The U.N. Security Council last week removed Iraqi national Munir al Qubaysi from its sanctions lists. It didn't release more information. The U.S. sanctioned al Qubaysi in 2004 for links to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
The Council of the EU on Dec. 15 renewed its sanctions on Venezuela for another year. The restrictions, which cover 69 people, now run until Jan. 10, 2027.
The Council of the European Union on Dec. 15 sanctioned three people and one entity related to gang violence and human rights abuses in Haiti. The designations target Michel Martelly, former president of Haiti, and Youri Latortue, Martelly's former political adviser, who were listed for arming and financing several gangs to promote their political and personal agendas. The council also sanctioned Rony Celestin, former senator of Haiti, for his links to various armed groups and "orchestrating" the murder of journalist Nehemie Joseph. The listed entity is Gang 5 Segond, a gang based in Port-au-Prince.
Australia last week launched what it called the world's first "autonomous sanctions framework" targeted toward Afghanistan, which it said will help it pressure Taliban officials who are oppressing the Afghan people. The measures put in place an arms embargo against Afghanistan, which blocks Australians from supplying arms or related materials or services to the country, and designate multiple Taliban officials, according to Australia's consolidated sanctions list, including various ministers and the group's "Chief Justice."
The EU this week announced new sanctions against Russia and created a new way for the bloc to designate people and entities involved in Belarus-related foreign information manipulation and interference.
The U.S. granted sanctions relief this week for three Belarusian potash companies, days after the country's government freed political prisoners, reportedly in exchange for the eased sanctions.
A group of seven Democratic senators led by Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., asked the Commerce Department Dec. 12 for more information about President Donald Trump’s decision to allow Nvidia to sell advanced H200 AI chips to China (see 2512080059), including how the agency will ensure that “restricted end users,” such as entities linked to China’s military, don't get to use the semiconductors.
The Commerce Department should use its upcoming AI exports program as an opportunity to address export licensing delays within the Bureau of Industry and Security, technology companies and trade groups told the agency in public comments this month.
Rome's legislative body is reviewing two initiatives that should "reshape the compliance landscape" for companies operating in Italy, including one that would make sanctions violations a criminal offense and another that would change how companies are held liable for trade violations committed by employees, law firm McDermott Will said in a client alert this month.
China is introducing new export license requirements for certain metal products starting Jan. 1, the country's Ministry of Commerce said last week, according to an unofficial translation. The measures will impose new export controls on around 300 metal and steel products, including certain iron, scrap metal, steel bars, wire rods, steel pipes, sheets and coils. Foreign traders must "apply for export licenses," which "require the submission of an export contract and a product quality inspection certificate issued by the manufacturer," according to Chinese state-run news outlet Xinhua.