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☆ Federal prosecutors are examining financial transactions at Block, owner of Cash App and Square
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Gretchen Morgenson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Cash App, introduced in 2013, allows users to send and receive money instantaneously among themselves and to buy stocks and Bitcoin. As of December, Cash App had 56 million active transacting accounts and $248 billion in inflows during the previous four quarters, the company said. (Merchants are considered customers at Square, while users are considered customers at Cash App.) Cash App is not a bank, but it uses external banking partners to conduct various services. On March 29, Sutton Bank settled a consent order with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. that echoed the whistleblowers' allegations.

Persons: Jack Dorsey, Block, Venezuela —, Edward Siedle, Prosecutors, Cash, OFAC, Lawrence Summers, Sharon Rothstein, Summers, Rothstein, Lord Paul Deighton, Goldman Sachs, Deighton, Dorsey, Banks, Sutton, James Booker Organizations: Twitter, Southern, of, NBC, NBC News, Securities and Exchange Commission, Block, Foreign Assets Control, U.S . Treasury, Cash, OFAC, Goldman, Financial Market, Bank of Lithuania, Payments Lithuania UAB, PayPal, Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, Sutton Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, FDIC Locations: of New York, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Venezuela, Ohio, Sutton

☆ Over 60% of illegal crypto activity is tied to sanctioned groups or terrorist organizations, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The American blockchain analysis firm's "2024 Crypto Crime Report" found that $24.2 billion of illicit cryptocurrency was transferred in 2023, based on already identified illicit crypto wallets. Chainalysis retroactively updates its yearly crypto figures when new illicit wallets come to light. watch nowCrypto to avert sanctionsEntities like the crypto "mixer" Tornado Cash and Garantex took the lion's share of illicit funds in 2023. The amount of crypto transferred to sanctioned entities has climbed in recent years in tandem with a greater share of new trade restrictions specifying crypto wallets. Terrorist financingIllicit crypto volume identified by Chainalysis as terrorist financing accounted for a much smaller proportion than that of transactions to sanctioned entities in 2022.

Persons: Andrea Gacki, cryptocurrency, Chainalysis, Andrew Fierman, Garantex, Tornado Cash, Lazarus, Lazarus Group ., Sinbad.io, Chanalysis's Fierman, Tawfiq Muhammad Said Al, Law's, Hayat Tahrir Organizations: Foreign Assets, U.S . Department of, Treasury, Bloomberg, Getty, Hezbollah, CNBC, Tornado, Lazarus Group, U.S . Office, Foreign, Lazarus, National Bureau for, Iran's Quds Force, Al, ISIS, Hayat Locations: New York, Korean, Chainalysis, China, Latin America, North Korea, Iran, Iran's Quds, Syria, cryptocurrency

☆ North Korea says any US interference with its ‘space assets’ will be deemed ‘declaration of war’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Akanksha Sharma | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —North Korea has warned any potential interference or attack on its “space assets” by the United States will be “deemed a declaration of war,” the state media outlet KCNA reported on Saturday. DPRK stands for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea. Neither South Korea, the United States nor Japan, all of which are experiencing increasing military tensions with North Korea, could confirm “Malligyong-1,” had made it into orbit. The November launch was condemned by North Korea’s neighbors Japan and South Korea, with Seoul calling it a “clear violation” of a UN Security Council resolution that prohibits North Korea from using ballistic missile technology. North Korea subsequently vowed to deploy new military hardware along the military demarcation line.

Persons: “, ”, KCNA Organizations: CNN, DPRK, KCNA, Democratic People’s, South, SpaceX, Space Command, American, US Department of Treasury’s, Foreign Assets, Treasury, UN Locations: Korea, United States, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang, Japan, South Korea, Seoul

☆ Russia's sanctioned Sovcombank requests US licence to make UN climate payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Elena Fabrichnaya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a board with the logo of Sovcombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 17, 2022. "We have funds in foreign currency for these payments, but we have not received any response from them yet, unfortunately." Avtukhov said Sovcombank was in dialogue with the UN on the matter. "We have not suspended our membership in international organisations," Avtukhov, who also sits on Sovcombank's board, said. There are certain difficulties with making payments in general for Russian participants of this programme," Avtukhov said.

