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Paris Launches Lottery for Burial Spots in Iconic Cemeteries

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Paris has introduced a unique lottery system offering residents a rare chance to secure a burial place in the city’s world-famous cemeteries — Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre — where legendary figures like Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Marcel Proust are buried. With most city cemeteries at full capacity since the early 20th century, gaining a plot within Paris has become nearly impossible.

As part of the scheme, 30 neglected 19th-century monuments — ten in each cemetery — are being sold for €4,000. Winners must restore the gravestone within six months and then purchase a nearby burial plot, which could cost up to €5,260 for a 50-year lease. Failure to meet restoration or leasing deadlines will result in the sale being cancelled with no refund.

The programme aims to preserve heritage gravestones that have deteriorated due to lack of family upkeep, while offering Parisians a meaningful final resting place in the city. Due to high interest, applications are limited to current Paris residents, and a draw will be held in January to decide the new caretakers of these historic plots.

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India Advances Toward a Cashless Economy: Insights from the Manappuram Unique Times Conclave 2025

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At the Manappuram Unique Times Conclave 2025, held in Kochi, India, on November 4th, financial and technology leaders convened to explore how digital banking and taxation are shaping the nation’s transition to a cashless economy. Organized by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd under the leadership of Dr. Ajit Ravi, the conclave reflected India’s growing influence in the global fintech transformation.

The high-profile panel featured V P Nandakumar, CMD of Manappuram Finance Ltd; Hari Velloor, EVP of ESAF Bank; Keshav Mishra, CEO & Co-Founder of 8byte AI; Bobby Thomas Varghese, Associate Director at EY Global Delivery Services; and Nikhil K G, CEO of Pentad Securities, with CA Vivek Krishna Govind of Varma & Varma serving as moderator.

Discussions highlighted India’s rapid strides in digital finance, stressing the synergy between innovation, governance, and inclusive growth. Experts agreed that the nation’s transition toward a cashless, transparent, and technology-driven economy will set a model for emerging markets worldwide.

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Lafarge Faces Unprecedented Terror Financing Trial in France

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French cement maker Lafarge, now part of Switzerland’s Holcim Group, went on trial in Paris on Tuesday over accusations that its Syrian subsidiary financed terrorist groups to keep a plant operational during Syria’s civil war. Investigators allege Lafarge paid around €5 million between 2013 and September 2014 to groups including Islamic State (IS) and the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front—both designated as terrorist organisations by the European Union.

Prosecutors say those payments helped secure safe passage for workers and maintain material supplies at Lafarge’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria, which began operations in 2010 shortly before the conflict erupted. Eight former Lafarge executives are also being tried, each facing up to 10 years in prison. The company has said the actions violated its Code of Conduct and that none of those executives are currently with the company.

This marks a landmark case in France, being the first time a corporation has stood trial for terrorism financing. Lafarge has already admitted similar wrongdoing in the United States in 2022, paying $778 million in penalties. The French trial is expected to run until December 16, and the company also remains under investigation for potential complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria.

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European Carmakers Brace for Supply Disruptions as Nexperia Halts China Shipments

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Europe’s auto industry is facing renewed supply chain concerns after Dutch semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia suspended wafer shipments from China. The move follows a dispute with management at its Dongguan facility and comes weeks after the Dutch government seized temporary control of the company over national security issues.

Nexperia, whose chips are essential for power systems, sensors, and electronics in vehicles made by Volkswagen, BMW, and Stellantis, informed customers that deliveries were halted from 26 October. Officials in The Hague fear that production capabilities could shift out of Europe amid rising trade tensions with China, which has added its own export restrictions, further complicating component flows.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has warned that shortages of basic control chips are escalating daily and could soon disrupt assembly lines. Governments and industry groups are now pushing for urgent diplomatic talks to restore supply routes and protect European automotive output through the remainder of the year.

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Worker Dies After Collapse of Medieval Tower Near Rome’s Colosseum

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A Romanian worker has died after being trapped for hours under the rubble following the partial collapse of the medieval Torre dei Conti near the Colosseum in Rome. Emergency services rescued the man late on Monday and rushed him to hospital in serious condition, but he later succumbed to his injuries. Another Romanian worker sustained serious but non-life-threatening head injuries, while two others suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, no firefighters were harmed during the rescue operations.

The 29-metre-high Torre dei Conti, which was undergoing restoration to be converted into a museum and conference space, partially crumbled twice on Monday — first at around 10:30 GMT and again about 90 minutes later. Video footage captured clouds of dust and falling masonry as firefighters worked with aerial ladders to stabilize the structure. Authorities have since seized the construction site to investigate the cause of the collapse, local media reported.

Built in the early 13th century by Pope Innocent III for his family, the Torre dei Conti once stood twice its current height before being reduced due to earthquake damage in the 14th and 17th centuries. The tower, located along the historic Via dei Fori Imperiali, had been closed to the public since 2006 and was undergoing a four-year EU-funded renovation project expected to conclude next year. The collapse has left the building standing but with significant internal damage.

