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Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder over Bondi shooting

BBC Breaking NewsBBC

Naveed Akram, the surviving alleged suspect in Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act, according to the New South Wales Police.

The other gunman, his father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in an exchange of fire with police at the scene.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the attack, which targeted Australia's Jewish community at an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

It was the country's deadliest shooting since 1996.

Akram also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, as well as one charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.

He was critically injured during the incident on Sunday, and had his first hearing from his hospital bedside, the local New South Wales court said.

The case has been adjourned until April 2026, the court added.

Earlier on Wednesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram.

"For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," Lanyon said.

Twenty people injured in the attack remain in hospitals across Sydney, with one person still in a critical condition.

Earlier, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram.

"For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," Lanyon said.

Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it appears to have been "motivated by Islamic State" group ideology.

Police said "homemade" Islamic State group flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been found in the vehicle used by the gunmen.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

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Doctors start five-day strike as hospital bosses warn of disruption

PA Media Doctors dressed in outdoor winter clothes hold strike posters - one says, "Pay restoration for doctors"PA Media

Patients are being told to expect disruption as doctors start their five-day strike in England, with NHS bosses saying they are struggling to keep as many services going as they have done in recent walkouts.

NHS England said with a wave of flu placing pressure on hospitals, non-urgent services would be affected by the strike which begins at 07:00 Wednesday.

This is the 14th walkout by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, in the long-running pay dispute.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the strike had been timed to inflict most damage on the NHS and put patients at risk, but the British Medical Association said it would work with NHS bosses to ensure patient safety.

The strike is being held after the two sides held last-minute talks on Tuesday afternoon.

The talks were described as "constructive" by the government, but not enough progress had been made to call off the strike.

Resident doctors represent nearly half of the doctors working in the NHS. They will walk out of both emergency and non-urgent care with senior doctors drafted in to provide cover.

In the two most recent strikes – in July and November – NHS England said it was able to keep the majority of non-urgent operations and treatments, such as hip and knee replacements, going.

But NHS England said it expected more disruption this time. Concern has also been expressed that hospitals may struggle to discharge patients in time for Christmas as the doctors who are working concentrate on providing strike cover.

Medical director Prof Meghana Pandit said: "These strikes come at an immensely challenging time for the NHS, with record numbers of patients in hospital with flu for this time of year.

"Staff will come together as they always do, going above and beyond to provide safe care for patients and limit disruption.

"But sadly more patients are likely to feel the impact of this round of strikes than in the previous two – and staff who are covering will not get the Christmas break they deserve with their families."

Streeting added: "We have been working right up to today to try and avert these strike actions.

"Everyone knows the period leading up to Christmas and into the New Year are always the busiest for the NHS. With super flu, this year is harder.

"And that double whammy of flu plus strikes means that there is an additional burden now on other NHS staff."

NHS England said GP practices will continue to be open and urgent and emergency care services will be available for those who need them.

But even then there is likely to be some disruption. Cheltenham General Hospital's emergency department is closing for emergencies during the strike - it will remain open for minor injuries - with patients advised to use nearby Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

NHS England said the public should use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent, but not life-threatening issues during the strike.

Patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal, it added.

The strike is going ahead despite a new offer from the government being made last week, which included increasing the number of speciality training posts and covering out-of-pocket expenses like exam fees.

Getting job is 'nightmare'

The speciality training jobs, which resident doctors start in year three of their training after completing medical school, have become highly competitive.

This year 30,000 applicants went for 10,000 jobs – although some of the applicants were doctors from abroad.

Dr Tom Twentyman is one of those who lost out after trying to secure an emergency medicine post. He says finding a job is an "absolute nightmare".

Since then he has been struggling to find work, juggling a handful of locum shifts each month at the same time as applying for more than 40 short-term contracts at hospitals across the country – one of which he now secured.

But this will not count towards his training, so he will now look to reapply next year.

"Some of the job adverts were coming down within two hours of going up after they received 650 applications, which is clearly an enormous number to shortlist," he says.

Chart showing doctor pay rates

On Monday the BMA announced its members had voted to continue with the strike – effectively rejecting the offer in the process – after the union agreed to hold an online poll of members.

BMA resident doctor leader Dr Jack Fletcher described it as a "resounding response" and said the government needed to go further on jobs as well as pay.

Streeting has maintained he will not discuss pay as doctors have received pay rises totalling nearly 30% over the past three years.

The BMA argues that, despite the pay rises, resident doctors' pay is still a fifth lower than it was in 2008, once inflation is taken into account.

Dr Fletcher added: "It is well past the time for ministers to come up with a genuinely long-term plan.

"If they can simply provide a clear route to responsibly raise pay over a number of years and enough genuinely new jobs instead of recycled ones, then there need not be any more strikes for the remainder of this government."

But the BMA said it was committed to ensuring patient safety.

"We will be in close contact with NHS England throughout the strikes to address safety concerns if they arise," the union added.

UK to rejoin Erasmus exchange programme for students

Getty Images A stock image shows four young people seated at a table in a bright, modern classroom or seminar room with large windows. They are engaged in conversation with notebooks and folders on the table.Getty Images

The UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus scheme, the BBC understands, five years after announcing that it would end its participation as part of the Brexit deal with the European Union.

The EU provides funding through the scheme for people to study, train or volunteer in other European countries for up to a year.

The UK replaced it with its own Turing scheme in 2021, which funds similar placements worldwide.

The government said it would not comment on ongoing talks.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had suggested in May that a youth mobility scheme could be part of a new deal with the EU.

The Erasmus scheme was scrapped in the UK in December 2020, when the government announced its post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

Boris Johnson, prime minister at the time, said it was a "tough decision", but the scheme had become "extremely expensive".

He said it would be replaced by the Turing scheme, which has operated since then.

Both schemes are open not just to university students, but also to people doing vocational courses, as well as apprentices and people training at college or school.

In 2020, the last year in which the UK participated in Erasmus, the scheme received 144m euros (£126m) of EU funding for 55,700 people to take part in Erasmus projects overall.

The UK sent out 9,900 students and trainees to other countries as part of the scheme that year, while 16,100 came the other way.

Glasgow, Bristol and Edinburgh were the three universities to send the most students, and Spain, France and Germany were the most popular countries which UK students went to.

In the 2024/25 academic year, the Turing scheme had £105m of funding, which paid for 43,200 placements, with 24,000 of those being in higher education, 12,100 in further education and 7,000 in schools.

The majority (38,000) were from England, with 2,900 from Scotland, 1,000 from Wales and 1,200 from Northern Ireland.

Ministers who introduced the Turing scheme in 2021 said it was designed to benefit more people from disadvantaged backgrounds and provide greater support for travel costs than the Erasmus scheme did.

It is not yet clear what will happen to the Turing scheme once Erasmus is reintroduced for UK students.

