Iran Executes Two Men Convicted of Links to Israel’s Spy Agency

Vehicles drive on an image of the Israeli flag painted on the ground in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)

06:56-20 April 2026 AD ـ 04 Thul-Qi’dah 1447 AH

Vehicles drive on an image of the Israeli flag painted on the ground in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)

Iran executed two men on Monday convicted of having links to Israel's spy agency, the judiciary said, the latest in a string of executions since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States.

"The death sentences of Mohammad Masoom-shahi and Hamed Validi were carried out at dawn today," the judiciary's Mizan Online website reported.

It said the two men were "members of a spy network linked to Mossad", Israel's intelligence agency, but did not say when they were arrested.

They were convicted of the capital offence of "moharebeh", meaning waging war against God, as well as "collaboration with hostile groups and the Zionist regime", Mizan said.

Iran has carried out multiple executions since the start of war with the United States and Israel on February 28. A fragile two-week ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

Iran is the world's second most prolific executioner after China, according to rights groups based outside the country.

Mine Blast in Türkiye Kills Two, Leaves One Trapped

This handout photograph taken and released on October 23,2026 by Turkish news agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows ambulances and fire fighters vehicles in front of a coal mine following a mining accident in Zonguldak. (Handout / DHA (Demiroren News Agency) / AFP)

11:14-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

Mine Blast in Türkiye Kills Two, Leaves One Trapped

An explosion at a coal mine in northwestern Türkiye killed two people, injuring five others and leaving one miner trapped, local media reported Friday, citing the provincial governor.

The explosion was caused by "firedamp", or flammable gas, said Zonguldak governor Osman Hacibektasoglu.

"Eight people were in the tunnel, seven were rescued. Unfortunately, two of our miners died after being taken to hospital," said Zonguldak governor Osman Hacibektasoglu.

Five others were injured, he added.

"One of the miners is still inside the mine. We have made contact with him and are trying to get him out," the governor said.

Two of the injured suffered burns and were in serious condition, according to the official.

Earlier this month, five people were killed in a coal mine collapse in western Türkiye.

The deadliest mining disaster in Türkiye's history occurred in the western town of Soma in 2014, when 301 miners died from carbon monoxide poisoning following an underground fire triggered by an explosion.

Testimonies from miners and technical reports later pointed to a series of basic safety violations, including the absence of adequate carbon monoxide detection systems.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the government pushed through reforms aimed at improving safety and working conditions in the sector.

World

Romania Says Rescue Mission Underway after Black Sea Ship Fire; 1 Dead, 3 Missing

File photo: An aerial view from a helicopter shows a rescue vessel during a fire-fighting operation following an accident involving two ships, which caught fire in the Kerch Strait, near the coast of Crimea in this handout photo released by Russian Emergencies Ministry January 22, 2019. Russia's Ministry for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters/Handout via REUTERS

Asharq Al Awsat

11:11-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

Asharq Al Awsat

11:11-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

Romania Says Rescue Mission Underway after Black Sea Ship Fire; 1 Dead, 3 Missing

Romanian authorities said Friday that a search and rescue mission is underway in the Black Sea after a cargo ship caught fire, leaving one dead and three missing.

The incident occurred about 13 nautical miles (15 miles) east of the port city of Constanta, according to the Romanian Naval Authority, and was reported around 10 a.m. local time. The ship’s crew consisted of 10 Ukrainian citizens and 3 Azerbaijanis, The Associated Press said.

The Ministry of Interior said border police were informed by the Maritime Coordination Center about a fire on board a commercial vessel, which “suffered major damage and capsized, with an imminent risk of sinking.”

“Of the 13 people on board, ten were recovered by another commercial vessel in the area, nine alive and one deceased,” the ministry said. “Three others are still missing.”

World

China Says US ‘Undermining’ Cooperation as Universities Cut Ties

The US and Chinese flag at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026, in Beijing. (AP)

10:08-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

10:05-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

10:08-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

10:05-23 October 2026 AD ـ 12 Jumada Al-Ula 1448 AH

China Says US ‘Undermining’ Cooperation as Universities Cut Ties

The US and Chinese flag at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026, in Beijing. (AP)

Beijing accused Washington on Friday of "undermining" scientific cooperation after the US Defense Department said dozens of American universities had cut ties with certain foreign institutions, including some in China, citing security risks.

The two governments are jostling for influence in science and technology and have often accused each other of security threats and interference.

The United States Defense Department announced on Monday that 30 US universities had "fully mitigated" their ties with a list of institutions that pose a "concern to national security".

The docket, most recently published in July, lists dozens of Chinese military, scientific and technological institutions, as well as ones in Russia and Iran.

"China is always opposed to the US practice of overstretching the concept of national security," a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said in response to a question about the US Defense Department's announcement.

"The relevant actions taken by the US side essentially coerce American institutions into 'picking sides'," the unnamed spokesperson said in a statement.

"Deliberately undermining normal scientific cooperation between China and the United States will only weaken the US' own scientific progress and innovation."

China would take "necessary measures" to protect its institutions, the spokesperson said, warning the US to stop imposing "discriminatory and restrictive measures" against them.

Iran Executes Two Men Convicted of Links to Israel’s Spy Agency

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Mine Blast in Türkiye Kills Two, Leaves One Trapped

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China Says US ‘Undermining’ Cooperation as Universities Cut Ties

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