US slaps sanctions on Gbagbo

The United States has improsed sanctions on Cote d'Ivoire's former president Laurent Gbagbo, who lost elections late last year but refuses to cede power. The punishment also applies to several members of Gbagbo's inner circle, including his wife and the leader of his party. As a result, Americans are are prohibited from conducting financial or commercial transactions with the designated individuals, and any assets of the designees within U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, according to the State Department.