Timeline: Paul Doyle's Liverpool parade attack

Footage shows Paul Doyle's journey to Liverpool parade

Paul Doyle's loss of temper on the day of the Liverpool parade attack, described by the sentencing judge as "incomprehensible", may never be fully explained.

There seemed little cause for the 54-year-old to feel so aggrieved by the crowds blocking the roads as they celebrated at Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on 26 May.

Whatever the reason, he is now serving a sentence of 21 years and six months after pleading guilty to 31 offences including dangerous driving, affray and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

This is how Doyle's increasing aggression on the roads developed into catastrophe over one afternoon, starting at 12:34 BST when a friend who he had agreed to drive to the parade arrived at his home.

PA Media Liverpool fans during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool.PA Media
Liverpool fans lined the city's streets to cheer on the players during the team's victory parade

12:34 – Paul Doyle's friend Dave Clark and his family arrive at his home in Croxteth, Liverpool. The Clark family are Liverpool fans and Doyle, an Everton fan, has agreed to drive them into the city centre to watch the parade.

12:41 – Doyle leaves home with Mr Clark and his family. On the "mundane" journey into the city, they speak about house prices, schools, football, cars, their common work in IT and family matters.

He then drops them off on Exchange Street East, where footage showed him driving calmly and following the traffic measures on Dale Street.

CPS A police custody image of Paul Doyle. He has grey hair which is long on top and short at the sides. He is wearing a grey t-shirt and is staring directly at the camera.CPS
Paul Doyle could be heard on his car's own camera swearing and shouting as he mowed down supporters later that afternoon

13:35 – Doyle arrives home after dropping his friends off on Exchange Street East. The court heard that while it did not form part of the dangerous driving charge, he "drove in a markedly more aggressive way" on his way home, jumping lanes and undertaking other vehicles.

14:30 – The victory parade starts at Allerton Maze, in the the south of Liverpool.

17:24 – Doyle sends Mr Clark a message asking "how's it going?" and is told his friend is on Castle Street, close to Dale Street and Water Street.

MerseysidePolice Screen grab taken from video footage issued by Merseyside Police dated 26/05/25 of Paul Doyle's car (top centre) being driven through crowd on Water StreetMerseysidePolice
People could be seen on the bonnet of his car and falling underneath as Doyle accelerated into Water Street

17:29 – Doyle sets off from his house to return to the city centre. He instructs the sat-nav system in his Ford Galaxy car to take him to Castle Street. On the way, he undertakes several cars and runs a red light.

17:40 – The Liverpool FC parade finishes when the buses arrive outside the Liver Building on the waterfront.

17:48 – Mr Clark sends Doyle a message telling him signal is poor. Doyle says he will be at Castle Street in about 10 minutes but does not reply when Mr Clark asks if he wants them to walk anywhere. Mr Clark also tells him he might find the area of Castle Street blocked.

PA Media Police and emergency personnel dealing with a road traffic accident on Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool after a car collided with pedestrians during the Premier League winners parade. PA Media
Statements from 78 of Doyle's victims were read to the court during the course of his sentencing

17:54 – Doyle arrives on Dale Street from Byrom Street, having undertaken a series of other vehicles at traffic lights and gone around a roundabout in the wrong lane, coming close to pedestrians who are crossing the road.

He uses his horn and presses on down the road, despite a dense crowd of fans heading back from the waterfront. He drives through a red light at the junction with Stanley Street.

17:58 – A man walking with his child, who has not been identified, becomes concerned about Doyle's driving and places his foot on the bumper of the Ford Galaxy as he moves his child out of the way. He points at Doyle, who responds by shouting: "It's a [expletive] road."

After this interaction, Doyle continues to drive in the direction of the increasingly worried crowd, some of whom bang on his car roof.

He blasts his car horn and shouts further obscenities. Adults jump out of his way and children are pulled from his path.

Reuters Police officers work at the scene after an incident where a car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a paradeReuters
Doyle hit more than 100 people that day in the space of a few minutes

He initially stops ahead of traffic cones put in place to divert traffic away from Water Street, which is full of fans, but then steers into the left lane.

The first person he hits is Jack Trotter, 23, who attempts to get out of the way but suffers an injury to his leg. He then drives into a group of people who are thrown onto his bonnet. He hits another group of people and then drives into a 10-year-old girl, before shouting "[Expletive] move".

He carries on down Water Street, striking more people, including Jacqueline McClaren, 60, and paramedic Jay Vernon, 34. He reverses and collides with an ambulance.

Doyle stops for a short time and fans surround his vehicle. One, ex soldier Dan Barr, opens the rear passenger door and gets into the car.

Paul Doyle told police his actions "ruined so many people's lives" as he was arrested

Doyle then accelerates again, hitting Simon Nash, who is thrown into the air. Driving sharply to the right, he hits Sheree Aldridge and the pram she is pushing, carrying six-month-old baby Teddy Eveson.

The pram, with Teddy in, is thrown into the air but the baby is uninjured. Ms Aldridge suffers a serious injury to her left thigh.

From the back of the car, Mr Barr leans forward and holds the automatic gear selector in park mode. Doyle continues to try and accelerate but eventually the car, with four people underneath it, comes to a stop.

18:01 – Doyle is dragged from his vehicle and quickly shielded from the crowd by police officers. In the two minutes since he drove into the crowd, 134 people have been hit.

Doyle pleaded not guilty to 31 charges when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 4 September, with a trial scheduled for November.

Jurors were sworn in on 25 November but he changed his pleas the following day as the prosecution prepared to open its case.

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Learner drivers face 24-week wait as backlog set to continue for two more years

Getty Images A driving instructor holds a pen to a clipboard in a car whilst a young woman takes her test in the driving seatGetty Images
The backlog of driving tests grew after the covid-19 lockdown

Learner drivers face months of delays booking practical tests because a backlog will not be cleared until November 2027, a watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said there was a backlog of 1.1 million tests that were not carried out in the 2020/21 financial year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and around 360,000 of these had still not been booked.

The average waiting time was 22 weeks in September, but at 70% of test centres the wait has hit 24 weeks – the maximum allowed.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it was "taking decisive action to address the backlog", including employing military driving examiners.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) had planned to cut waiting times to seven weeks by the end of 2025.

The NAO's inquiry found delays have led to people paying third parties to secure tests, some of whom were "paying significantly inflated prices of up to £500" - nearly eight times the official DVSA fee of £62 for a weekday slot.

It said the DVSA struggled to "understand the real demand for tests" because third party websites quickly book available slots using automated programmes known as bots.

"These delays can have a serious impact on learner drivers' income and the economy, with 30% of respondents to a DVSA survey saying they need to be able to drive for their jobs," the watchdog said.

The NAO also reported a lack of examiners and found many were leaving "due to uncompetitive pay and safety concerns". Despite running 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021, DVSA has only hired 83 extra examiners, far short of its 400 target.