Persons: Maxim, Sovcombank, Mikhail Avtukhov, Avtukhov, Elena Fabrichnaya, Alexander Marrow, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: St ., Economic, REUTERS, U.S . Treasury, United, Reuters, European Union, Foreign Assets, United Nations Environment, Finance Initiative, U.S, Treasury, UN, Thomson Locations: St, St . Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Ukraine MOSCOW, Russian, United Nations, Sovcombank, Ukraine, Washington, Moscow

☆ Treasury Department's hunt for Russian oil sanction violators on the seas is intensifying
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Management of all the Sovcomflot ships was transferred to Sun Ship Management in March/April 2022 when their offices in Europe were closed. 30 ship owners targeted in new Treasury probeThis is just one example of the murkiness within the Russian oil trade. There are grey areas in the U.S. government's Russian oil guidelines, though the efforts can ultimately lead maritime investigators to the truth. In the U.S. Treasury's "Preliminary Guidance on Implementation of a Maritime Services Policy and Related Price Exception for Seaborne Russian Oil," ship owners are under a Tier 2 category. This document could provide a "safe harbor" for ship owners who are relying on that customer's "attestation" to comply with sanctions.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Matthew Wright, Wright, it's, hasn't, They're, shipowners, Andy Lipow, Lipow, Brent Organizations: Windward, U.S . Department, Foreign Assets Control, Treasury, Shipping, Coalition, Ukraine, United, Kazan Shipping Incorporated's, Progress Shipping Company, CNBC, Sovcomflot, Management, Sun Ship Management, Maritime Services, Ship, Lipow Oil Associates, U.S . Treasury, European Union, AIS Locations: Morocco, Price, United Arab Emirates, Kazan, Kazan Shipping Incorporated's Kazan, UAE, Europe, U.S, Asia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, China, India

☆ Where Hamas gets its money and why it's so hard to stop, even as the U.S. steps up efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Jason Gewirtz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nelson had a similar message for officials in Saudi Arabia, with whom he met Tuesday. He wouldn't comment specifically on whom his office might focus on next, but the Treasury Department is hinting more action is on the way. Still, it's a difficult and complicated effort, given the scope and intricacy of the Hamas funding network. Officials at the Treasury Department had been investigating these entities for years but didn't kick into gear until after the brazen attacks earlier this month. "After previous Hamas terror attacks you have big inflows to Hamas from across the globe and we wanted to act urgently to prevent that," Nelson said, pointing to the new urgency from the U.S.

Persons: Brian Nelson, Nelson Organizations: Brigades, Hamas, U.S . Treasury, CNBC, Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control, West Bank Locations: Gaza City, Gaza, U.S, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria

A state oil company PDVSA's logo is seen at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela May 17, 2019. The U.S. on Wednesday lifted most restrictions on Venezuela for six months for producing, selling and exporting oil to its chosen markets. But it is not expected to significantly boost Venezuela's deteriorated oil production or immediately lead to stronger exports. Venezuela can now receive direct payments for goods or services under the license issued by OFAC, which oversees American sanctions. PDVSA and Venezuela's oil ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Persons: Ivan Alvarado, PDVSA, Washington, Pedro Tellechea, Francisco Monaldi, Rice, Nicolas Maduro's, Monaldi, Maduro, Spain's, Joe Biden's, Marianna Parraga, Will Dunham, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Treasury's, Foreign Assets, Oil, OFAC, Washington, Chevron, Baker Institute, Venezuelan, Citgo Petroleum, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, India's Reliance Industries, Nayara Energy, Eni, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Venezuelan, U.S, Asia, PDVSA, United States, American, CHINA, EUROPE, China, India, PetroChina, Houston, Maduro, Washington

☆ Growing tanker fleet, cheaper freight challenge Russian oil price cap
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jonathan Saul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

It also means that enforcing the price cap will have a limited impact on Russian revenues. Had the oil price been above $60 at the time, sanctions would have severely disrupted Russian exports. However, the price for most Russian oil only rose above $60 in July, which meant traders, shipping companies and Russian exporters had months to prepare. So many vessels are willing to sail loaded with Russian oil that freight rates have fallen - effectively handing Russian producers even more revenues. Freight rates for Russian Urals crude shipments to Asia for October cargoes plunged to the lowest levels since the implementation of the price cap, traders said.

