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Germany Sends Naval Ships Ahead of Possible Hormuz Mine-Clearing Mission

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Germany has deployed two naval vessels, the minesweeper Fulda and support ship Mosel, toward the Red Sea as preparations begin for a potential international mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes after the recent U.S.-Iran peace agreement, with concerns remaining over mines that could threaten shipping routes and energy supplies.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said any minesweeping operation would require approval from Iran and Oman and would depend on progress in diplomatic talks. Germany is also sending underwater drones, mine divers, and vessel protection teams to support potential de-mining efforts.

France and the UK are advocating for a multinational naval mission, while shipping and insurance industry leaders warn that mine threats continue to hinder the full resumption of maritime trade. Industry experts say establishing safe, mine-free routes will be essential before shipping traffic can return to normal levels.

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Wildfire Disrupts Spain Rail Network Ahead of Heatwave

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A wildfire in northeastern Spain disrupted high-speed rail services between Madrid and Barcelona on Thursday after flames broke out near a railway section in Catalonia. Authorities temporarily suspended train operations in the affected area to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze safely.

The disruption comes as Spain prepares for its first major heatwave of the summer. Weather officials have warned that temperatures will rise significantly over the weekend, with several inland regions expected to experience highs above 40°C and some areas potentially reaching 42°C early next week.

Forecasters also cautioned that wildfire risks will increase due to dry conditions and limited rainfall. The warning follows last year’s record-breaking heatwave across Spain and Portugal, which contributed to severe forest fires and highlighted growing concerns over the impact of climate change on extreme weather events.

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New Far-Right Party Surpasses Italy’s League in Polls

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Italy’s emerging far-right party, Futuro Nazionale, has overtaken the League for the first time in a national opinion poll. The movement, led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, secured 5.9% support, narrowly ahead of the League’s 5.8%, continuing a steady rise since its launch earlier this year.

Founded in February after Vannacci and several lawmakers split from the League, Futuro Nazionale aims to become the dominant force on Italy’s far right. Its growing popularity has added a new dynamic to the country’s political landscape and is drawing attention ahead of next year’s national election.

The party’s rise is creating challenges for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her ruling coalition. While Meloni’s Brothers of Italy remains the country’s most popular party with 27.8% support, questions remain over whether an alliance with Vannacci could emerge as Italy’s right-wing parties compete for influence.

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Irish Parliament Backs Removal of Abortion Waiting Period

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Ireland’s lower house of parliament, the Dáil, has voted in favour of legislation to remove the mandatory three-day waiting period for abortions. The Sinn Féin-backed bill passed by 86 votes to 70 and will now move to the health committee for further examination.

Under current law, women seeking an abortion up to 12 weeks into pregnancy must wait three days between an initial GP consultation and the procedure. Supporters of the bill argue that the waiting period creates an unnecessary barrier to healthcare, while opponents say it provides important time for consideration.

The vote revealed differing views across political parties, with several government members voting against the proposal despite senior leaders supporting it. Advocates have welcomed the move as a significant step in expanding reproductive healthcare, while campaigners continue to push for additional reforms recommended in previous reviews of Ireland’s abortion laws.

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Lee, Trump Discuss Korea Peace at G7 Summit

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he made significant progress on discussions about peace on the Korean Peninsula during a lengthy conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France. Lee described their 90-minute dinner discussion as productive, focusing on regional security and South Korea-U.S. relations.

Following the talks, Trump gifted Lee the pen he had used to sign documents at the summit, a gesture Lee said mirrored an earlier meeting where Trump received one of his pens. Trump also repeatedly suggested a future golf outing with Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, with the South Korean leader joking that he may now need to prepare for the game.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding and reaffirmed the importance of trilateral collaboration between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. During the summit, Lee urged Trump to take a leading role in pursuing a peaceful resolution to tensions with North Korea, while Trump reportedly praised Lee as a “strong leader.”

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France’s Spy Agency Replaces Palantir With Local AI Firm

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France’s domestic intelligence agency, DGSI, has selected French technology company ChapsVision to replace data analysis tools currently provided by U.S.-based Palantir. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the move reflects France’s commitment to reducing dependence on foreign technology and strengthening national digital sovereignty.

