US sanctions

The death toll from twin earthquakes in northern Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 3,685, with 150 additional fatalities reported. The injured number 16,740, 6,462 rescued, and 17,907 homeless. Economists are urging the US to lift sanctions.

The US strikes targets in Iran following ship attacks, causing oil prices to surge. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have increased as Iran resists US sanctions on its oil exports and reacts to the seizure of its Grace 1 tanker near Gibraltar.

Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout affecting 10 million people, exacerbating its ongoing energy crisis linked to U.S. sanctions and fuel shortages. The Electric Union reported a total disconnection of the National Electric Power System, with officials blaming U.S. policies for worsening the crisis.

Zimbabwe's Parliament approved a constitutional amendment extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030. US politicians criticized the move, with Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Gregory Meeks accusing Mnangagwa of consolidating power and citing concerns over corruption. Mnangagwa faces existing US sanctions over corruption and human rights abuses.

Cuba's healthcare system, once a national pride, is deteriorating due to energy shortages linked to U.S. sanctions. Patients like Irisleydis Tristá face critical care gaps as hospitals lack supplies, equipment parts, and fuel, while medical staff emigrate and food shortages hinder treatment.

Cuba's healthcare system is deteriorating due to energy shortages linked to U.S. sanctions, leaving patients without critical care like CT scans. Hospitals face shortages of medical supplies and equipment, while doctors and technicians leave the country. The crisis worsened after U.S. actions against Venezuela disrupted fuel supplies.

Three International Criminal Court judges had their bank accounts frozen, lost health insurance, and faced restricted financial services due to U.S. sanctions under Executive Order 14203. A complaint filed in a New York federal court details the personal and financial hardships imposed on the judges, including impacts on their families and daily lives.

Pakistan's petroleum minister stated the country is considering purchasing cheaper oil and gas from Iran following a temporary easing of US sanctions. The move could save $170-340 million annually and align with recent fuel price reductions in Pakistan amid lower international oil prices and eased Middle East tensions.

Pakistan may resume importing Iranian crude oil as US sanctions ease, but technical and commercial challenges like high furnace oil yield and limited domestic demand persist. Local refineries previously imported Iranian oil until sanctions halted purchases, and upgrades are needed to process heavy crude effectively.

Iran and India discussed strengthening energy cooperation and trade during a meeting between their oil ministers at a Brics energy ministers’ gathering in India. India previously suspended Iranian crude imports in 2019 due to US sanctions, but a recent interim deal between Iran and the US led to a temporary license for exporting Iranian energy products.

ICC judges have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding U.S. sanctions. The International Criminal Court is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

Iran is set to re-enter the global oil market as the US temporarily waives sanctions on its oil exports. The US claims the waiver is conditional on Iran allowing nuclear inspections, though Iran denies making such a commitment.

Tehran could benefit from a 60-day reprieve from U.S. sanctions, but dismantling over four decades of sanctions faces legal, political, and commercial challenges that may take years. The interim U.S. deal's ability to provide lasting economic relief remains uncertain due to the complexity of the sanctions regime.

Cuba's prime minister presented reforms to privatize a large portion of the socialist economy, supported by the Communist Party and former leader Raúl Castro, to address challenges from U.S. sanctions.

Senior US officials revealed a draft US-Iran memorandum of understanding that includes an immediate ceasefire, steps to lift US sanctions, restoration of commercial shipping, and negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. The deal is set to be signed ahead of a planned ceremony on Friday.

Brazil's Supreme Court sentenced Eduardo Bolsonaro in absentia to four years and two months in prison for seeking US sanctions against Brazil during his father's coup trial. Prosecutors alleged he threatened judicial authorities by lobbying for sanctions if proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro did not favor him.

The article criticizes U.S. sanctions and economic restrictions on Cuba for causing severe hardships, including electricity shortages and healthcare crises. It highlights humanitarian efforts by Vermonters to provide aid and describes the impact of policies led by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Iran has not finalized a nuclear deal despite Trump's statement, with Qataris visiting Tehran to negotiate. The draft agreement includes open Hormuz Strait access, US sanctions waivers, and Iran's commitment to halt nuclear pursuits and dilute uranium.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced economic reforms under the 2026 program to address a severe crisis caused by an oil crisis and U.S. sanctions. The reforms aim to liberalize the economy amid pressure from Donald Trump's government, though specific implementation details were not provided.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced economic reforms to attract investment and involve Cubans living abroad, citing the need for change amid challenges like fuel shortages and food insecurity linked to the U.S. oil blockade. The reforms focus on foreign trade, exports, and supply chain adjustments, with no specific details provided.

