Ukrainian military sources say a series of small-scale operations are under way, including in Bakhmut.

The UK-based tourist who triggered widespread outrage for carving his name into Rome’s Colosseum has claimed he was not aware of the monument’s age. Fitness instructor Ivan Dimitrov, 27, was caught by a fuming sightseer engraving “Ivan + Hayley 23” into the 2,000-year-old structure last month. The Bristol resident could now face a fine of up to $15,000 and five years in prison. In an apology letter published in Rome’s Il Messaggero newspaper, addressed to the prosecutor’s office and Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, Mr Dimitrov said he was not aware of the ancient monument’s age or the “seriousness of the deed committed”. “Through these lines, I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” he wrote. “It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.” Mr Dimitrov’s lawyer, Alexandro Maria Tirelli, told Il Messaggero that his client was “the prototype of the foreigner who frivolously believes that anything is allowed in Italy, even the type of act which in their own countries would be severely punished”. Italy’s Carabinieri tracked Mr Dimitrov and his girlfriend down in Bulgaria five days after the incident sparked international outrage. Italian police officer Major Roberto Martina said the 27-year-old expressed “sincere remorse” for his actions. “He told us he was very upset by what he had done, and he kept apologising for it. I think he was worried about the consequences of any trial,” Mr Martina told the Mail Online. A report of the investigation will be sent to Mr Dimitrov’s home address in the UK before any potential trial proceeds. The fitness trainer and his girlfriend were said to be holidaying in Rome on a three-week European tour when the incident took place. The Italian culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said the act “offended those around the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history”, and thanked the police for identifying the alleged suspect. The minister said the government was considering a law that would impose stringent punishment on those found guilty of defacing or damaging the country’s historical and cultural heritage sites. Rome’s Colosseum, a protected Unesco World Heritage site, was constructed during the reigns of the emperors Vespasian and Titus in the first century AD. It attracted the Roman public to see spectacular gladiatorial bouts, historical reenactments and parades of exotic wild animals imported from Africa and the Middle East, including elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, lions, leopards, panthers and ostriches. In 2014, a Russian tourist was given a suspended four-year jail sentence and fined €20,000 (£17,000) for engraving a “K” on the walls of the Colosseum. The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they likewise carved their names into its stones. Read More British tourist who carved name into Colosseum begs for forgiveness Tourist accused of vandalising Colosseum in Rome could face trial and up to five years in prison What happened to the tourist accused of carving his name into Rome Colosseum wall? What happened to the tourist accused of carving his name into Rome’s Colosseum? Tourist who carved name into Colosseum begs for forgiveness Tourist who carved name into Rome’s Colosseum ‘is British fitness trainer’

SAG-AFTRA's National Board is unanimously seeking permission from union members to strike against a number of video game makers ahead of negotiations resuming later this month.

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Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s latest Premier League title success should not be demeaned by suggestions Arsenal ‘bottled it’ in the run-in. Yet the City boss conceded his side would need to go on to win the Champions League to be regarded among the greats. City were confirmed as English champions for a fifth time in six years and a third season in succession after Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Gunners had led City by eight points as recently as last month but their form deserted them at a crucial stage. Guardiola, however, paid tribute to his former assistant Mikel Arteta’s team after City celebrated their triumph with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. Guardiola said: “There’s a tendency to underestimate. They are winners. “We pushed Arsenal but they are exceptional. They should be proud of where they have come from. They have to sustain it, that is the reality, but for me they are winners. They should be proud of where they have come from. They have to sustain it, that is the reality, but for me they are winners Pep Guardiola on Arsenal “They made me think a lot what I had to do to beat them, and they did it to us. Our relentlessness and not giving up, and having the feeling that we had to win otherwise it would not be possible, helped us a lot. “With the relationship I have with Mikel – congratulations for what they’ve done. He’s brought them back to what Arsenal was in the past. “Similar to Liverpool in previous seasons, they took us to our limits.” City hope the Premier League will prove the first leg of a glorious treble, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals to follow next month. Guardiola, who won the European competition twice as Barcelona manager, said: “We have the feeling we have done something exceptional in terms of the Premier League, but of course to be considered one of the greatest in Europe we have to win the Champions League. “Otherwise people will say our time here is not complete.” City have now won 12 Premier League games in succession in their charge to the title but Guardiola denied that would make their latest title win more special than the others. Of course to be considered one of the greatest in Europe we have to win the Champions League Pep Guardiola He said: “I’d not say it is more important. The Premier Leagues have been so tight, so this is not more special than the others. Every one is.” Chelsea’s interim manager Frank Lampard, whose side were beaten by an early Julian Alvarez strike, believes his side can learn a lot from the champions. The Stamford Bridge side’s season has been a huge disappointment, with a top-10 finish beyond them, but Lampard admits a huge amount has to change for them to even get close to their rivals. “Man City have not won three in a row through trotting out at half-intensity. To get to this level where you are lifting trophies there is a lot of work,” he said. “Everyone’s personal responsibility is ‘if I want to get to be like (Erling) Haaland and (Kevin) De Bruyne I need to put in the work those boys have put in’. “It is in their hands. I can’t say that how long it will take, it is down to the players, the direction of the club. To get where Manchester City are a lot of things have to align. “There is clearly talent in the squad, young talent, maybe a lack of stability and imbalance and they are maybe club issues.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘Unstoppable’ Manchester City players have the hunger to win more trophies Manchester City players and fans celebrate step one of the treble Nottinghamshire up to fourth in Division One after draw against Essex