Persons: Shun, Tatiana Meel, Mike Salthouse, Sellers, ” Claire McCleskey, Jonathan Saul, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, United Arab, Intelligence, Reuters, International Energy Agency, Shipping, U.S, Link, Thomson Locations: Nakhodka Bay, Nakhodka, Russia, LONDON, refiners, China, India, U.S, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Ukraine, Baltic, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Novorossiysk, East, Africa, Latin America, London, MOSCOW

☆ ‘Dark’ ships are faking their locations to move oil around the world — and it's likely worth billions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Maritime technology company Windward identified the area as a hub for smuggling oil. Cargo ships and car ferries cross the Kerch Strait, an area of "dark activity," according to marine technology company Windward. So that's definitely moved that focus into, okay, I'm now going to manipulate that signal," he told CNBC by video call. This can be done in a number of ways, a Spire spokesperson told CNBC by email. "If you're in the insurance industry, and you're not paying attention to this, you really need to start paying attention," Swift told CNBC by video call.

Persons: John Lusk, Christopher Swift, Foley, Lardner, We're, Lusk, Ami Daniel, Daniel, Good Hope, Iain Goodridge, Spire's, that's, I'm, " Goodridge, OFAC, Swift Organizations: Windward, Europa Press, Getty, Maritime Organization, AIS, Spire Maritime, Government, CNBC, Russia, Anadolu Agency, Venezuela, Spire, U.S . Treasury Department Locations: Morocco, Maritime, Ukraine, U.S, Russia, Kerch, Windward, Arabian, Venezuela, The U.S, East Asia, Angola, Venezuela's, South Africa's, Good, China, Malaysia

☆ AI deals give investment banks a glimmer of hope
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

About a third of all M&A deals in the first half of 2023 were technology deals, and a lot of that was related to AI, said Berlin. The success of these deals mean more M&A is likely on the horizon, said Dan Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush. Costco members now have access to $29 online health care visitsCostco is known for its giant tubs of mac and cheese, cheap hotdogs and more-for-less warehouse deals. The retailer is offering the new service in partnership with Sesame, a direct-to-consumer health care marketplace that connects medical providers nationwide with consumers. Costco is among several retailers, including Amazon, CVS and Walgreens, who are directly providing health care to customers as the demand booms for urgent care access outside of a traditional hospital setting.

Persons: CNN —, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, ” Goldman, David Solomon, Instacart’s, ”, Mitch Berlin, “ You’re, Dan Ives, ” Ives, Taavon Naja, Ramishah Maruf, Parija Kavilanz, Sesame Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, CNN, Wall, Companies, Renaissance, Nasdaq, Cisco, Wedbush, of Foreign, Control, Costco, Costco Pharmacy’s, Amazon, CVS, Walgreens Locations: Americas, Berlin, Iran, Switzerland, United States, PFAS, New York

☆ US sanctions authority delayed KFC's Russia exit -franchise owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Elena Fabrichnaya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It's OFAC office issued compliance guidance to the industry regarding the exit tax in the form of FAQs, or frequently asked questions, on Feb. 24, 2023, while negotiations on KFC's exit deal were still ongoing. The deal included all its Russian KFC restaurants, operating system and the trademark for the Rostic's brand. Once the buyers were approved, taking this new requirement into account, another one appeared - the budget contribution termed an "exit tax" by Washington - Levin said. "The closure was delayed again, the correct procedure on paying the exit tax was agreed," Levin said. Former KFC restaurants began opening in April as Rostic's, reviving a brand born soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Persons: Maxim, Sergei Levin, Levin, McDonald's, It's, Konstantin Kotov, Andrey Oskolkov, Elena Fabrichnaya, Alexander Marrow, Matt Scuffham, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Brands Inc, KFC, REUTERS, U.S . Office, Foreign Assets Control, Brands, Treasury, Smart Service, Russian KFC, Washington, Soviet Union, Rostic's, Thomson Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine MOSCOW, U.S, Unirest, KFC's U.S, Ukraine, Russian, Soviet

A woman walks in the Chevron office as the U.S. government granted a six-month license allowing Chevron to boost oil output in U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela December 2, 2022. Current oil flows mark a 70%-increase from average output in 2022. But to go further requires large specialized drilling rigs that might be difficult to find in Venezuela, the people said. The California-based company's campaign calls for addition of at least two powerful drilling rigs. Other foreign oil companies in joint ventures with PDVSA also have begun early planning for possible drilling campaigns.

