SIX COUNTIES: Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland are set to take part in an extended withdrawal of services over payments.

The Criminal Bar Association agreed their members will withdraw from appearing in all legally aided crown court cases listed between January 6 to 31 2025.

There will also be a continued withdrawal of services in certain categories of criminal cases, which commenced in November 2024.

It comes amid a dispute with the Department of Justice over the legal aid system.

VANUATU: A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast today, causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific island nation as the injured began arriving at a hospital and unconfirmed reports of casualties emerged.

A tsunami warning was called off less than two hours after the quake. With communications still down hours later and official information scarce, witness accounts of casualties began to surface on social media and through patchy phone calls.

It was not immediately clear how much damage was caused, as phone lines and government websites remained down.

AUSTRALIA: The Victoria state government proposed today new restrictions on protesters outside places of worship, in response to rising anti-semitism.

State Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protesters kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier.

The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the state legislature early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings.

UNITED STATES: Hollywood actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise was awarded the US Navy’s highest civilian honour today for his services to military propaganda.

Mr Cruise, currently in Britain filming the latest Mission Impossible film, was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios today.

The navy said Mr Cruise has “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel,” and that Top Gun: Maverick “effectively targeted a younger audience’s interest into the skill sets and opportunities the Navy can provide.”