MP Mike Amesbury pleads guilty to punching man in late-night row over bridge closure

Ryan Wellings, 30, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for subjecting his partner, Kiena Dawes, to two years of assault and domestic abuse. Wellings was cleared of the unlawful killing of Dawes, who left a suicide note calling him a "monster." He was convicted of assault and coercive behavior but cleared of manslaughter following a six-week trial at Preston Crown Court. Full Article

Yvette Cooper has announced support for government-backed local inquiries into grooming gangs, following calls for a national inquiry into the scandal sparked by Elon Musk. The home secretary also announced a three-month rapid review of gang-based exploitation nationwide, led by Baroness Casey. Kemi Badenoch emphasized anti-immigration sentiments, stating that Britain is not a hotel and those who do not integrate into British culture should not be in the UK, while admitting her party's mistakes over...

Ghent start-up Squire has developed innovative AI software to automate GP consultation reports, aiming to reduce administrative burdens for general practitioners in Flanders by analyzing conversations and generating reports. The pilot project involves 9 GPs using the beta software free of charge, with a focus on privacy and GDPR compliance. This initiative represents a step towards more efficient healthcare practices and the potential integration of AI into electronic health records, highlighting the need for collaboration...

In 2025, Spain is expected to have no elections, but attention will be on the housing crisis, unlikely alliances, the legacy of Franco's dictatorship, and ongoing corruption cases. These issues will dominate headlines throughout the year, drawing public interest and scrutiny. Despite the absence of elections, political and social dynamics will ensure a year filled with impactful events and newsworthy developments in Spain. Full Article

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen emphasized the delicate transitional phase, highlighting both opportunities and dangers, urging careful decision-making for long-term stability. With nearly 15 million Syrians in need of health services and 13 million facing food insecurity, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher outlined urgent priorities for rebuilding Syria, emphasizing the importance of restoring services, protecting displaced people, and involving women in the reconstruction efforts. Despite security challenges and economic recovery issues, a...

Jonathan Reynolds, the UK business secretary, warned that potential US tariffs pose a greater danger to the UK than other comparable countries as Donald Trump prepares to take office. Concerns of a global trade war have arisen due to Trump's campaign promise of implementing tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on all goods, escalating to 60 percent for those from China. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Reynolds also sees opportunities for collaboration with the US...