Iran Executes Man Linked to Anti-government Protests

This photograph shows portraits of Iranian protesters allegedly executed by the Iranian regime during protests in Iran are displayed during a demonstration at the Ergife Palace Hotel to condemn the silence of Western governments in the face of the growing wave of Iranian political executions, in Rome on July 16, 2026. (AFP)
This photograph shows portraits of Iranian protesters allegedly executed by the Iranian regime during protests in Iran are displayed during a demonstration at the Ergife Palace Hotel to condemn the silence of Western governments in the face of the growing wave of Iranian political executions, in Rome on July 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Iran Executes Man Linked to Anti-government Protests

This photograph shows portraits of Iranian protesters allegedly executed by the Iranian regime during protests in Iran are displayed during a demonstration at the Ergife Palace Hotel to condemn the silence of Western governments in the face of the growing wave of Iranian political executions, in Rome on July 16, 2026. (AFP)
This photograph shows portraits of Iranian protesters allegedly executed by the Iranian regime during protests in Iran are displayed during a demonstration at the Ergife Palace Hotel to condemn the silence of Western governments in the face of the growing wave of Iranian political executions, in Rome on July 16, 2026. (AFP)

Iran said Saturday it had executed a man convicted of a raft of charges including firing a military-grade weapon at police officers during anti-government protests earlier this year.

Siavash Jamshidi was accused of targeting security personnel during mass demonstrations that peaked in January in which thousands of people were killed, said AFP.

Since that time, Iranian authorities have stepped up executions of convicts linked to the unrest.

"Jamshidi was sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh through brandishing and firing a firearm, as well as conspiracy and collusion against national security," Iran's judiciary said, using the legal term moharebeh to mean "waging war against God".

The judiciary's Mizan Online website said he was also found guilty of offences not related to the protests, including "fraud, making threats, theft, possession and carrying of an illegal military-grade weapon".

Other charges included "complicity in kidnapping, brandishing a weapon to intimidate, and intentional infliction of bodily harm".

Mizan said Jamshidi was "active" during the demonstrations, which were sparked in December last year by grievances over living costs in Iran, but peaked on January 8 and 9 with huge rallies.

Iranian authorities reported more than 3,000 deaths in the unrest, attributing the violence to "terrorist acts" orchestrated by the United States and Israel.

Foreign-based NGOs however maintain that Iranian security forces fired on protesters.

US President Donald Trump threatened at the time to intervene militarily in Iran. Weeks later in late February, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on the Iranian republic, triggering the Middle East war.

Since then, arrests and executions have multiplied in Iran, linked both to the war and the protests.

In 2025, Iran executed at least 1,639 people, the largest number in any year since 1989, according to the NGOs Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty.



Trump Says He Will Fix Any Starlink Access Problem in Ukraine

An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up Starlink satellite internet system, at a position, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 16, 2026. (Reuters)
An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up Starlink satellite internet system, at a position, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Trump Says He Will Fix Any Starlink Access Problem in Ukraine

An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up Starlink satellite internet system, at a position, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 16, 2026. (Reuters)
An artilleryman of the Special Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region sets up Starlink satellite internet system, at a position, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 16, 2026. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that if there was still a problem with access to Starlink communication systems in Ukraine, he would get it straightened out.

Trump told reporters at the White ‌House that ‌he had not spoken to ‌SpaceX ⁠CEO Elon Musk ⁠about the matter but, if access was not fixed, he would speak to him.

"If there is a problem, I'll get it straightened out," Trump said. ⁠The caps have been ‌in place ‌since October 13 as relations between ‌Kyiv and Washington deteriorated

Ukrainian officials ‌said on Friday that speed restrictions on Starlink communication systems in Ukraine remained in place, contradicting Trump's previous ‌statement that the services had been fully restored.

"Elon will never ⁠do ⁠anything wrong. I know him very well. He's a fair person, and you know it's an unusual situation where they're talking to a private company. But he's not going to do anything that's wrong," Trump said.


France, Britain Stage First Joint Nuclear Air Strike Simulation

 Britain's Defense Minister Wes Streeting speaks during a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, US, October 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Britain's Defense Minister Wes Streeting speaks during a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, US, October 15, 2026. (Reuters)
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France, Britain Stage First Joint Nuclear Air Strike Simulation

 Britain's Defense Minister Wes Streeting speaks during a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, US, October 15, 2026. (Reuters)
Britain's Defense Minister Wes Streeting speaks during a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, US, October 15, 2026. (Reuters)

French and British air forces have for the first time staged a joint exercise simulating a nuclear strike, the countries' defense ministries said in a statement on Friday.

The exercise, codenamed "Rummy" and which took place on Tuesday, involved RAF Typhoon fighter jets alongside French Rafale aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea, it said.

The exercise was conducted in compliance with security procedures, did not involve any actual nuclear weapons and was aimed at enhancing coordination between western Europe's two nuclear powers, the statement added.

After taking off from a base in northeastern France, "the French Rafales, escorted by RAF Typhoons, conducted a simulated nuclear strike", it said.

The exercise comes with tensions remaining high between NATO powers and nuclear-armed Russia some four-and-a-half year's into Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to extend the protection of France's nuclear deterrent to other European allies, as the European Union's only nuclear power since Brexit.

French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin noted that "possessing independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination".

The joint exercise with Britain showed "our nuclear forces demonstrate that they can contribute even more significantly to the overall security" of NATO, she added.

Quoted in the French-language version of the joint statement, UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting said the exercise marked a "new chapter" in the relationship between Britain and France on nuclear defense.

"This exercise demonstrates the depth of our partnership, the credibility of our deterrents and our determination to remain united in the face of emerging threats," he said.

Writing on his X account, Streeting added: "It's a landmark step in UK-France defense cooperation, and a clear signal that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies on European security and credible deterrence."


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)
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)
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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)
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)

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.