Obama eases Sudan sanctions, prompting anger

US President Barack Obama on Friday took the controversial step of easing economic sanctions against Sudan, trying to improve relations with a country whose leader is accused of war crimes and links to terror. Obama informed Congress that he will lift trade and investment sanctions against Khartoum after a six-month probation period, although Sudan will still be designated a state sponsor of terrorism. An end to fighting in Sudan's hotspots -- the Darfur region, as well as in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states -- had been set as a precondition for sanctions being lifted.