In the 2023/24 financial year, DVSA had a total of 220 staff at its 240 test centres who were qualified examiners.

Shiromi wearing a dark knitted hat and a blue-and-white striped long-sleeve top. She has long brown wavy hair. The blurred background shows shelves with bottles, decorative items, and an arrangement of pink flowers.
Shiromi Gaughan urged the government to "do something about this because it's totally unacceptable"

Learner driver Shiromi Gaughan, a small business owner in London, says she has been trying to book a test for the past eight months since she passed her theory exam two years ago, and felt "sick" when she found out it would cost her £350 for a slot from a third party seller.

She told the BBC: "It's really unfair and I'm extremely frustrated. As a small business owner from London, I've been really struggling over time.

"People like us are just so desperate."

Normally learners must take their practical test within two years of passing the theory test.

She urged the government to "do something about this because it's totally unacceptable".

She added: "I think the government need to review the whole system as they're actually aware of what is happening with the scammers or the third party agencies.

"Now I'm having to retake my theory test and spend more money so I'm extremely disappointed."

Martha has short cropped black afro hair and she is wearing a white, navy and pink top. She is sitting on a sofa and the wall behind her has various ornaments hanging on the wall.
Martha Machiek fears she will not get a test slot before her theory certifcate expires at the end of the month

Learner driver Martha Machiek, a single parent from Stockport, said she is "very stressed" trying to book a driving test slot.

She needs a licence to save time and money taking her children to and from school and football practice.

Ms Machiek says her theory test certificate expires at the end of the month, and if she cannot book a practical test in time, she will have to start over, which she cannot afford.

"The system is not being fair on people like us," she said.

"I don't have money to book another one."

The NAO urged DVSA and the DfT to assess whether there was enough support for learners booking tests and to investigate how to boost the examiner workforce.

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said "decisive action" needed to be taken to fix the delays and improve service.

"The current system for providing driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales is not working satisfactorily, with long waiting times and exploitation of learner drivers by resellers of test slots."

The DfT said it had inherited a system which was "frustrating" and open to abuse, leaving learners waiting weeks for a test.

A spokesperson said the government was "seeing improvement" with the measures it had been taking.

From spring, only learner drivers will be able to book tests and limits will be placed on the number of times they can move or swap a test.

The government said it hopes this will stop third-party companies "exploiting vulnerable learners and make the whole process more transparent".

"The DVSA has already carried out 74,847 extra tests between June and November this year compared to 2024, and these new measures will deliver thousands more extra tests over the next year," the spokesperson added.

Nick Reiner charged with murder of his parents Rob and Michele

Watch: Prosecutor announces charges against Nick Reiner in parents' deaths

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed murder charges against a son of Rob and Michele Reiner, the Hollywood couple who were found dead in their home with multiple stab wounds on Sunday.

Nick Reiner, 32, is facing two counts of first-degree murder and could be sentenced to life in prison if found guilty. He will be brought to court to formally face charges after he is "medically-cleared" by prison officials, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Hochman also said no decision had yet been made about whether to seek the death penalty.

Rob Reiner directed several iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

Their son Nick Reiner is facing two counts of first degree murder, "with a special circumstance of multiple murders," according to Hochman. That enhancement could lead to a stiffer sentence if he is later found guilty.

District Attorney Hochman said he also is accused of using a "dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife".

The suspect is currently undergoing medical testing to ensure that he can attend court. He is expected to appear before a judge later on Tuesday for an arraignment hearing, where he will be able to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

LA Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also spoke during the news conference, describing how the case has reverberated throughout the city.

"This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city," he said.

"We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Getty Images Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles Premiere held at The Egyptian Theatre on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images
Nick Reiner (right) is accused of killing his two parents

During the news conference, officials declined to say how the suspect was located, attributing his arrest to "good, solid police work".

District Attorney Hochman added that it is too early to say whether any "mental illness" played a role in the crime, and speculated that it could come up at trial.

"If there is evidence of mental illness, it will appear in court, in whatever details the defence seeks to present," he said.

The two sides of Liverpool parade attacker Paul Doyle

BBC A composite image showing Paul Doyle's police mugshot, with an an image of him as a younger man wearing glasses and a baseball cap in the backdrop alongside an image showing police walking down a road. BBC
Paul Doyle stayed out of trouble for 30 years but his criminal record hinted at an explosive and violent temper

To his close friends and family, Paul Doyle was a "diamond". A dependable, generous and successful father-of-three.

To his 134 victims - the babies, children and adults mown down at the Liverpool FC victory parade on 26 May - he represents sheer terror.

That is the paradox of Paul Doyle: Why did a man who served in the Royal Marines and then built a successful and stable life plough a 1.9 tonne Ford Galaxy Titanium into a joyous crowd of Liverpool FC fans?

The 54-year-old, from Croxteth in Liverpool, was jailed for 21 years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court earlier after admitting 31 offences - including dangerous driving, affray and multiple counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Paul Doyle shouted "move" and swore in his car as he ploughed into a crowd during the celebrations

Over two days of extraordinary proceedings, the court heard and saw how IT networking engineer Doyle's car knocked prams aside and dragged children and an elderly woman under the wheels on Liverpool's packed Water Street.

Those victims included Ukrainian war refugee Anna Bilonozhenko and Manchester Arena bombing survivor Francesca Massey, who surely thought they had experienced more than their share of trauma before 26 May.

And yet, Doyle is still a man with friends.

"It's quite hard for some people to understand but from my perspective, he's still Paul to me," said one, who did not wish to be named.

"Obviously the harm he's caused to the victims isn't great, but I'm still grateful he's in my life."

CCTV captures Paul Doyle narrowly missing pram before attack

That loyalty was a result of 32 blameless years of education and hard work.

He was a man who avoided drugs and alcohol and who loved the outdoors. His hobbies included triathlons and hiking with his close circle of friends in Eryri National Park or the Lake District.

One friend said Doyle would "drop anything to help you".

He highlighted how the 54-year-old had agreed to drop off and pick up his wife's friends in the city centre on the day of the parade amid crowds of around a million.

"If someone had asked me to do that, I probably would have told them to [expletive] off, but that was Paul," he said.

CPS A police custody photo of Paul Doyle wearing a grey jumper and looking stunned. His hair, a long brown fringe, is dishevelled and to the side. His face has red marks on itCPS
Paul Doyle pleaded guilty to 31 charges including causing GBH with intent on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial

Those who worked with him in various companies across the UK, including fellow ex-soldier Mike Hern, told the BBC he was a well-liked colleague.

Mr Hern described him as a "mentor" with a "good sense of humour".

His neighbours in the smart, quiet Croxteth cul-de-sac on Burghill Road, where Doyle lived with his wife and three sons for around 10 years, saw the family as "lovely people".

Catherine Tremarco, who used to live next door to Doyle and his wife at a previous address before he moved to Burghill Road, echoed those sentiments.

