World Briefs: Iran executes scientist for 'spying for US'

Iran executes scientist for 'spying for US'

DUBAI • Iran has executed a nuclear scientist detained in 2010 when he returned home from the US after a court convicted him of spying for Washington, a spokesman for the judiciary said yesterday.

Shahram Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2009 and later surfaced in the US. But he returned to Iran in 2010 - claiming he had been kidnapped by the US - before he was arrested. A US official said in 2010 that Washington had received"useful information" from Amiri.

REUTERS


Jetstar flight diverted after oil pressure warning

SYDNEY • A Jetstar flight carrying some 320 passengers from Tokyo to Australia's Gold Coast was diverted to Guam yesterday after a warning light came on.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight from Narita International Airport to the Gold Coast landed on the US island territory of Guam in the Pacific after an oil pressure warning light came on, Jetstar said.

The airline added that the plane was being inspected by engineers.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Erdogan supporters rally against coup again

ISTANBUL• Thousands of Turks gathered in Istanbul yesterday, summoned by President Tayyip Erdogan to denounce a failed coup - a show of strength staged in the face of Western criticism of widespread purges and detentions.

The "Democracy and Martyrs' Rally" at the Yenikapi parade ground caps three weeks of nightly demonstrations by Mr Erdogan's supporters, many wrapped in the red Turkish flag, in squares around the country.

REUTERS


Air strikes on Yemen resume after UN talks fail

CAIRO• A Saudi-led military coalition carried out around 30 air strikes throughout Yemen yesterday, residents said, after UN talks to end a civil war there expired without achieving peace.

The bombings were aimed at Yemen's armed Houthi movement in Sanaa, Saada, Jawf, Hajja and Taiz provinces, stretching from the country's far north to coastal south. The UN pledged that the talks would be renewed at an unspecified venue within a month.

REUTERS


Storms kill at least 20 in Macedonia's capital

SKOPJE • Fierce storms packing strong winds and torrential rains overnight killed at least 20 people in Macedonia's capital of Skopje, the Health Minister said yesterday. Reports said the water level reached as high as 1.5m in some of the affected areas, which were being combed by Macedonia's police and army for survivors and other victims.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 08, 2016, with the headline World Briefs: Iran executes scientist for 'spying for US' . Subscribe