The European Union has approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, introducing a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Danish presidency of the EU announced on Wednesday.
"We are very pleased to announce that we have just been informed by the last remaining member state that it is now ready to lift its reservation on the 19th sanctions package," the presidency said.
Slovakia had been the final country to withhold approval after member states agreed on the final text last week. Prime Minister Robert Fico had sought assurances from the European Commission regarding high energy costs and the alignment of climate goals with the needs of carmakers and heavy industry. A Slovak diplomat confirmed that these concerns were addressed through new clauses added to the final communiqué for the upcoming EU leaders’ summit on Thursday.
"As a result, a written procedure for Council approval has been launched. If no objections are raised, the package will be formally adopted tomorrow at 8 a.m.," the statement added.
The LNG ban will be implemented in two phases: short-term contracts will expire after six months, while long-term ones will cease from 1 January 2027, a full year earlier than the Commission’s original plan to end the bloc’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
The sanctions package also imposes new travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and adds 117 ships to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”, mainly oil tankers, bringing the total number of listed vessels to 558.
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At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, authorities said.
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40C over the weekend.
At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, authorities said.
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade.
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Another 3,200 people were injured and 3,100 left homeless by the disaster, he added on state television.
Australia said it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms found to have failed to uphold a groundbreaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
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