EUROPE

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President Emmanuel Macron has said the hantavirus situation linked to a cruise ship outbreak is “under control”, after the rare virus triggered international concern following multiple deaths aboard the MV Hondius.

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A resident stands outside a shattered home after overnight strikes as debris litters the ground in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine's towns and cities remain under sustained aerial assault as the war grinds on.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion. Speaking to reporters following a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow, Putin remarked that the "special military operation" is "coming to an end." During his address, he also criticized Western nations for their continued support of the government in Kyiv.

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Elusive street artist Banksy has once again captured global attention after confirming that a mysterious statue which appeared in central London is his latest work. The sculpture surfaced on a plinth in Waterloo Place early on Wednesday morning, sparking curiosity, speculation, and eventually crowds of admirers eager to witness the installation firsthand.

The statue depicts a suited man stepping forward off a plinth while holding a flag that completely covers his face. The imagery is both simple and provocative, a hallmark of Banksy’s style. Positioned in Waterloo Place in St James’s, an area historically designed to celebrate imperial power and military dominance in the 1800s, the artwork gains additional symbolic weight. It sits among monuments dedicated to figures such as Edward VII and Florence Nightingale, as well as memorials linked to the Crimean War, making its presence feel deliberate and sharply contextual.

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has raised concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence after fabricated images of her circulated widely across social media, intensifying debate in Italy about digital manipulation.

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British broadcaster, author, and public figure Stephen Fry has taken legal action following a serious accident that occurred at a major technology event in London. The incident happened in September 2023 at the CogX Festival, held at the O2 Arena, where Fry had just delivered a keynote speech on artificial intelligence.

According to details presented in court filings, Fry sustained multiple injuries after accidentally walking off the edge of the stage. He fell approximately two metres onto a concrete surface while exiting the stage area. The fall resulted in significant physical harm, including fractures to his leg, hip, pelvis, and several ribs. Despite the severity of the injuries, Fry later expressed relief that he had not suffered damage to his spine or skull, which could have led to even more serious consequences.

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Romanian lawmakers have ousted Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan after a successful no-confidence vote in parliament. The collapse of the government was triggered by the left-wing Social Democrats, who withdrew from Bolojan’s four-party coalition last month and allied with the far-right opposition to secure his removal. The liberal Prime Minister had faced persistent criticism from the Social Democrats over his implementation of austerity measures intended to lower the national budget deficit.

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The UK Parliament has passed the "landmark" Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which implements a lifelong ban on cigarette sales for anyone born after 2008. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords have approved the final draft, making it illegal for retailers to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The legislation is designed to ensure that children currently aged 17 or younger never legally reach the age where they can purchase tobacco.

When it gets royal assent, ministers will also have new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including their flavours and packaging.

It is part of a series of measures aimed at tackling the health effects of smoking, one of the UK's leading causes of preventable death, disability and ill health.