A 16-year-old killed by a shark while swimming in a Western Australia (WA) river has been identified as Stella Berry. The schoolgirl was pronounced dead after being pulled from the Swan River in Perth on Saturday. Stella was riding jet skis with friends when she jumped into the water to swim with dolphins and was attacked, police say. In a statement, her parents said they were “devastated and deeply shocked”. Matt and Sophie Berry said their daughter was a “vibrant and happy girl” who loved the water and art. “She was a caring person and was a dear friend to many… a beautiful and loving big sister and the best daughter we could have hoped for.” One of her friends, Lara Connolly, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Stella was the “sweetest and smartest girl that I knew”. “She was so kind,” Lara said. Authorities are investigating what type of shark was involved, but the WA Fisheries Minister has said it was “likely” a bull shark. The government will consider what could be done to prevent any similar incidents, Don Punch said. “Shark barriers is something we’re always open to talking to local government about.”(BBC)…[+]

Iran’s supreme leader has pardoned “tens of thousands” of prisoners, including many linked to anti-government protests. State media reports the pardons by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came with conditions. The pardons come on the eve of the anniversary of the Islamic revolution in 1979. Demonstrations erupted last September following the death in custody of a woman held by Iran’s morality police. Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab, or headscarf, “improperly” – in violation of Iran’s strict dress code for women. Authorities have portrayed the protests – which are still continuing – as foreign-backed “riots” and at times have responded with lethal force. Human rights groups say more than 500 demonstrators have been killed, including 70 minors, and around 20,000 have been arrested.(BBC)…[+]

Pope Francis and the leaders of Protestant churches in England and Scotland have denounced the criminalisation of homosexuality. Speaking to reporters after visiting South Sudan, the Pope said such laws were a sin and “an injustice”. He added people with “homosexual tendencies” are children of God and should be welcomed by their churches. His comments were backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland. Archbishop Justin Welby and Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, travelled with the Pope to South Sudan where they jointly called for peace in the war-torn country. It is the first time the leaders of the three traditions have come together for such a journey in 500 years.(BBC)…[+]