Two Swedes were killed in Brussels after a gunman opened fire in the city centre, police have said. Footage shared online showed a man dressed in an orange jacket unloading several shots, using a large weapon. The bearded man was reportedly seen leaving the crime scene on a scooter. The violent incident came ahead of a qualifier game for the UEFA Euros between Sweden and Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, some three miles away. The second half of the match was later called off after players reportedly refused to return to the field. A message from the Swedish FA, sent to supporters advised fans to remain inside the stadium. Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo told reporters that “the perpetrator is said to be a man of Tunisian origin who was staying illegally in our country”. “Two lives were cut short, mown down by the most extreme cruelty. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their loved ones, their relatives. We offer our condolences,” he added. Read More Gunman at large after fatally shooting two people in Brussels Belgium stadium on lockdown with thousands of fans held inside after Brussels shooting Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after deadly shooting in Brussels

Pigeons aren’t known for sparking social media frenzies, probably because most of us view them as annoying, flying rats. But one TikTok channel dedicated to the pavement-lurking birds has prompted a flutter of interest after it shared a pretty jaw-dropping video. The clip, which is accompanied by suitably jaunty music, shows a staggeringly proportioned pigeon, with a fit-to-busting chest, skinny white legs and giant feathers for claws, apparently. The man behind Pigeons TV posted the footage early last month and it has since racked up more than 18.6 million views and 1.6 million likes. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Stunned commentators have pointed out that it looks like some sort of chicken/pigeon hybrid, with a number suggesting the “mutant” bird must be a hoax. @pigeonstv English Pouter pigeons #pigeonstv #pigeon “What in the A.I. generated pigeon is that?” one asked. “Y’'all better not [be] gaslight me into thinking this is real,” wrote another. “If I were 5 years old and you told me to draw a picture of a bird, this is what it would look like,” joked a third. “Bro came out [of] a Dr Suess Book,” added a fourth. And a fifth said: “I don’t know much about birds but these are obviously two birds wearing a pigeon suit.” However, it turns out they’re all wrong. And this Frankenstein’s Monster of a feathered friend is simply an example of one of the many varieties of pigeons that exist in the world. The English Pouter is believed to have originated in England more than 400 years ago as the result of cross-breeding among a number of other old pigeon types. It’s best known for its bulbous breast, which it can puff up and hold in position for hours on end, according to the AviCulture blog. Indeed, the bird is so famed for its interesting looks that Charles Darwin himself commented on its appearance in his 1868 book ‘The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication’, branding it: “Perhaps the most distinct of all domesticated pigeons”. The Poulter’s full chest also apparently influenced fashion back in the early 20th Century, inspiring a “poulter pigeon’ dress”, which puffed above the waist. Who knew that pigeons were true OG fashionistas? Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

'Botched' Season 8 patient, Terina, who has struggled with her weight her whole life, had a gastric sleeve operation to shed over 100 pounds