Who doubles as a warrior knight. We meet chinas medieval combat champion. Police in texas have praised members of a Church Congregation who shot dead a gunman after he opened fire during a service. The attacker killed two people. The authorities in fort worth say theyre still trying to determine the attackers motives. Gareth barlow has the latest. Grief grips fort worth, texas. Two of their own killed when a gunman began shooting at west Freeway Church of christ, before parishioners returned fire. Today, evil walked boldly among us. But let me remind you good people raised up and stopped it before it got worse. Members of the congregation dived for cover as the gunman began shooting. In footage seen online, as the Church Service was streamed on youtube, three shots ring out. He entered the church and sat down with parishioners. He got up from that position, pulled out a shotgun, and fired it at a parishioner. That parishioner is deceased. There was a Security Team inside the church and they eliminated the threat. Tragically, like i said, there are two people that were shot and they died at a local hospital. As we say, the suspect is deceased. Officers from the fbi and local forces are investigating the incident. No motive has been given for the attack. Gareth barlow, bbc news. The mayor of new york, bill de blasio, has announced new measures to combat what he said was a crisis caused by anti semitism afterjews were attacked while celebrating hanukkah. Mr de blasio said Police Patrols would be stepped up injewish areas and schools would teach students about hate crime. The suspected attacker, grafton thomas, has appeared in court. He denies five counts of attempted murder. Chris buckler reports from washington. Members of new yorks largejewish community have gathered to celebrate their religion. Only to be attacked because of it. They were at the home ofa because of it. They were at the home of a rabbi here in monsey to mark chanukah when a man forced his way into the house and started stabbing people. In some cases, multiple times. He pulled it out from the thing and he started to run into the big room which was on the left side andi big room which was on the left side and i have thrown tables and chairs and i have thrown tables and chairs and told him to get out of here. Often thomas was arrested 30 miles away in manhattan. Esther thomas, why did you do it . He has already appeared in court he pleaded not guilty to five counts of murder and police in new york had stepped up their patrols in response to a series of anti semitic attacks in recent weeks and across the us, jewish leaders are concerned about what they say is an increasing hate crime. Just over one year ago in pittsburgh, 11 worshippers were killed in a mass shooting at the tree of life synagogue. In april, there was a similar attack at a synagogue in san diego. And another shooting earlier this month at a kosher supermarket in newjersey is also thought to have been fuelled at least in part by anti semitism. Also thought to have been fuelled at least in part by antisemitism. What are we waiting for . You know, first it was just verbal and ok, now people are being murdered, now people are being murdered, now people are being assaulted, now people are being assaulted, now people are being stabbed. So the governor should announce an emergency in the state of new york. New yorks governor seems to be listening. He said words were not enough, that it was time for action. It is domestic terrorism. These are people who intend to create mass harm, mass violence, generate fear based on race, colour, creed. That is the definition of terrorism. Many claim eight is on the rise in an increasing fractured america where differences too often and not only in division but violence. Chris buckler, bbc news. Hate crime in americas five largest cities rose sharply in 2019 with new york, los angeles and chicago all setting highs not seen since the terror attacks of september 11, 2001, according to a new report from california state university. George selim, Senior Vice President at the anti defamation league, explains why hate crimes could be rising. There are a number of reasons that hate crimes are rising, that are targeting christians praying in churches or muslims in christchurch praying in mosques, orjews praying peacefully in pittsburgh or monsey, new york. Part of what weve seen over the course of the past several years is a significant increase in hate crimes and bias motivated crimes across the United States targeting a number of ethnic and religious minority groups. This is coupled with, really, an increase in polarisation and very defensive rhetoric that weve seen notjust in the United States, divisive rhetoric that weve seen notjust in the United States, but across the globe. When you add into this combustible mix the rate and speed in which violent ideology is spread online, you see the period in which individuals become radicalised or inspired to commit an act of violence and then actually conducting it, that period of time has shrunk significantly, so its something that the adl and other Civil Society organisations