Hasselt Election: Mondelaers gains ground, Vandeput remains mayor

Tai and Naiyahmi Yasharahyalah were sentenced to 24-and-a-half years and 19-and-a-half years in prison for causing the death of their three-year-old son, Abiyah, by forcing him to follow an extreme vegan diet and failing to seek medical attention when he became critically ill. The couple lived an off-grid existence and believed they were in a kingdom governed by Tai's own legal framework and religion, resulting in severe malnourishment, rickets, anaemia, stunted growth, and multiple fractures...

Rutte acknowledges that current defense spending is higher than a decade ago but still lower than during the Cold War when European members of NATO spent 3.8% of GDP on defense. He emphasizes the need for increased defense spending, citing Russia's substantial military outlay and the European Commission's estimation of €500 billion needed over the next decade to meet NATO's capability targets. The 2 percent defense spending goal is deemed insufficient by allies, with a...

In April, GP Thomas Plimmer was struck off following complaints of sexual misconduct towards five women and allegedly threatening another, with his appeal pending. A woman has now accused him of attempting to choke her during sex without her consent, after meeting him on a dating app in 2017. Plimmer apologized when she expressed discomfort, but the incident raises further concerns about his behavior. Full Article

The Independent relies on reader support to cover stories ranging from reproductive rights to Big Tech, with a commitment to unbiased reporting. European countries are pausing Syrian asylum applications post-Assad's fall, pending clarity on Syria's future. EU nations are monitoring migration flows and expressing concern over potential threats posed by Assad loyalists and extremist groups amid the country's transition. Full Article

Sir Brian Leveson will lead a comprehensive review of the courts system in England and Wales to address the growing backlog of cases, with a focus on potential reforms such as removing the right to a jury trial for certain offenses and empowering magistrates to issue longer sentences. The review, set to report in the spring of 2025, comes in response to increasing delays in court proceedings, including a nearly fourfold increase in delayed murder...

The NHS is preparing for a challenging winter amid concerns of a potential “quademic” involving flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus, with a 350% surge in hospital flu admissions averaging over 1,000 daily compared to last year. Eligible individuals are urged to get their flu jab as soon as possible, with expanded vaccine eligibility including pregnant women, children, and vulnerable populations, as over 27 million vaccinations have been administered. Despite proactive measures like vaccinations, health experts...