Brussels vows ‘firm’ response to threatened Trump tariffs as EU braces for trade war – POLITICO

The family of 22-year-old boxer Jack Ayres, whose body was found in a swampy marshland in Somerset, are seeking help from the public to understand his death. Jack was last seen near Glastonbury before his body was discovered by a member of the public. A post-mortem examination revealed that his cause of death was drowning, with no other physical injuries found. The family and Pyramid boxing club are mourning the loss of Jack, describing him...

Three different authors from three different countries have written texts titled "The Sorrow of Belgium" in three different genres reflecting various eras in Belgium's past. Leonid Andreyev's play, set during World War I, expresses his strong views on political unrest and militarism. Hugo Claus' novel, a coming-of-age story set during the German occupation, is considered a masterpiece. Martin Conway's historical monograph focuses on Belgium's post-World War II political struggles, emphasizing the societal tensions during the...

Ministers are investing £1.3bn into army recruitment to address staff retention issues in the UK’s armed forces, creating the Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) to streamline hiring processes. The contract was awarded to Serco and will run until 2034, aiming to combat inefficiencies and delays in recruitment. This initiative follows a recent increase in defence spending and plans to provide peacekeeping troops in Ukraine to end the war with Russia. Full Article

Recently bereaved pensioner Maureen Brum, 79, faces eviction from her Feltham home of 30 years by Notting Hill Genesis, despite community support and evidence of her attachment to the property. Her daughter Lisa has launched a petition with 48,000 signatures, urging the housing association to grant Ms Brum a discretionary tenancy that allows her to stay in her beloved home. NHG has offered a discretionary tenancy on the condition that she downsizes and moves to...

The London Underground's book exchanges, which were removed by TfL due to fire safety concerns, have been saved after Sadiq Khan intervened. The mini-libraries, which allowed commuters to take or leave books for free, had been a fixture in stations for around 20 years. The Mayor of London worked with the London Fire Brigade to reinstate the shelves, ensuring they met safety regulations. Full Article

In 2024, measles cases in Europe doubled to a 25-year high, reaching 127,350 cases and 38 deaths, with Romania and Kazakhstan being the most affected countries. The World Health Organization emphasized the importance of vaccinations as half of the cases required hospitalization, 40 percent involved children under five, and 500,000 children in the region did not receive their first dose in 2023, leading to the resurgence of the disease after a decline in the past....