By Marianna Parraga and Jarrett Renshaw HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - U.S. officials are working to issue a general license soon that would lift some sanctions on Venezuela's energy sector, three sources familiar with the preparation said on Tuesday,

Oil prices rose on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure against Iran through fresh sanctions on vessels that transport its oil, and announced that an armada was heading towards the Middle Eastern nation.

Bipartisan Russia sanctions package would impose tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, primarily targeting China and India energy purchases.

The economic penalties target the leaders of a bloody crackdown and companies that support Tehran’s illicit oil trade.

India seeks US clearance and Caracas cooperation as ONGC Videsh looks to recover years of blocked earnings from sanctioned Venezuelan oil assets

LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Bank of Scotland, part of Lloyds Banking Group, has been fined 160,000 pounds ($218,640) for breaching Britain's financial sanctions regime after it opened an account for a previously high-ranking Russian government figure who was a designated person on the UK's sanctions list.

China strongly condemns U.S. pressure on Cuba, calling sanctions violations of international law as diplomatic tensions escalate over decades-long embargo.

In the Caribbean and Latin America, the lived reality of these measures – presented in the language of diplomacy – is stark