Dr Yaser Rahmani-Rad wants his voice to be heard. A specialist in internal medicine at a public hospital in Tehran, he told Sky News what he saw as the regime launched its crackdown in the capital.
“Pressure was being put on nurses and doctors to clear out the emergency department. In other words, any patient who was there – whether they had clear medical indications or not – was told to be discharged. They wanted the emergency ward emptied for security forces who had been injured.”
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Image: Doctor Yaser Rahmani-Rad
We know members of the Iranian security forces have made incursions into clinics and hospitals. Images of one such operation inside the Imam Khomeini Hospital in western Iran have been posted online.
Staff members are seen trying to stop them at the front entrance.
Dr Rahmani-Rad relayed details passed to him by colleagues trying to cope with the consequences of the state crackdown.
“In some cases patients were removed from ventilators and other medical equipment. They said: ‘Let them die. They have no rights. They are against the Islamic system, and they deserve to die.’”
Medical workers also told the doctor that security officials were using their weapons against protesters inside medical facilities.
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“Some had been wounded by shotguns and [later] were killed in the hospital with live ammunition… [protesters] who had been shot with live bullets and were again killed inside the hospital with live ammunition.”
Image: Picture shows an X-ray of an injured protester
As a result of the state crackdown, Dr Rahmani-Rad says the security forces are now effectively in control of the hospitals.
“If they realise that someone who was injured in the protests has gone to a hospital, or even if they had gone before and managed to escape them, they will arrest that person. By checking security cameras, they track them down, raid the locations, and detain them. This is the situation we’re in right now.”
‘The regime always tells lies’: Iran activist on protests
Targeting doctors
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Reports of doctors and medical professionals being targeted have circulated online.
So far, human rights organisations say they have verified six cases of medical professionals being arrested or detained for treating protesters.
Among these are Ameneh Soleimani, Babak Pouramin, and Farhad Nadali, colleagues whose arrests were confirmed by Dr Rahmani-Rad.
One of these doctors is Dr Alireza Golchini, who posted on Instagram earlier in January saying that he would provide treatment to protesters.
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Image: Dr Ameneh Soleimani is a dermatologist. Credit: Instagram
Image: Dr Babak Pouramin. Credit: LinkedIn
Image: Dr Farhad Nadali is a general surgeon
In recent days, human rights organisations say security forces raided Dr Golchini’s home and beat him before detaining him.
Now, Dr Golchini is reportedly facing the risk of execution, according to human rights organisation Hengaw, for charges of Moharrebeh – known as waging war against god.
How many people have been killed?
Iranian authorities violently shut down protests and enforced an internet blackout that was largely in place from 8-27 January.
This has obscured the true impact of the brutal crackdown and made it difficult to collect verified data on the number of people killed and injured during the uprising.
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Iran’s Islamic Republic has said 3,117 people have been killed – claiming the majority of these deaths were security forces and civilians, not protesters.
Human rights agencies warn numbers are much higher.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has independently verified 6,301 deaths, with a further 17,091 cases under review, bringing the possible total up to over 23,000.
Image: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pic: Reuters
Medical professionals also claim the authorities’ figure is too low.
Dr Rahmani-Rad and his network of doctors previously estimated around 20,000 to 30,000 people have been killed, and now believe it could be higher.
This number is echoed by Dr Amir-Mobarez Parasta, an eye surgeon based in Germany and a supporter of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former shah of Iran.
He claims at least 25,654 deaths have been recorded in hospitals and clinics across Iran since the protests began up to 23 January. Nearly a third of these (8,354) were in Tehran alone.
Sky News has approached the Iranian embassy for confirmation of these figures, but received no response.
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Image: The USS Abraham Lincoln (pictured) and several other ships are now in the region, raising fears of a US attack. Pic: Reuters
Dr Parasta says he has collected figures on clinically reported deaths which have been linked to the protests, by speaking to medical professionals in hospitals and clinics across Iran. He says figures were verified by at least two individuals in each medical organisation.
Sky News has not seen these clinical reports and is unable to independently verify the figure.
Seeking care from overseas doctors
Injured protesters who require medical care are faced with a terrible dilemma. By seeking treatment at a clinic or hospital in Iran, they risk arrest and detention by the authorities.
Instead, some are turning to doctors who work overseas.
