for Record U.S. Diesel Prices

President Trump has attributed the recent surge in U.S. diesel prices, which surpassed $6 a gallon, to Ukraine's intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries. He publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease these attacks, arguing that they target a sector vital for Russia's economy and military, and a producer of petroleum products for export. President Trump's statement suggests a direct causal link between the conflict in Ukraine and domestic fuel costs. However, the source also notes that the U.S. conflict with Iran has contributed to disruptions in global energy supplies and increased oil prices, indicating multiple factors influencing the market.

OFAC Issues Amended Venezuela-Related General License and Updates Sanctions Lists

OFAC Issues Amended Venezuela-Related General License and Updates Sanctions Lists

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued Venezuela-related General License 5Z, which authorizes certain transactions related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or after November 5, 2026. Concurrently, OFAC has also released an amended Venezuela-related Frequently Asked Question, FAQ 595. In addition to these Venezuela-specific actions, OFAC has updated its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). These updates include deletions from the SDN List, such as Jose Raul VEGA SANCHEZ, Hans Peter BOMATTER, and MODULSAN MAKINA KESICI TAKIM VE DISLI SANAYI TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI. These deletions are related to counter-narcotics designations and Russia-related designations, indicating ongoing adjustments to U.S. sanctions policy based on evolving intelligence and strategic considerations.

US House expected to pass Russia sanctions bill backed by late Senator Graham

US House expected to pass Russia sanctions bill backed by late Senator Graham

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S.

House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Graham, sending it to Trump

House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Graham, sending it to Trump

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S.

ECFR Event to Discuss Turkey's 'Embedded Outsider' Strategy and its Implications for Europe

ECFR Event to Discuss Turkey's 'Embedded Outsider' Strategy and its Implications for Europe

The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is hosting an event to discuss Turkey's evolving role as a middle power and its complex relationship with Europe. The discussion will draw upon an upcoming ECFR paper titled 'The Embedded Outsider: Turkey's Middle-Power Strategy and Europe's Response.' The event will feature a panel of experts including Asli Aydintasbas, Associate Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR; Evren Balta, Professor of Comparative Politics & International Politics; Galip Dalay, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House; and Sibylle Katharina Sorg, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ankara. Anthony Dworkin, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR, will chair the discussion. The central theme revolves around Turkey's strategy of building autonomy from within Western structures, rather than choosing between East and West. This approach raises questions about where Turkey's interests align with Europe's, where tensions arise, and what a strategy of managed interdependence could entail for Bruss...

U.S. Representative Don Beyer Joins Lawmakers in Opposing Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

U.S. Representative Don Beyer Joins Lawmakers in Opposing Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), alongside Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), has issued a joint statement opposing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The three lawmakers, who hold ranking Democratic positions on key congressional committees, argue that the bill's expanded tariff authorities and its failure to mandate sanctions on Russia are 'unacceptable.' They have called for 'bicameral, bipartisan negotiations' to address their concerns. The legislation, initially introduced in April 2025, gained momentum after President Trump signaled his support last November, contingent on obtaining new tariff authorities and retaining flexibility over sanctions. The bill passed the Senate on August 7 with bipartisan support (86-11) and is now slated for consideration by the House of Representatives, with the Rules Committee scheduling a meeting to clear the way for a floor vote.

US House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by late Senator Graham

US House passes Russia sanctions bill championed by late Senator Graham

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S.

The Latest: Federal Reserve defies Trump, hikes key interest rate for first time in 3 years

The Latest: Federal Reserve defies Trump, hikes key interest rate for first time in 3 years

The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023 to address high inflation

Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad

Alex Ovechkin faces backlash over pro-Putin political campaign ad

NHL star Alex Ovechkin is facing criticism after appearing in a political ad to support one of "the architects of Russia's war against Ukraine."

U.S. imposes Iran-related sanctions on Russia's VTB

U.S. imposes Iran-related sanctions on Russia's VTB

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States imposed Iran-related sanctions Monday on Russia's VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company, accusing it of involvement in Iranian sanctions evasion, the Treasury Department said as Washington seeks to ramp up economic pressure on Tehran.