She said: "They were lovely neighbours. When they moved in they were getting married and they invited the whole close to the wedding.

"My husband and I couldn't go because we had a pre-booked holiday, but I couldn't do them any injustice, they were lovely."

One man, who serviced the car that Doyle "used as a weapon" in the words of prosecutors, told the BBC: "To me he seemed like a sensible, family man.

"He gave no indication of being capable of something like that. I'm very surprised something like this happened."

Doyle 'bit sailor's ear off'

The news that Doyle was responsible for injuring and maiming helpless pedestrians was met by his friends and family with astonishment.

When he got the message to say Doyle was responsible for the carnage being broadcast on every national news network, his friend said: "I just went blank."

But deeper in his past, and unknown to even some of his closest friends, was evidence of a dangerous, explosive temper.

We now know that between the ages of 18 and 22, Doyle's life seemed likely to be heading down a troubling path.

Despite making it into the Royal Marines, he had racked up a series of convictions including for serious violence and was forced out of the military.

Most alarmingly, on 2 July 1993, a drunken fight in a Lancashire pub ended with Doyle biting the ear off a sailor, leading to a 12-month prison sentence for causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent.

Footage of the incident was circulated on social media

That offence was not out of the blue. While in the army he had military convictions for common assault, criminal damage, and using "violence against a superior officer".

He had also been convicted of another GBH offence over a drunken nightclub brawl.

That side of Paul Doyle appears to fit more with the man depicted in dashboard camera footage from inside his vehicle on 26 May, screaming obscenities at his innocent victims as they thud against the bonnet.

But after his release from prison in 1994, Doyle underwent a remarkable transformation.

He enrolled at the University of Liverpool where he studied maths and psychology. A successful career in IT followed.

One friend who met Doyle in the early 2000s told the BBC: "I don't suffer fools gladly, but he was just really competent.

"If he could help you he would, and if he didn't know he would say 'let me find that out for you'."

Companies House records indicate Doyle started a business selling baseball caps.

But his friends said that was a venture started to show his three sons how business worked and was never intended as a real source of income.

In the words of prosecutor Paul Greaney KC: "Those efforts to rehabilitate himself after a difficult early adulthood only serve to make more shocking, and tragic, what he did in Liverpool that day this May."

The court heard Doyle himself had taken months to get to grips with the reality of what he had done before pleading guilty.

His barrister, Simon Csoka KC, said: "The defendant wasn't able immediately to reconcile the man that he has been for the last 30 years with the way he behaved on 26 May.

"In the same way that nobody who knows him well could believe it; neither could he for some time."

'The fans were not to blame'

Whether Doyle has truly accepted responsibility for his atrocious decisions on 26 May is in dispute.

The court heard how his police interviews were peppered with false claims and outright lies, blaming the fans for making him fear for his life.

He claimed he had seen someone with a knife, he claimed a bottle had been thrown, he claimed he stopped as soon as he realised he had struck someone.

It was all untrue.

"The position should be stated clearly," said Judge Andrew Menary KC, as he passed sentence.

"The crowd did not cause this incident; they reacted to it... The chaos that unfolded was caused solely by your driving, and any attempt to place responsibility on the public or the Liverpool supporters present would be unfair and wholly unfounded."

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Alleged Bondi gunman charged with 15 counts of murder

BBC Breaking NewsBBC

Naveed Akram, the surviving alleged suspect in Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act, according to the New South Wales Police.

The other gunman, his father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed in an exchange of fire with police at the scene.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the attack, which targeted Australia's Jewish community at an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

It was the country's deadliest shooting since 1996.

Akram also faces 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, as well as one charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol.

He was critically injured during the incident on Sunday, and had his first hearing from his hospital bedside, the local New South Wales court said.

The case has been adjourned until April 2026, the court added.

Earlier on Wednesday, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram.

"For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," Lanyon said.

Twenty people injured in the attack remain in hospitals across Sydney, with one person still in a critical condition.

Earlier, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said they were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning Akram.

"For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," Lanyon said.

Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it appears to have been "motivated by Islamic State" group ideology.

Police said "homemade" Islamic State group flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been found in the vehicle used by the gunmen.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.

Nick Reiner charged with murder of his parents Rob and Michele

Watch: Prosecutor announces charges against Nick Reiner in parents' deaths

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed murder charges against a son of Rob and Michele Reiner, the Hollywood couple who were found dead in their home with multiple stab wounds on Sunday.

Nick Reiner, 32, is facing two counts of first-degree murder and could be sentenced to life in prison if found guilty. He will be brought to court to formally face charges after he is "medically-cleared" by prison officials, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Hochman also said no decision had yet been made about whether to seek the death penalty.

Rob Reiner directed several iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

Their son Nick Reiner is facing two counts of first degree murder, "with a special circumstance of multiple murders," according to Hochman. That enhancement could lead to a stiffer sentence if he is later found guilty.

District Attorney Hochman said he also is accused of using a "dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife".

The suspect is currently undergoing medical testing to ensure that he can attend court. He is expected to appear before a judge later on Tuesday for an arraignment hearing, where he will be able to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

LA Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also spoke during the news conference, describing how the case has reverberated throughout the city.

"This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city," he said.

"We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Getty Images Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles Premiere held at The Egyptian Theatre on September 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images
Nick Reiner (right) is accused of killing his two parents

During the news conference, officials declined to say how the suspect was located, attributing his arrest to "good, solid police work".

District Attorney Hochman added that it is too early to say whether any "mental illness" played a role in the crime, and speculated that it could come up at trial.

"If there is evidence of mental illness, it will appear in court, in whatever details the defence seeks to present," he said.

Miss Finland's viral 'slanted-eyes' photo stirs racism firestorm

EPA Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce presents on stage during the Miss Universe 2025 official welcome event in Bangkok, Thailand, on 5 NovemberEPA
Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce said in the viral photo that she was "eating with a Chinese".

Finland's delegate to last month's Miss Universe pageant held in Thailand has sparked a racism firestorm over a viral photo that showed her pulling the corners of her eyes.

Sarah Dzafce, who has been dethroned, uploaded the photo with the caption "eating with a Chinese". The slanted-eyes pose is often seen as disrespectful to East Asians.

The post drew backlash in Japan, South Korea and China against the 22-year-old and even against her country's flag carrier, Finnair.

Back home in Finland, the prime minister said on Monday making such gestures was "thoughtless and stupid" and that the controversy that ensued was "damaging" to the country.

Ms Dzafce claimed the gesture was her reaction to a headache during dinner. She said a friend added the offensive caption to the 11 December post without her consent, according to local tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.

Ms Dzafce has apologised for the photo, noting it has "caused ill will in many people".

"That was not my intention in any way... One of the most important things for me is respect for people, their backgrounds and differences," she wrote on an Instagram post.