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Dr Panteha Rezaeian is a cardio-vascular expert in California who has received numerous calls from protest participants or members of their families.
“They already had been shot. They couldn’t go to any hospital because they are afraid of getting killed or arrested. So what’s happened? They are inside the house. They have infections, some of them are still bleeding. Some of [them] have been shot inside the belly.”
Image: Bodies lie in body bags outside Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre in Tehran. Pic: Social Media/via Reuters
Dr Rezaeian told us about her most recent call.
“I have one very young boy that has been shot. From just a two-metre distance into both knees. And you can imagine he cannot ever walk again.”
It is an extreme form of remote health care and the specialist says she does what she can, but these are people who need urgent care.
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“Many of the injured people are not going [to hospital] and then what does mean? So it means they are at the risk of potential death in the next few days or a week.”
Sky News approached Iranian officials with our findings and received no response.
The organisation has supported thousands of unemployed South Lanarkshire residents into work, skills and training.
The long-serving chairperson of Routes to Work South (RTWS) has stepped down after 17 years in the role.
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It means the search is on to find a replacement for Bill McBride at the organisation that has supported thousands of unemployed South Lanarkshire residents into work, skills and training.
South Lanarkshire council’s head of enterprise and sustainable development, Alison Brown, said: Alison Brown said: “Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping RTWS into a respected, stable, and forward‑looking organisation. Under his guidance, Routes to Work South has expanded its services, deepened its community partnerships, and delivered programmes that have helped many residents overcome unemployment and build brighter futures.
“We are immensely grateful for his contribution.”
A new chairperson and up to five independent directors are now needed for RTWS.
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It is an arms-length external organisation of South Lanarkshire Council that celebrated their 20th anniversary last year.
The positions are voluntary (with expenses reimbursed) and successful applicants will attend quarterly board meetings and sub-committees.
The organisation welcomes applications from individuals with experience in:
■ Finance, audit, or risk management
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■ Human resources / people and culture
■ Legal and regulatory compliance
■ Strategic leadership and organisational development
■ Digital, data or information governance
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■ Employability, skills, health or economic development
■ Community development / third sector leadership
Alison added: “RTWS has grown into an award‑winning Scottish charity and a key contributor to tackling poverty and promoting economic inclusion across South Lanarkshire. The organisation supports residents to develop the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to progress into sustainable employment.
“We would love to hear from people interested in helping us grow the service, guide its strategic direction, strengthen governance and ensure high‑quality delivery of employability programmes.”
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Applications should be submitted by Thursday 30 April by sending a CV and short supporting statement by email, or informal enquiries can also be emailed or call 0141 584 2915.
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It’s no secret that there are some fantastic spots to get some great grub across the region, a place home to so many talented and dedicated restaurants.
And this year we’ve once again been looking to shine a spotlight on the best of the best, along with the help of our readers.
We can now reveal the top ten finalists in our competition – and we want you to now vote for your favourite.
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This year’s top ten are:
Burtree Inn – Burtree Gate, Darlington, DL2 2XZ
Stable Hearth – 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX
Taipan Asia – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
The Talbot – 47–49 The Green, Bishopton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1HE
To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until Wednesday, April 22 to vote for your favourite.
In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting each of the restaurants and gastropubs in our top ten to help you decide which one to vote for.
The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: “We have some fantastic restaurants across Darlington and County Durham and our best restaurant or gastropub competition is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on that.
“We are delighted to once again be launching our search for the best of the best. Get your votes in now!”
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To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until
Last year’s activities included a Best Hopscotch competition, play garden, a reading nook, Best Military Card Writing Station and more.
But the crown jewel of the event every year in the White House Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt. First Lady Melania Trump announced the details for the 148th White House Easter Egg Roll which is set to take place on Monday, April 6 in Washington.
This year, the White House Easter Egg Roll will honor America’s 250th birthday by incorporating patriotic themes throughout the event and each year there is a ticket lottery for people to apply to join in.
The event sees children given wooden eggs to partake in a host of games and activities from rolling competitions to egg races on the lawns of the White House.
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Here’s everything we know about the tradition.
What is the White House Easter Egg Roll?
The White House Easter Egg Roll is a historic annual event held on the South Lawn on Easter Monday for children aged 13 and younger, featuring egg rolling races, games, and entertainment.
It is one of the oldest annual events at the White House. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1872 recount stories of children of all ages joining together to roll eggs on the west side of the Presidential Capitol grounds.
