EU government enforcement agencies should better cooperate on sanctions and export control investigations, including by regularly sharing information during periodic meetings, according to a recent report from Kleptotrace, a research project co-founded by the EU.
The U.S. added more people and entities to sanctions and export control lists in 2024 than the previous year, with a large portion targeting Russia and China, the Center for a New American Security said this week.
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The Treasury Department included its Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) in the Trump administration’s hiring freeze but is now considering giving it relief from the pause due to its national security role, the department told lawmakers.
A House Republican proposal to pass a temporary government spending measure, or continuing resolution (CR), for the rest of FY 2025 would prevent Congress from weighing in on export control policy, such as by opposing the easing of restrictions on Russia, according to a memo released March 8 by Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Canada last week announced new sanctions against people and entities for either helping Iran acquire controlled technology or having ties to human rights violations committed by the Myanmar military regime.
The U.K. on March 7 removed Russian bank Rosbank PJSC and Turkish energy firm Active Denizcilik Ve Gemi Isletmeciligi Anonim Sirketi from its Russia sanctions list. Rosbank was sanctioned in 2023 for operating in Russia’s financial services sector, and Active Denizcilik was sanctioned last year for doing business in Russia’s energy sector. The U.K.’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation didn’t give a reason for their removals.
President Donald Trump last week threatened to increase sanctions against Russia if it doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine and a peace deal. His comments came one day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also threatened more sanctions against Moscow, including its energy sector.
The U.S. should establish “some kind of new unit in our government” to focus on competing with China, a researcher told the House Homeland Security Committee March 5.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned senior members and operatives of the Yemen-based Houthis, the group designated by the Trump administration as a foreign terrorist organization (see 2503040008). OFAC said the officials smuggled military items and weapon systems into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, negotiated Houthi weapons procurements from Russia, or have recruited Yemeni civilians to fight for Russia in Ukraine.