Senior scientist assassinated in Syria
Damascus, Aug 5 : Aziz Asber, the head of the Scientific Research Centre in Syria's central province of Hama, has been assassinated, according to activists and pro-government reports.
Asber was killed when an explosion targeted his vehicle in Masyaf in the western countryside of Hama late on Saturday, killing him and his driver, Xinhua news agency quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.
The Britain-based watchdog group said the man had close ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iran.
The Scientific Research Centre in Masyaf has been targeted by the Israelis several times and most recently was in last month, giving rise to reported suspect that Israel is behind the assassination of Asber, according to the watchdog.
Some Israeli reports said the Syrian scientist was involved in Iranian missile programme.
Asber was also on the sanction list of the US for developing long-range missiles.
There have been no official comments from the Syrian government, with pro-government activists posting photos online of a charred car said to be the scientist's.
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Bengaluru: Woman dies of self-immolation over harassment by uncle, one held
Bengaluru (PTI): A 24-year-old woman died of self-immolation at Kundalahalli in the city after her uncle allegedly blackmailed her with private photos and videos, police said on Thursday.
According to the police, the incident took place on January 12 evening.
The woman set herself afire by pouring inflammable material on her body.
Police have arrested Praveen Singh (42).
Singh was blackmailing the woman by using her private photos and videos, police said, adding that they were in good terms for the past six years.
On January 12, Singh wanted her to come to a hotel where he had booked a room, police said.
When the woman refused, the accused threatened to share the videos with her parents. This forced her to take the drastic step, police added.
