Russian mercenaries board a helicopter in northern Mali. AP
Russian mercenaries board a helicopter in northern Mali. AP
Russian mercenaries board a helicopter in northern Mali. AP
Russian mercenaries board a helicopter in northern Mali. AP

US sanctions entities tied to Russia's Wagner Group and Prigozhin over Africa activities


Kyle Fitzgerald
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The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions on one person and four entities linked to Russia's Wagner Group as well as its leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the Treasury Department announced.

“The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali,” said Brian Nelson, undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The US accused the newly sanctioned entities of engaging in illicit gold-related activities to fund the Wagner Group and support its armed forces in Ukraine and Africa. The person sanctioned, Andrey Ivanovic, is central to the mercenary group's operations in Mali.

Wagner has been most active in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Libya, and has been accused of engaging in human rights abuses in Africa.

“The United States will continue to target the Wagner Group’s revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine and anywhere else,” the Treasury Department said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement said: "Death and destruction has followed in Wagner’s wake everywhere it has operated, and the United States will continue to take actions to hold it accountable."

Speaking to reporters ahead of the announcement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the mercenary group's activities in Africa.

“They hurt local populations, they extract minerals and extract money from the communities where they operate," he said.

The Treasury Department also issued a new advisory focused on the gold sector highlighting the conflict and terror-financing risks as well as human rights abuses.

Mr Prigozhin and the Wagner Group have already been the target of sanctions from the US, although additional actions from Washington were expected this week.

Mr Miller stressed that Tuesday's sanctions were not tied to the Wagner Group's abandoned mutiny in Russia.

“These are actions that we are taking against Wagner not in relation to events that happened this weekend but for their prior activities,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had vowed to crush the mutiny, although a deal was struck with Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko would allow Mr Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Mr Lukashenko was quoted as saying by a state news agency on Tuesday that the Wagner leader “is in Belarus today”.

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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

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Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

The biog

Name: Salem Alkarbi

Age: 32

Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira

First started supporting Al Wasl: 7

Biggest rival: Al Nasr

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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4.30pm – The Boxtones

5.30pm – Lighthouse Family

7pm – Step On DJs

8pm – Richard Ashcroft

9.30pm – Chris Wright

10pm – Fatboy Slim

11pm – Hollaphonic

 

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

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Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

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Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

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8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

DSC Eagles 23 Dubai Hurricanes 36

Eagles
Tries: Bright, O’Driscoll
Cons: Carey 2
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Hurricanes
Tries: Knight 2, Lewis, Finck, Powell, Perry
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Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

Tips from the expert

Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.

  1. Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
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- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Updated: June 28, 2023, 6:43 AM`