live Ali Larijani: Israel says Iran Security Chief has been killed, Middle East conflict - 17 March
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in ta...
The UK has intensified economic pressure on Russia by announcing a new wave of sanctions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 30 new measures which target key areas of Russia’s financial, military, and energy sectors, in response to President Volodymyr Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
"Putin's persistent unwillingness to engage in meaningful peace efforts has strengthened the UK’s determination to tighten its economic grip on Russia," said in a statement released by UK's government.
“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine. We know that our sanctions are hitting hard, so while Putin shows total disregard for peace, we will not hesitate to keep tightening the screws," - the statement stated.
“The threat posed by Russia cannot be underestimated, so I’m determined to take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure,” added the Prime Minister.
The latest sanctions further tighten the squeeze on Putin’s shadow fleet, with 20 oil tankers now directly targeted.
The UK is also stepping up pressure on those facilitating Russia’s illicit oil trade, sanctioning Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ for their involvement in staffing and managing these covert vessels.
"Today’s measures also strike at the heart of Russia’s military capabilities," targeting the GUGI — the military agency behind the development of underwater intelligence operations. The statement said that this move not only hampers Putin’s war machine but also strengthens the UK’s defences against potential threats to subsea infrastructure.
Additionally, two UK-based individuals, Vladimir Pristoupa and Olech Tkacz, have been sanctioned for operating a "shadowy network of shell companies" that funneled over $120 million worth of electronics — many classified as high-priority — to Russia, according to the UK's press release.
It adds that these UK residents, who own businesses on British soil, have played a critical role in "supplying advanced electronics essential to Putin’s military campaign."
The UK is making it clear: "there is no safe haven for enablers of aggression."
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said that the UK also plans to move with partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap to hurt Russia’s oil revenues, while ensuring stability of the energy market.
"We are determined to hit Putin where it hurts by striking at his oil revenues – the single most important source of funding for his barbaric war," - he added.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving.
Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution that could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to stay in power beyond 2029. The Central Election Commission confirmed that 87.15% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum held on Sunday (17 March).
The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
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