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Iranian Nobel laureate taken to hospital after 'violent arrest', family says
BBC World Global

Iranian Nobel laureate taken to hospital after 'violent arrest', family says

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was taken to hospital after being beaten when she was arrested last week, her family says.

The 53-year-old human rights activist told them in a phone call on Sunday that she was brought to an emergency department twice after being "attacked by plain clothed agents with severe and repeated baton blows to the head and neck", according to the Narges Foundation.

There was no comment from Iranian authorities, but they have said she was detained for making "provocative remarks" at a memorial ceremony in the city of Mashhad on Friday.

The Nobel Committee and award-winning film-maker Jafar Panahi are among those calling for her release.

Ms Mohammadi, the vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression in Iran and promoting human rights.

She has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison.

Since 2021, she has been serving a 13-year sentence on charges of committing "propaganda activity against the state" and "collusion against state security", which she denied.

In December 2024, she was given a temporary release from Tehran's notorious Evin prison on medical grounds.

She has continued campaigning while undergoing treatment.

On Friday, she gave a speech at a memorial ceremony in Mashhad for Khosrow Alikordi, a human rights activist and lawyer who was found dead earlier this month in what human rights groups described as "suspicious" circumstances.

How Bondi's Hanukkah festival turned from joy to horror within minutes
BBC World Global

How Bondi's Hanukkah festival turned from joy to horror within minutes

It was a night that promised to bring "joy and light" to Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as crowds of Jewish families gathered at a park to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, also known as the festival of light.

They were among thousands of other swimmers, surfers and sunbathers who had flocked to Australia's most famous beach on a scorching summer's afternoon.

But not long after the Hanukkah event kicked off at 17:00 local time and the first free donuts were doled out, festive music was drowned out by the sounds of screams and the echo of gunshots.

It's unclear exactly when the first shot was fired, but the initial call to police was made at 18:47.

In the minutes that followed, two gunmen would kill at least 15 people, and injure dozens more, authorities said.

A local high school teacher, Chavi, told the BBC she dropped to the ground to protect her baby as "bullets were flying above us".

"It was pandemonium and chaos," another attendee, who identified himself as Barry, said as he described watching a throng of people trying to escape the scene that had suddenly devolved into a nightmare.

In one video verified by the BBC, upbeat music from the Hanukkah event can still be heard in the background as people crouch down and shots are heard, interspersed between shrieks.

The eerily jubilant music continues playing while the camera pans over the grass, revealing prostrate bodies completely still, their condition unclear.

Separate footage shows groups of people lying atop one another on the grass, as one woman tries to cover a young child's head with her hand.

Ukraine ceasefire talks continue as US says 'progress was made'
BBC World Global

Ukraine ceasefire talks continue as US says 'progress was made'

Talks between Ukraine and the US aimed at reaching a peace deal with Russia are continuing in Berlin for a second day.

Zelensky and his chief negotiator Rustem Umerov met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner for five hours on Sunday, joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"A lot of progress was made," a US readout said.

The same team resumed talks on Monday morning.

Ahead of the start of the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky signalled he would give up ambitions to join Nato in exchange for security guarantees.

Recognising that "some partners from the US and Europe" did not support Ukraine's bid for Nato membership, Zelensky said he was instead seeking strong security guarantees modelled on Nato's Article 5 clause of mutual protection.

"And this is already a compromise on our part," he said on Sunday.

Witkoff has travelled to Moscow to hold talks with Vladimir Putin on several occasions, but Sunday's meeting at the chancellery in Berlin was the first time he met Zelensky.

Nato Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich was also present at the talks.

Several European leaders as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to join further talks with the Ukrainian and US delegations on Monday evening.

Dozens killed in Morocco flash floods
BBC World Global

Dozens killed in Morocco flash floods

Flash floods have killed at least 37 people in Morocco's coastal Safi region, according to state-owned television.

Cars and mounds of rubbish were seen sweeping through the main port city of Safi after torrential rain hit on Sunday.

Dozens of people have been receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries, say local authorities, and at least 70 homes have been inundated in the old city centre.

Local reports say access to and from the city is blocked on certain roads because of damage and debris.

Residents on Sunday described it as a dark day, with one telling the AFP news agency: "I've lost all my clothes.

Only my neighbour gave me some to cover myself.

I have nothing left.

I've lost everything."

Another survivor said he wanted to see government trucks at the scene to pump out the water.

