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The number of executions in Iran in 2025 is set to more than double compared to the amount which took place across the country in 2024, BBC reported. 

Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group told the BBC it had verified at least 1,500 executions up until the start of December, adding that many more have taken place since.

Last year, IHR was able to verify 975 executions - although the exact number is never completely clear as Iranian authorities do not give official figures, according to BBC. 

Jeffrey R. Holland, a senior leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a longtime member of its top governing body, has died at the age of 85, the church announced. Holland passed away early Saturday morning in Salt Lake City due to complications related to kidney disease.

Holland served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a powerful council that helps guide church doctrine and oversee its global operations. As the second-most senior apostle, he was next in line to lead the faith under its established succession system. Church President Dallin H. Oaks, 93, assumed leadership in October. Following Holland’s death, Henry B. Eyring, 92, is now next in line for the presidency.

Hospitalized over the Christmas holiday, Holland had faced ongoing health challenges in recent months. His death creates a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve, which is expected to be filled in the coming months. A former president of Brigham Young University, Holland was known for his powerful preaching, emphasis on education, and influence within the global church

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the Nordic region has left at least two people dead in Sweden and caused widespread disruption to transport and electricity supplies. Storm Johannes brought strong winds and severe weather, prompting the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute to issue alerts across much of the country’s northern half. One man in his 50s was killed after being hit by a falling tree at the Kungsberget ski resort in southern Sweden. Separately, a regional energy company confirmed that one of its employees died in a work-related accident during the storm.

Tens of thousands of homes across Sweden, Norway, and Finland were left without electricity. In Sweden alone, more than 40,000 households lost power, while rail services and flights were cancelled. Norway’s Nordland region reported over 200 weather-related incidents and major outages. In Finland, where the storm is known as Hannes, more than 33,000 homes lost power, though no injuries were reported.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday announced an additional $2.5 billion of economic aid for Ukraine, Reuters reported. 

The assistance will help Ukraine unlock financing from the International Monetary Fund, Carney said during an appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who also spoke briefly to reporters, according to Reuters.