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Pregnant UK Teen Bella Culley Freed from Georgian Prison After Plea Deal

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Nineteen-year-old Bella Culley from Billingham, Teesside, has been released from prison in Georgia after facing serious drug trafficking charges that could have led to a 20-year sentence. Culley, who is eight months pregnant, was arrested on 10 May at Tbilisi International Airport when authorities found 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to trafficking but said she had been forced by gangsters who tortured her while she was in Thailand.

Following months of negotiations, prosecutors made a last-minute change to her plea bargain, considering her young age and pregnancy. Her family also paid £137,000 to reduce her jail term to two years, but the updated deal allowed her to walk free after five months and 24 days in custody. In court, Culley broke into smiles and hugged her lawyer as she realised she was being released.

Leaving the courthouse arm-in-arm with her mother, both emotional and relieved, Bella expressed that she had not expected to be freed so soon. Her family is now working to retrieve her passport so she can return to the UK as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Georgian authorities are also investigating her claims of coercion by criminal groups in Thailand.

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Clashes Erupt in Serbia as Protesters Demand Justice and Snap Elections

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Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators clashed with supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić late Sunday, marking a tense escalation near the anniversary of a deadly roof collapse that killed 16 people. The tragedy, which occurred during the renovation of a railway station in Novi Sad, has fueled months of youth-led protests over alleged corruption and government mismanagement.

The weekend saw rallies across Belgrade and Novi Sad, with protesters demanding accountability and justice for the victims. Tensions flared near the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, where demonstrators gathered in solidarity with Dijana Hrka, a grieving mother on hunger strike whose son died in the collapse. Supporters of Vučić, stationed in a fenced-off area outside the parliament since March, confronted the protesters as both sides exchanged flares, prompting police intervention.

According to the Interior Ministry, at least 37 individuals were arrested for violating public order and participating in unauthorized gatherings. The confrontations have rattled the government and intensified calls for snap elections, as citizens continue to demand transparency and justice over the unpunished disaster.

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Partial Collapse of Rome’s Medieval Torre dei Conti Injures Workers Near Colosseum

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A section of the medieval Torre dei Conti in central Rome partially collapsed on Monday, leaving one worker seriously injured and another trapped beneath rubble. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, located near the Colosseum, as firefighters worked carefully to rescue the trapped worker amid fears of further structural collapses. “We are trying to get him out alive but the situation is complex,” said national fire department spokesman Luca Cari.

Regional President Francesco Rocca confirmed that the injured worker taken to hospital was not in life-threatening condition, while two others sustained minor injuries and declined hospitalization. Videos circulating on social media showed at least two separate collapses, with plumes of dust and debris pouring from the windows as masonry crumbled. The second collapse reportedly occurred while firefighters were already on-site using aerial ladders to stabilize the structure.

Standing 29 meters tall, the Torre dei Conti is a historic landmark dating back to the early 13th century, built by Pope Innocent III for his family. Once used as city hall offices, the tower has been closed since 2006 and is currently undergoing a four-year restoration project scheduled for completion next year. Authorities have sealed off the surrounding area for safety as structural assessments continue.

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White House Expected to Resume Shipments from Nexperia’s China Plants Amid Global Chip Strain

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The Dutch government and chipmaker Nexperia declined to comment on reports suggesting that the White House is preparing to announce the resumption of shipments from Nexperia’s Chinese facilities. According to a Reuters report citing a source familiar with the matter, the decision is expected to ease pressure on automakers facing potential production cuts due to a shortage of crucial semiconductor components.

In a statement, the Netherlands said it remains in dialogue with Chinese authorities and international partners to find “a constructive solution that restores balance to the chip supply chain and benefits Nexperia and our economies.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Nexperia emphasized that the company has been “continuously calling for a de-escalation of the current events.”

The development follows last month’s move by the Dutch government to seize control of Nexperia, a subsidiary of Chinese-owned Wingtech Technology. In retaliation, Beijing reportedly blocked exports of Nexperia’s products from China, escalating tensions in the already strained global semiconductor supply chain.

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Russian Forces Claim Victory Over Ukrainian Special Unit in Pokrovsk Offensive

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Russian forces have claimed to have defeated a Ukrainian special forces team deployed to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk, as Moscow intensifies efforts to capture the remaining parts of the Donbas region. The Russian defence ministry stated that all 11 Ukrainian special operatives who arrived by Black Hawk helicopter earlier this week were killed in combat, while advancing troops continue clearing the area. However, a Ukrainian military source denied the losses, asserting that the operation in Pokrovsk was still ongoing.

Pokrovsk, often referred to as “the gateway to Donetsk,” has become a critical battleground as Russia pushes to seize the last 10% of Donbas still under Ukrainian control. Russian troops have reportedly pushed back Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” near Hryshyne, northwest of Pokrovsk, tightening a pincer movement that threatens to cut off vital supply routes. The fighting has created a “grey zone” in and around the city — an area neither side fully controls but both fiercely contest.

The intensified offensive underscores Moscow’s aim to secure full dominance over Donetsk and Luhansk, regions it claims as part of Russia — a move Kyiv and Western nations condemn as an illegal annexation. The strategic significance of Pokrovsk also lies in its proximity to Ukraine’s only coking coal mine, essential for its steel industry, which has already been suspended due to the conflict. Clearing Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad, analysts say, could take time, delaying any formal Russian victory declaration.

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