Iranian state TV issues first official death toll from recent protests, saying 3,117 were killed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian state TV has issued the first official death toll from recent protests, saying 3,117 people were killed in the demonstrations that began Dec. 28. The figure is lower than the 4,560 people activists say died. State television on Wednesday night carried a statement by the Martyrs Foundation saying 2,427 of those killed were civilians and security forces. It did not elaborate on the rest. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll. Meanwhile, the foreign minister has issued the most direct threat yet against the United States after Tehran’s bloody crackdown.

Second fatal train crash shocks Spain as death toll in the first collision rises to 43

GELIDA, Spain (AP) — Commuter rail service in Catalonia, Spain, was suspended Wednesday after a Barcelona train crash killed one person and injured 37 others. The crash happened Tuesday night when a train hit a retaining wall near Gelida. This incident follows Spain’s worst railway disaster since 2013, which occurred Sunday in southern Spain, raising the death toll to 43. Authorities are investigating both crashes. Rail disruptions Wednesday caused significant traffic jams into Barcelona. Spain’s railway operator said heavy rainfall likely caused the retaining wall to collapse. Three days of national mourning are underway as officials continue their investigations.

Trump’s Board of Peace is dividing countries in Europe and the Middle East

JERUSALEM (AP) — Divisions have emerged over U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace as its ambitions have grown beyond Gaza. Some Western European countries are declining to join, others are remaining noncommittal and a group of Muslim countries has agreed to sign on. The developments underscore European concerns over the expanded and divisive scope of the project. Some say it may seek to rival the U.N. Security Council’s role in mediating global conflicts. Trump is looking to form the board officially this week on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Norway and Sweden said they won’t accept their invitations, after France also said no.

Man who assassinated former Japanese prime minister gets life in prison

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court sentenced a man who admitted assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life imprisonment. Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, earlier pleaded guilty to killing Abe in July 2022 during his election campaign speech in the western city of Nara. The Nara District Court said Wednesday that it had issued a guilty verdict and sentenced Yamagami to life in prison, as prosecutors requested. Yamagami told investigators that his goal in shooting Abe was to hurt the controversial Unification Church and expose its ties with the former leader.