Mrs Azarnykh was sanctioned on 5 May.
The UN Refugee Agency said on Thursday that global refugee numbers fell by three per cent to 41.6 million in 2025.
Mr Dujarric also sent condolences to the people and Government of Nigeria.
Syria has rejected proposals for the large-scale return of its nationals from Germany, warning against any forced deportations amid an ongoing migration debate in Europe.
The Iranian military said it had targeted Kurdish groups in neighbouring Iraq.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hit by two drones as Iran intensifies retaliatory attacks targeted at American bases and embassies across Middle Eastern countries.
The U.S. government has urged Americans to immediately leave several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel and the UAE, due to serious safety risks.
U.S. forces have begun withdrawing from the Qasrak military base in Syria’s Hasakah governorate and redeploying toward Iraq.
Mr Cardoso said cross-border payments have become central to the global financial system.
The Egyptian government has intensified raids on refugees and asylum seekers since December 2025.
![Refugees in Egypt [Credit:Wsj.coml]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/FI.webp)
