Archbishop of York’s Christmas Day sermon ‘empty words’, Bishop of Newcastle says

Former ice hockey star and TV soap extra Philip Hamer has been jailed for 28 years, with an extended licence period of eight years, for the rape and sexual assault of eight victims, including a child as young as 11. Hamer was found guilty of 33 rape and assault charges over a 13-year spree between 2010 and 2023, during which he manipulated and groomed girls in their early-to-mid teens using social media apps. The judge...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is determined to lower trade barriers with the European Union to benefit UK citizens by promoting better relationships with European business partners, enhancing economic growth, and increasing global competitiveness. During his visit to Brussels, Starmer emphasized the need for unity among European states in the face of security threats, particularly from Russia, and the importance of supporting Ukraine. He also discussed the importance of a robust UK-EU security partnership focusing...

Sir Keir Starmer avoided condemning Donald Trump's plan for the US to take over Gaza and turn it into "the Riviera of the Middle East" during PMQs, focusing instead on sustaining the ceasefire and ensuring aid reaches the region. Despite Trump's proposal to move Palestinians out of Gaza, Labour's cabinet members, including environment secretary Steve Reed and foreign secretary David Lammy, emphasized the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace, with Palestinians being able...

The Spanish government has approved a draft bill to reduce the working week of millions of workers by 2.5 hours, impacting salaries and part-time jobs. The self-employed will also be affected, but it remains unclear how a shorter workday will be enforced and monitored to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Full Article

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney refuted reports that the government is contemplating banning cats following a report labeling them a threat to wildlife. The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission suggested extreme measures like keeping cats indoors or banning ownership altogether, leading to backlash from cat advocates. Mr. Swinney clarified that while the government is reviewing the report, there are no current plans to implement a ban on owning cats. Full Article

A shooting occurred in Brussels, with suspects seen fleeing towards the Clemenceau metro station as per surveillance footage, leading to the shutdown of the metro line for security reasons. Sarah Frederickx, spokesperson for the Brussels South police, confirmed the incident and assured that there were no victims. The situation is under constant update as more information becomes available. Full Article