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The City of London is set to break a decade-long record for planning decisions in 2025, with major projects like redeveloping a Grade one-listed building and a new 54-storey tower near Liverpool Street Station. The city aims to add over one million square metres of office space by 2040, but plans for a 21-storey office block over Liverpool Street Station have faced delays due to public backlash. Meanwhile, plans to demolish a building for a new 21-storey office at One Silk Street have drawn over 1,000 objections. Looking ahead, decisions on these schemes and exciting openings like the new London Museum in Smithfield and the Barbican Centres renewal are expected in 2026.

UK Police Leaders Propose Scrapping Non-Crime Hate Incidents: A Shift to a More Efficient Approach UK police leaders are recommending the elimination of non-crime hate incidents, replacing the current system with a more focused approach on serious cases of anti-social behavior. The proposed changes, outlined in an upcoming review by the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing, aim to streamline the process and allocate resources more effectively to genuine threats.

Young care leavers in England will now receive free healthcare services until their twenty-fifth birthday, along with paid internships in the NHS, guaranteed job interviews, and enhanced mental health support. New measures will also alert healthcare providers to their care status, aiming to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for these vulnerable individuals.

Transport for Londons staff earning over £100k triples in three years, with 548 workers in the 2024-2025 financial year. TfL attributes this to pay rises, backdated increases, higher inflation, and overtime. The company emphasizes the need for raises across all levels to retain talent, with 27,548 employees and £9bn annual turnover.

Tensions escalate in the Caribbean as Trump pressures Maduro, seizing Venezuelan oil tankers and blocking shipments. China and Russia back Maduro, condemning US actions. With millions of barrels stuck at sea, the standoff continues, drawing major powers into the conflict.

Prosecutors in England and Wales are seeing a significant rise in charges for strangulation and suffocation, a new standalone crime introduced in June 2022. From July 2022 to March 2023, charges increased from 1,483 to 8,545, and then to 2,656 in just the first three months of 2023. This offence, which can land offenders up to five years in prison, is often tied to domestic abuse and escalating violence. The surge in charges reflects growing awareness and a strong push to hold abusers accountable, protecting victims and tackling violence against women and girls.

Unison Report Reveals Welsh Teaching Assistants Struggles: Low Pay, High Demands, and Christmas Dilemmas The podcast episode delves into the challenges faced by teaching assistants in Welsh schools, who are creating Christmas magic for pupils despite earning rock-bottom pay. The report from Unison reveals that these workers, predominantly women, earn between £1,200 and £1,399 per month during term time, often less than a full-time minimum wage job. Their roles have expanded since the pandemic, leading to increased anxiety, poor social skills, and complex needs among pupils. Teaching assistants like Janet Murray and Kim Huntley share their experiences, highlighting the lack of proper training, extra pay, and support for handling violence and bad behavior. The report emphasizes high turnover due to low pay and the Welsh governments agreement to improve recognition and fair treatment for these unsung heroes.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed warns council leaders against implementing four-day working weeks, citing potential performance issues and government policy. He cites South Cambridgeshire District Councils switch to a four-day week as a concern, highlighting drops in housing services. Critics argue shorter weeks hurt productivity, while supporters point to increased morale and output in a Scottish public sector trial. Reeds letter leaves no room for doubt as councils focus on reliable services.

President Trumps Greenland Ambitions: A National Security Push President Trump reiterates the U.S.s need for Greenland, appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy. Trump cites security concerns, not minerals, and emphasizes the islands strategic importance. Denmark, however, insists on Greenlands autonomy, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlands Jens-Frederik Nielsen issuing a joint statement. Denmark summons the U.S. ambassador, demanding respect for its borders. Trumps long-standing push for Greenland, including potential forceful measures, has escalated tensions. Denmarks intelligence report warns of rising Arctic tensions and U.S. pressure, as strategic stakes rise for missile defense and resources.