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In the World

IRAN

U.S. journalist sentenced

to prison, reports say

A semi-official Iranian news agency is reporting that jailed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian has been sentenced to an unspecified prison term following his conviction on charges that include espionage.

The Sunday report by the Tasnim agency quoted Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, the spokesman for Iran's judiciary, as announcing the punishment. He gave no further details. Rezaian's lawyer, Leila Ahsan, told the Associated Press she had not been informed of the verdict.

Rezaian was detained with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two photojournalists on July 22, 2014. All were later released except Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who was convicted last month of spying.

"We're aware of the reports in the Iranian media but have no further information at this time," said Douglas Jehl, the Post's foreign editor. "Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong.

State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the government is aware of the sentence and called for Rezaian's release. - AP

CANADA

Flight diverted

A Turkish Airlines passenger jet that was diverted to Canada after a bomb threat departed for Istanbul on Sunday morning. Halifax Stanfield International Airport confirmed the departure on its Twitter feed. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the bomb threat was received at 10:50 p.m. local time Saturday. Flight tracking sites show the Istanbul-bound flight had already taken off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport by then. Turkish Airlines Flight 2, with 256 people aboard, landed safely just after midnight local time at the airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The RCMP said bomb-sniffing police dogs found no explosive device was found. - AP

CRIMEA

Blasts bring blackout

Power lines serving the two million residents of the Crimea peninsula were damaged after explosions, cutting electricity for the region annexed by Russia last year. It may take as long as four days to restore electricity, Yuri Kasich, of Ukrainian state firm Ukrenergo, said Sunday. Crimea declared a state of emergency after it lost power supply from Ukraine at 12:19 a.m. Sunday. Repairs were being hindered by protests at the site. - AP