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Politics
'Narrative war': disinformation surges as conflict roils Middle East
Recycled images, video game footage passed off as missile strikes, and AI-generated combat visuals: the US-Israeli assault on Iran has unleashed a torrent of online disinformation that analysts are calling a war of narratives.
Boulevard
Unification Church loses Japan appeal against dissolution
The Unification Church lost an appeal Wednesday against a Japanese court's order to dissolve the sect, which came under investigation following the assassination of ex-premier Shinzo Abe.
Politics
Philippine VP Sara Duterte to face impeachment vote
A Philippine congressional committee agreed overwhelmingly on Wednesday to send articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to lawmakers for a vote that could decide her political future.
Politics
Iran claims 'complete control' of strait: Latest developments in Middle East war
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had "complete control" of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and Israel launched new strikes on Iranian and Lebanese targets as the war engulfing the Middle East continued into its fifth day.
North Korea unveils rare statue of leader Kim Jong Un
North Korea has unveiled one of its first-known statues of Kim Jong Un, using the "highly unusual" sculpture to depict the leader as a smiling man of the people, an analyst told AFP.
Boulevard
Gabon fashion designer brings traditional raffia to Paris runways
Strands of raffia dry outside in the sun at the studio of Gabonese fashion designer Chouchou Lazare, who has made a name for himself using the natural fibres to craft his award-winning garments.
Politics
Greek court to hand down sentences in neo-Nazi party appeal trial
A Greek appeals court on Wednesday is to pronounce fresh sentences in a landmark trial over crimes committed by the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party at the height of the country's economic crisis.
Sports
In-demand Brumbies coach Larkham extends contract
ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham extended his contract Wednesday with the Super Rugby club until 2028, rebuffing any potential moves.
Economy
Israel launches new strikes as Iran squeezes key oil shipping route
Israel launched fresh strikes on Iran and Lebanon, where state media reported a residential building was hit on Wednesday, as Iran's Guards said they had sealed off one of the world's most vital shipping routes for energy.
Politics
Texas tests party fault lines as US midterms begin
A bruising Texas Republican primary is advancing to a runoff vote, laying bare the struggle for control of US President Donald Trump's party as the 2026 midterms began Tuesday, while Democrats sparred over their own direction.
Economy
X suspends revenue sharing for undisclosed AI war videos
Social media platform X announced Tuesday it would suspend creators from its revenue sharing program for 90 days if they post AI-generated videos of armed conflicts without disclosing they were artificially made, the company said.
Politics
Lebanon says Israeli strikes hit hotel, residential building
Israeli strikes hit a Beirut hotel and residential complex in Lebanon's east, Lebanese state media said Wednesday, as Israel announced broad strikes in response to Hezbollah missile and drone launches.
Economy
Patchy Italy disability access 'an insult' ahead of Games
Italy hosts the world's top paralympic athletes this month, but just getting across the street in Rome can feel like an Olympian task for wheelchair users.
Sports
Cavs upset Pistons, Spurs thrash Sixers
The Cleveland Cavaliers shrugged off to the injury absence of star point guard Donovan Mitchell to score a 113-109 upset of the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Economy
Seoul tanks as Asian stocks tumble, oil extends gains on Iran war
Seoul shares collapsed more than 12 percent as Asian equity markets were hit by panic selling Wednesday, while oil rose amid fears the US-Israel war on Iran will fan inflation and hammer the global economy.
Sports
Pressure on Norris as Formula One enters new era in Melbourne
A new era in Formula One revs up this week with Lando Norris starting his world title defence and Cadillac making their debut at a wide-open Australian Grand Prix that will test the impact of sweeping rule changes.
Politics
Khamenei to be buried in holy city of Mashhad: Iranian media
Iran's slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, the Fars news agency said Tuesday.
Israeli strike hits Beirut hotel: Latest developments in Middle East war
Explosions rocked the Lebanese capital and Israel said it was launching a new wave of overnight strikes on Iran, as the war engulfing the Middle East continued into Wednesday.
Politics
Lebanon reports broad Israeli strikes hitting hotel, residential building
Israeli strikes hit a Beirut hotel and a residential building in Lebanon's east, Lebanese state media said Wednesday, as Israel announced "broad-scale strikes" against Hezbollah after repeated missile and drone launches.
Politics
EU to unveil 'Made in Europe' rules despite pushback
The EU will on Wednesday unveil "Buy European" rules to boost domestic production, which Brussels says will help defend European businesses against fierce global competition, especially from China.
Politics
Nepali women still sidelined in post-uprising polls
Nepali women risked their lives in last year's deadly anti-corruption protests that toppled the government.
Economy
Asian stocks tumble further, oil extends gains as inflation fears grow
Asian equity markets plunged again Wednesday while oil extended gains as the United States and Israel pressed on with their war on Iran, with investors growing fearful about a surge in inflation and the impact on the global economy.
Technology
Europe should focus on industrial AI, SAP says
Europe should focus on competing in industrial AI, a top executive at German software giant SAP said, as the continent plays catch-up in the race for the cutting-edge technology against the United States and China.
Economy
Chinese consumers scout lower prices, secondhand goods as spending sputters
In a Shanghai shopping centre, customers browsed racks of used winter coats, $2 trousers and household appliances -- pre-used items that would have been out of place in a major Chinese mall a decade ago.
US says 2,000 targets hit as Iran retaliates across Gulf
Israel early Wednesday launched new attacks on Iran as the US military said it has hit nearly 2,000 targets inside the Islamic republic, which tried to impose a cost by expanding a missile and drone barrage across the region.
Culture
Periods, old age and communal conflict: Oscar shorts showcase variety
From menstruation mishaps to a meditation on old age, and the challenges faced by Arab-Israelis in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, one Oscars category is nothing if not varied.
Politics
Iran will not 'automatically' fall after Khamenei's death, shah's widow tells AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei's death is "historically significant" but will not "automatically" lead to the fall of the Iranian system, the widow of the country's last shah told AFP in an interview Tuesday.
Politics
Trump insists he struck Iran on his own terms
President Donald Trump and his team scrambled Tuesday to reclaim the narrative on why he decided to attack Iran, after his top diplomat suggested the US struck only after learning of an imminent Israeli strike.
Politics
Beirut explosion, Qatar busts spy cells: Latest developments in Mideast war
An explosion rocked the Lebanese capital and Israel said it was launching a new overnight wave of strikes on Iran, as the war engulfing the Middle East continued into Wednesday.
Politics
Hezbollah says targeted Israel's Haifa naval base after strikes on Lebanon
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it targeted northern Israel's Haifa naval base on Tuesday in response to the Israeli military's ongoing strikes against the Iran-back movement's strongholds in Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Boulevard
Trump Commerce chief agrees to testify in congressional Epstein probe
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to testify in the congressional inquiry of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the chairman of the committee conducting the investigation said Tuesday.
Sports
Sabalenka backs 'best-of-five' Slam proposal, Swiatek against
World number one Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday voiced her support for a proposal to make women's matches best-of-five sets during the later stages of Grand Slam tournaments.