In Brief

Riyadh executes scribe for treason

Dubai: A prominent Saudi journalist who was arrested in 2018 and convicted on terrorism and treason charges has been executed, the kingdom said. He was behind a social media account on X, that levied corruption allegations against Saudi royals. It was not clear where his trial took place.

Gunmen kill 100 in Nigeria’s Benue

Lagos: At least 100 people have been killed in an attack by gunmen on a village in Nigeria’s central Benue state, Amnesty International Nigeria said on Saturday. The region faces competition over land use, with conflicts between herders, who seek grazing land for their cattle and farmers, who need arable land.

Beijing holds patrols in disputed waters

Beijing: China’s military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea. Spokesperson Tian Junli said on Sunday that the Philippines had courted countries outside the region to organise “joint patrols” and "raised security risks" in the region. The Philippines and the US held joint drills for a seventh time this month.

Sarkozy stripped of top French honour

Paris: France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his Legion of Honour medal after being convicted last year of corruption and influence peddling while he was the country’s head of state, it was announced on Sunday. The conservative politician, who was president from 2007 to 2012, has been at the heart of a series of legal cases.