A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to obtain suppression orders and manage criminal cases away from public scrutiny in Victoria, Australia, has been exposed. The revelation has ignited debate over transparency and the integrity of the state's justice system, particularly concerning the increasing use of such orders.
A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to obtain suppression orders and engage with police to keep criminal cases out of public view has been revealed in Victoria, Australia. The exposure, linked to a high-profile rape conviction, has ignited debate over judicial transparency and the increasing use of suppression orders, particularly those based on mental health grounds.
A man in his 40s has died following a workplace accident at a construction site in Ringsend, Dublin, on Friday, December 12, 2025. The incident, which involved a fall from height, is under investigation by Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority.
The Czech government has approved regulations for psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression, set to begin on January 1, 2026. This makes the Czech Republic one of the first European nations to allow medical use of psilocybin under strict supervision for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments.
A 35-year-old man died in Torremolinos, Spain, on Sunday, December 7, after suffering cardio-respiratory arrest while being restrained by the National Police. The incident occurred inside an internet cafe on Calle Hoyos following an alleged violent robbery attempt, with the man reportedly in an 'advanced state of agitation'.
The Slovenian Government, at its 182nd regular session on December 5, 2025, adopted significant legislation, including a draft Act on Salaries and Remuneration of Public Employees and Officials Related to Work Abroad, an amendment to the Act on the First Pension Fund, and a decision on partial reimbursement of wage compensation for reduced working hours.
The German Bundestag has approved a series of new laws aimed at significantly tightening asylum regulations and streamlining deportations. Key changes include simplifying the classification of 'safe countries of origin' and introducing stricter naturalization rules.
Argentine President Javier Milei has called for extraordinary legislative sessions from December 10 to 30, 2025, to push for the approval of his administration's 2026 budget, significant labor law changes, and penal code reforms. This move aims to advance his reform agenda before the year's end, despite anticipated resistance from opposition parties and labor unions.
A French court has sentenced a 23-year-old engineering student to a suspended one-year jail term for defacing the tomb of former Justice Minister Robert Badinter. The incident occurred in October, just hours before Badinter was to be honored at the Panthéon.
The Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, has approved a new law prohibiting individuals listed in the Registry of Delinquent Child Support Debtors (RDAM) from entering casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments. This measure aims to strengthen child welfare and enforce parental financial responsibilities.
A 19-year-old man, identified as Gerson de Melo Machado, died on Sunday, November 30, 2025, after deliberately entering the lioness enclosure at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa, Brazil. The zoo has been closed indefinitely as authorities investigate the incident, which preliminary reports suggest may have been an act of suicide.
Italy marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2025, with nationwide events and a significant legislative step. Parliament unanimously approved a bill introducing 'femicide' as a distinct crime, punishable by life imprisonment, reinforcing the nation's commitment to combat gender-based violence. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed the government's dedication to protection and prevention.
Mexico's Chamber of Deputies has ratified a new anti-extortion law, increasing prison sentences to up to 42 years. The legislation aims to combat rising extortion rates by unifying legal frameworks, enabling ex officio prosecution, and imposing stricter penalties on public servants involved in the crime.
Mexico's Chamber of Deputies has approved a new General Law against Extortion, unifying penalties nationwide and increasing prison sentences to a maximum of 42 years. The legislation aims to combat rising extortion rates through ex officio prosecution, anonymous reporting, and stricter measures against complicit officials and prison-based extortion.
Slovenia has voted against a law that would have allowed terminally ill patients to end their lives. Approximately 53% of voters rejected the bill in a binding referendum held on November 23, 2025, effectively suspending the legislation for at least one year. The turnout was nearly 41%.
A body in an advanced state of decomposition was discovered on Saturday, November 22, 2025, on rocks near Bananier beach off Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Guadeloupe. The nautical brigade of the gendarmerie recovered the remains from a difficult-to-access location, and an investigation has been launched to identify the individual and determine the cause of death.
Germany's government has approved a draft law to classify date rape drugs as weapons, aiming for significantly stricter prosecutions in sexual offense cases. This move, announced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, targets substances like GBL and 1,4-Butanediol, seeking to close legal loopholes and enhance victim protection.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly told the security cabinet that a Jew acting on behalf of Iran against Israel could face execution under a proposed death penalty bill. The controversial legislation, championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, passed its first Knesset reading on November 10, 2025, and aims to introduce a mandatory death penalty for certain terrorism offenses.
NSW Police deployed capsicum spray to subdue an 87-year-old man, reportedly suffering from dementia, at a south-western Sydney aged care facility on November 19. The man allegedly threatened staff and residents with a metal object, leading to police intervention and his subsequent hospitalization for assessment.
Luxembourg's Members of Parliament have unanimously approved a motion to establish a unified national suicide prevention hotline. The initiative, supported across party lines, aims to provide a single, easily accessible number for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, enhancing coordination among existing mental health services.