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But it all came to an end when families and their children apparently caused such a ruckus on the congressional grounds in 1876 that the Turf Protection Law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant citing landscape concerns and stopping the grounds from being used for egg rolling fun.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand with the Easter bunny as they participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP
The egg rolling party was rained out in 1876 and in 1878 notice was posted that children would not be allowed to roll eggs at the Capitol.
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In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes instructed his guards to let the youngsters through the gates again after becoming aware of their disappointment.
From then – and barring times of war – an annual egg rolling event has been held on the South Lawn.
Just when you thought you’d nailed your supplement routine, we’re here to tell you that you might need to shake things up for spring.
After what feels like the longest winter, the days are finally getting lighter and brighter, and with the change in weather comes the perfect time to kickstart a path to a healthier life. You might already feel like you’re striving to do everything right — racking up your plant points each week, working out consistently, getting your sleep hygiene in place and trying your best to keep a lid on stress, but taking a seasonal approach to wellness can give your efforts an extra boost.
Supplements can play a part in supporting your health, but rather than viewing them as a quick fix, think of streamlining your routine to sync with the seasons. That said, it’s always wise to consult a registered healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist, before introducing new supplements. And remember, supplements should complement (not replace) a balanced diet, since nourishing your body through whole foods should always come first. As winter fades and we welcome spring, certain nutrients may become more important — here’s an overview of what to consider.
The change in seasons naturally brings with it a fluctuations in the microbiome as your diet, environment, and activities change. Longer days often mean more travel, al fresco dining, and shifts in routine, all of which can temporarily disrupt gut balance. A probiotic during these months may help maintain healthy gut flora, support digestion, and keep your immune system strong. It’s always worth choosing formulations that contain multiple well-studied strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximise the benefits across your digestive system.
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The noise around collagen has been loud for a while now, and with good reason. This protein (which is the most abundant protein in the body) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. During spring and summer, increased sun exposure and higher temperatures (they don’t have to be that high to cause an effect) can accelerate moisture loss and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Supplementing with collagen (especially hydrolysed collagen peptides) may help maintain skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support natural repair processes. Combining collagen with vitamin C-rich foods can further enhance collagen synthesis and help protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. Most collagen supplements contain animal derivatives, however, there are vegan alternatives available, meaning you can easily find an option that works for you.
You don’t have to be an athlete or even a seasoned gym-goer to benefit from including electrolytes in your routine. Crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signalling, these minerals are lost through sweat. Even modest increases in temperature can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, or prone to cramps — which is when the benefits of electrolytes shines.
While UK summers aren’t exactly Dubai-esque, the Met Office predicts 2026 will be among the four warmest years on record, with March already experiencing unusually high temperatures. Replenishing electrolytes through hydration on these hotter than usual days with mineral-rich foods, or targeted supplements can help sustain energy levels, support workout performance, and keep your body functioning at its best during the warmer weather. Electrolytes usually come in powder sachets or dissolvable tabs, making them easy to add to water to stay hydrated on the go.
Magnesium is an ‘all rounder’ mineral that supports everything from stress to sleep, so generally speaking, it’s one of those supplements that you could probably do with topping up. Magnesium is utilised by the body to support hundred of day-to-day processes and it’s readily available in foods like dark green leafy veg, nuts, seeds and legumes. Yet even with a balanced diet, many people don’t get enough, especially during periods of stress when the body uses more. Certain medications such as some antibiotics, and acid reflux proton pump inhibitors can lower absorption rates, and even taking GLP-1 medications can also lower levels due to reduced appetite. Magnesium bisglycinate or citrate are two of the highly absorbable forms to choose when it comes to supplementing.
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In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well
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The supplements you might no longer need
The nutrients that may be less essential during spring…
We need vitamin D for brain health and bone health, and unlike most other vitamins, which are readily absorbed from our diets, our main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight. From March to September, the sun’s UVB rays are high enough in the sky to penetrate through our skin, so unless you fall into a category of people that might need to supplement all year round (such as people with darker skin, shift workers and the elderly), you are probably ok to ditch the bottle over the spring and summer months.
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In winter, vitamin C supplements are often used as a buffer against colds and infections. By spring, exposure to sunlight, more activity, and fewer circulating viruses reduce that pressure. That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t important, but you’ll be able to obtain it from seasonal fruits and vegetables like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and peppers which the body is generally able to absorb well.
