United States: FTC imposes first “gun grab” penalty in 25 years
in short The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has imposed a $5.6 million civil penalty against crude oil producers XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (“XCL”), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (“Verdun”) and EP Energy LLC (“EP”). fine. A “front-running” violation occurs when a proposed buyer exerts control over the operations of a target business prior to the expiration of the relevant waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (“HSR”). The settlement is the largest penalty ever imposed for a gun-grabbing violation. Specifically, the FTC alleged that XCL and Verdun controlled key business decisions related to EP facilities and pricing prior to the completion of the HSR review process. This case highlights the importance of implementing antitrust agreements to govern pre-closing coordination and integration planning. The $5.6 million civil penalty settlement announced by the FTC is the largest fine ever imposed in the United States for a gun-grabbing violation. This decision comes less than a year after the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust…
World ECR | EU imposes first sanctions on Russian hybrid cars
Home > information > EU imposes first sanctions over Russia's hybrid warfare operations The European Council announced on December 16 that the EU had imposed sanctions for the first time in response to "Russian hybrid threats" and designated 16 individuals and 3 entities "responsible for Russia's destabilizing behavior abroad." The measures target those whose "actions and policies of the Russian Federation undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, its security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organizations and third countries." Through a variety of hybrid activities, including the use of coordinated message manipulation and disruption. The designations include GRU Unit 29155, a clandestine unit within Russia's military intelligence service that the Security Council said is known for assassinations and destabilizing activities, and the pan-African business and investment group, described as "a group that conducts pro-government Russian disinformation network.” covert influence operations, particularly in the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso.” The committee…
U.S. Transportation Department imposes landmark $50 million fine on American Airlines
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $50 million fine against American Airlines for multiple and serious violations of laws protecting aviation passengers with disabilities between 2019 and 2023. A U.S. Department of Transportation investigation into American Airlines found instances of unsafe physical assistance that sometimes resulted in injuries and degrading treatment for wheelchair users, as well as repeated failures to provide timely wheelchair assistance. American also mishandled thousands of wheelchairs, damaging them or delaying their return, leaving passengers without the equipment they needed to move. “The era of tolerating airlines’ poor treatment of passengers with disabilities is over,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a media announcement. “With this penalty, we are establishing a new law for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities.” "By setting a level of penalties that exceeds airline operating costs, we aim to change the way the industry behaves and prevent this type of abuse from happening in…
World ECR | UK imposes sanctions over Chemical Weapons Convention violations
Home > information > UK imposes sanctions on Russian troops over Chemical Weapons Convention violations The UK government has imposed sanctions on three Russian military organizations and one individual under its Financial Sanctions: Chemical Weapons Regime. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) said in a press release that it had imposed sanctions on "Russian chemical and biological defense (CBR) forces and their commanders... over the deployment of barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine". It “condemns Russia’s flagrant violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and (urges) Russia to immediately cease all such activities.” The action "continues the foreign secretary's personal mission to counter all malign activity by the Kremlin through our sanctions," the statement said. Those sanctioned are: Radiochemical and Biological Defense Forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Igor Kirillov, Commander of the Radiochemical and Biological Defense Forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation 27th Scientific Center of the Russian Ministry of…
World ECR | US imposes visa restrictions to crack down on business
The U.S. State Department has announced measures to impose additional visa restrictions on multiple individuals "involved in the development or sale of commercial spyware." The operation targeted "individuals who facilitate or financially benefit from the misuse of this technology, which targets journalists, human rights defenders, activists and government officials from around the world," the statement said. Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the department, explained in a September 20 press release: “These restrictions follow recent actions by the U.S. government to combat the misuse of this commercial surveillance technology, including the recent action against Intellexa Supporters of the Spyware Alliance imposed financial sanctions, as well as a U.S.-led joint statement on efforts to combat the proliferation and abuse of commercial spyware. At the same time as his statement, the U.S. State Department also announced that Austria, Estonia, Lithuania and the Netherlands have approved the joint statement, expanding global support from the original 11 countries since the initiative was launched at the…
WorldECR | US imposes sanctions on former Haitian president
Home > information > US imposes sanctions on former Haitian president for corruption, drug trafficking The United States has imposed sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly for corruption and involvement in drug trafficking, saying he "abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, into the United States." He also “engaged in money laundering, working with Haitian drug traffickers, and financing multiple Haitian gangs,” the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said on August 20. His name was added to the Non-SDN Menu Sanctions List (NS-MBS List). “Today’s action against Martelly highlights the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in exacerbating Haiti’s ongoing crisis,” said Bradley Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury. “The United States, along with our international partners, is committed to targeting those who facilitate drug trafficking, corruption, and other illegal activities that fuel horrific gang violence and political instability.” The sanctions include…
WorldECR | China imposes new export controls on “dual-use” products
Home > information > China imposes new export controls on “dual-use” parts for military and civilian drones China has imposed new export controls on a range of military and civilian drone-related equipment, with the Ministry of Commerce saying items with certain characteristics "may not be exported without permission" and violators will be punished. The new controls announced on July 31, particularly on dual-use items, follow months of sanctions imposed by the United States on Chinese companies accused of supplying drone parts to Iran. Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are reportedly being used by Russia in its war in Ukraine. The sanctions include new measures targeting companies and individuals in mainland China and Hong Kong (see today’s first article). In a Chinese-translated statement, the Ministry of Commerce said that in order to safeguard national security and interests, with the approval of the State Council and the Central Military Commission, it was decided to adjust the export control measures on some drones…
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WorldECR | Beijing imposes sanctions on US lawmakers over their comments
Home > information > Beijing imposes sanctions on US lawmakers for "interfering in China's internal affairs" China's Foreign Ministry announced "countermeasures" against US Congressman Jim McGovern, saying the Massachusetts Democrat "frequently makes remarks and takes actions that interfere in China's internal affairs and undermine China's sovereignty, security and development interests." According to the July 31 directive, all movable, immovable and other properties related to McGovern in China will be frozen. McGovern is the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee and a member of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which focuses on China's human rights record. The congressman said he would "proudly consider this sanction an honor," and said if China's leaders "don't like people publicly criticizing their horrible human rights record, then maybe they should improve their horrible human rights record." Looking for expert advice on export controls or sanctions issues? Subscribe now to receive Regular updates on the latest developments in global trade controls and sanctions Expert…