The apology still drew criticism, with some calling it "insincere" given it was written in Finnish.

"Not sure Chinese outside of Finland would understand it. Such considerate and sincere apology," one wrote in a comment on her post.

Another wrote: "That was uncalled for, Asian people didn't do anything to you... We [are] still disappointed in you."

Two right-wing MPs in Finland, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, posted photos of themselves mimicking Ms Dzafce's gesture to show their support for the beauty queen.

The posts were taken down after backlash. Eerola apologised adding he felt Ms Dzafce was given "disproportionately harsh punishment".

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo condemned the MPs' actions as "childish", adding that lawmakers should set an example of proper conduct.

The Finns Party is deliberating whether the MPs should face any sanctions for their actions, local media reported.

Finland's flag carrier Finnair told public broadcaster Yle that the controversy had affected the company, and that there had been calls for tourists to boycott Finland.

"The statements or posts mentioned by some Finnish members of parliament do not represent the values of Finnair," the airline wrote on its Japanese X account on Tuesday.

"As an airline supported by employees from diverse backgrounds and customers around the world, we promise to welcome everyone with respect," it wrote.

The debacle has also drawn attention in Japan, South Korea and China, among other East Asian countries.

A Japanese man living in Finland launched an petition calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination, which had gathered more than 7,000 signatures as of Sunday evening, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

The Finnish embassy in Japan said it had received "numerous opinions and questions" on Finland's efforts to address racism.

"Racism remains a challenge in Finnish society, and its resolution requires continuous and resolute efforts," it acknowledged in an X post early this week.

The controversy around Ms Dzafce is a postscript to a chaotic Miss Universe audition hosted in Thailand that had been hounded by walkouts and allegations of rigging.

The Miss Finland Organisation said dethroning Ms Dzafce was a "difficult but necessary" move.

"Miss Finland holds a position of role-model status, which requires respecting all people regardless of their origin, background, or appearance," the organisation said in a statement.

"We are deeply sorry for the harm these events have caused. Especially to the Asian community, but also to everyone affected. Racism is never acceptable in any form," it wrote.

中国汽车品牌在英国快速占领市场

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中国汽车品牌在英国快速占领市场

ESHE NELSON
Owen Richards for The New York Times
不久前的一个周一,杜格尔·基思驾驶着一辆电动汽车离开他位于英格兰北部利兹市的经销店,而后一脚踩下油门。
这辆中国制造的比亚迪海豹卓越版能在3.8秒内加速至时速百公里——这是它的核心卖点之一。另一个亮点是售价约4.8万英镑(6.44万美元),比顶配版特斯拉Model 3便宜20%。
拥有40余年汽车销售经验的基思表示,2023年他的这家中国最大车企比亚迪的经销店开业时,消费者对中国产汽车仍心存疑虑。而如今,他已拥有六家专门销售该品牌的门店。
“有些人认为,因为是中国制造,所以做工肯定粗糙,”他说。但随后他会反问:“你觉得你的iPhone是在哪里组装的?”
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多重因素推动下,中国汽车正迅速抢占英国市场。与将关税视为保护本土生产手段的欧盟或美国不同,英国对中国电动汽车没有征收高额关税,这意味着中国汽车能以更优惠的价格在英国销售。此外,英国消费者对汽车品牌并无强烈忠诚度,本土也没有大型大众市场车企可供国民支持。
英国汽车制造商与贸易商协会的数据显示,上月,比亚迪、奇瑞、吉利等约十几家中国车企占据了英国新车注册量的13%,较去年同期的市场份额近乎翻倍。
“这种增长速度是市场前所未见的,”英国最大在线汽车交易平台Autotrader的首席商务官伊恩·普卢默表示。他指出,相比10年前的特斯拉、上世纪90年代的韩国起亚等品牌进入英国市场时,比亚迪以及旗下拥有杰酷和欧萌达品牌的奇瑞在英国的市场份额增长速度是前者的五到六倍。
道格尔·基思在英格兰北部利兹市经营的比亚迪汽车经销店。过去一年间,中国制造的汽车在英国新车注册量中的份额翻了一番。
道格尔·基思在英格兰北部利兹市经营的比亚迪汽车经销店。过去一年间,中国制造的汽车在英国新车注册量中的份额翻了一番。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
英国购车者没有一家大型本土汽车制造商可以去支持,这为中国品牌等新兴汽车制造商提供了市场机遇。
英国购车者没有一家大型本土汽车制造商可以去支持,这为中国品牌等新兴汽车制造商提供了市场机遇。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
英国本土汽车制造业多年来持续衰退,今年以来产量约为60万辆,仅为上十年末产量的一半。目前英国最大的汽车生产商包括日本日产、印度塔塔汽车旗下的捷豹路虎,以及宝马集团旗下的MINI品牌。
中国已崛起为全球最大汽车出口国,足迹远及墨西哥巴西、马来西亚、南非等国。中国的电动汽车产量远超其他任何国家,中国车企也被证明善于适应不断变化的法规和消费者偏好,凭借备受青睐的混合动力车型同样持续扩大市场份额。
中国政府鼓励汽车出口,以此应对已导致市场竞争白热化和巨额亏损的国内产能过剩问题。中国汽车出口的激增引发了拥有庞大本土汽车产业的西方国家的反弹。
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美国对中国电动汽车征收100%的关税,实际上已经相当于禁止该类车型进入美国市场;欧盟则对来自中国的电动汽车征收最高45%的关税。
英国并未设置类似贸易壁垒,仅对所有进口汽车统一征收10%的关税。英国政府一直致力于与中国建立更紧密的经济联系。
英国每年新车销量约为200万辆。Autotrader的数据显示,自2019年以来,在英国注册销售的品牌数量已翻倍至70多个。没有任何一个品牌能像大众在德国、雷诺和标致在法国那样拥有极高的消费者忠诚度和市场份额。
利兹停车场内的电动汽车充电站。作为全球最大的汽车出口国,中国同时也是最大的电动汽车制造国。
利兹停车场内的电动汽车充电站。作为全球最大的汽车出口国,中国同时也是最大的电动汽车制造国。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
今年,比亚迪在英国新车注册量中占比2%,与特斯拉大致持平。
今年,比亚迪在英国新车注册量中占比2%,与特斯拉大致持平。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
比亚迪经销商重点推介了可旋转触摸屏、语音控制甚至卡拉OK功能等亮点配置。
比亚迪经销商重点推介了可旋转触摸屏、语音控制甚至卡拉OK功能等亮点配置。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
中国汽车在英国的起步得益于中国国有车企上汽集团。2000年代中期,英国跑车品牌名爵破产后,上汽集团将其收购。此后,该品牌的生产逐渐转移至中国,直至2016年,上汽关闭了位于英国汽车制造业中心米德兰的名爵工厂。
今年以来,进口自中国的名爵汽车占英国新车注册量的4%以上,是中国品牌中占市场份额最大的;比亚迪的占比略超2%,与特斯拉相当。
利兹市的经销商基思在1980年他16岁时卖出了人生第一辆车。在接下来的10年里,他逐渐接管了父亲的加油站和维修店,那家店当时也销售斯科达汽车(当时产自共产主义国家捷克斯洛伐克)。上世纪90年代初,在斯科达被大众收购、尚未以高性价比和可靠性成名前,他就大胆押注该品牌,为其开设了经销店。
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21世纪20年代初,中国的比亚迪引起了基思的关注。他联合其他几家独立经销商向比亚迪提出合作申请,并在两年半前成为该品牌在英国的首批特许经销商之一。
基思表示,起初的经营“非常艰难”。当时很少有消费者听说过比亚迪,而且他最初只提供纯电动车型。
但随着更多车型推出——尤其是插电式混合动力车型——销量开始增长。他的销售团队着重宣传这些配置齐全的车型所具备的优势:可旋转触摸屏、无线手机充电器、语音控制,甚至还有卡拉OK功能。
消费者“开始明白这不是一个廉价品牌”,自利兹店开业以来就一直销售比亚迪汽车的福齐亚·西迪基说。
道格尔·基思作为D·M·基思公司的合伙人,从事汽车销售工作已有45年。他预计公司明年的销售额将达到约5亿英镑。
道格尔·基思作为D·M·基思公司的合伙人,从事汽车销售工作已有45年。他预计公司明年的销售额将达到约5亿英镑。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
史蒂夫·瓦因一家和他们新买的车:一辆比亚迪插电式混合动力车。
史蒂夫·瓦因一家和他们新买的车:一辆比亚迪插电式混合动力车。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
西迪基最近帮助史蒂夫·瓦因购买了一辆新的比亚迪插电式混合动力SUV。这款车零售价约为3.3万英镑,瓦因购买它的部分原因是空间宽敞且续航里程长。55岁的瓦因经常从利兹附近的家驱车约500公里前往西南沿海城镇康沃尔郡,他希望能在途中无需长时间停车充电。
在德比郡,在试驾了奥迪、现代和保时捷的车型后,60岁的罗杰·莱昂斯最终购买了一辆售价4.8万英镑的比亚迪海豹卓越版电动汽车。“这辆车的驾驶体验几乎和保时捷一样好,而且比其他任何车的配置都更丰富,”他说。他的会计师建议他换一辆电动汽车以节省燃油成本——他偏爱二手豪华车,名下已有两辆奥迪跑车,使用和维护成本不菲。
罗杰·莱昂斯最近买了一辆比亚迪电动汽车,他表示,“这辆车的驾驶体验几乎和保时捷一样好,而且比其他任何车的配置都更丰富。”
罗杰·莱昂斯最近买了一辆比亚迪电动汽车,他表示,“这辆车的驾驶体验几乎和保时捷一样好,而且比其他任何车的配置都更丰富。” Owen Richards for The New York Times
他家外墙上装有一个充电桩。
他家外墙上装有一个充电桩。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
新车的充电状态。
新车的充电状态。 Owen Richards for The New York Times
受比亚迪门店成功的鼓舞,基思本月又开设了两家门店,销售中国国有车企长安汽车的产品。
基思的公司目前运营着28家门店,销售多个全球品牌的汽车。他预计,明年公司销售额将达到约5亿英镑,较2024年增长逾50%,这主要得益于对中国汽车需求的推动。
今年9月,利兹市的比亚迪门店销量超过了他在该地区的其他所有门店。“对于一个两年前还无人知晓的品牌来说,这已经非常不错了,”他说。
德比郡峰区国家公园的乡村风光。凭借其长续航电池技术,比亚迪吸引了众多希望长途驾驶无需频繁停靠充电的消费者。
德比郡峰区国家公园的乡村风光。凭借其长续航电池技术,比亚迪吸引了众多希望长途驾驶无需频繁停靠充电的消费者。 Owen Richards for The New York Times

