EU tightening sanctions against Iran March 11, 2013 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union is tightening sanctions against Iran, concerned about alleged violations of human rights in the country, The Associated Press reports. EU foreign ministers, meeting Monday, March 11 in Brussels, added nine people they said were "responsible for serious human rights violations" to the list of those subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze, bringing the number of people sanctioned in this way to 87. The foreign ministers also decided to freeze the assets of one "entity," meaning a company or organization. The measures will be valid until April 13, 2014. The names of those sanctioned will be published Tuesday. Iran carried out at least 55 public executions in 2012, UN spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly has said. Some 400 people were reportedly put to death in the country last year. Partner news  Top stories Only three senators on the committee - Republican Ron Paul and Democrats Tom Udall and Chris Murphy - opposed the bill. If true, the exclusion of Rafsanjani and Mashaie would leave the presidential race dominated by hardline conservatives. Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma medical examiner's office, said 51 were confirmed dead. An Islamist insurgency, once confined largely to the republic of Chechnya, has spread across the North Caucasus in recent years.   Partner news |  Latest news Eminem sues Facebook for unauthorized song release  Eminem has been readying a followup to 2010's “Recovery” for an expected release after Memorial Day.Samsung to buy stake in rival phone manufacturer Pantech The Galaxy S4 maker will pay 53 billion won ($47.6 million) for the stake in Pantech, South Korea's third-largest handset maker.Emma Watson in Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring” clip (video) The film is based on real events and follows a group of fame-obsessed teenagers who robbed celebrities' homes in the Hollywood Hills.“The Hobbit” begins final shooting, Peter Jackson confirms Martin Freeman, who stars as Bilbo Baggins, was still in London filming the third series of “Sherlock” as of May 21. |
