Browsing: What happened today?

The UK – along with other European countries – has announced they will pause asylum applications from Syria after the country’s President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the situation was “moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime” and some people were returning to Syria following recent developments.

Germany will tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute those helping to smuggle migrants to the UK, as part of a new plan agreed between the two countries.

Several new photos from Gavin and Stacey have been released ahead of the sitcom’s upcoming final episode. A new promo image features James Corden as Smithy, alongside Ruth Jones as Nessa, Mathew Horne as Gavin, and Joanna Page as Stacey on Trinity Street in Barry. The final episode will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been ousted from power after a “stunning offensive” by the rebels. Syrians have been out celebrating their liberation, whilst Assad and his family have fled to Moscow and the world is left wondering what comes next for Syria.

Storm Darragh has left tens of thousands across Britain without power and flood warnings have been issued. Across England and Wales, 50 flood warnings remain in force because of recent heavy rain from the storm, although the weather on Monday is expected to be dry for most.

The chancellor will give an address to the Eurogroup since Brexit and will argue that a closer relationship between the UK and EU will boost economic growth. Reeves will say that a “reset” in relations would mean “breaking down barriers to trade” as well as helping “businesses sell in each other’s markets”.

American rapper Jay Z has been named in a lawsuit alongside P Diddy. The Jane Doe has alleged Jay Z raped her when she was 13 at a party in 2000 along with Diddy.

Prince William and incoming US President Donald Trump met while visiting Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral – five years after a fire badly damaged it. William joined other world leaders in marking the grand reopening including a 40-minute sit-down meeting with Trump who described William as a “good man” doing a “fantastic job.”

Premier League striker Michail Antonio is in a stable condition and “conscious and communicating” after a car crash. Reports say Antonio had to be cut out of his Ferrari which he was trapped in for forty minutes after crashing into a tree.

Mohamed Salah is on the brink of signing a new two-year contract at Liverpool after reaching a compromise with the club’s owners Fenway Sports Group.

Rebel forces in Damascus declare the city “free” from long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as government forces withdraw. Rebels say public institutions will stay under the supervision of the former prime minister until they’re officially handed over. The Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, has said he doesn’t know where Assad is at the moment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his six priorities for government in a key “plan for change” speech. The targets include building 1.5 million homes, fixing the NHS and delivering clean power by 2030. He also pledges higher living standards, safer streets and ensuring a record number of five-year-olds enter school “ready to learn”

Friday morning travel was a misery for many UK travellers after a major disruption on the rail network. At least nine lines were affected. National Rail said the issue was due to a “nationwide fault” with the radio system used between train drivers and signallers that has now been fixed.

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for wind as Storm Darragh approaches. The warning is in place from 03:00 to 11:00 GMT on Saturday, covering western and southern coastal regions of Wales as well as the Bristol Channel in England.

The PM is to deliver a speech on what he calls a “plan for change” for Britain. He will announce six “milestones” he hopes to reach, including building 1.5 million homes, fixing the NHS and delivering clean power by 2030.

He will also pledge higher living standards, safer streets and ensuring a record number of five-year-olds enter school “ready to learn”.

The French government collapsed after a no-confidence vote ousted the prime minister and rid the country of the austerity budget he tried to force through – the budget that led to his downfall. The country’s president is facing calls to resign.

Gregg Wallace is facing more allegations as is the BBC who are under pressure to explain why they did not act on allegations made against Wallace 10 years ago.

The ongoing chaos in South Korea is dominating news globally as MPs have begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol after thwarting his shock move to impose martial law. The overnight chaos has come as a shock for many – not just in South Korea, but around the world.

In domestic news, convicted killer Lucy Letby has been interviewed by police in prison under caution as part of ongoing investigations into more baby deaths at two hospitals, Cheshire Constabulary has confirmed.

Pep Guardiola has hit back at claims from TV pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher that the City boss has fallen out with midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

Scotland women’s national team missed out on a place at next year’s Euros after losing 2-0 to Finland. Wales booked their place – the first major tournament for the team – after beating Ireland 2-1 yesterday in Dublin. The Lionesses beat Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly which saw many of the young lionesses get a start.

Greg Wallace is facing further backlash after his apology for recent comments that those who accused him of inappropriate behaviour were just ‘middle-class women of a certain age.’ The BBC is also under pressure to pull his hit show MasterChef amid the allegations.

The prime minister delivered a foreign policy speech on Monday saying the UK does not need to choose between the US and the EU and that keeping close relations with both was vital. The comments come ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House – which could be a tough time for the bloc as well as Canada and Mexico, as Trump threatens tariffs.

Stalking victims will get “peace of mind” by being told the identity of their abusers under new government proposals, the minister for safeguarding has said. Jess Phillips said the proposed “right to know” statutory guidance aims to tell victims the identity of their abuser at the earliest opportunity.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said a new phase for his government will begin this week, under what he calls a “plan for change” for Britain.

Gregg Wallace has hit back at allegations of historic misconduct, saying they have come from a “handful of middle-class women of a certain age”.

Russia carried out “a series of air strikes” in Syria early on Sunday as rebels advanced towards the south, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The upcoming assisted dying vote in the Commons today dominates much of the news. The vote is expected to be tight and at least 100 MPs remain undecided.

MasterChef TV host Gregg Wallace has stepped down from his role following more allegations of sexual assault. The claims are from 13 people, across five shows, from 2005 to 2022. One of them was the broadcaster Kirsty Wark, a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011, who said he told “sexualised” jokes during filming.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has stepped down from her role after she admitted pleading guilty to a criminal offence relating to a police investigation over a mobile phone she claimed was stolen.

MPs will vote on the assisted dying bill today, MPs are said to be divided over the legislation and it’s not clear if it will pass. This Friday will mark the first time MPs will have voted on such a measure in nearly 10 years.

Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield last night in the latest Champions League match – and it was a thriller! McCallister opened the scoring before Mbappe missed a penalty for Madrid, then Mo Salah missed a penalty – and then finally Gakpo found the back of the net to give the Reds a 2-0 win.

Police are continuing investigations into the late Harrods owner Mohammed al-Fayed who has been accused by at least 100 women of sexual assault and rape. If the allegations prove true his crimes could be on the scale of Jimmy Saville. There are also reports that associates of Al Fayed are “being probed on claims they enabled his sex abuse.”

Many of the news sites – in print and online – continue to offer their reaction to the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as civilians start to return home. Many are expressing hopes that a similar ceasefire could be seen in Gaza.

The upcoming Friday vote on assisted dying in the UK is another trending topic as MPs express their stance on the matter. It’s expected to be a tight call.