EUROPE

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President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit, confirmed via a post on X. The announcement follows a week in which Ukraine was excluded from US-Russia talks on the ongoing war. Both leaders "agreed on the urgent need for an inclusive peace process" during a phone conversation, with Zelensky emphasizing, "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

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Romania's outgoing centrist president, Klaus Iohannis, resigned on Monday to preempt an impeachment attempt by hard-right opposition parties in parliament. The resignation comes after Romania, an EU and NATO member bordering Ukraine, was plunged into institutional chaos last year when a far-right NATO critic won the first round of the presidential election.

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Every year on February 20, the world observes World Day of Social Justice, a day dedicated to promoting equality, human rights, and the eradication of social injustices. Established by the United Nations, this day serves as a reminder that fairness, dignity, and equal opportunities should be fundamental rights for all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or nationality.  

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The EU has ordered online fashion giant Shein to provide information on risks related to illegal products sold on its platform, opening the door for a second investigation into the Chinese-founded company. The European Commission's request, announced Thursday, comes a day after confirming a separate probe into Shein's compliance with EU consumer protection rules.

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French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, granting him a reprieve after less than two months in office. However, his future remains uncertain after using a controversial constitutional article on Monday to push through his cost-cutting budget without a vote. Bayrou, a veteran centrist appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to resolve a political crisis, defended the budget as "an urgent step."