Iran executed two men on Sunday, convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during a wave of anti-government protests earlier this year, the judiciary said.

“Mohammad-Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast were hanged after the case was reviewed and the final verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said.

The two men were involved in the anti-government protests that peaked in January, it added.

The demonstrations broke out in late December over rising living costs before spreading nationwide and evolving into anti-government protests that peaked on January 8 and 9.

Iranian authorities said the rallies began peacefully before turning into “foreign-instigated riots” involving killings and vandalism.

Iran has carried out multiple executions in recent days of people linked to the protests or opposition groups, including members of the banned People’s Mujahedin (MEK).

The executions come against the backdrop of Iran’s war with Israel and the United States, which erupted on February 28 with strikes that killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

On Saturday, Iran executed two members of the MEK after four other convicted members of the group were put to death earlier in the week.

On Thursday, it also executed a man convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests, following similar executions of three others last month.

Tehran has said more than 3,000 people were killed during the unrest, including members of the security forces and bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts”.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, said it had recorded more than 7,000 deaths, the vast majority of them protesters, adding that the toll could be higher.

AFP

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, citing what it described as the Federal Government’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of agreements reached after its 2025 industrial action.

The decision, which threatens to disrupt healthcare services across public hospitals in Nigeria, was reached at the end of the association’s virtual extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, NARD National President, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the development as “unfortunate,” blaming the Federal Government of Nigeria for pushing doctors towards another industrial action.

“The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.

“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”

The crisis stems from the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table negotiated between NARD and the Federal Government following a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.

Although implementation was initially scheduled to commence in January 2026, delays pushed the rollout to February. However, NARD alleged that the government was planning to discontinue the process by April, a move the association said undermined trust and violated prior agreements.

Healthcare analysts note that disputes over allowances and welfare have been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s health sector, contributing to frequent strikes by medical unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association. These disruptions often reduce access to healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals that cater to the majority of Nigerians.

Outlining the association’s demands, Ibrahim called for the immediate reversal of the government’s decision and settlement of all outstanding entitlements.

“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” he said.

“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.”

“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”

He further urged members of the association nationwide to remain united.

“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” Ibrahim added.

The planned strike raises concerns about the potential impact on Nigeria’s already strained health system. Resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in tertiary hospitals, handling a large proportion of patient care.

According to health sector data, Nigeria faces a severe shortage of medical personnel, with doctor-to-patient ratios far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard of one doctor to 600 patients. Estimates suggest Nigeria’s ratio is closer to one doctor per 5,000 patients, particularly in underserved areas.

An indefinite strike could lead to the shutdown of outpatient services, delays in surgeries, and increased pressure on private healthcare facilities, raising concerns among patients and health advocates.

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