by Thomas WATKINS Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States pledged Wednesday to step up sanctions to force North Korea to resume dialogue over its nuclear program, but said it was not looking to bring Kim Jong-Un’s regime to its knees. After briefing senators at the White House, top US officials said President Donald Trump also aimed to pursue diplomatic measures with allies and regional partners. “We are engaging responsible members […]
Tag: sanction
US sanctions target Air Koryo, a household brand name in North Korea
PYONGYANG, North Korea (Reuters) — As tensions on the peninsula ratchet up, the United States is calling for more sanctions against North Korea’s flagship airline Air Koryo, arguing there’s an absence of boundaries between the airline and the country’s air force. But on the streets of Pyongyang, it’s the soft drinks and taxis where the airline is making its presence felt. The Air Koryo conglomerate makes cigarettes and cola, and owns a taxi fleet and […]
US reviews ‘failed’ Iran nuclear deal
by Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson branded the Iran nuclear deal a failure Wednesday as President Donald Trump ordered a review of how Washington is countering the threat from Tehran. The State Department admits that Iran has so far maintained its side of the bargain it struck with world powers in 2015 to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But […]
North Korea threatens to hit back over sanctions
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea has warned it will retaliate if the global community ramps up sanctions over its latest round of weapons tests. The warning comes as President Donald Trump threatened the United States was prepared to go it alone in bringing Pyongyang to heel if China did not step in. The isolated state has quickened its missile program in recent months, with a volley of tests it says are putting it […]
US imposes sanctions on N. Korean entities over nuclear program
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States Treasury hit 11 North Korean business representatives and an industrial firm with sanctions Friday, seeking to further isolate the country’s economy for pursuing nuclear weapons. Most of the officials were based in China and Russia for companies the Treasury said acquire materials, technology and financial support for North Korea’s defense industry. The company named to the sanctions blacklist was North Korea-based Paeksol Trading Corporation, which the Treasury […]
Russia, China veto UN resolution on Syria sanctions
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations resolution backed by Western powers that would have imposed sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons use. The measure drafted by Britain, France and the United States won nine votes in favor at the Security Council, while three countries opposed it — China, Russia and Bolivia. Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Egypt abstained. UN resolutions require that there be nine positive votes and […]
EU drops sanctions threat against Russia over Syria
by Danny KEMP BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — EU leaders backed down Friday from an explicit threat of sanctions against Russia over the bombing of Aleppo but warned that they would consider “all available options” if atrocities in Syria continue. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi demanded that any mention of possible punitive measures against Moscow over the Syrian carnage should be removed from a statement issued after a summit in Brussels. The climbdown underscored the deep […]





