Quarter of forces lack basic policies on sexual offences, report says

Jury trials have been eliminated for crimes that carry sentences of less than three years as part of reforms aimed at addressing significant delays in the Crown Court system. This change is expected to streamline the judicial process and reduce the backlog of cases awaiting trial.

Bulgaria's government has withdrawn its proposed budget plan, which was the country's first to be denominated in euros, following widespread protests where tens of thousands of demonstrators accused the government of concealing corruption. Clashes occurred between protesters and police during the demonstrations in Sofia, highlighting public discontent with the current administration.

Twelve more prisoners have been released in error over the past three weeks, adding to the 91 prisoners mistakenly freed between April and October, as reported by Lammy. This situation raises concerns about the management and oversight of the prison system.

A tragic incident occurred near a North Yorkshire school, resulting in the death of a teenage girl in a minibus crash. Local police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, which has left the community in shock and mourning.

Severe flooding in Indonesia has resulted in a tragic death toll exceeding 600, with another 500 individuals reported missing and thousands injured following a cyclone that struck the region. The relentless monsoon rains have caused widespread destruction, particularly affecting Sumatra, where many areas remain inaccessible for aid delivery.

A catastrophic fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 151 confirmed fatalities, marking the deadliest fire in the city in over 70 years. The blaze, which reportedly began on external scaffolding, has left many individuals injured and unaccounted for, prompting immediate investigations by local authorities.

An outbreak of an infectious disease in Greece has led to the culling of sheep and goats across the country, raising concerns about a potential shortage of feta cheese, a staple product of Greek agriculture.

The phrase 'rage bait', which refers to the act of getting angry while scrolling through social media, has been named the Oxford word of the year for 2025, surpassing other contenders such as 'aura farming' and 'biohack'.