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国民党嘉义市党部遭搜索 13人被带回侦讯

台湾嘉义检调单位星期三(12月17日)大动作对国民党嘉义市党部搜索,并带回13人侦讯。据报,原因与民进党嘉义市立委王美惠罢免案有关。

综合中时新闻网、《自由时报》、镜新闻报道,嘉义地检署侦办王美惠罢免案,国民党嘉义市党部星期三上午突遭检调搜索,疑似与先前大罢免案中的冒名连署一事有关。

对此,嘉义地检署下午指出,检方侦办王美惠罢免案时,发现陈姓领衔人涉有冒名连署情形;于是上午8时,持嘉义地方法院核发的搜索票,前往某政党嘉义市党部,以及相关干部、党工与亲友住处等共11处地点执行搜索。

检方称,此次行动共传唤涉嫌人13人到案,因案情尚待厘清,相关涉嫌人尚未经检察官复讯,将在侦查告一段落时对外说明。

今年2月,罢免团体“爱嘉联盟”领衔人陈志全提议罢免王美惠,连署第一阶段送件;由于爆出名单有“死人连署”,以及民众控诉被罢团盗用个资,未经同意冒名连署,陈志全宣布第二阶段全面停止运作,不再进行罢免王美惠。

检方也在此期间搜索陈志全住家、办公处等处,案件仍由检方侦办中。

台湾史上针对在野阵营最大规模的罢免提案,历经7月26日、8月23日两轮投票,最终无一案过关,令执政的民进党政府声势严重受挫。

嘉义、台南、屏东等台湾南部县市向来是民进党的“票仓”。

北京制裁岩崎茂 国台办促日本慎重处理涉台问题

中国大陆对日本自卫队前统合幕僚长岩崎茂实施制裁后,大陆国台办提醒日本不要低估北京“捍卫国家主权和领土完整的坚强决心”,并慎重处理涉台问题。

国台办发言人朱凤莲星期三(12月17日)在新闻发布会上答记者问时,被问及北京对岩崎茂实施制裁的标准是什么,未来是否还会有其他日本官员因涉台言行被大陆方面采取措施。

朱凤莲并未正面回应,仅称台湾问题是中国核心利益中的核心,是不可逾越的红线。她还说,民进党勾连外部势力谋“独”挑衅,出卖民族利益,必将遭到历史的审判。

她也提醒日本“不要低估我们捍卫国家主权和领土完整的坚强决心、坚定意志、强大能力”,应恪守一个中国原则及中日四个政治文件精神,慎重处理涉台问题。

中国大陆外交部星期一(12月15日)宣布,依据《反外国制裁法》对岩崎茂采取反制措施,并指控他“严重违背一个中国原则和中日四个政治文件精神,严重干涉中国内政,严重损害中国主权和领土完整”。

