EU sanctions Russia again
The European Union's latest proposal for the next round of sanctions on Russia - the 17th package since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago - may be its weakest yet.
Presented by the European Commission earlier this week to the 27 EU members and seen by RFE/RL, the proposal does not contain harsh economic measures against the Kremlin. Instead, it contains more asset freezes and visa bans for various individuals and entities, mainly Russian citizens and companies involved in the arms industry, REL reports.
It also includes banning another 98 ships from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet from serving in EU ports, bringing the total number of ships on the list to 250. And finally, it imposes export restrictions on 35 companies, most of which are Russian, but others are Kazakh, Serbian, Turkish and Uzbek.
Trump lifts sanctions on Syria and signs record arms deal with Saudi Arabia
President Donald Trump kicked off his visit to the Persian Gulf on Tuesday with a surprise announcement: The United States will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and Saudi Arabia will invest $600 billion in the US.
According to the White House, Washington has agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion – the largest military cooperation deal the US has ever made.
The lifting of sanctions on Syria is a major boost for a country ravaged by more than a decade of civil war. Rebels, led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa, ousted Bashar al-Assad from power last December.
Trump offers to mediate in Russia-Ukraine talks: "I'll probably be in Istanbul on Thursday"
US President Donald Trump made a surprise offer on May 12 to join talks between Ukraine and Russia expected to be held this week in Istanbul, prompting reactions and discussions among US and European diplomats who continue to seek ways to end the war in Ukraine.
"Don't underestimate Thursday in Turkey," Trump told reporters at the White House, shortly before departing for a trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, referring to possible talks on May 15.
"I was thinking of flying there. I don't know where I'll be on Thursday," he added. "I have a lot of meetings... maybe I'll be there if I see something concrete can happen."
Good news for the Menendez brothers: Eligible for parole after 50 years
A Los Angeles judge has reduced the sentences of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents at their Beverly Hills mansion.
Judge Michael Jesic imposed a new sentence of 50 years to life in prison. Now, the decision on whether they can be released will be made by the state amnesty board, which will hold a hearing next month.
The prosecution was against reducing the sentence, arguing that the pair have not been rehabilitated.
They have claimed they killed their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in self-defense after years of sexual abuse. The case has sparked much debate in America and has been the subject of books and documentaries.