Energy levels often slump in winter, which is why CoQ10, a compound that facilitates cellular energy production is a popular supplement to take during the darker, colder months when fatigue can feel more pronounced. In summer, however, your energy naturally benefits from longer daylight hours, increased physical activity, and given that your body usually produces enough on its own when you’re active and eating well, you might be able to sidestep supplementing with an energy-boosting supplement such as CoQ10 and include lots of CoQ10 foods such as oily fish including salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chicken and spinach in your diet.
Ashley Smith, 23, spent 13 years in care from age eight, alongside his twin brother Nathan, for nine of those years.
Mr Smith is one of four siblings and lived with three different foster families during his time in care.
He said: “I would ask more local families to think about fostering and offering a safe and loving home to a child who needs one, and I would especially ask for brothers and sisters to be kept together whenever possible.”
He credits his progress to his final foster carers, Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate.
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Ashley with his final foster parents Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate (Image: North Yorkshire Council)
He added: “They offered a warm and loving home where I felt I belonged.
“Diane and Stuart have done a lot for me emotionally and financially too.
“Truly caring and treating a young person as part of the family makes all the difference.”
Ashley now lives in York and is studying children, young people, and society at university, where he then hopes to become a social worker.
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Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley and everything he has achieved.”
Hotel rooms, cabins and apartments are all available for rent and included in the price are the endless lakes, woodlands and meadows to romp in. It would be impossible to get bored here, with paddleboarding, fresh-water wild swimming, cycling, kayaking, zip wire, archery, bushcraft and tennis all on the menu.
Mike Kearney, a National Education Union (NEU) representative, received the award at the NEU’s national conference in Brighton for his solidarity work supporting teachers in Ukraine.
Daniel Kebede, president of the union, said: “Congratulations to Michael for his exemplary international solidarity work.
“Michael’s commitments to Ukraine’s teachers and pupils have been unwavering.”
Mr Kearney is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network (Image: York Green Party)
Mr Kearney was honoured for his ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian teachers and students, and is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network.
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On April 2, he set off from Brighton in a van delivering aid to Ukraine.
The van included educational materials donated by York schools, along with Easter eggs for children and families.
He will leave the van in Ukraine to assist with ongoing aid delivery.
UK state pension triple lock rise: Everything you need to know
Pensioners across the UK will see significant changes to their state pensions from April, with both payment amounts and retirement ages being affected.
The state pension will increase by 4.8% under the triple lock guarantee, meaning those receiving the full new state pension will see their weekly income rise from £230.25 to £241.30. Those on the basic state pension will see payments increase from £176.45 to £184.90 per week.
Pensions minister Torsten Bell said: “After a lifetime of work and contribution, people deserve a decent retirement.”
Simultaneously, the state pension age is beginning a phased rise from 66 to 67, which will affect new pensioners in monthly increments. People born on or after April 6 1960 may qualify at 66 and one month, gradually increasing to a full state pension age of 67 for those born on or after March 6 1961.
Zoe Alexander from Pensions UK warned: “Because the change happens in monthly steps, a single day’s difference in your birthday can shift your state pension age by weeks or months.” She advised people to check their eligibility dates on gov.uk and plan for any potential financial gaps.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the age increase will save around £10 billion annually but warned it could increase poverty rates among affected groups. Those planning early retirement will need to bridge the gap until their state pension begins.
Experts recommend checking pension forecasts annually and using government calculators to avoid retirement planning shocks.
Every year at San Mames, the iconic home of Athletic Club in Bilbao, local fans pause to recognise and celebrate players not from their own club, but those who share a unique value with the Basque outfit – loyalty.
Athletic Club – famous for only fielding players born or raised in the region – introduced the One-Club Award in 2015, honouring those who dedicated their entire professional career to a single team.
“We wanted to create an award that recognised most kids growing up dream of playing for one club,” explains Dan Parry from the La Liga side’s communications department.
“On the other side, we wanted to show despite all the big-money transfers in modern-day football, there are top players all over the world who want to become one-club players.
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“It’s an individual award, but it’s also an award that celebrates the union between the football team, fans and the player.”
Keeping those values in mind, then, this week I’m ranking football’s top 10 one-club men – you can have you say below, too.
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