Persons: Gaby Oraa, Petropiar, PDVSA, Chevron, Marianna Parraga, Sabrina Valle, Matt Spetalnick, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Chevron, REUTERS, Companies, Chevron Corp, OPEC, Treasury, U.S . Office, Foreign Assets, U.S, PDVSA, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, HOUSTON, Washington, The California, Lake Maracaibo, U.S

☆ 3M agrees to pay almost $10 million to settle apparent Iran sanctions violations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —3M has agreed to pay almost $10 million to settle apparent violations of Iranian sanctions, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control said last week. The agency said 3M had 54 apparent violations of OFAC sanctions on Iran. One US person employed by 3M Gulf, a subsidiary in Dubai, was “closely involved” in the sale, OFAC said. OFAC notes Iranian law enforcement stands accused of human rights violations both in Iran and Syria. 3M voluntarily self-disclosed the apparent violations after discovering the sale hadn’t been authorized, according to OFAC.

Persons: Taavon Naja, OFAC, ” OFAC, “ Organizations: CNN, of Foreign, Control, 3M, Law Enforcement Forces, “ Locations: Iran, Switzerland, Dubai, Syria, United States, PFAS

☆ See inside President Vladimir Putin's opulent $100 million superyacht
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin spent $32 million refitting a superyacht, a new report suggests. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile his troops flooded into Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin was spending millions of dollars on an opulent refit of one of his superyachts, according to an investigation from opposition leader Alexei Navalny's team. Advertisement Advertisement Watch: Inside Putin's secret bunker and billion-dollar palaceThe total cost of the works came to $32 million, according to the investigation. AdvertisementAdvertisement"OFAC is identifying Russia-flagged Graceful and Cayman Islands-flagged Olympia, as blocked property in which President Vladimir Putin has an interest," the US Treasury website said in a June 2022 press release. The Russian president is reportedly also the owner of the 450-foot, $700 million Scheherazade, one of the largest yachts in the world.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny's, Pyotr Stolypin, Putin, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich Organizations: Morning, Russian, Blohm, Russian Federation, US Department of, Foreign, Control, US Treasury, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Saint Petersburg, Hamburg, Germany, Voss, Kaliningrad, Russia, Islands, Belarus, Cayman Islands, Olympia

☆ Tornado Cash founders charged with laundering more than $1 billion, including millions for North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Two founders of Tornado Cash, the widely known Russian cryptocurrency mixer, have been charged with laundering more than $1 billion in criminal proceeds. Charges in the indictment include conspiring to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit sanctions violations and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. The third co-founder, Alexey Pertsev, who is not mentioned in this action, faces trial in Amsterdam over his involvement with Tornado Cash. Tornado Cash is used by some people as a legitimate way to protect their privacy in the still-nascent crypto market. Using a crypto mixing service like Tornado Cash masks those details by anonymizing the funds and concealing the identity of the buyer.

Persons: Roman, Semenov, Storm, James Smith, Alexey Pertsev, Roman Semenov, Damian Williams, Brian Klein, Waymaker, Klein, Lazarus Organizations: Tornado, Lazarus, Justice Department, CNBC, Tornado Cash, Storm, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Foreign Assets, Lazarus Group, U.S . Treasury, Treasury Department Locations: Russian, Korean, Washington, York, Amsterdam, U.S, Harmony

☆ Hindenburg Research targets $4.6 billion Kazakh brokerage for allegedly helping Russian oligarchs evade sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Finance brokerage speaks to Reuters during the interview in the office in Moscow, Russia October 10, 2019. Freedom Holding Corp. was founded in Moscow in 2008, before later moving to Kazakhstan, and listed on the Nasdaq in 2019. After Russia invaded Ukraine early last year, U.S. sanctions essentially severed ties between American and Russian banks and companies. But according to a report from Hindenburg on Tuesday, those ties remain tight. One former senior executive alleged to Hindenburg that Russian money laundering was rampant.