Although ChapsVision has been chosen as the long-term replacement, Palantir’s existing contract with the agency remains active and its tools will continue to be used during a transition period. French officials said the gradual rollout is necessary to prevent any operational disruptions while the new system is integrated.

The decision comes amid growing concerns across Europe about reliance on American technology providers, particularly in sensitive areas such as security and artificial intelligence. France also announced plans to invest €655 million in AI initiatives, including government-wide chatbot services, a public health assistant, and new platforms to improve access to public data.

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Italian Families Sue Meta and TikTok After Teen’s Tragic Death

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An Italian mother has joined a landmark lawsuit against Meta and TikTok after the death of her 12-year-old daughter, Rossella, who died by suicide in 2024. Her parents say they discovered after her death that she had been heavily exposed to self-harm and depressive content on social media, including through a secret Instagram account. They allege that platform algorithms repeatedly promoted harmful material that worsened her mental state.

The case, the first collective legal action of its kind in Italy, seeks stronger protections for minors online and greater accountability from social media companies. Several families argue that current safeguards are insufficient and that algorithms are designed to encourage prolonged engagement, potentially exposing vulnerable children to harmful content. Meta and TikTok deny the allegations, stating that they actively remove dangerous material and have introduced tools to protect young users.

The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms across Europe and beyond. Regulators are increasing pressure on technology companies to strengthen child safety measures, while experts continue to debate the long-term impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Rossella’s mother says she joined the case to raise awareness and help other families recognize risks before it is too late.

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G7 Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine, Plan Tougher Sanctions on Russia’s Energy Sector

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Leaders of the G7 nations have reaffirmed their united support for Ukraine, pledging to back the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meeting at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, the leaders agreed to intensify pressure on Russia by strengthening sanctions aimed at its war-driven economy.

In a joint statement, the G7 announced plans to expand restrictions on Russia’s oil and gas sectors as part of broader efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to finance the ongoing conflict. The move signals continued international commitment to supporting Ukraine while increasing economic costs for Russia.

The leaders also welcomed the recent agreement between the United States and Iran and expressed readiness to assist with its implementation. Additionally, they pledged to diversify global energy supply routes, reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, and build up energy reserves to improve long-term energy security.

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit Recovering After Successful Lung Transplant

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Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has successfully undergone a lung transplant and is currently recovering, according to the royal household. The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a chronic illness that gradually reduces lung function. Doctors said she is expected to remain in hospital for several weeks following the surgery.

Earlier this month, Oslo University Hospital revealed that the crown princess had been placed on a transplant waiting list after her condition deteriorated significantly, with medical experts warning that she likely had only about a year to live without the procedure. The royal couple thanked the public for the support and well wishes they have received, with further updates expected only after her discharge.

The surgery comes during a difficult period for Norway’s royal family. Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was recently convicted of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison. Meanwhile, controversies surrounding the royal family have contributed to declining public support for the monarchy, though recent polls show sentiment has improved slightly.

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BMW Shares Plunge Following Severe Profit Warning Linked to China Slump and Iran War

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Shares in premium automaker BMW tumbled 8% in early Frankfurt trade following a severe profit warning issued late Tuesday. The company attributed the drastic guidance downgrade to a deepening economic downturn in China and the global fallout from the war in Iran, which has driven up energy costs and severely dented international consumer confidence. Analysts at Deutsche Bank and Jefferies noted that the sudden revision caught the market off guard, representing a far more substantial decline than anticipated.

In response to these compounding headwinds, BMW slashed its 2026 core automotive operating margin forecast to just 1–3%, down significantly from its previous estimate of 4–6%. The Munich-based manufacturer also revised its group pre-tax profits from a projected moderate decline to a “significant decrease,” while warning that vehicle deliveries will likely slide rather than remain steady. To buffer against these losses, BMW announced it will sharply accelerate structural and efficiency cost-cutting initiatives, which will trigger a major one-time negative impact on its earnings in the second half of 2026.

Industry experts suggest that this massive guidance cut signals a broader strategic overhaul for the German luxury automaker. Financial analysts at Jefferies remarked that the impending restructuring will heavily impact BMW’s domestic German operations. They pointed out that the crisis may force the company to reevaluate its global assembly footprint and legacy business model, which remains heavily reliant on exporting internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain components out of Germany.

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