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Northern Ireland Ambulance Service urges responsible use of emergency resources due to high demand. They prioritize critical cases and advise the public to consider alternatives like self-care, pharmacists, or GPs for non-emergencies.

Shocking Figures: Healthcare Staff in Northern Ireland Face Over 70,000 Abuse Incidents Over the past five years, healthcare staff in Northern Ireland have faced more than seventy thousand incidents of abuse, with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Craigavon Area Hospital reporting the highest numbers. DUP MLA Diane Dodds called these figures shocking, emphasizing the daily risks health workers face and urging stronger punishments to deter attackers.

In a tragic turn of events, Bruna Fonseca, a 28-year-old Brazilian woman, was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend, Miller Pacheco, in a Cork city apartment on New Years Day, 2023. Despite Pachecos plea of not guilty, prosecution counsel Bernard Condon presented evidence of their shared dog and Pachecos obsessive texting. Their relationship ended, but Pacheco continued to stalk Bruna, even showing up at her workplace on Christmas Day. On New Years Eve, Pacheco filmed Bruna with another man and later invited her to his apartment for a FaceTime call with their dog. However, the call ended in Brunas death, with Pacheco calling a friend and showing her body to friends who arrived later. The trial continues with text and call evidence, as Brunas family in Brazil mourns their loss.

A four-year-old boy was brutally murdered by his fathers girlfriend, leaving his mother to share her heartbreaking story in court. The child suffered horrific injuries, including a broken rib, torn liver, and catastrophic brain damage, before being taken off life support. The mother, who had trusted the woman, was devastated to find her son in this state. The woman had already pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty, but the family endured a five-day trial hearing graphic medical details. The woman is set to receive a mandatory life sentence this Wednesday, with rulings on her cruelty charges and a media request to lift the anonymity order.

School transport in Northern Ireland under scrutiny as taxi firms charge up to £83 per mile, with the Education Authority spending over £20 million on just five operators last year. Facing a £300 million budget shortfall, the authority seeks a 10% rate cut, while costs have surged due to increased demand from children with special needs. The program supports nearly 95,000 pupils, making it the most expensive in the UK, but officials aim to balance costs with access to education as a right.

Irans Historic Unrest: Massive Protests, Communications Blackout, and a Regime on the Brink Iran is experiencing unprecedented civil unrest, with widespread anti-government protests leading to hundreds of deaths. A severe communications blackout has cut off Iranians abroad from their loved ones, while exiled Iranians like Zahra and Fatima feel helpless and paralyzed. Despite fears of reprisals, Fatima joined a solidarity rally in Dublin, and Reza Pahlavi, son of the ousted shah, is rallying support for the protesters. With the full picture still unclear due to the internet blackout, voices like Fatimas predict the regimes downfall. The world watches as these cries for change echo amid the violence.

Landmark Discrimination Trial: Graham Linehan and 24 Campaigners Sue Belfast Pub Over Alleged Refusal of Service Based on Gender-Critical Views. Eight Lead Cases to be Heard in Belfast County Court, Potentially Setting Precedent in Northern Ireland.

Retail NI transforms into a supply chain powerhouse, focusing on local agri-food businesses. They promote local goods, provide support for small businesses, and host events like their fourth supplier showcase at Windsor Park. The upcoming Deposit Return Scheme seminar prepares retailers and manufacturers for the changes ahead.

Christmas trading brought a glimmer of hope for Northern Irelands hospitality sector, with nearly seven in ten businesses reporting higher customer spending. However, rising living costs and taxes still pose significant challenges. Hospitality Ulster is advocating for VAT cuts to match the Republic of Irelands rates, urging politicians to support the sector and help it thrive again.