Moroccan authorities say search and rescue missions are still under way.

Smooth end to Messi India tour after Kolkata chaos
BBC World Global

Smooth end to Messi India tour after Kolkata chaos

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata.

On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled the pitch - kicking balls into the stands, passing with a group of children and signing autographs - the crowd chanted his name. H

is flight to the Indian capital from Mumbai was delayed due to fog and poor visibility, local media reported, and his itinerary had to be trimmed. M

essi kept a packed schedule in India, attending a string of promotional events in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai since arriving in the early hours of Saturday. B

efore heading to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later that day, he virtually unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself, assembled over 27 days by a 45-strong crew in the eastern city. T

he tour, however, got off to an unfortunate start after angry fans ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch at the stadium. F

ootball is hugely popular in West Bengal state - of which Kolkata is the capital - and thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of Messi. Ho

wever, most of them couldn't even catch a glimpse of him as he was surrounded by officials and celebrities on his brief walk around the stadium and then quickly whisked away as the situation turned hostile. Ko

lkata's The Telegraph newspaper said in an editorial that "poor management of a hyped-up event, lack of coordination" and security lapses turned the stadium into a "battlefield", as fans - denied even a glimpse of Messi after he was ring-fenced by officials, celebrities and security - "vented their anger by indulging in violence". Th

Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife Michele found dead in LA home
BBC World Global

Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife Michele found dead in LA home

Legendary Hollywood film-maker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele have been found dead in their Los Angeles home.

Authorities are investigating the incident as an apparent homicide after police and firefighters were called to the couple's house on Sunday afternoon in an upmarket neighbourhood of LA.

Reiner is known for directing classic films including The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner," a family spokesperson said in a statement to US media.

"We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."

Police said a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the home, but officers did not immediately identify the couple or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Police also said no-one had been arrested, but that no suspect or person of interest was currently being sought.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the BBC they received a call at about 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) for medical aid to a home in Brentwood, a neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities.

Robbery homicide detectives from the LA police department also responded to the home and have opened a homicide investigation.

In a news conference on Sunday night, police did not offer any details about the deaths or what they found when they responded.

A 10-year-old, two rabbis and a Holocaust survivor - Who are the Bondi shooting victims?
BBC World Global

A 10-year-old, two rabbis and a Holocaust survivor - Who are the Bondi shooting victims?

At least 15 civilians have been confirmed dead in Sunday's shooting attack at Bondi beach.

Many were attending an event to mark the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Authorities have confirmed that two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl were among the victims.

This is what we know about those identified so far:

Authorities confirmed that a 10-year-old girl, named by her family to local media as Matilda, was among the dead.

Irina Goodhew, who organised a fundraiser for the girl's mother and said she was the child's former teacher, wrote: " I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her.'

The Harmony Russian School of Sydney also confirmed that she was one of its students.

"We are deeply saddened to share the news that a former student of our school has passed away in the hospital due to injuries sustained from a gunshot," the school wrote on Facebook.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragic event … Her memory will remain in our hearts, and we honor her life and the time she spent as part of our school family." Me

anwhile her aunt spoke to ABC news and said that Matilda's sister, who was with her when she was shot, was struggling to come to terms with the loss. "T

Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai found guilty of colluding with foreign forces
BBC World Global

Pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai found guilty of colluding with foreign forces

Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under the the city's controversial national security law (NSL).

The 78-year-old, who has been in jail since December 2020, pleaded not guilty.

He faces life in prison and is expected to be sentenced early next year.

Lai used his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper as part of a wider effort to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China, the court found.

Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee welcomed the verdict, noting that Lai's actions "damaged the country's interests and the welfare of Hong Kongers", but rights groups called it "a cruel judicial farce".

They say the NSL, which Beijing defends as essential for the city's stability, has been used to crush dissent.

There is "no doubt" that Jimmy Lai "harboured hatred" for the People's Republic of China (PRC), Judge Esther Toh said on Monday, citing his "constant invitation to the US to help bring down the government of the PRC with the excuse of helping the people of Hong Kong".

When Lai testified in November, he denied all the charges against him, saying he had "never" used his foreign contacts to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong.

Asked about his meeting with then US Vice President Mike Pence, Lai said he did not ask anything of him: "I would just relay to him what happened in Hong Kong when he asked me."

He was also asked about his meeting with then secretary of state Mike Pompeo, to which he said he had asked Pompeo, "not to do something but to say something, to voice support for Hong Kong".