岩崎茂曾任日本航空幕僚长,并于2012年至2014年出任自卫队统合幕僚长,相当于参谋总长,退役后仍在日本政界、军界与企业界具备影响力。他在今年3月21日出任台湾行政院无给职(指没有酬劳)的政务顾问,任期一年,主要提供政策咨询与建言。

小米开源自研大模型 罗福莉首秀

有“AI才女”之称的前深度求索(DeepSeek)研究员罗福莉加入小米后首次公开亮相。

据澎湃新闻报道,小米星期三(12月17日)举行人车家全生态合作伙伴大会。

会上,小米集团合伙人、集团总裁卢伟冰宣布,小米自研AI大模型Xiaomi MiMo-V2-Flash已正式开源上线,他将其称为迈向智能体(Agent)时代的全新语言基座。

罗福莉首次亮相小米发布会,她现在的职位是小米MiMo大模型负责人。

罗福莉说,下一代智能体系统不是简单的语言模拟器,而是一个真正理解我们世界、并与之共存的“智能体”。

此外,罗福莉也现场招募人才,她提到,小米大模型团队是研究、产品与工程深度耦合的年轻团队,“小而美”却充满创业精神。

公开资料显示,罗福莉本科毕业于北京师范大学计算机专业,硕士阶段进入北京大学计算语言学深造。硕士毕业后,罗福莉加入阿里巴巴达摩院,担任机器智能实验室研究员,负责开发多语言预训练模型VECO,并推动AliceMind项目的开源工作。

2022年,罗福莉加入DeepSeek母公司幻方量化从事深度学习相关工作,后又担任DeepSeek的深度学习研究员,参与研发DeepSeek-V2等模型。今年11月,罗福莉正式宣布,自己已经加入小米。

中国驻俄大使:中俄远东天然气管道建设稳步推进

中国驻俄罗斯大使张汉晖说,俄罗斯向中国供应天然气的远东管道建设正在稳步推进。

据路透社报道,张汉晖星期三(12月17日)接受俄新社采访时,透露这一消息。

这条管道作为俄罗斯“萨哈林—哈巴罗夫斯克—符拉迪沃斯托克”管道系统的支线,将把俄罗斯太平洋沿岸的天然气输送至中国。

根据计划,初期中国每年将进口20亿立方米天然气,之后年输气量将提高到120亿立方米。

目前,俄罗斯通过“西伯利亚力量”天然气管道向中国供气,该管道于2019年开始供气,设计年输气能力为380亿立方米。

路透社的报道称,俄罗斯2022年入侵乌克兰后被西方制裁,经济上加速“脱欧”,能源合作成为莫斯科强化对华关系的支柱。中国增加了对俄罗斯原油的采购,两国也扩大在天然气领域的合作。

台防长证实“海剑羚”导弹系统通过作战测评

台湾国防部长顾立雄证实,中山科学院研发的“海剑羚”导弹武器系统已成功经过作战测评,未来会根据需要量产。

综合《太报》和联合新闻网报道,顾立雄星期三(12月17日)赴立法院外交国防委员会,针对“台海与周边潜在军事冲突热点,情势分析与国军战备应变整备情形”提出专案报告。

他说,“海剑羚”已经成功经过作战测评,接下来会由海军根据需要进行量产,放在海军认为适当的载台上面,不过详细情况还不能对外说明。

海剑羚短程导弹系统的研制代号为“剑影专案”,作战范围约15公里,为台湾海军舰队防空的最后一道防线。

该系统有三种衍生款,分别是小型作战舰艇的“独立型”(12联装,发射箱搭载小型雷达、光电感测系统)、中大型舰艇的“战系型”(24联装,由舰艇战系提供参数及指令)以及“陆基机动型”(24联装搭配机动雷达车)。

军方人士透露,为提高杀伤力,“海剑羚”的弹头采用被台湾列为“国家核心关键技术”的CL-20型高能火炸药。

中国脑机接口新进展:患者操作手机速度接近常人

中国侵入式脑机接口临床试验取得新进展,使用者通过大脑“意念”实现接近常人使用手机和电脑的操作速度。

据央视新闻报道,中国科学院脑科学与智能技术卓越创新中心星期三(12月17日)发布与科研机构及医疗单位合作开展的第二例侵入式脑机接口临床试验新进展。

本次临床试验在技术上实现了从二维的屏幕光标控制,到三维的物理世界交互的重大转变。

接受本次脑机接口临床试验的是一位中年男性患者。患者在2022年因脊髓损伤导致四肢瘫痪,仅剩头颈部可以活动。今年6月,患者植入了科研团队开发的脑机接口系统。起初,患者经过两到三周的训练,能够实现凭借意念对电脑光标、平板电脑等电子设备的控制,这也是科研团队第一例侵入式脑机接口临床试验时植入者达到的行为水平。

为了进一步提高植入者对周围环境的交互能力,研究团队在此基础上,通过更多新技术的引入,成功将脑机接口应用场景从二维屏幕拓展到了三维物理世界。

目前,该系统已经实现让使用者通过大脑“意念”实现接近常人使用手机和电脑的操作速度,以及初步控制具身智能机器人的能力。

谭耀宗:香港对接“十五五”规划不能坐等指示

中国国家主席习近平敦促港府主动对接国家“十五五”规划,对此,全国港澳研究会副会长谭耀宗说,香港要主动对接,不能坐等指示。

据《星岛日报》报道,谭耀宗星期三(12月17日)在商台节目上说,“十五五”规划为香港指明了方向,特别是在巩固和提升国际金融、航运中心等传统优势方面。同时,规划也要求香港建设国际创新科技中心,配合国家由科技带动经济发展的策略。

谭耀宗说,特区政府要承担起“一国两制”下治理香港的主体责任,更主动、积极地落实中央的要求和期望,“中央要你主动做,不是坐着等指示”。他相信,只要特区政府主动进取,中央必定会配合和支持,共同推动香港的繁荣发展。

习近平周二(12月16日)接见到北京述职的香港特首李家超,充分肯定他和特区政府的工作,并敦促港府主动对接国家“十五五”规划,推动香港实现更好发展。

据新华社报道,习近平说,港府要主动对接国家“十五五”规划,坚持和完善行政主导,扎实推动经济高质量发展,深度参与粤港澳大湾区建设,更好融入和服务国家发展大局。

'An unspeakable loss': Funeral takes place for UK-born rabbi killed in Bondi shooting

BBC outside Rabbi Schlanger's funeral as mourners pay tribute

The first funeral for one of the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting has taken place in Sydney, with thousands gathering to mourn Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

He was among 15 people killed when two gunmen, alleged to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology, opened fire on a festival marking the first day of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Schlanger, who was known as the "Bondi Rabbi" and had helped organise Sunday's event, was born in the UK. His wife gave birth to their fifth child just two months ago.

Rabbi Levi Wolff, who opened the service, said his death as an "unspeakable loss" for the community, the Chabad of Bondi and "the entire Jewish nation".