have used this opportunity to call on our government here in the United States, as well as central governments across the globe, to increase their vigilance and protection ofjewish communities and other religious minority communities who are praying and conducting services in their respective houses of worship. The new york mayor, bill de blasio, speaking after the attack on the rabbis home blames an atmosphere of hatred in washington in general. Would you agree with that . I mean, i think i would agree that were in a period of unprecedented defensive political rhetoric, both in the us and across the globe. I dont know if i would go so far as to be calling it hateful rhetoric, but the online environment that were in today, coupled with the real world actions that weve seen in monsey, new york and in cities across the globe that have been plagued with these types of acts of hate and terror, is something thats extremely concerning and something that should give all persons of conscience pause to think about what they and their communities can do to intervene or really disrupt these vicious cycles of hate and violence. The United States has warned iran it will retaliate if tehrans actions put american lives in jeopardy. Us secretary of state mike pompeo made the comments after us forces carried out air strikes against iranian backed paramilitaries in western iraq and eastern syria. According to the pentagon, five sites linked to Kataib Hezbollah were struck, including sites in the qaim district, killing at least 18 fighters. Mr pompeo said President Trump had warned for months that he wouldnt stand by if irans actions harmed american lives. The attacks that took place against an iraqi facility threatened the attack that took place against an iraqi facility threatened american forces. This has been going on now for weeks and weeks and weeks. This wasnt the first set of attacks against this particular iraqi facility and others, where there are american lives at risk, and today what we did was take a decisive response that makes clear what President Trump has said for months and months and months, which is that we will not stand for the Islamic Republic of iran to take actions that put american men and women injeopardy. We will always honour that commitment to take Decisive Action when that takes place, and we continue to demand that the Islamic Republic of iran act in a way that is consistent with what i laid out back in may of 2018 for what it is that we expect iran to do, so that it can rejoin the community of nations. Lets get some of the days other news. The Russian Intelligence Agency says a tip off from the us has helped foil what it called new year terror attacks in st petersburg. The kremlin said president putin had thanked donald trump in a phone call for passing on us intelligence. It said this had led to the recent arrest of two russians alleged to be planning to attack large crowds of people. The authorities in the philippines say 41 people are now known to have died as typhoon phanfone devastated several islands. Tens of thousands of residents are still sheltering in evacuation centres, where many celebrated christmas. A dozen people are missing. Votes are being counted in the president ial election in the west african state of guinea bissau. Observers praised the peaceful conduct of the poll. Both candidates Domingos Simoes pereira from the ruling party and the oppositions Umaro Cissoko embalo are former prime ministers. The two men have promised to bring stability to guinea bissau, which has suffered nine coup attempts since independence from portugal in 197a. Tens of thousands of residents in the australian state of victoria have been told to evacuate amid worsening bushfire conditions. Officials are predicting a day of extreme danger with rising temperatures combined with thunderstorms and a change of wind direction. Phil mercers report contains flashing images from the start. Its arguably the worlds most dazzling fireworks display, but thousands of people want sydney to scrap its new years eve spectacular. They say it would be an insult and could traumatise some of those affected by the bushfires crisis. The citys lord mayor clover moore said she shared the deep sympathies of those whod signed the petition, but stressed that the fireworks were planned months in advance and that most of the budget had already been spent. So, barring catastrophic fire conditions in sydney on new years eve, the event seems certain to go ahead. In between now and then, the authorities are warning of severe to extreme fire dangers across much of south eastern australia. Volunteers are a vital part of the emergency effort. Many have been fighting the flames for weeks. The government says they will be able to apply for about £3,000 in compensation for taking time off work to battle the blazes. This is a very prolonged fire season. This is putting additional demands on ourfirefighters in particular, and it means that the turn outs and the call outs have been far more extensive than in previous years, going well and beyond and above what is normally expected of those who are engaged in