Beijing navigates the tariff war

to end restrictive measures against Syria.The political decision was agreed upon by EU foreign ministers last week and follows a similar announcement by the United States earlier this month.

Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdel Wahed, reporting from Damascus, said, “There is no detail about the origin of the shipment, but we know this has a crucial significance for the Syrian people and the government.“This is an indication the country can be re-integrated into the international community, that trade and commerce can be reactivated and an indication that the country, in the aftermath of the release of international sanctions, can be re-connected to the international financial system.”The lifting of sanctions is expected to accelerate the reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructure and economy. Syrian banks, including the Central Bank of Syria, now have renewed access to European financial markets.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the move, reaffirming Europe’s “commitment” to helping Syrians rebuild a “new, inclusive, peaceful Syria”.“This decision is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians,” Kallas said.

Sanctions previously imposed by the EU and the US targeted the government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in a lightning rebel offensive, led by the now-interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in December.

The measures had effectively shut Syria out of global trade and banking systems, severely restricting access to goods and investment.Southeast Asia’s multibillion-dollar online cyber-scam centres lure victims from as far as Africa with the promise of decent jobs.

Forced to Scam: Cambodia’s Cyber Slaves | 101 East DocumentaryBokeo province, Laos

– Khobby was living in Dubai last year when he received an intriguing message about a well-paying job working online in a far-flung corner of Southeast Asia.The salary was good, he was told. He would be working on computers in an office.