The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran’s communications minister for his role in “widescale internet censorship”, a reference to a five-day-long nationwide shutdown meant to help stifle protests against fuel price hikes by Tehran. The sanctions imposed on Mohammad Javad Azari would block, or “freeze”, any of his property under US jurisdiction, the Department of the Treasury said in a statement.
The Iraqi security forces have been put on alert in the southern province of Basra as Protesters in Basra, have burned several government offices and buildings belonging to the political parties in the past few days. They had also blocked the border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait and a main road leading to the oilfields.
A large cargo ship carrying more than 14,000 sheep has overturned off the coast of Romania, with rescuers scrambling to save the animals. The Queen Hind capsized on Sunday morning after leaving the port of Midia, near the south-eastern city of Constanța. All crew members – 22 Syrian nationals – were rescued. An operation involving police, firefighters and the Romanian coast guard was launched to save the sheep. 32 have so far been rescued and many more are believed to be drowned.