volunteer service. The money and the gesture from the government are broadly welcomed by volunteers on the front line. Its tough, its tough. And the payment is just a recognition of what were doing. It doesnt compensate us for what were losing but its recognition. Its really strenuous, hard work. You really do feel like you want to be helping and you really do feel like youre obliged to do that. So like, for me, it means i use my annual leave. Their work is far from over. Dangerous fire conditions and extreme heat are forecast for south eastern australia from tomorrow. Phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. We will be live in victoria state in a few minutes stay with us on bbc news. Still to come the man teaching children confidence through medieval battle. The most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. Tomorrow in holland, were going to use money we picked up in belgium today. And then well be in france and again, it will be the same money. Its just got to be the way to go. George harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed at his oxfordshire home. A 33 year old man from liverpool is being interviewed by police on suspicion of attempted murder. I think it was good. Reporter just good . No, fantastic thats better big ben bongs this is bbc world news. The latest headlines authorities in texas now say two parishioners have died after a gunman walked into a church in fort worth and opened fire. President trump has called for unity in the fight against anti semitism, following a knife attack on the house of a rabbi in new york state, in which five people were injured. Dozens of former prisoners who were part of a swap between russia and ukraine, have arrived in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. There were emotional scenes as family members met the men, who were released after president s Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a deal in paris earlier this month. Our correspondent Zhanna Bezpiatchuk has more. The long day of a prisoner swap begins here on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. These people had no official status, no access to lawyers or red cross. Now, finally, they start their freedom. And this is how the ukrainian prisoners were warmly greeted at the Kyiv International airport at the end of their swap. The ukrainian president , Volodymyr Zelensky, promised to bring them home at whatever price, and he did it. This aircraft brought back home 76 ukrainians that spent years in the custody of the separatists in the rebel held territories of the donbass in Eastern Ukraine. This is a highly emotional moment. People are seeing their relatives for the first time in two, three, five years. And, of course, thats the best possible new year gift for these families. Translation the main thing is that the people are home. We did what we said before the new year. They will celebrate new year with their families at home, with parents or children. It is great, i am happy. Im sure they are happy too. In return for servicemen and civilians, ukraine has handed over to separatists five policemen charged in 2014. Over to separatists five policemen charged with the deaths of Peaceful Protesters in 2014. Altogether, ukraine released over 120 people. Some of them were allegedly involved in terrorist attacks. For some of them, rebel held territories could be just a transit to russia. Many criticised zelensky for agreeing to the russian terms of this swap, and paying such a high price. This prisoner swap was a part of the deal brokered in paris in december this year by zelensky, putin, macron and merkel. They all are involved in the talks intended to bring peace to the Eastern Ukraine where Government Forces fight against russian backed separatists for over five years. But at least for the released people, the war might be over. Zhanna bezpiatchuk, bbc news, ukraine. Pope francis has urged people to talk to each other at mealtimes, instead of using their mobile phones. In his weekly audience in romes st peters square, he cited jesus and his parents as an example of how families used to communicate with each other. Translation i ask myself if you in your family know how to communicate, or are you like those kids at mealtimes where everyone is chatting on their mobile phone, where theres silence like at a mass, but they dont communicate. Families have to get back to talking. Parents with the children, with the grandparents, everybody. More than six months after the start of Anti Government demonstrations in hong kong, the city appears trapped in a stalemate between the protest movement that wont give up, and a beijing backed administration which refuses to meet its demands. The conflict has divided communities and families, and exposed tension between hong kongers and mainland chinese. Our correspondentjonathan head has been to see how the protests have now moved into areas frequented by mainland chinese. You can find a protest almost anywhere in hong kong. Here, theyre shutting down shops in a mall not far from the border. We are reclaiming our neighbourhood, they shout. Go back to mainland