Briefly

UNITED STATES

Snapback of Iran sanctions criticized

The United States unilaterally proclaimed on Saturday that UN sanctions against Iran were back in force and promised to punish those who violate them. Other countries, including United States allies, said the move lacked legal basis. The sanctions－announced last month－also drew a sharp rebuke from Teheran, which called on the rest of the world to unite against US "reckless actions". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement, said: "The United States welcomes the return of virtually all previously terminated UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran." The administration of US President Donald Trump also promised to "impose consequences" on any UN member state that does not comply with the measures.

CANADA

Ex-prime minister Turner dies at 91

John Turner, a Liberal Party politician who served stints as Canada's justice and finance ministers before a very brief turn as the country's 17th prime minister, has died aged 91, his family said on Saturday. Marc Kealey, a former aide speaking on behalf of Turner's relatives as a family friend, said Turner died peacefully in his sleep at home in Toronto on Friday night. Turner failed to live up to the great expectations of his early career, serving as prime minister for just 79 days in 1984 after a difficult, decadeslong climb to the top job. He was named finance minister in 1972 and held the job for three turbulent years, marked by high unemployment and inflation.

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban commander 'killed in clash'

A Taliban key commander identified as Mullah Abdullah was killed in a clash with security forces in northern Sari Pul Province on Sunday, provincial government spokesman Zabihullah Amani said. He described Abdullah as "notorious for his brutality", adding that the clash took place in the morning in the Khamarabad area outside the provincial capital Sari Pul. Amani called Abdullah a very powerful commander in the province, and that his death could deal a big blow to Taliban fighters in the region. The Taliban did not comment on Abdullah's reported death.

THAILAND

Protesters raise stakes with monarchy calls

Tens of thousands of people joined Thailand's biggest protest in years on Saturday, cheering calls to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy and for the removal of former coup leader Prayuth Chanocha as prime minister. The royal palace was not available for comment on the protest and the demands for reform. "People can protest but they should do that peacefully and within the law," said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, asked to comment. Protests that have been building in the country of 70 million since mid-July have broken a long-standing taboo by criticizing the monarchy as well as seeking a new constitution and elections. Thai authorities have said criticizing the monarchy is unacceptable in a country in which the king is constitutionally "enthroned in a position of revered worship".

GREECE

Floods leave 2 dead, 600 needing rescue

A storm pounded parts of central Greece, creating flooding on Saturday that killed two people, left one missing and forced emergency workers to rescue more than 600.Authorities identified the two victims as an elderly woman found dead in her flooded home in the region of Thessaly and a 63-year-old shepherd swept away by rising floodwaters. They also said a woman, the lone missing person, ignored instructions by firefighters and police not to drive into an area where a bridge spans a river. The country's firefighting service said on Saturday that it had fielded almost 2,500 calls from trapped residents in central and western Greece, with many of the callers reporting fallen trees.

Agencies - Xinhua