Associated Press Crying women grip a coffin, with a silver menorah in the foreground.Associated Press
The family of Rabbi Eli Schlanger mourn over his coffin during his funeral

"Eli was ripped away from us, doing what he loved best," he said.

"Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls."

He was mourned by his father-in-law as a person beloved by the community. The 41-year-old was "my son, my friend, my confidant," Rabbi Yehoram Ulman told the congregation at the Chabad of Bondi.

"My biggest regret was, apart from the obvious, to tell Eli more often how much we love him, how much I love him, how much we appreciate everything that he does and how proud we are of him," Rabbi Ulman said.

"I hope he knew that but I think it should have been said more often."

Ulman also urged Jewish people not to hide in the aftermath of the attack and said that on Sunday night - the final night of Hanukkah - they would continue a 31-year-old tradition, and light the final candle on Bondi Beach.

"All the rabbis together, under the banner of our Chabat house of Bondi, to which Eli dedicated his life, we are going to gather in Bondi Beach," he said.

The funeral of Rabbi Yaakov Levitan is also expected to take place on Wednesday afternoon, while the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim, is to take place on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Bondi on Wednesday, Matilda's father praised lifesavers, bystanders and police officers who came to their assistance as they struggled to save their daughter's life, and a woman who helped their younger daughter, Summer.

"I must say the biggest thank you to the lady that saved Summer," he said. "I don't know who she was but she literally hugged her for the whole ten minutes of shooting."

Watch: 10-year-old victim's parents speak at Bondi flower tribute

Opposition leader Sussan Ley, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, former prime minister Scott Morrison and Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon were among those attending Schlanger's funeral.

Anthony Albanese was not present. Asked on ABC NewsRadio about his absence, the prime minister said, "I would attend anything that I'm invited to. These are funerals that are taking place to farewell people's loved ones."

The Jewish community has criticised Albanese for not taking enough action on antisemitism.

The prime minister defended himself against those accusations on Wednesday, telling ABC NewsRadio he had taken a series of measures including appointing the country's first antisemitism envoy, toughening hate speech laws and increasing funding for social cohesion projects and Jewish institutions.

He also said that one of the two men accused of carrying out Sunday's attack would be charged later on Wednesday, although NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon later said this may depend on his medical condition.

"It's important he has appropriate cognitive ability. For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening," he told reporters in Sydney.

Naveed Akram reportedly woke from a coma on Tuesday afternoon after being shot and critically injured by police in Sunday's attack. His father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram was shot dead.

The pair, who allegedly fired on people attending the Hanukkah festival for around 10 minutes, reportedly travelled to the Philippines in November and police are investigating whether they met with Islamic extremists.

Two police officers were critically injured in the shooting and police on Wednesday confirmed that one of them had lost the sight in one eye as a result.

Jack Hibbert, 22, had only been in the police force for four months when he was shot, police said in a statement. During the attack he had "responded with courage, instinct, and selflessness, continuing to protect and help others whilst injured, until he was physically no longer able to."

The second officer, constable Scott Dyson, underwent further surgery this morning and is in a critical but stable condition, Lanyon added.

Simon Atkinson contributed reporting.

2025 has been the UK's sunniest year on record

2025 has been the UK's sunniest year on record

A woman covers her face with a fan in bright sunshine while standing on a bridge over the River Thames, with the London Eye in the backgroundImage source, Andy Rain/EPA/Shutterstock

The Met Office has announced that 2025 has been the sunniest year in the UK since records began in 1910.

With two weeks of the year still to go, provisional data shows that 1622 hours of sunshine have been recorded, beating the previous record set back in 2003.

All months this year excluding February and October recorded above average sunshine hours.

The record-breaking sunny year was bolstered by an exceptional spring, which was not only the sunniest and warmest on record, but also the driest in more than 50 years.

Where were the sunniest spots?

Whilst the UK as a whole has seen well above average sunshine hours this year, there have been some big regional differences.

Looking at the data for the four nations separately, only England has broken its record for the sunniest year, whilst 2025 is currently the second sunniest year in Scotland and the sixth sunniest in Wales.

In Northern Ireland, although sunshine has been above average in 2025, it is currently not in the top 10 sunny years on record - but may come close by the end of December.

The most notably high sunshine amounts, compared to average, were recorded in eastern England and northern Scotland.

Pressure map showing a large area of high pressure right across the UK. Areas of cloud and rain are seen around the peripheries of the high pressure
Image caption,

Frequent high pressure in 2025 blocked areas of cloud and rain from reaching the UK

Why has there been so much sunshine this year?

High pressure has been a frequent feature of 2025's weather.

Areas of high pressure form as air descends in the atmosphere, leading to largely dry and settled weather. Depending on the exact location of the high, and the time of year, this can bring sunny skies that last several days.

The behaviour of the jet stream influences where high and low pressure systems form. During 2025 the jet stream has often been positioned well to the north of the UK, allowing higher pressure to build to the south, across the UK, blocking rain-bearing weather fronts from reaching our shores.

How is sunshine measured?

Sunshine hours are measured and recorded, external at nearly 300 Met Office observing sites across the UK. Two types of instrument are used: either a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder or a modern sunshine duration detector.

"Sunshine" is recorded when the strength of the Sun is at least 120 watts per square metre. When passing clouds obscure the Sun, the strength typically dips below this threshold.

Two Met Office UK anomaly maps, the first showing sunshine duration was typically higher than average across the UK in 2025, the second showing it mostly lower in 2024, though with regional varations for both years
Image caption,

Sunshine amounts compared to average in 2025 (left) and in 2024 (right)

Is climate change bringing more sunshine?

Whilst we know that climate change is influencing our weather in several ways - higher temperatures, wetter winters and drier summers - the link between climate change and sunshine is still unclear.

The Met Office says, "The UK has generally become sunnier since the 1980s. The cause of this trend is uncertain and it may simply be down to natural variability, though reduced aerosols could be a factor."

The past few years have seen huge variability in sunshine amounts, with 2024 being the dullest year since 1998, followed by 2025, which will go down as the sunniest year on record.

Will the sunny theme continue into the start of 2026?

Although 2025 has been an exceptionally sunny year overall, it is worth noting that recent months haven't been quite so bright. In fact autumn was actually slightly duller than average and December has seen around average sunshine so far.

As we head towards the new year, there are signals of a return to the influence of high pressure, which could bring with it sunny skies at times, although during the winter months, high pressure can trap cloud and moisture - something called anticyclonic gloom.

Keep up to date with our latest thoughts on the longer-range forecast in our monthly outlook or by downloading the BBC Weather app.

Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers to and From Venezuela

The move is an escalation of military operations and a pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader. But its scope and economic impact are not clear.

© Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times

Oil tankers anchored in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, in 2021. Venezuela relies entirely on tankers to export its oil to world markets.
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