Chile elects far-right José Antonio Kast as next president
BBC World Global

Chile elects far-right José Antonio Kast as next president

Chile has elected the far-right wing José Antonio Kast to be its next president, after an election campaign that was dominated by themes of security, immigration and crime. K

ast beat the governing left-wing coalition candidate Jeanette Jara decisively with more than 58% of the vote in his third attempt at running for president. I

t marks the biggest shift to the right since the end of Chile's military dictatorship in 1990. K

ast has openly praised Chile's former right-wing dictator, Augusto Pinochet. I

n his first speech to supporters as president-elect, Kast said: "Chile will once again be free from crime, free from anguish, free from fear." "

Criminals, delinquents - their lives are going to change. W

e're going to look for them, find them, judge them and then we're going to lock them up," he added. A

t a gathering of his backers in the capital Santiago, many draped in Chilean flags, chanting and taking selfies, there was jubilation as the results came through. "

I'm happy we can recover the country's security and patriotism," said Augustina Trancoso, donning a red "Make Chile Great Again" cap. "

We've been trying to win an election for years," said Belem Valdivieso. "

'Person of interest' detained over Brown University shooting, police say
BBC World Global

'Person of interest' detained over Brown University shooting, police say

A person of interest has been detained in connection with a shooting at Brown University in the US which left two people dead, police said.

Nine others were injured after a gunman opened fire at the university in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday.

Police said the detained suspect was in his 20s, but have not named him.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven people who were injured in the incident remained in a stable condition, one of them is in critical condition, and another was discharged.

The gunman opened fire in a classroom at around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday at the Holley engineering building at the eastern end of Brown's campus, according to officials.

The identities of those killed or injured have not yet been released, but Brown University President Christina Paxson told reporters on Saturday that all the victims, including those killed and wounded, were students.

In a statement released by the university on Sunday, Paxson said some areas of campus were still restricted as police continued their investigations.

Around 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight, she said, adding that she was "deeply moved" by students and locals who opened up their homes.

Paxson said the families of the two students killed were being supported.

"There are not enough words of comfort for families who lose a child, but we will do all we can," she added.

Eyewitness captures moment man tackles and disarms Bondi shooter
BBC World Global

Eyewitness captures moment man tackles and disarms Bondi shooter

Twelve people have been killed and at least 11 others, including two police officers, injured in a shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Footage captured by an eyewitness shows a man grappling with an alleged gunman, before wrestling the weapon off him.

In a press conference, the New South Wales Police Premier Chris Minns said that one of the gunmen had been killed and another was in custody.

The BBC's Katy Watson was in the courtroom as Erin Patterson was sentenced to life.

Veteran MP Bob Katter, 80, said he had previously punched people for mentioning his Lebanese heritage.

Thirty-four teams from all over the world are competing to win the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Video shows the aircraft flying over the golf course before crash landing, as the pilot and passenger escaped without major injuries.

Amateur astronomers captured the moment it streaked over Victoria on CCTV and dashboard cameras.

Footage of police interviewing convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson has been released by the Victorian Supreme Court.

Parts of New South Wales were blanketed with the heaviest snow in 20 years.

John Cena takes his final bow, after last ever WWE fight
BBC World Global

John Cena takes his final bow, after last ever WWE fight

US actor and wrestler John Cena fought the final fight of his 16 match retirement tournament in Washington on Saturday night, bringing to a close an illustrious 24-year career that saw him become one of wrestling's biggest and most recognisable stars.

The 48-year-old announced his retirement back in July 2024, telling fans at the time that his "body hurts" and is "screaming to close the chapter".

It has been confirmed however that he will remain a part of the WWE family, after he signed a five-year deal to be an ambassador.

Fans gave Cena a standing ovation at the end of Saturday's match and he left the ring, for the final time, to thunderous applause.

The barge that wrecked in 1918, famous for a dramatic rescue, is now shifting closer to the falls as recent movements carry it further from its original resting spot.

A university professor and his students spent three years removing trash from the city's Peter Street Basin, now they're swimming in it.

Republican Matt Van Epps won, but his margin of victory was less than half of what it was just over a year ago for President Trump in the same district.

A man was hoisted to safety and uninjured after his truck partly skated off an icy bridge road in the US

The tree, named "Silver Belle", was hand-selected from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.

Thirteen other people were also safely lowered to the ground after a power outage hit the Sunburst Ski Area in the US state of Wisconsin.