Iran to work on nuclear-powered boats

BEIRUT • Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has ordered scientists to start developing systems for nuclear-powered boats.

The announcement yesterday marked Iran's first concrete response to a US Congress decision last month to extend legislation making it easier for Washington to re-impose sanctions on Teheran.

REUTERS

UK train strike affects hundreds of thousands

LONDON • Hundreds of thousands of British commuters faced travel chaos yesterday as train drivers went on strike.

Southern Rail, which runs trains between England's south coast and London, warned of severe disruption as it cancelled more than 2,000 services.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Migrant boat captain jailed 18 years

CATANIA • An Italian court has ruled that the captain of a migrant boat that sank last year, killing up to 900 people, was responsible.

Mohammed Ali Malek, a Tunisian national, was jailed 18 years for multiple manslaughter, human trafficking and causing the tragedy.

His first mate Mahmoud Bikhit was handed a five-year sentence.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE