Italy's iconic "Lovers' Arch" collapsed into the sea on Valentine's Day due to severe weather, while the European Union launched an investigation into the retail platform Shein over concerns about illegal products and "addictive design." Elsewhere, Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for military drills amid escalating tensions with the US, and China showcased advanced humanoid robots during its Spring Festival Gala.
The natural arch, part of the Sant'Andrea sea stacks in Puglia, Italy, was a popular spot for tourists and marriage proposals. According to Maurizio Cisternino, mayor of the nearby town of Melendugno, the collapse was "an unwanted Valentine's Day gift." The structure succumbed to days of heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas, as reported by Sky News.
Simultaneously, the European Union initiated a formal investigation into Shein following the discovery of listings for child-like sex dolls on the platform by French regulators last year, as detailed by The Verge. The investigation will assess Shein's systems for curbing illegal product sales and its use of "addictive design."
In the Middle East, Iran heightened tensions by temporarily closing the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills on Tuesday, as reported by Euronews. The move came amid ongoing nuclear talks in Geneva and escalating warnings to the US regarding its military presence in the region. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began the drill early Monday morning in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman, all crucial international shipping routes, according to Tehran.
Meanwhile, China's annual Spring Festival Gala featured advanced humanoid robots, which performed a martial arts routine that included kicks, sword waving, and backflips. The event, hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), highlighted the country's latest technological innovations, as reported by Euronews.
In other news, the small English town of Potters Bar is embroiled in a local controversy over a proposed industrial-scale data center. Locals are protesting the project, fearing its impact on the environment. According to Wired, the local government has so far dismissed the group's complaints.
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