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Romania recounts presidential ballots as parliamentary vote looms

Romania on Friday began recounting the votes from last week’s dramatic first-round presidential election, amid concerns the ballot might be annulled as authorities pointed to Russia’s influence and alleged interference via TikTok.Romania was thrown into chaos after a top court ordered a recount of the first-round vote, won by Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right admirer …

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Thousands rally in Georgia after violent police crackdown on pro-EU protesters

Thousands of Georgians rallied for a second day running on Friday after police arrested dozens in a violent overnight crackdown on protests against the government’s decision to delay EU membership talks.The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in October parliamentary elections that the pro-EU opposition …

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British MPs back contentious assisted dying bill in ‘historic’ vote

UK lawmakers voted Friday in favour of assisted dying for terminally ill people in England and Wales, advancing the emotive and contentious legislation to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny.Campaign group Dignity in Dying hailed the result as a “historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people”, but Christian Concern called it a …

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France shows off restored Notre Dame after ‘impossible’ restoration

France on Friday showed off to the world the gleaming restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral, just over a week before the 850-year-old mediaeval edifice reopens following painstaking restoration after the devastating 2019 fire.President Emmanuel Macron conducted an inspection of the restoration, broadcast live on television, saying workers had done the “impossible” by healing a …

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Georgia police arrest dozens in clashes with pro-EU protesters

Police in Georgia arrested dozens of people overnight and early Friday in a violent crackdown on protests against the government’s decision to delay EU membership talks.The Black Sea nation has been rocked by turmoil since the ruling party declared victory in October parliamentary elections that the pro-EU opposition decried as falsified.On Thursday night and Friday …

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Macron unveils Notre Dame after ‘impossible’ restoration

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday inspected the gleaming restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral, saying workers had done the “impossible” by healing a “national wound” caused by a 2019 fire that ravaged the mediaeval landmark.Eight days ahead of the December 7 reopening of the cathedral, Macron conducted an inspection, broadcast live on television, which …

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Syria jihadists, allies shell major city Aleppo in shock offensive

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria’s second city Aleppo on Friday, in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting the country has seen in years.The violence has killed 255 people, according to a Syrian war monitor, most of them combatants on both sides but also including civilians. …

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