china. The police arrive, as expected, to retake the mall from the protesters and find themselves confronted by a confusing mix ofjournalists and stranded shoppers. At first, they tell everyone to move back. Then there is a change of heart and they insist we take note of the damage done to the shop fronts. Its almost routine now that there are a few arrests and a bit of pepper spray to keep the media in line. Followed by a quick exit by the mainland traders with their tell tale roller suitcases, hurried on their way by a shower of abuse from local residents. As the hong kong protests have run into weeks and now months, the movement has now broadened its targets to include a whole range of grievances. Here, close to the border with china, is the proliferation of parallel trading, of mainlanders coming over to take advantage of cheaper and better products. Now, the anger weve heard directed towards these small time traders is a long way from the lofty democratic ideals you often hear, but that anger and the fear for hong kongs identity is just as important a driving force behind these protests. The mainlanders have been shopping here for many years and an entire local economy has grown to feed their demand. But many locals believe this doesnt benefit them. This man accuses the mainlanders of transforming the area, pushing up prices, he says, clogging the pavement with their suitcases and of killing the character of the neighbourhood. This fierce hostility both baffles and frightens the parallel traders who still come in numbers every weekend. Translation i dont understand, we are from the same country. We are compatriots. Why do they try to exclude us . So here, the police are deployed to keep the shops open as well. Another thankless task for an already overstretched and increasingly unpopular force. Jonathan head, bbc news, hong kong. Police in london are investigating a racially motivated hate crime which also took place during hanukkah. It follows the appearance of offensive graffiti at a number of locations in north london, including a synagogue and some shop fronts. Dan johnson reports. These are the marks of anti semitic graffiti that appeared overnight in a part of north london with a largejewish community. The star of david, sprayed on shops, phone boxes and a synagogue. Alongside the numbers, 911, a possible reference to the warped Conspiracy Theory that jews were responsible to the World Trade Center attack, or it could refer to the date of the kristallnacht, the ninth of november 1938, whenjews were rounded up in nazi germany and synagogues and businesses were destroyed. So to hit the synagogues here feels very, very personal. It feels like a real attack, it feels very threatening. And to wake up the people who are members of this synagogue to wake up in the morning and find their synagogue attacked like this is frightening. Its being treated as a racially motivated hate crime and police say there will be extra patrols to reassure people here. So far, thereve been no arrests. This has been a particularly upsetting because it comes during hanukkah, a majorjewish festival. And although the graffiti has been washed away very quickly, it has left real concern amongst people here. Theres been condemnation from politicians amidst warnings that hate crime of all kinds has increased across the country. Tonight, the anti semitic graffiti sprayed here has been replaced with positive messages of hope and support. Dan johnson, bbc news in hampstead, north london. Lets get more on one of our main stories now the bushfires in australia. Gippsland, victoria is one of the areas worst affected. Abcs nicola asher bairnsdale is there for us. Essentially, what is going on . Basically, it is really, really hot, it is about a0 degrees if not more and there are hot winds and there area and there are hot winds and there are a lot of bushfires. Authorities are a lot of bushfires. Authorities are most concerned that, with these strong winds, they will push bushfires into communities and they just cannot control them at the moment. They have evacuated thousands of people. This is a popular holiday spot, there are fireworks down here and there are beaches and normally it is a beautiful but at the moment it is just too dangerous and they have sent out Text Messages to people wanting to get out. Not a lot of people on the road. It sounds like people on the road. It sounds like people have bunkered down to avoid the heat but also the danger. Ash is flying from the fire and the smoke from two of these fires have travelled 12 kilometres into the air and they have joined together and they are dropping ash and embers in areas that are currently on fires which poses the risk of fire is or spreading further. If people have not left their homes, what is the best way to take shelter . In basements . At the moment, theres a number of bushfire and emergency warnings which is a point when authorities they it is too late to leave and they say either shelter in a room with an external window so you can escape if you need to. Do notaim to you can escape if you need to. Do not aim to shelter in your car, it