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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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D66 Surges in Dutch Elections, Ending Far-Right Momentum

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The centrist Democrats 66 (D66) party scored major gains in the Dutch parliamentary elections, emerging neck-and-neck with Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party (PVV) as 90% of votes were counted. Both parties were projected to win 26 seats in the 150-member lower house, marking a sharp fall for Wilders from his record 2023 performance and a near tripling of seats for D66. The result positions 38-year-old D66 leader Rob Jetten as the frontrunner to form the next government and potentially become the Netherlands’ youngest-ever prime minister.

At D66’s election night event, jubilant supporters cheered and waved Dutch flags as Jetten declared the victory “a farewell to the politics of hate and negativity.” His campaign focused on addressing housing shortages, boosting education, and managing immigration, themes that resonated strongly with voters seeking stability and optimism after two years of political turbulence.

While Wilders acknowledged disappointment over losing seats, he vowed to continue his political fight from the opposition benches. Coalition talks are expected to be challenging, as at least four parties will be needed to secure a 76-seat majority. A possible alliance could involve D66 joining forces with the conservative Christian Democrats, the centre-right VVD, and the Greens-Labour bloc, but negotiations may stretch for months before a new government takes shape.

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Belgium Launches Probe into Drone Sightings Over Military Base

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Belgium has opened an investigation following two drone sightings over a military base in the country’s south-east, Defence Minister Theo Francken announced on Wednesday. Guards at the barracks in Marche-en-Famenne reportedly observed multiple drones flying over sensitive sections of the base on Sunday and Tuesday, prompting a joint inquiry by police and the intelligence agency ADIV.

Francken, in posts on social media platform X, described the operators as “skilled drone pilots,” suggesting the activity was not the work of amateurs. The Belgian Defence Ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The incident marks the second such case in Belgium within a month, amid heightened alert across NATO countries following drone and airspace incursions in Europe. Recent incidents include sightings at military bases and airports in Copenhagen, Munich, and the Baltic region. Earlier this month, the European Commission unveiled new defence initiatives, including a continent-wide counter-drone system and plans to strengthen the eastern border by 2030.

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Reform UK Faces First Governance Test as Local Councils Challenge Party’s Efficiency Drive

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Britain’s right-wing Reform UK, led by veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, is facing its first real test of governance after securing control of nearly half the local authorities contested in 2025. The party, which has surged in popularity on fiery rhetoric against illegal immigration, the EU, and “woke” policies, is now grappling with everyday administrative issues such as taxes, waste collection, and pothole repairs. With control over 10 of 23 local councils, representing more than eight million residents, Reform must now demonstrate whether it can deliver beyond slogans and manage local affairs efficiently.

At the national level, Farage has pledged a sweeping overhaul of government spending, inspired by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) model, claiming potential savings of £225 billion over five years. However, economists have dismissed these ambitions as unrealistic, warning they could risk a financial backlash similar to that seen under former Prime Minister Liz Truss. Locally, Reform officials, including Mark Arnull, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, are focusing on pragmatic steps such as renegotiating contracts and improving efficiency in social services—despite resorting to unpopular measures like raising council taxes by 5%.

Yet the party’s transition from protest to power has exposed internal strains and growing scrutiny. Accusations of racism, councillor infighting, and public backlash against moves like scrapping net-zero targets have underscored the challenges of governing. While supporters describe Reform as a “breath of fresh air,” critics argue it lacks experience and risks overpromising. With polls showing Reform ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives, the party’s local performance could determine whether Farage’s insurgent movement truly has what it takes to lead Britain.

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Spain Moves to Shift Criminal Investigations from Judges to Prosecutors in Major Legal Overhaul

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Spain’s cabinet on Tuesday approved a landmark bill that would transfer the responsibility for criminal investigations from court magistrates to public prosecutors, marking the most significant reform to the country’s justice system since 1882. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said the move aims to modernize Spain’s outdated legal framework and align it with other European democracies, ensuring that “judges are there to judge and execute judgements, while investigations are carried out by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.”

Under the proposed law, judges would still oversee prosecutors to safeguard fundamental rights and procedural fairness, with the power to confirm or revoke prosecutorial decisions. The draft bill also limits the influence of “private prosecutions” by removing the ability of political parties and trade unions to initiate criminal cases, allowing only organizations with a legitimate link to the matter to do so independently.

The reform faces a tough path in Spain’s fragmented parliament, where the minority leftist government has struggled to pass major legislation. Opposition parties, including the far-right Vox and the conservative People’s Party, have criticized the proposal, warning it could weaken judicial independence. Madrid’s regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso called the move a step toward “popular justice — the most unjust of all.”

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