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Tragedy strikes Sydneys Jewish community as a Hanukkah celebration is targeted in a terrorist attack, claiming the life of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five. The attack leaves at least twelve dead and twenty-nine injured. The gunman is killed, and another is in custody. Authorities find explosive devices in a linked car. Global leaders condemn the act, emphasizing its an attack on everyone. London police increase presence in Jewish communities during Hanukkah.

Havering Council approves new special needs school in Gidea Park, aiming to accommodate over 300 students with diverse needs. The Balgore Lane school, planned for a former playing field, will serve ages 4-19 with challenges like Autism, SEMH, and severe learning difficulties. Despite concerns over lost recreational space, the council expects the school to ease social care budget pressure by reducing out-of-borough placements.

Former police officer, Thomas Hawkes, sent inappropriate messages to a twelve-year-old girl on Snapchat over several years, leading to his addition to the sex offender register. His actions, described as predatory and abhorrent, highlight the dangers young people face online. Hawkes received a community order and must complete rehabilitation and unpaid work. This case underscores the importance of open conversations about social media safety for children.

Tensions escalate between Thailand and Cambodia, with fighting spreading to new areas along their shared border. Despite earlier claims of a ceasefire, a rocket attack from Cambodia killed a Thai villager, marking the first civilian death. Both nations exchanged heavy weapons fire, with Thai forces destroying a bridge used by Cambodia to transport weapons. The conflict has deep historical roots, with competing territorial claims and a 1962 court ruling awarding sovereignty to Cambodia. Around two dozen people have been killed in the past week, and hostilities continue despite a recent claim of a ceasefire. Thailand has implemented a curfew in five districts to ensure resident safety.

Fashanne, a non-profit fashion design program, has made significant strides since its inception in 2016, transforming the British fashion landscape. Initially offering two awards with no sponsors, Fashanne now boasts eleven awards, global brand workshops, and a live awards show. Over 500 students from eight universities and 30 leading global brands have participated, with 32 industry-led internships awarded. The program has provided over 100 hours of mentoring and £16,000 in funding, hosting live shows for 2,000 guests and reaching 1 million visitors annually with an art installation. Fashannes founder, Anne Davies, highlights the programs impact on both fashion and futures.

In May 1929, a shocking murder in Paintsville, Kentucky, involving a six-year-old boy, Carl Newton Mahan, highlighted the desperate poverty in the Appalachian foothills. After shooting eight-year-old Cecil Van Hoose over a piece of scrap metal, Carl was on trial for manslaughter. Despite the gravity of the crime, the jury deliberated for only thirty minutes and the judge sentenced him to fifteen years in reform school, but released him on bail. The case sparked a national debate, with some believing the sentence was too lenient and others too harsh. Ultimately, Kentuckys Attorney General allowed Carl to remain with his parents, marking a complex and poignant example of juvenile crime and justice in the early twentieth century.

Major UK companies face scrutiny over executive pay, with the Investment Association warning against using generic arguments to justify large increases. The group criticizes the practice of benchmarking, which can create a ratchet effect in the market. They expect well-substantiated reasons for any pay increases, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating a strong link between pay and performance. Despite growing investor willingness to challenge pay, thresholds for blocking packages remain high, and strengthening investors ability to stop inappropriate pay practices is essential for meaningful change.

Two teenage boys, living in taxpayer-funded housing, were jailed for raping a fifteen-year-old girl in Leamington Spa. The victim recorded parts of the assault, leading to public outcry. The boys were left unsupervised, and a passerby eventually helped the girl reach the police. The judge emphasized the boys betrayal of trust, and the victim shared her trauma.

Homeowners near Stansted Airport, valued at around eight hundred thousand pounds, describe their lives as a living hell due to constant noise and light pollution from planes. With twenty-seven million passengers annually, planes fly to over two hundred destinations from its single runway. Locals report that the noise, once manageable, has escalated dramatically over the years, becoming a constant hum and a source of significant frustration. Gordon Dorset, a sixty-five-year-old plasterer, has filed numerous complaints, feeling unheard by airport officials. Meanwhile, other residents, like Sarah Cousins, have been fighting against the airports growth for over two decades. Despite varying opinions, the general sentiment among many long-term residents is one of increasing aggravation and a feeling that their concerns are being ignored by the airport.