Persons: Timur Turlov, Jack Dorsey's Block, Carl Icahn, Freedom, Hindenburg's, Hindenburg, OFAC, I've Organizations: Freedom Finance, Reuters, Hindenburg Research, Freedom Holding, Nasdaq, Freedom, noncompliance, U.S . Treasury Department's, Foreign Assets, SEC, European Union, Freedom's, Ukraine Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Hindenburg, Russian, United Kingdom, Belizean

A Biden administration source said such conversations with service providers about their requirements have been constant during the implementation of the caps. The price cap bans Western companies from providing services such as transportation, insurance and financing for the oil sold above the cap. Treasury uses a monthly average of prices to calculate the Urals price, which means it may be a while before the Russian oil price can be considered over the cap. 'POLICY PICKLE'The administration, however, is set to move slowly, wary of creating ripples in a market that could send rising global oil prices higher. "But there won't likely be a dramatic change unless oil prices stay high for a while."

Persons: Biden, We’ve, Joe Biden, Wally Adeyemo, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Adeyemo, Ben Cahill, Cahill, Timothy Gardner, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Group, European Union and Australia, Treasury, Foreign Assets, RUSSIA, The State Department, EU, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Thomson Locations: Washington, Ukraine, U.S, Urals, India, China, Russia, Europe, Russian, Eastern

There is no suggestion the trades break sanctions, although they may make it difficult for sanctions enforcement agencies in Europe and the United States to track Russian oil transactions and prices. The new trading network and practices raise financial risks for Russian oil companies dealing with unknown entities with limited credit history. "We recognise that (sanctions on Russia are) going to change the shape and structure of the Russian oil markets," the official told reporters. In May, Russian seaborne oil supplies to India, which was a rare buyer of Russian oil before the war, reached a record of 1.95 million bpd while China imported 2.29 million bpd. A source with one major Russian oil company said his company was prepared to deal with higher credit risks from buyers for the sake of having stable and rising oil exports.

Persons: Russia's, Rosneft, Everest, Coral, Washington, Lukoil, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Nidhi Verma, Timothy Gardner, Laura Sanicola, Simon Webb, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: NEW, Liberian, Reuters, Shell, Group, European Union, Bellatrix Energy, Leopard, Guron, SEA, Coral Energy, Everest Energy, U.S . Treasury, EU, UK, Treasury, UAE dirham, Shipping, Hindustan Petroleum, Gazprom Neft, Covart Energy, Orion Energy, Media, Rosneft, Nidhi, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine MOSCOW, NEW DELHI, Russia's Ust, Hong Kong, India, Moscow, Asia, Ukraine, Refinitiv, Europe, United States, Australia, China, U.S, UAE, Dubai, Visakhapatnam, Surgutneftegaz, Russian, Geneva, Singapore, Rosneft, Venezuela, MOSCOW, LONDON, Washington, New York

☆ US slaps sanctions on Sinaloa Cartel fentanyl network
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, July 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 10 Mexican nationals and one company in the country for their alleged involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel's vast illicit fentanyl trafficking network. The sons, known as "Los Chapitos," are accused of leading a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's 2016 capture and extradition to the U.S. a year later. The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned an import-export company, REI Compania Internacional, and its majority shareholder for allegedly receiving chemical shipments from China. Lopez Obrador added that his Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez would meet this month with U.S. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been seeking increased cooperation from Mexico and China in stemming the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.

Persons: Noel Lopez Perez, Joaquin, El, Ricardo Paez Lopez, El Chapo's, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, Elizabeth Sherwood, Randall, Joe Biden's, Kylie Madry, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Raul Cortes, Sarah Morland, Mark Heinrich, Josie Kao Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Treasury Department, Treasury, Foreign Assets, U.S . Treasury, REI Compania Internacional, U.S . Homeland Security, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Sinaloa, U.S, United States, Mexico, China, Mexican

RBI has not yet outlined its plan to supervisors at the European Central Bank (ECB), two people with knowledge of its dealings with the central bank said, making a spin-off unlikely by September. Furthermore, the approval of Russia's central bank, finance ministry and, in the event of a sale, even Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be needed before RBI acts. The ECB urged RBI not to pay a dividend this year because of its concerns over Russia, one of the people said. Austria's central bank and the ECB declined to comment. Another source said he has urged the U.S. not to pressure RBI.

