UK has opened diplomatic contact with Syrian rebels who toppled Assad, says Lammy

The Royal Mint has launched a commemorative coin celebrating John Lennon's life and career on what would have been his 85th birthday. The coin features a portrait of Lennon based on a photograph by Bob Gruen, with his name and the word "Imagine" included in the design. Lennon joins other music icons like Paul McCartney and David Bowie in the Royal Mint's "music legends" series, honoring influential singers and songwriters for their lasting impact on...

Detectives who investigated the murders of babies by nurse Lucy Letby, leading to her conviction, have launched new probes into potential gross negligence manslaughter charges. Letby is serving life for killing seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Police are now focusing on individual actions, not corporate responsibility, and have informed suspects. No arrests or charges have been made yet, separate from Letby's convictions for murder and attempted murder. Full Article

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...

The High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed the importance of early childhood development, highlighting that 80% of the human brain is formed in the first three years of life. He emphasized the economic benefits of investing in early childhood, citing successful programs in South Africa and Brazil. Climate change poses a threat to children's health and safety, with projections indicating increased exposure to extreme heat waves and wildfires in the next 30 years. Full Article

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