South Korea and Japan hold first defence talks in 10 years
The South Korean and Japanese defence ministers will hold talks in Seoul on Monday, Seoul's defence ministry said, marking the first official visit by...
The Council of the European Union has decided today to suspend a number of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, with the aim to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation.
"The EU aims to facilitate engagement with Syria, its people, and businesses, in key areas of energy and transport, as well as to facilitate financial and banking transactions associated with such sectors and those needed for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes," - the Council said in its statement.
The Council has decided to implement the following measures:
- Suspend sectoral restrictions in the energy sector (including oil, gas, and electricity) and the transport sector.
- Remove five entities—Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Saving Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, and Syrian Arab Airlines—from the list of those subject to asset freezes and economic restrictions, while also permitting the allocation of funds and economic resources to the Syrian Central Bank.
- Introduce exemptions to the prohibition on banking relations between Syrian banks and financial institutions within member states, allowing transactions related to the energy and transport sectors, as well as those necessary for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
- Permanently extend the existing humanitarian exemption to ensure continued support.
- Introduce an exemption for personal use regarding the export prohibition of luxury goods to Syria.
At the same time, the Council will maintain sanctions related to the Al-Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector, and the illicit drug trade. Additionally, several sectoral measures will remain in place, including restrictions on the arms trade, dual-use goods, equipment for internal repression, software for interception and surveillance, and the import/export of Syrian cultural heritage items.
EU restrictive measures have been used as a tool against the Al-Assad regime, responsible for the violent repression of the Syrian civil population.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
A total lunar eclipse will take place on 7 September, with astronomy groups in Azerbaijan inviting the public to view the spectacle through telescopes at a special event in Baku.
Israel's Airports Authority said on Sunday that a drone launched from Yemen struck the arrivals hall at Ramon Airport near the Red Sea city of Eilat.
Türkiye plans to strengthen its energy ties with Iraq through oil, natural gas, and electricity projects, the country’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Ahmet Berat Conkar, said at the Baghdad International Energy Forum.
Despite the fact that many months have passed since the tragedy, Russia stubbornly refuses to admit guilt for the downed AZAL plane. Those responsible for this catastrophe have not yet been punished: they continue to serve, and some have even received promotions.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden raised concern after being spotted in Delaware over Labor Day weekend with a large scar on his head while greeting well-wishers.
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