St. Michael’s Church: Ghent’s overlooked gem with 134m tower plans

Angela Rayner is facing backlash for controversial planning reforms that would require councils to release green belt land for a 60% surge in housebuilding. Labour's goal of constructing 1.5 million new homes has been criticized by councils and the National Trust for potentially harming valuable green spaces. The plans mandate councils to expand green belt boundaries and utilize "grey belt" areas to meet ambitious housing targets, leading to a significant increase in housebuilding in England....

Some EU citizens in the UK are facing obstacles in securing their rights, as highlighted by the Civil Society EUSS Alliance at a meeting in Parliament. Vulnerable EU citizens risk being undocumented, impacting their access to employment, healthcare, and social services. The EU Settlement Scheme has faced challenges, with many late or rejected applications, particularly affecting older people, women, and ethnic minorities. Full Article

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