Iranians face war fatigue and economic hardship as ongoing conflict and U.S. strikes exacerbate food inflation, business closures, and daily struggles. Recent U.S. military actions and stalled peace talks heighten anxiety, with many desperate for an end to the turmoil.

A Colombian ship carrying nearly 100 tons of food, medicine, and other essential goods arrived in Havana as part of humanitarian aid to Cuba. The shipment, ordered by President Gustavo Petro, includes solar panels and materials to address crises linked to U.S. energy sanctions, which have worsened Cuba's power outages and oil shortages.

The UN condemned US sanctions on Cuba for causing increased infant mortality and reduced survival rates for child cancer patients. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that Trump's fuel shipment cuts are depriving Cubans of water, food, and healthcare.

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez plans to visit Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aiming to strengthen trade and investment in oil and gold sectors. The visit follows eased US sanctions, which may facilitate new initiatives in these areas.

Huawei Technologies used its Ascend 910C chips to complete post-training for the DeepSeek-V4-Pro model, advancing China's semiconductor industry's shift from AI inference to complex model training amid US sanctions.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss supporting the Syrian economy and regional developments. Sharaa emphasized the need to lift remaining US sanctions on Syria to revive the economy and attract investments, while the US stated some sanctions remain in place.

Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur for Palestine, discusses living under US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in July 2023, which labeled her alongside figures like Vladimir Putin and Bashir al-Assad. The article highlights her role in addressing the war in Gaza and facing accusations of antisemitism.

Iran is selling subsidized meat for Eid al-Adha amid rising prices caused by US sanctions and a blockade. The US economic pressure has led to increased costs for essential goods like meat in Iran.

Huawei Technologies claims to have developed a method to produce high-end semiconductors comparable to the best worldwide, bypassing US sanctions that restrict access to advanced chipmaking equipment. The company aims to achieve 1.4-nanometer chip production by 2031, as stated by He Tingbo, president of its semiconductor business, during a conference in Shanghai.

Chinese tech giant Huawei announced plans to develop chipmaking processes rivaling Western standards, potentially shifting the AI race between Beijing and Washington. The company claims a workaround for US sanctions and introduced a new chipmaking principle challenging Moore's Law, though details remain undisclosed.

The US has imposed sanctions on nine individuals in Lebanon, including Lebanese military officers, highlighting tensions and potential geopolitical implications. The move is expected to impact Lebanon's security and political landscape.

The US has imposed sanctions against elected Hezbollah members of parliament and Lebanese security officials. Hezbollah has dismissed the sanctions as ineffective, stating they will not alter its operational strategy. The sanctions come amid escalating Israeli military operations against Lebanon.

Russia has pledged active support to Cuba in response to US economic sanctions, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemning what she characterizes as attempts to economically isolate the island nation. The statement reflects Russia's continued solidarity with Cuba amid heightened US pressure on the communist government.

A protest was held in the Democratic Republic of Congo in support of US sanctions against a former president. The protesters showed their support for the sanctions imposed by the United States. The event is related to international relations and politics.

China's Ministry of Commerce has opposed US sanctions against five refineries, claiming the measures violate international law. The refineries are accused of importing Iranian oil, a claim China disputes.

Cuba has condemned new US sanctions as 'illegal' and 'abusive,' which are part of a broader US blockade of oil to the island. The measures have exacerbated existing issues, including widespread blackouts and fuel shortages in Cuba.

The Cuban government condemned new US sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump, labeling them as collective punishment against the Cuban people. Havana criticized the measures as unjust and harmful to the population.

Cuba held May Day celebrations to commemorate International Workers' Day, coinciding with the announcement of additional US sanctions against the island nation. The event highlighted both domestic solidarity and international tensions.

Former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila has denounced US sanctions imposed against him, criticizing the move as unjust. The sanctions, reportedly linked to alleged corruption and human rights abuses, have drawn strong opposition from Kabila, who remains a prominent political figure in the region.

US-sanctioned Chinese refiner Hengli Group is restructuring its Singapore unit. The company, based in Liaoning Province, faces international scrutiny due to sanctions imposed by the US government.