Persons: Raiffeisen, Vladimir Putin, UniCredit, month's Wagner, Robert Holzmann, Christine Lagarde, Magnus Brunner, Brian Nelson, Francesco Canepa, John O'Donnell, Alexander Smith Organizations: Raiffeisen, Reuters, Austrian, European Central Bank, ECB, Treasury, Foreign Assets, OFAC, U.S, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Russia, Austria, Moscow, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Washington, Vienna, Soviet, Austrian, United States, Frankfurt

☆ How the U.S. and South Africa ended up in a dispute over Russian gunrunning allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON, D.C - Sep. 16, 2022: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) in the Oval Office of the White House. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesRelations between the U.S. and South Africa frayed last week, when U.S. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), released a rather different interpretation of the conversation in its readout. RICHARDS BAY, South Africa - Feb. 22, 2023: Russian military frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" docked at the port in Richards Bay on February 22, 2023. South Africa drew criticism from the U.S. and Europe for holding 10 days of joint naval exercises with Russia and China.

☆ UFC maintains links with Russian fighters and fighters connected to sanctioned Chechen warlord despite Ukraine invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

We have been saying for some time that these sports organizations need to prohibit Kadyrov’s fighters to perform,” he said. There’s also its decision to allow Russian fighters in general to compete in the world’s premium mixed martial arts organization. Some critics have suggested Russian fighters in general should be suspended, like has happened in some other sports, for the country’s involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty ImagesUFC’s primary focusThere are 20 active Russian fighters currently competing in their organized events, according to the UFC website. CNN approached all 20 of those Russian fighters, only two responded initially and ultimately none of them agreed to an interview.

☆ Family of ex-Bosnian Serb leader sues US to escape sanctions list
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Andrew Goudsward | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - Family members of former Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic, who was convicted of war crimes for his role in the 1990s Balkan conflict, sued the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday over their continued inclusion on a U.S. sanctions list. A Treasury Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His family said they began petitioning the Treasury Department in 2020 to be removed from a list of sanctioned individuals known as the "Specially Designated Nationals" list. “It’s unfair for somebody to have to wait so long before getting a decision,” said the family’s attorney, Peter Robinson. The lawsuit asked the court to order OFAC to decide on their requests within 30 days and seeks attorney fees.

HOUSTON, April 28 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp (CVX.N) has stepped up sales of Venezuelan crude oil to rival U.S. refiners, adding PBF Energy Inc (PBF.N) and Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC.N) to its list of customers for the crude, vessel tracking and loading schedules showed. Chevron, the last big U.S. oil producer still operating in U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela, has increased exports of the crude since January. So far in April, it has loaded about 148,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil at Venezuelan ports, with cargoes going to at least three other U.S. refiners, besides Chevron's own refinery. In mid-April, Chevron sold about 550,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude to PBF for its 185,000-bpd Chalmette refinery, near New Orleans, U.S. Customs data on Refinitiv Eikon showed. Chevron has sent Venezuelan crude to its 369,000-bpd Pascagoula, Mississippi, refinery and this month shipped a cargo to a Bahamas oil-storage terminal, PDVSA's schedules showed.

☆ U.S. extends Citgo's protection from creditors for three months
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. on Wednesday extended for three months a license that protects Venezuela-owned oil refiner Citgo Petroleum (PDVSAC.UL) from creditors trying to seize its assets to recoup pending debts. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) extended the general license until July 20, according to the department's website. Washington has since 2019 recognized the opposition-led congress as the entity controlling the refining subsidiary, extending protection to prevent its breakup at the hands of Venezuela creditors. O-I Glass Inc (OI.N), Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII.N), ACL1 Investments, Rusoro Mining Ltd (RML.V) and Gold Reserve (GRZ.V) separately have won attachments contingent on obtaining U.S. Treasury approval to seize assets, or an end to the Treasury protection. ConocoPhillips (COP.N) separately has a claim against Venezuela valued at $1.29 billion over the nationalization of its oil assets in the country.

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