The US has issued financial sanctions against one of Russia's wealthiest men, Vladimir Potanin, the Treasury and State departments said on Thursday.
The action comes after similar moves were made against Mr Potanin and his network by Britain and Canada, the State Department said.
"Our actions today are a clear message that the United States will not hesitate to continue to use the tools at our disposal to promote an end to, and accountability for, President [Vladimir] Putin’s unconscionable war" in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Among those being sanctioned are 29 Russian governors and regional heads as well as two of the leaders' family members. Also being sanctioned is an entity owned by one of the family members.
"These governors oversee and enforce the conscription of citizens in response to Russia’s recent mobilisation order," the Secretary of State said.
Treasury is sanctioning 18 entities related to Russia's financial services sector, while the State Department is designating Mr Potanin, his network and more than 40 more people linked to the government in Moscow.
US sanctions more Russian oligarchs - in pictures
Corporate leaders of Russian state-owned companies are also named in the latest addition to Washington's sanctions regime.
The State Department said it is also designating five individuals serving on the board of directors of Russian Railways, including Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Andrey Belousov and Dmitriy Chernyshenko.
“By sanctioning additional major Russian banks, we continue to deepen Russia’s isolation from global markets,” said Brian Nelson, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence .
Faced with sweeping international sanctions since its February invasion of Ukraine, there is some evidence that economic conditions in Russia are starting to deteriorate at a faster rate, a December report from Washington's Congressional Research Service showed.
In November, the Russian central bank estimated a faster economic contraction in the fourth quarter of 2022, at a little more than 7 per cent compared to previous quarters, which sat at about 4 per cent.
Sanctions may be a contributing factor, the report said, "but other factors are likely contributing ... most notably, the war effort itself".
That additional economic strain includes factors such as the mobilisation of civilian production for military purposes, workers drafted into military service and deferred domestic infrastructure projects.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
