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- Former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead at home in Dartmoor
- Fresh appeal for information in 39-year-old murder case of mother Antoinette Smith
- German police end hostage situation in Berlin supermarket with arrest
- EU regulators assess potential violations of law by Facebook and Instagram’s design choices.
- US demands Iran cease attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Kananaskis recovers from floods but some trails remain closed
- Hegseth expresses frustration over grooming standard non-compliance by troops
- Ukraine targets 49 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet in recent attacks
Europe
German police ended an 11-hour hostage situation at a Berlin supermarket on Saturday morning, employing a Taser to subdue the suspect. The man allegedly threatened a cashier with a knife after entering the store on Friday night. All staff present during the incident were unharmed.
Belgium’s three regions have announced the introduction of a road tax starting 1 May 2027, affecting both domestic and foreign drivers. The tax requires vehicle registration, with annual fees ranging from €90 for zero-emission cars to €125 for higher polluting vehicles.
The French government has activated the “Orsec extreme heat plan” for nine departments due to a persistent heatwave, with red alerts extended to 24 areas, including Ile-de-France. This unprecedented measure is aimed at protecting vulnerable populations amid increasing wildfires, which have already burned twice as much land as last year.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the “One Europe, One Market” strategy, aiming for full EU single market integration by 2027 to enhance competitiveness with the US and China. This is crucial for the bloc’s economic future.
Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó and Slovakia’s Minister of Economy Karel Hirman announced a suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine, citing Kyiv’s failure to restore the disrupted Druzhba pipeline, though the European Commission claims energy security remains unaffected.
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has resumed its flagship entry exam after a seven-year hiatus, prompting private coaching companies to emerge, assisting candidates in navigating one of Europe’s most challenging competitions. This shift comes as demand for EU jobs rises.
Russia launched a series of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, injuring 15, including children, and killing one in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the targeting of energy and infrastructure, with temperatures dropping to -10C.
Fleur Bakker, founder of the social enterprise “A Beautiful Mess,” announced the initiative is expected to achieve a €5 million turnover by 2026, helping 300 refugees gain job training as part of essential market integration efforts.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit China next week with a large business delegation, aiming to strengthen economic ties amid rising Chinese competition for Germany’s car makers. He emphasized the importance of balancing cooperation and competition in foreign economic policy.
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