Canada Hits Hamas, Israeli Settlers, Iran With New Sanctions

Protests in Ottawa, Canada on February 5, 2022  - Dave Chan AFP
Protests in Ottawa, Canada on February 5, 2022 - Dave Chan AFP
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Canada Hits Hamas, Israeli Settlers, Iran With New Sanctions

Protests in Ottawa, Canada on February 5, 2022  - Dave Chan AFP
Protests in Ottawa, Canada on February 5, 2022 - Dave Chan AFP

Canada on Wednesday announced further sanctions against Hamas over its "acts of terror" and several Israeli settlers for "extremist violence" against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

Ottawa also, along with Australia and the United States, added five senior Iranian officials to its sanctions list for their roles in policies leading to the violent repression of protests, AFP reported.

The new sanctions target 11 individuals and two entities with roles in Hamas's financial network that Ottawa said was used in the planning and execution of attacks on Israel launched on October 7, 2023, the government said in a statement.

Four Israelis, as well as the Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich, were also listed for "participating in or facilitating acts of harassment and violence, including attacks on humanitarian convoys... and displacement of Palestinian communities."

The latest sanctions against five senior Iranian officials were announced to mark the two years since the death in Iranian custody of Mahsa Amini, following her arrest for an alleged breach of Tehran's strict dress code for women.

As the sanctions were rolled out, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, which is acting as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, along with Egypt and the United States.

Trudeau expressed a "deep concern over the risk of an expanded conflict between Israel and Iran as well as Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned groups," according to a readout of their talks.



China’s Xi Urges Missile Troops to Boost Deterrence, Combat Capabilities

 In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
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China’s Xi Urges Missile Troops to Boost Deterrence, Combat Capabilities

 In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)

Chinese state media reported on Saturday that President Xi Jinping on Thursday inspected a brigade of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, urging the troops to boost their "deterrence and combat capabilities".

During the inspection Xi also urged the strategic missile troops to "resolutely fulfil the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people," state news agency Xinhua said.

The PLA Rocket Force, which oversees the country's conventional and nuclear missiles, has been tasked with modernizing China's nuclear forces in the face of developments such as improved US missile defenses, better surveillance capabilities and strengthened alliances.

During the inspection, Xi stressed the need to "adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility," and "promote high-quality development of the force construction," according to Chinese media outlet Cailianshe.

Last month China conducted a rare launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, underscoring growing international focus on the country's nuclear build-up.

China's military has undergone a sweeping anti-corruption purge since last year, with several generals, including from the Rocket Force, and aerospace defense industry executives removed from the national legislative body.

In June, Xi said there were "deep-seated problems" in the Chinese military's politics, ideology, work style and discipline, adding "there must be no hiding place for corrupt elements in the army."