is too late and you do not want to be trapped on the road. You need to shelter in the football if you are, full pants and shirts, leather shoes and if you are near a sporting ground ora and if you are near a sporting ground or a big body of water, consider taking shelter there. If a bushfire comes through, the chances of surviving is low. People really scared . Bushfires are pretty common in this landscape. There are some beautiful forests around here in this landscape. There are some beautifulforests around here but they are rugged terrain, steve, alpine districts burning as well some people used to bushfires and these bushfires have been burning for weeks already some of them. People are used to living with a smoke but the situation today is a little bit different. We are expecting a cool change later and it could drop by 10 degrees but people holidaying saying it is terrible down here and we need to get out and they have hit the road back to safer errors but other people say we have paid for our holiday and we will stay and help out and contribute to the economy and the local community. Thank you so much forjoining us and keeping us up to date. We will continue to monitor the story in the next few hours. You can reach me on twitter. Im jamesbbcnews. Hello. Its been a mostly dry and very mild weekend, and as we head through the final few days of 2019, that theme is set to largely continue. A bit of rain in the north west, many places dry. This is how we ended the day on sunday beautiful sunsets across many parts of the country. And its a big area of High Pressure thats bringing us this dry, settled weather sitting across continental europe. We have got a weather front working in from the north, so thats going to bring some patchy rain initially to the north west of scotland as this frontal system sinks slowly further south through the day. Well see a few spots of light rain pushing across Northern Ireland during the afternoon in towards galloway. Scottish borders could see a few spots too. But clearer, fresher conditions working in from the north. Much of england and wales staying dry throughout the day after a bit of a murky start for some of us. There will be some sunshine breaking through during the afternoon. Highs around 11 or 12 degrees in the south. Only around 7 or 8 further north. Now, for new years eve on tuesday, it is looking like another dry day. Quite a murky start to the day for central and southern england and wales where weve got a bit of low cloud, mist and fog. That should tend to break up. More sunshine, though, further north across the country. Fairly light winds and a little bit cooler. Many places stuck in single figures, i think, for tuesday. But a decent looking day for new years eve. If youve got plans to head out during the evening and see any of the fireworks, then were not expecting any particularly strong winds or any rainfall. There could just be some Poor Visibility for one or two places. But not particularly cold, temperatures between around about a to 9 degrees for most of us as we head close to midnight. So, new years eve then to summarise for you is looking largely dry and settled. But there could well be some mist and some fog patches around too, but nothing to spoil the fireworks. Heading on into new years day now, and that area of High Pressure still in charge. Weve got a largely dry picture in fact. More isobars on the map across the northern half of the uk so i think itll be a little bit breezy across perhaps northern and western parts of scotland into Northern Ireland as well, but england and wales looking dry with light winds too. So, a fine day to come, i think, for new years day, barely cloudy. This cloud thinning and breaking later on, so some sunny spells developing and itll still feel reasonably mild for the time of year, although those temperatures not quite as mild as they have been over recent days. So around about 7 to 10 degrees for most of us on new years day. A fine day if youre getting out for a walk to bring in the first day of 2020. So, early 2020 then, well, its looking mainly dry, some rain in the far north west, mist and fog around at times and things will turn a little bit colder than it has been too. Bye for now. This is bbc news. The Headlines Police in texas have praised members of a Church Congregation who shot dead a gunman after hed opened fire during a sunday service. The attacker killed two people before being shot dead by a member of the churchs Security Team. The Authorities Say the motive for the attack remains unclear. A man has been charged with five counts of attempted murder following a knife attack at the home of a rabbi in new york state. The mayor of new york bill de blasio has announced a series of measures to tackle what he said was a crisis caused by a rise in anti semitism. The United States military has carried out air strikes against iranian backed paramilitaries in western iraq, killing at least 18 fighters. The strikes were in retaliation for a rocket attack on an Iraqi Military base in kirkuk on friday, in which an american civilian was killed. Those are your headlines on bbc news