June 8, 2025
Sydney 29

‘Necessary to protect our sovereignty’: US sanctions four ICC judges for rulings on US and Israel; assets frozen

US secretary of state Marco Rubio (Image credits: AP) The US would impose new sanctions targeting four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), secretary of state Marco Rubio announced in response to investigations into the military actions and arrest warrants issued against Israeli leaders.“The United States will take whatever actions we deem necessary to […]

‘Gone absolutely CRAZY’: Donald Trump slams Putin, mulls new sanctions on Russia

Russia is bombing Ukrainian cities with record ferocity. US President Donald Trump on Sunday declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “gone absolutely CRAZY” as Moscow launched its largest aerial assault of the war on Ukraine, a barrage of 367 drones and missiles that killed at least 12 civilians, including children. Trump’s harsh words – […]

Syria welcomes US move to ease sanctions imposed on it

File photo: Syrian foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani (Picture credit: AP) DAMASCUS: Syria welcomed Saturday the move by the Trump administration to ease sanctions imposed on the war-torn country, calling it a “positive step” to ease humanitarian and economic suffering.A statement by the foreign ministry said Syria “extends its hand” to anyone who wants to cooperate […]

‘To advance reconstruction’: US moves to ease sanctions on Syria

US President Donald Trump (center) meets with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (left) in Riyadh Trump (middle) (AP) The Trump administration on Friday began rolling back longstanding sanctions on Syria, marking the first formal steps toward re-engagement with the war-torn nation. The move follows President Donald Trump’s […]

EU agrees to lift economic sanctions on Syria

The European Union has decided to lift its economic sanctions on Syria, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday.“Today, we took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria,” Kallas said in a post on social media platform X.“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful […]

All sanctions on Russia to continue, may consider new sanctions if peace talks stall: US

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio US secretary of state Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump‘s Ukraine policy, stating that no concessions had been made to Russia.Rubio emphasised that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not received any advantages from the administration’s approach.“He hasn’t gotten a single concession,” Rubio said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow […]

What does Syria’s sanctions relief mean for Lebanon?

Saudi Royal Palace, Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump, centre, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (AP) Just 85 kilometers (53 miles) separate the capitals of Lebanon and Syria. But recent political developments in Damascus may have far-reaching consequences across the border, and Lebanon’s newly elected president, Joseph Aoun, is paying […]

What would lifting US sanctions on Syria mean to the war-torn country?

US President Donald Trump’s move to ease sanctions on Syria could mark a turning point for the war-scarred country, potentially opening the door to long-awaited reconstruction and economic revival.The announcement came after Trump met interim Syrian PresidentAhmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first meeting between a US leader and a Syrian head of state in […]

EU warns Russia of fresh sanctions if it rejects truce; Moscow says ‘ultimatums unacceptable’

European leaders stepped up pressure on Russia to accept an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, threatening to immediately impose a new round of punishing sanctions if the Kremlin did not change its stance by the end of Monday.“The clock is ticking – we still have 12 hours until the end of this day,” the German govt […]

UK ends sanctions on Syria defence, interior ministries

LONDON: The UK government announced on Thursday it was lifting sanctions that were imposed on Syria’s interior and defence ministries during the rule of the now-deposed Bashar al-Assad.“The following entries have been removed from the Consolidated List and are no longer subject to an asset freeze: ministry of interior and ministry of defence,” the office […]